January 23, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali President promises regular talks with Somaliland
23 Jan- Source: Bar-kulan-106 Words
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has stated that the Federal Government of Somalia is determined to establish regular talks with Somaliland administration. Mohamud confirmed that the sides agreed to hold further talks once in every three months and was hopeful that further talks between the sides will lead to a comprehensive agreement.
Meanwhile, the president said that the federal government will closely engage with the new leadership of Puntland in an attempt to implement the federal system in the entire country. President Mohamud finally praised the semi-autonomous state for its role in ending Somalia’s transition and promised to closely work with its new leadership.
Key Headlines
- Somali President promises regular talks with Somaliland (Bar-kulan)
- President Hassan Sheikh meets NRC chief (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
- Ethiopian AMISOM Membership Scrutinized (VOA News)
- Bay farmers get poor prices for good harvest (Radio Ergo)
- Federal Govt leaders vow fresh offensive against al Shabaab (Radio Garowe)
- EU Envoy welcomes the endorsement of Somalia’s new cabinet ( Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somali independent media houses association celebrate Somali Media Day (Radio Dalsan)
- Al Shabaab stage attack on Kenyan military base (Daily Nation)
- Mogadishu identification card centre overwhelmed with applicants (Sabahi Online)
- Kenya beefs up security over al Shabaab terror threats (Daily Nation)
- Somalia Vital Records (VOA)
- Minister Blaney meets with Muslim and Somali-Canadian Communities (Public Safety)
PRESS RELEASE
Communiqué of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 414th meeting, on the revised Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)
22 Jan- Source: AU-153 Words
Council,
1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the revised Concept of Operations for the AU Mission in Somalia;
2. Recalls its communiqué PSC/PR/Comm.(CCCXCIX) adopted at its 399th meeting held on 10 October 2013, endorsing the recommendations of the AU-UN Review of AMISOM and Benchmarking Exercise, as well as the relevant provisions of UN Security Council resolution 2124 (2013), adopted on 12 November 2013, on the development of a new Concept of Operations, with a view to enabling AMISOM to respond to the increasingly asymmetrical tactics used by Al-Shabaab;
3. Commends the Commission for its efforts in developing the revised CONOPS, endorses the said CONOPS and looks forward to its full implementation;
4. Requests the Commission to keep it regularly informed of progress made and challenges encountered in the implementation of the AMISOM mandate and its revised CONOPS;
5. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali President promises regular talks with Somaliland
23 Jan- Source: Bar-kulan-106 Words
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has stated that the Federal Government of Somalia is determined to establish regular talks with Somaliland administration. Mohamud confirmed that the sides agreed to hold further talks once in every three months and was hopeful that further talks between the sides will lead to a comprehensive agreement.
Meanwhile, the president said that the federal government will closely engage with the new leadership of Puntland in an attempt to implement the federal system in the entire country. President Mohamud finally praised the semi-autonomous state for its role in ending Somalia’s transition and promised to closely work with its new leadership.
President Hassan Sheikh meets NRC chief in Mogadishu
23 Jan- Source: Radio RBC/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV- 223 words
The President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met today the secretary General of Norwegian Refugee Counsel (NRC) Mr Egeland . The secretary general of NRC together with the NRC international projects Mr Magnhild Vasset and Hassan Kheyre, who is the Head of NRC Africa discussed with Presidents many issues.
The President said “I thank you for your visit to Somalia, and your ongoing aid projects aimed to help the people of Somalia on education, refugees among many others. I am also encouraging you to take an active part in the public programs, like the one of getting one million Somali children back to school, the resettlement of Somali refugees and also getting the IDPs back to their homes and provide shelter and ducation for the refugees.”
Mr Egeland, on his part stated that they are ready to expand their aid assistances efforts for Somali refugees, and that their main goal is to create opportunity and hope for children, women, elders and the people of Somalia at large.
The President Hassan Sheikh said that Somalia is rich of natural resources and will be utilized when peace and law are restored in the country thus Somalia will become peace and prosperous country.
Bay farmers get poor prices for good harvest
23 Jan- Source: Radio Ergo- 227 words
Farmers in Somalia’s southern Bay region are expressing deep concern over the lack of domestic markets and their inability to export to markets elsewhere, despite the recent good harvest. A 60-year-old woman, Amino Nur Alasow, said the deyr rainy season at the end of last year gave a sense of hope for the farmers in the region for the first time in several years of cyclical droughts and famine.
“In the past successive seasons, the rains weren’t enough to grow crops, which led to poor harvests. But the harvest is good this season, and we have enough food,” Alasow told Radio Ergo’s local reporter. She said she harvested more than 10 sacks of maize and beans from her farmland, after several years of crop failure.
Poor harvests have left people with inadequate food stocks and forced many to flee from the region, said Alasow. Most of the farmers who are now harvesting their crops returned last year after fleeing during the 2011-2012 drought and famine.
The problem now is that the market is saturated and there is nowhere else they can sell. “The domestic market is full and everyone has brought his harvest and is getting little money. So, I will have to store my harvest at home and use it to cook for my children, because I get such little money from selling it,” she added.
Bay officials welcome the joining of Ethiopian forces to AMISOM
23 Jan- Source: Bar-kulan-111 Words
Bay region officials have welcomed the formal joining of Ethiopian forces to the African Mission in Somalia known as AMISOM on Wednesday. Bay Governor, Abdi Aden Howsow who spoke to Bar-kulan said that the local administration was very pleased with the decision allowing Ethiopian forces to formally join the African Union Mission in Somalia.
He asked Ethiopian forces in the region to intensify the fight against al Shabaab militant group in order to drive out the remnants of the group from the rest of region. Ethiopian forces officially joined the UN-backed African Mission in Somalia on Wednesday at a highly organized ceremony held in Baidoa, the provincial capital of Bay region.
Federal Govt leaders vow fresh offensive against al Shabaab
23 Jan- Source: Radio Garowe- 192 words
Federal Government of Somalia’s President and Prime Minister Wednesday vowed fresh offensives against al Shabaab militants. Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed tells that new plans with security at the forefront are ahead for his government a day after federal MPs approved the cabinet ministers in an overwhelming vote in Mogadishu.
“My government faces a number of challenges including the security and we aim to remove al Shabaab fighters from their strongholds,” said Mohamed.
Meanwhile, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud noted that al Shabaab represents a stumbling block to the basic services such as the education and health care in the areas remaining under their control.
“Al Shabaab is an obstacle to the peace and progress and that is what prompted our new pledges,” Mohamud declared in statement.
Despite looming threats of instability, Mogadishu-based government leaders haven’t specified a date for the forthcoming attacks on al Shabaab bases. More than 20,000-strong African Union peacekeepers prop-up the Somali government forces as al Shabaab is reeling from major setbacks.
Puntland Deputy President returns from Juba trip
23 Jan- Source: Somali Channel/RBC- 126 words
The deputy President of Puntland Adihakim Amey and his 13 member-delegation returned to Garowe, Puntland’s administrative capital, from their 2 days visit to Kismayo to participate the inauguration of the Juba Interim Administration. State officials, different parts of the civil society welcomed of the deputy President at the airport.
At a press conference at the Garowe airport, Amey stated that they were given brotherly welcome by Juba Administration. the people of Jubaland when they reached Kismayo. The deputy President and his delegation were later taken to the Presidential Palace to meet President Abdiwali Mohamed Ali Gaas.. This is the first visit of a Puntland deputy President to Jubaland.
EU Envoy welcomes the endorsement of Somalia’s new cabinet
22 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 122 words
The European Union Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso has on Wednesday welcomed the endorsement of Somalia’s new cabinet, congratulating the prime minister and his new ministers.
“I congratulate the Prime Minister and the new Cabinet members. The EU expects the new Government to fulfill its huge tasks up to 2016 by consolidating peace and stability and establish rule of law and governance structures”, d’Urso said in a press release.
The Special Envoy underlined the importance of having working relations between the new cabinet, Somali federal parliament and the regional administrations in compliance with Somali Charter in order to take the political process forward. D’Urso reiterated that the EU will continue to support and stand by with the Somali people.
Somali independent media houses association celebrate Somali Media Day
22 Jan- Source: Radio Dalsan- 327 words
A colorful ceremony to mark Somali media day organized by Somali independent media association took place in Mogadishu. The event which was attended by veteran Somali journalists, Radio Directors, civil society members and representatives from human right activist and government officials highlighted the plight of Somali media.
Former chief editor of BBC Somali service Yussuf Garad said the role of the media in the country is very important and there is need for Somali journalist to feel this important role.
“There is no doubt that you face serious challenges in undertaking your daily duties but I am urging you to transform your challenges into success,” he added, “Educate and inform your audience by giving them quality unbiased media content.”
On his part former cabinet minister for information and broadcasting in the government of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Mr Dahir Gelle has challenged the Somali journalist to bring back the lost glory of the Somali media. “Am challenging you to stand up for the revival of this important institution in our country.” he told the journalists
Finally Somali independent media house association Chairman Hassan Ali Gesey sent condolences to the brave Somali journalist who lost their lives during the course of their work in the country. Mr. Gesey said that the association will look into issues concern to Somali journalist particularly personal security which is top of the agenda of this year.
Somalia is described as one of the most dangerous environments for journalists to work. 2012 was the deadliest on record for Somali journalist with 18 killed according to national union of Somali journalists
REGIONAL MEDIA
Al Shabaab stage attack on Kenyan military base
23 Jan- Source: Daily Nation-317 Words
Al Shabaab attacked a Kenya Defence Forces base in Kismayo on Tuesday night. However, the shooting was done aimlessly and did not cause any casualties among the forces working under the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Lieutenant Colonel Chala Hassan, who is heading the forces in Kismayo, said the shots were aimed at provoking response from Kenyan forces. KDF responded with heavy artillery, bombing the area where the gunshots originated from, and it was not immediately clear whether the militants were killed.
“What the al Shabaab did was what in military terms we call a probing attack done by two or three people to try and find location of the enemy. It was not decisive where sophisticated weapons are used with an aim of inflicting casualties,” a military source, who sought anonymity, told the Nation.
Lt Col Hassan said the attackers did not hit their target. “They have been launching such attacks once in a while,” he said. The attack comes after last week’s major assault by KDF on al Shabaab base in Garbaharey in Gedo where more than 50 of the al Qaeda linked militants were killed.
Mogadishu identification card centre overwhelmed with applicants
22 Jan- Source: Sabahi Online-877 Words
Hundreds of Somali citizens stand in long queues every day at the only centre in Mogadishu that issues national identification cards, and more often than not, one will hear complaints about the difficulty and length of time it takes to get through the process. The centre recently opened on December 23rd at the site of the old port in Abdulaziz district. To help cater to the high demand, the Benadir regional administration said it plans to open additional centres elsewhere in Mogadishu, but cautions it will take time to set them up.
“We are aware that the ID issuance centre we have opened is heavily congested and that more than 500 people come to the centre each day,” Benadir administration spokesperson Mohamed Yusuf told Sabahi. “We are planning to open other centres in the other districts of Mogadishu, but we are still thinking about the appropriate time to open them.” He said the federal government plans to have operational centres in every Somali district by the end of 2014.
Kenya beefs up security over al Shabaab terror threats
22 Jan- Source: Daily Nation-262 Words
Police are on high alert following information that the al Shabaab terror group is preparing to strike targets in Nairobi and Coast. Key government installations and popular public places are under vigilance to thwart any possible attack.
In a letter to all Principal Secretaries, Secretary to Cabinet Francis Kimemia said that information reaching them had necessitated the move to urgently deploy and increase security in all State buildings and installations. “The Ministerial Security Committee and other systems in your areas should be fully activated,” said Mr Kimemia in the letter dated January 21.
The letter was copied to all Cabinet Secretaries, Attorney General Githu Muigai, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, Inspector General David Kimaiyo and Maj Gen Michael Gichangi, who heads the National Intelligence Service.
Other government sources told the Nation said a joint team of officers drawn from the NIS, Anti-Terrorism Police Unit and Immigration officials at border points have intensified their operations. Detectives are also trailing some suspects who are residents of Kayole, Komarock and Eastleigh suburbs of Nairobi.
Three held on al Shabaab link suspicion
22 Jan- Source: Daily Nation-267 Words
Police in Marsabit have arrested three youths they claim are al Shabaab recruits who have returned from Somalia. The three, who are in their early 20’s, returned home after disappearing for seven months. They were arrested on Tuesday after arriving in Marsabit town from Eastleigh, Nairobi, on Monday evening. They are said to have been residing in Eastleigh after returning back to the country last week.
Marsabit Central deputy county commissioner Kipchumba Rutto on Wednesday told the Nation that security agents used three local chiefs and an uncle to one of the suspects to trace them while in Nairobi.
“We used the local chiefs to trace them in Nairobi, and then an uncle to one of the three suspects convinced them to come back to Marsabit and clear with the authorities,” said Mr Rutto.
He said upon arriving in Marsabit town, the three chiefs took them to Marsabit Police Station for interrogation. While being questioned, one of them confessed that they had gone to Somalia for training by the al Shabaab.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Ethiopian AMISOM Membership Scrutinized
22 Jan- Source: VOA News-294 Words
A former U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia says he thinks it’s a “mistake” for Ethiopian troops to join the AMISOM force in Somalia. AMISOM is the African Union Mission in Somalia.
David Shinn is an adjunct professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. He said it could be of particular concern “if Ethiopian forces are expected to go beyond the immediate Ethiopia / Somalia border area. Everyone knows that they have been crossing the border into Somalia for some time now confronting al Shabaab forces or any hostile forces for that matter.”
AMISOM has driven al Shabaab from the capital Mogadishu, but the militant group still controls areas of the country.
Shinn said the Ethiopian incursions into Somalia of late have been “fairly low key and hasn’t drawn a lot of attention. But it’s all been done in the context of a bilateral action obviously with the support of the Somali government. But by joining AMISOM, this I think is going to revive the Ethiopian intervention more broadly in Somalia that they engaged in from the very beginning of 2007 through January of 2009, particularly their engagement in Mogadishu. And that did not end well.”
Somalia Vital Records
22 Jan- Source: VOA Africa-02:41mins
Somalia is steadily normalizing life for its citizens. The latest move is the registration of critical documents such as birth certificates and national identity cards. VOA’s Ndimyake Mwakalyelye reports.
Minister Blaney meets with Muslim and Somali-Canadian Communities
22 Jan- Source: publicsafety- 238 words
The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, released a statement following a community roundtable today: “I was pleased to meet with members of the Muslim and Somali-Canadian communities of Ottawa-Gatineau today, as part of our Government’s commitment to maintaining ongoing and productive dialogue with Canada’s diverse communities. As Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, I look forward to every opportunity to discuss various issues related to countering crime and promoting the prosperity, safety and security of our communities.”
“Today, we discussed a number of issues that represent key concerns of these communities, including youth and crime, employment, education, profiling and funding opportunities for community programming. We also considered our shared concern over the threat posed by terrorism.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Somali-Canadians are now deeply divided over the proposal to address the problem of crime and absenteeism specifically among Canadian children of Somali descent. Mothers like Abdullahi insist these problems run across Toronto’s many ethnic communities, not Somalis alone.”
It’s Somali vs Somali at TDSB
22 Jan- Source: Toronto Sun-557 Words
“We are tired of being marginalized. We came to Canada to integrate, but it seems officials at the TDSB would like us to segregate ourselves into ghettoes.” Those are the words of Suban Abdullahi, mother of two kids in the Toronto school system and three more who have graduated and are now in university.
She is one angry Canadian, livid over a proposal by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to create a “Somali Task Force” to look into absenteeism and crime among Toronto’s Somali-Canadian youth.
“Eighty-three percent of the children of Somali descent were born in Canada. They are Canadians, not Somali-Canadians,” she tells me.
It all began in January, 2013 when Toronto MPP Mike Colle, who has a large Somali-Canadian population in his riding, sent a letter to the TDSB asking that it set up a “task force” for Somali-Canadian students in the wake of the murders of 50 youths in Alberta and Ontario.
Top tweets
@SALWstandards The Government of #Somalia has inaugurated an #Arms and #Ammunition Steering Committee with the support of @UNSomalia and @UNMAS.
@UNOCHA Latest #Somalia bulletin: recent assessments point to a below avg harvest in early ’14 http://bit.ly/1aIWyQLpic.twitter.com/yH4en44Tjk
@TheVillaSomalia The great people of #Somalia are the most adaptable in the world! Power of the human spirithttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/
@SomaliPM Plans for new #Somali government include government institutions strengthened & establishment of 28,000-strong forces http://allafrica.com/stories/
@amisomsomalia VIDEO OF THE DAY: #Ethiopian troops join#AMISOM http://bit.ly/KJQ5Lb
Image of the day
AMISOM Force commander Lt. Gen. Silas Ntigurirwa places an African Union cravat around the neck of an Ethiopian soldier during a ceremony in Baidoa, Somalia, welcoming the Ethiopian National Defense Forces into the African Union peacekeeping mission on January 22. Photo: AMISOM