July 26, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

UN says Somalia’s transition must end Aug. 20 as scheduled and expresses concern at delays

25 Jul – Source: AP/ Canada.com- 365 words

The U.N. Security Council says Somalia’s transition must end on Aug. 20 and is expressing “serious concern” that deadlines are being missed.

The council is urging the country’s transitional government and political leaders to redouble efforts to complete outstanding requirements.

The Security Council announced the Aug. 20 deadline in February and called on all parties to implement a roadmap aimed at improving security, governance and reconciliation, and creating a constitution.

Key Headlines

Somalia is on the right track moving forward says US Envoy to Somalia (Bar-Kulan)
Somali gov’t soldiers exchange gunfire in Mogadishu (Shabelle)
Ethiopian troops arrest Somali army officers in Baidoa town (Hiiraan)
Six injured in Dadaab explosion (The Standard)
Somali President thanks VOA for Somalia Constitution Poll (VOA News)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somalia is on the right track moving forward, says US Envoy to Somalia

25 Jul – Source: Bar-kulan – 164 words

The U.S ambassador to Somalia James Swan on Wednesday said Somalia is on the right track moving forward and making indisputable gains in terms of security as it moves towards ending the current transitional period. Swan also said the country has made a significant step forward in ending the transitional period by August 20th this year, urging Somali leaders to know that “there is no turning back and the transition must end on August 20th.”

Somali gov’t soldiers exchange gunfire in Mogadishu

25 Jul – Source: Shabelle – 72 words

Witnesses said on Wednesday that Somali government troops exchanged heavy gunfire in Mogadishu’s main junction during the Somali national constitution assembly meeting. “I can confirm you that the battle between Somali government army soldiers is ongoing at Bo’le neighborhood in Dharkenlay district, but I don’t know the reason behind the fighting. Sporadic gunfire could be heard across the village, said a local woman.

Ethiopian troops arrest Somali army officers in Baidoa town

25 Jul – Source: Shabelle/Hiiraan Online – 107 words

The Ethiopian troops operating inside southern Somalia have reportedly taken into custody several senior Somali army commanders in Baidoa, the third largest city in Somalia, officials said on Wednesday. Aden Doodshe, the army boss of Baidoa and aden Biid the police chief both are held at the central jail of the city manned by Ethiopian troops, according to the sources, following a rift among the officials of Bay administration for Somali government.

National Union of Somali Journalists held two-day workshop training in Garowe

25 Jul – Source: Mareeg Online/Somaliweyn/Jowhar Online – 66 words

The National Union of Somali Journalists held a two-day training workshop on improving media professionalism and responsibility in Garowe, the headquarters of the semi-autonomous regions of Puntland on 17 – 18 July, 2012. The training, which was sponsored by the Golis Telecommunication Company, attracted more than 30 Somali journalists.

Heavy rainfall damages properties in Somaliland’s Hargeisa

25 Jul- Source: Hadhwanaag Times- 95 words

Heavy rainfall on Wednesday caused properties damages in Somaliland’s Hargeisa city.
Local residents said the downpour was falling all night as it destroyed some houses’ roofs and damaged some business stalls. Reports said that some children sustained minor injuries from the destruction of roofs in the neighborhood of Isha Borame in Hargeisa’s Hamar Dhagah area.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Six injured in Dadaab explosion

25 Jul – Source: Standard – 137 words

Six people including three police officers were wounded after their vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device in Dagahaley refugee camp in Dadaab. Police say the other three people who were injured were civilians travelling in the police vehicle that hit the explosive device. The six were in the police vehicle that was escorting another car that was distributing food within the camp at around 11.30am when the explosion occurred.

War-torn Somalia’s assembly convenes to debate constitution

25 Jul – Source: Capital News – 162 words

A special assembly tasked with voting on a new constitution for war-torn Somalia convened for the first time Wednesday, as the corruption-riddled government approaches the end of its mandate next month. Billed as the key to lifting anarchic Somalia out of two decades of civil war, the end of the transitional government comes as regional forces have wrested a series of key strongholds from al Shabaab insurgents.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

UN says Somalia’s transition must end Aug. 20 as scheduled and expresses concern at delays

25 Jul – Source: AP/ Canada.com- 365 words

The U.N. Security Council says Somalia’s transition must end on Aug. 20 and is expressing “serious concern” that deadlines are being missed.

The council is urging the country’s transitional government and political leaders to redouble efforts to complete outstanding requirements.

Somali President thanks VOA for Somalia Constitution Poll

25 Jul – Source VOA News – 106 words

Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has thanked the Voice of America for its recent poll of Somali opinion about the country’s draft constitution. In a letter received Tuesday by VOA, the president said the poll has allowed Somalis to share their views regarding the document’s most controversial articles. VOA’s Somali Service polled 3,000 Somalis about key provisions of the draft constitution and the kind of government they would like to have.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“It would seem that in the absence of ethical standards, the cycle of corruption and mistrust would continue to haunt Somalia. l would recommend that a Code of Conduct be drafted, ratified by Parliament and should apply to all persons that Work in the public sector.”

Corruption Cancer and Paralysis: The twin afflictions facing Somalia

25 July- Source: Duhur-638 Words

Somalia and its people are in a state of acute despair caused by the Cancer of Corruption and Paralyzed by a deep distrust in the integrity of its political leaders. Here we are, just weeks before a new governance structure is to be put in place, learning about serious allegations against the current leaders of our nation. Persons are named, amounts of monies are unaccounted for, and accusations (Within and outside the TFG Administration) abound.