May 2, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali President to meet US Secretary of State
02 Apr Source: Kismaayo24/ Boocame Online/Kismaayo News/Horseed Media- 123 words
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to meet U.S Secretary of state Senator John Kerry who is on an official visit to Africa. Senator John Kerry arrived in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa on Wednesday night and expected to hold talks with several top officials from Eastern Africa countries.
Initial reports say that the Somali leader is expected to travel to Addis Ababa today and meet the U.S Foreign Affairs secretary. Among the topics expected both sides to discuss is on the security and peace process in the war-ravaged Somalia. Also they will hold talks on issues related to the U.S significance assistance to the Federal government. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Senator might pay a surprise visit to the Somali Capital, Mogadishu.
Key Headlines
- Somali President to meet US Secretary of State (Kismaayo24/ Boocame Online)
- Somalia seeks Debts Forgiveness (Horseed Media)
- Somali President urges locals to support the army (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
- Relief agencies urged to assist drought-hit families in Galgadud (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somalia and Tunisia agree to restore their diplomatic ties (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog)
- Professor targeted in University car bomb; one student Injured (Hiiraan Online)
- Diplomatic row heats up as Kenya appoints a new representative to Somali region (Somali Current)
- Himan & Heb regional state appoints committee to assess the level of acute water shortage (Radio Goobjoog)
- Gal-mudug minister accuses Puntland of overnight attack on his home (Hiiraan Online)
- Somaliland National Health & Safety Policy Launched (Somaliland Sun)
- Galgadud administration asks the government to assist the IDPs (Radio Bar-kulan/Wehel Media)
- Detained foreigners to be sent back home (Daily Nation)
- Uptick in Mogadishu violence a wakeup call for citizens security forces (Sabahi Online)
- Kenya deaf to outcry over Somali crackdown (Mail and Guardian)
PRESS STATEMENT
Somali President Marks Labour Day: “Shaqadu waa sharaf” / “Working is dignity”
02 May – Source: Office of the Somali President – 233 words
His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud marked today, International Labour Day, by attending a ceremony at the Ministry of Labour. The President delivered a speech to the assembled crowd, beginning with an old Somali proverb: ‘Shaqadu waa sharaf’ (working is dignity).
The President celebrated the efforts of all Somalis, who he noted are hard workers by character. He also singled out three groups of workers for special attention: civil servants, the military and members of the Diaspora who have returned to Somalia to assist in the rebuilding of the country.
Regarding civil servants, the President said, “More than 3500 have been appointed since I was inaugurated and that they are ‘the engine of the government.’ ” Regarding the military, he commented on the recent success of the military offensive against al-Shabaab: “It is with pride that I remind you that over the past few weeks we have reclaimed 10 towns and our enemies are running away like dogs.”
Finally the President recognized the efforts of returning Somalis from the Diaspora: “We welcome you back and we know many of you have been waiting for the day that you could return. While you have been away, we have changed. You will see a nation that is growing up, built not on idealistic dreams but on the promise of hard work.”
The President also took questions from the media. In response to a question regarding the recent detention of a Somali diplomat in Kenya, he noted: “We are speaking with the Kenyan government on this subject. We say to Kenya, target the criminals, not entire communities.
Don’t pour fuel on the fire by creating animosity amongst the people who have called Kenya a home and who have contributed to your economy. Somalia and Kenya have a shared aim: to rid Africa of our terrorist enemies.”
Concluding, he returned to the theme of labour. “Nothing that is worthwhile is easy. Every great endeavor takes work.”
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali President to meet US Secretary of State
02 Apr Source: Kismaayo24/ Boocame Online/Kismaayo News/Horseed Media- 123 words
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to meet U.S Secretary of state Senator John Kerry who is on an official visit to Africa. Senator John Kerry arrived in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa on Wednesday night and expected to hold talks with several top officials from Eastern Africa countries.
Initial reports say that the Somali leader is expected to travel to Addis Ababa today and meet the U.S Foreign Affairs secretary. Among the topics expected both sides to discuss is on the security and peace process in the war-ravaged Somalia. Also they will hold talks on issues related to the U.S significance assistance to the Federal government.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Senator might pay a surprise visit to the Somali Capital, Mogadishu.
Somalia seeks Debts Forgiveness
02 May – Source: Horseed Media – 167 words
Somali Federal Government has called for its creditors to cancel billion of dollars debts, in an effort to develop the country’s economy. The Country’s foreign minister Abdirahman Beileh said that they will cooperate with the African Development Bank (AFDB) regarding the cancellation of the debts.
African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka hosted the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance of Somalia in the Tunisian capital, discussing on ways of the Bank to implement development projects in the war-ravaged nation and boost the economic sector.
‘’ Somalia’s need for very substantial debt relief derives from the economic realities facing a post-conflict country,’’ said the Minister.
Moreover, he said, cancelling Somalia’s debt would provide countries with ‘long-term benefit, by offering them increased investment opportunities once the shackles on the country’s political and economic development are removed.’
Somali President urges locals to support the army
02 Apr- Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Radio Bar-kulan- 124 words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called on the residents of Al Shabaab controlled parts in the country to welcome Somali government forces in their quest to liberate the rest of the country from the militant group.
In a statement from his office, the president stated that Somali National Army backed by African Union forces are planning military offensive against Al Shabaab remnants.
Meanwhile, Mohamud applauded the military gains by the Somali troops and their African Union allies in recent months and urged locals in recently liberated areas to work towards peace, unity and the development of the country.
Finally, the president stressed that the Somali army deserves credit and massive support for their successful endeavors to restore law and order in the country.
Relief agencies urged to assist drought-hit families in Galgadud
02 Apr- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 138 words
Himan and Heeb authorities in Adado town in the central Somali region of Galgadud have met with international relief agencies and non-governmental organizations.
The authorities and the representatives from international agencies such as ICRC, Coopi and Solidarity as well as officials from non-governmental relief agencies including CPD and SSWC discussed on the current humanitarian needs in the Himan and Heeb administered areas.
Himan and Heeb Interior Minister, Hassan Abdullahi Mohamed told Bar-kulan that the main focus of the meeting was to call on the relief agencies to provide much needed aid assistance to the families affected by the water and food shortages in central Somalia.
The minister added that the agencies accepted their suggestions and promised to deliver emergency aid supplies to the most hit areas in the region.
Somalia and Tunisia agree to restore their diplomatic ties
02 Apr- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog- 190 words
Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and international relations Abdirahman Dualeh Beileh yesterday visited the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia where he was received by his Tunisian counterpart Mongi Hamdi.
In a long hours meeting the two ministers discussed many issues including restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations, exchange of experiences , investments and other factors related to the situation in the Arab world.
Somalia foreign Minister praised the democratic culture in Tunisia and hoped that the federal government of Somalia will achieve such progress in the near future.
He asked Tunisian government to send a team of experts to Somali capital Mogadishu and actively take part in reconstruction processes and investments in country.
In his part Tunisian foreign Minister Mr. Hamdi described the visit of Somali delegates to Tunisia as a historic one which allows the two countries to restore their diplomatic ties after more two decades adding that Tunisia will support the federal government of Somalia.
Somali embassy in Tunis was not functioning since late 1990 when the central government of Somalia was toppled.
Somalia: Puntland planning to reduce reliance on ‘Foreign workers’
02 Apr- Source: Horseed Media/Halgan Online- 28 words
Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland government is planning to reduce its reliance on foreign workers in an effort to encourage local workforce, said Vice President.
Speaking during the World Labour Day ceremony, Mr Abdihakim Amay said that there are many jobs that foreigners are doing, which could be done by the ‘’locals’’. ‘’ We want to encourage our own citizens; we can’t rely on foreign labour. There are many (locals) who can do jobs that are foreign workers are employed for,’’ he said.
Puntland Vice President added that the administration will also improve the conditions and rights of the labours.
Currently, many companies, Education institutions and International & local organizations in the region rely on foreign workers to meet their manpower needs.
Somalia is considered as one of the countries where poor working conditions and labour right abuses occur normally.
Professor targeted in University car bomb; one student Injured
02 May – Source: Hiiraan Online – 113 words
At least one undergraduate student has been wounded when a bomb concealed in a car detonated earlyThursday morning. The explosion happened inside a building on Horseed International University’s campus in Mogadishu.
Only a few students were in their classrooms when the bomb exploded at about 06:45 on Thursday morning injuring a single student.
The bomb was placed on the car of one of the University lecturers who has now been identified as ’Prof Jeesow’ and it seems that the University lecturer was the main target.
It was not known who was exactly behind Thursday’s bomb attack at the Horseed International University, no party has yet to come forward to claim responsibility.
Diplomatic row heats up as Kenya appoints a new representative to Somali region
02 May – Source: Somali Current/Radio Goobjoog – 158 words
Kenyan Government newly appointed Representative to Kismayo based regional administration has handed over his credential letters to the president of the provisional administration of Jubba Ahmed Madobe, according to reports from Kismayo.
Reports added that the President Ahmed Madobe received credential letters from the new representative as he highlighted that he was appointed to enhance the bilateral relations and cooperation’s between Kenyan government and Regional administration in Jubba.
“Kenyan consulate will be soon opened in Kismayo as Kenyan government is committed to improve the cooperation and relationship with Ahmed Madobe led administration based in Kismayo” Said Kyengo, Kenyan appointed Representative to Kismayo administration.
An official from Somali Government National security forces in the region accused Kenya of violating Somalia’s territorial sovereignty and said, “The appointed representative to Jubba is not a consular to Kismayo, but he is a Kenyan governor to the region, so as Kenya to take the control and the ownership of land of this region.”
Himan & Heb regional state appoints committee to assess the level of acute water shortage
01 Apr– Source: Radio Goobjoog- 96 words
The administration of Himan & Heb in central Somalia has appointed a committee to assess the difficulties posed by the acute water shortage in areas under its control.
Himan & Heb Social services Minister Omar Mohamed Diriye told Goobjoog FM they met officials from aid agencies that operate in the area and agreed to send relief to the people affected by the water shortage.
Acute water shortage in central regions of Somalia has claimed the lives of more than six people where more other people moved to other areas in search of clean water to drink.
Gal-mudug minister accuses Puntland of overnight attack on his home
01 May – Source: Hiiraan Online – 98 words
One person was wounded when unidentified gunmen launched an assault at the home of the newly-appointed Information Minister of the Somali regional state of Gal-Mudug over night on Thursday.
The Minister’s bodyguards exchanged fire with the attackers for several minutes before the gunmen escaped. One of the bodyguards was injured in the crossfire, according to Minister Hassan Abdulkader Hassan who talked to the media on Thursday.
No group has yet claimed responsibility of the attack on the minister’s home which occurred only two days after he was appointed to the post by the regional President Abdi Hassan Awale.
During a press conference at his office on Thursday the Minister accused Puntland security of being behind over night attack on his home.
“I confirm that Puntland forces attacked my home” the Minister said adding that the neighbouring regional state will be accounted for such brutal attack. The Puntland authorities were not immediately available for comment.
Somaliland National Health & Safety Policy Launched
01 May – Source: Somaliland Sun – 118 words
The Government has formulated institutional guidelines and policy framework in mitigating hazards & health related risks among the measures contained in a draft document entitled ‘National health & safety policy’ issued by Health Ministry.
A consultative forum deliberating on national health & safety standards was graced by the Health Minister Dr. Suleiman Issa Ahmed Haglatosie at Mansour Hotel in Hargeisa on Wednesday. Other dignitaries in attendance were the Deputy Minister for Labor & Social Services, the Director General (DG) for Health, the chairperson of the Association of Medical Profession & stakeholders providing health care services.
Dr. Haglatosie in his speech at the forum reaffirmed the Government’s commitment in ensuring the safety of workers & population generally by improving preparedness measures during disaster & emergency moments.
Galgadud administration asks the government to assist the IDPs
01 Apr– Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Wehel Media-122 words
The local administration of Galgadud region in central Somalia has asked the government to provide aid assistance to the families displaced by the recent clashes between the government forces and the Al Shabaab militant group.
Abdihakim Abdullahi Warsame, the deputy governor of Galgadud region told Bar-kulan that there is a major humanitarian crisis facing the displaced families in Elbur and the nearby villages.
He acknowledged that the federal government has previously pledged to provide aid assistance to families affected by the war against Al Shabaab but has thus far failed to live up to its promises.
Warsame indicated that the families in great need of basic amenities such as water, food and shelter.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Detained foreigners to be sent back home
02 May – Source: Daily Nation – 126 words
Dozens of illegal immigrants are awaiting repatriation after their arrest in Mombasa. Sixty four foreigners, mainly Ethiopians and Somalis, would be flown to their countries, County Commissioner Nelson Marwa told the Nation yesterday.
Senior immigration officer Joseph Kanyiri requested the National Treasury to provide funds for the exercise. “We cannot just dump them anywhere,” Mr Kanyiri said. “We are currently working on transport logistics so that we can escort the aliens to Dadaab and Kakuma camps.”
On Tuesday, Mombasa County Police Commander Robert Kitur said of the 373 foreigners arrested after Easter, 151 were released and 222 taken to court.
“Among those who were arraigned were 21 aliens who now awaiting repatriation,” he said. “The immigration department will repatriate those who have served their jail terms.”
Uptick in Mogadishu violence a wakeup call for citizens, security forces
01 Apr– Source: Sabahi Online- 385 words
Al-Shabaab’s assassination of two Somali lawmakers in Mogadishu in broad daylight within a 24-hour period and the militant group’s continuing activities across the capital have served as a wake up call for security forces and citizens alike.
The growing sense of insecurity in the capital has called into question the security forces’ ability to contain the threat of al-Shabaab and also prompted renewed calls for the public to become more involved.
“I am calling upon the Somali public to assist in capturing al-Shabaab criminals,” lawmaker Faisal Omar Guled told Sabahi.
In addition to strengthening accountability measures for security institutions, Guled said the public needs to take part in the anti-terrorism efforts, as al-Shabaab is not only targeting lawmakers but is the enemy of all Somali people.
“We will continue and I am confident that we will prevail [in the fight against] the terrorists,” he said. In response to the lawmakers’ deaths, Guled said parliament agreed to allocate two private bodyguards to each member of parliament and pay them $200 monthly from their own salaries.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya deaf to outcry over Somali crackdown
02 May – Source: Mail and Guardian – 171 words
Osman Mohamed Osman was born in Thika in central Kenya. A second generation Kenyan, Osman is now a 20-year-old student in Nairobi. Despite being ethnically Somali, he speaks only English and Swahili.
“I identify myself as Kenyan first. It’s not fair to identify yourself by tribe,” said Osman. He feels caught in the middle of a war on terrorism in a country that has been his only home.
Osman’s father has spent three decades in the Kenyan military, an army that since 2011 has been deployed in Somalia as part of an African Union offensive to curb al-Shabab militants.
Kenyans are all too aware of the risks of having boots on the ground in neighbouring Somalia after al-Shabab claimed responsibility for last year’s terror attack on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping centre that ended in the deaths of 67 people. Following the attack, the group said it was in retaliation for Kenya’s military interference in Somalia. In late March, an attack on a church just outside Mombasa left six dead and dozens injured.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Even as we search and comb for terrorist elements, to be seen to be antagonizing or persecuting an entire community actually helps the enemy in the recruitment strategies! The best the police can do is make it clear that human rights abuses will not be tolerated and that the Constitution is upheld at all times. But this must not be rhetoric. The police must say and mean and walk every word of it”
War on Terror or Attack on Civil Liberties?
02 Apr- Source: Star-Kenya- 758 words
Barely a year ago while doing analysis on a local morning TV show, I accurately predicted that the excursion into Somalia and the war on terror would extract their fair share of stress, fatigue and worry on the Kenyan public since an unconventional war comes with lots of variables. The magnitude and complexities of terrorism have begun to sink into our national psyche after the alleged Westgate and Likoni church ‘terrorist’ attacks.
While several armchair analysts and hecklers have taken to social media to cheer the killing of ‘Makaburi’, a self-confessed terror supporter and in so doing put more innocent Kenyans in peril, I chose to look at the issue from a different lens. A suspected terrorist gives an interview and declares attacks on innocents are warranted, that it is justified to recruit terrorists into cells and that he looks forward to death and ‘salivates’ for it presumably to meet his maker as a martyr along with 70 virgins. The media gives him a platform. On the flip side, a young mother loses her life clutching her baby while inside a church during worship and the baby is left with a shell casing lodged in the head. I look at this scenario and asked myself; so who is winning?
I find that our society is petrified of the truth. We are scared to look at absolutes and details, choosing instead the simple and the easy. Thinking and connecting dots is too much work. It is why our political establishment and culture has seen the rise of platitudes and shallowness. And as we embrace simplicity, mediocrity and laziness the world gets more complex. And all of a sudden Somalis are being profiled and rounded up in Kenya.
“This article is the first of a 10-part series of true stories of Somali women and men and their very blunt assessment of their relationships. The first six parts deal with Somali marriages in America and the last four with issues of courtship. The names and locations of these individuals have been changed to ensure their privacy”
Courtship and marriage: the Somali experience in America (part I)
01 Apr– Source: Wardheernew- 1082 words
I am a 38-year-old woman and have been married more than 14 years. I first met my husband Shire in Mogadishu. I was 24 and working as a teacher. Shire and I are related. Okay, he is my first cousin. We grew up in two different regions; he grew up in Mudug, and I in Benadir. I often heard my relatives talking about Shire’s life in the United States. He was the first in our family to emigrate to America, which he did in the mid-1980s.
Shire came back to Mogadishu in 1989 to look for a wife. On the one hand, I was proud he wanted to marry a fellow Somali. On the other hand, I was curious to see who this bride would be. I never imagined it would be me, his cousin. In my family, cousins do not marry each other. Shire’s first choice was a young lady who was attending Gahayr University. Unfortunately, she was not into Shire. Her mother was the one pushing for the marriage so she could go to America and live a better life. One woman’s misfortune, of course, is often another woman’s opportunity.
After that fiasco, Shire stopped by our house to visit. That was the first time I laid eyes on him. He was of medium height, handsome, lean, and humble. He also seemed to be religious but not in a way that would turn you off. We all sat in the living room, drank tea, and talked a lot. He was a great conversationalist and made us laugh, especially when he talked about the experiences of Somalis and their culture shock in the United States.
Top tweets
@OCHASom Food security to worsen in southern #Somalia due to intensified conflict – see latest @Fewsnet food security alerthttp://bit.ly/1rVLPcd
@MattBryden The U.S. State Departments Annual Country Reports on Terrorism are now online. #Kenya #Somalia#Ethiopia #Eritrea http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/
@UNSomalia #UN envoy to #Somalia Nicholas Kay (@Somalia111): Shabab weaker but more dangerous. WATCH:http://aje.me/1hK5adb via @AjEnglish
@Daudoo Residents: #Shabaab fighters ambush govt troops convoy near Qoryooley town this morning, 3 killed, one vehicle destroyed. #Somalia
@AmbAmerico @MohMedAbdiNasir Mogadishu is the capital city of #Somalia and it is getting better slowly peacefully.pic.twitter.com/4HeCHJ3ryY
@Aynte “Stowaway’s story reflects #Somalia‘s family disintegration” http://www.voanews.com/
Image of the day
Somalia ministers meeting with the President of the African Development Bank (AFDB) in Tunis. Photo: Horseed Media