October 12, 2017 | Daily Monitoring Report
Let’s Focus On Recovery Of The Country, President Mohamed Farmaajo Tells State Leaders
12 October – Source: Goobjoog News – 280 Words
The federal government on Wednesday evening rebuked state presidents of their demands highlighting the 16 point communique, noting efforts must be focused on the country’s recovery process. Both President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamoud Farmaajo and Prime Minister Hassan Kheyre said, the country is moving forward and that any challenges must be addressed through dialogue ‘while remaining faithful to the constitution’. I want to remind you all that we must acknowledge that our country is on the path of recovery, and the only way we can achieve full recovery is through cooperation,” the president said in a statement. “We must therefore all strive for the good of this country, and be truthful to the oath that we all took, to put the country first.”
The President’s response follows a raft of demands and concerns raised by the state leaders, which they capped with the formation of the Council of Interstate Cooperation, a forum bringing together all the regional state leaders. The leaders had among others accused the federal government of unilateral decisions that impacts regional states. Citing article 53 of the Provisional Constitution, the leaders said the Federal Government must consult the regional states on critical issues that impacts them.
Without citing the Gulf issue which most of the states have fallen out with Mogadishu’s position, the leaders said it’s in the best interest of the regions that the federal government consults with them. But Prime Minister Hassan Kheye said criticism must not be motivated by personal interests. “It is important that criticism should not be based on personal interest; criticism that destroys the light of life we got. I am telling all Somalis, Somalia is moving forward and will not go back again.”
Key Headlines
- Let’s Focus On Recovery Of The Country President Mohamed Farmaajo Tells State Leaders (Goobjoog News)
- Security Forces Nab Suspects Over Elder’s Killing (Garowe Online)
- State Governments Demand More Share In International Aid (Goobjoog News)
- Somalia: Spanish Sailors Provide Training To Galmadug Coast Guards (All Africa News)
- Somali Musician Kept from US Internship Blames Trump Travel Ban (Voice of America)
- Somalia’s Political Divide A Threat To Security (African Independence)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Security Forces Nab Suspects Over Elder’s Killing
12 October – Source: Garowe Online – 158 Words
The Security forces of Somalia’s Federal Government have on Thursday nabbed Al-Shabaab suspects in connection with the murder of a prominent elder. The security officials said that the troops captured three young men believed to be militants during a special operation in the capital as they were driving a luxury car belonging to the slain traditional elder. The elder identified as Abdi Nunow was shot dead at Hawo Abdi settlement last Monday evening, and his vehicle confiscated by armed men while traveling from Mogadishu en-route to his residence.
The late Mr. Nunow was one of the former electoral delegates involved in the voting of the country’s current serving Federal Parliament Members. No group has so far claimed the responsibility for his assassination. Al-Shabaab, the Al Qaeda-linked Somalia-based Militant group has in the past killed many Somali elders in the capital and elsewhere, in the Horn of Africa country as part of its fight against the government.
State Governments Demand More Share In International Aid
12 October – Source: Goobjoog News – 275 Words
We control 90% of the country and 80% of the problems in our country is in the regions, but we receive less than 5% of international assistance coming into the country, federal member state leaders on Wednesday told the Federal Government. In a 16 point communique, the leaders accused Mogadishu, holding on to aid from international donors despite what they termed as the federal government’s limited responsibilities.
The leaders who had been meeting in Kismayo said the federal government should reconsider its international assistance distribution to ensure a fair share among the federal member states. They cited the pledge by Turkey in 2016 to construct 10,000 housing units for poor families in Mogadishu noting none of the regions stands to benefit from the same. To push for a coordinated negotiation with the Federal Government, the leaders announced the formation of the Council of Interstate Cooperation (CIC) drawing membership from the five states namely Galmudug, Puntland, Jubbaland, South West and HirShabelle. Puntland President, Ali Gaas, was elected the first chairman and HirShabelle President Mohamed Waare as the deputy.
The CIC agreed that the leadership shall be rotational running for a term of one year and the deputy chair becomes the next term’s president. In response to the development, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo was critical at the leaders’ demands calling for cooperation, while reminding the leaders the country is still in a recovery state. “I want to remind you all that we must acknowledge that our country is on the path to recovery, and the only way we can achieve full recovery is through cooperation.” He also called for dialogue while remaining faithful to the constitution.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia: Spanish Sailors Provide Training To Galmadug Coast Guards
12 October – Source: All Africa News – 182 Words
Operation Atalanta sailors have been working alongside the Galmadug Coast Guard (GCG) to offer medical and security training on board EU Naval Force ship ESPS Rayo. The local interaction with the GCG saw the Spanish sailors providing both medical and security training to the GCG in order to strengthen maritime security in the region. The two teams then got to work on engine maintenance drills before meeting with local Security Forces.
Working closely with regional partners like the GCG helps to improve maritime alliances and create a safer environment for all seafarers transiting through the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. However, the threat from pirate groups remains so EU NAVFOR continues to advise mariners to remain vigilant and ready. Furthermore it is vitally important that mariners report all suspicious sightings and incidents, at the time they observe them, to UKMTO. However, the threat from pirate groups remains so EU NAVFOR continues to advise mariners to remain vigilant and ready. Furthermore it is vitally important that mariners report all suspicious sightings and incidents, at the time they observe them, to UKMTO
Somali Musician, Kept from US Internship, Blames Trump Travel Ban
11 October – Source: Voice of America – 784 Words
The Somali musician Hassan-Nour Sayid known by his stage name, Aar Maanta and his band, the Urban Nomads, were supposed to be in Minnesota last week, where they were to kick off a monthlong internship of performances and workshops set up through the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis.
Visa delays, however, have led to the cancellation of the event, and Aar told VOA he thinks it is because the Trump administration has delayed his visa to come to the U.S. because he is Muslim and Somali. “After months of planning these peaceful events, I was expecting only the inevitable reasons could bring them to a disappointing halt, but now I think it is because of being Muslim and Somali. Why I was discriminated and singled out in the visa process,” Aar told VOA Somali. “I blame the current U.S. government.”
Aar is a respected and well-known band leader, with dual citizenship in Somalia and Britain, though he says these qualifications did not help him get a U.S. visa “easily and on time.” “My four other colleagues musicians in the band are Italian, French, Nepalese-Scottish and British-Caribbean, and all received their visas with no trouble. Only me. I think it is because I am the band’s sole Somali and Muslim member,” he said.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“But the problems between the central government and the federal states were exacerbated following the latest Gulf crisis between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and non-Gulf country Egypt on one side and Qatar on the other,”
Somalia’s Political Divide A Threat To Security
12 October – Source: African Independence – 426 Words
Somalia has been battling a bloody insurgency against Al-Shabaab militants which has threatened the country’s security and stability but the political divide between the central government and federal states is also undermining the East African country politically. “The battle against Al Shabaab is going well and the government has projected that within the next two years they will be defeated. However, that remains to be seen as foreign influence is exacerbating the situation,” Abdiaziz Abdilahi, a Somali MP and Chairperson of the Pan African Parliament’s (PAP) Eastern Caucus, said on Wednesday.
“The political challenges facing Somalia centre around constitutional issues,” Abdilahi told the African News Agency (ANA) during an interview at the Fifth Ordinary Session of PAP’s Fourth Parliament at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. There is a lack of harmony between the central government and the federal states and there is no legislation in place to harmonise the responsibilities of the two sides which would be outlined in a constitution, Abdilahi explained.
However, before a constitution can be formulated the two sides would have to come together to reach a consensus and that is not happening due to the volatile situation. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was sworn in, in February, marking the Horn of Africa’s first fully functioning central government in a quarter-century. “But the problems between the central government and the federal states were exacerbated following the latest Gulf crisis between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and non-Gulf country Egypt on one side and Qatar on the other,” explained Abdilahi.
The federal states are siding with KSA and its allies while according to reports the central government is siding with Qatar even though it’s meant to be neutral. KSA and its allies want to open military bases in Somalia for strategic purposes. Somalia is situated near the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which are close to Yemen, where Riyadh is leading a coalition in support of the Yemeni Government in a war against Houthi rebels.
Turning to the Somali military’s fight against Al Shabaab extremists, the Somali MP said there were rumours circulating that Kenyan troops, from the African Union Mission in Somalia, might be pulling out of Kumayo near the Kenyan border. “This would leave all the fighting to fall on the shoulders of the Somali Army. But the main issue would be a gap that Al-Shabaab could exploit if the pullout is done without a timetable and coordination with Somalia which would need to reinforce the area militarily,” said Abdilahi.
TOP TWEETS
.@TheVillaSomalia: President @M_Farmaajo calls for unity to achieve the hope of peace and progress for our people.
.@HarunMaruf: #Somalia commemorates 63rd anniversary of the National Flag Day (12 October 1954). Background reading >> http://somali-studies.com/
.@adancabdulle: Security forces haven’t been paid for the past 3 months. Civil servants haven’t been paid for past 8 months
.@engyarisow: #Somalia celebrated the 63rd inauguration of Somali National flag Day
.@Goobjoognews: LET’S FOCUS on recovery of the country, President Farmaajo tells state leaders –
.@jreberlein: Are you between 18 and 30 years old and passionate about the #GlobalGoals? Join the next class of#UNYoungLeaders! http://sdgyoungleaders.org
.@DalsanFM: I Will Not Be Cowed, Khaire Tells Off Critics –http://radiodalsan.com/en/i-
.@joaoscarpelini: #SomaliYouth #innovators meet during the#Innov4Som camp to find social & economic solutions for#Somalia! http://bit.ly/2gsAoe5
@IOM_Somalia: 1 yr ago, Noor lost everything as he fled war-torn Yemen. Today he runs a business in Kismayo:https://goo.gl/LJqLk8 . Thanks @KSRelief_EN!
@africaupdate: Communique of Kismayo leadership forum meeting. #Somalia cc:@HarunMaruf
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre with Speaker of the House Mohamed Osman Jawaari and other government officials at the National Flag celebration event in Mogadishu last night.
Photo: @SomaliPM