September 15, 2017 | Morning Headlines
Gulf Crisis Costing Somalia Revenue And Investment – UN
14 September – Source: Goobjoog News – 382 Words
The ongoing Gulf crisis has adversely affected Somalia’s prospects of investment and revenue from Gulf countries, the UN has warned calling on the international community to shore up support to the Horn of Africa country to stem further effects. Addressing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Special Representative of the Secretary General Michael Keating said crisis now in its third month was having a heavy toll on Somalia which sought to maintain a neutral stand. “The crisis in relations between Gulf countries has had an impact on Somalia. Anticipated investments and revenue streams have not been forthcoming, and the Federal Government’s declaration of neutrality, while receiving widespread support, has not gone down well with certain constituencies,” said Keating.Keating called on the international community increase its support ‘to protect Somalia from the potentially destabilising effects of geopolitical rivalries.’ Somalia announced its neutral stand in June even as most Muslim African countries declared allegiance to Saudi Arabia. In its 2017 national budget, the government excluded an expected $5 million budget support entry from Saudi Arabia, an indicator the country was readying itself for the price of neutrality.
Livestock farmers export up to 5 million lives animals to the Gulf region which saw them pocket $384 million in 2015. However a ban on livestock exports to the Gulf came before the current Gulf crisis.The UN chief in Somalia added the government’s neutral stand on the Gulf Crisis had also led to a strain in relations between state institutions.Debate has been raging in the country with calls on the Federal Government to reconsider its neutral stand and lend support to Saudi Arabia. The semi-autonomous region of Puntland announced last month it was breaking ranks with the Federal Government and aligning itself with Saudi Arabia over what it termed as security and economic effects. Keating also impressed upon the Security Council to bolster Somalia’s debt relief process noting the country’s access to revenues was crucial to finance the national development agenda.“A critical requirement will be raising revenues, whether from domestic sources or by accessing concessional finance. Advancing arrears clearance and reaching Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) decision point are essential and will require both the strengthening of public financial management and international action. The support of the Council could make a decisive difference.”
Key Headlines
- Gulf Crisis Costing Somalia Revenue And Investment – UN (Goobjoog News)
- Mogadishu Mayor Fires Municipality Finance Chief (Horn Observer)
- Government Tables Anti-Terrorism Bill And 7 Other Bills (Goobjoog News)
- Abu Dhabi Fund To Contribute $89m To Somalia Growth (Arabian Business)
- Somalia Is Getting Its First Tech Incubator (Disrupt Africa)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Mogadishu Mayor Fires Municipality Finance Chief
14 September – Source: Horn Observer – 153 Words
The Governor and the mayor of Mogadishu Thaabit Abdi Mohamed fired the municipality finance chief Abdikarim Iiman Jimcale over what the mayor described as mismanagement and turning down orders, according to official document obtained by Horn Observer. In a decree issued by the mayor, Mrs. Hamdi Ali Nor was nominated to replace the former Finance Chief Abdikarim iiman Jimale according to report.
The firing of the Finance Chief and his replacement follows after the deputy governor of Banadir region Maluuka Dheere Haji suspended Mr. Jimale. It is not clear if the justifications mentioned in the mayor’s official documents are enough to fire his the chief of finance. Furthermore, it is not also clear what the refusal of the orders mentioned in the official document means in terms of accountability. Mayor Thaabit has been replacing key positions in the municipality to loyalists, and analysts believe that this puts the whole accountability issue in question.
Government Tables Anti-Terrorism Bill And 7 Other Bills
13 September – Source: Goobjoog News – 96 Words
The government today table eight bills in the Lower House for debate among them the Anti-Terrorism and Media Act Amendment Bill 2017. The government also tabled its decision on the controversial extradition of the senior ONLF leader Abdikarim Muse ahead of debate on the matter in the House today. The other bills are as follows: Elementary, Secondary and Higher Education, Anti-Terrorism, Media Act Amendment, National Health, Statistics, Arms Control, Financial Management, and Water Resource Bills. Also presented to the House was the 2015/16 Budget Implementation Approval and the Prisoner Exchange Agreement between Somalia and India.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Abu Dhabi Fund To Contribute $89 Million To Somalia Growth
14 September – Source: Arabian Business – 165 Words
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has announced a contribution of AED 330 million ($89.8 million) to implement development projects and programmes in key sectors in Somalia, particularly infrastructure and transport. The funding underpins efforts to improve public services, create new job opportunities and ensure stability and social development, state news agency WAM reported on Wednesday.It said the contribution aims to help Somalia overcome the economic challenges it faces through financing sustainable projects which in turn promote socio-economic well being, alleviated living standards, long-term growth and prosperity.
ADFD said its support will stimulate construction efforts, expand and rehabilitate roads, build bridges and ultimately increase efficiency in the movement of goods and products across Somalia. Since its inception in 1971, ADFD has financed development projects valued at AED 80 billion in more than 80 countries around the world.The fund focuses on projects that are designed to enhance key sectors including renewable energy, transport, infrastructure, agriculture, mining, industry, health care, social services, housing, water and electricity.
Somalia Opens First Forensic Lab Dedicated To Rape Investigation
14 September – Source: VOA – Video: 2.9 Minutes
Somalia has opened its first forensic laboratory to process rape kits. Sexual assault is widespread in the country, according to human rights groups, but few victims come forward and few perpetrators are punished. The new forensic lab in Somalia’s Puntland region has been hailed as a step in the right direction, but a long road remains to end impunity for gender-based violence. Neha Wadekar reports for VOA from Garowe, Somalia.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“iRise might be Somalia’s first tech hub, but the country does already have an accelerator investing in local tech startups. Disrupt Africa reported in December last year three Somali startups shared US$15,000 in investment after coming out on top of a demo day that was the culmination of the inaugural Innovate Ventures accelerator programme,”
Somalia Is Getting Its First Tech Incubator
14 September – Source: Disrupt Africa – 333 Words
The doors are set to open at iRise, the first ever tech incubator and coworking space to be established in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. iRise, which will officially open this month, is a community-based innovation hub for Somali entrepreneurs, innovators, developers and investors to share ideas, connect and collaborate. It offers an enabling working environment to members, with access to a pool of professional mentors and a co-working space. A major part of iRise’s focus will be on research, with the hub to offer various consultancy services that include improving the quality of the data system through technology to help government, donors and aid agencies take more informed decisions.
It will also offer incubation and acceleration services, supporting new startups and entrepreneurs with trainings to help unleash their potential and launch business ideas into the market. Its incubation services focus primarily on sectors that fuels Somalia’s economic development, such as agricultural, fishery, education and ICT technology. Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Awil Osman told Disrupt Africa iRise’s goal was to develop the country’s tech sector. “Our mission is to nurture and bring together the tech talent in Mogadishu, and inspire them to create local solutions for local problems. On the other hand, we will also increase the competence of the local workforce by training and offering alternative solutions,” he said.