NATIONAL MEDIA
4 July – Source: Goobjoog – 162 Words
A military court in Mogadishu has sentenced Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed to 15 years jail for belonging to the militant group Al-Shabaab. The first division court ruled that Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed was guilty of belonging to Al-Shabaab. Mohamed, who was handed 15 years jail term, joined Al-Shabaab in August 2018 and was based in Mogadishu for delivering light weapons to the assailants at their hiding places in the capital Mogadishu.
He allegedly used to deliver the weapons from Lower Shabelle region to their hideouts in the Capital like Suqa Holaha, Arafat and Towfiiq, as the court verdict said. Security forces have arrested Mohamed on February this year in Mogadishu while he was reportedly carrying a bag with pistols. Military court chairman Col. Hassan Noor Shute said the court found him guilty of various charges and handed over the sentences in accordance with the law. “The accused can appeal if he is not satisfied with the sentences meted out against him,” added Colonel Shute.
3 July – Source: Halbeeg – 118 Words
The leader of Puntland regional state of Somalia, Said Abdullahi Deni, along with senior army chiefs, inspected the Somali National Army Darwish Special Unit Base on Wednesday. A statement from the Presidency said the inspection was aimed at assessing the situation of the forces and boosting their morale.
The semi-autonomous Somali state is facing threats from armed group Al-Shabaab and Islamic state fighters stationed at Galgala Mountains near the port city of Bosaso. Earlier attempts by the fighters to take the control of Af-Urur town last month were repulsed by security forces. Several US drone strikes have targeted militant’s base killing dozens, including key figures in support of the Federal government of Somalia efforts to end the insurgency.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
4 July – Source: Anadolu Agency – 264 Words
Somalia is grateful to the Turkish government for its contributions over the years in infrastructure development and humanitarian aid, said former Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi. “Turkey is a very friendly and brotherly country. Somalia is grateful for its assistance, and we believe the support will continue,” Gedi, who served as prime minister during the transitional period between 2004-2007, told Anadolu Agency in an interview.
Gedi, who is currently touring South Africa ahead of the launch of his new political party in Somalia in July, also thanked Turkey for helping to train Somali soldiers and government officials. He said although Somalia has many friends across the world, it was Turkey that pioneered the support for Somalia during the 2011 famine. “The relationship between Turkey and Somalia did not start during the 2011 famine. It started many years ago when then prime minister and current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Somalia. His visit cemented the relationship between the two countries,” he said.
When Erdogan arrived in Somalia during the famine, he went straight to internally displaced people’s camps instead of rushing to the presidential palace, a move which inspired Somalis’ feelings of love and solidarity towards the Turkish people. Turkey recently launched its largest overseas military training academy in Somalia which has helped train the Somali army, which is expected to take over from the African Union peacekeeping force in the near future so as to secure their country. Somalia descended into civil war in 1991 following the overthrow of late President Mohamed Siad Barre and has since remained in the grip of periodic violence.
PRESS STATEMENT
3 July – Source: UNSOM – 110 Words
Belgium, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the European Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations, as major international partners of Somalia, commend the ongoing dialogue in Galmudug to unify the state, promote stability, and bring the parties together for the benefit of its people and the whole of Somalia.
We encourage all stakeholders to continue these endeavours and to take forward broad-based and inclusive reconciliation, leading to the transparent and fair selection of a new Parliament and President, free from violence. We reaffirm our support for Somalia.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“The authorities are using the vaguely worded, outdated criminal offences in the penal code of 1962 to crackdown on freedom of expression. The problematic provisions in the penal code must be repealed and aligned with the constitution so that the authorities fully respect, protect, promote and fulfil the freedom of expression in Somaliland,” said Joan Nyanyuki.”
4 July – Source: Amnesty International – 717 Words
Over the past three months the authorities in Somaliland appears to have stepped up their attack on dissenting voices by shutting down media houses, arbitrarily arresting and prosecuting individuals perceived as critical of government policies and officials, Amnesty International said today.
Between 17 April and 9 May, four individuals were arrested: a journalist, an opposition youth leader and a civil servant were detained after publishing critical Facebook posts, and a Member of Parliament was detained after he publicly questioned the significance of celebrating 18 May as a national day. One of them told us he sustained injuries during the arrest. On 18 June, the authorities also arbitrarily suspended two privately-owned television stations – Horyaal 24 and Eryal TV – for allegedly “airing information that is a threat to national security” without specific details. The ban on the two stations was lifted on 30 June after a “mutual understanding” was reached between the Ministry of Information and the TV owners. Many have interpreted this as arm-twisting the two media houses to censor their content.
“The increase in harassment and intimidation of government critics we are witnessing underscores the intolerance that the current government displays towards diverse opinions, and their lack of regard for human rights protections,” said Joan Nyanyuki, Amnesty International’s Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes. “These arrests and suspensions make a total mockery of the Somaliland constitution which explicitly guarantees the right to freedom of expression.” Amnesty International interviewed some of the victims, their family members and lawyers during a fact-finding mission to Hargeisa between 15-24 June 2019 and attended one of the court hearings for the journalist. The organization found that all four men were targeted for expressing critical views.
On 17 April, freelance journalist, Abdimalik Muse Oldon, was arrested outside his home in Burao for criticizing President Muse Bihi Abdi on Facebook. He was charged on 6 June with “spreading anti-national propaganda” and “disseminating false news”. On 24 April, Jamal Abdi Muhumed, an employee of the Ministry of Interior, was arrested at his office in Hargeisa over Facebook posts criticizing the effectiveness of police services. On 19 June, he was charged with “insulting the police” and “insulting a public officer”. On 2 July, he was found guilty and sentenced to six months in prison. He was released on 3 July after paying a fine.
On 1 May, Mohamed Sidiiq Dhame, leader of the opposition Waddani party’s youth wing, was arrested at his home in Hargeisa for a Facebook post criticizing the state of emergency imposed on three districts of Sanaag region. He was charged on 8 June for “offending the honour and prestige of the president” and “incitement to violence”. On 27 June, he was found guilty on the first charge and sentenced to six months in prison. On 9 May, Mohamed Ahmed Dhakool, a Member of Parliament from Sool region, was arrested for “opposing” commemorating 18 May as a national day; (Somaliland declared its breakaway status from Somalia on 18 May 1991). The police claimed he made “anti-national statements” and “opposed the existence of Somaliland”, but the courts refused to entertain the case because of his parliamentary immunity. After 39 days in detention, he was released on 17 June. Abdimalik and Mohamed are currently held at Hargeisa Central Prison as their cases are heard and determined….. |
