August 22, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
A new era in Somalia
22 Aug – Source: Khaleej Times – 445 words
It was indeed a historic day in Mogadishu, the capital of war-torn Somalia, on Monday, when over 200 members of a new parliament were sworn in by the country’s chief justice in a makeshift premise near the heavily-guarded airport zone. The ceremony was held under the glare of the headlights of SUVs, as thousands of troops of the African Union Force, kept a wary eye on the proceedings and preventing possible attacks.
Key Headlines
- Somali leaders meet Int’l Community representatives in Mogadishu (Hiiraan Online)
- President Sharif sends condolences to Ethiopians over Zenawi’s death (Bar-Kulan)
- The end of a transitional government in Somalia (Garowe Online)
- New era as Somali parliament takes office amid US warning (Daily Nation)
- EU ‘should extend’ Somalia anti-piracy mission (Public Service News)
PRESS RELEASE
AMISOM congratulates Somalia on inauguration of new Parliament
21 Aug – Source: AMISOM – 309 words
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ambassador Boubacar Diarra has congratulated the people of Somalia on the inauguration of a new parliament, the first to be sworn in on Somali soil in over twenty years.
Ambassador Diarra applauded the steps taken so far to end the transition to representative government. “This is a historic moment. Today Somalia has a new beginning with a new political framework based on a popular and legitimate provisional constitution,” he said.
215 out of a total of 275 MPs were sworn in last evening in Mogadishu, substantially more than the 185 required for the new Somali Federal Parliament to convene with a functioning majority. Mr. Mussa Hassan Abdulle, a former army general was appointed interim Speaker. The inauguration comes just three weeks after a National Constituent Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a provisional constitution for the country, which replaced the 8 year old Transitional Federal Charter.
Ambassador Diarra paid tribute to the Traditional Elders and the Technical Selection Committee for diligently executing their duties in challenging circumstances. He urged them to complete the important work of appointing and vetting the remaining MPs. He also urged the new Parliament to move expeditiously to elect a Speaker and President.
Ambassador Diarra reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to supporting the country’s peace process saying that AMISOM would enhance security in Mogadishu during this critical period.
“We will continue to work with the new authorities selected by the representatives of the Somali people to ensure that ordinary citizens can go about their daily lives in peace and security,” he said.
A year ago, the Somali National Army with the support of the AMISOM forces pushed the extremist group al Shabaab from the city, ushering in the longest period of relative peace the capital has experienced since the collapse of central government in 1991.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali leaders meet Int’l Community representatives in Mogadishu
21 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan/Hiiraan Online/Jowhar Online/Mareeg Online – 107 words
Somalia’s outgoing President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and the acting new speaker of the parliament Gen. Musse Hassan Abdille on Tuesday held talks with representatives from the international community at Mogadishu’s main airport. During the talks, the international community representatives including officials from the EU and U.S congratulated the newly sworn in Somali parliament.
President Sharif sends condolences to Ethiopians over Zenawi’s death
21 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 129 words
Somalia’s outgoing president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Tuesday sent his condolences to the Ethiopian government and its people following the death of the country’s strong man Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who died in a hospital in abroad on Monday. Speaking at a press conference, President Sharif said the fallen Ethiopian leader was a significant figure in the Horn of Africa.
Puntland President sends condolences to Prime Minister Meles’ family
21 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 122 words
Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole sent his condolences to the family of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who died from illness. According to Ethiopian state TV Meles died Monday night due to an infection.
The end of a transitional government in Somalia
21 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 93 words
The eight long year transitional government of Somalia, ended on Monday, when a new federal parliament was sworn in. On Monday, 221 members of parliament were sworn in in Mogadishu’s heavily secured airport which ended the term of the transitional government led by President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
REGIONAL MEDIA
A new era in Somalia
22 Aug – Source: Khaleej Times – 445 words
It was indeed a historic day in Mogadishu, the capital of war-torn Somalia, on Monday, when over 200 members of a new parliament were sworn in by the country’s chief justice in a makeshift premise near the heavily-guarded airport zone. The ceremony was held under the glare of the headlights of SUVs, as thousands of troops of the African Union Force, kept a wary eye on the proceedings and preventing possible attacks.
Somalia’s Islamists celebrate death of Ethiopia’s Meles
21 Aug – Source: Ahram Online – 118 words
Somalia’s Al-Qaeda linked al Shabaab insurgents on Tuesday celebrated the death of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who twice sent troops to attack the Islamist fighters.”The death of Meles was uplifting news for Somalis, we wish Allah will punish him for what he did to our people,” al Shabaab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage told the media.
New era as Somali parliament takes office amid US warning
22 Aug – Source: Daily Nation – 500 words
The first session of Somalia’s new Federal Parliament convened at a compound next to Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle international airport on Monday. Amid tight security, 225 newly chosen legislators were sworn in. Subsequently, retired General Muse Hassan, 72, was selected Acting Speaker of the Federal Parliament.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
EU ‘should extend’ Somalia anti-piracy mission
21 Aug – Source: Public Service News – 210 words
The European Union’s naval operation tackling piracy off the coast of Somalia should continue beyond its current mandate because it has successfully reduced the number of ships and people taken hostage in the region, a committee in the United Kingdom’s House of Lords has concluded.
SA hostages to face Somali captors
21 Aug – Source: Independent Online – 138 words
South African couple Bruno Pelizzari and Debbie Calitz will face some of the Somali pirates who took them hostage, East Coast Radio Newswatch (ECRN) reported on Monday. The two would travel to the Netherlands in October to testify in the trial of five suspected pirates. They were part of group of 20 men arrested by the Dutch navy at the end of 2010. http://www.iol.co.za/news/
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“…his departure could intensify inter-state rivalry between the ambitious new players in Somalia, especially Kenya and Uganda. Al-Shabaab has issued a statement saying the death of the Ethiopian strongman could cause a collapse of the regional military alliance.”
What loss of Ethiopia PM means to Kenya and the region
21 Aug- Source: Daily Nation-433 Words
The death of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has thrown the Horn of Africa nation into a period of deep uncertainty. The death has profound regional implications, especially for Kenya and Somalia. Many leaders are expressing fears the death may have serious repercussions for peace and stability in the region. Concern has been mounting in Nairobi and Mogadishu since reports emerged four weeks ago that the Ethiopian leader was critically ill in a Belgian hospital.