NATIONAL MEDIA
16 July – Source: SONNA – 190 Words
Somalia was among 53 African countries that showcased its rich national resources in agriculture, fisheries, livestock and minerals during China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo held in Changsha, capital of Hunan province in south-central China on June 27-29,2019, SONNA reported. Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Mahdi Mohamed Guled reminded participants about Somalia’s strategic route and geographic location, abundant natural and human resources and traditional entrepreneurs’ spirits that made great successful opportunities to all investors. “Somalia is among the most connected to trade and financial systems in Africa and China and many of our business have strong trade and investment partnership on both sides”, Mr. Guled said in the opening ceremony of the Trade Expo. Having the longest coast in Africa, over 40 percent of Somalia’s land is fertile and it is to remember that we used to be Africa’s largest exporter of high quality bananas to the Middle East and European Union markets. There are now great efforts to reviving all key economic sectors including tourism to attract local and foreign investment, despite challenges related to terrorist matters which the Government is trying its best to eradicate them in all levels.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
PRESS STATEMENT
15 July – Source: UNSC – 304 Words
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Gustavo Meza-Cuadra (Peru):
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack of 12 July 2019 in Somalia’s port city of Kismayo which killed and injured innocent civilians. The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Somalia. The members of the Security Council wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Somalia and all other relevant authorities in this regard……
15 July – Source: UNSOM – 473 Words
I am very pleased to visit Kismayo but have mixed emotions. I share with the people of Jubaland a terrible sense of loss in the aftermath of the terrorist attack of 12 July. On behalf of the UN team in Somalia, I present my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the attack, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. There is no political or ideological justification for such atrocities. The United Nations stands with the people of Jubaland as they deal with this terrible tragedy. I also share with the people of Jubaland the determination not to let a despicable act of terrorism derail the progress that Jubaland has made towards reconciliation and political stability, as a Federal Member State of Somalia.
My trip to Kismayo today represents my second visit to a Federal Member State since I arrived a few weeks ago as Special Representative of the Secretary-General. I am grateful to President Ahmed Mohamed Islam ‘Madobe’ and his administration for their kind welcome to me and my delegation. I also had the opportunity to meet the Chairman of the Jubaland Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission and a delegation of Parliamentarians from Jubaland….
15 July – Source: Daily Nation – 356 Words
A driver with the Kenya Power company has escaped death narrowly after the car he was driving was hit by an explosive in Mandera. The driver was alone in the vehicle and was headed to Takaba from Mandera town along the newly tarmacked Rhamu-Elwak road when the explosion happened on Monday. Lafey Deputy County Commissioner Eric Oronyi, while confirming the incident, said the Toyota Land Cruiser was slightly damaged but the driver was not injured. “The driver reported that while along the highway between Chabi and Bamboo villages, he saw a suspicious heap of soil on the road and as he swerved it exploded,” said Mr Oronyi.
TYRE BURST
According to Mr Oronyi, the explosion shuttered the cars windscreen and caused a tyre burst. “The driver did not stop despite the tire burst until he reached the nearest police post because he feared for the worst,” Mr Oronyi said. The administrator said security agencies have since been deployed in the area to search for those who may have planted the explosive. He said security agencies are doing everything to address the increasing cases of planting of explosives on the newly tarmacked Mandera-Rhamu-Elwak road. “We are increasing our security patrols to flush out the usual suspects. I urge road users to continue with their businesses because the situation is under control,” he said…..
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“iRise has also partnered with financial institutions, such as Premium Bank and International Bank of Somalia, to help youths to access funding for their business projects. Despite the progress made, bringing more youths on board has not been easy. Access to finance, for example, still remains one of the main challenges hindering the growth of youth entrepreneurship in the country.”
15 July – Source: AMISOM – 889 Words
Ilyas Omar (22) engages in animated discussion with colleagues at the lounge of iRise, a technological innovation hub in Mogadishu’s Hodan district. Ilyas is representing his company ‘Maan Ifiye’ which is one of 20 start-up groups participating in a workshop organised by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its growth, enterprise, employment and livelihoods (GEEL) programme.
Ilyas is happy to be one of the participants of the GEEL programme which promotes inclusive economic growth throughout Somalia by addressing challenges and opportunities that are common in multiple sectors, among them agriculture, fisheries and renewable energy. “I am here to learn how to draft contract agreements, employee contracts, business plan writing, marketing/brand strategy among other strategic ideas which will help my graphic design company to grow,” says the Mogadishu-born young entrepreneur.
After years of conflict, Somalia’s youthful population, which was one of the most affected groups by the decades-long war, is slowly but steadily reclaiming its space in the country’s development agenda by establishing start-ups to address some of the economic challenges facing the horn of Africa country.
Since 2007, Somalia has been on a trajectory towards peace and security thanks to efforts made by the African Union Mission and Somalia (AMISOM) and the federal and state governments in stabilising the country. The achievements, coupled with the high-speed fibre optic internet, connected in 2013, are encouraging the youthful population to come out of isolationism by using technology to improve their lives.
Learning design work was not easy for the 22-year-old, given the fact that there are no specialised institutions teaching contemporary design, let alone skilled tutors capable of imparting the necessary skills. As a result, Ilyas had to rely on online tutorials uploaded on YouTube to learn basic design. “There are very few skilled designers in Somalia. Furthermore, there are no colleges or institutions to help you train as well. I had to learn the hard way that is through online tutorials,” Ilyas reminisces.
After grasping the basics of design and working for various employers for five years, Ilyas established his design company in 2017 before joining iRise the following year, whose objective is to promote collaboration between innovators and investors, while offering resources needed by budding entrepreneurs and start-ups. Some of the support offered by the Mogadishu-based technological hub to upcoming entrepreneurs are business training, mentorship, project evaluation and support during incubation stages of their projects.
According to Naima Gurey, the lead trainer and community manager at iRise Hub, innovation hubs have the potential of contributing to the development and technological transformation of the country if well implemented. “The start-up industry in Somalia is very new. There are a lot of opportunities when it comes to technology and innovation in the country which we can all take advantage of, especially as the young generation,” said Naima. She urges youths with innovative ideas to seek support from innovation hubs, saying that despite the challenges currently faced, the industry is set to grow into a major economic contributor and source of employment in the next three to five years. “We have a lot of partnerships. When it comes to youth trainings, we are coordinating with universities such as Simad University, Jamhuriya University and other educational institutions to train youths on entrepreneurship,” Naima adds.
iRise has also partnered with financial institutions, such as Premium Bank and International Bank of Somalia, to help youths to access funding for their business projects. Despite the progress made, bringing more youths on board has not been easy. Access to finance, for example, still remains one of the main challenges hindering the growth of youth entrepreneurship in the country. To ensure Somalia keeps pace with its neighbours in technology, Ilyas urges development partners to provide more funding for youth start-ups to enable them to successfully go from the incubation phase to maturity stage…. |
