June 24, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Federal government partially resolves the antagonist administrations in Baidoa

23 Jun – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Mogadishu/Radio Dalsan/Kulmiye – 195 words

The parallel administrations of South-west Somalia comprising of three and six regions based in Baidoa have signed an agreement to end the long term difference between the sides. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, the speaker of federal parliament of Somalia Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari, lawmakers, ministers and delegates who represent AU and IGAD were present during the ceremony where the sides signed the agreement. The sides agreed to establish unified administration comprising of three regions Bay, Bakol and Lower Shabelle. The two sides agreed on 11 points giving the federal government the task of finalizing and fulfilling the agendas agreed upon.

Key Headlines

Federal government partially resolves the antagonist administrations in Baidoa (Radio Goobjoog)
U.S. Government welcomes Baidoa conference Three-Region state agreement ( Radio RBC/Radio Bar-kulan)
IJA forces backed by AMISOM clash with al Shabaab in Diida locality (Radio Goobjoog/Shabelle)
Kenya offers more support to Somalia (Star News)
Oman donates food aid to hundreds of families in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog)
France condemns murder of Somali radio journalist (Kuna News)
Kenyan and Somali leaders agree to share terrorism intelligence (Coastweek/Xinhua)
Qat ban: UK police officers told to use their discretion in enforcement (The Guardian)

PRESS STATEMENT

UN Representative for Somalia welcomes agreement on new Interim South West Administration in Baidoa

23 Jun – Source: UNSOM – 224 words

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, welcomed the agreement today to establish a new interim regional administration in south west Somalia.

Under the leadership of the Federal Government, supporters of two different state formation processes met in Mogadishu and agreed to establish a new Interim South West Administration, including the regions of Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle.

“I welcome the agreement to establish a new Interim South West Administration in accordance with Somalia’s Provisional Constitution. I congratulate all parties for their commitment to finding a solution through peaceful dialogue and patient negotiation.

I urge all parties to continue to work closely with the Federal Government and ensure an inclusive administration is established swiftly. The Federal Government will also need to continue to consult community elders and local stakeholders to ensure that residual issues are addressed in an inclusive and conciliatory manner.

“Today’s agreement is a significant step forward in Somalia’s progress towards federalism. I congratulate all parties on the agreement and look forward to working with the new administration within the context of the New Deal Somalia Compact. It will also clear the way for improved security and a more effective campaign against al Shabaab. As an observer of today’s agreement, the United Nations is committed to supporting the Federal Government’s peace-building and state-building efforts.” Mr Kay said.

Prime Minister welcomes the Agreement between SW6 and SW3 on the formation of the Interim South West Administration

23 Jun – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 389 words

Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed alongside H.E President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Honorable Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari attended a historical ceremony that led to the formation of the Interim South West Administration, which will include Bay, Bakol and Lower Shabelle.

This agreement recognized the need for a political strategy that establishes a legitimate governance structure based on the aspirations of the people and in accordance with the Provisional Federal Constitution. It is an achievement that will lead to greater endeavors whilst establishing an inclusive and viable regional administration. Furthermore, the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Government of Somalia will be fully respected.

The Interim South West Administration, SW6 and SW3, have agreed to establish a unified administration. The Prime Minister of Somalia will ensure fair representation of all constituencies in the regions of Somalia and will ensure that state-building process will be conducted through peaceful means. Furthermore, any actions that might endanger peace and security will be avoided and harmonious regional bonds will promote unity within the Federal Government of Somalia.

In addition, the Federal Government of Somalia will facilitate consultations between the Interim Juba Administration and South West Administration with a view on mutual concerns and interests. The parties will establish a technical consisting of 13 members to which each of the two sides will select 5 members while the Federal Government of Somalia will appoint 3 members accordingly.

The committee, within 10 days from today’s ceremonial signing, will prepare and agree upon the process and road map for the implementation of Interim South West Administration. “Today is a great day for the future aspiration of the Somali people. It is groundwork for the establishment of the Federal states within Somalia. This will lead to stronger bonds, continuation of peace and strengthening security within the great nation of Somalia.

I am delighted that on this day we have set precedence for the future of Somalia, for the future of peaceful state-building, reconciliation and stability” H.E Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said.

Today is a historic day that was celebrated among the great people of Somalia. It is a day of reconciliation in a peaceful approach that will lead to regional strength and friendship. By boldly moving ahead and settling regional affairs in a peaceful and deferential manner Somalia has set precedence on future state-building matters.

SOMALI MEDIA

Federal government partially resolves the antagonist administrations in Baidoa

23 Jun – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Mogadishu/Radio Dalsan/Kulmiye – 195 words

U.S. Government welcomes Baidoa conference Three-Region state agreement

23 Jun – Source: Radio RBC/Radio Bar-kulan – 216 words

The U.S. Government today said that it welcomes the agreement by the two rival administrations who claimed to administer Somalia’s South West regions creating tensions in the town of Baidoa. The Special Representative for Somalia (SRS) James P. McAnulty welcomes the June 23 signing of an agreement between the three-region and six-region state Southwest conferences to pursue a three-region state solution to include the regions of Bay, Bakool, and Lower Shabelle in southern Somalia. In a statement released today, the United States commended the leadership of both conferences for their constructive work and diligence to find a compromise following weeks of reconciliation talks. We also recognize the critical role that the Federal Government of Somalia played in facilitating dialogue between the members of both conferences.

IJA forces backed by AMISOM clash with al Shabaab in Diida locality

23 Jun – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Shabelle – 102 words

Security forces of interim administration of Juba backed by AMISOM clashed with al Shabaab clashed in Diida locality near the Kenyan border earlier Monday. The fight that has been going on for hours embarked after Al-shabab attacked Juba security bases in Diida locality between Badade and Kulbiyow. Col. Liiban Abdi, senior security Juba official claimed victory over the fight with al Shabaab in Diida locality, he affirmed that the forces will intensify the fight against al Shabaab in the region. The officer has not mentioned any casualties resulting from the clash. On the other hand al Shabaab has not yet given comment about clash which interim Juba administration forces claimed victory.

Oman donates food aid to hundreds of families in Mogadishu

23 Jun – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 90 words

Hundreds of displaced people in Banadir region districts received food aid from the government of OmanMonday. The committee have distributed to the internally displaced people living in Kasraan and Dayniile districts. The official said that the food aid is an emergency support intended for the internally displaced people facing humanitarian conditions in Mogadishu a head of the holy month of Ramadan. These donations comes a time when many people who fled the houses in Lower and middle Shabelle region due to inter-clan fights and drought reached the capital, Mogadishu.

Gedo livestock struck by disease

23 Jun – Source: Radio Ergo – 145 words

At least 190 heads of livestock have died in Gedo region in the past week from a yet to be identified disease, triggering panic among the pastoralists. The disease has mostly affected goats and sheep in the region’s three largest districts of Luq, Garbaharey and Dollow, as well as several other villages including Qondhod, Yurkud, Gubbo, Funuje, Golweyn and Gedweyns, according to reports from local herders. There are no veterinary centres there to diagnose the disease behind the symptoms being observed by the local herders. Abdi Bes, a veterinary doctor working for Vets Without Borders (VSF), conformed to Radio Ergo that the disease has spread widely in the region.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya offers more support to Somalia

23 Jun – Source: Star-Kenya – 249 words

Kenya will add more measures to strengthen the institutional structures of the government of Somalia, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said. Uhuru said Kenya has stood with the people of Somalia for the more than two decades they faced wars and will continue doing so. The first of the new measures will be to help the transitional government of Somalia establish proper financial management systems, the lack of which has been an impediment for international donor support for the transitional government. The President spoke on Saturday when he met the Prime Minister of Somalia Abdiwelli Sheikh Ahmed at State House, Nairobi. Uhuru revealed that as recently as Friday, he had discussed Somalia issues with European Union leaders who were in Nairobi for a meeting, but the EU ministers pointed out that the lack of financial management structures was an obstacle for aiding the country.

France condemns murder of Somali radio journalist

23 Jun – Source: KUNA – 119 words

France on Monday condemned the killing last Saturday of Somali radio journalist, Yusuf Kenyan, who died when a bomb exploded in his car in the capital, Mogadishu. The 27-year-old press professional was active in calling for a halt to the killing of journalists in Somalia, where he worked for the private “Radio Mustaqbal.” “We call on the Somali authorities to do everything to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this crime,” a French statement said, while at the same time reiterating France’s commitment to preserve the freedom of journalists to exercise their professions, despite “extremely difficult conditions”. Somalia, in 2013, was one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, with seven press men murdered.

Kenyan and Somali leaders agree to share terrorism intelligence

23 Jun – Source: Coastweek/ Xinhua – 134 words

Kenyan and Somali governments on Saturday reached an agreement on the intelligence sharing system that will help in identifying those who mastermind and perpetrate terror activities. Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Prime Minister of Somalia Abdiwelli Sheikh Ahmed said the intelligence service of the two countries will work closely to effectively monitor and eliminate the threat posed by the ‘al-Shabaab’ terror network. “We need the intelligence to eliminate the enemies of humanity who have continued to cause suffering in our two countries and whose agenda is to make a whole community look guilty,” Kenyatta said in Nairobi when he held talks with Ahmed. A statement issued after the meeting said Kenyatta assured the premier that recent operations targeting illegal foreigners were never meant to single out Somalis but to bolster the security of the country.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Qat ban: UK police officers told to use their discretion in enforcement

23 Jun – Source: The Guardian – 397 words

Police have been officially advised to use their discretion in deciding how to enforce the ban that comes into force on Tuesday on qat, a mild herbal stimulant, that has been widely used in Britain’s Somali, Yemeni and Ethiopian communities. Official guidelines from the Association of Chief Police Officers tells constables that in applying a “three strikes” enforcement policy they should take into account that qat has “historically not been a controlled drug and was part of the culture of certain communities linked to the Horn of Africa.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“The position of the government of Kenya is unequivocally not to withdraw, at least for the foreseeable future. Apart from the combat fatalities that will come with the prolonged exposure of Kenyan troops to battlefield conditions, a non-withdrawal policy implies that the insecurity trends might continue to rise unless drastic measures are instituted to mitigate the threat of radical elements in the country. Even if Kenya were to withdraw, there is no proof that al Shabaab would cease its attacks.”

Kenya’s Dilemma in Somalia – to Withdraw or Not to Withdraw?

23 Jun – Source: ISS Africa/All Africa – 1185 words

It has been almost three years since Kenyan troops were deployed into neighbouring Somalia to create a security buffer zone on the Somali side of the border. The main aim at the time was to reduce growing insecurity in Kenya, which affected the country’s economy and especially the tourism industry. Since the deployment and the subsequent integration of Kenyan troops into the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), however, the goal of reducing insecurity is yet to be realised. Instead, insecurity that is attributed to the very presence of Kenyan troops in Somalia has continued to rise. The recent attacks on 16 June in Mpeketoni, Lamu County, in which more than 60 people died is yet another reminder of the increasing number of terrorist incidents that have taken place since Kenya’s deployment in Somalia. Despite the ongoing debate between government and opposition groups about the cause and perpetrators of the Mpeketoni attacks, Kenya’s presence in Somalia remains an important variable. Prior to the Mpeketoni attacks, the dilemma of dealing with Kenya’s presence in Somalia was firmly under discussion in many policy circles. One school of thought holds that Kenya should withdraw, while another argues otherwise.