October 30, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

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In Somalia, Ban lauds country’s progress towards stability, urges ‘continuity’

29 Oct – Source: UN News Centre – 646 Words

Somalia has made “remarkable progress” as it continues down the road towards economic and political stability, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today as he arrived in the capital city of Mogadishu – the third stop in a tour of the Horn of Africa aimed at promoting development and consolidating peace and security across the wider region.

Speaking to reporters as he touched down in the city, Mr. Ban acknowledged that after two decades of internecine conflict and humanitarian crises, Somalia was finally waking from a “long nightmare,” reaching a “pivotal moment” as militant group Al-Shabaab appeared to be on the wane and political progress had finally seemed to take root as the country’s institutions were steadily strengthened. “Politically, this country is coming together like never before,” he told the press. “I especially commend the agreements to form regional administrations. These bodies must be inclusive with strong representation of women and young people.”

The Secretary-General’s remarks come amid a joint trip uniting the capacities of the United Nations, World Bank, European Union, Islamic Development Bank, and African Development Bank and targeting a swathe of countries in the Horn of Africa, spanning Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, with an $8 billion development initiative. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, who is a member of the high-level delegation to the region, noted that Somalia’s transition presented “a unique opportunity” for the nation and the wider Horn of Africa region “to improve the livelihoods of the people by engaging them in productive economic activities.”

“Political stability and human security are important pre-requisites for reducing extreme poverty and increasing shared prosperity for the Somali people,” he added. The high-level visit comes at a critical time in Somalia’s shift from a country beset by numerous challenges – ranging from humanitarian issues to piracy – to a stable regional player.

Although Somalia has long been torn by factional fighting and the spread of militant religious fanaticism in the guise of Al-Shabaab, recent military gains against the terrorist group have permitted the Federal Government of Somalia, with the assistance of the UN Assistance Mission (UNSOM), to pursue a peace and State building agenda and to strengthen the country’s security sector, promote respect for human rights and women’s empowerment and assist in the coordination of international assistance.

The Secretary-General commended the Somali National Army and the African Union Mission (AMISOM) forces for their advances against Al-Shabaab and contributions to the overall peace and stability of the country. But, he warned, it remained “critical that they now secure roads to newly recovered areas to enable commercial traffic and humanitarian access.”

The United Nations, in fact, has warned that the Government of Somalia and other international stakeholders must find a sustainable solution to the recurring droughts and famines which have hit the local population hard, leaving many poor and vulnerable. According to a recent warning issued by the Secretary General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, more than three million Somalis remain in need of assistance, including over one million who do not have enough to eat – a number up 20 per cent compared to six months ago.

In his remarks, Mr. Ban said he was “very concerned” about the humanitarian situation and urged donors to step up their contributions in order “to avert another famine.” At the same time, however, he explained that maintaining delivery of services to Somalis while strengthening institutions should remain the “focus” of all efforts. As a result, the Secretary-General reiterated the United Nations and the international community’s two-pronged commitment to helping Somalia address its “immense” political, governance, security and development challenges and consolidating the progress made by the country so far.

“Many of the indicators are finally pointing in the right direction,” Mr. Ban declared. “Somalia needs continuity and stability at this critical time.”

Key Headlines

Somali president suspends 21 judges (Radio Goobjoog/Radio RBC)
Allied forces repel Al Shabaab attack 3 militants killed (Garowe Online)
Food aid distribution to 2500 families in Middle Shabelle region (Radio RBC)
110 benefit from fishing empowerment program in Kismayu (Radio Bar-kulan)
EU gives education scholarship to Somali students (Radio Bar-kulan)
Food aid distribution to 2500 families in Middle Shabelle region (Radio RBC)
Al Shabaab sympathizers won’t not be tolerated says Somali National Security Minister (Radio Bar-kulan)
110 benefit from fishing empowerment program in Kismayu (Radio Bar-kulan)
Somali leaders’ political feud may cripple government progress (Sabahi Online)
In Somalia Ban lauds country’s progress towards stability urges ‘continuity’ (UN News Centre)
UAE official warns of potential for IS-Shabab link (Associated Press)
Rebuilding Somalia (Al-Jazeer.com)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali president suspends 21 judges

29 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio RBC – 94 Words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has suspended 21 judges operating in some courts of the country. Decree from the office of the President Hassan dated on 26th October 2014 stated that the suspended judges were appointed in a wrong way adding that they are in the office illegally.

Holding press conference in office today the attorney general of Somalia Dr. Ahmed Ali Dahir said the judgments made by the suspended judges will be re-examined. He noted that the presidential decree will affect judges everywhere of the country who are in the judicial sector without merit.

Food aid distribution to 2500 families in Middle Shabelle region

29 Oct – Source: Radio RBC – 226 Words

The Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs has delivered food aid to the internally displaced people in Middle Shabelle region, amid growing appeals for food assistance from the region recently. The Middle Shabelle Authority which received the food aid distributed to 2500 families that were internally displaced and living near the airport.

The Governor of Middle Shabelle, Ali Gudlawe, led the group that distributed the food aid, which consisted of sugar and flour. As part of the stabilization plan, the Ministry of Interior & Federal Affairs has allocated significant quantities of food aid to Middle Shabelle region.

The families that received the food aid thanked the Federal Government and asked to be looked after on a regular basis. There are concerns that the flooding that started recently may worsen as the rainy season approaches. Internally displaced persons, some of them fleeing flooding in other parts of Middle Shabelle, have been joined by others fleeing recent clan fighting in the area, exacerbating the problem.

“It is part of the Stabilization Process that humanitarian aid reaches the regions most affected by the humanitarian crisis so that, in the longer term, these people are given opportunities to participate in the rebuilding of the nation and to develop the natural resources of the country such as agriculture and livestock, thus avoiding the constant threat of flooding, famine and violence.” he said.

Allied forces repel Al Shabaab attack, 3 militants killed

29 Oct – Source: Garowe Online – 120 Words

Somali Government forces aided by Ethiopian-AMISOM peacekeepers repelled an attack by Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab militia late on Tuesday night in Galgaduud region town of El Garas of central Somalia, Garowe Online reports.

A spokesman for National Army Mohamed Kariye Roble told reporters that they killed three Al Shabaab fighters in self-defence gun-battle. Roble added, they immediately confronted militants’ night raid on army base in the central town with stiff resistance.

El Garas, 50 km north of El Bur fell to allied forces on September 6 as it had since been a springboard for beleaguered Islamist insurgents. Somali forces alongside African Union peacekeepers dealt severe setback to Al Shabaab in the course of intense military campaign that saw key strongholds.

EU gives education scholarship to Somali students

29 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 85 Words

The European Union has provided scholarship opportunities to 26 Somali students from Dadaab refugee camp in North Eastern Kenya. The scholarship program in collaboration with Africa education trust (AET) and center for British teachers (CBT) will also target students from Somaliland, Puntland and south central Somalia.

The first phase of the program has already enrolled 26 school leavers from Dadaab refugee camp to Mount Kenya University to study various fields such as Project planning, public relations and early childhood education.

Al Shabaab sympathizers won’t not be tolerated, says Somali National Security Minister

29 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 144 Words

The federal government of Somalia’s minister for national security minister Khalif Ahmed Ereg has warned Al Shabaab sympathizers in the country saying they will never be tolerated and their days are numbered.

Speaking to the media in Mogadishu Mr. Ereg said his ministry is committed to taking extra step to stop follow of arms into the country which is meant for militant group. He said individuals who are found facilitating the supply of the arms to the Al Qaida linked militant group Al Shabaab will face full force of the law. “Al Shabaab has embarked on a strategy to smuggle arms in to the city to cause insecurity,” he said.

“We have put measures to preempt their attacks and we are warning those collaborating,” he added. Somali national security minister comments comes following the seizure of containers with arms in Mogadishu port on Tuesday

110 benefit from fishing empowerment program in Kismayu

29 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 94 Words

More than 110 people in the port city of Kismayu have concluded three weeks training on how to improve fishing in the area. The program was funded by American refugee council in collaboration with interim Jubaland administration.

American refugee council’s Sadak Ahmed has said the training was meant to increase fish production in the area. Interim Jubaland Minister for agriculture Mr. Mohamed Adan Jamaa has thanked the organizers of the workshop saying it was timely.

Kismayu has experienced relative calm since Al Shabaab militant group were pushed out of the area by Kenyan military late 2011.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali leaders’ political feud may cripple government progress

29 Oct – Source: Sabahi Online – 1, 113 Words

Less than a year ago, growing tensions between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon over the ministerial selections for a cabinet reshuffle ended with the Somali parliament voting to unseat the prime minister. Fast forward to October 2014, and a similar political rift has emerged again, this time between Mohamud and a prime minister he appointed just ten months ago to replace Shirdon.

Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed on Saturday (October 25th) announced his decision to reshuffle the cabinet, apparently without consulting the president. Mohamud thenvoiced his objection to the changes, criticising Ahmed for “making outrageous decisions” and declaring the reshuffle “null and void”.

Ahmed’s re-organisation swapped the positions of the minister of livestock and animal husbandry and the minister of justice and constitutional affairs and also impacted two state ministers and four deputy ministers.

Mohamud said the country’s progress towards a stable government — including the war against extremist groups, rebuilding government agencies and creating administrations for many regions — should not be disrupted by political infighting.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

In Somalia, Ban lauds country’s progress towards stability, urges ‘continuity’

29 Oct – Source: UN News Centre – 646 Words

“Politically, this country is coming together like never before,” he told the press. “I especially commend the agreements to form regional administrations. These bodies must be inclusive with strong representation of women and young people.”

UAE official warns of potential for IS-Shabab link

29 Oct – Source: Associated Press – 335 Words

The United Arab Emirates’ top diplomat warned Wednesday that the Islamic State group could team up with Islamic militants in Somalia, saying that more should be done to prepare for such a threat.

The Islamic State group that now controls large parts of Iraq and Syria — also known by the Arabic acronym Daesh — and the Somali militant Islamic group al-Shabab share a common pedigree in that they both have had links to al-Qaida. They frequently use similar tactics such as explosives-laden cars, suicide bombers and attacks on civilians.

They operate independently for now, but the Emirati foreign minister, Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, suggested that could change. “What really scares us now is what we see from Daesh, and are we going to see in the future any sort of collaboration between different terrorist groups like Daesh and al-Shabab?” Sheik Abdullah said in an address at the opening of a conference focused on counter-piracy in Somalia.

“I think we should start to ask ourselves: how ready we are as countries, companies and international organizations in facing these big threats,” he added.

Rebuilding Somalia

29 Oct – Source: Aljazeer.com – 798 Words

In September 2014, we were invited by the president’s office to come and film in Somalia. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is heading up the latest in a series of short-lived administrations since the country’s descent into chaos that followed the fall of the Siad Barre dictatorship in 1989.

In order to build peace MP’s were selected by elders to represent the different clans and when the government came to power two years ago, it was greeted by a wave of euphoria. It was a recognition of realpolitik: after two decades of conflict, order and a new administration could only be build by compromise.

Now it is high time for the central government to build the federal state and to extend its reach outside Mogadishu. Both, the president and the prime minister have been travelling across the country to speed up the creation of new, regional states. Without a national army and with African Union peacekeeping forces limited in scope the federal state can only be created by building alliances with local power brokers, even if that means brokering a compromise between national and regional clan interests.

As we start following the president on a series of meetings with elders and warlords from Kismayo we begin to understand how perilous this situation is. Our first encounter is with former warlord Ahmed Madobe, now in charge of Jubaland, one of Somalia’s newest regional states.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“It is believed that al Shabaab can be reduced to a small enough size to be manageable. At least in the context of normal Somali life, which has always contained an endless supply of bandits and ambitious warlords. Thus al Shabaab won’t disappear, but it is getting cut down to a more manageable size.”

Al Shabaab cut down to a more manageable size

29 Oct – Source: Strategypage.com – 2, 099 Words

Al Shabaab still controls six towns in the interior, but they have lost control of eight other towns since September. The Islamic terrorists also control some smaller places, usually remote villages, at least part of the time. In many cases the local defenders (formal or informal local security groups) are strong enough to keep bandits out, but not local al Shabaab groups.

In these cases al Shabaab has their way when they show up to collect “taxes” (food and other supplies). The peacekeepers maintain a list of such places and are continuing to move down that list. Yet the Islamic terror group still has lots of supporters in Somalia. This is largely because there are still a lot of Islamic conservatives in the area and young men are attracted to the outlaw life (and a paying job) al Shabaab offers.

Then there is the culture of victimhood and resentment that Islam fosters. Thus the presence of foreign troops (peacekeepers, especially those from neighboring Ethiopia and Kenya) is a traditional cause of resentment. The presence of missile armed American UAVs overhead is also annoying to many Somalis. It is believed that al Shabaab can be reduced to a small enough size to be manageable. At least in the context of normal Somali life, which has always contained an endless supply of bandits and ambitious warlords. Thus al Shabaab won’t disappear, but it is getting cut down to a more manageable size.

The government is again offering amnesty for al Shabaab members who surrender. The last amnesty, which lasted 45 days and ended October 25, resulted in over 700 Islamic terrorists surrendering and being rehabilitated. The new amnesty will last from November 1st through the end of the year. This, plus the increased efforts to cut al Shabaab income means there are fewer armed Islamic terrorist out and about in Somalia.