October 30, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report
Crucial Meeting To Discuss AMISOM’s 2018–2021 Concept Of Operations Opens In Nairobi
30 October – Source: AMISOM – 670 Words
The African Union Mission in Somalia, (AMISOM) is holding a crucial meeting with key stakeholders, to develop its Concept of Operations (CONOPS), which will provide an effective framework for implementation of the gradual transition from Somalia. The five-day meeting in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, will develop a three-year transition plan of action, that takes into consideration the evolving political and security situation in the Horn of Africa country.
AMISOM has identified priority areas for action, including the clearing of Main Supply Routes, securing of population centers, creating security and access conditions, for stabilization and service delivery to populations, through a renewed joint-offensive against Al-Shabaab.
The CONOPS “describes AMISOM’s assumptions and intent regarding plans and aspirations, in the three phases of Somalia’s Transition Plan that will culminate in the slated (year) 2021 one-person-one-vote election and consequently the gradual transfer, of the security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somali security forces,” noted the Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira, in his speech read by the Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Simon Mulongo, during the opening of the high-level meeting on Monday. “It provides a clear guidance to AMISOM for the next three years,” Mulongo stated.
The CONOPS, which aims to provide a structure for AMISOM operations from 2018 – 2021, marks the final phase of the AU Mission’s transition and its eventual exit from Somalia. It is expected to provide a comprehensive basis for conducting operations in including, the training and mentoring of the Somali Police and the national army, whole at the same time creating a useful framework for stabilization, civil military activities, early recovery and reconstruction.
Key Headlines
- Crucial Meeting To Discuss AMISOM’s 2018–2021 Concept Of Operations Opens In Nairobi (AMISOM)
- Chief Minister Of Galmudug Welcomes President Farmaajo’s Invitation For Meeting To Resolve Political Tension (Jowhar.com)
- Southwest President Fires Presidential Guard Unit (Horseed Media)
- U.S. Escalates Number Of Airstrikes In Somalia Dozens Of Terror Militants Killed In October (Strategic Intelligence)
- In Kismayo On First Regional Visit UN Envoy Encourages Somalis To Solve Problems Together (UNSOM)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Chief Minister Of Galmudug Welcomes President Farmaajo’s Invitation For Meeting To Resolve Political Tension
30 October – Source: Jowhar.com – 247 Words
Chief Minister of Galmudug State Sheikh Mohamed Shakir Ali Hassan has welcomed the invitation extended by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmaajo’s to regional state leaders for a consultative meeting in Mogadishu to resolve the country’s political rift.
The five-point statement from the office of the Chief Minister stated that Galmudug recognized the existence of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and its leadership and called on the central government and regional governments to end their rift through dialogue. The statement asks leaders of the two levels of government to consider the plight faced by the vulnerable Somali citizens.
The statement further noted that Galmudug aims to take a role in mediating and bringing the FGS and the Federal Member States (FMS) to the negotiation table. Lastly, the statement called on the FGS and FMS not to forget the dark incident of 14 October, where a huge number of Somalis were massacred, “and thus the need to unite to confront the groups that shed the blood of the Somali people”. The statement further advised that such destructive groups shouldn’t be granted the opportunity to take advantage of such outstanding disputes.
The statement comes on the same day the embattled President of Galmudug Ahmed Du’ale Gelle Haaf returned to Dhusamarreb, following his participation in the recently concluded meeting of the Council of Interstate Cooperation (CIC). Mr. Gelle Haaf was named deputy chairman of the CIC. The statement, seemingly, creates further misunderstanding between the Galmudug leadership, which is already divided.
Southwest President Fires Presidential Guard Unit
30 October – Source: Horseed Media – 148 Words
Southwest President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan has fired his presidential guard unit. The decision was arrived at following a special meeting with his security advisors at the presidential palace. The sacked commanders and the officers were kicked out of the presidential headquarters and escorted to a military camp in the town. A new unit, said to be close to Sharif Hassan, was deployed to the palace.
The development came after some of the fired presidential palace unit commanders expressed their disapproval of President Sharif’s political moves. They instead expressed support for other presidential candidates, a move that the President saw as a big threat to his security. Sharif Hassan, who is said to be a smart politician, believes anything can happen during the few weeks ahead of the presidential elections. The move also comes amid a heightened electioneering mood in the city with presidential campaigns in full swing.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
U.S. Escalates Number Of Airstrikes In Somalia, Dozens Of Terror Militants Killed In October
29 October – Source: Strategic Intelligence – 190 Words
Since 2007, the US has been conducting a covert program to target and kill Al-Shabaab commanders and operatives based in Somalia. Based on events recorded on Strategic Intelligence (SI) Counter-terrorism Database and backed by data from open sources, predominant media reports and from the U.S. headquarters responsible for the war in Somalia, Africa Command or AFRICOM, U.S. has escalated it air sorties targeting Al-Shabaab dens and hideouts across the regions of Somalia.
So far, U.S. in support of the Federal Government Forces has conducted a total of 28 airstrikes in Somalia this year, all of which have targeted Al-Shabaab. In 2017, it conducted 31 strikes against Al-Shabaab, a record high and expected to exceed this year. U.S. deployed troops on the ground for surveillance, reconnaissance, and assault and capture operations.
Its first air raids began in 2007 with helicopters and AC-130 gunships, while In June 2011, the U.S. began carrying out drone strikes in Somalia. The airstrikes from identified Airforce in Somalia has left more than 160 Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab jihadists killed. The U.S. and Kenyan forces usually conducts airstrikes targeting terrorists in Somalia.
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“This will help us to see how we can be of better use to Somalia, to its people and the Federal Member States.”
In Kismayo On First Regional Visit, UN Envoy Encourages Somalis To Solve Problems Together
29 October – Source: UNSOM – 470 Words
With his first planned trip to a regional centre coinciding with tensions between the federal and state governments, the new United Nations envoy to Somalia encouraged Somalis to work together to find their own solutions to their problems. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Nicholas Haysom, visited Kismayo, the capital of Jubaland, a Federal Member State in the country’s south, with his counterpart from the African Union (AU), the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Francisco Madeira. “I’m aware that Somalia is not Mogadishu, Mogadishu is not Somalia – it’s necessary for me to visit the regions to see my own staff, but also to see how people live across the breadth and length of Somalia,” Mr. Haysom said.
“I’m also coming here at a difficult moment in the relationship between the Federal [Member] States and Federal Government, and I’m here with my colleague from the African Union, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, to really encourage all of the different parts and levels of Somali political life to work together,” he added in a joint press encounter with Mr. Madeira and Jubbaland’s President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe.
Working together: “We are convinced that Somalia needs all of its people to work together and to find a solution as to how to work together,” Mr. Haysom said. “We say in my part of the world – I come from southern Africa – that the doctor cannot take medicine on behalf of the patient. What we can do is to encourage the patient to take their medicine and find a solution which the Somalis themselves must find.”
Earlier, the UN and AU officials had met with President Madobe, and heard first-hand his views on the recent tensions. “We had a long discussion about wide ranging issues in Somalia, for example, the conflict between the FGS [Federal Government of Somalia] and Federal State Members. We shared with him our view on how the conflict can be resolved. We also stated that Somalia needs true and durable solutions to the problems facing it,” President Madobe said in the joint press encounter.
He also welcomed the new UN Special Representative, noting his previous service in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Sudan. “It was a good day for the people of Jubaland that the new UN envoy to Somalia visited us today,” President Madobe added. “He has vast knowledge about conflict and countries that have experienced war like Somalia.”
TOP TWEETS
@US2SOMALIA: The United States welcomes the creation of the South West State election committee and selection of the leadership team. We look forward to a credible Nov 17 vote for the people of SWS. We support the process but never any specific candidate. #Somalia
@UNHCRSom: 132 Somalis have today arrived at the port of Berbera from neighboring Yemen. The new arrivals were received by @UNHCRSom , #IOM, government officials,@drcEA_GL and other partners. They were supported with water, hot meals, vaccinations and temporary accommodation.
@USAIDSomalia: Thanks to the Ministers of Education and their staff for coming together at the @USAIDSomalia learning event, and working to improve access and quality of education in #Somalia. @USAIDEducation @USAID @unicefsomalia@Godahbarre @US2SOMALIA
@DalsanFM: Somali Cabinet Approves $340m Budget For 2019https://www.radiodalsan.com/
@HarunMaruf: Somali Senator says he is concerned about the security of Baidoa as regional leadership candidates converge in the city accompanied by many armed bodyguards https://www.facebook.com/
@OxfamInSOM: We are back and calling for speedy, full debt cancellation for Somalia – a critical step for peace and poverty alleviation, says a new report co-authored by the SNC, Oxfam and others. Check it out below . #SomaliaDebtCancellation Full Report: https://sable.madmimi.com/c/
@Eye_on_Somalia: #reliefweb Somalia: In Kismayo on first regional visit, UN envoy encourages Somalis to solve problems together https://ift.tt/2CT8PXk #Somalia
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Somali Finance Minister, Abdirahman Dualeh Beileh welcomes the UN Envoy to Somalia, Nicholas Haysom in his offices to discuss the nation’s ongoing fiscal reforms
Photo: @DrBeileh