Key Headlines

• Prime Minister’s speech to the summit on the Horn of Africa
• Somali cabinet approves Mogadishu’s consultative meeting results
• US welcomes signing of Somali political ‘roadmap
• Somalia famine relief held up at gunpoint
• Somalia: six killed in rush for food

PRESS STATEMENT

Prime Minister’s speech to the summit on the Horn of Africa

08 Sept – Source: TFG – 1866 words

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kenya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Djibouti, Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Kenya, Under Secretary General of United Nations, Chairperson of IGAD Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, It gives me great pleasure to be with you here in Nairobi. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for attending this meeting. It is indeed an honour for me to address you here, in the capital of one the greatest friends of Somalia and the Somali people. As I speak today, Kenya, despite the suffering of her own population, has proven to be a refuge for hundreds of thousands of my countrymen and women fleeing the chaos and anarchy of the last two decades, and more recently, the famine which is inexorably spreading over the south of the country. We in Somalia are supremely grateful for this unparalleled act of generosity. We are similarly thankful for the role that Kenya has historically played –and continues to play- in the search for peace and stability not only in Somalia, but across the region. We have neither forgotten that it is your facilitation and hospitality that enabled rival Somali groups to negotiate and develop the transitional structures, nor that it is from here that these set out to establish a governmental presence first in Baidoa and then in Mogadishu. As a result, earlier this week, we were able to adopt a Roadmap for ending the transition to permanent, democratic government.

I also wish to thank the Kenya Government for hosting this Summit. The theme is particularly apt, recognizing, as it does, that the problems we face now are regional in nature and require a comprehensive and regional approach to achieving the short term goal of providing humanitarian relief and tackling the longer term causes of instability, hunger and famine. As you are all doubtlessly aware, the United Nations has announced that the famine has now spread to a sixth region in Somalia, Bay, threatening the lives of over 4 million, or half the country’s population. This tragedy is not, however, confined within our borders but is enveloping the wider region. While its effects have been felt hardest inside Somalia, we must remember the millions in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Uganda that are also suffering and in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.No single African country is able to resolve this on its own and what happens in one nation will inevitably affect the rest.

Consider for example, the Al Qaeda affiliated extremist group, Al Shabaab, which is primarily responsible for the famine in Somalia through its polices of systematically looting grain stores; forcible recruitment of and extortion from farmers and their families; and preventing access to the most affected regions in the south to aid agencies. The group has also sought to export its noxious extremism to the rest of the region, recruiting and sponsoring acts of terror here in Kenya and in neighbouring countries such as Uganda, where last year they murdered 76 innocent people. The insecurity the group has created in the south of Somalia has led to a large influx of refugees into Kenya and Ethiopia, straining resources and spreading instability across the region. It is therefore clear that conflict, hunger and instability in one country has an impact across the entire region. Ladies and Gentlemen, Today it is my intention to update you on the measures we as a government have been taking to ameliorate the situation in Somalia, both in the short and long term, and to offer a few thoughts on initiatives that we as a region can adopt so that the specter of insecurity, hunger and famine is banished from the Horn.

With half the Somali population facing the prospect of starvation, our foremost priority has been the provision of emergency humanitarian to the millions seeking refuge in Mogadishu. To enable this, it was vital that the capital be secures and in this respect the 6th of August 2011 will be remembered as a historic day for Somalia. On that day, the Somali National Army with the support of African Union forces compelled the extremists to withdraw the bulk of their forces from Mogadishu. For the first time in many years, residents in the capital can now enjoy a measure of peace and stability. This success has created new opportunities for stabilizing the city and reaching some of the most vulnerable.

My government is doing the best it can within our limited resources to exploit these opportunities. Immediately following the extremists’ retreat, a ministerial committee was set up, which visited vacated areas and came up with strategies for dealing with the situation. The immediate concern was to re-establish security. A state of emergency has been declared in these districts as well as in IDP camps across the city in order to prevent any crime as well as to prevent the return of warlords or militias.

The Cabinet has established two task forces, one with the responsibility to provide armed escort to humanitarian convoys, and a mobile patrol unit to tackle crime. District Security Committees have been established in all 16 districts of the city and are engaging local communities to determine their priorities and needs. The security forces continue to search for weapons and booby traps in the neighborhoods formerly occupied by the extremists and, once these have been cleared, citizens are allowed back into their homes. As a result of the improved security, two of the most crucial markets in the city, Bakara and Suuq Ba’ad, are now reopening.

As the crisis broke, a high level cabinet committee was set up to oversee the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the population. As per its recommendations, the government has set aside several locations in the capital and established camps to house the desperate families streaming into the capital each day. The largest of these, the Badbaado and Rajo camps are each sheltering and feeding tens of thousands of people. A Disaster Management Agency, comprising members of civil society has also been set up and we are working with UN agencies such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Programme to synchronize our efforts to deal with the famine.

On behalf of the entire Somali nation, I wish to express my gratitude for the pledges of assistance that have been received from governments and humanitarian agencies around the world. We are especially indebted to the governments of Turkey, Djibouti, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, other government and the United Nations and its agencies, which have so far delivered tons of food to Mogadishu and other areas. Coupled with our measures to ensure security, these deliveries have had a considerable impact in Mogadishu and the surrounding areas. According to the latest report by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit, cereal prices for August in the Banadir region, though still unacceptably high, have come down by up to 20 percent compared to previous months.

My government will continue to work closely with them to collect and share information on needs, responses and gap. Indeed, we stand ready to cooperate with all actors to ensure aid reaches the most critically affected populations wherever they may be.

The greatest need continues to be felt within areas still under the effective control of the extremists, where access by international humanitarian agencies is severely restricted. The insurgents are also hampering the freedom of movement of millions who are trying to reach help either in Mogadishu or in neighbouring countries. Without urgent interventions to change this situation, the UN estimates that up to three-quarters of a million people may perish in the next few months. It is therefore critical that the international community reinforces our efforts to extend the zone of safety beyond Mogadishu and into these areas.

Going forward, a principal focus of my government will be to promote peace and reconciliation as well as to reach out to all regions and segments of the population. In this regard, we are building strong working relations between the Federal Government and Regional Administrations such as Puntland and Galmuudug. A memorandum of understanding has recently been signed with the President of Puntland, which will help develop the relationship further.

The High Level Consultative Meeting that has just concluded in Mogadishu has inaugurated a new era for Somali politics. Participants agreed a roadmap for the next 12 months and I have every confidence that the commitments undertaken during the meeting will be speedily implemented. One of the stops along the way will be the successful adoption of a new constitution. A Draft Constitution has already been published and after consulting with the public, an amended draft will be prepared and offered to the nation for adoption. Ladies and gentlemen, Somalia has taken great steps on the road to lasting peace. But, as noted earlier, no nation can do this by itself. Though we are grateful for the support of fellow African countries within the AU and that of the international community at large, more in terms of men and equipment will be required if we are to completely eliminate the extremist threat. As a region, we cannot afford the luxury of allowing Al Qaeda an opportunity to establish a firm presence in the Horn. It is therefore all the more important that we develop modalities for the coordination and the exchange of information between our national security and intelligence agencies. We should consider establishing a joint security committee, within the auspices if the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, comprising representatives of the nations in the region so we can better co-ordinate our counter-terrorism efforts.

In the long term, the solution to preventing the recurrence of famine lies in the sustainable development of the drought-prone regions. This will require long-term investment in many areas including security, health, education and infrastructure, so the people in these areas have the opportunity to engage in productive economic activity and uplift living standards for themselves and their families. The integration of economies on the Horn will be an invaluable step in spreading the fruits of development and securing the future, In this regard, Somalia has much to offer. With the longest coastline on the continent, its unexploited natural wealth and an entrepreneurial tradition that dates back to the Roman times, a peaceful Somalia would be an engine of growth and prosperity for the region and for the continent.

In conclusion, let me quote the words of that great statesman, Winston Churchill, during his 1946 commencement address at Westminster College: “There is enough for all. The earth is a generous mother; she will provide in plentiful abundance food for all her children if they will but cultivate her soil in justice and peace.” The sentiment is as true today as it was 65 years ago. A window of opportunity now exists to not only deal with the present crisis, but to put the Horn of Africa firmly on the path to stability and prosperity. If we work together I am confident that the nations represented here will overcome the challenges of the present and secure the region’s future. Thank You,

SOMALI MEDIA

Puntland officials visit war-ravaged areas of Galkayo, Mudug region

08 Sept – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Bar-Kulan – 202 words

A delegation from Garowe has arrived in Galkayo town to assess the damages caused by the recent clashes between Puntland security forces and local clan militias. The delegation led by the legal adviser of Puntland’s president Mohamed Dahir Farah Shimbir, visited several war-ravaged northern part of the city to witness the damages.

Somali cabinet approves Mogadishu’s consultative meeting results

08 Sept – Source: Radio Mogadishu, BarKulan, Shabelle and Kulmiye – 156 words

After a crucial and lengthy meeting held in Mogadishu, the cabinet of Somali interim federal government on Thursday approved the results of the newly concluding UN backed consultative meeting on ending transition in one year. The meeting, which was presided over by the acting prime minister and minister of defense Hussein Arab Isse, also discussed important issues including the roadmap of 2011/2012, ensuring security, scaling up humanitarian efforts in famine affected people inside the nation and others.

Puntland displays captured Al-Shabaab fighters in Garowe, Nugal region

08 Sept – Source: Bar-Kulan, Shabelle and Kulmiye – 377 words

Puntland authorities in Garowe have on Thursday assembled and displayed a number of alleged Al-Shabaab fighters who were captured during the recent clashes in Galkayo. They say there were taking part in the recent clashes between Puntland security forces and what the authorities called it “terrorist groups.

Al-Shabaab shuts down feeding centers in Lower Shabelle

08 Sept – Source: Radio Kulmiye, Bar-Kulan and Shabelle – 167 words

Shabaab militia in Lower Shabelle has on Thursday shut down several feeding centers in the districts of Bulo-marer and Kuntuwarey of lower Shabelle region. Militant leaders who visited the affected districts have allegedly ordered the closure of the desperately needed feeding centers in those districts

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia famine relief held up at gunpoint

08 Sept – Source: The Globe and Mail- 90 words

When the refugees swarmed the food truck and the bullets began flying, Duniyo Alosolow was in the middle of it, ducking for cover. “I saw people killed in front of my eyes,” she remembers. “Anyone who is strong and had a gun took the food,” she said at the sprawling refugee camp in Mogadishu where she lives. “We aren’t strong, so we didn’t get the food.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/somalia-famine-relief-held-up-atgunpoint/ article2159021/

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia: six killed in rush for food

08 Sept – Source: AP/ New York Times – 73 words

Six people were shot dead by a soldier as families scrambled for food aid in the capital on Thursday, witnesses said. Families had stood in line for hours at a food aid distribution center in Mogadishu before finally rushing guards and carrying off food, a witness said. He said the guards tried to beat them back with rifle butts but then opened fire. A district official said he could only confirm one death.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/09/world/africa/09briefs-Somalia.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

US welcomes signing of Somali political ‘roadmap

08 Sept – Source: AP – 311 words

The United States welcomed Thursday the signing of a “roadmap” for the formation of a Somali government to replace the transitional body that has failed to bring peace to the fragmented country. Somalia’s disparate leaders signed the agreement Tuesday in Mogadishu after three days of talks at a heavily-guarded conference venue.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jRi9OMBkwpnmZ2eSPFr9PkJQF0og?d ocId=CNG.fe11c1b55d60e484a37a458dccdd1b34.561