May 28, 2018 | Morning Headlines

Main Story

Somalia’s Chief Justice Sacked As Part Of Judicial Reform

27 May – Source: Hiiraan Online – 191 Words

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo dismissed the country’s Chief Justice on Sunday, according to a statement from the Office of the President. Mr. Hassan Ibrahim Idle Suleiman, who served as the Chief Justice for two years, was dismissed as part of President Farmaajo’s plan for judicial reform.

President Farmaajo named Mr. Bashe Yusuf Ahmed as his replacement. “In response to our pledge to provide transparent and equitable justice system, I have appointed Mr. Bashe Yusuf Ahmed as the Chief Justice of Somalia’s High Court,” said the President in a written statement. “I hope the new Chief Justice will faithfully fulfill his duties, ” he added..

The President called on the House of the People and the Somali government to complete composition of the Judicial Service Commission and to adopt the provisional constitution as well as the legal framework for judicial services, in order to reform the country’s judicial system.

Mr. Suleiman was appointed as the Chief Justice in May 2016 by former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud replacing, Mr. Aided Ilkahanaf who served as Chief Justice since 2011. Since taking office last February, President Farmaajo has promised to initiate drastic changes to many of Somalia’s vital institutions.

Key Headlines

Somalia’s Chief Justice Sacked As Part Of judicial Reform (Hiiraan Online)
Somali PM Meets With His Ethiopian Counterpart In Addis Ababa (Shabelle News)
Somali Government To Mediate Galmudug State And Ahlusuna In Mogadishu (Halbeeg News)
AMISOM Hands Over Fully Refurbished Police Station To The Somali Police Force (AMISOM)
KSRelief Distributes Ramadan Food Baskets In Somaliland (Saudi Press Agency)
Somalia’s Recovery Efforts Firmly On Course (The Standard)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Somali PM Meets With His Ethiopian Counterpart In Addis Ababa

27 May – Source: Shabelle News – 156 Words

Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire met with his Ethiopian counterpart, Dr. Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia on Saturday. The two Prime Ministers Khaire and Ahmed, deliberated on wide range issues regarding the bilateral relations between the two East African neighboring countries.

According to a statement posted on the PM’s twitter, the two leaders also held discussions on ways of boosting trade and security of Somalia and Ethiopia. “I held a very constructive meeting with H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, the PM of Ethiopia. Discussed crucial bilateral issues of mutual benefit to both countries,” the Somali PM tweeted.

“We both reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the brotherly relations between our two countries and the people.” PM Khaire is set to wrap up his two-day official visit to Ethiopia today. He has been in Ethiopia since Friday, becoming the first Somali government leader to meet Dr. Abiy Ahmed since his election in April.

Somali Government To Mediate Galmudug State And Ahlusuna In Mogadishu

27 May – Source: Halbeeg News – 104 Words

The Somali government has for the first time intervened in the escalating political crisis in Galmudug state. The leaders of the state have been at loggerhead after some officials opposed the unification of the assemblies of Ahlu-Sunna Waljama’a and Galmudug state.

In a statement by the Interior Ministry, the government said it will broker a peace deal to resolve the differences between the two sides. “The ministry calls upon the sides to convene in Mogadishu to attend a conference which kicks off on 30th May,” the statement reads. The ministry has called for the suspension of the implementation of Ahlu-Sunna Waljama’a and Galmudug state agreements signed by Djibouti.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

AMISOM Hands Over Fully Refurbished Police Station To The Somali Police Force

27 May – Source: AMISOM – 262 Words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) today formally handed over a fully refurbished and equipped police station in the capital’s Kaaraan district, to the Somali Police Force. The Kaaraan Police Station, which has been under rehabilitation for several months, will serve residents in the district and its environs: “The renovation of this police station is part of AMISOM’s Quick Impact Projects, aimed at providing speedy service delivery to the people,” ACP Maxwel Chikunguru, AMISOM Police Restructuring and Development Coordinator said in his remarks, during the handover ceremony.

Benadir Police Commissioner General Ahmed Hassan Malin, expressed gratitude to AMISOM for its continued institutional capacity building of the Somali Police Force: “AMISOM Police has played a crucial role in renovating Kaaraan Police Station. It is in order to thank them for the good work they have done. We are grateful for the assistance. Now, we have a place where our police teams can work and coordinate activities,” stated General Malin.

The renovation of the police station was done through joint efforts of AMISOM Police and the AU Mission’s Civil Affairs Unit, with funding from the Japanese government. “Building a strong police institution in Somalia especially in this period where AMISOM is preparing for transition requires a comprehensive strategy with clear, realistic and achievable objectives pegged by the goodwill of all our stakeholders,” noted ACP Chikunguru. Mr. Christopher Ogwang Aria, AMISOM’s Civil Affairs Officer said the police station would be vital for keeping law and order in Kaaraan district and expressed AMISOM’s willingness to support the rehabilitation of more police stations across the country.

KSRelief Distributes Ramadan Food Baskets In Somaliland

26 May – Source: Saudi Press Agency – 85 Words

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) has distributed for the 9th day of the holy month of Ramadan 930 Ramadan food baskets in Bilbahr directorate in Berbera governorate of Somaliland targeting 5580 people in this directorate stricken by drought which caused severe shortages of food.

The distribution comes within the framework of humanitarian projects being provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represented by the center to all affected and needy countries and peoples, including those affected by the drought in Somaliland.

OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE

“At least 50 per cent of the people who fled their homes have gone back. Schools and universities are open, as are government offices that continue to offer services in 80 per cent of Somali territory under government control”.

Somalia’s Recovery Efforts Firmly On Course

26 May – Source: The Standard – 244 Words

Slowly but surely, Somalia is making admirable progress. From the basket case it was for more than two decades following the overthrow of President Siad Barre in 1990, the country is on the road to recovery. It has been a slow, painful journey, but the desire of the people of Somalia to live in peace and harmony will eventually see them get there.

This journey, to a greater extent, began after the Kenya Defence Forces moved into Somalia in October 2011 in pursuit of Al Shabaab militants who had abducted tourists on the Kenyan side of the common border. The roles played by the UN, Inter Governmental Authority on Development and the African Union Mission in Somalia are equally

After Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was elected President of Somalia in February 2017, replacing Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the hopes of a nation torn apart by incessant clan wars and the menace of Al Shabaab rode on his shoulders. It was not lost on anybody that bringing Somalia back from the brink was a herculean task, but Mr Farmajo, despite some opposition, seems equal to the task. The ray of hope still shines bright for Somalis as normalcy returns. With continued support, Farmajo will rebuild and restore Somalia’s glory.