October 30, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

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Somali president attends anti-piracy conference in Dubai

30 Oct – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog/Radio Barkulan/ – 141 words

The president of the republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamed headed to United Arab Emirates to attend conference on piracy that opens in Dubai. High level delegates from over the world are expected to take part in the meeting meant to tackle the extensive threats of maritime piracy.

President Hassan will give a long speech at the conference focusing the effects of piracy to Horn of Africa particularly Somalia and his government’s plans to eradicate it. At the end of the meeting the participants are expected to come up with common approach aimed at the total eradication of piracy.

Key Headlines

UN Secretary-General and World Bank Group President arrive in Mogadishu pledge support (UNSOM)
Press remarks on the occasion of the joint visit to Somalia (UNSOM)
Somali president attends anti-piracy conference in Dubai (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog/Radio Bar-kulan)
Ebola screening kicks off in Somaliland airports (BBC Somali Service/Radio Goobjoog)
Polio and measles vaccinations start in Bari (Radio Ergo)
Government forces seize new areas in Galgadud region (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog)
91st anniversary of Turkish Republic Day marked in Mogadishu (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Muqdisho)
South Sudan: business activities in Kavuta town stops after third Somali national killed (Radio Goobjoog)
UN World Bank gives regional peace efforts 80 billion Uhuru praise the support (Star – Kenya)
Abdullah calls for empowering Somali youth (Gulfnews.com)
We’re not out of the woods yet says Somali minister (Khaleej Times)
DP world reiterates support for fight against piracy in Somalia (uaeinteract.com)
At least 3 million in Somalia in need of aid: U.N. Secretary General (Reuters)
Hundreds of students enroll in reopened Somalia National University (CCTV.com)
Girls’ jihadi quest stirs Muslim communities’ fear (Associated Press)

PRESS STATEMENT

UN Secretary-General and World Bank Group President arrive in Mogadishu, pledge support

29 Oct – Source: UNSOM – 567 words

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, and World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, arrived in Mogadishu to pledge support for Somalia’s transition and for efforts to strengthen security and development across the wider Horn of Africa region.

The joint high level visit comes at an important time for Somalia which continues to make significant security gains against the Al-Shabaab insurgency, and is pushing forward essential political reforms with the goal of holding national elections in 2016. The delegation will also include Islamic Development Bank President Ahmad Mohamed Ali and senior representatives of the African Development Bank, the African Union, and the European Union.

“The UN, World Bank Group and indeed the international community as a whole are committed to helping the Somali people. Somalia is on the right track and I am confident that its people will rise to the challenges its country still faces. We are here to tell Somalis that they are not alone and that we will redouble our efforts to help them protect the gains made in recent years,” Ban Ki-moon said.

Somalia faces political, security, development and humanitarian challenges from its over two decades of conflict, but recent advances, including the creation of regional administrations in close cooperation with the Federal Government, are encouraging. Building a more stable Somalia will ensure greater security and economic prosperity across the Horn of Africa.

Somalia’s most vulnerable and marginalised communities, including the displaced, returnees, women and youth need to be included in the process of peacebuilding and statebuilding. Continued political unity will be essential for Somalia to meet its goals for democratic transformation.

“Somalia’s transition is 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,” said Kim. “Political stability and human security are important pre-requisites for reducing extreme poverty and increasing shared prosperity for the Somali people.”

The United Nations and the World Bank, in cooperation with other partners, are committed to accelerate their programmes on the ground to support Somalia’s political, security and development goals, as set out in Somalia’s “New Deal” Compact agreed last year. The peacebuilding process and the scaling up of international assistance will require inclusive and transparent efforts by all.

The government and its partners also need to find a more sustainable solution to the frequent drought and famines, which have left the majority of the population poor and vulnerable. Access of the poor and marginalized to economic opportunities is a key priority. In this context, the Secretary-General also called for international partners to help meet the funding gap for humanitarian assistance to Somalia. Over 3 million people in the country are in need of assistance, while the humanitarian appeal for 2014 remains only 34% funded.

The high level delegation will meet with Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to discuss the country’s transition and its critical importance to human security and economic prospects in the region. They will also meet with Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, Speaker of the Federal Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari, senior Government officials and representatives of Somalia’s civil society.

The trip marks the Secretary-General’s second visit to Somalia – he previously visited in December 2011 – and the first visit for the World Bank President. The Bank has stepped up its engagement in Somalia in recent years, evidence of the country’s ongoing transformation after a generation of conflict.

Press remarks on the occasion of the joint visit to Somalia

29 Oct – Source: UNSOM – 539 words

Your Excellency Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, thank you for your warm welcome and hospitality and I highly commend your leadership.

As the President just said, I was in Mogadishu in December 2011, just about three years ago. It is good to be back in Somalia and meet many Government leaders and the people of Somalia. Even though my visit is very brief today, I can already see and feel how the country has made remarkable progress since my last visit.

I am pleased to be joined by the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Kim, and also Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-Madani, President of the Islamic Development Bank, and also I am joined by African Union, European Union and African Development Bank senior representatives from all our partners regional organizations.

We carry two messages above all.

First of all, we know the political, governance, security and development challenges are immense – and we are committed to helping the country address them.
Second, we are confident that Somalia can consolidate the progress and there is much to build upon. Many of the indicators are finally pointing in the right direction.

Dr. Kim of the World Bank and I [inaudible] have a consistent message that peace and security cannot be sustainable without development and development cannot be promoted without peace and security. Therefore, peace and development should go hand in hand. This is why we are travelling hand in hand.

Slowly but surely, Somalia is waking from a long nightmare. The country is at a pivotal moment.

Al Shabab’s power is declining, but it is not gone. I congratulate the Somali National Army and AMISOM for their advances and the contributions to peace and stability of Somalia. It is critical that they now secure roads to newly recovered areas to enable commercial traffic and humanitarian access.

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

I am very concerned about the humanitarian situation in this country. Over 3 million Somalis are in need of humanitarian assistance and unfortunately that number is growing. I urge donors to step up contributions to avert another famine in Somalia.

In all of our work, we need to keep the focus on delivery of services to the people and strengthening institutions — including through enhanced public financial management.
I urge Somalia’s leaders to remain united and focus on the country’s peacebuilding and statebuilding priorities. Somalia needs continuity and stability at this critical time.

Our partnership and support in this process is set out in the Integrated Strategic Framework which was just signed by the representatives of the United Nations and the Prime Minister. Somalia is finally turning the corner – but we can’t afford to take our eyes off the road. Now is the time to intensify efforts in a united, consistent and coordinated manner. That is why we are here.

I am very honoured to be with this committed group of international leaders to show our full support for building a solid foundation for peace, development and human rights for all the people of Somalia.

Thank you.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali president attends anti-piracy conference in Dubai

30 Oct – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog/Radio Barkulan/Jowhar Online – 141 words

Ebola screening kicks off in Somaliland airports

30 Oct – Source: BBC Somali Service/Radio Goobjoog – 173 Words

The breakaway state of Somaliland in Northern Somalia have started testing passengers arriving Egal international airport of Ebola virus to control the spread of the deadly disease in the region.

Speaking to Goobjoog FM, the deputy director of Egal international airport Nageye stated that Somaliland ministry of health agreed to deploy well equipped health professionals in all airports adding that the screening of the travelers has started.

Nageye underlined that the ministry’s efforts will put to a stop the risk of Ebola spreading to the area. He noted that small tents were built inside the airport to keep the passengers who are suspected of possessing the symptoms of the deadly virus like high temperatures. “Fever is a sign of Ebola” Nageye stressed.

Somaliland health Minister told VOA Somali service said that they launched screening in reaction to the threats of Ebola which killed over 4000 people in West Africa. He added that health personnel were stationed at Wajale the border that links Somaliland to Ethiopia.

Polio and measles vaccinations start in Bari

29 Oct – Source: Radio Ergo – 200 Words

A large-scale polio and measles vaccination campaign has started in Bari region of Puntland. The campaign is targeting all children under five. It follows the reappearance of polio in parts of the country.

The coordinator of Puntland’s ministry of health in Bari, Said Mohamed, told Radio Ergo the campaign was part of the ministry’s programme aimed at reducing childhood risks and boosting health standards of children.

The ministry dispatched over 306 people including vaccinators and campaign facilitators to the region to conduct the house-to-house vaccination task. The exercise will continue for five days and will be conducted in all districts.

Jowhara Muse, whose children were vaccinated on Wednesday, welcomed the vaccination campaign. “I generally like to vaccinate my children because I know it has many benefits for them. We know taking vaccination protects children against diseases, and my children are healthy now,” she said.

Asha Ali, a mother of four, said she only accepted to get her children vaccinated after one of her daughters was disabled by polio six years ago. “I call upon other mothers to take advantage of this opportunity and get their children vaccinated against polio. Its eradication is just two drops away, nothing else,” she said.

Government forces seize new areas in Galgadud region

30 Oct – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog – 120 words

Federal government forces backed by African Union peace-keeping troops have taken over new areas from Al-shabab in Galgadud region. The administrator of Eel-Garas locality told Goobjoog FM that government forces together with AMISOM managed to seize the areas after confronting with Al-shabab militia.

The administrator stated that the forces launched security operations to maintain the security of the captured areas. He added that the forces will soon advance to the remaining in the region under the control of Al-shabab.

The administrator urged the public to collaborate and give valuable tip off will enable the control of Al-shabab threats to the security forces. Al-shabab declined to give immediate comment about this issue.

91st anniversary of Turkish Republic Day marked in Mogadishu

29 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Muqdisho – 137 Words

A ceremony to mark the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic has been marked in Somali capital Mogadishu. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and several cabinet of his government have attended the ceremony which was organized by Turkish embassy in Mogadishu.

President Mohamud thanked the people and government of Turkey for their support to Somali people saying the visit of former Turkish Prime Minister now President Reccip Tayyip Erdogan in the country in 2011 has opened a new chapter in the history of Somalia and Turkey.

“The government and people of Turkey have stood by our side by helping our people when we needed help most, we can’t forget that,” he said. Turkish ambassador to Somalia Mr. Olgan Bekar who was hosting the event has described the challenges that cemented foundations of his country.

South Sudan: business activities in Kavuta town stops after third Somali national killed

30 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 168 Words

The business activities of Somali community in South Sudan especially Kavuta town has stopped after Somali businessman killed in the town last night.

Musa Hassan Abdirahman, a businessman in South Sudan speaking to Goobjoog FM said armed men waylaid a group of businessmen on board of a van from Laura town, killed Somali businessman and wounded another one, a Kenyan after opening fire.

Musa stated that the business people particularly Somalis closed their premises to show their concern of appalling attacks against Somali community. He underlined that a committee selected from the business people in the area are preparing to take meeting with the mayor of Kavuta town earlier today to know the reason behind the repeated targets against Somali community in South Sudan. This is the third Somali national killed in the region this year according to Musa.

Musa noted that the killing against Somali community in South Sudan is similar to xenophobic attacks in South Africa as the government failed to bring to justice the perpetrators.

Humanitarian needs continue to remain in dire as critical boost in funding

29 Oct – Source: Radio RBC – 328 Words

While the humanitarian situation in many parts of Somalia remain in a dire condition the aid groups are saying that they are scaling up response to cover the needs of affected people in drought-affected regions in the country.

On Wednesday, UN chief and the World Bank Group president visited Mogadishu to pledge support for the country’s progress and stability. The leaders warned that only 34% of the 2014 humanitarian appeal was received which means that at least two millions of Somalis were in risk of famine.

Most of the funding received against the three-month plan went to food security, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene clusters, while health, protection and education clusters did not manage to implement their priority activities in the operational plan due to lack of funds. Humanitarian partners and authorities continue to prioritise and plan for 2015 within the strategic framework adopted for 2013-2015.

Based on early warnings, the humanitarian community developed a three-month response plan reprioritizing the most urgent life-saving needs for June-August to mitigate the imp-act of the unfolding crisis and low funding levels. The plan was budgeted at $60 million, 10 per cent of the outstanding requirements for 2014 at the time.

While there was no direct tracking of projects in the three-month plan, $159 million were recorded in the online Financial Tracking System as received or committed during these months.

This boost in funding allowed aid workers to fill critical gaps stemming from drought and insecurity. The reach of food security activities increased, allowing humanitarians to assist twice as many households per month by the end of August in the targeted regions of Bakool, Hiraan, Galgaduud, Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle, Bari, and Nugaal regions.

The blockade of supply roads by armed groups in southern and central Somalia hampered the planned scale-up of activities in some highly affected towns in these regions such as Bulo Burto and Jalalaqsi in Hiraan and Waajid in Bakool, and parts of Lower Shabelle region.

REGIONAL MEDIA

UN, World Bank gives regional peace efforts 80 billion, Uhuru praise the support

30 Oct – Source: Star – Kenya – 457 words

President Uhuru Kenyatta has welcomed the $8.3 billion (about 80 billion) support for peace and development in the Horn of Africa region pledged by the United Nations, the World Bank, Africa Development Bank and other development partners. He said the financial resources will build on the work the region has already done towards ensuring peace.

“Kenya and the Horn of Africa are glad to see this coordinated action by the United Nations, the World Bank, the African Union, the African Development Bank, IGAD and the other institutions represented here,” Kenyatta said.

The President made the remarks at State House, Nairobi after a high-level meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim and AU Commission Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha.

The meeting was also attended by Islamic Development Bank President Ahmad Ali Al-Madani, IGAD Executive Secretary Amb. Mahboub Maalim, senior representatives from the African Development Bank and other critical actors in peace-building and development.

Abdullah calls for empowering Somali youth

29 Oct – Source: Gulfnews.com – 541 Words

With the shipping routes off the coast of Somalia relatively secure from pirate attacks, the focus of the international community should turn to building the economy of Somalia and other Horn of Africa nations, said Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister as he opened the fourth Counter-Piracy conference in Dubai on Wednesday.

Around 600 delegates, including foreign ministers of various countries as well as top diplomats, naval officers and industry leaders gathered on Wednesday for the two-day annual conference in Dubai.

In his opening address, Shaikh Abdullah lauded the efforts of the international community in tackling piracy, in particular the initiatives of the Contact Group on Piracy off the coast of Somalia, of which the UAE is an active member.

We’re not out of the woods yet, says Somali minister

30 Oct – Source: Khaleej Times – 404 Words

Internal strife and prolonged civil unrest have pushed Somalia to the brink in the past few years. The country’s leadership is split between fighting terror groups like Al Shabab on one side and working to build institutions, improve public security and establish a powerful army.

“We are extremely positive of the international support and a lot of people have been interested in rebuilding Somalia. Many countries have spent their resources to help Somalia come out of its problems and regain stability to help us become a responsible member of the international community,” said Somali Foreign Minister Dr Abdirahman Duale Beyle.

Terrorism in Somalia is still rife. The government, national security forces and army is doing a great job with the help of the international community. However, we’re not out of the woods yet. Therefore, we are hoping that this struggle will come to its normal conclusion very quickly and soon.

DP world reiterates support for fight against piracy in Somalia

30 Oct – Source:Uaeinteract.com – 753 Words

Sultan Ahmad bin Sulayem, Chairman of the U.A.E.’s DP World, on Wednesday reiterated the global port operator’s support for creating jobs and setting up maritime facilities in Somalia as part of the fight against piracy in the Horn of Africa.

In his opening statement, Bin Sulayem, said, “As part of our efforts to help address the root causes of piracy on land, we at DP World this year initiated a series of expert panels to identify the opportunities for investment in Somalia, the barriers to investment and how they might be overcome.” He noted that the vast majority of the 40 to 50 people who volunteered their time to join the discussions at the conference in Dubai were Somalis, of all ages and from all walks of life, from politicians to business people to students, based in Somalia or part of the huge Somali diaspora.

But all are absolutely passionate about rebuilding their country, added the head of DP World which co-hosted the two-day fourth counter-piracy conference with the U.A.E.’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Hundreds of students enroll in reopened Somalia National University

30 Oct – Source: CCTV.com – Video – 3:00 minutes

Many students from far flung parts of the horn of African nation have been enrolling in the Somali National University. The university which has reopened after 23 years, offers courses in 6 faculties including medicine, education, agriculture, veterinary, law and economics.

Girls’ jihadi quest stirs Muslim communities’ fear

30 Oct – Source: Associated Press – 771 Words

The strange journey of three suburban Denver girls who authorities say tried to join Islamic State militants in Syria has many in their close-knit east African community worried about whether their own children will be the next to be lured to terror.

The girls’ voyage has mystified many in the U.S., and has been even more troubling among Aurora’s Somali and Sudanese immigrants, thousands of whom fled civil war and forged new lives in the Denver suburbs, where refugees easily find jobs driving cabs or working in the meat industry.

“This community is outcast. They feel like they don’t belong here. They’re frustrated,” Odowaay said from his seat at Barwaaqo, a restaurant hidden in one of Aurora’s low-slung strip malls, where other men dined on goat and spaghetti, a favorite east African dish. “I’m worried their frustrations will lead them in the wrong direction.”

At least 3 million in Somalia in need of aid: U.N. Secretary General

29 Oct – Source: Reuters – 316 Words

At least three million people in Somalia need humanitarian aid and the country is threatened with famine, the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday. The United Nations said in September more than a million people in the war-ravaged Horn of Africa country were struggling to meet daily nutritional needs.

“Over three million Somalis are in need of humanitarian assistance and unfortunately that number is growing. I urge donors to step up contributions to avert another famine in Somalia,” Ban said during a visit to the Somali capital on Wednesday.

A month earlier, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for Somalia said agencies were unable to meet the needs of 350,000 people who had fled to Mogadishu because they were hindered by a shortage of funds and by violence.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“You must not mind dives or leaving your comfort zone to eat here. Decor is the plastic garden chair and oil-cloth variety, and plating is slightly prison-style. It’s a male-only environment, but we – two women in frocks, with a child dressed as a Ninja Turtle in tow – were warmly welcomed and looked after.”

Blowing the horn of Africa

30 Oct – Timeslive.co.za – 425 Words

I hardly expected to find the best biryani (or perhaps biryani-style dish) I’d ever had at a Somalian restaurant.

But then again, why not? Somalian cuisine seems almost defined by its long history of fusion; a combination of Somali trading and the odd occupation. Kismayo restaurant in Mayfair even calls its food “international”. The flavours, ingredients and cooking techniques include Italian, Indian, Persian and more besides.

But back to the biryani: the basmati rice is undoubtedly of royal descent – freakishly long and perfectly textured, and the spices have the sort of balance a perfumier would kill to achieve. I couldn’t stop eating it, even after I was full. And, unbelievably, it costs next to nothing.

Top tweets

@SomPundit Let’s choose Hope Over fear, Unity over division. Education over ignorance. Inshallah, Calanyaho Hadicin.#Somalia

@amisomsomalia United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon visited Mogadishu, Somalia & met with #AMISOM SRCC Amb. Maman Sidikou.

@Somalia111 Today #Somalia saw how the world supports its progress. Need for political unity & stability a strong message cc@UN

‏@AmbAmerico I was pleased to be part of today’s scholarship from EU to #Somalia students from Dadaab refugee, thanks@SomaliaEU

@UN_News_Centre In #Somalia, Ban lauds country’s progress towards stability, urges ‘continuity’ http://bit.ly/102rskq @UNSomalia

@HLooyaan [Surely #Somalia is waking from a long nightmare. It’s at a pivotal moment. Al-Shabab’s power is declining, but it is not gone.]- UNSG, Ban

@KingYusufYusuff Counter-Piracy Conference#Somalia needs an inter conference to deal with the issues of dumping of toxic waste & illegal fishing

@ReutersAfrica At least 3 mln in #Somalia in need of aid: UN Secretary General http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN0IJ0IW20141030

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Image of the day

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon visited Mogadishu, Somalia and met with AMISOM SRCC Amb. Maman Sidikou. Photo: AMISOM