December 2, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali President calls on all sides to end hostilities in Taleh

01 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu- 79 words

The President of the Federal Government of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called on the warring sides in Taleh district to end the hostilities. He urged all sides to end the fighting and settle their differences through negotiations. He said it is important for all sides to focus on the well-being of the Somali people and avoid anything that can lead to armed conflicts. At least ten people have been killed in recent clashes in Taleh district, Sool region.

Key Headlines

AMISOM and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia closed the first Somalia specific United
Nations Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination (UN-CMCoord) Course(AMISOM)
UN Special Representative for Somalia appeals for calm in Sool (UNSOM)
Somalia reinstates full diplomatic relations with Nigeria (Office of the President)
Somali lawmakers deny PM chance to address parliament( Radio Dalsan)
Second Mogadishu court judge assassinated in less than two weeks( Radio Dalsan)
Somali gov’t AMISOM troops clash with al Shabaab in Baidoa(Shabelle)
AMISOM New Force Commander Arrives in Mogadishu(Somali Current)
Schools closed in central Somalia due to financial crisis(Radio Ergo)
Mogadishu Mayor announces US$280000 collected for helping affected regions(Raxanreeb)
UN Security Council renews mandate against piracy fight on Somali coast(Standard Media)
East African refugees find education and empathy in San Diego (v)

PRESS STATEMENT

UN Special Representative for Somalia appeals for calm in Sool

30 Nov- Source: UNSOM- 116 words
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has expressed his deep concern at the recent outbreak of violence in the northern region of Sool.
“Violence cannot and will not resolve political issues. All those with a stake in the area must show calm and pursue reconciliation,” said SRSG Kay.
SRSG Kay deplored the loss of life and offered his condolences to the families of those killed in recent clashes.
“Political differences and competing claims should be solved by dialogue. Peace and stability are also critical to the Puntland election process”, he added.
SRSG Kay and UNSOM colleagues are in touch with regional leaders to urge restraint and offer support for dialogue and reconciliation.

AMISOM and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia closed the first Somalia specific United Nations Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination (UN-CMCoord) Course

30 Nov- Source: AMISOM- 267 words
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) together with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Somalia and with the support of the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA) hosted the first Somalia specific United Nations Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination (UN-CMCoord) Course from 24 to 29 November 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya. The course aiming to improve the effectiveness of international relief operations in Somalia and promote effective humanitarian-military relationships, brought 23 participants from AMISOM (civilian, military and police components) and humanitarian organizations working in the operation in Somalia.
Speaking on behalf of the AU Special Representative for Somalia and Head of AMISOM during the closing ceremony, AMISOM Head of the Political Affairs Unit, Ambassador Basile Gatereste, said “such course comes at a decisive time in Somalia when a structured and principled dialogue with humanitarian actors working in Somalia is greatly needed”.
Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia also expressed his satisfaction and stressed that “the humanitarian civil-military coordination is a critical instrument to advance the humanitarian action in Somalia and this course is a unique opportunity bringing the humanitarians and AMISOM to understand each other”.
The 5-day course is one of the tools used by OCHA to improve the responsiveness, effectiveness, and efficiency of humanitarian relief operations. This specific course program focused on the use of foreign military and civil defense assets in support of humanitarian activities in the specific context of Somalia, and the relationship between military, especially AMISOM, and civilian organizations in complex emergencies. This initiative is part of an ongoing program to promote humanitarian civil-military coordination.
http://amisom-au.org/2013/12/amisom-and-the-un-humanitarian-coordinator-for-somalia-closed-the-first-somalia-specific-united-nations-humanitarian-civil-military-coordination-un-cmcoord-course/
Somalia reinstates full diplomatic relations with Nigeria
30 Nov- Source: Office of the President- 212 words
His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud today welcomed His Excellency Akin Oyateru, the Nigerian Ambassador to Somalia, to Villa Somalia.
Accompanied by Her Excellency Fawzia Yusuf Adam, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, His Excellency Minister A. F. Okoh from Nigeria, and senior Nigerian AMISOM police commanders, the Ambassador pledged his country’s commitment to supporting ongoing efforts to stabilize Somalia.
Nigeria will provide security, military and intelligence support to Somalia, in particular combating the terrorist group al Shabaab, which has links to the Boko Haram group in Nigeria. Nigeria has been participating in efforts to bring peace to Somalia since 1991 and provided peacekeepers to the UNISOM mission. It currently contributes a Formed Police Unit of Nigerian police officers to AMISOM in Mogadishu and this may be extended to Kismayo in the future.
The President said: “Somalia is a country with a prolonged period of conflict that has devastated the institutions we are now rebuilding. Nigeria is a highly valued partner and friend of long standing. We are deeply grateful for Nigeria’s support to AMISOM and the broader efforts to bring peace to our country.”
The Ambassador presented the President with a letter from His Excellency President Jonathan Goodluck of Nigeria to make an official state visit to Nigeria in early 2014.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali President calls on all sides to end hostilities in Taleh

01 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu- 79 words

Somali lawmakers deny PM chance to address parliament

01 Dec- Source: Radio Dalsan/Jowhar Online/Radio Mustaqbal- 118 words

Somali lawmakers on Sunday rejected plea by Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon to stand before the assembly and respond to allegations contained in the motion against his cabinet. Shirdon had asked the Speaker of the Parliament chance to address the parliament but the lawmakers voted against the Prime Minister’s plea. “149 lawmakers voted against the Prime Minister’s plea to address the parliament while only 7 lawmakers voted in favor of the Prime Minister,” said Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari after the voting ended. Meanwhile, the parliamentarians on Sunday continued their second day debate on the motion tabled last week against the Prime Minister and his cabinet.

Second Mogadishu court judge assassinated in less than two weeks

01 Nov- Source: Radio Dalsan/Shabelle- 114 words

Unknown gunmen have shot dead a Somali Gov’t judge in Mogadishu’s Yaqshid district, the latest series of killings on Somali officials, witness said. A witness who asked not to be named said that judge was gunned down in Yaqshid on Saturday night by masked men armed with pistols, as he was on his way to home. The perpetrators immediately escaped from the crime scene. Somali security forces arrived at area and begun massive crackdown to hunt down the culprits but no arrests were made so far. The motive and identity of the murderers are yet to be established by local authority in Yaqshid. Sheikh Ahmed is the second district court judge assassinated in Somalia capital, Mogadishu in less than two weeks. Another district court judge was killed in the neighboring district of Huriwaa ten days ago.

Somaliland Minister of Information suspends manager of the national television

01 Dec- Source: Somaliland Informer- 180 words

Somaliland Minister of Information Mr. Mohamed Abdilahi Dahir Cukuse has suspended on Sunday the manager of Somaliland National Television Mr. Khadar Ali Gaas. The minister has ordered the security guards of the ministry of information not to allow him into the ministry. According to news coming from the ministry said that there was row that broke out between the minister and the manager. The conflict was based on committee appointed by the minister of information tasked to reveiw that the salaries earned by the staff at Somaliland’s national television are quite varied. The report issued by the commission found out that some of the employees work with low salary while others earn high salary and the minister of information has said that it is unacceptable for an employee to get $ 150 and another to receive a salary of up to $1000. On the other hand, reports further said that on Saturday morning, security guards at the ministry of information refused the manager to let him into the ministry compound and they told him that the minister gave them an order.

Somali gov’t, AMISOM troops clash with al Shabaab in Baidoa

01 Dec- Shabelle- 118 words

News reports from Bay region suggest that heavy clash broke out between Gov’t troops backed by AMISOM forces and al Shabaab in Baidoa, the capital of Bay region, witnesses said. The witnesses told Shabelle Media that the battle flared up after al Qaeda associated al Shabaab militants launched an ambush attack on an armored personnel carrier with Dozen Somali and AMISOM forces, moving at the areal between Baido and Awdiinle towns, causing unconfirmed casualties. Both officials from al Shabaab and Government forces were unavailable to reach on the for comments on the ambush attack .
However, al Shabaab militants usually carry out hit and run assaults, roadside bomb and other attacks against Somali federal Government troops in Bay region.

Somalia and Nigeria restore full diplomatic relations

30 Nov- Source: Radio Mogadishu/radio Dalsan/Kulmiye/Risaala-200 Words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud received Akin Oyateru, the Nigerian Ambassador to Somalia, in his at Villa Somalia on Saturday. Okoh was accompanied by Fawzia Yusuf Adam, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and senior Nigerian AMISOM police commanders. The ambassador pledged his country’s commitment to supporting ongoing efforts to stabilize Somalia. Nigeria will provide security, military and intelligence support to Somalia, in particular combating the terrorist group al Shabaab, which has links to the Boko Haram group in Nigeria. Nigeria has been participating in efforts to bring peace to Somalia since 1991 and provided peacekeepers to the UNISOM mission. It currently contributes a Formed Police Unit of Nigerian police officers to AMISOM in Mogadishu and this may be extended to Kismayo in the future.

Schools closed in central Somalia due to financial crisis

30 Nov- Source: Radio Ergo- 220 words

Seven primary schools in central Somalia have shut because their sponsoring agencies have cut off their funding. The schools in Adado, Biya-gadud, Bawda-dhogore, Docoley and Dayeno are all under the administration of Himan and Heb, in Galgadud region. Radio Ergo’s local reporter said more than 2,000 students who used to study at these schools have now been at home idle for a month. Hassan Abdullahi Aden, the director of one of the schools, said they were closed because they had no cash. “Save the Children used to fund our school, but they informed us last month that they have stopped any direct funds and from now they will provide funds and support through the Somali government,” Aden told Radio Ergo. He added some of the students have now begun to go back to the rural areas where there are no schools or education opportunities. Kaho Farah Muhamed, a mother of nine children who used to study at these schools, said she was disappointed about the closure. She urged aid agencies and the government to help get them open again. Mohamed Haji, the education officer with local Himan and Heb administration, told Radio Ergo’s reporter that his administration can’t afford to fill the gap, but they are making efforts to convince sponsoring agencies to change their decisions about funding mechanisms.

Mogadishu Mayor announces US$280,000 collected for helping affected regions

30 Nov- Source: Raxanreeb- 235 words
The Mayor of Mogadishu Mohamud Ahmed Nur Tarsan has said that they have found US$280.000 from fundraising events hosted by Mogadishu residents to help the people in the most affected areas in Middle Shabelle and Puntland regions, RBC Radio reports. “So far we have collected $280,000 from the people of Mogadishu, we are planing to start to deliver the money and the food to those living in the most vulnerable regions.”Tarsan added. He said that the first urgent aid assistance from Mogadishu people will reach the next two days to Jowhar town in the Middle Shabelle region where severe flooding hit between September and October. The Mayor also confirmed that other aid assistance will be dispatched to Puntland where a tropical cyclone hit in early of November.

AMISOM New Force Commander Arrives in Mogadishu

29 Nov- Source: Somali Current- 395 words
The incoming commander of the military section of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Lt. Gen. Silas Ntigurirwa on Friday arrived in the Somali Capital Mogadishu for a familiarization tour. He arrives to take over office from the Ugandan outgoing Commander Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti who has held the office since May 2012. Born in 1968, Lt. Gen. Silas Ntigurirwa brings vast experience from the Burundian army, in which he has served in different capacities, with the last posting being the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Defense and Former Combatants.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali athlete blocked at Entebbe Airport

01 Dec- Source: New Vision- 171 word s
A Somali athlete, who was travelling to Uganda for Sunday’s African University Cross Country championships, was blocked from entering the country by the Entebbe Airport immigration department. The immigration officers could not comment on why the athlete Mohammed Ali Moustapha was denied entry. His team mates including an official Muhamed Abubaker Mahad were cleared. According to the FASU games coordinator Hannington Musoke,Moustapha, a student from Mogadishu University arrived aboard an Air Uganda flight at1pm. After three hours of waiting, the hospitality committee was told the student would not be joining his team mates.

UN Security Council renews mandate against piracy fight on Somali coast

30 Nov- Source: Standard- 314 words

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has renewed for a year the authorisation for international action to fight piracy and armed robbery at sea, off the Coast of Somalia. Currently, the European Union Naval forces, the US, Chinese, Pakistani, Indian and Russian forces are engaged in patrolling waters off the Coast of Somalia and the around the Gulf region. The African Union (AU) through Amisom, has a strong 17,000 plus force generated by Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Ethiopia fighting Al Shabaab militia. According to a communiqué from the UNSC meeting of Monday, the UN also reiterated its condemnation of all acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

East African refugees find education and empathy in San Diego

01 Dec- Source: mercedsun star- 1374 words
Mahamud Abdi had seen the worst of war and humanity in his native Somalia by the time he was 11 and found himself in a sixth grade classroom in San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood in 1994. He did not know English, and was confused and afraid in a new country. “You literally walk into class feeling like you’re deaf,” he said. “You can hear, but what are you hearing?” Back then, Abdi and his family, including his grandmother and 12 siblings, lived in a tiny three-bedroom apartment. The boy faced bullying, gangs and academic pressures. Another refugee, Abdiweli Heibeh, came to speak at school and inspired him.

Malawi’s president: patrol boats are to defend borders from Somali immigrants

29 Nov- Source: Telegraph- 224 words
The president of Malawi told The Telegraph’s Aislinn Laing that the purchase of patrol boats for use on Lake Malawi was to help prevent Somali refugees from ending up in the country. Concerns have been raised about the president’s spending plans at a time when donors have frozen aid over a corruption scandal. The IMF recently called for budgets to be restricted and social spending to be prioritised.
She insisted the buying of equipment for the army was a priority. “This is a very, very serious matter. I have been asking all our friends ‘get me patrol boats for the lake. Our borders are so porous. “They [Somalis] buy passports so they leave this country now as Malawians, to the United States, United Kingdom.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“To obviate the country falling into irreversible impasse, the two leaders need to sit together and to solve their differences in peaceful ambiance.”

Somalia: Top Leaders Should not Balk at Solving Their Current Dispute

01 Dec- Source: Horseed Media-366 Words
When as Somalis, we put the current Somali Federal Government in office in 2012 for a four-year term, a whiff of hope filled us: we were in buoyant mood that things were going to the right direction and the country was finally ready to recuperate from the political quandary of the past. However, it has become apparent recently that the Somali president and the prime minister are at variance with one another, which means there is a dispute between them and that throws the political future of Somalia into uncertainty whereby to a degree, it is impossible to predict what will crop up politically, although it is clear the crisis will have corrosive effects on the government’s timetable to create laws for and erect Somali States under the federal system and to get the country ready for elections in 2016 and so on and so forth. And one year is already gone and the rest of the four-year term of the government is possible to be squandered on solving unnecessary and avoidable conflicts and contentions between the top officials.

“All forms of corruption are zero-sum freeloading and indeed parasitical; and some are existentially more threatening than others. Officials misappropriating or stealing national assets in wealthy countries are one level of lowliness and criminality, doing the same to mainly donated funds intended to assist a nation that was at the brink of self-annihilation and its mostly impoverished people is totally another.”

The Corruption Tango

30 Nov- Source: Foreign Policy Blog-1333 Words
Any unchecked authority or power—especially when involving monies—ultimately leads to corruption. That is why it is necessary to put in place mechanisms to monitor, audit, reward, and, when necessary, punish. All laws stemming from a moral or a legal code are based on a system of rewards and punishments. By corruption I mean: Abuse of authority or position of trust in order to benefit self, family, friends, special interest groups and others willing to buy special privileges in cash or other more subtle payoffs, or by being complacent or tolerant to such conducts. In recent months, the Somali Federal Government (SFG) had to swiftly sack its first Central Bank Governor when he was implicated on corruption in the (controversial) UN Monitoring Report on Somalia. The process was settled quietly behind closed doors. No investigation, no prosecution, and no guilt or innocence. More importantly, no lessons learned and no improved vetting process.