February 6, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Prime minister Omar announces sixty-six cabinet members

06 Feb – Source: Garowe Online/Radio Goobjoog – 94 Words

The prime minister of Somali federal government has unveiled the third line up of his new cabinet members. The premier reshuffled his the list of twenty ministers which he announced on the 17th January and came up with 9 more new ministers bring up the number of ministers to twenty six. The list of newly appointed cabinet member read by the secretary of prime minister’s office Mohamed Ali Noor was consisting of twenty-six ministers of which nine are new faces, fourteen state ministers and twenty-six deputy ministers.

Nineteen of the twenty ministers revealed last week retained their posts while six new faces appeared in the list. Some cabinet members were also moved to other ministerial positions. Among those who retained their ministerial posts are Abdisalan Omar Hadliye, former head of Central Bank and Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdulkadir Sheikh Ali (Diini) former National Army Commander-In-Chief and Defence Minister, Saed Hussein Eid Former Chairman of Puntland Chamber of Commerce-who became Animal Husbandry Minister-Mohamed Adan Farageti Southwest State President’s closest rival and Finance Minister and three female ministers.

Gen. Abdullahi Ahmed Jama (Ilko Jiir), former Puntland Interior Minister who appeared in the first lineup was assigned to the ministry of Justice while six new faces turned up. Fourteen State Ministers and twenty-six Deputy Ministers, mainly from the parliament were also read out by name by office of Prime Minister’s secretary. The 265-seat-chamber of parliament twice voiced opposition to two lineups, forcing the Prime Minister to request deadline extensions. The announcement coincides with a remarks by UN envoy to Somalia Ambassador Nicholas Kay who expressed concern over the fate of vision 2016.

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Key Headlines

Galmudug protests Mogadishu meeting (Dalsan Radio)
Prime minister Omar announces sixty-six cabinet members (Garowe Online/Radio Goobjoog)
Jalalaqsi administration and AMISOM officials vow to annihilate Al-Shabaab fighters (Radio Goobjoog)
Shortage of water in villages near Jowha (Radio Ergo)
Gal-Mudug denounces a conference between SFG and regional governments provokes cooperation with the SFG (Radio RBC)
The governor of Middle Shabelle region appoints committee to mediate two clans (Radio Goobjoog)
Mandera terror three remanded in Nairobi (The Star Kenya)
Three injured in Mandera grenade attack (Daily Nation)
U.N. Envoy to Somalia warns against cutting off remittances (Foreign Policy)
Security Council encourages Somali political leaders to work together (UN News Centre)
Special Ops staying put in the horn – for now (Foreign Policy)

PRESS STATEMENT

Security Council press statement on Somalia

05 Feb – Source: UNSOM – 349 Words

On 4 February the United Nations Security Council was briefed by Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Maman Sidikou (via video-conference from Mogadishu), on the situation in Somalia.

The members of the Security Council expressed their concern at the ongoing political crisis in Somalia, its negative effect on delivery of progress for the Somali people, and its impact on peace and stability. In this context, they recalled the Security Council press statement of 10 December, which stressed that swift and sustained restoration of political stability is vital. They encouraged greater efforts from all of Somalia’s political leadership, including the President, Prime Minister and Parliament, to work together to establish quickly an inclusive and representative government.

The members of the Security Council urged the new Government, once formed, to accelerate delivery of the milestones of the Federal Government’s “Vision 2016” and, in this context, stressed the importance of establishing the National Independent Electoral Commission without further delay. The members of the Security Council re-emphasised the importance of Somalia’s leaders, including the new Government, the President and Parliament, developing effective mechanisms to prevent prolonged political crises in the future.The members of the Security Council underscored their determination to continue to support all international efforts aimed at ending the threat posed by Al-Shabaab, and creating a conducive atmosphere for peace building and sustainable development in Somalia.

The members of the Security Council underlined their resolute support for the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia. They also recalled their significant support to the people and Federal Government of Somalia, in a sustained and integrated approach, including through UNSOM and through the United Nations support to AMISOM. The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to both the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Nicholas Kay and United Nations Assistance Mission to Somalia (UNSOM), as well as to the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission Maman Sidikou and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) as they continue to deliver their respective mandates.

SOMALI MEDIA

Galmudug protests Mogadishu meeting

06 Feb – Source: Dalsan Radio – 116 Words

Galmudug administration has protested the Mogadishu government by calling back its members who are part of the new cabinet. A statement from the administration has described the decision not invite the administration in Mogadishu meeting in which other regional states government were invited as uncalled for and an obstacle to peace in the country. The administration has given its members named in the new cabinet three days to withdraw their support and reverse their position to serve in the central government in Mogadishu. Puntland and Jubaland regional states presidents were in Mogadishu for a meeting on the progress of peace in the country with federal government president Hassan Sheikh mohamud.

Prime minister Omar announces sixty-six cabinet members

06 Feb – Source: Garowe Online/Radio Goobjoog – 94 Words

For complete list click here.

Jalalaqsi administration and AMISOM officials vow to annihilate Al-Shabaab fighters

06 Feb – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 189 Words

The administration of Jalalaqsi district and AMISOM officials in Jalalaqsi town took meeting focusing on a wide range issues including the circumstances in the district and how to brawl Al-Shabaab fighters who blocked the main roads leading to the town. The deputy district commissioner of Jalalaqsi, Ibrahim Abdullahi Madoobe told Goobjjog FM that the main issues they focussed on was, how to weed out Al-Shabaab from the main roads such as Buuloburde-Jalalaqsi road and security tightening of the villages around the district which Al-shabaab fighters sometimes launching offensives. “The main agendas of the meeting were, how to discard Al-Shabab fighters from the the main roads they blocked and how to protect the hamlets coming under administration Jalalaqsi district from Al-shabab attacks” Mr. Ibrahim noted. Al-shabab fighter set alight public vehicles in Buurwein –Hamirgaab road on wednesday, accusing them of transporting food to the areas which Al-shabab imposed sanctions against after allied forces pushed them out of those areas. Al-shabab imposed tight sanctions by blocking the main trade routes leading to Jalalaqsi town and other towns in Hiran region such as Bulloburde.

Shortage of water in villages near Jowha

05 Feb – Source: Radio Ergo – 173 Words

A water crisis is affecting 10 villages near Jowhar in Middle Shabelle, where water wells and pans have dried up due to failure of pumps. Geed-adlow, Hareri-us, Mooro-gubato, Makhudale, Armoley, Mae-turrey, Ilanley, Burdere, Bangorayo and Jileiyale in the west of Jowhar are the worst-affected areas. Many pastoralists have moved away in search of water.

Mohamud Hussein Gurey, from Armoley village 18 km from Jowhar, said the only water pump in their village broke down five months ago, and they had had very little rain recently. Habiba Ahmed, a mother of five, migrated to Jowhar from Duray 20 km away after most of her livestock died. She told Radio Ergo that life had become very difficult too in Jowhar. Mohamed Abdi Armoley, an elder in Geedba’adlow settlement west of Jowhar, said most people in the village had moved towards the east searching for water along the river Shabelle. He said those who had stayed in the village could not afford to buy water at the current prices of 200,000 Somali shillings per barrel.

The governor of Middle Shabelle region appoints committee to mediate two clans

06 Feb – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 170 Words

Reports from Middle Shabelle region indicate that a reconciliation committee appointed to mediate two clans who fought in the outskirt of Jowhar town, took meetings with the elders from both sides separately. The regional judge of Middle Shabelle region, Sheikh Ahmed Ibrahim Siyad, speaking to Goobjoog FM stated the committee met the council elders from the two clans and both warring sides agreed to come to negotiation table in order to resolve their differences.

Sheikh Ahmed commended the governor of Middle Shabelle region Ali Gudlawe Hussein who appointed the reconciliation committee and took part in the process to converge the elders of both clans to reach agreement with the committee. He also said that the team is expected to visit the areas where the fighting took place to know more about the factors that led to the eruption of the violence. This came after heavy fighting broke out between these two clans caused casualties and displacement of civilians in the area.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Mandera terror three remanded in Nairobi

06 Feb – Source: Star Kenya – 285 Words

THE Anti-Terror Police Unit was yesterday allowed to continue holding three suspects behind the 2014 Mandera terror attacks that left 64 people dead. Musa Hassan, Maslah Hassan and Shukri Sadat, all Somali nationals, were arraigned in court yesterday. Nairobi senior principal magistrate Elena Nderitu remanded the suspects at Kilimani police station.They will be brought back to court on February 19.

They were not required to plead to any charges as ATPU requested to question them further.The prosecution said investigators are following leads that link the three men to Salim Abubakar Kitonga, the key suspect in the Mandera quarry and bus attacks, who was arrested last week. In an affidavit presented by the prosecution, and signed by ATPU investigator Hassan Montet, police believe Kitonga, Musa, Masla and Shukri are the masterminds of the attacks. Montet said police have recovered several phones, Sim card holders and Sim cards from the suspects’ houses and have forwarded the evidence for further analysis.

Kitonga, a Kenyan, is believed to be a member of al Shabaab. He is accused of facilitating the movement of new non-Somali recruits into Somalia through Bula Hawa. Kitonga is suspected to have been living in a mosque in Mandera town. “Their presence during the whole time of this investigation will lead to a fair trial when charges will be preferred against them,” states Montet in the court document. The officer said the suspects may abscond court proceedings if they are freed. He said the suspects, who were arrested on January 25 at Garbaqoley, were not presented before a court because no court was sitting in Mandera.“Due to harsh terrain and distance from Mandera to Nairobi they could not be presented earlier,” Montet said.

Three injured in Mandera grenade attack

05 Feb – Source: Daily Nation – 168 Words

Three people were critically injured after a hand grenade was hurled at a food kiosk in Mandera townshipThursday evening. A police officer on the ground told the Nation that the trio was rushed to Mandera General Hospital where they are now admitted. “We have cordoned off the area as we pursue the attackers who are still in town,” said the county police commander, Job Boronjo.

Security officials are currently on high alert following information of a planned attack by al shabaab in the region. Police are looking for suspects reportedly from Somalia on a mission to cause havoc in the country. This comes at a time when teachers have boycotted resuming duty in the region.This is the first grenade attack this year in the volatile region which made headlines last year for numerous attacks. In two of the most brutal attacks last year, 28 people were killed while aboard a bus heading to Nairobi in November and 36 others were murdered at a quarry in December.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

U.N. Envoy to Somalia warns against cutting off remittances

05 Feb – Source: Foreign Policy – 662 Words

Money sent home by family members abroad is the “lifeblood” of the African country’s economy, but it’s getting harder to get the money over there. The United Nations’ top official in Somalia warned that thwarting payments sent home by immigrants abroad will cut off a lifeline for Somali families and the biggest driver of economic activity in the impoverished and war-torn country. “They are the lifeblood and survival mechanism for many, many Somalis, so from a humanitarian perspective it is clearly worrying if there is a complete stop in remittances,” Nicholas Kay, the U.N. Special Representative for Somalia, said in an interview Thursday in New York.

Aid groups Oxfam International and Adeso estimate that Somali expatriates send home about $1.3 billion a year. That’s about to get much harder: Merchants Bank of California, which handled the bulk of remittances to Somalia, is closing all Somali accounts. As Foreign Policy was the first to report, the bank sent letters last week to all the companies who send money from the United States to Somalia notifying them of the move. Regulators say they aren’t trying to stop the flow of legitimate money to Somalia, but they have put increasing pressure on banks to monitor their business for money that could be going to terrorist groups, including al-Shabab, the militant group which controls parts of Somalia and is challenging its fragile, Western-backed government.

As the crackdown on terror financing and sanctions-busting has intensified, banks have become more and more hesitant to send money into Somalia, which after years of war and conflict doesn’t have a functioning central bank. “There is a horrendous sort of tension there between those who are for very good reasons trying to control and restrict money flows benefiting terrorist organizations, etc. and the very legitimate and absolute requirement for diaspora, particularly, to be able to remit money to family back in Somalia,” Kay said, stressing that he wasn’t trying to criticize U.S. government policies or individual banks’ legal decisions.

Security Council encourages Somali political leaders to work together

05 Feb – Source: UN News Centre – 374 Words

Concerned by the ongoing political crisis in Somalia and its negative effect on delivery of progress for the Somali people, the United Nations Security Council yesterday encouraged greater efforts from the country’s political leadership – including the President, Prime Minister and Parliament – to work together to quickly establish an inclusive, representative Government. In a statement issued to the press, the Council also expressed concern that the ongoing political crisis is impacting peace and security in the long troubled country. Recalling its press statement of 10 December, which stressed that swift and sustained restoration of political stability is vital, the Council encouraged greater efforts from all Somalia’s political leadership “to work together to establish quickly an inclusive and representative Government.”

Today’s statement follows a briefing to the 15-member body yesterday by Special Representative for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Maman Sidikou (via video-conference from Mogadishu). Underlining the importance of the partnership between the African Union and the UN in Somalia, which he called “unique, strong and essential for success,” Mr. Kay said that 2015 will be decisive in whether and how Somalia can become a unified, peaceful and federal State. Expressing both excitement and worry over risks on the horizon, he said: “Delays and setbacks will have an even greater impact this year than last.”

Special Ops staying put in the horn – for now

05 Feb – Source: Foreign Policy – 490 Words

The United States’ top special operations officer raised eyebrows Jan. 27 when he suggested that America might replace its special operations forces in the Horn of Africa, a hotbed of Islamist fighters, with conventional troops — a major shift that could make it harder for the United States to track and kill some of its most dangerous adversaries. At issues are the elite troops, including Navy SEALs and operators from the Army’s Delta Force, who have spent years in the Horn fighting al Qaeda’s East Africa cell and al-Shabab, the Islamist militant group that controls large swaths of Somalia. They have conducted missions ranging from installing signals intelligence gear in Mogadishu, positioning high-tech cameras along the Somali shoreline, and launching direct action raids against leading Islamist commanders, such as the September 14, 2009 helicopter attack that killed Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, an al Qaeda leader in East Africa.
Joint Special Operations Command, which controls the most elite special ops units, also keeps a force in Djibouti ready for missions across the Bab-el-Mandeb strait into Yemen, so a complete special ops withdrawal from the Horn would also complicate the counterterrorism fight against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen, where a U.S. drone strike Thursday killed Harith bin Ghazi al-Nadhari, AQAP’s spiritual leader, and three other militants. Now, military spokespeople are trying to walk back the comments, insisting that Army Gen. Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), “was just stating an opinion” and that the elite forces won’t be leaving anytime soon. “There are no major changes planned in the near term, and there will likely be a role for SOCOM forces in each region over the long term,” Army Col. Mark Cheadle, the spokesman for U.S. Africa Command, told Foreign Policy.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Foreign Policy is in essence, built on a coherent and well calibrated internal policy, good governance and stability at home. We are finally coming to grips with this reality and our government’s efforts are firmly focused on achieving our Vision 2016 goals which are centred on inclusive politics, security and the formation of a Federal Democratic State.”

The flag flies proudly again

05 Feb – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1, 076 Words

As a proud Somali, it has been quite an honour to have been provided with the opportunity to represent my nation on the international stage for the last 12 months. Indeed, serving ones nation at such a high level, is an honour and a privilege bestowed only on a few people and, hence, the burden of responsibility is even greater than one can ever imagine. Somalia is a proud nation of homogeneous and talented people, in a wonderfully diverse part of Africa. However, Somalia has experienced one of the worst and prolonged civil wars in modern history. The disastrous civil war destroyed all our key institutions, terribly disrupted lives and scattered our population across the world as refugees and vagabonds. Somalia, for a long time, has been labelled, not a less developed country, not as a fragile country but indeed, as a failed state synonymous with violence and self-destruction. I am sure most of you heard or read the expressions: “Somalisation of country X is taking place” when a country is in a total mess and broken into pieces.

Today, Somalia is slowly but surely regaining consciousness. The environment in most parts of the country is, indeed, inspirational. People are, once again, queuing up for passports, driving licences and marriage certificates. People are enrolling in schools in unmatched numbers and almost everyone you speak to is preparing to invest for tomorrow in their own special ways. The Diaspora are returning with their knowledge, wealth and expertise to invest in their nation and people and foreign investors are once again asking about opportunities in Somalia. The cranes in the Mogadishu skyline, busy markets and trading centres are all evidence of success and the growing confidence within ourselves and the future underlined by the improving security.

Photoclub Mogadishu: children in Somalia offer a snapshot of lives overshadowed by war

05 Feb – Source: The Guardian – Video – 3: 46 Minutes

Two decades of conflict have made Somalia one of the world’s worst places to grow up, with the voices and opinions of children seldom heard. Unicef Somalia teamed up with photographer Kate Holt to give nearly 1,000 children the chance to learn how to take photographs that provide an insight into their world

Top tweets

@Somalia111 Good to return today to @ipinst. Thanks for hosting me & thnx to audience for great questions @UNSomalia #Somalia

@UNICEF #Somalia: @unicefsomalia & @katjaeholt team up to give 1k children chance to photograph their worldhttp://uni.cf/16vL5Fb via @guardian

@Abdikarim_Abdi3 #Somalia is today celebrating the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation in #Mogadishu & in other big cities.

@MaatMHI Somalia’s new proposed cabinet has 26 Ministers, 14 State Ministers, and 26 Deputy Ministers. A total of sixty-six Ministers.

@Lathanay There’s a reason why it’s dhulkaaga hooyo- and not dhulkaaga aabo, it’s the women that are the backbone of#Somalia

@UNLazzarini No new cases of #polio reported since August in#somalia. Campaign boosted in Mog to end outbreak@WHOsom

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Image of the day

Young Somali girl in Mogadishu holds placard as world marks International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation.

Photo: IOM Somalia