NATIONAL MEDIA
11 July – Source: Goobjoog – 82 Words
Reports from Mudug region indicate that unknown armed men have today attacked and opened fire on a civilian vehicle, resulting in casualties and injuries. At least three people died and five other civilians have sustained injuries of the incident. The attacked vehicle was passing at Saxansaxo area of Galkacyo town. The gunmen have immediately escaped from the scene. The security forces reached the scene and launched operations to seek out the assailants though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
11 July – Source: Jowhar Online – 172 Words
The Mayor of Mogadishu, who is also the Governor of Banadir Region, has graced the start of the inter-district Handball competition at the Wiish Stadium in Mogadishu. The tournament would feature 17 teams representing the 17 districts of Benadir Region.
The Mayor said the start of the tournament proves that Mogadishu is safe and stable, thanks to president Farmajo’s administration’s continuous efforts to streamline security and foster national integration. “This is yet another clear sign of the security gains made in the capital, and in the country. This administration is firm in ensuring that Mogadishu continues on the path to glory”
The Mayor called on the youth to actively engage in building cohesion, unity and integration. It is a priority for the Banadir administration to enhance games, recreation and tournaments that would bring about unity and harmony. “Such games foster unity, social bonding and integration,” the Mayor said. The districts of Hodan and Hamar Weyne competed in the opening match of the tournament. The inter-district Handball games would be an annual fixture.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
12 July – Source: Daily Nation – 331 Words
Today marks exactly four months since two Cuban doctors stationed in Mandera were abducted by gunmen on April 12. The two were kidnapped in a daring road ambush by suspected al-Shabaab militants who killed one of the police officers escorting them. Since then, little is known about the government’s efforts to rescue Dr Landy Rodriguez (a surgeon) and Dr Herera Correa (general practitioner). “Efforts are ongoing to rescue the doctors but I don’t know when they will be released. What I know is that they are alive wherever they are,” said Mandera police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom. He declined to share more information about the rescue plan.
NEGOTIATE RELEASE
A week after the abduction, local elders volunteered to negotiate their release. They crossed the border through Elwak on April 20 with El-Adde as their first destination since reports had indicated that the doctors were being held there. “Those we met at El-Adde denied abducting the doctors but admitted holding them in one of their hideouts. We were mistreated there,” one of the elders told the Nation. They returned after two weeks in El-Adde.
WARNING
“We eventually met the doctors but after a tough time. They (Somali elders) warned against sustained military attacks on their camps in search of the Cubans and we agreed on the condition that the doctors are not harmed,” said the elder. They also negotiated the ransom but could not agree on the figure. “The figure was higher than what has been reported in the media but we shall still engage them on that because these doctors are innocent.” A section of the media had placed the ransom at Sh150 million.
Intelligence sources said the Cubans were abducted by bandits who handed them over to suspected al-Shabaab militants, who sought ransom through proxies. A recent security report showed that the doctors were moved to Halaanqo forest near Barawe town where they were allegedly converted to Islam. The local security team later blamed the county government for the abduction.
July 11 – Source: Science Times – 503 Words
The climate emergency is causing major alarm across nations all over the world, and it is the poorest of countries that usually bear the brunt. In Somalia for example, most of the country is experiencing drought, which does not only threaten lives and livelihoods, but it could lead to the deaths of more than two million people by the end of the summer season.
Climate change has caused havoc in the usual rain patterns in Somalia. They used to get a lot of rain particularly during the months of April to June, also considered the main rainy season because that’s the time they truly get a huge amount of rain which fuels several businesses. Then there is the second rainy season towards the end of the year during October to December. The periods in between are usually the dry season. They receive a little less rain.
The advent of global warming has put more than ⅔ of the country in jeopardy. Most of these people who are suffering have lived all their lives depending on the rain for their survival and their livelihood. Last year, a lot of people have suffered when the dry season didn’t seem to have moved on. Again, this year, the country has been suffering from the dry spell making it seemingly impossible to grow crops and worse to even survive the heat with little to no water.
This has escalated to the decline of the production of livestock and widespread crop failure. These have brought about communities in the most affected areas into a stagnant decline of food security and the rise of unwanted deaths. In recent years, the frequency and duration of these dry spells have only gotten worse, which in turn has pushed the capacity of people to resist such shocks. Every drought they experience depletes the resources that they have: more of their animals die and the crops they planted fail to flourish. All these lead to even worse problems until they are stripped off with everything they have……
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“ He and his family now depend on food handouts they get from their neighbours in the camp. “I no longer have the ability to work and I have been reduced to a beggar. I previously used my physical abilities to earn a living. I only use my eyes now but my legs are paralysed,” Ahmed told Radio Ergo. “I used to go wherever I wanted,” he added, vividly recalling his healthy days.”
11 July – Source: Radio Ergo – 720 Words
Bedridden and poor, 55–year–old Ahmed Farah Gedi embodies the hardships faced by disabled people and their families living in IDP camps in Somalia. In this part of our series, Radio Ergo visits Kulmiye camp in Beledwyene, Hiran region.
Ahmed Farah Gedi, 55, is one of the people living with disabilities in Kulmiye camp, Beledweyne. He was previously a proud provider for his family but for the past one year, half of his body has been paralysed. He and his family now depend on food handouts they get from their neighbours in the camp. “I no longer have the ability to work and I have been reduced to a beggar. I previously used my physical abilities to earn a living. I only use my eyes now but my legs are paralysed,” Ahmed told Radio Ergo. “I used to go wherever I wanted,” he added, vividly recalling his healthy days.
Ahmed was woken up by sharp pains in his body late one night. The pain was unbearable and left him briefly unconscious. His family and neighbours rushed him toBeledweyne general hospital. The doctors told him that the paralysis was caused by high blood pressure and had damaged the nervous system. However, he was not told if the paralysis was permanent or could be cured. Ahmed is a father of six with an eldest son aged nine. His wife has been occupied with giving extra care and support to her bedridden husband and her children, leaving no one to earn a living for the family.
He used to hawk bread and pastries in the city, while his wife owned a small stall selling small items. The two streams of income used to support them fairly comfortably. “Although it was not easy, I used to have a better life. I never used to depend on aid handouts from the people or aid organisations,” said Ahmed. “I was an agro-pastoralist before I was displaced. I had my livestock and I worked on my farm. I was dependent on my physical abilities.”
Ahmed’s family live in a small hut covered with pieces of cloths, which cannot shelter them from rain although they get cover from the sun and cold at night. Prolonged drought in the region wiped out all the family’s livestock three years ago and they were forced to migrate from Nur-Fanah village, 55 km from Beledweyne, towards the town. There are many IDPs in Beledweyne living with disabilities. Barwaqo camp does not have a health centre to provide the much needed health services…… |
