October 22, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Shabelle owner and journalist released on bond

21 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Mareeg Media – 186 Words

On Tuesday, the regional Court in Mogadishu, the capital started hearing of the case of Shabelle and Sky FM journalists.

The Judge, Hashi Elmi Nor opened the hearing and read a letter from the office of the Attorney General Dr. Ahmed charging Abdimaalik Yusuf Mohamoud, owner of Shabelle Media Network and Ahmed Abdi Hassan, Shabelle newscaster accusing them of criminal behavior, of openly provoking others to commit offenses and refusal to comply with the laws. However, both the owner Abdi Maalik and Ahmed rejected the charges.

The office of the attorney requested the court to be given additional time to be able to come up with evidence and witness confirming that they committed the offenses. Somali attorney general Dr.Ahmed Ali Dahir recently said his office has the right to keep the accused in jail for more than 48 hours before the person is brought to court if the need arise.

The lawyers defending Shabele and Sky FM journalists asked the court to give transitory freedom to the detained journalists. Finally, the Judge released the journalists on bail and the court hearing was postponed.

Key Headlines

UN officials visit Barawe district (Radio Goobjoog)
Elders in Baidoa discuss constitution of South West Somalia administration (Radio Muqdisho/Radio Goobjoog)
Shabelle owner and journalist released on bond (/Mareeg Media/Radio Goobjoog/Alshahid.net)
EU and EC Discuss Somali issues (Radio Dalsan)
Information Minister: “confidence building with communities is key to the progress of brining peace and stability in Somalia (Alshahid.net )
A beacon of hope toward a unified Somali diaspora launched in Virginia USA (Hiiraan Online )
Date set for Kenya-Somalia boundary case (The Star )
Muhoozi visits UPDF in Somalia (New vision)
Somalia’s radio Shabelle owner’s UK passport seized (BBC News)
Somaliland inspired by Scotland and Catalonia independence campaigns (The Guardian)

SOMALI MEDIA

UN officials visit Barawe district

21 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 165 Words

Delegates from United Nations on security reached Barawe district of Lower Shabelle region on Tuesday as sources confirm.

Lower Shabelle region security vice chairman Ali Dini told Goobjoog FM that the delegates met with AMISOM troops, Somali national army officials, Barawe administration, religious leaders and elders the aim of the delegates visit is to the district to assess the situation and the needs of the people in the district.

Barawe district, one of the strongholds of Al-shabab in Southern Somalia was captured by Somali national army together with African Union peace-keeping troops after operation Indian Ocean was fully launched.

Briefing the media in his office days after the capture of Barawe district, PM Abdiweli urged humanitarian aid agencies, follow Somalis and well-wishers to support the people in the area.

On the other hand Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who visited the district said the federal government will speed up the restoration of social services, hospitals, schools and infrastructure to restore the hope of the people.

Elders in Baidoa discuss constitution of South West Somalia administration

21 Oct – Source: Radio Muqdisho/Radio Goobjoog – 165 Words

The technical committee of the establishment of South West Somalia administration stated they will present the interim constitution of the regional administration. The spokesman of the committee Mohamed Hassan Fiqi stated that they concluded the draft of the constitution saying that they will table it before the traditional elders for approval.

Today, the elders will meet to debate the draft of the constitution, other elders from Bay, Bakol and Lower shabelle region reached Baidoa to attend the conference.

The federal government of Somalia has assigned a committee including ministers, youth and sports minister Khalid Omar Ali and assistant minister for national security Ibrahim Yarrow Issak to facilitate the creation of the regional state.

Shabelle owner and journalist released on bond

21 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Mareeg Media – 186 Words

On Tuesday, the regional Court in Mogadishu, the capital started hearing of the case of Shabelle and Sky FM journalists.

EU and EC Discuss Somali Issues

21 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan – 167 Words

In Luxemburg, EU held a meeting yesterday to discuss Somali issues, AMISOM and the war against sea piracy. In a statement from the meeting, EU came up with ten bullet points on Somalia. The EC commission praised the signing of the New Deal Conference for Somalia which was signed in Brussels.

The EC also praised the working procedure for the reconstruction of Somalia, the improving security in Somalia and socio-economic development. In the statement EU set the recommendations needed for the Vision 2016 and the schedule for setting up the standard institutions for the new Somalia.

The EC understood the importance of the emergency of regional states. It also recommended the formation of an electoral commission and regional state boundaries for the federal system. The EC also praised the training EU provides to SNA with 4,600 SNA soldiers utilized from since 2010. It also praised the advances of the SNA/AMISOM Operation Indian Ocean in which they took over the control of Baraawe and other places.

Information Minister: “confidence building with communities is key to the progress of bringing peace and stability in Somalia

21 Oct – Source: Alshahid.net – 429 Words

Mustafa Duhulow, Minister of Information on Tuesday hosted an important meeting between AMISOM and Somali Police forces and Civil Society groups in Mogadishu.

The aim of the meeting was to better coordinate between AMISOM and the Federal Government institutions as well as on how best to engage with public in order to bring peace and stability. AMISOM Police Force Commander, the Deputy Somali Police Commissioner and Civil Society representatives were among those present Tuesday’s meeting.

Minister Duhulow opened the meeting and said: “I would like to thank organizers of this important meeting and the ministry of information is ready to work with AMISOM and Somali Police forces with a view to engage with communities so that public can take part in the peace process and the stabilization plan. The presence of Civil Society groups, such as youth, women, and other segments of the society is vital to the engagement of the public. The Ministry of Information is keen to advance the public awareness campaign that is essential to the stabilization process and Confidence building with communities is key to the progress of bringing peace and stability in Somalia”.

The Information minister continued to say: “It is imperative for AMISOM and Somali Police Forces to enhance their partnership working so that the implementation of the stabilization process will be easier. Today’s discussion with civil society representatives also provides an opportunity for security forces to engage with communities that is so vital to the confidence building that is essential to bring peace and stability. I strongly encourage continuing regular meetings with all key stakeholders. Civil Society groups have huge role to the stabilization process and to convince public’s role to support security forces.”

AMISOM Police Commissioner Annad Pillay and the Deputy Somali Police Commissioner stressed the importance of engaging with communities, which in turn increases the confidence of the people to the Police Forces. They continued to say that Police Forces cannot work effectively without the full support of public, which in turn will enhance the accountability and transparency.

Dhuhulow concluded, “AMISOM and Somali Police Forces are doing excellent job in bringing peace and stability despite the challenges that we face such as asymmetric warfare from terrorists that have no regard for civilian lives.”

A beacon of hope toward a unified Somali diaspora launched in Virginia, USA

21 Oct – Source: Hiiraan Online – 350 Words

The Somali community in the State of Virginia, USA hosted a formal reception dinner in recognition of the newly founded Global Somali Diaspora (GSD) organization.

GSD’s mission is to undertake activities to advocate, advance, and empower the Somali communities in the Diaspora and provide an effective advocacy for all issues pertinent to the Somali Communities in the Diaspora and in the Homeland. GSD has chapter leaders, representatives and members in 20 countries where there are the largest Somali diaspora.

Human Rights activist Guled Kassim moderated an impressive line-up of guest-speakers from across the spectrum of public and nonprofit sectors as they offered insights on the importance of organizing and empowering the Somali communities in the Diaspora. Among the notable guest-speakers was Ambassador Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Somalia’s Ambassador to the United States.

All speakers stressed that Somali Diaspora resourcefulness, unity, and collaboration are core fundamental principles of success and self-dignity in diaspora communities. They all urged the Somali communities in the USA and abroad to safeguard the connectivity and cultural values of Somali diaspora communities around the world.

One of the notable speakers was a representative from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Center for International Disaster Information. Global Somali Diaspora Representatives from the United Kingdom, Canada, Minnesota, Seattle, and Ohio were among the notable attendees.

“I am delighted that the event was well attended and represented. I am grateful that Somali Americans in Virginia have came together tonight to welcome GSD and offered their full support to ensure that Somali diaspora have an organization that can advocate for their rights, aspirations and dignity; that can organize diaspora communities to achieve their common needs; and that can promote their well respected culture and language” Said Abdi Barud, Executive Director of the Global Somali Diaspora

Sadik Warfa, Deputy Director for the Global Somali Diaspora, echoed Abdi Barud’s reaction to the formal reception adding “We hope Somali communities around the world will rally around this new organization and work with us so that all of us together we can move our people forward.”

REGIONAL MEDIA

Date set for Kenya-Somalia boundary case

21 Oct – Source: The Star – 371 Words

It is now official that Kenya and Somalia are headed for a legal fight at the International Court of Justice regarding the maritime delimitation of the Indian Ocean. Just days after Kenya formally responded to the suit by Somalia, the Court’s President, Peter Tomka, has set a date for the initial pleadings of the high stakes case.

The Star has established that war-torn Somalia has up to July 13 next year to formally submit its claims to the huge swathe of maritime territory in dispute, considered to be rich in oil deposits and fish stocks.

The fixing of the dates now means that Kenya may have lost an attempt to challenge ICJ jurisdiction to hear the case. “The President of the Court made the Order having regard to the views of the Parties. The subsequent procedure has been reserved for further decision,” a Court official said.

Muhoozi visits UPDF in Somalia

21 Oct – Source: New vision – 322 Words

The UPDF Special Forces Commander Brig. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has commended the Ugandan and Somali troops for their recent decisive operations against the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization. The operation code named ‘Indian Ocean’ succeeded in driving the terrorists out of their last strongholds in central Somalia.

Brig. Muhoozi said this last week while visiting UPDF troops in the newly liberated town of Bulo Marer, one of the major towns that were until recently still under the control of the terrorist group.

“I congratulate all the troops and commanders that participated in these battles. You have done well and made UPDF proud, but you must remain very vigilant and not take any chances. You must also guard against dangerous diseases such as Marbug and Ebola,” cautioned Brig. Muhoozi.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia’s radio Shabelle owner’s UK passport seized

21 Oct – Source: BBC News – 325 Words

A court in Somalia has ordered the seizure of a radio station owner’s UK passport after he was accused of threatening national security. Somalia-based Radio Shabelle owner Abdi Malik, who was arrested in August, appeared in court handcuffed.

The judge freed him on bail on condition he surrendered his passport to the government. He denies accusations that his radio station incited violence against the security forces.

The allegations relate to fighting following the government’s disarmament of some clan militias in the capital, Mogadishu, in August.

The court did not grant bail to another Shabelle journalist who appeared in court with Mr Malik. Instead, Ahmed Hassan – a Somali citizen – was remanded in custody, reports the BBC’s Mohamed Moalimu from Mogadishu.

Somaliland inspired by Scotland and Catalonia independence campaigns

21 Oct – Source: The Guardian – 772 Words

The recent high-profile campaigns for Scottish and Catalonian independence have buoyed hopes that Somaliland could soon gain independence from Somalia, according to the president of the self-declared country.

Somaliland is viewed by the international community as a territory within Somalia – a nation that is struggling to emerge from more than two decades of civil war. However, the former British protectorate boasts more than 20 years of relative peace and security as well as untapped oil reserves and mineral deposits.

Its president, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo, said he was encouraged by other independence movements and hoped that boosting investment in Somaliland’s energy and agricultural sectors would spark an economic rebirth that could help it towards independence. “Other countries’ search for recognition, like Catalonia and Scotland, is something we find [inspiring],” he said. “We are, in our own way, also seeking our independence.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Generally there has been common consensus that the peace and reconciliation conferences sponsored by the international community from 2000 to today have failed and did not produce positive durable results.”

Failed Initiatives befoul Somalia’s future

21 Oct – Source: alshahid.net – 767 Words

Despite unprecedented level of foreign interventions particularly since 2000, Somalia lingers as a failed state which is threat to the international peace and security. The installation of permanent federal government in 2012 and the victories over terrorist group Al Shabab did not change Somalia’s misfortune because Somalia’ future is befouled by the outcomes of failed peace processes or initiatives. Foreign actors decided to welcome and applaud disreputable and lately unconstitutional agreements that sully Somali politics. They wittingly or unwittingly are deepening Somalia’s crisis.

Generally there has been common consensus that the peace and reconciliation conferences sponsored by the international community from 2000 to today have failed and did not produce positive durable results. But, donors and neighboring countries continue to claim success and progress on the basis of disreputable agreements that became instrumental and justifications for prolonged foreign interventions.

In 2010, Conciliation Resources (CR) – UK International NGO- in collaboration with Interpeace published a review of the International peace processes in Somalia. The review edited by Mark Bradbury and Sally Healy was titled “Whose peace is it anyway?” The central conclusion of review is, “Nearly two decades of foreign interventions have failed to build peace or a viable state. International engagement has served to deepen the humanitarian and political crisis in Somalia.” This well documented conclusion is still valid as of today.