July 17, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Technical Committee on formation of Interim South West State approved

17 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan/RBC/Radio Kulmiye/SNTV- 200 words

An 18-member Technical Committee on the Formation of Interim South West Administration has been approved at an Iftar ceremony held in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

Somalia’s top government officials including the president, the prime minister and the parliament speaker all attended the Iftar ceremony along with important figures from south western Somali regions.

A press release from the office of the prime minister stated that the formation of the technical committee is an important first step towards the implementation of the agreement reached by the opposing sides in south western Somali regions on June 23rd, 2014.

Speaking after the formation of the new technical committee, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hailed the formation of the new committee describing it as an important milestone towards achieving democratic and federal Somalia.

Meanwhile, Somali Parliament Speaker Prof. Mohamed Osman Jawari said the formation of the technical committee represents the foundation of the formation of an interim administration in south western Somali regions.

He hoped the technical committee will steer the process of forming an inclusive interim administration.

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed pledged full support for the process of forming an inclusive interim administration representing all sides in south western Somali regions.

Key Headlines

Technical Committee on formation of Interim South West State approved (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan)
Heavy fighting erupts on outskirt of Kismayo (Radio Dalsan)
Garbaharey administration claims victory over clashes with al Shabaab (Radio Goobjoog)
Government forces repel al Shabaab attack in Jowhar town (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio RBC)
Somali FM reaches out to Real Madrid to extend sports in the country (Somali Current)
Car bomb explodes in town near Qoryoley (Radio Shabelle)
Somali government urged to fund the constitutional review process (Radio Bar-kulan)
Somaliland President and his entourage arrive in London (Somaliland Informer)
Al Shabaab Suspects Arrested in Jowhar (Radio Dalsan)
Children dying of malnutrition in IDP camps (Radio Ergo)
Somaliland Launches New Generation Driving License (Somaliland Sun)
Somali soldiers end training course in Turkey (Hiiraan Online)
Kenya: Families of soldiers killed in Somalia got Sh4m (Standard Media)
Mubadala Petroleum signs cooperation deal with Somalia (Tradearabia)
State will not disclose number of soldiers killed in Somalia committee tells Kenyan opposition (Standard Media))
Ethiopia Somalia Sign Scholarship Provision Accord (ERTA)
Military destroys four forest camps used by attackers (Daily Nation)
Turkey promises to stand by Somalia (Africa Review)
It’s “a monumental step”: Somalia’s new ambassador to the US tells Newsday (BBC Newsday)
Kenyan security forces hunt Coast attackers near Somali border (Bloomberg)
Counterterrorism laws intensify Somalia food crisis experts say (Reuters/Trust)
Somalia’s Government steps up efforts to fight al Shabaab (CCTV)
Controversial Mombasa Mosque Sees Drop in Attendance (VOA)

PRESS STATEMENT

Technical Committee on Formation of Interim South West State Administration Endorsed

17 Jul – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 445 words

The President of the Federal Government of Somalia His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Prime Minister His Excellency Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed and the Speaker of Parliament His Excellency Mohamed Osman Jawari tonight hosted an Iftar ceremony in which the nomination of an 18-member Technical Committee on Formation of Interim South West Administration was announced and endorsed.

Cabinet members, elders from various constituencies in South West Somalia and other key stakeholders, attended the ceremony. The formation of the technical committee is an important first step towards the implementation of the agreement reached by the opposing sides in South West Somalia on June 23rd, 2014, under the guidance of H.E. Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed to form an interim South West State Administration.

The committee, whose members were selected based on the principle of inclusive politics and with careful consideration of the individual capacities of the members, will be supported by a team of Cabinet members under the leadership of the Prime Minister.

The three leaders and the elders who attended the ceremony expressed their satisfaction with the progress of the efforts to form an inclusive interim administration in South West Somalia and reaffirmed their support for the implementation of the South West Agreement. Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said:

“This is another important milestone achieved in our efforts towards a democratic and federal Somalia, where we aim to bring the government closer to the people and promote unity. This process was difficult, but it finally paid off through collaborative efforts and we are all happy with the outcome. We have come together tonight to celebrate all the hard work that went into the agreement and the formation of the technical committee that will facilitate the formation of an Interim South West State Administration.”

Affirming the thoughts of the President, H.E. Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said:
“I would like to congratulate the committee members and wish them well in the important work ahead. I pledge my full support for this process and would like to assure the committee of the commitment of the federal government to the success of this endeavor.

This process is critical to the advancement of federalism in our country and the formation of Federal Somali States in the country. My Cabinet and I look forward to working with the committee towards this noble goal.”

On his part, Speaker Jawari commended the government’s commitment to federalism and said:
“Congratulations to the government on this political achievement. This represents the foundation of the formation of the interim state administration, and we hope that the technical committee will successfully steer the process of forming an inclusive interim administration.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Technical Committee on formation of Interim South West State approved

17 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan/RBC/Radio Kulmiye/SNTV- 200 words

An 18-member Technical Committee on the Formation of Interim South West Administration has been approved at an Iftar ceremony held in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

He hoped the technical committee will steer the process of forming an inclusive interim administration.

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed pledged full support for the process of forming an inclusive interim administration representing all sides in south western Somali regions.

Heavy fighting erupts on outskirt of Kismayo

17 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan/Wehel Media/Radio Shabelle- 84 words

Intense clashes erupted early Thursday morning in Abdalla-Biroole, a town 45km south of Kismayo the provincial capital city of Lower Jubba region. Radio Dalsan report said that the fighting was between Jubba administration forces and al Shabaab militia.

Both groups used different kinds of weapons and the sound of heavy artillery can be heard. The city was affected by the fighting such that people have deserted the streets. The fighting erupted when al Shabaab prevented people in the area including business people from making charcoal.

KDF contingent of AMISOM in the area also took part in the fighting.

The extent of the casualties and losses are still unknown, although local residents in Abdalla-Biroole say they have sighted dead bodies of Interim Jubba Administration forces and al Shabaab insurgents.

Garbaharey administration claims victory over clashes with al Shabaab

17 Jul- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 107 words

The administration of Garbaharey claimed victory over clashes between government forces and al Shabaab in areas under the district. The district commissioner of Garbaharey Iman Adow Kariye told Radio Goobjoog that government will soon take over all the areas under al Shabaab surrounding Garbaharey, the headquarters of Gedo region.

The commissioner stated that the forces have conducted security operations in all the captured areas so as to strengthen security. He reiterated that the security situation and business activities of the seized areas came back to normal.

Al Shabaab are in full control of Bardere as one of their strongholds in Gedo region.

Government forces repel al Shabaab attack in Jowhar town

17 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio RBC- 129 words

At least one person has been killed and another injured after fighters loyal to al Shabaab militant group late last night clashed with government soldiers in the eastern side of Jowhar town. Reports from the area indicate that both of the victims were from the two warring sides.

A government army official who spoke to Bar-kulan on the condition of anonymity said that Al Shabaab fighters attacked a government soldiers’ base on Wednesday night, adding his forces repelled the attack. The official vowed that government soldiers will win their war against al Shabaab militant group.

Meanwhile, recently imposed night time curfew on Jowhar town, the provincial capital of Middle Shabelle as part of new security measures enters its third night.

Somali FM reaches out to Real Madrid to extend sports in the country

17 Jul- Source: Somali Current- 195 words

The Somali Foreign Minister, Abdirahman Beileh who is on an official visit to Spanish capital, Madrid has extended his government’s Give Up Your Gun and Go to School and be a champion Programme aimed at establishing sports by building stadiums and academies for young people in football.

Dr. Baileh visited Santiago Bernabeu stadium the home of UEFA champions league winners Real Madrid and was shown around by the Real Madrid foreign relations Director.

He discussed the club possibility of extending their work in organizing youth clubs, funding sports and providing alternative livelihood through sports.
He confirmed that the Real Madrid management have expressed their interest and has invited the federal government of Somalia to submit a proposal.

“These are opportunities we must not only encourage and explore but take full advantage for the sake of the future of our next generation especially by amazing groups like Real Madrid,” He said.

The Spanish government has pledged to support the federal government of Somalia on various projects such as funding developmental projects that will specifically impact positively on the lives of the Somali youth and destruct them from terrorism and other criminal related activities in the country.

Car bomb explodes in town near Qoryoley

17 Jul- Source: Radio Shabelle- 131 words

A car strapped with IED bombs blasted at a checkpoint in Dannow, a town on the outskirts of Qoryoley district in Lower Shabelle region. As confirmed, 2 soldiers were killed in the explosion and 3 others were wounded. The vehicle blasted a checkpoint allegedly filled with government soldiers and personnel, according to local residents.

The Governor of Lower Shabelle, Abdikadir Nur Sidi told Radio Shabelle that the Somali security forces in the region are in custody of the vehicle’s driver.

Mr. Sidi added that the Somali National Army backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops nearby the town have conducted thorough search operations to pursue the perpetrators of the attack.

Somali government urged to fund the constitutional review process

17 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 151 words

Somalia’ Independent Commission on Constitutional Review has called on the Somali federal government to provide financial funding to the review process.

Asha Gelle Diriye who chairs the commission made the statement while addressing members of the independent commission, officials from the federal government and civil society representatives in a meeting held in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

She said the commission is not expecting financial support from outside world and called on the federal government to finance the review process in order to complete the process on time.

Diriye added that the Independent Commission on Constitutional Review will have consultations with various stakeholders in Somalia and the international community during the review process.

Meanwhile, Somali Minister for Justice and Constitution Affairs Farah Abdulkadir stated that Somali federal government promised the final say of the constitutional review will be given to the Somali people.

Somaliland President and his entourage arrive in London

16 Jul – Source: Somaliland Informer – 162 words

A delegation led by Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo and his entourage has been warmly welcomed in London’s Heathrow airport today. The president and the delegation has been received by Somaliland representative t UK Mr. Ali Adam Awale, ambassador at large Mr. Keyser Abdilahi Mohamed, head of Immigration department Mr. Mohamed Ali Yusuf and Somaliland community in the UK.

The president will stay in London on short holiday. The president in a press briefing said that it was a great pleasure for him and his delegation to be cordially welcomed. He made clear that he be on short vacation to UK and will remain here until the Eid-Al Fitr.

He added that he made a short stopover at Ethiopia and received the same warm reception. He told that he met with the Ethiopian PM and discussed issues of common shared interests between the two nations. He on the other hand said that he will hold meeting with Somaliland community in the UK.

Al Shabaab Suspects Arrested in Jowhar

17 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan- 137 words

Reports for Jowhar say that al Shabaab suspects were rounded up by security forces in operations to ensure security. At least 7 al Shabaab suspects were apprehended Wednesday night by the security forces following the swoops. Those persons were taken from houses suspected to be al Shabaab hideouts. They are now being held at AMISOM base in Jowhar. During the past few days, security forces were trying to beef up security after waves of attacks and explosions.

In one of the explosions, the target was one of the leaders in the Middle Shabelle administration. Daahir Maxaakeentay who works at the Finance Department of Middle Shabelle Region was on Sunday targeted with an explosive device and injured as he was driving in one of the streets of Jowhar.

Mr. Maxaakeentay was seriously wounded and was sent to Mogadishu for treatment.

Children dying of malnutrition in IDP camps

17 Jul- Source: Radio Ergo- 551 words

Jijo Jamal Sheikh Omar is a displaced mother who fled from the clan conflicts in Lower Shabelle region. She lives in an IDP camp on outskirts of Mogadishu, where two of her children recently died of malnutrition. She spoke to Radio Ergo’s local reporter and shared her story:

Jijo: We are suffering inside this camp and my children are dying of malnutrition. I don’t have food for them – we are all starving!
Ergo: How many children of yours have died of malnutrition?
Jiijo: My four-year old son and three-year-old daughter have both died in this camp, and other children are at risk of dying of malnutrition too. We don’t have food, water and toilets.
Ergo: Before they died, did you take them to a doctor or a clinic?
Jiijo: No, I didn’t know where to take them or how to get medicines.
Ergo: Did your two children die of malnutrition alone?
Jiijo: They died of malnutrition and hunger. They used to go to sleep without eating the whole day. I couldn’t feed them as I don’t have any stable source of income since we fled from our farmlands in Qoryoley district. I sometimes earn between 20,000 to 30,000 Somali shillings, but that money could buy nothing from the market.
Ergo: What did they used to eat before their death?
Jiijo: When I manage to get some money, I used to feed them cornmeal and milk. Before we fled to this camp, we used to produce our own food from the farming and used to eat green bananas, tomatoes and gourd. Here at camp, we can get nothing. We often go to bed without eating. I am currently fasting and don’t have breakfast. The children don’t even have food to eat tonight.

Another displaced mother, Habibo Ali, who lives in an IDP camp outside Mogadishu has lost three of her children due to malnutrition.
Ergo: How many children have died of malnutrition in your camp?
Habibo: I can confirm that more than eight children have died of malnutrition and hunger in the camp in recent weeks.
Ergo: Are your children included?
Xabiibo: Yes, three of my children are among those who died of malnutrition earlier during Ramadan. There were two boys and a girl. Their eyes grew bigger and their faces became more skeletal within a few days. I later took them to a clinic near to our camp and they died there.
Ergo: Did they die at the same time and place?
Xabiibo: Two of them died over two consecutive days. The third one died later on. I suffered with them for weeks and then later they died.
Ergo: Who told you they died of malnutrition?
Xabiibo: My neighbours have previously seen children suffering from malnutrition. They saw my children and told me it is malnutrition.
Ergo: What did you used to feed to your children?
Xabiibo: It depends what we get – we may sometimes get rice or spaghetti. I have never given them milk because I couldn’t afford it, and I could get no nutritious food.
Ergo: Have you received any help since your children’s death?
Xabiibo: I have received condolences from my neighbours, but I received no support or aid. I have been living in this camp for two years and I never got any food aid.

Somaliland Launches New Generation Driving License

16 Jul – Source: Somaliland Sun – 119 words

The Traffic police has attributed increasing road accidents to unlicensed drivers, Poor Roads and vehicle maintenance by unskilled mechanics. This swell in road accidents nationwide is also motivation behind the government of phasing out the now in use booklet type drivers license that shall cease to be a legal document in Somaliland come 1st January 2014.

This was informed by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Abdirizaq Khalif during an inter-agency function in Hargeisa where a new generation of Drivers license was unveiled.

“As from 1st January 2014 every person driving a car within Somaliland shall be obliged to have acquired the new driving license that replacing the existing old fashioned one in use” said Minister Abdirizaq.

Somali soldiers end training course in Turkey

16 Jul- Source: Hiiraan Online- 128 words

A total of 110 Somali military personnel have ended a military training course in Turkey and are expected to return home in the next few days.
The training program for the Somali soldiers was part of the bilateral military cooperation pact between the federal government of Somalia and the Turkish government.

The Somali ambassador to Turkey Mursal Sheik Abdirahman thanked the government and the people of Turkey for their constant support for Somalia to emerge from decades of civil wars and lawlessness.

Turkey has been Somalia’s biggest donor since 2011, when the Turkish Prime Minister Racep Tayyib Erdogan paid a surprise visit to the capital Mogadishu in a bid to draw the world’s attention to Somalia which was experiencing the worst droughts for decades.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya: Families of soldiers killed in Somalia got Sh4m

17 Jul – Source: Standard Media/Daily Nation – 147 words

Families of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers who died while serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) received compensation amounting to more than Sh4million, the State has disclosed.

However, Defence Principal Secretary Monica Juma did not disclose the number of soldiers who had died and the amount of money their kin received.

Juma also revealed that the soldiers are paid a Sh89,456 monthly allowance each, in addition to the monthly pay and allowances paid by the government. The PS however did not reveal how much each injured soldier is entitled to, only stressing that it depends on the level of disability.

While responding to a statement sought by Wesley Korir (Cherangany MP) regarding the welfare of soldiers returning from Somalia, Defence and Foreign Relations committee member Chris Wamalwa, on behalf of Juma, indicated that the Government has catered for all the soldiers in Somalia.

Mubadala Petroleum signs cooperation deal with Somalia

17 Jul- Source: Tradearabia-165 words

Mubadala Petroleum has signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

During the first half of 2014, a high level engagement took place between the UAE and the Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia and its territories to consider ways in which they might work together to further the development of the Somali petroleum sector.

In this context, Mubadala Petroleum has now signed a cooperation agreement with Daud Mohamed Omar on behalf of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources aimed at sharing knowledge, increasing the strength of the Somalia Ministry and its staff, and, over time, developing upstream opportunities in Somalia.

Musabbeh Al Kaabi, chief growth officer, Mubadala Petroleum, said: “This strategic agreement will draw upon the great experience of Abu Dhabi in developing a world-class environment for investment in the petroleum sector and enable Mubadala Petroleum to begin a long term relationship with the Ministry to support its upstream sector.”

State will not disclose number of soldiers killed in Somalia, committee tells Kenyan opposition

17 Jul- Source: Standard Media- 223 words

Joint Committee on Security on Thursday termed opposition call for withdrawal of KDF soldiers from Somalia as unpatriotic and hypocritical terming CORD leaders al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab sympathisers The Committee also said state will not give figures of KDF soldiers who have died or injured in Somalia saying that it is a matter of national security. Kenya is under obligation of AU and UN to continue serving in Somalia and until AU asks them to withdraw, they will continue serving in Somalia, said Asman Kamama, Committee Chair National Security. In an interview with AFP, opposition leader Raila Odinga accused the government of failing to safeguard national security in the face of a wave of terror attacks and has warned of mounting internal ethnic tensions.

Ethiopia, Somalia Sign Scholarship Provision Accord

16 Jul- Source: ERTA-220 Words

The Ethiopian Ministry of Education and its Somali counterpart signed agreement on Wednesday to provide scholarship for Somali students in Ethiopia. The agreement will help to provide scholarship and technical support starting from the coming academic year. Ethiopian Education Minister Shiferaw Shigute said the cooperation between the two countries in education is critical to help development in that country and deepen the people to people relation. The two countries should work together to rebuild Somalia and education is the main way to that end.

Education plays major role in bringing peace and stability, as well as democratization and development to a country he added. “The agreement is meant to boost cooperation between Ethiopia and Somalia. Our country has been providing scholarship to refugees from neighbouring countries including South Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia.” Somali Education Minister Isa Mohamed said the Somali people will benefit from the agreement and boosts bilateral ties between the two countries. “This agreement is very important for both nations especially we are grateful because the Ethiopian government ministry of education is promising that they will give scholarship for our kids which we need right now. That is very significant and very important.”

Military destroys four forest camps used by attackers

16 Jul – Source: Daily Nation – 130 words

Soldiers have found and destroyed four large camps used by the heavily armed raiders who have been terrorising villagers in Lamu, killing over 80 people in the past one month.

The camps were found in the expansive Boni forest, which extends from Kenya to the border with Somalia. A joint task force tracking down the raiders comprises units from the Kenya Defence Forces, the General Service Unit, the Rapid Deployment Unit of the Administration Police and regular police.

Lamu County Commissioner Njenga Miiri has been coordinating the security operation. Security forces were sent to Lamu after a legal notice was published in the official Kenya Gazette on Tuesday. The notice, signed by Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo, quoted sections of the Constitution, which authorise KDF to support police operations internally.

Turkey promises to stand by Somalia

16 Jul – Source: Africa Review – 136 words

Turkey has promise continued support to Somalia to help the Horn of Africa state recover from years of war. Departing Turkish ambassador Cemalettin Kani Torun said he was happy that many countries and agencies had followed the Turkish example in 2011 in offering humanitarian support and restoring relations with Somalia.

The leaders of the Somali Research and Education Network (Somali REN) last Friday organised a party at Jazeera Palace Hotel in Mogadishu to bid Dr Torun goodbye. REN chairman Dahir Hassan Arab praised on Dr Torun for his support in creating strong links between Somalia and Turkey.

REN is an association that unites a number of higher education institutions in Somalia. Said Mr Arab: “Turkish agencies refurbished roads, built hospitals and other medical facilities, apart from initiating the most visible humanitarian action in Somalia in 2011.”

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

It’s “a monumental step”: Somalia’s new ambassador to the US tells Newsday

17 Jul- Source: BBC Newsday-03:00mins

This week the United States welcomed a new ambassador from Somalia – the first in over two decades. The resumption of ties between the two countries will be a welcome boost for Somalia as they look to recover after decades of war and unrest. Ambassador Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has been speaking to Newsday

Kenyan security forces hunt Coast attackers near Somali border

17 Jul- Source: Bloomberg Businessweek-232 Words

Kenyan security forces are searching a forest near the border with Somalia for attackers who killed at least 87 people near the country’s coast over the past month.
Kenya’s military destroyed at least four camps being used by the assailants in Boni Forest, the Nairobi-based Daily Nation newspaper reported, citing people it didn’t identify. The security forces suspect the attackers are a band of radicalized youth trained by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militia who have returned to Kenya from fighting in Somalia after losing ground to African Union peacekeepers, it said.

“The security forces are combing the forest to make sure the attackers have no safe haven,” Lamu County Commissioner Njenga Miiri said in a phone interview today. “Operations are still under way.”

Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for attacks at the coast, including one at Mpeketoni in which at least 60 people died in mid-June. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government says political and land grievances motivated the coastal assaults.

Counterterrorism laws intensify Somalia food crisis, experts say

16 Jul- Source: Reuters/Trust-568 Words

Counterterrorism laws restricting the flow of cash to Somalia are severely harming efforts to prevent a famine similar to the 2011 catastrophe which killed 260,000 people, experts have said. Somalis living abroad have in the past sent home around $1.3 billion a year in remittances, which play a vital role in providing relatives with food and medicine.

Virtually all major US banks have stopped offering remittance services to Somalis in the United States because of counterterrorism legislation aimed at cutting off the flow of funds to groups like the Islamist militant al Shabaab. Other western banks have come under pressure to follow suit.

Degan Ali, chief executive of Adeso, an NGO which works in East Africa, told a panel discussion in London that “In the last two famines (in 1991-2 and 2011), the worst affected communities were those with no diaspora presence,” while those receiving funds from relatives abroad had access to better healthcare, education and nutrition.

Somalia’s Government steps up efforts to fight al Shabaab

16 Jul- Source: CCTV Africa-02:12mins

Security personnel in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu have stepped up their efforts in their war against Al Shabaab. Here is CCTV’s Mohamed Hirmoge with more details on that story.

Controversial Mombasa Mosque Sees Drop in Attendance

16 Jul- Source: VOA- 953 words

Some Muslim leaders in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa have called on security officials not to harass worshipers at the Musa mosque in Majengo. The mosque has been a magnet for police surveillance because of suspected radicalism and connections to the Somali militant group al Shabaab.

The drive to the mosque, located in the Majengo neighborhood takes a little longer these days due to heightened concern about security. Motorists and pedestrians try to avoid the mosque in general.

Inside, there are few worshipers. It is quite a contrast to the days when the mosque was so full, many had to pray on the streets outside.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“With this diplomatic recognition, Somalia has a chance to extant that peace to the whole country by utilizing it is renewed diplomatic mission with the United States, the only remaining superpower in the world.”

Somalia and the United States Relations Back on Track

16 Jul- Source: Hiiraan Online-1161 Words

The bilateral relations between the United States and Somalia were consummated on the date Somalia won its independence from Italy and Britain. The United States recognized the Somali Republic on July 1, 1960. Somalia was born of a union between former British and Italian colonies. Commemorating the occasion of his country’s independence, President Aden Abdulla Osman received a congratulatory message from his counterpart, President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The United States mission in Mogadishu was raised to Embassy status, and the Somali Republic opened its Embassy in Washington DC.

On his first official visit to the United States on November 27, 1962, Somali Prime Minister Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, was received at the White House by President John F. Kennedy. At a Joint press conference, President Kennedy spoke highly of the government of Somalia, saying that “separated as we are by geography and history, we also find a sense of kinship to your government which is separation of powers between the executive, legislature, and judiciary bear resembles to the balance of powers which we felt in this country best insures the liberty of the individuals.”

It was a remarkable time for relations between United States and Somalia. As the United States was impressed with Somalia’s democratic credentials, and how it could be a model for the rest of Africa. The time of independence, Somali leaders were keeping the country on the path to democracy.

Top tweets

‏@amisomsomalia #TBT Soldiers celebrated the commemorative date that #UPDF was formed by providing free medical care & mosquito nets pic.twitter.com/4uxr0CQHsr

@UNLazzarini @UNDPSomalia supports com conversations on #HIV, contributing to increase in pple going for voluntary counseling & testing #EndHIVThursday

@OCHASom Journalists: Need baseline statistics on#Somalia? Check out our humanitarian & development factsheet http://bit.ly/1wuyckH

@Hudheifa_Aden This Picture inside Somali Parliament speaks volumes pic.twitter.com/KyLY7u4v9p

@AmbassadorPower UN’s @ValerieAmos warned that parts of#SouthSudan are worse off than #Somalia just before its famine in 2011. A true emergency.

Follow the conversation →

Image of the day

Image of the day AMISOM Spokesperson, Col. Ali Aden Houmed addresses members of the press during a press conference about the situation around the country held on 16th July 2014 in Mogadishu. Photo: AMISOM