September 10, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
Somalia to pick president, set up first stable govt. in 21 years
09 Sept – Source: CNN News – 270 words
Somali lawmakers are scheduled to choose the next president Monday, moving the nation a step closer to its first stable central government since the 1991 ouster of a dictator.
The new parliament, which was selected last month, will hold a ballot to choose the president from about two dozen candidates.
In a letter to lawmakers, the United Nations called for a credible leader who can propel the African nation toward peace.
Key Headlines
- President Sharif meets Jawari in Mogadishu (Bar-Kulan)
- Somalia’s outgoing president denies corruption charges (Mareeg Online)
- Somali and AU forces boost security in capital after crime swell (Garowe Online)
- Government forces capture Warshikh Middle Shabelle (Bar-Kulan)
- 40 people arrested in Afgoye crackdown (Shabelle)
- MPs commend UPDF in Somalia (New Vision)
- US urges peaceful presidential vote in Somalia (AFP)
PRESS RELEASE
AU Deputy Special Representative satisfied with preparations for presidential elections but warned against reversing the gains
09 Sept – Source: AMISOM – 316 words
The Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, Honorable Wafula Wamunyinyi has expressed satisfaction at the encouraging progress on the implementation of tasks for ending the transitional period especially preparations for presidential elections scheduled for September 10th,2012.
Honorable Wafula Wamunyinyi noted that the people of Somalia have demonstrated the highest level of commitment and determination to ending the transition period and elect a government of their choice saying such a trend should be sustained.
said; I am confident that based on the level of commitment and determination demonstrated by the people of Somalia, the election of President will be free, fair and transparent. I also trust that based on the pronouncements by the candidates, all parties will accept the results of the elections as a true reflection of the wishes of the Somali people. h
The AU Deputy Special Representative however observed with regret that some disgruntled sections of the Somali society have ganged up to mar the political process at this last minute. He therefore reaffirmed his earlier warnings that AMISOM and other members of the international community will not tolerate anybody reversing the gains both on the political and security fronts that Somalia has achieved so far.
On behalf of AMISOM and on my own behalf I wish to condemn the behavior by some individuals who are mobilizing innocent people to bring confusion with the ultimate aim of disrupting the presidential elections.
The people of Somalia and AMISOM with support of the international community have sacrificed a lot to reach this far and will not give chance to any group of individuals who are bent on reversing these achievements at this crucial point of Somali history. Said Wamunyinyi. AMISOM pledges its support to the outcome of the presidential elections and looks forward to working with the elected government of Somalia in rebuilding the country.
SOMALI MEDIA
President Sharif meets Jawari in Mogadishu
09 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 98 words
Somalia’s outgoing president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Saturday night held talks with the newly elected speaker of the national assembly Prof. Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari to discuss the ongoing political process. The outgoing president congratulated Jawari and his two deputies for their significant role in the process aimed at pulling Somali together from the ashes of the two decades of civil strife.
Community leaders meet with Puntland security officials to discuss security
07 Sept – Source: Garowe Online – 109 words
Community leaders met with Puntland government officials in the commercial capital Bossaso to discuss methods to improve security. Traditional elders, community leaders, women groups and different members of the community met with Puntland security officials in the capital of Bari region, Bossaso on Monday.
Somalia’s outgoing president denies corruption charges
08 Sept – Source: Mareeg Online/Shabelle – 88 words
Somalia’s outgoing Transitional Federal Government president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed denied corruption allegations during time in power. Addressing to parliament on Friday, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, said that he worked for his country in a fair and transparent manner with no fraud and embezzlement.
UK statement on Somalia Presidential elections
08 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 97 words
The British Ambassador to Somalia, Matt Baugh on Friday issued the following statement. “This is a moment of real significance for Somalia. It a few days’ time; Somalia’s new Parliament will meet to elect a new President and to end the Transition. This Parliament, formed only a few weeks ago, has rightly assumed responsibility for concluding the Transition and for taking Somalia forward into a new era.
Somali and AU forces boost security in capital after crime swell
08 Sept – Source: Garowe Online – 89 words
Somalia’s security forces have imprisoned at least 40 people suspected to have links with al Shabaab in the riverside district of Afgoye during wash-out security operations in the last 24-hours, residents said. Officials said the suspects in their twenties are at the moment held at detention centres in the town for questioning over al Shabaab connection by the Somali police. Police sources say the operations will continue as the peace and security are maintained in Afgoye and its nearby villages entirely.
Government forces capture Warshikh, Middle Shabelle
08 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 45 words
Somali forces and their allied AMISOM troops captured Warshik district in middle Shabelle, Somalia. Eyewitness reached by Bar-kulan confirmed that coalition forces have captured Warshik where al Shabaab militants were initially operating from. The forces are reported to have moved towards Rageele.
40 people arrested in Afgoye crackdown
09 Sept – Source: Shabelle – 89 words
Somalia’s security forces have imprisoned at least 40 people suspected to have links with al Shabaab in the riverside district of Afgoye during wash-out security operations in the last 24-hours, residents said. Officials said the suspects in their twenties are at the moment held at detention centres in the town for questioning over al Shabaab connection by the Somali police. Police sources say the operations will continue as the peace and security are maintained in Afgoye and its nearby villages entirely.
Electioneering mood grips Mogadishu
09 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 83 words
Just a day before the much awaited presidential polls open in Mogadishu, the city is a bee hive of activities as electioneering mood grips the volatile city of the chaotic horn of African country. Political activities in the city intensified with campaigning and political drum beatings by two dozens of presidential aspirants, all eyeing for the country’s top seat, the first of its kind since 1991 when the country plunged in chaos following the fall of Siad Barre’s central government.
Mahiga requests parliament to select an honest and effective president
08 Sept – Source: Garowe Online – 133 words
UN Special Representative to Somalia Augustine Mahiga issued a statement requesting parliamentarians to select an ‘honest and effective’ candidate. Ambassador Mahiga released a statement on Friday with two days left until Somalia’s presidential elections. The ambassador pleaded with candidates to wisely select a president who has the interests of Somalia in mind. “I implore you to think of the good of your country and vote with a clear conscience“.
Ahlu Sunna nabs alleged killer in Dusamareb
09 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 80 words
The Ahlu Sunna administration in central Somali town of Dusamareb is holding a man in custody for allegedly murdering a civilian in the area on Saturday. Confirming the arrest, the area security boss Farah Mo’alim Ali that Bashir Mohamed Gulleid is now being held in area central jail where he awaits murder charges. He said Gulleid will soon stand trial for the alleged killing of Sa’id Ali Shire who he allegedly gunned down on Saturday under unknown circumstances.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somalia lawmakers to vote for new president
09 Sept – Source: Gulf News – 118 words
Somalia’s 25 presidential hopefuls were campaigning ahead of an election due Monday, the final stage of a UN-backed process to set up a new administration for the war-torn country. The election has been delayed several times — having already missed an August 20 deadline — but international pressure has increased on parliament to chose a president swiftly, setting the date for Monday.
Somalia to vote for new president
08 Sept – Source: Khaleej Times – 146 words
Somalia’s 25 presidential hopefuls were campaigning ahead of an election due Monday, the final stage of a UN-backed process to set up a new administration for the war-torn country. The election has been delayed several times — having already missed an August 20 deadline — but international pressure has increased on parliament to chose a president swiftly, setting the date for Monday.
MPs commend UPDF in Somalia
08 Sept – Source: New Vision – 141 words
delegation has commended the Uganda People’sDefence Forces (UPDF) in its efforts to pacify the Great Lakes Region. The delegation comprising Uganda’s Representatives Cecilia Ogwal (FDC Dokolo district) and Onyango Kakooba (NRM, Buikwe North) on Wednesday visited the Peace, Support Operations Training Centre, located in Singo, Nakasongola district. Ogwal is the Vice Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Administration and Financial Evaluation (CAFÉ); while Onyango Kakooba is the Chairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Somali presidential candidates give speeches in front of parliament
07 Source: Sabahi Online – 175 words
The 25 presidential candidates are: Abdirahman Abdullahi Baadiyow, Abdiwaahid Elmi Goonjeh, Abdullahi Ahmed Addow, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo, Ahmed Ismail Samatar, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Yusuf Garaad Omar, Omar Salaad Elmi, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi Hashi, Bashir Nur Hassan, Haji Mohamed Ismail Yasin, Abdulqadir Osoble Ali, Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, Hussein Khalif Jama, Mohamed Ahmed Salah, Salad Ali Jeele, Ibrahim Ali Hussein, Said Ise Mohamud, Osman Mohamed Gaal, Mohamed Abdullahi Omar, Mohamed Abdiweli Sheikh Yusuf, Maslah Mohamed Siad Barre, Zakariye Mohamud Haji Abdi. Osman Libah Ibrahim, spokesman for the commission, told Sabahi that 10 of the candidates delivered campaign speeches in front of parliament.
A land full of contradictions and pleasant surprises
10 Sept – Source: East African – 500 words
As the international community became more involved in Somalia in the past few years, UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon, begun tabling regular reports to the Security Council on the country. Charles Onyango-Obbo looks at his latest report.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
US urges peaceful presidential vote in Somalia
09 Sept – Source: AFP – 161 words
The United States called on Somalia’s parliament Friday to hold a fair election for the war-torn nation’s next president, and for the losers to accept the results gracefully. The new Somali parliament, whose members were selected by traditional elders last month, will hold a secret ballot Monday to choose the next president. “September 10 will be a historic day for Somalia as its parliament chooses a new president,” said acting deputy State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell. “This is a time for parliament to act with courage, determination and integrity in conducting a fair and transparent election.
Politics hinders capture of Somalia’s Kismayo
08 Sept – Source: V0A News – 106 words
For months, the media have used words like “looming” and “imminent” to describe a long-anticipated, concerted military assault on Somalia’s coastal city of Kismayo, the last remaining stronghold of militant group al-Shabaab, and the financial hub for its operation. Somali government forces and African Union (AU) troops are currently positioned in Miido, a village 80 kilometers west of Kismayo. But clan rivalry and political wrangling my be hindering operations to capture the city, analysts say.
Somalia to pick president, set up first stable govt. in 21 years
09 Sept – Source: CNN News – 270 words
Somali lawmakers are scheduled to choose the next president Monday, moving the nation a step closer to its first stable central government since the 1991 ouster of a dictator.
The new parliament, which was selected last month, will hold a ballot to choose the president from about two dozen candidates.
In a letter to lawmakers, the United Nations called for a credible leader who can propel the African nation toward peace.
Kenyan police seize over 150 bomb detonators from Nairobi house
07 Sept – Source: Reuters – 134 words
Kenyan police seized more than 150 detonators in Nairobi on Friday, highlighting the security risks the east African country faces ahead of an election next year because of its struggle with al Qaeda-linked militants in neighboring Somalia. Home to a large Somali population, Kenya has been hit by a wave of grenade attacks after its troops crossed into Somalia last year to crush al Shabaab Islamists it blamed for kidnappings and bomb attacks on its own soil.