October 24, 2018 | Morning Headlines
Somali Leaders Call For Cease-fire After Clan Clashes Claim Over 40
23 October – Source: Halbeeg News – 152 Words
Somali leaders have called for an end to the ongoing fighting in northern Somalia, which has so far claimed more than 40 lives. In a joint statement, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire said on Tuesday the fighting had caused unnecessary deaths and suffering to many families in Dhumay and Farkeyngenyo locations of Somalia’s Sool.
”The Federal Government of Somalia calls for a ceasefire and extends condolences to the families of the victims killed in the fighting,” the statement reads in part. The leaders called on elders in the regions affected to resolve their differences for the common good of the country. The urged the people in the region to unite and ensure that their reconciliation meetings become fruitful for the benefit of their region and the entire country. The call comes barely a day after over forty people were killed and several others injured in clan clashes.
Key Headlines
- Somali Leaders Call For Cease-fire After Clan Clashes Claim Over 40 (Halbeeg News)
- Somali Military Court Sentences Soldier To 5 Year Jail Term After Shooting His Commander (Radio Dalsan)
- Somalia Forces Recapture Three Villages From Al-Shabaab (Halbeeg News)
- Officials: Deputy Chief of IS-Linked Group in Somalia Killed (Voice of America)
- Somalia ICT Event A Pointer To An Economic Revival (The Exchange)
- Political representation In Puntland: Tough Journey For Women 20 Years Since State Formation (Radio Ergo)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somali Military Court Sentences Soldier To 5 Year Jail Term After Shooting His Commander
23 October – Source: Radio Dalsan – 146 Words
Somali military court on Tuesday sentenced a soldier to a five-year jail term after finding him guilty of shooting his commander in Mogadishu on 23rd June this year. Military court judge, Hassan Abdirahman Adan, said constable Ahmed Ali Awale, committed the crime deliberately by shooting and injuring Yusuf Dahir Ali, who was his police commissioner.
Mr. Ali was admitted to hospital where his leg amputated. Besides the five-year sentence, the court ordered Awale to pay 50 camels to his victim as compensation. “The court has sentenced Ahmed Ali Awale to five years in imprisonment and 50 camels of compensation to the victim after finding him guilty of shooting and injuring his commander Yusuf Dahir Ali,” Adan said. The military court often carries out sentences and executions to Al-Shabaab and government soldiers, who commit related crimes. The European Union and human rights groups particularly condemn such crimes.
Somalia Forces Recapture Three Villages From Al-Shabaab
23 October – Source: Halbeeg News – 137 Words
Somali forces backed by African Union Mission In Somalia (AMISOM) have captured several villages in southern Somalia from Al-Shabaab. In a well-coordinated operation, the allied forces took control of Fidow, Dhin-Garas, Maqudale, and Kiliga-Shinaha on the border between Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions.
Somali military officials said the operations were still underway to liberate more areas still under Al-Shabaab control. The capture followed an operation by the allied forces in which there was no resistance as Al-Shabaab fighters had vacated the area following reports of the allied troops impending attack. Al-Shabaab has not commented on the development.
The latest attack comes amid increased military operations in the southern regions of the country, conducted jointly by AMISOM forces and the Somali National Army (SNA). The allied forces hope to force out Al-Shabaab fighters ahead of their planned exit.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Officials: Deputy Chief of IS-Linked Group in Somalia Killed
23 October – Source: Voice of America – 283 Words
Somali intelligence officials say the deputy leader of an Islamic State-affiliated extremist group based in northern Somalia has been killed in the capital. The officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters told The Associated Press that Mahad Moalim’s body was found near a Mogadishu beach last week, a few days after he reportedly was abducted while secretly visiting the city.
The officials said his relatives have accused other deputies in the extremist group. Reports have emerged that the group’s leader was ill, creating rivalry among possible successors. The United States in February sanctioned Moalim as a “specially designated global terrorist,” saying he was responsible for facilitating shipments of weapons and fighters across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen.
Abdiqadir Mumin, an elderly British extremist, founded the IS-linked group that is said to have several dozen fighters. It has claimed attacks against Somali authorities and other targets in the northern Puntland region, where it is based, and more recently in and outside Mogadishu. The group is said to fund its activities by extorting civilians. “It is unclear exactly how many claims made by the group are legitimate, as few are reported by local media or proven with visual evidence. Some assassination claims, however, are followed up with photo or video proof,” analyst Caleb Weiss wrote in the Long War Journal in May.
Somalia ICT Event A Pointer To An Economic Revival
23 October – Source: The Exchange – 331 Words
Somalia has not be known for many other things apart from a crippling feud that has taken decades to heal and with it thousands of life and wasted wealth and resources. However, in the last week, the country has hosted one unique event that has signaled the country is taking a corner and investing in its human resources to advance wealth and economy. Somalia’s first and largest ICT exhibition opened in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, showcasing the development Somalia is making in the field of communications and technology.
ICT Expo Somalia is aimed at becoming a key event and essential part the country`s ICT sector with the technical support of the National Communications Authority and Ministry of Post, Telecommunications and Technology and sponsored by Benadir Regional Administration. More than 60 exhibitors from telecom, technology, education and government sectors have gathered at the Expo to demonstrate new products and services in their respective fields. The event, gave the general public a first-hand experience about the products and services of the exhibitors and have active participation of the panel discussions by the experts in the sector.
Jamal Mohamed Hassan, minister for Planning and Economic Development, commended the progress that Ministry of Post and Telecom made in recent months. The minister acknowledged that Somalia ICT sector is growing remarkably, according to data collected by his ministry.Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister for Post, Telecom and Technology, Abdi Ashur, highlighted that the Ministry is ready to support such initiatives that promote the ICT sector. “These events serve one of our mandates to coordinate and provide a platform where private, public and international stakeholders in the sector can connect.”
The Deputy Prime Minister, H. E. Mahdi Ghuled, who officially opened the Expo, congratulated the organizers for putting together an event that is going to change the narrative from Mogadishu and Somalia in general. “We can use technology for the public good to help Somalia reach the development is deserves,” concluded the Deputy Minister.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
““The traditional elders believe that men are the only ideal people to represent the clan and women are under the control of the clan of the husbands.” Ms. Farah says to resolve these problems, the country needs to end the political system that gives elders the authority to select the lawmakers.”
Political representation In Puntland: Tough Journey For Women 20 Years Since State Formation
22 October – Source: Radio Ergo – 1143 Words
Since the inception of Puntland State Assembly in 1998, the number of female lawmakers has remained significantly lower than that of their male counterparts. The current parliament, which has been running for the last five years, has had only two female legislators out of 66 members. Remarkably, this is the highest number of women since the House came into being.
In the ongoing selection of new Puntland lawmakers that started last August, the elders so far have proposed a list of 19 individuals whose names will be submitted to Puntland Conflict Resolution Committee for endorsement. Out of these, only two are women. So far, eight women have declared their bids for membership of Puntland Assembly. Women groups have been lobbying to increase the number in the upcoming parliament. But challenges abound. Cultural practices, security and financial constraints put women at a disadvantage in Somalia, despite a gradually changing situation.
Lul Mohamed Warsame, who is a candidate for a constituency in Nugal region, is facing several challenges among them having to battle it out with eight male contenders. In a largely male dominated arena, Ms. Warsame’s journey to the House will be a tough one. “When I present my position to run for the seat, people tell me you are women, stay at home, this is work for men. But above all I have confidence in myself and such remarks will not discourage me. I have the capabilities to serve my parliament and the public,” Ms. Warsame told Radio Ergo.
Ms. Warsame noted that she has hopes of winning the seat but vowed to keep on her mission in politics even if she loses in the coming polls. “I am hopeful that I will win this parliamentary seat but if I am defeated or my clan fails to support me, I will even contest for a seat at the federal parliament and Puntland assembly in future,” she affirmed. To ensure more women get elected to the House, Puntland’s Ministry of Women has been conducting sensitization campaigns.
Puntland minister for women, Faiso Ali Ismail, has been holding discussions with the elders and civil society members to convince them to increase the number of female lawmakers. Ms. Ismail told Radio Ergo that her ministry is committed to fighting for the rights of women and lobbying for more women in the House of Representatives. “We committed to securing the rights of women. The ministry has been holding discussions and campaigns on increasing the chances for women in parliament,” said Ms. Ismail. “We are lobbying to get more seats for women from the clans that have three or more seats in the parliament.”