March 12, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali gov’t deploys Deputy Ministers, Religious Scholars to newly liberated towns
12 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV – 204 words
The Federal Government of Somalia said it has deployed Deputy Ministers and Religious Scholars to the newly liberated towns in the country’s southern regions where the livelihood situation of the people seem to be very critical.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said that following the military success, the government’s efforts must now turn to stabilization in these towns. The Prime Minister’s call came after meeting with the foreign ambassadors in Mogadishu to brief on the ongoing military operation in the country.
The Interior Minister Abdullahi Godah Barre said the government is now working on to deliver food aid and other necessary items to the most needy people in the four liberated districts in Bay, Bakool and Gedo regions.
“There will be extensive system to help the people. We want to pin up the security operations alongside with services delivery work.” the minister said in a press conference.
Last week, Somalia Army backed by the Ethiopian forces of the African Union Mission took four key strategic towns of Rabdhure, Hudur, Wajid & Burdhubow from al Shabaab. Locals and elders in those areas are repeatedly calling for delivery of food and water due to dry weather and the water shortage in the southwest regions of Somalia.
Key Headlines
- Somali gov’t deploys deputy ministers religious scholars to newly liberated towns (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
- PM hosts meeting with International Community diplomats on stabilisation efforts (Raxanreeb)
- Mogadishu Mayor vows to secure the city within 90 days (Radio Mogadishu)
- Somali MP lauds Turkish assistance (Turkish Weekly News)
- PM commiserates death of Mohamed Suleiman Tubeec (Radio Shabelle)
- Workshop opens for Somali MPs in Kampala (Bar-kulan/SNTV)
- IFJ Appeals for Release of Somali Journalist Jailed in Ethiopia (IFJ)
- UN warns of worsening security in Somalia (Al Jazeera)
- ASWJ: “We will cleanse al Shabaab from Central Somalia” (Radio Shabelle)
- Somali Delegates in Cairo requested weapons to fight al Shabaab Militants (HAN/Geeska Africa Online)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali gov’t deploys Deputy Ministers, Religious scholars to newly liberated towns
12 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV – 204 words
The Federal Government of Somalia said it has deployed Deputy Ministers and Religious Scholars to the newly liberated towns in the country’s southern regions where the livelihood situation of the people seem to be very critical.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said that following the military success, the government’s efforts must now turn to stabilization in these towns. The Prime Minister’s call came after meeting with the foreign ambassadors in Mogadishu to brief on the ongoing military operation in the country.
The Interior Minister Abdullahi Godah Barre said the government is now working on to deliver food aid and other necessary items to the most needy people in the four liberated districts in Bay, Bakool and Gedo regions.
“There will be extensive system to help the people. We want to pin up the security operations alongside with services delivery work.” the minister said in a press conference.
Last week, Somalia Army backed by the Ethiopian forces of the African Union Mission took four key strategic towns of Rabdhure, Hudur, Wajid & Burdhubow from al Shabaab. Locals and elders in those areas are repeatedly calling for delivery of food and water due to dry weather and the water shortage in the southwest regions of Somalia.
PM hosts meeting with International Community diplomats on stabilisation efforts
12 Mar – Source: Raxanreeb – 211 words
Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, hosted a meeting attended by Special Representatives and Ambassadors from the UN, EU, UK, Turkey, Ethiopia, UAE, Italy and the USA to update them on the ongoing offensive against al Shabaab and urge them to do all they can to support the stabilisation efforts in newly liberated areas.
The Prime Minister alongside the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Minister of Interior briefed the meeting on the successful liberation of the four key strategic towns of Rabdhure, Hudur, Wajid & Buudhubow from al Shabaab.
Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, said: “the SNA alongside AMISOM have secured four key strategic towns in what is a major defeat and decisive blow against al Shabaab. Security operations are ongoing to clear mines and IEDs left by al Shabaab and provide reassurance to the local population creating a safe environment for local people to return to.
“Following the military success efforts must now turn to stabilisation in these towns. Al Shabaab have inflicted untold damage on both the local people but also the physical infrastructure of these liberated towns, destroying police stations, clinics, water points and schools. Due to the neglect inflicted by Al-Shabaab on the local population we are now facing a humanitarian crisis within these towns, with food aid specifically needed.
Mogadishu Mayor vows to secure the city within 90 days
12 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 160 words
The newly appointed Mogadishu Mayor, Gen Hassan Mohamed Hussein Mungab, has vowed to secure the country’s capital city within three months. The new Mayor, who was also the former chief of the the country’s military court has taken office in February replacing his predecessor, Mohamud Nur Tarsan following a presidential decree.
“I am committed to reform the regional level security agents, the police and the national security,” Gen Mungab said. The new Mayor added “Mogadishu will be more secure and stable within the coming three months,” as he asked for help from the local community. “Without the people’s support I will never succeed,” he added.
Security situation in Mogadishu remain challenging to the new mayor and his security team after it has deteriorated in the past months. Al Shabaab insurgents carried out three high profile suicide attacks on the Presidential Palace (Villa Somalia), UN convoy and the headquarters of the National Intelligence in Mogadishu just in one month.
PM commiserates death of Mohamed Suleiman Tubeec
12 Mar – Source: Radio Shabelle – 134 words
The Somali Prime Minister sent his sincere condolences over the death of Somali singer , Mohamed Suleiman Tubeec who was well-known by the people as the ‘King of Vocals’ of Somalia. He passed away in a hospital in Germany where he was being treated.
“Everybody will die and that’s the truth. May Allah bless him Mohamed Suleiman Tubeec, was one of the singers that the Somali people adored very much and we can remember him by his patriotism,” said the Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed.
The Somali Prime Minister also sent his condolences and commiseration to the Somali people, relatives and friends of the deceased singers, wherever they are. And he prayed that Allah grants him Paradise, and endows us with the patience and faith to be strong through the bereavement.
Workshop opens for Somali MPs in Kampala
12 Mar – Source: Bar-kulan/SNTV – 92 words
A workshop to strengthen the capacity of the daily activities of the Chairmen of the Somali parliamentary committees has opened in Ugandan capital, Kampala.
The workshop which is set to continue for the next five days was opened by the second Deputy Speaker of Somalia Jeylani Noor Likar. The members will undergo training on how various parliamentary committees are expected to perform their role in the country.
The workshop was sponsored by Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA) which works in partnership with African parliaments to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Africa.
ASWJ: “We will cleanse al Shabaab from Central Somalia”
12 Mar – Source: Radio Shabelle – 129 words
The spiritual leaders of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a have prepared for the operations against al Shabaab in some of the regions in the Central zone of Somalia.
Sheikh Ahmed Abdullahi Ilkacase the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a who is in Galgadud spoke to Radio Shabelle in Mogadishu and reported that in the coming hours or days they are expecting changes within the regions of Central Somalia with Ethiopian troops already launching their military offensives.
The Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a on the other hand said that there will soon be military offensives against al Shabaab with the help of allied Ethiopian troops and the Somali National Army. The past few days, heavily armed Ethiopian soldiers entered some cities of the Galgadud region like Guriceel and Dhusamareeb districts.
Somaliland Local Governments Excluded from Land Legalization, Dispute Resolution and Issuance of Document processes
11 Mar – Source: Somaliland Press – 91 words
The Minister of Public Works ,Housing and Public Transport Hon Abdirizaq Khalif Ahmed has issued a ministerial directive which bans local government authorities in the country from allotting land deeds and excludes them from the issuance of decisions in any land legalisation process and dispute resolution processes), identifying land for development, creating land sharing arrangements with immediate effect.
Minister of Public Works, Housing and Public Transport also the Chairman of the National Committee tasked with reclamation of public properties and government buildings currently in private hands has issued the following directives.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somali Delegates in Cairo requested weapons to fight al Shabaab Militants
12 Mar – Source: HAN/Geeska Africa Online – 530 words
The Arab Foreign Ministers are In Cairo to mainly discuss how to overhaul the pan-Arab bloc, and preparations and arrangements for a planned Arab summit in Kuwait this month. The Somalia Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mahad Mohamed Salad in Cairo, capital of Egypt to attend Meeting of 141 round of Arab Foreign Ministers held in cairo.
Arab foreign ministers meeting is to facilitate summit of Arab leaders from around the 25 Arab Countries to be held in Kuwait City on March 25-26, 2014. Deputy Secretary-General of the Arab League Ambassador Ahmed bin Helli said the meeting is part of ongoing efforts to revamp the Arab League, adding that the league will partake in the oversight of parliamentary and presidential elections in eight Arab countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation at the address on the need for the Federal Government of Somalia spoke to have the financial support and the military can provide a comprehensive upgrade and equip the Armed Forces in Somalia. Mahad Mohamed Salad urged Arab countries to play a significant role in the development activities and rebuilding the country, urging them to re-open embassies in the Somali capital Mogadishu, like any other European Embassies.
UN warns of worsening security in Somalia
11 Mar – Source: Al Jazeera English – 02:14mins
The United Nations has warned that the security situation in Somalia is deteriorating. With the government locked in a continuing battle with al Shabaab, the UN special representative was supposed to brief ambassadors in New York. However, he turned back after he reached Nairobi because of serious security warnings. Al Jazeera’s James Bays reports from the United Nations.
Mix of Fear and Hope for Somali Refugees in Kenya Looking to Return Home
11 Mar – Source: Sabahi Online – 1053 words
While some Somalis residing in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee complex are taking stock of the living conditions back home before their eventual journey back, others are not ready to return and fear what might happen if the camps are closed prematurely.
To better understand refugees’ mixed sentiment on the repatriation process, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), launched on February 25th a comprehensive survey of Somali refugees living in Dadaab camps.
The Return Intention Survey will be conducted over four months, and the results of the survey will be taken into consideration in the planning process for the voluntary repatriation of refugee families, according to IOM.
“In the next two months, 50 enumerators trained by IOM will be in the field to interview a sample of 7,453 households, representing 27 groups of refugees from nine different regions in Somalia, who arrived in three phases to Dadaab,” IOM said in a statement.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
IFJ Appeals for Release of Somali Journalist Jailed in Ethiopia
12 Mar – Source: IFJ – 230 words
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has stated that the guilty verdict and prison sentence given to veteran Somali journalist, Mohamed Aweys Mudey, is unacceptable and appealed to Ethiopian authorities to quash his sentence and release him with immediate effect.
According to IFJ affiliate, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), Mudey has been sentenced to 27 years in prison under Ethiopia’s Anti-terror law. Ethiopian prosecutors reportedly accused him of having information on Al-Shabaab operations in Ethiopia and charged him for participating in terror activities.
The NUSOJ says he did not have a lawyer or family member with him during his trial, while at least three people detained with him at Ethiopia’s Crimes Investigations Sector (CIS), saw him being badly tortured and having difficulties with walking.
“We are dismayed at this unbelievably severe ruling against the respected veteran journalist, Mohamed Aweys Mudey, who is not guilty of any crime,” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. “The charges against him are ludicrous and we urge the relevant authorities in Ethiopia to release him immediately and unconditionally.”
Somali MP lauds Turkish assistance
12 Mar – Source: Turkish Weekly News – 202 words
In 2011, Erdogan and his family flew to Mogadishu amid a famine that had struck the Horn of Africa country. A Somali lawmaker and former Interior Minister has praised the Turkish government’s recent contributions to helping Somalia’s people and government.
“The visit by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the famine opened the doors for the international community to come to Somalia,” MP Abdisamad Mahamoud Hassan, a former Somali interior minister, told Anadolu Agency in an interview.
In 2011, Erdogan and his family flew to capital Mogadishu amid a famine that had struck the Horn of Africa country. Hassan, currently in South Africa for the fourth session of the Pan-African Parliament, which openedMonday, said that ever since Erdogan’s visit, a number of Turkish organizations had set up base to help desperate Somalis.
“We’re also grateful that Turkish Airlines started flying to Somalia,” he said. “It first started [operating flights] once a week; now, they’re flying three times a week,” he added, noting that this has eased travel for many Somalis.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Al Shabaab’s on-the-run leader broke cover this week to release a recorded message, in which he exhorted Somalis to fight the good fight against foreign invaders, especially old enemy Ethiopia. It was a typical Islamist propaganda piece, filled with references to God, infidels and the Holy War – but it was also surprisingly perceptive about where Somalia is at the moment, and where it’s going.”
Analysis: Propaganda, al Shabaab-style, and a few hard truths
11 Mar – Source: Daily Maverick – 1108 words
It’s been a rough few months for Ahmed Abdi Godane, the now-undisputed leader of Somali Islamist militant group al Shabaab. He’s on the run, moving from place to place and avoiding phone calls or internet or any technology that might allow his enemies to trace him. The idea is to stay out of the way of those all-seeing, all-hearing drones that the USA has vulturing around Somali airspace just waiting to send a Hellfire missile screaming in his general direction.
Nonetheless, the drones have already been called into action once this year: Godane was saved by a last-minute change in plans, but four of his convoy were not so lucky. He’s also managed to dodge a Kenyan air strike which wiped out another 30 militants.
At the same time, the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) is tightening the noose around what remains of al Shabaab territory (still a sizeable portion of the country, admittedly). This weekend alone, Amisom claim to have regained control of five towns in the Bay, Bakool and Gedo regions – not bad for a few days’ work. “Our aim is to not stop this operation until we take over all the districts, all the areas that al Shabaab currently occupies,” said an Amisom spokesperson, in bullish mood.
“Today Somalia is poor because of the long protracted civil war, and the stifling dominance of politics and economics by corrupt elites. If your eyes are as sharp and your ears as acute as ever, you will note that Somalia is a country where institutions don’t work, criminality and corruptions at the top office goes unchecked. Aid flow destined to help rebuild Somali government mostly end up in the pockets of the well-connected politicians. Corruption should undoubtedly be a critical concern for donors.”
Somalia and Foreign Aid: A love affair!
11 Mar – Source: Wardheernews – 1461 Words
It is reported that Richard Burton once said Arabs called Somalia Bilad Wa issi, the land of give me something! This reminded me of a more apt tweet from a prominent Somali figure. As you may recall donors pledged 2.4 billion dollars at a conference in Brussels last year. This is the fund (or lack of) that got this famous Somali tweeter personality nose out of joint. He was complaining about how the donors never kept their promise! You might think with all the current corruption scandals in Somalia no one will be masochistically devoted to the begging bowl.
Foreign aid is one of the most popular ways the western world recommends as a way of combating poverty in Africa. Most of the literature on foreign aid is saying that International aid is ineffective in fostering economic growth. The fundamental assumption that aid money is effective in contributing to the economy is somehow flawed. Foreign aid is effective if the economic policies of a country are good. A country with no strong financial system like Somalia will most likely divert funds to the great gaping maws of greedy politicians. The aid money is mostly wasted on overhead and corruption.
“Sheikh Idris proposes key solutions that can help Somalia extricate itself from its abyss. He is averse to the petty talks about federalism, 4.5 clan power sharing, and these endless—mind you, fruitless—attempts at peace conferences and reconciliation. Idris wants first and foremost for the Somali people to make “tawbah” (repentance) and return to God. Part of the repentance process, he expounds, is to redress the wrongdoing that Somalis have inflicted upon each other.”
Sheikh Mohamed Idris: His Diagnosis for the Somali Crisis
11 Mar – Source: Wardheer News – 1402 Words
Since 1991, when the Somali state crumpled and the country became engulfed in civil war, many pundits have pontificated about what led to the crisis. Questions abound regarding why the government collapsed and anarchy ensued. Thousands of Somalis were killed; others fled their country and became refugees all over the world. Every day, hundreds of Somalis leave home and venture into the high seas looking for better opportunities. In Kenya alone, close to a half-million Somalis are refugees in Dadaab Camp.
Sheikh Mohamed Idris is a renowned Somali-American cleric who has published a dozen books and, given thousands of lectures that are available on cassettes, CD, DVDs and widely viewed on Somali TVs. He is a globetrotter, always on the move.
“I have visited all the Somali communities in the diaspora except the ones in New Zealand and Australia,” he said, smiling. He helps emerging Somali communities in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America to build their own mosques and Islamic schools. He is hotly pursued by various Somali communities as a guest speaker.
Top tweets
@UNSomalia #Somalia can achieve goals by 2016 despite mixed progress, #UN Envoy @Somalia111 tells Security Council: http://bit.ly/N5nUYf.
@amisomsomalia VIDEO: The UN Support Office for #AMISOM(UNSOA) begins its provision of support to #Somali National Army http://bit.ly/OgRBq3.
@amisomsomalia Twitter Q&A with Col Ali Eden Houmed (AMISOM Spokesman) on Wednesday 12th 2014 from 10.00 AM to 12.00 Noon #AskAMISOM pic.twitter.com/LbQLzR7CDg.
@Abdikarim_Abdi3 It seems like after more than 2 decades of war, Somalia never lost its beauty. Via @ActForSomaliapic.twitter.com/RJ9SLi8JRt.
@KvanOosterom Minister Ploumen meets Minister Diriye from Somali Republic, discusses safeguarding women’s and girls rights. pic.twitter.com/9RJCU5q92S.
Image of the day
UN Envoy to #Somalia Nick Kay (@Somalia111) briefs the #UN Security Council. Photo: @UNSomalia.