April 17, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somalia begins to amass national wealth after defeating piracy

16 Apr – Source: Daily Nation – 110 words

Somalia is beginning to build its national tax revenue from imported goods with the new freight building up at the Port of Mogadishu. For the first time since the country slid into anarchy, container arrivals hit more than 1,200 in March 2013. “The new wind that is flowing around the country is getting to the Port. There is a new window of hope for the entire country,” said Ahmed Abdi Kaarie, the Mogadishu Seaport Deputy General Manager, pleased about the return of the maritime industry’s shipping liners to Mogadishu. The Port of Mogadishu was hit by war and piracy that kept off international shipping liners away from its coastline.

Key Headlines

President Hassan condemns the Boston attack (Office of the President of Somalia)
Explosion in Beledweyne (Shabelle)
UN pledges support for Somalia (Independent Online)
PM says ‘foreign involvement’ linked to Mogadishu courthouse massacre (Garowe Online)
Ambassadors from Sweden and The Netherlands present credentials in Mogadishu (Office of the Somali Presiden)
The prime minister meets top delegation from the European Union (SNTV)
President Farole inaugurates new presidential palace (Garowe Online)
New police unit to operate in Buurhakaba town (Bar-kulan)
UNICEF says genital mutilation on decline in Somalia (Bar-kulan)

PRESS STATEMENTS

President Hassan condemns the Boston attack

16 Apr – Source: Office of the President of Somalia -243 words

The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E. Hassan Sh. Mohamud and the Government of Somalia condemns in the strongest possible terms the bombing attack that took place 15th of April 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts, US.

On behalf of the people and the Government of Somalia the President sends his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, those who lost lives or were injured in the wake of the cowardly attack on innocent runners and civilians.

“Our hearts go out to the families of those who lost their lives and to the victims, including many children, who were horrifically injured.

“Marathons around the world raise millions of dollars for charity and so an attack on innocent athletes, and their supporters, including so many children, is the most depraved and vicious act of cowardice.

“No matter what the motivation or the personal circumstances of the perpetrators, a bombing such as this is designed to instill fear in the world’s population and as such is an act of terrorism.

“However, we shall all come together and we will defeat those terrorists who use violence to pursue their cause. The terrorist, whoever they might be, has no space in our world.

“America will awake today stronger than ever, and such attack cannot shake the spirit and morale of the great people of the United States of America.”

Ambassadors from Sweden and The Netherlands present credentials in Mogadishu

16 Apr – Office of the Somali President – 238 words

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sh. Mohamud welcomed the newly appointed Ambassadors from Sweden and The Netherlands, who visited Villa Somalia to present their

credential letters today. H.E. Hassan Sh. Mohamud was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Fowziya Haji Yusuf Adan.

The President received His Excellency Mikael Lindvall, the Swedish Ambassador, and His Excellency Joost Reintjes Ambassador from The Netherlands.

President Hassan briefed the new Ambassadors on the security situation, economic progress and judicial reform programmes in line with his priorities under his Six Pillar Policy. He urged the newly appointed Ambassador to support his government’s policies.

In his remarks, the President said, “I am delighted to welcome the presentation of credentials of Ambassadors from Sweden and The Netherlands on this special day. With your presence in Somalia today, and the ever growing commitment of the international community, you confirm the progress we have made thus far and your commitment in restoring a positive diplomatic relationship between your governments and Somalia.”

At the end he concluded, “The Government of Somalia will be an honest and effective partner. We are committed to further improving our bilateral relations with the Governments of The Netherlands and Sweden.”

SOMALI MEDIA

The prime minister meets top delegation from the European Union

16 Apr – Source: Radio Kulmiye/SNTV – 121 words

The prime minister of Somalia honorable Abdi Farah Shirdon has hosted a top delegation from Europe. The delegates were led by the director of the East and Southern affairs of the EU Mrs. Francesco Mosco. Among others were the special envoy of the EU for Somalia Michele Cervone Ursoi and some other members from the Belgian government . At the conclusion of the meeting, a joint press speech was made by the prime minister and the EU director of the East and southern affairs Franchesca Mosca.

Explosion in Beledweyne

16 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 96 words

A massive explosion has occurred in the heart of Beled Weyne, Hiiraan Region. Eye witnesses confirmed that the bomb was a remote-controlled one. The blast occurred near the central police station of the town and was targeting a government troop’s envoy and Djibouti troops. Two people have been reportedly injured of which one is a government soldier and the other one is a civilian. The injured are been treated at Beled Weyn regional hospital.

UNICEF says genital mutilation on decline in Somalia

16 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan – 70 words

A new survey from Somalia says the practice of female genital mutilation is on the decline. The survey released Tuesday by UNICEF and the governments of Somaliland and Puntland found that 25 per cent of girls ages 1 to 14 have undergone the practice, compared to 99 per cent of women. UNICEF has been working with community leaders in northern Somalia to try to change attitudes toward female genital mutilation.

New police unit to operate in Buurhakaba town

16 Apr – Source: Raxanreeb – 113 words

The district commissioner Ahmed Mohamed Yusuf told local media that some 200 Somali police units will operate in the town within four days. “We put our request earlier to the police command and they just informed us that the first police unit is to operate in Buurhakaba.” the district commissioner said. In February, the African Union troops in Somalia [AMISOM] along with Somali government forces took control of the town of Buurhakaba town, a former stronghold of al Shabaab about 240-kms away from the country’s capital, Mogadishu.

PM says ‘foreign involvement’ linked to Mogadishu courthouse massacre

16 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 146 words

Security sources in Mogadishu stated that among the al Shabaab members who laid siege to a Mogadishu courthouse that left more than 30 dead on Sunday, was a Canadian national. Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon who visited the court house riddled with bullets and met with the injured who filled the hospitals stated that there was “foreign involvement” in Sunday’s attack. Authorities in Mogadishu told media that Canadian citizen Mahad Ali Dhore was among the dead Al Shabaab fighters. There were reportedly 9 Al Shabaab fighters – each equipped with a suicide vest – who carried out the coordinated attack.

President Farole inaugurates new presidential palace

16 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 111 words

Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole inaugurated the new presidential palace in a publicized affair on Monday, Garowe Online reports. President Faorle, Vice President Abdisamad Ali Shire, Ministers, MPs, UN officials, Security officials, traditional elders, women groups and special guests were in attendance at Monday’s affair to inaugurate the new presidential palace. Monday’s event included a live band and speeches from officials including President Farole.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia begins to amass national wealth after defeating piracy

16 Apr – Source: Daily Nation – 110 words

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

UN pledges support for Somalia

16 Apr – Source: Independent Online – 111 words

The United Nations Security Council on Monday said it condemned in the strongest possible terms terror attacks that left 34 people dead in Mogadishu. In a statement on Sunday’s attacks, the 15 council members said they “underline their willingness to take action against those whose behaviour threatens the peace, stability, or security of Somalia”. They likewise “reaffirm their resolve to support the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia, including through the imminent deployment of a new UN Special Political Mission”. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was “confident that such appalling acts will not derail the determination of the Somali people to achieve peace and security in their country”.

Somalia: Female Genital Mutilation Down

16 Apr – Source: AP – 520 words

Attitudes in Somalia toward a practice that critics decry as torture may be changing, as new data released by the U.N. children’s agency on Tuesday showed that female genital mutilation among children in northern Somalia is on the decline.

The survey released by UNICEF and the governments of Somaliland and Puntland found that 25 percent of girls from the ages of 1 to 14 years old have undergone the practice, compared with 99 percent of women in those regions.

UNICEF has been working with community and religious leaders in northern Somalia to try to change attitudes toward female genital mutilation. Sheema Sen Gupta, the chief of child protection for UNICEF in Somalia, said that 28 communities in Somaliland have declared an end to the practice, and UNICEF hopes to have that number up to 60 by the end of this year.

“If you ask the average Somali woman why they practice FGM now, they will tell you it’s for religious reasons. But it’s not religious because FGM predates Islam,” Gupta said.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

Part 2: “Keeping Hope Alive” in Somalia with Hawa Abdi and Daughter Deqo Mohamed

16 April – Source: Democracy Now (blog) – 500 words

In part two of our interview with Somali human rights activist and physician, Dr. Hawa Abdi, she describes how thousands of Somalis were killed in the 1993 attack in Mogadishu that is best known for killing 18 elite U.S. special forces. She also discusses her book, Keeping Hope Alive, which shares what has happened in the 22 years since the warbroke out in her country, and the work she has done at her clinic to offer healthcare and emergency relief to thousands of Somalis. We also speak with her daughter, Dr. Deqo Mohamed.