NATIONAL MEDIA
9 July – Source: Halbeeg – 115 Words
Somali Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Kheyre has met the representative of youth organizations in Galkayo on Tuesday. The meeting focused on the role of the young people in the city on a number of key issues such as reconciliation, unity and development of Galmudug state.
The Premier who has been touring the region for the past two weeks stressed the need for the young people in the area to take an active role in reconciliation and peacebuilding in the region. Khaire urged youth groups to unite in order to shun tribalism and instead have a national agenda. Galmudug state is gearing up towards elections upon the conclusion of reconciliation efforts spearheaded by the Prime Minister.
9 July – Source: Halbeeg – 129 Words
The Mayor of Mogadishu warned the security bodyguards in the capital city of wearing armed forces uniform. Speaking during weekly security meeting in Mogadishu, Abdirahman Omar Osman alias ‘Yarisow’, said the VIP guards should avoid wearing fatigue. Engineer Yarisow added that the move is aimed at ensuring safety while preempting attacks from armed group al Shabaab who disguise themselves as soldiers. Two militants who were dressed in army fatigue were killed on Monday by the police after a shootout.
The security meeting has also resolved senior government officials to implement the decision, The owners of the public service vehicles operating in the city mainly rickshaw were drivers also ordered to registered automobiles. Somali police intercepted car laden with explosives on Monday, the vehicle later exploded but no one was hurt.
9 July – Source: Somali Affairs – 129 Words
At least 25 people have been killed and more than 30 others wounded in clan clashes in the northern Somali region of Sanaag, local media reports. The reports indicate that the heavy fighting between militias from two area clans in El Afweyn and Dud Arale areas began on 7 July and continued until the next day.
The president of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland reportedly ordered troops to be sent to the region to end the fighting. Sanaag is a disputed region, claimed by both Somaliland and the Puntland State of Somalia. Militias from the two clans have in the past clashed in the region.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
9 July – Source: RSF – 454 Words
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the immediate arrest of a Somali policeman so that he can begin serving the five-year jail sentence he received last November for fatally shooting a journalist. The sentence was not made public and RSF has only just learned of its existence. The verdict issued by a military court on 1 November 2018, a copy of which has been obtained by RSF, states: “In the court’s view, it has been clearly established that Abdullahi Ahmed Nur, a police sergeant working for the customs and finance department, committed the crime of which he is accused.”
The court’s sentence, is five years in prison and the payment of 100 camels in compensation to the family of Abdirisak Qasim Iman, theSomali Broadcasting Services (SBS) cameraman he shot twice in the head at close range at a police checkpoint in Mogadishu on 26 July 2018. RSF has been told by Iman’s family and other local sources that Nur, after being very quickly identified as the police officer who fired the shots, fled to Galkayo, a city 700 km northeast of Mogadishu, and has yet to be arrested.
His conviction by a military court was never made public in the hope that he would not remain a fugitive. The Somali law enforcement authorities reportedly wanted to announce the judgement once the convicted killer is arrested. A close presidential aide told RSF that the case was being “closely followed” and that a meeting was planned with the police on this subject. “This conviction is an important step in the fight against crimes of violence against journalists in Somalia, one of Africa’s most dangerous countries for journalists,” said Arnaud Froger, the head of RSF’s Africa desk. “It is now vital that this police officer should be arrested so that the court’s decision can be carried out and so that journalists feel more protected even when members of the security forces are responsible for abuses against media personnel.”
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
8 July – Source: SONNA – 430 Words
Yesterday, Mogadishu Mayor, H.E. Eng. Abdirahman Omar Osman (Eng. Yarisow) sat and listened to displacement affected families express their hopes and aspirations to finding durable solutions to their protracted displacement in Mogadishu. This first of many consultations took place in Kaxda District where the Mayor led a roundtable discussion with displacement affected communities (DACs). Participants included Yemeni refugees, refugee returnees from neighbouring countries, internally displaced from other regions in the country and host community. “The goal of these consultations is to get a better understanding of their living situation and provide them with the opportunity to take part in the decision-making process that directly affects their lives,” says Mayor Yarisow.
Families called for an urgent response to priorities that ranged from adequate housing, health and access to quality education. Many families raised concerns of forced evictions and lack of tenure security as a constant disruption to their lives. “We ask the mayor to ensure that we are protected and that all levels government and the Somali public, especially those in Mogadishu, take special care towards their brothers and sisters suffering from displacement.” (IDP, Kaxda)
After the round table discussions, Benadir Regional Administration held a football tournament for over 40 young people from the larger Kaxda community with the objective of promoting social cohesion between displaced and host communities. H.E. Yarisow instructed young people to take lead in advocating for themselves, their families and their needs. “Young people are Somalia’s future and I encourage young people to work closely with our administration on finding the best solution for IDPs.”
The Mayor noted that over 75% of Somalia’s population is youth who are mostly unemployed and unequipped with the necessary skills to compete in the global economy. Most internally displaced persons (IDPs) live in unplanned and informal settlements in Mogadishu and about 55% of them are concentrated in two of Mogadishu’s peripheral districts. With the second-highest urban growth rate in the world, protracted internal displacement in Mogadishu becomes an inherently urban phenomenon and must be addressed against a backdrop of increasing urbanization and growing rural-urban migration trends.
The administration believes sporting activities are good for community integration, creating a direct interaction between youth from both DAC and the host community. The Mayor directly engaged DACs, listened to their priority needs and spoke on plans to create a channel of communication for their future concerns and contributions – reassuring them that the regional priorities will include their suggestions. “I have listened to your needs. My administration will closely work with the Durable Solutions Unit to ensure all your needs are met.” |
