November 28, 2017 | Morning Headlines

Somalia: President Farmaajo Jets Off To Kenya

27 November – Source: Garowe Online – 142 Words

A high-level delegation led by Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has departed from Mogadishu on Monday to Nairobi, Kenya, Garowe Online reports. President Farmaajo accompanied by Ministers, MPs and top government officials will attend the swearing-in of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday, with many heads of state from the Africa.

President Kenyatta will be sworn in for a second term in office Tomorrow following the victory of October 26 repeat presidential election that was upheld by Kenya’s Supreme Court November 20. Kenyan is one of the East African countries contributed troops to the UN-mandated AU mission in Somalia, that is helping Somali Federal Government in the decade-long fight against Al-Shabaab. At the end of Uhuru’s inauguration in Nairobi, President Farmaajo would proceed to Ivory Coast for two-day EU-Africa Summit scheduled to start in Abidjan on 28th and concluded on the 29th November.

Key Headlines

• Somalia: President Farmaajo Jets Off To Kenya (Garowe Online)
• Galmudug And Ahlu Sunna Talks To Kick Off In Djibouti (Hiiraan Online)
• Japan Boosts UNICEF’s Relief Efforts In Somalia With $3 Million Grant (Goobjoog News)
• US Targets IS In Somalia Airstrike (Voice of America)
• An Open Letter To President Elect Muse Bihi (Wardheer News)

NATIONAL  MEDIA

Galmudug And Ahlu Sunna Talks To Kick Off In Djibouti

27 November – Source: Hiiraan Online – 173 Words

The second phase of IGAD brokered peace talks between Galmudug state and Ahlu-Sunna Wal Jama’a will be opening on Monday in Djibouti. A delegation led by Galmudug President, Ahmed Duale Haaf on Sunday reached Djibouti ahead of possible power-sharing talks. During these talks, sides are expected to ratify a lasting peace pact aiming at uniting the factions in central Somali regions following years of repeated disputes.

Moderate Islamists of Ahlu-Sunna leader has arrived in Djibouti in preparations for the forthcoming meetings with the Galmudug side. Somali government is also expected to send officials from Interior Ministry who will be attend  at the meeting. The meeting comes barely a week after similar one was held in Nairobi city, ending successfully. Somali government had several times held talks for the sides to bury the hatchets but, collapsed following tough conditions presented by the two sides. Ahlu-Sunna which controls  Dhusamareb, the designated capital of Galmudug wants equal power sharing process with the Galmudug administration Galmudug and Ahlu Sunna had engaged in violent clashes in the past.

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Japan Boosts UNICEF’s Relief Efforts In Somalia With $3 Million Grant

27 November – Source: Goobjoog News – 243 Words

UNICEF’s efforts of providing lifesaving support to women and children in Somalia hit by the ongoing drought got a lift today, with a $3 million grant from the Japanese government. The UN children’s agency said Monday, the funds will benefit 176,000 people over six months and allow it to sustain and upscale its emergency sanitation and hygiene work in settlements for thousands of displaced people, and those affected by Acute Watery Diarrhoea/cholera.

UNICEF country representative Mr. Steven Lauwerier hailed the contribution as critical in bolstering relief efforts and stemming the tide of the drought. “The humanitarian crisis in Somalia is far from over and children remain at serious risk,” Mr. Lauwerier said. “The generous funding from the Japanese government is crucial, to ensure we can maintain our responses to the ongoing drought by saving lives, treating the sick and malnourished and also, preventing the spread of disease through providing clean water and sanitation.

The donation follows a similar one last week from the Chinese government which gave UNICEF $2 million US dollars and supplies. UNICEF said, at least 232,000 children are exposed to life threatening severe acute malnutrition over the next year but, noted the funding would go a long way in conducting screening for early detection of malnutrition, besides procuring life saving therapeutic food. More than 75,000 people were affected by Acute Watery Diarrhea/Cholera this year and UNICEF is warning of a possible resurgence during the rains.
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INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

US Targets IS In Somalia Airstrike

27 November – Source: Voice Of America (VOA) – 150 Words

One terrorist was killed in a targeted airstrike in Somalia conducted by U.S. forces in coordination with Somalia’s government, the U.S. military said Monday. The strike against Islamic State fighters was carried out around 3pmlocal time on Monday in northeastern Somalia, U.S. Africa Command said in a statement. “U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect U.S. citizens and to disable terrorist threats. This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) in combined counterterrorism operations and targeting terrorists, their training camps, and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the region,” the statement read.

Monday’s strike brings the total number of U.S. airstrikes in Somalia this year to 30 – 28 of them having been carried out against Al-Shabab. It is the second targeted at Islamic State fighters, the first having been carried out earlier this month.

OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE

“Take your time, choose a capable team who will serve the people and have their interest in the heart. When selecting your team ask yourself, do they have what it takes to hold so and so office, what are their interests, do they believe in the nation and so forth. Don’t nominate based on he or she was with you all along, a Sultan or Aqil has recommended or simply he/she deserves the job. All should be selected on merit base.”

An Open Letter To President Elect Muse Bihi

27 November – Source: Wardheere News – 2058 Words

Dear Mr. President, let me first extend my heartfelt congratulations to your historic victory.  May Allah ease the responsibility you took and guide you throughout your journey. You might be exhausted and out of energy because of months of long campaigns for both the presidency and party’s nomination. however, without a pause and resting, you are starting a new long journey that bears both challenges and opportunities.The people of Somaliland have spoken with their vote and elected you as the 5th president of this nation with an optimistic of hope and prosperity that manifested throughout your campaign. It’s time to lead the country and to live up the campaign promises with clear and communicable strategies that leaves no fellow Somalilanders behind. The history of your government has just started, everything you say, every step you take matters now and above all measured with the promises made during the campaign.  While I am not a politician or have no experience to advise you, nonetheless, I felt the urge to give you my humble advice on issues that I feel are truly important and might want your urgent attention in early time of your tenure in the office. Mr. President here are my simple advices to you.

Understandably, people of Somaliland are divided after months of campaigning, some have supported your candidacy while others did not. But, despite their party affiliation, you are now the president for all. Unfortunately, there were issues of negative campaigning, against the will of all the parties, in many instance, damaging campaign messages that includes cliquishness have been used which has done more harm than good.   It is time to heal these wounds and I encourage you, in your first order of business to be uniting the people. Another major issue your administration can take forward is a campaign reform, especially setting policies, laws and guidelines that prevents negative, ethnic line provocative campaigning. This. I view this as a major disease that if not cured early will have unwanted consequences. Therefore, in collaboration with other parties, I feel the importance of finding a lasting solution to this widespread malady before next campaign nocks around.

In most of the world’s democracies, the pieces of a newly elected government are already in place in the form of a shadow cabinet whose members have been serving as the campaign teams, contributors, advisors and all other people who helped put the new president in the office in one way or another. When a new leader takes office, members of the new cabinet are immediately available. I strongly advise you against this. Take your time, choose a capable team who will serve the people and have their interest in the heart. When selecting your team ask yourself, do they have what it takes to hold so and so office, what are their interests, do they believe in the nation and so forth. Don’t nominate based on he or she was with you all along, a Sultan or Aqil has recommended or simply he/she deserves the job. All should be selected on merit base.

You may be widely acquainted with the typical denizens of a cabinet but the new president’s first challenge, between election day and inauguration day, is to select his team to serve in his cabinet and as his top advisors and staff. The cabinet includes the ministers and an assortment of other top echelon jobs. At all cost, avoid to follow our traditional way of putting people together.  For those on the inside of the selection process, noted Martin Anderson in Revolution: The Reagan Legacy, the transition is a time of “delicious chaos.” You and your team may think you have really won and rub your eyes in wonderment. That feeling is natural but what is unnatural is if that feeling overtakes you and your team. For those on the outside, including other parties who lost the election, the press and the population will closely follow your first order of business and selection process. The selection process particularly, is a complicated business, largely conducted behind closed doors. Yet the selection of these individuals determines, in large measure, the initial success and lingering impression of each presidency. An orderly transition shows any presidency predisposed for success. But personnel mistakes, sometimes serious errors, can and have plagued presidents even before they took office.

Don’t assume I am only discoursing the cabinet and advisors’ positions. in fact, equal important positions usual given less attention are the governors. for unknown reasons, it seems previous administrations have not given adequate scrutiny to gubernatorial positions. I think they are as important as cabinet position if not more important.   I strongly advise you to give equal attention as to that of your cabinet and nominate capable technocrats for they are your extended arm and representatives. Select them wisely and consider people with know-how, knowledge in the context and first-class leadership skills. Remember – governors are your reflection. Local people will see you based on how your governors are.