March 25, 2016 | Morning Headlines

Main Story

Security Council Extends Mandate Of UN Mission In Somalia Through March 2017

24 March – Source: UN News Centre – 292 Words

Stressing the importance of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia to that country’s political process, the Security Council today extended the mandate of UNSOM’s work until 31 March 2017. The 15 members of the Council unanimously adopted an extension of UNSOM’s work, underscoring the provision of UN good offices to support the Federal Government’s peace and reconciliation process, including preparation for an inclusive, free, fair and transparent electoral process in 2016 and universal elections by 2020.
Last month, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Somalia Michael Keating, met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the speaker of the Federal Parliament Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Mr. Feltman reiterated the UN’s support to the Somali people for agreeing on an electoral process for this year. In its resolution, the Council encourages UNSOM to enhance its interaction with Somali civil society, including women, youth, business and religious leaders to ensure that different points of view are incorporated in the political process.
UNSOM is also asked to conduct a review of the UN presence in Somalia after the elections, to ensure that the UN is properly configured to support the next phase of state-building in the Horn of Africa nation and to present options and recommendations to the Council by the end of January 2017. Included in today’s resolution is strong condemnation of recent terrorist attacks by the group Al-Shabaab, and support for a comprehensive approach to reduce the group’s threat in accordance with international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law.
The Council also paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army personnel fighting against Al-Shabaab.

Key Headlines

Security Council Extends Mandate Of UN Mission In Somalia Through March 2017 (UN News Centre)
UN Envoy To Somalia Deplores Use Of Child Soldiers By Al-Shabaab (Kismaayo.com)
Galmudug Forces Clash With Militants After Puntland Victory (Garowe Online)
Somali PM Sees Hope In Push For Interregional State Formation Process (Hiiraan Online)
Puntland Ends Anti-Al-Shabaab Military Operations Over 200 Militants Killed (Horseed Media)
US Congress Members Request Funds To Help Somalia (Radio Dalsan)
Somali Cabinet Praises Puntland Over Al-Shabaab War Calls For Support To Drought-Affected People(Goobjoog News)
Somalia’s Premier Bank To Allow Visa Cards In Its ATMs (The Star)
Somali Police Arrest 156 Al-Shabaab Suspects In Puntland (Xinhua News)
Khalifa Foundation Sends 1000 Tonnes Of Food To Somalia (The National UAE)
KRCS Delivers Relief Aid To Refugees In Somalia (Kuwait News Agency)
Some Young Somalis Voice Skepticism About Federal Anti-terror Program (MPR News)

NATIONAL MEDIA

UN Envoy To Somalia Deplores Use Of Child Soldiers By Al-Shabaab

24 March – Source: Kismaayo.com- 206 Words

The United Nations Envoy to Somalia, Michael Keating, has strongly deplored the high number of children among the Al-Shabaab militants captured by Puntland security forces during the recent fighting in that part of Somalia. At least 16 minors, most of them boys, have appeared in news media accounts about Al-Shabaab fighters who were taken prisoners, and the number of child soldiers in the custody of Puntland authorities may be higher. They are among dozens of extremists who were captured in coastal areas of Puntland and have been subsequently moved to the state capital of Garowe.
In a press statement, the United Nations said it entered into constructive discussions with Puntland authorities about making the necessary arrangements for ensuring proper treatment of these children in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law. Positive actions taken in this regard will demonstrate the authorities’ commitment to the obligations assumed by Somalia when it ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in January 2015. “The blatant deployment of children by Al-Shabaab extremists is an outrage that warrants special condemnation,” said Keating. “These children need support, and it is imperative that all feasible steps be taken to rehabilitate them and eventually reunite them with their families,” he added.

Galmudug Forces Clash With Militants After Puntland Victory

24 March – Source: Garowe Online – 142 Words

Local soldiers aided by national intelligence officers clashed with fleeing Al Shabaab militants near Hobyo, Interim Galmudug Administration (IGA) Vice President Mohamed HashiArabay said on Thursday. Speaking on BBC Somali Service, Arabay noted that Galmudug troops confronted militants fleeing Puntland onslaught on Galmudug’s northern border with Garacad coastal town.
10 Al Shabaab fighters were captured, with many more being killed in gun-battle, Mr. Arabay added.

Galmudug operations are aimed at preventing Al Shabaab remnants from returning to original hideouts by boats. Meanwhile in Galkayo’sBarahley neighborhood, Galmudug security forces apprehended 30 Al Shabaab members believed to have fought in areas perching closer to Garacad. The clashes have renewed after Puntland forces ended cleanup counteroffensives in coastal villages along the Indian Ocean. Over 100 militants were taken prisoner while 167 others have been confirmed dead in the fierce operations in Suuj valley and Dhinowda.

Somali PM Sees Hope In Push For Interregional State Formation Process

24 March – Source: Hiiraan Online – 404 Words

Amid boycotts by regional elders to attend negotiations aimed at the formation of an interregional state for Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, Somali prime minister says he hopes a smooth engagement in advancing the process. The lingering standoff had dealt a potential blow to the government’s efforts in bringing elders back to the negotiations table.

However, Mr. Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke expressed hope in advancing the process after he held talks with traditional elders and members of civil society in a bid to overcome the challenges.
“I want to express my appreciation to theof the federalism system throughout the country before the horn of Africa nation heads for presidential elections due mid this year signaled its willing to convince elders to return to negotiating table. Despite facing challenges in the formation of Hiiraan and Middle Sha Traditional Elders of Hiiraan who showed maturity and dedication towards the State Building Process, on my part.” Mr. Sharmarke said in a statement from his office Thursday.

The central government which aims to complete the implementation blle interregional state formation, Somali government had achieved early success in its efforts aimed at adopting the federalism system across the country as it managed to form regional states for Jubbaland, Galmudug and Southwestern state. Multiple attempts by his government to end the political stalemate related to the proposed state formation hit the rocks after Hiiraan’s traditional elders pushed back a last ditch attempt by Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and a ministerial delegation in the region to secure their endorsement for the initiative.

The region’s council of elders earlier boycotted to attend the state formation conference which was held in Jowhar, the regional capital of Middle Shabelle region late last year over ‘broken promises, concerns Somali prime minister said his government would try to address. “I guarantee to look into the concerns and issues you raise and in parallel request you express your concerns and resolve through dialogue.” He said in the statement. Despite criticism by elders that the government mishandled the initiative, citing vagueness in running the process which they said fell short of their expectations, Somali government promised of ensuring a ‘fair’ and ‘comprehensive process, in an effort to form an ‘inclusive’ regional state. However, political analysts remain pessimistic that the ongoing efforts would bring an immediate solution, pointing out complexities surrounding the proposed state’s formation process, given lack of consensus, mistrust and rivalry among clans in the two regions.

Puntland Ends Anti-Al-Shabaab Military Operations, Over 200 Militants Killed

24 March – Source: Horseed Media- 259 words

Somalia’s autonomous region declared on Thursday that it ended a week-long military offensive against al-Shabaab militants that arrived by boats in the Northern coastal provinces, a senior official said. The sweeping offensive named after ‘’Danab’’, which means lightning, was launched on the 14th of March a day after the militants landed at the Coastal village of Gar’ad.
Speaking at a news conference, Puntland Defense forces chief General Saeed Mohamed Hirsi said that the high intensity operations ended successfully, with over 200 militants killed and others captured alive.

‘’The operations against the terrorists were completed in a very successful fashion. A total of 208 militants were killed and 46 others were detained. We lost 20 soldiers.’’
He added that the army also seized a large deal of ammunition and heavy weapons such as RPGs, explosive devices, and communication tools, which were displayed to the media.
In a move to boost and hail the landmark victory reached by the Puntland forces, Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali reached the town of Gar’ad on Thursday where the militants had arrived first before moving to other areas.

Present at the news conference, President Ali hailed the victory reached by his forces, urging all Somalis across the country to unite in the war against al-Shabaab extremists. On the al-Shabaab Children soldiers captured in the battle, Puntland President stressed that his administration will practically provide rehabilitation and reintegration programs to them. The battle against al-Shabaab launched by Puntland defense forces set a major landmark reached by Somali forces without the help or aid of foreign troops.

US Congress Members Request Funds To Help Somalia

24 March – Source: Radio Dalsan – 149 Words

More than 16 members of US congress members have requested funds to help Somalia. The congressmen led by Minnesota’s Keith Elisson have written to foreign relations committee in request of more than USD 87.7 million. They said the funds will be used to help rebuild key government institutions in Somalia mainly economic generators in the war torn state. The members of congress have also argued that the gains made against armed group Alshabaab by Somali government deserve to be boosted in support of the federal state.

They added that severe drought has stricken Somalia following the effects of El-nino weather. The U.S. has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Somalia over the years as it dealt with drought, rampant piracy and the ongoing al-Shabab insurgency. The relations between the two US and Somalia improved after Washington formally recognized the current Somali government in 2013.

Somali Cabinet Praises Puntland Over Al-Shabaab War, Calls For Support To Drought-Affected People

24 March – Source: Goobjoog News – 384 Words

The Federal cabinet on this Thursday meeting praised and congratulated Puntland state over what it called the complete defeat of Al-Shabaab fighters in the state. Al-Shabaab fighters have retreated Puntland state territories after intense war with state security forces since 17 of this March. The cabinet meeting chaired by Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid also stressed the need of quickening Middle Shabelle and Hiran state formation process which met several setbacks since its inception in Jowhar.

Meanwhile, the ravaging drought situation in the country was also discussed in the cabinet meeting, according to government spokesperson Abdisalan Ato. The cabinet underlined the need to give attention to the drought-affected people. “Somali people have history of helping each other during hard times and the government urges them to support the drought victims,” said Ato.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia’s Premier Bank To Allow Visa Cards In Its ATMs

25 March – Source: The Star – 75 Words

Visa has partnered with Somalia’s Premier Bank as part of a wider strategic agreement to strengthen formal banking services in Somalia.

The agreement signed between the two will enable Visa cardholders in Somalia to use Premier Bank’s ATM network.

Jabu Basopo, Visa general manager for Southern and East Africa, said cardholders will be able to withdraw cash, check their bank balances and pay for goods and services from merchants who accept Visa across the country.

Somali Police Arrest 156 Al-Shabaab Suspects In Puntland

24 March – Source: Xinhua News – 168 Words

Security forces in Somalia’s northern state of Puntland have arrested 156 Al-Shabaab suspects in a swoop in the coastal town of Bosasso. Police commander of Bari region, Abdihakim Yusuf Hussein, on Wednesday said the suspects were captured in a security operation to restore peace in the region.

“We arrested 156 Al-Shabaab suspects from hotels, villages, checkpoints and other suburbs. They are being questioned over a spate of insecurity incidents and their connection with Al-Shabaab,” Hussein said. Puntland security forces have killed more than 70 Al-Shabaab militants and arrested dozens of others since they launched the operations last week.
In southern Somalia, where the Islamist group is concentrated, the militants are facing a major offensive by the Somali army and the African Union peacekeeping troops in Somalia, known as AMISOM.

AMISOM troops have killed over 50 militants in the past week. Despite being driven to large rural areas of southern Somalia, the militant group still stages attacks in the country every now and then, some in the capital Mogadishu.

Khalifa Foundation Sends 1,000 Tonnes Of Food To Somalia

24 March – Source: The National, UAE- 105 Words

The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has sent 1,000 tonnes of food to Berbera City, Somalia as part of humanitarian relief from the drought. The foundation is aiming to help alleviate some of the troubles faced by Somalia with systematic aid, a spokesperson for the Khalifa Foundation said.

A Khalifa Foundation team and officials in Berbera city will oversee the distribution of food to families in various provinces, including Burao, Sool and others affected by the drought that struck most regions in Somalia.The aid included 8,000 food parcels, each contain food materials such as rice, sugar, flour, dates, and milk powder.

KRCS Delivers Relief Aid To Refugees In Somalia

24 March – Source: Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)- 125 Words

Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) announced Thursday that it has distributed food and blankets to impoverished Somali families and Yemeni refugees in Somalia. KRCS Chairman Hilal AlSayer told KUNA that the aid comes as part of a varied and urgent relief program for the people of Yemen. The aid was delivered to 750 Somali and Yemeni families in Somali soil, AlSayer noted.

The nutritional packages consisted of rice, flour, sugar, tuna and dates, in addition to the blankets, he added. Moreover, AlSayer said that the distribution of aid to Yemeni refugees has boosted their spirits, as he underscored the misery Yemenis have to endure in a nation ravaged by war.

KRCS will continue to deliver humanitarian aid to other areas all across Somalia, AlSayer said.

OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE

Some Young Somalis Voice Skepticism About Federal Anti-terror Program

24 March – Source: MPR News – 1,120 Words

Minnesota’s Somali community is divided over a federal pilot program that aims to address the root causes of radicalization. The plan focuses on job training, academic tutoring and mentoring for Somali young people. Nationally, this program is called CVE, or Countering Violent Extremism. Minnesota’s initiative is called Building Community Resilience. It’s funded by the Department of Justice and private donors. And it’s coordinated by U.S. Attorney Andy Luger, with support from Somali elders, parents and imams.

But some of the young people the initiative intends to serve remain wary. Mohamud Mohamed, 19, is a student at Augsburg College. The program was designed for people like him. But when he first heard about it, he questioned how it was created. “For sure, let’s have community programs, let’s have after-school programs, let’s have arts and all of these things, let’s promote these things,” he said. “But the way they’ve gone about it has been inherently disingenuous. … They never once approached Somali youth as a whole, they never called a meeting, or town hall.”
The Somali American Task Force has been working directly with the U.S. attorney to build the program.

“My No. 1 goal is, is this going to benefit the young people that we want to serve?” asked Hodan Hassan, chair of the Minneapolis group. “The youth is our future. And our future is in trouble. We want to make sure that they have a chance to make a positive decision and become a productive member of society.” She said the task force engaged young people from the start and counts a female student among its members. That young woman, and several other Somali youth who support the program, asked not to be identified publicly. Hassan disputed criticism from some quarters that this program could be used to spy on her community. “Does the Somali community all agree with this program?” she asked. “No, different people have different ideas. I’m not involved in intelligence gathering; I’m not a big fan of government being involved in everything. What I really want, and the only reason why I’m sitting at that table, is what is good for my community and how can I help?”

But Mohamud Mohamed, the Augsburg student, isn’t so sure youth programs will address why a small number of his peers have become radicalized. He said he personally knows the local men who have been charged with trying to join the Islamic State group. They felt disenfranchised by their own Somali community, he said. And Mohamed doesn’t want this program making him feel the same way. “I’m viewed as other. I’m being marginalized,” he said. “I’m being pushed into the margin, as inherently violent, inherently extreme, someone that needs to be saved from their own devices. And that’s deeply troubling. And I can’t ever sign onto that.”