NATIONAL MEDIA
17 July – Source: Halbeeg – 118 Words
Somalia’s new ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Ali Sharif Ahmed is expected in Washington DC to present his diplomatic credentials. Ambassador Sharif who served in Addis Ababa and Paris before was among dozens of Ambassadors appointed by President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo months ago in a new foreign policy strategy before being approved by the parliament and cabinet.
The Federal Republic of Somalia embassy in Washington DC was without an ambassador for the past one and a half years. The new ambassador will be the third diplomat in the last four years to set foot in US capital. Mogadishu and Washington enjoy relatively close relations despite President Donald Trump’s recent comment brandishing the horn of the African country.
17 July – Source: Goobjog – 61 Words
Puntland president Mohamed Abdullahi Deni has today dismissed the director of Puntland Maritime forces Abdirahman Hajji Hassan from the office and appointed a new director. A decree from president Deni’s office has appointed Abdirabi Osman Mohamed as the new director of Puntland Maritime forces. President Deni has been making new changes for his administration to facilitate the activities of the region.
17 July – Source: Radio Shabelle – 103 Words
A witness says at least one civilian was wounded when a bomb fitted into a vehicle detonated in Mogadishu, the Somali capital on Wednesday morning. The explosion occurred outside Waberi police station along the busy Makka Al-Mukarama road in the capital, the scene of frequent car bombings by the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab group.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack which comes as police set up additional checkpoints in the seaside city to enforce the security. The UN-backed Somali government is facing security challenges as it is battling Al-Shabab militants with the help of African Union forces [AMISOM] for a decade.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
17 July – Source: UNSOS – 297 Words
The United Nations envoy to Somalia, James Swan, yesterday awarded medals to officers of a United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU) for distinguished service. The soldiers, belonging to UN Guard Unit 5, were awarded the United Nations Medal for Special Service, normally conferred to military and police personnel who have served the UN with distinction.
“Today’s ceremony shows that the excellent work you have been doing since the day you arrived in Somalia has not gone unnoticed. I congratulate all of you for making the grade in a very challenging security environment,” said Mr. Swan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia.
The SRSG lauded the collaboration existing between the United Nations security teams and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) personnel in Mogadishu and the regions, adding that the close working relations had contributed immensely in improving security in Somalia. “Without AMISOM’s work and sacrifices, there wouldn’t be progress to talk about in Somalia,” the UN envoy observed.
AMISOM Deputy Force Commander, Maj. Gen. James Lakara, who also attended the ceremony, congratulated the contingent for delivering on their tasks despite the challenges they faced. “This contingent has delivered on its tasks and I take this opportunity to congratulate members of UNGU 5 for a job well done,” said Maj. Gen. Lakara. His remarks were echoed by the Commander of Sector One Administration Contingent, Colonel Elvis Byamukama, who thanked the soldiers for meeting the UN expectations and urged them to continue upholding professionalism in their new assignments back home. The UN Special Service Medal was established in 1999 and is awarded to personnel who have completed 90 days of service with a UN mission or organization.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“The United States is committed to developing a long-term partnership with Somalia, one that builds upon our successful efforts to combat insecurity and produces sustained prosperity for the Somali people. We will continue to work with the Somali government and international partners, taking full advantage of this opportunity as we harness our commitment and motivation to realize the vision of the peaceful and thriving nation that the Somali people deserve.”
17 July – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1005 Words
With the recent celebration of the U.S. and Somalia independence days, we have occasion to reflect on the progress that our two countries have made together. The peace, stability, and prosperity of Somalia are important to the United States because a strong and resilient Somalia can better resist terrorism and to stop their country from being used as a platform for terrorism in the region, the continent, and beyond. This past year has been historic. Somalis are taking back their country. The partnership of the United States with the people of Somalia has been key in this effort. While there is still much work to be done, we stand by the Somali government and people as you continue the fight against al-Shabaab, protect and stabilize your communities, and develop governance institutions necessary for long-term prosperity.
Among our most urgent priorities is to help address the threat Somalis again face from drought and hunger. An estimated 5.4 million people are expected to face food insecurity by September as the effects of a long dry season has led to significantly lower agricultural and livestock production and decreased access to food and livelihoods. The United States is ramping up assistance to help combat this threat and to save lives. USAID Administrator Mark Green made his first visit to Somalia in June 2019 and announced an additional $185 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to these crises. The United States is unwavering in our commitment to support the people of Somalia through humanitarian assistance so they can build resilience and prosperity.
We know we can address this challenge together because we have done it before. During the devastating drought of 2016-2017, the United States provided emergency food assistance and safe drinking water, addressed acute malnutrition, and responded to urgent health needs, including cholera and measles outbreaks, sustaining vulnerable families and saving millions of lives. This year, once again, early investments, together with the Somali government and people can prevent the crisis from worsening and save lives.
The scourge of terrorism compounds the challenge. It is well documented that al-Shabaab takes children from their families to fight against the Somali people, while preventing life-saving assistance from reaching vulnerable and dying families and livestock. Al-Shabaab extorts struggling communities and businesses, and forces families to flee their homes, livestock, and pastures. In Somalia, approximately 2.6 million people – or roughly one in five – are internally displaced, including 192,000 newly displaced this year. Many are fleeing conflict caused by al-Shabaab.
In the longer-term good governance, job creation, and education will be the keys to peace and prosperity in Somalia. The United States is supporting the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States as they work together, along with Somalia’s vibrant civil society, to rebuild communities and establish credible governance. Federal and state officials still have much work to do to determine how to share resources and authorities to better deliver services to Somalia’s citizens, including security, and follow through with their shared commitment to hold one-person, one-vote elections on schedule next year…. |
