May 26, 2016 | Morning Headlines
Somali President Warns Kenya Against Forced Return Of Somali Refugees
25 May – Source: Hiiraan Online – 296 Words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has warned that the proposed move by the Kenyan government to close the world’s largest refugee camp and send back refugees en masse to their home countries will worsen the security situation in the East African nation.
“Returning refugees by force will only pose enormous challenges and will not solve anything at all. And I hope Kenya, which is among the signatory states of the international convention on refugee law, will not go ahead with this plan,” Mohamud told BBC’s Somali Service on Wednesday.
Announcing the decision, Kenyan officials said they would close the Dadaab camp later in the year, citing reasons of pressing national security, besides the fact that the camp has become a “safe haven for terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab”, a development decried by rights groups and aid agencies as “disturbing”.
In recent years, the semi-arid refugee camp in north-eastern Kenya, which hosts over 300,000 people, has become a point of focus by the Kenyan security after deadly attacks by the Somalia-based Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab group. Established in 1991, the camp largely receives people fleeing conflict in Somalia, as well as citizens escaping prosecution from other East African countries.
Meanwhile, the Somali leader has also protested that the construction of the controversial 440-mile wall along its border with Kenya, by the Kenyan government, will separate people from the two neighboring countries: “We have more important and common interests that we share than the camp’s closure and border wall constructions.”
Kenyan government has decided to build the border wall in a bid to keep out the Al-Qaeda linked Al Shabaab group, which has carried out multiple deadly attacks in Kenya after the East African nation sent troops to Somalia to defeat the militant group.
Key Headlines
- Somali President Warns Kenya Against Forced Return Of Somali Refugees (Hiiraan Online)
- Fissures Engulf Elders’ Gathering In Puntland (Garowe Online)
- Kismayo Water Agency Resumes Lifeline Operations After 25 year (Hiiraan Online)
- Somali Intelligence Detains Radio Director For Interviewing Regional MP (Radio Dalsan)
- Interview: Al-Shabaab Trying To Control Illegal Trade In New Wildlife Products – Interpol (Xinhua News)
- 11 Al-Shabaab Militants Killed In Southern Somalia (China.org)
- Civil Military Working Group Conclude 5-day Humanitarian Coordination Workshop in Kismaayo AMISOM)
- FBI ‘Set Up’ Our Sons Somali-American Defendants’ Mothers Say (Voice of America)
- Turkey-Africa Development Partnership: A Human-Oriented Approach (Goobjoog News)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Fissures Engulf Elders’ Gathering In Puntland
25 May – Source: Garowe Online – 233 Words
In what appears to be a of an emerging division, a group of clan elders on Wednesday issued a communique, warning of “serious consequences” over the ongoing conference staged in northeastern Qardo town. Sultan Bashir Muse Konte read out a four-point communique to the media in the State capital of Garowe, and lamented over interference by unnamed external actors.
Konte called the Qardo Forum a “politicized one” that does not entail traditional values whatsoever. On Tuesday, Puntland President Abdweli Mohamed Ali opened the conference hosted by Bogor Burhan Bogor Musse. Ali urged Somali elders gathering at East Africa University (EAU) campus in Qardo to serve the common good, and spearhead unity campaign ahead of parliamentary and presidential election and selection process by August this year.
Another group of clan elders walked out of the conference in protest at what they described as “inconclusive meeting aimed at sowing differences among traditional leaders” . Konte is now asking the United Nations and politicians to refrain from any move that could put the long-cherished harmony among the traditional elders in jeopardy.
Puntland clan elders in Garowe lamented of interferences by “outsiders” at a time of heightened polarization in the northeastern State. The split began in 2013 over the Mogadishu forum, and heightened on the eve of Puntland presidential elections in early 2014.
Kismayo Water Agency Resumes Lifeline Operations After 25 years
26 May 2016 – Source: Hiiraan Online – 186 Words
Kismayo water agency has resumed its operations after 25 years, following a partnership between Jubbaland administration and Caafi, a leading Somali water distilling and distribution Company based in Mogadishu.
The Jubbaland authority has temporarily commissioned the privately owned distillers to the management of the project, which aims to launch tap water supply in the district according to Caafi General Manager, Mohamed Ali Kalaay.
Speaking during the inaugural ceremony held at the company premises at the newly renovated district water facility, Jubbaland Minister for Water, Mohamed Sheikh Yusuf, stated that the much anticipated Kismayo water project is the first of many development projects to be implemented, in an effort to restore key public sectors amenities in the region.
The chairman of the Jubbaland chamber of commerce and industry, Shafi Raabbi Kaahin, urged the local business community to participate in the development of the country through public sector investments, which would hugely contribute towards achieving viable economic recovery. The colorful event was graced by several dignitaries, including ministers from Jubbaland administration, who lauded such a public private partnership to revive one of the most fundamental municipal service provisions in the city.
Somali Intelligence Detains Radio Director For Interviewing Regional MP
25 May – Source: Radio Dalsan – 128 Words
Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) yesterday arrested and detained the Goobjoog Radio director. According to Goobjoog management, Hassan Mohamud, was summoned by NISA at the intelligence headquarters in Mogadishu before being put behind bars.
The main reason behind the move was not immediately clear but sources have confirmed to Radio Dalsan that Goobjoog had reportedly interviewed a regional state Member of Parliament, who is already in custody for unknown reasons. The Goobjoog radio boss was later released without being charged.
Visually impaired journalist, Abdifatah Hassan Kalgacal from the same station, was arrested by the criminal investigation department on March 31st last year but later released after one week. Somali Independent Media Houses Association (SIMHA) and the National Union for Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) immediately condemned the arrest of Hassan Mohamud.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Interview: Al-Shabaab Trying To Control Illegal Trade In New Wildlife Products – Interpol
26 May – Source: Xinhua News – 426 Words
The International Police (Interpol) warned on Wednesday that Al-Shabaab was making efforts to control trade in new wildlife products after losing control over the key charcoal trafficking routes in Somalia to the African Union Mission (AMISOM).
In an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) underway in Nairobi, Davyth Stewart, Environmental Security Programme Head at Interpol’s General Secretariat, said the Al-Shabaab had created links with Nigeria’s Boko Haram in order to target an enlarged trade market.
“There is evidence of strong links between the Al-Shabaab and the Boko Haram and their intention is to control the trade routes,” Stewart said. The Interpol official said the Al-Shabaab was making efforts to control the trade in new wildlife products not only in Kenya but across other regions.
“Their control of the charcoal trade in Somalia was weakened in the past when they lost territorial control. But their control of these routes keeps shifting but whenever they lose the ports, they also lose revenue. Our counter-terrorism units are constantly monitoring them,”
Stewart said. Interpol uses its red alerts on foreign nationals who leave their countries to go abroad for non-specific engagements as a measure to curb some forms of illegal trade, especially on wildlife products. In Nairobi, UN officials involved in a project to lower carbon emissions that are linked to destruction of the environment, under the project known as REDD+, decried the growing threat of wildlife trafficking.
Stewart said the Interpol was currently involved in a project to analyze financial records of some companies and individuals who might be involved in hi-tech trafficking of wildlife products: “We are dealing with people who are taking advantage of the ambiguous laws dealing with the environment. Our biggest challenge is the lack of clarity on these issues which is favouring those involved in trafficking of products like timber,” Stewart told Xinhua.
11 Al-Shabaab Militants Killed In Southern Somalia
26 May – Source: China.org – 163 Words
At least 11 Al-Shabaab militants were killed and two government soldiers wounded on Wednesday after fighting between the group and Somalia National Army (SNA) in El-Wak town in Gedo region southern Somalia.
Commander of SNA’s first division in the region, Col. Abdirashid Barre Gurhan said the fighting broke out after the militants attacked a military base in the town. Gurhan said the attack prompted the security forces to engage the terrorists, killing 11 of them during the firefight.
“Al-Shabaab militants attacked our base in the town, but they were destroyed in the battle. We killed 11 of the militants on the spot, two of our soldiers were injured during the fighting and we pushed them back,” Gurhan told reporters.
There was no immediate comment from Al-Shabaab militants on the latest military victory by the Somali government soldiers. The Somali National Army backed by African Union peacekeeping forces increased operations against Al-Shabaab militants in the south and central Somalia in the past three months.
Civil Military Working Group Conclude 5-day Humanitarian Coordination Workshop in Kismaayo
25 May – Source: AMISOM – 377 Words
The Humanitarian Unit of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has concluded a weeklong coordination workshop with other humanitarian actors, in Kismaayo.
The workshop, whose main aim was to discuss how to enhance civil-military relations and disseminate the Somalia Country Specific Humanitarian Guidelines, was also attended by representatives from the Somali National Army and police officers from AMISOM and the Somali Police Force.
“The training has gone very well and included the military from AMISOM, we have the Burundian contingent, we have the Ethiopian contingent and the Kenyan contingent represented here. We also have SNA from the Somali side and the representatives from the Somali Police Force. The meeting gave us an opportunity to share and talk to each other, understand each other’s role and what AMISOM is planning to do for the local community,’’ said Mr. Abdul Diabagate, AMISOM’s Senior Humanitarian Liaison Officer.
The workshop ended on Tuesday after five days of deliberations. AMISOM Acting Commanding Officer for Kismaayo, Lt. Colonel Emmanuel Chirchir officially closed the meeting: “All of you should now be able to understand why it is actually critical for all of us to work together, cooperate, and coordinate all of our activities. It is my belief and hope that the seminar will be of utmost importance to you in your duties and places of work,” stated Lt. Col. Chirchir.
Chief Superintendent, Ezeona Ifeoma of AMISOM Police said participants were taught how to engage with and manage relationships with communities. “It is basically about community engagement with AMISOM and all the actors in the Mission and the guidelines specify what each of the components should do and how they can engage with the community to make Somalia a better place,” she said.
FBI ‘Set Up’ Our Sons Somali-American Defendants’ Mothers Say
25 May – Source: Voice of America – 176 Words
The mothers of two Somali-Americans on trial for allegedly planning to join Islamic State say their sons were “set up” by an FBI informant.
The women spoke to VOA Somali outside a Minneapolis court Monday, after the government’s star witness, informant Abdirahman Bashir, told the court under cross examination that the FBI paid him $100,000. The mother of defendant Abdirahman Daud called Bashir a “criminal” motivated by money.
“He is a liar who wanted to sell our boys and to set them up,” Farhiya Mohamed said. “He was unemployed and he wanted to earn money. All the kids were employed, they have never been to jail, and they used to attend school. He [Bashir] would visit them in the schools, the college, and their homes to record them.”
The mother of defendant Guled Ali Omar decried what she called “incorrect information” being used by prosecutors: “These kids were set up. He [Bashir] was recording them for a year. He told lies about them,” said Fadumo Abdullahi Husein. “This is very wrong, I don’t like it.”
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Take the example of two hospitals Turkey opened in conflict ridden regions: Darfur and Mogadishu. These training and research hospitals were officially inaugurated in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Turkish government could have taken the easy way by handing over the keys of the hospitals to the Sudanese and Somali authorities after completing the construction and refurbishment.” – Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey
Turkey-Africa Development Partnership: A Human-Oriented Approach
25 May – Source: Goobjoog News – 890 Words
African countries, today, are exerting every effort to overcome the challenges they face with their own resources and through their own mechanisms. Turkey is an ardent supporter of African solutions for African issues. With its wide diplomatic representation all around the Continent, Turkey stands with its African sisters and brothers in their quest for further development and prosperity.
Humanitarian diplomacy is one of the main components of Turkey’s approach towards Africa. Hosting the first-ever United Nations World Humanitarian Summit on 23-24 May is a clear sign of Turkey’s outstanding position in this field.
Our humanitarian engagements in the Continent, as well as other parts of the world, are aimed at introducing permanent solutions rather than makeshift remedies for structural problems. This humanitarian policy, comprising social responsibility projects, is conducted with the active involvement of Turkish civil society and business sector, and has achieved improving countless lives on the ground.
In formulating and implementing development projects, the wellbeing of societies is always a priority of Turkey’s official development effort. In this regard, Turkey establishes infrastructure and takes necessary measures for the sustainability of these undertakings to the benefit of local societies and put emphasis on capacity building at every step of the way.
Take the example of two hospitals Turkey opened in conflict ridden regions: Darfur and Mogadishu. These training and research hospitals were officially inaugurated in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Turkish government could have taken the easy way by handing over the keys of the hospitals to the Sudanese and Somali authorities after completing the construction and refurbishment. Instead, Turkey, together with the local authorities, has established joint management teams for the hospitals for the next five-year-period. By doing so, we are ensuring both the high quality health services, provided by over 100 Turkish doctors and health professionals, and training the future local managers and staff of the hospitals.
Along with TİKA, our official development agency, Turkish NGOs have been one of the main instruments of Turkish development assistance towards African countries. Turkish doctors, as volunteers, have taken part in numerous health screening campaigns, organized by Turkish NGOs over 20 countries across the continent. Over a quarter million Africans have undergone health screenings and tens of thousands of them received free cataract surgeries, which enabled them to see their loved ones again, and for the first time in some cases.