October 16, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

AMISOM Police train Somali Police Force on Criminal Investigation

16 Oct – Source: AMISOM – 240 words

The 30 men and 10 women are taking part in the first of four training programmes in Basic Criminal Investigation skills. AMISOM police intend to train 160 SPF police personnel before the end of this year.

While officially inaugurating the training, AMISOM Police Commissioner Dr Charles Makono said the course is intended to fill a crucial gap in the Somali Police Force after many years of armed conflict. The training will improve the skills of the Somali Police Force so that they can be professional in keeping the people of Somalia safe and secure, with crimes professionally investigated.

Key Headlines

AMISOM Police train Somali Police Force on Criminal Investigation (AMISOM)
First commercial ship in months anchors in southern Somali Port (Jowhar Online/Radio Mogadishu)
IOM Delivers Emergency Aid to 262 Fire-Displaced Families in Somalia’s Puntland (Star Africa)
Somalia’s New PM to form cabinet (Radio Dalsan)
Fresh Djiboutian soldiers reach Beledweyne (SONNA/Radio Mogadishu)
Ethiopian Acting FM says IGAD member states happy on Somalia progress (Walta Info)
Somali gov’t to revive State-owned factories (Radio Bar-kulan)
Somali forces arrest dozens in Kismayo security sweep (Mareeg Online/Shabelle)

PRESS RELEASE

AMISOM Police train Somali Police Force on Criminal Investigation

16 Oct – Source: AMISOM – 240 words

The African Union Mission in Somalia Police this week formally began training 40 officers from the Somali Police Force at the General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu. The training and development unit of the AMISOM police inaugurated the two-week course aimed at improving the skills of the Somali Police Force in Criminal Investigation. The 30 men and 10 women are taking part in the first of four training programmes in Basic Criminal Investigation skills. AMISOM police intend to train 160 SPF police personnel before the end of this year.

“Initial investigations are very important for the administration of justice, and this course will train officers in these techniques.” said the Commissioner adding that the course will help the Somali Police Force handle cases brought before them in line with internationally recognized standards. Dr. Makono appealed to participants to make the most of the opportunity, as it would involve practical work designed to deal with prevailing crimes in post- conflict environment such as Somalia. The training is being conducted by international police officers with vast experience in peace missions.

SOMALI MEDIA

First commercial ship in months anchors in southern Somali Port

16 Oct – Source: Jowhar Online/Radio Mogadishu – 62 words

The first commercial ship has anchored in southern Somali port city of Kismayo since the combined (AU and Somali government) took control. Reports say operations at the port have resumed with preparations under way to offload the ship. The interim administration that administers Kismaayo has given ago-ahead for ships to anchor in the port.

Somali forces arrest dozens in Kismayo security sweep

16 Oct – Source: Mareeg Online/Shabelle – 97 words

Somali forces netted dozens of suspected al Shabaab fighters during a security sweep in Somalia’s southern port city of Kismayo, reports said on Tuesday. The forces focused their operations in some villages in the northern suburbs of city, according to the local residents.

The al Shabaab suspects are being held at police stations in Kismayo for investigations. Somali and Kenyan forces are dealing with the alarming insecurity in the city after al Shabaab militants withdrew early this month.

Fresh Djiboutian soldiers reach Beledweyne

16 Oct – Source: SONNA/ Radio Mogadishu – 119 words

300 extra Djiboutian soldiers under the African Union Peacekeeping forces have arrived in Beledweyne city, the capital of Hiiraan region joining their colleagues who were there and are expected to replace Ethiopian troops remaining there. The latest deployment puts the number of Djiboutian force to 750, the Somali National News Agency SONNA reported. SONNA says Djiboutian forces have entered the country and reached Hiiraan by truck through Ethiopian border.

Somali gov’t to revive State-owned factories

16 Oct- Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 123 words

The Somali government says it will revive all state owned factories and processing plants in order to fix the country’s ailing economy following the culmination of the transitional period early last month.

In an exclusive interview with Bar-kulan, Trades and Industrialization minister Abdiwahab Ugas Hussein said the government plans reviving all factories and setting up new ones as soon as possible.

The minister said they have already contacted partner countries that have initially set up the existing-but-malfunctioning factories to help them restart again. Hussein also revealed that the government plans to restart exporting agricultural outputs including Simsim and banana to other Arab nations. Somalia’s two decades old conflict has grounded all factories in the country, bringing the economy into its knees.

Somalia’s New PM to form cabinet

16 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan – 94 words

Somalia’s newly-appointed Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon is expected to form his cabinet on coming days since he likely to pass the parliament confidence vote to proceed with the tasks ahead. Reports say on Monday.

There is heavy campaigns going round amongst politician in order to secure their nomination for ministerial positions. Some reports say that the new PM has already stared selecting the ministers amids the campaign.

Hides and skins agency to resume activities soon

16 Oct – Source: Bar-kulan – 94 words

Somalia’s hides and skins agency have embarked on an ambitious plan to train its employees in order to revive its export activities as soon as possible. Speaking at the commencement of the training in Mogadishu, Managing Director Abdisalan Dahir Abdulle said the training is part of the agency’s efforts to build the capacity of the employees before resuming its activities.

Abdulle said hides are of higher value in the international markets, thus Somalia plans to start exporting its product soon. He said similar trainings will also be held in all parts of the country.

Somali regional states to discuss ways to end clan warfare

16 Oct – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 84 words

The administrations of Galmudug, Himan and Heb are expected to hold meeting in Adado district in Galgadud region in the central regions of Somalia, where they will discuss ways to end clan clashes that has rocked the regions.

Delegates led by the minister information of Galmudug Ahmed Mohamed (Ahmed Basto) are in Adado for discussion with Himan and Heb administration that controls parts of Galgadud region. The spokesman of Himan and Heb Mohamed Abdullahi hagafey confirmed that the talks will be between the two administration and will take place in Adado district in Galgadud region.

Shalambod residents protest mistreatment by army

15 Oct – Source: Shabelle – 117 words

Hundreds of people, including women and children on Monday took to the streets in Shalambod town of Lower Shabelle Region, 110 Km south of Mogadishu, to protest against increasing incidents in their area.

Reports said the protesters gathered at the town’s square where they issued their aggrievance against Somali forces controlling the town. “The army began robbing, killing and beating the local civilians,after they were attacked Sunday by unknown assailants.

We don’t know why they [forces] are committing such crime,” said a resident at the rally. The residents called upon the Somali government to act on those who committed the crime against civilians.

Global Handwashing Day marked in Garowe

15 Oct – Source: Bar-kulan – 124 words

Puntland on Monday joined the rest of the world in marking the 5th anniversary of Global Hand washing Day aimed at increasing awareness on hand washing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases. The event was marked at Puntland’s Health Ministry headquarters in Garowe which was attended by officials from the regional authority, WHO and civic society groups.

Global Handwashing Day (GHD) promotes the importance of handwashing with soap in order to control diarrheal and acute respiratory infections which claim the lives of millions of children in developing countries. Hand washing with soap is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent diarrhoea disease and pneumonia, which together are responsible for approximately 3.5 million child deaths every year.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia to block gun trafficking to Uganda

16 Oct – Source: New Vision – 296 words

Directors of Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Directorates (CIID) in the East African region on Monday resolved to support Somalia to neutralise gun trafficking across the region. The directors said arms traffickers were taking advantage of Somalia’s instability and location next to the sea.

The Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, said Somalia, which is now a reconstructed state, is ready to halt and thrash all culprits in gun trafficking across the region.

Kayihura was addressing the 12 heads of CIID under the East African Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation at Munyonyo. He said traffickers pass guns through Somalia, then northern Kenya before entering the Karamoja region.

Ethiopian Acting FM says IGAD member states happy on Somalia progress

15 Oct – Source: Walta Info – 437 words

Acting Foreign Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ambassador Berhane Gebrechristos briefed on Friday Ambassadors of the UNSC member states in Addis Ababa on IGAD’s position regarding the current situation in Somalia. The meeting was co-chaired by the Kenyan ambassador in Ethiopia, Dr. Monieoca K.Juma. During the briefing, Ambassador Berhane said all IGAD member states are extremely happy on the overall situation in Somalia.

He underlined IGAD’s unanimous belief that the situation in Somalia is now more critical than any time before ushering in as it does a new chapter full of opportunities and emphasized the need for a more coordinated support to the new government in Somalia.

He reiterated IGAD’s conviction that the most important role is for the Somalis themselves, and that the role of partners should be to provide robust support on the basis of their proposed priorities. In this regard, IGAD has instructed its Executive Secretary to go to Mogadishu to discuss with the new President of Somalia on, among other things, the nature of support the Somali government needs from the international community.

Jail me, al Shabaab suspect tells court

15 Oct – Source: Daily Nation – 294 words

A 21-year-old man has stunned a Nairobi court when he admitted he was a member of al Shabaab and demanded to be jailed immediately. Mr. Musharaf Abdalla alias Alex Shikanda, pleaded guilty to 10 counts ranging from possession of explosives to membership of an outlawed group.

But to his dismay, the prosecutor asked for more time to present every detail of the case. “I have pleaded guilty to everything; all I want is to be sentenced to jail. I have agreed to everything, even the facts are correct, just jail me,” he demanded.

Somali parliamentarians push for vote on prime minister approval

15 Oct – Source: Sabahi Online – 91 words

Members of Somalia’s parliament requested on Sunday (October 14th) that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud seek parliament’s approval for newly appointed Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon within two days, Radio Mogadishu reported.

Lawmakers said it is of vital importance for the country that parliament’s vote of confidence be held as soon as possible to confirm the prime minister’s appointment, the radio reported.

During the session, chaired by Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari, lawmakers also discussed proposed rules and amendments to existing parliamentary bylaws that are expected to debated on in the coming days.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

IOM Delivers Emergency Aid to 262 Fire-Displaced Families in Somalia’s Puntland

16 Oct – Source: Star Africa – 146 words

IOM is working with local authorities and partner agencies to provide emergency aid to 262 internally displaced families left destitute after a devastating fire in a Garowe displacement settlement in Somalia’s Puntland state last week (11/10/12.) A rapid assessment after the fire identified urgent needs including land for temporary relocation, shelter, food, water, non-food relief items and transport to relocate to the new site.

IOM, with assistance from a local NGO implementing partner TIDES – Timely Integrated Development Services for Somalia – is now providing temporary water trucking for the next two weeks. It has also provided shelter and sanitary kits for all the affected families.

Local officials said that most of the fire victims came from southern Somalia. Since the outbreak of Somali civil war in 1991, Puntland has been home to over 400,000 displaced people fleeing the conflict in the south of the country.

AU, Somali Troops Try to Win Back Country Roads

15 Oct – Source: ABC News/AP – 519 words

African Union peacekeepers must drive along rough dirt roads that snake through sand dunes and shrubs to reach newly won territory in Somalia’s countryside, exposing themselves to possible ambushes by al Shabaab rebels. Though the peacekeeping forces travel in armored vehicles, the guerrilla fighters can inflict casualties. The psychological trauma of knowing an ambush can happen at any time makes life tough for the AU soldiers from several countries who battle the al Shabaab rebels allied to al Qaeda.

“They try to ambush us in such places. It’s not easy. We must pass here with vigilance,” an AU soldier groaned as he peered through the bulletproof glass of an armored personnel carrier. AU troops in August forced al Shabaab out of the capital, Mogadishu. Earlier this year Ugandan and Burundian troops began taking control of suburbs of the capital.

Now they are moving far to the northwest in an attempt to secure a supply line from Mogadishu to the former al Shabaab stronghold of Baidoa. Many of al Shabaab’s top foreign fighters are said to have fled to Yemen already.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“Another word which fell victim to punsters is ‘diaspora’. Angered by Black-berry wielding MPs from Europe and North America, Somalis call the diaspora MPs dayuus-baro ( get to know a bad person).”

Somalia: Playing with Somali political words

16 Oct – Source: Raxanreeb – 251 Words

Abbreviations or political phrases become target for Somalis unhappy with state of politics. Back in late 1970s and between 1980 and 1991, Somalia’s ex-Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party ( Xisbiga Hantiwadaagga Kacaanka Soomaaliyeed) was abbreviated in Somali as X.H.K.S. To many people it was Xaasidka Hooyadiis Ka Xaday Sonkorta ( the Jealous who stole his mother’s sugar).

The former Somali People’s Assembly ( 1979-1991) was known as Golaha Shacabka -literally meaning the Council of People but was subversively read as Golaha Sacabka ( The Council of Applause) to emphasise the rubber-stamping duties of the government-appointed MPs.

The inner circle of Federal Republic of Somalia’s president is known as dam-jadiid ( new blood). To many Somalis it is dan-jadiid ( new interest) . In Somali “dan” means interest ( as in to have an interest in something).

“…what is worth mentioning is how the need for speedy news is harming the accuracy of the information thus causing Somali journalists to be killed. If I can achieve the objective of this article, it is to remind the Somali Journalists of the need to follow the set Code of Ethics of journalism that somehow may spare them few more lives down the line.”

Why Hasty News is killing Somali Journalists?

15 Oct – Source: Hiran Online – 937 Words

The profession of Journalism is based on principles and values that have long been the supporting pillar of informing the public on what they need to know. This will empower the society with the role of deciding their governing policies or the ability to hold accountable to those in elected offices.

Journalism it self as a profession is in a conflict of interest, on one hand it is a business in which you are expected to generate good amount of money to ran the business, on the other hand, the primary duty of journalist is to inform the public first. The killing of Somali Journalists is an unacceptable form of violence and deserves the strongest condemnation and I hope the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

“As Somalis, there are more important things we need to focus on in the first term of this new central government such as capacity building, transparent government and civil institutions, infrastructure, reliable armed forces, sending the indoctrinated Somali militant youth to schools, disarming the population, etc. We are far too busy now as a country to focus on oil and gas.”

Somalia’s Energy Future: Getting It Right…The First Time

15 Oct – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1596 Words

After more than two decades, not only has Somalia begun the long hard road to recovery, Somalis have even begun to talk about energy resource development, of which Somalia is thought to have plenty of. I am confident the federal government, the regions, and the Somali people can come together and cooperate in the formulation of one national energy strategy that will allow Somalia to prosper in the near present and future generations.

Can One Energy Policy Govern All?

Absolutely! The central government has an enormous role to play in the development of this policy. The argument that Somalia is too fractious to have a universal energy law that governs the entire country is usually supported by sympathizers of clan fiefdoms, foreign oil operatives and those that hold a vested interest in the status quo. Like it or not, Somalia is maturing, albeit slow, and there is no reason why the tribal games of old should have any play in the Somalia of new.

Sure, regional governments would have some autonomy in administering resources within their provincial borders, but all legislation and contract approvals governing Somali resources, at least until the country has become fully stable, will come only from the federal parliament in Mogadishu.

Top tweets

@UNDPSomalia Our vid on new technology and development in #Somalia has now been viewed 8,500 times! RT to help us spread the word: http://bit.ly/R7XyTY.

@UNPOSomalia Strengthening the #Somali police force. See photo of officers in training at #UNPOS workshop in Mogadishu @UN @UN_DPA pic.twitter.com/FnIaYpEL.

@nuurist #United Nations Security Council to hold debate on #Somalia today to assess political developments re. Road Map etc http://bit.ly/S0Whyy.

@BBCAfrica VIDEO:Security campaign launched in Mogadishu to prevent militant attacks http://bbc.in/RxllxI #Somalia.

@amisomsomalia Watch here a video showing aerial views of #Kismayo environs. http://bit.ly/PzgrBj.

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Image of the day

Image of the day The newly-elected chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (L), shakes hands with her predecessor, Jean Ping, during the 19th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 16, 2012. Photo: Xinhua.