November 30, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report
Kenyan Leaders Say KDF To Stay In Somalia To Bring Peace And Stability
30 November – Source: Xinhua – 402 Words
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday reiterated that his troops will keep fighting al-Shabab militants in Somalia until peace and stability is restored to the region. Kenyatta said Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) which is part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) will continue their work in Somalia until the Horn of African nation returns to full normalcy.
“Our defence forces remain steadfast in their mission to bring peace and lasting stability in the horn of Africa region with unwavering zeal and determination,” he said in Gilgil when he commissioned the sixth batch of military cadets after three-year training. The military cadets underwent three years of rigorous training as part of ongoing reform efforts to keep Kenya’s military on par with the best in the world.
“And in pursuance of this objective and that of the international community our troops will continue being part of AMISOM until such time that our objective has been achieved,” Kenyatta said. Since the Kenyan soldiers crossed into Somalia in 2011, Islamist militants have staged a string of attacks in Kenya, including April 2, 2015 massacre at Garissa University that left 148 students dead and a 2013 assault on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall that killed 67.
Kenyatta called on the new officers to keep the tradition of the Kenya Defence Forces of being among the best soldiers in the world. “KDF has a track record for discipline and respect that is recognized nationally and internationally,” said the president. Security experts have said poor command structures and failure to share intelligence have hampered the work of the security forces hence the training.
The President said the current training program is informed by the new challenges Kenya is facing including cross-border threats such as terrorism and other forms of trans-boundary criminal activities. The newly commissioned officers have been trained under the new curriculum which incorporates academic and character development studies leading to the award of a Bachelors degree in military and security studies.
This is besides the professional military training which predominantly entails tactics and physical endurance required to survive in the battle field. The degree course is administered by the Kenya Military Academy in partnership with Kenyatta University. Kenyatta said the training was revamped to respond to the complex nature of security challenges facing Kenya and the world, and is tailored to produce highly competent military officers not just for Kenya but for allied neighboring countries as well.
Key Headlines
- Kenyan Leaders Say KDF To Stay In Somalia To Bring Peace And Stability (Xinhua)
- Galmudug Security Forces Search House Where Recent Galkayo Attack Was Orchestrated (Kismaayo.com)
- Somalia Telecommunication Companies United In Calling For The Protection Of National Interest (Radio Shabelle)
- UAE Ambassador UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative For Somalia Discuss Cooperation (Emirates News Agency)
- War In Africa: U.S. Drops Record Number Of Bombs In Somalia In 2018 (Breitbart)
- Parents Resort To Home Remedies As Whooping Cough Spreads In Burao (Radio Ergo)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Galmudug Security Forces Search House Where Recent Galkayo Attack Was Orchestrated
30 November – Source: Kismaayo.com – 134 Words
Galmudug security forces have inspected a house in Galkayo, where attackers of a deadly bomb that recently killed a controversial Sufi cleric and over 20 of his followers and members of his family, lived. Militants, who carried out the attack, reportedly resided in the house in Galkayo South, before launching the assault on Sheikh Abdiweli Sheikh Ali Elmi Yare’s residence and shrine.
Galmudug Deputy Police Boss, Abdi Jama Abdulle ‘Habeeb’ stated that they observed traces of the attack’s plot including number plates and other stuff in the house. Habeeb added that Galmudug security agencies seek to obtain further intelligence regarding how the attack had been planned and who hosted the five militants behind the attack in the house. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the killing of Sheikh Abdiweli, whom it accused of insulting Prophet Mohamed.
Somalia Telecommunication Companies United In Calling For The Protection Of National Interest
29 November – Source: Radio Shabelle – 209 Words
The Association of Somali Telecommunication Companies (USIS) held its monthly meeting to discuss a number of issues, including the current state of Telecommunication & Technology in the country. At the end of the meeting, the Association issued the following statement. All members of the Association expressed concerns over the continued lack of cooperation between the Ministry of Post, Telecommunication & Technology (MPTT) and Telecommunication companies due to the Minister’s secretly hand-picking of the Board of Directors of the National Communications Agency (NCA) in a clear and belligerent violation of the law.
The Association informs the Somali Federal Government, the House of the Parliament, and all civil societies who are concerned in protecting the interests of the country that it will not participate in the so-called meeting of “Consultative Conference to establish NCA governance”. This meeting is an attempt by the Ministry to willfully legitimize the Board of Directors of NCA, which was illegally formed.
The Association cautions against the consequences of abuses in the name of the NCA, such as the formation of governing committees, establishing of tariffs, issuing telecommunication licenses and misguided strategies in safeguarding national assets. The Association once again calls for the appointment of members of the NCA in accordance with the Communications Act articles 10 and 34.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UAE Ambassador, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative For Somalia Discuss Cooperation
30 November – Source: Emirate News Agency – 118 Words
Mohammed Ahmed Osman Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to Somalia, has discussed with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Nicholas Haysom, ways to enhance cooperation between the UAE and the UN Office in Somalia. During the meeting, held at the embassy’s headquarters in Mogadishu, they reviewed the latest developments in Somalia and the efforts exerted by the UAE and the UN to support the country.
Al Hammadi congratulated Haysom on assuming his new post and wished him success, while emphasising the UAE’s support for his efforts which would contribute to boosting security, stability and development in Somalia. In turn, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative hailed the UAE”s continuous efforts to supporting various humanitarian, relief and development work in Somalia.
War In Africa: U.S. Drops Record Number Of Bombs In Somalia In 2018
29 November – Source: Breitbart – 303 Words
The United States boosted its military efforts against jihadis in Africa under President Donald Trump, launching a record 36 airstrikes on the al-Qaeda wing al-Shabaab in Somalia in 2018, already more than any other single year, Voice of America (VOA) reported Thursday, citing U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
AFRICOM insists that its latest strikes did not “injure or kill any civilians.” In Somalia, the U.S. military is targeting the expanding al-Shabab and Islamic State(ISIS/ISIL) threat. “U.S. forces, in cooperation with the government of Somalia, are conducting ongoing counterterrorism operations against al-Shabab and ISIS-Somalia to degrade the groups’ ability to recruit, train and plot terror attacks in Somalia and the region,” AFRICOM told VOA.
America’s intensified military operations in 2018 may not carry into the coming year. In November, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced that the United States is expected to pull out more than 700 American troops from Africa, noting: [Counterterrorism] activities in several areas, including Somalia, Djibouti, and Libya largely remain the same. In other regions, such as West Africa, emphasis shifts from tactical assistance to advising, assisting, liaising, and sharing intelligence. Overall, optimization efforts retain the flexibility to adjust, as required, to maintain a competitive posture in a dynamic, global environment.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s decision to pivot away from the war on terror to focus on deterring strategic competitors like China and Russia. However, China is expanding its military footprint in Africa, home to Beijing’s first overseas naval base in Djibouti, VOA revealed early this year. U.S. government and independent assessments have found that China is employing “neo-colonialism” tactics in Africa in the form of “predatory” loans collateralized with natural resources and strategic assets. The Trump administration has blasted China for its “predatory” lending practices on the continent.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“Previously it was uncommon to see adults affected by such a disease but many of them are infected. There is no health post here. I have only this small pharmacy which cannot cover the medical needs of the village”
Parents Resort To Home Remedies As Whooping Cough Spreads In Burao
29 November – Source: Radio Ergo – 358 Words
Over 40 cases of whooping cough (also known as pertussis) have been reported in Odanle village, 180 km south of Burao, Togdheer region, in November. Suleiman Hassan Abdi, an official from Somaliland’s health ministry, confirmed the outbreak of the respiratory infection.
“Families including adult and children have been affected and there is an urgent need of a quick response,” said Suleman, who is head of vaccination campaigns in Qorilogud, Balidig and Odanle localities. Asad Hassan Jam’a, who led a team from the Somaliland Red Crescent conducting a survey on communicable disease in several villages in the region, told Radio Ergo that the disease had affected 48 people, mostly children, in Odanle.
“We have seen many children with a persistent cough. At the time, we had no medicines with us so we registered the names of the children and their ages. Most of those affected are small children,” Asad said. Dr. Abdi Mohamed Ali, who operates the only pharmacy in Odanle, said whooping cough had been spreading for three weeks.
“In the last three days, 12 children have been diagnosed with the infection. I have no antibiotics here so I can only prescribe painkillers for the patients,” he said. He attributed the outbreak to poor levels of routine immunization of children and inadequate health mobilization activities.
“Previously it was uncommon to see adults affected by such a disease but many of them are infected. There is no health post here. I have only this small pharmacy which cannot cover the medical needs of the village,” he explained. Ahmed Ismail Hassan, whose five children have whooping cough, has been using honey and soup to treat the children.
“We have nowhere to take them for treatment; the nearest hospital is two hours’ drive from here. I opted to use this method as their health started deteriorating,” he said. Riyad Jama’a Ahmed has been nursing her four sick children for three weeks. “At first, the children had a persistent cough and fever. I informed several people who recognized the symptoms. I cannot afford $30 for a consultation with pediatricians in Balidigle town, the nearest place we can get health services,” he said.
TOP TWEETS
@Jamaidid: We exchanged ideas with Turkey’s ruling AK party led by Deputy Chair @cevdetyilmaz & Senior Advisor @yaktay. Together with our DPM @KhadarGulaid we discussed multi party system & Transformative politics which we believe in & is a key pillar towards Transformation.
@matijakovac: Humanitarian Coordinator @UNdeClercqaddresses partners at Somalia @NGOConsortium annual reception in Mogadishu, emphasizes that humanitarian issues in Somalia need to remain high on the agenda, along with significant increase in resilience programming.
@MoPIED_Somalia: Government institutions led by the Permanent Secretary of MoPIED met with JICA in Nairobi for the 2nd JCC meeting. The aim of today’s meeting was to officially endorse two Pilot industries for YEPS project implementation.@AmbGamal @Arabow01 @Mohacpr @Sano_JICA_Kenya.
@IOM_Somalia: Dollow District Commissioner led the laying of foundations for the construction of Mother and Child Hospital and rehabilitation of administration office, police station, and orientation centre benefiting community members, IDPs and returnees. #MIDNIMO #unpeacebuilding.
@AmbGamal: Very productive meetings with the heads of WFP, FAO & IDLO in Rome. Addressed WFP’s Executive Board on the 2019-21 iCSP, discussed FAO’s Somalia programs including full relocation to the country,& was pleased with IDLO’s new Investment Support Programs & opportunities for Somalia.
@Moha_A_Farah: The #UNCRPD recognized that women w/disabilities are greater risk at the home of violence, injury, abuse, negligent treatment, exploitation & emphasized the need to incorporate a gender perspective in all efforts to promote the full enjoyment of human rights. @DFID_UK
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development of Somalia, Gamal Hassan, with Executive Director of the World Food Programme, David Beasley, in Italy, Rome.
Photo: @AmbGamal