April 3, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report
Five Days And No Direction, MPs Point Fingers At President Farmaajo
03 April – Source: Goobjoog News – 311 Words
President Mohamed Farmaajo’s efforts to calm down political situation on Saturday appears not to have borne much fruit, as MPs are now accusing him of sitting back four days after, a politically charged session of the Lower House was put off last minute. Opposition MPs, allied to Speaker Mohamed Jawari, on Monday evening said, since the suspension of the session on Friday, there was no progress to address the political stand-off.
“We are where we were last Saturday,” Ahmed Fiqi (MP) said. “The President stepped in three weeks later, but we are back to square one again.” The lawmaker added ‘We are now questioning his responsibility to handle this issue. There is much more effort needed now more then before.” Tension is still high in the country but, we hope to resolve this matter in accordance with the law, the MP added.
The MPs’ remarks come days after President Farmaajo, called for suspension of the sitting last Friday, as Jawari and his first deputy Mr. Ibrahim Mudey, declared they would convene the session, but each with a different item for debate. Meanwhile, MPs in support of the motion against Jawari said they would table it Wednesday (tomorrow).
The statements from the opposition MPs, yesterday point to a problem postponed but, not addressed, despite Jawari’s pledge on Saturday, he would release a road map to implement the issues addressed with the President. It was not clear the dispute was going to be resolved after the session was suspended, as there was no information on the way forward.
In what could signify subtle tension in Villa Hargeisa (which houses Lower House leadership), Mr. Mudey yesterday said, he was temporarily stopping House Secretary General Abdikarim Buuh accusing him of ‘political involvement’ in the ongoing dispute. Mr. Buuh has since dismissed Mr. Mudey’s move noting the deputy speaker does not have powers to stop his work.
Key Headlines
- Five Days And No Direction MPs Point Fingers At President Farmaajo (Goobjoog News)
- Deputy PM Meets With UN Deputy Special Representative De Clercq (Radio Muqdisho)
- Jubbaland Sets Up Task Force To Solve Land Problems (Halbeeg News)
- At Least 7 Killed In Landmine Attack In Central Somalia (Xinhua)
- AU Mission In Somalia Reviews Its ICT Capabilities To Enhance Effectiveness (AMISOM)
- Revealed: How Corrupt Police Officers Abet Smuggling Of Sugar From Somalia (Standard Media)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Deputy PM Meets With UN Deputy Special Representative, De Clercq
03 April – Source: Radio Muqdisho – 159 Words
Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister His Excellency Mahdi Mohamed Guleid received at his office the United Nations Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Peter De Clercq. The two officials discussed a wide range of issues including drought in the country and enhancing UN development projects in the country.
Mr. De Clercq briefed the Deputy Prime Minister on the humanitarian relief projects the United Nations is undertaking in the country. After the end of the meeting, Mr. Mahdi, briefly spoke to the press and said, that their discussion focused on addressing the recurring drought in the region and intensifying the humanitarian projects.
He added that he shared with the UN official about his government’s willingness to ensure that aid reaches to the intended people and to efficiently execute humanitarian projects and donations received in the name of Somalia. The meeting ended well and it is part of the government efforts in search of good governance and social justice, he concluded.
Jubbaland Sets Up Task Force To Solve Land Problems
03 April – Source: Halbeeg News – 183 Words
Jubbaland state has established Land Management Board for the first time since the state was formed five years ago. In a meeting which convened officials from the state’s Ministries for land and planning, Jubbaland Deputy President, Abdikadir Luga-Dhere has appointed seven-member Board which will operate as an interim.
The board’s main function is management and administration of public land on behalf of the state. They will work on the cases relating to land disputes which have been increasing since recently. Jubbaland’s State Minister for Presidency, Ahmed Hassan who read the outcome statement of the meeting said the board will play very important role in stopping public land grabbing.
The Minister said Jubbaland wants to formulate and coordinate all activities concerning land and to ensure putting place a proper administration throughout the state. Among issues discussed in the meeting are protection of public utility and facility such as the government premises and open public spaces. For a long time in Kismayo, there has been concerns about grabbing of public land and cartels who operate on ownership documents to illegally obtain land from the owners.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
At Least 7 Killed In Landmine Attack In Central Somalia
03 April – Source: Xinhua – 173 Words
At least seven people including six members of an extended family were killed in a roadside blast in Bula-burte district in Hiraan region of central Somalia on Monday. Abdi Dahir Gure, Bula-burte District Commissioner, confirmed the incident, saying a father and mother including their four children were among those killed in the latest landmine attack by al-Shabab militants.
“Landmine explosion which occurred near Bula-burte town today killed seven people; six of them were members of the same family. The family was carrying four children who were suffering from measles and were heading to the town,” Gure said. He said the insurgents who had planted the landmine on the road were targeting a convoy of army vehicles using the road.
No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack but al-Shabab militants often stage such roadside attacks as part of efforts to dislodge the Western-backed government from power. The latest incidents occurred amid heavy fighting between the militants and Somalia National Army backed by the African Union peacekeeping troops in Bula-burte since Sunday night.
AU Mission In Somalia Reviews Its ICT Capabilities To Enhance Effectiveness
02 April – Source: AMISOM – 275 Words
A team of Information, Communications and Technology Services executives from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), are undertaking a technical and asset review exercise for the Mission’s ICT infrastructure. The three-day review workshop, which opened today, aims to improve communication systems and secure networks in the Force.
The AU Mission’s Deputy Force Commander In-charge of Operations and Planning Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai, told the group of 39 Mission personnel, that the review must ensure a “collated projection of the Force”.“For any peace support operations to function effectively, or any other operation, military command, and control depends on a complex communication network of equipment, personnel and communication protocols to relay information among forces,” he said in his opening remarks.
While highlighting the importance of information and communication technology, in the success of any peacekeeping mission, he called for more robust methods of communications, that adequately addresses the needs of the Force and strengthens its effectiveness. “And this calls for well-established communication systems that enhance cohesive, flexible and secure communication networks,” emphasized the Deputy Force Commander.
Other than deliberating on information sharing and the Mission’s communications needs, the three-day workshop, which is supported by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), will evaluate and identify gaps that may impede the AU Mission’s work.
UNSOS’ support to AMISOM includes the provision of and management of Information Communication Technology facilities and equipment. The equipment provided by UNSOS range from secure email facilities, radio communication equipment, internet connectivity, satellite phones, asset management and maintenance of the communication infrastructure.
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“And as a consequence of illegal imports of arms and ammunition, banditry has remained rampant in the region for many years. Further, the illegal trade in charcoal and sugar is believed to be funding the activities of Al Shabaab. Abdiraman Hussein, a member of Peace Committee in Wajir, says the smugglers also bring in firearms and ammunition hidden underneath the smuggled foodstuff”
Revealed: How Corrupt Police Officers Abet Smuggling Of Sugar From Somalia
03 April – Source: Standard Media – 1417 Words
On the night of March 22 this year, a convoy of ten 25-tonne trucks carrying sugar smuggled from Somalia was stopped by Kenya Police Reservists (KPRs) on a smugglers’ route in Wajir East constituency. A stand-off ensued after the drivers and loaders refused to open the cabin doors as they made frantic phone calls.
The eight KPRs stood their ground and refused to let the vehicles leave. But not long after they received a phone call, reportedly from a senior police officer, that made them change their minds. The truck drivers, it emerged, contacted a notorious smuggler who enjoys the protection of local officials and secured the intervention of the senior police officer. The Standard has obtained an audio clip of the telephone conversation in which the officer is heard instructing the KPRs to negotiate with the smugglers and let the vehicles through. “Elewana na huyo mtu na uache hizo magari (reach a agreement with the smuggler and let the vehicles through),” said the senior officer.
One of the KPRs said they were ordered not to interfere with the convoy. A smuggler in a refugee camp who spoke on condition of anonymity said about 60 lorries, each carrying 500 sacks of sugar (each weighing 50kg) cross the Kenya-Somali border at Dobley every week. Usually, the trucks, popularly known as ‘miguu kumi’ (10 wheels), ferrying sugar and other contraband come from Diif, Somalia, some 40km from the border.
The cartels use 165km of dirt road routes from Diif-Ibrahim Ure-Hambalash-Wajir town of Wajir South, and in Wajir East. Konton-Riba-Qarsa-Riba-Wajir (185km). A two-week investigation by this reporter established other popular sugar smuggling routes are the border towns of Liboi, Mandera, El Wak and Hullugho. “We don’t know what these vehicles are carrying. They may be transporting arms and even facilitating the crossing over of terror operatives,” said one of the KPRs. The Government has posted an additional 200 KPRs in centres along the porous Kenyan-Somalia border to beef up security but such interference by senior Government officials has undermined their operations.
Sugar smuggling is a multi-billion-shilling business. High-level connections with the security apparatus, politicians and other institutions has ensured a thriving and untouchable syndicate. Once the trucks loaded with smuggled goods get to the border, the Kenyan dealers, who have established illicit relationships with Government officers and security agents, intercede. Five cartels led by a Hassan control the Wajir market. They pay the officials huge bribes so the trucks are allowed to cross the border.
TOP TWEETS
@prt_cluster_som: The Somalia HCT’s Centrality of Protection Strategy identifies three key protection risks/threats for 2018-2019: exclusion from assistance and decision making processes, displacement and its impact on those affected, and conflict-related violence. #SustainSomaliSupport
@Goobjoognews: #Somali National Army 32nd Engineering Battalion undergo Combat Engineering Course conducted by@EUTMSomalia in #Mogadishu
@JGuehenno: Productive consultations on financing of AMISOM in Mogadishu. President Farmajo expressed to @Lamamra_dz & myself strong commitment to restoring Somali sovereignty through effective reform of security sector in Somalia@TheVillaSomalia @UN @_AfricanUnion
@US2SOMALIA: “United States @SenJeffMerkley met with Somali President @M_Farmaajo in #Mogadishu during the Senator’s recent trip to #Somalia
@SomalilandYPEER: Launching event for Justice and Human Rights Civil Society National Forum. Hodan Saed Derie was elected forum Focal Point and Mohamoud Sulaiman Abdilahi Secretary. #JusticeandHumanRightsForum
@engyarisow: Thanks to #Mogadishu residents who paid all the $42.5m domestic revenues that Fed Govt of #Somalia raised in 1st quarter of 2018.
@MOALIMUU: When our leaders behave like this way, it seems that they have quickly forgotten the carnage,suffering, pain & agony that Somalis went through for past decades.We are concerned with the deepening sense of anxiety, mistrust & political intolerance.Time will tell what everybody is.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohamed Guleid, received at his office the UN Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Peter De Clercq.
Photo: @DalsanFM