December 1, 2017 | Morning Headlines

First 2,400 Troops From Puntland Integration Into Somali National Army

30 November – Source: Goobjoog News – 199 Words

The first batch of 2,400 troops from the federal member states were today integrated into the National Army. The 2,400 darwish troops from Puntland officially joined the national army in a ceremony held in the 54th camp of the Puntland forces in Garowe. Puntland Deputy President Mr. Abdihakim Abdullahi Amay said, the integration was the beginning of an exercise which had taken a long time to be implemented. “This process has taken a long time but finally it has started. The Federal Government will be responsible for paying their salaries and all other needs.” said Amay.

Federal government state Minister of Defense Mr. Mohamed Ali Hagaa, called on the new troops to do their best in defending the country. “Today is the beginning of integration starting with Puntland. You have to double your efforts to fight against the enemy.”Also in attendance was Military Chief Mr. Sa’id Mohamed Hersi. The troops integration plan started in the 2015 under the Gulwade plan, which aimed at integrating regional forces into the national army to strengthen and build the force. The newly adopted National Security Architecture provides that each regional state to contribute 3,000 troops to the  national army.

Key Headlines

• First 2400 Troops From Puntland Integration Into Somali National Army (Goobjoog News)
• Somali Government Forces Ambush Al-Shabaab Bases Near Qoryoley Town (Radio Shabelle News)
• The Federal Government of Somalia Introduces New System Of Army Payroll (SONNA)
• Death Toll From October Somalia Truck Bomb Now 512 (Middle Eastern Monitor)
• Somalia: Humanitarian Needs Growing And Increasingly Severe (Relief Web)

NATIONAL  MEDIA

Somali Government Forces Ambush Al-Shabaab Bases Near Qoryoley Town

30 November – Source: Radio Shabelle News – 99 Words

A Somali Police officer says government forces have launched an overnight assault against Al- Shabaab bases on the outskirts of Qoryoley district, in Lower Shabelle region. Confirming the incident, Qoryoley district Police commissioner Mr. Ali Mohamed Aden said the Somali National Army troops regained control of the area after overpowering the militants. Mr. Aden stated that one Al-Shabaab militant was captured alive during the clashes. Al-Shabaab is yet to comment on the Police claim. Qoryole is an agriculture-rich town located about 120Km northwest of Mogadishu, was recaptured by Somali and AMISOM soldiers in 2014 after flushing out the militants.

---

The Federal Government of Somalia Introduces New System Of Army Payroll

30 November – Source: Somali National News Agency (SONNA) – 144 Words

The Finance Minister of the Federal Republic of Somali Government, Mr Abdirahman Du’ale Beyle has opened a new system of registering Somali National Army (SNA), which is first time in the history of Somali soldiers to get their salary through account. The registration of National Army forces started 30th November 2017, with the military forces especially those who are in the state house, and this may increase the moral of brave men and women of SNA.

Somali National Army commanders who spoke to (SONNA) said that, this new system will change a lot in the government salary paying method. The reason behind the introduction of this new system is to change former system which was to pay with cash. Somali Federal Government is improving to stop corruption, and the new method which is introduced by the Ministry of Finance is part of government achievements.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Death Toll From October Somalia Truck Bomb Now 512

30 November – Source: Middle East Monitor – 315 Words

More than 500 people were killed in twin bomb blasts in Mogadishu in October, a Somali committee looking into the attack said today, raising the death toll from at least 358. In the incidents on 14 October, a truck bomb exploded outside a busy hotel at the K5 intersection lined with government offices, restaurants and kiosks. A second blast struck Medina district two hours later. The impact of the truck bomb was worsened by it exploding next to a fuel tanker that increased its intensity and left many bodies being burnt or mutilated beyond recognition. By 20 October, the government said the death toll had reached 358. It set up a committee, known as the Zobe Rescue Committee, to establish a more accurate death toll by talking to relatives of those who may have been at the site of the blasts. “So far we have confirmed 512 people died in last month’s explosion … [Some] 316 others were also injured in that blast,” Abdullahi Mohamed Shirwac, the committee’s chairman, told Reuters. There was no immediate comment from the government on the latest toll.

The bomber responsible for the attack was identified as a former Somali soldier whose home town was raided by the United States, the Guardian revealed in a special investigative report yesterday. The bomb attacks were the deadliest since Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab began an insurgency in 2007. Al-Shabaab has not claimed responsibility, but the method and type of attack – a large truck bomb – is increasingly used by the Al-Qaeda-linked organisation. Al-Shabaab stages regular attacks in the capital and other parts of the country. Although the group says it targets the government and security forces, it has detonated large bombs in crowded public areas before. It has sometimes not claimed responsibility for bombings that provoked a big public backlash, such as the 2009 suicide bombing of a graduation ceremony for medical students.

OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE

“The serious and persisting humanitarian situation requires a simultaneous and complementary effort to address the underlying causes to recurring crises, including food insecurity and mass displacement. The ongoing Drought Impact Needs Assessment and development of a Recovery and Resilience Framework provide a link between the humanitarian response and necessary investments in resilience.”

Somalia: Humanitarian Needs Growing And Increasingly Severe

30 November – Source: Relief Web  – 601 Words

Unprecedented drought, spanning at least four consecutive poor rainy seasons, has resulted in severe and growing humanitarian needs across Somalia, according to the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) released today by the Somalia Humanitarian Country Team.  Humanitarian needs are on the rise due to limited rain, displacement, lack of access to basic services and continuing conflict, the group’s release. In 2018, 6.2 million people, half of the population of Somalia, will need humanitarian assistance and protection. Some 3.3 million of these will require urgent life-saving assistance due to a combination of a vulnerabilities resulting from drought-induced displacement, conflict and limited access to basic services. More than one-third of those in need are internally displaced persons (IDPs). This includes 866,000 people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) as of November 2017, reflecting a sharp spike in the number of most vulnerable people, up from 83,000 people in Emergency in January 2017.

Malnutrition rates are on the rise, with the overall median prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate at 17.4 per cent, significantly above the emergency threshold of 15 per cent. This reflects a serious deterioration in the humanitarian situation compared to late 2015, when the overall median prevalence of GAM was at 12.2 per cent. Over one million people have been displaced due to drought and conflict since January 2017, mainly from rural areas to urban centres. The estimated number of displaced in Somalia is now above two million. With the current Deyr season (October – December) having started late and generally performing below average marks a fourth failed rainy season. The long-term forecast of a below-average Gu season from April to June 2018, the prospects for relief are grim. “Drought and conflict have continued to be the principal drivers of humanitarian needs in Somalia, with the civilian population in many parts of the country exposed to significant protection risks that threaten life, dignity and wellbeing on a daily basis,” said Peter de Clercq, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. “Alongside providing life-saving assistance, reducing emergency levels of acute malnutrition, reinforcing provision of resilience support; the centrality of protection will inform our response strategy for next year,” he added calling for collective Somali and international efforts to support the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan once it is launched early next year.

“The 2018 Somalia HNO reflects the federal, state and regional level authorities’ and the humanitarian community’s collective and shared understanding of the crisis, including the most pressing humanitarian needs and estimated number of people who require assistance,” said Elmi Omar Eynsane, the deputy Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. “The 2018 HNO was a Somali-driven process and a culmination of a wide consultative exercise, including the voices of authorities and affected communities in Somalia and we are confident that it provides the evidence base to inform the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan and the baseline for monitoring and accountability systems.” The Somalia HNO draws from multiple sectoral assessments, including multi-sector needs assessment which involved consultations with affected communities, authorities at all levels and humanitarian partners in Somalia ensuring that the priorities and concerns of each of these sectors guide the overall humanitarian response in 2018. The HNO identifies priority needs to support informed strategic planning and resource mobilization for the Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan for 2018. The serious and persisting humanitarian situation requires a simultaneous and complementary effort to address the underlying causes to recurring crises, including food insecurity and mass displacement. The ongoing Drought Impact Needs Assessment and development of a Recovery and Resilience Framework provide a link between the humanitarian response and necessary investments in resilience.