April 11, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali President receives delegation from Britain
11 Apr – Source: Radio Mogadishu/ al Shahid – 133 words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud on Wednesday met in his office in Mogadishu delegation from the Britain led by the adviser of British Prime Minister for Security Affairs, Oliver Robinson. Somali President discussed with the visiting British delegation on matters relating to the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The two sides discussed during the meeting the importance of the international conference on Somalia, which will host by the British government on May, 2013.
The adviser of the British Prime Minister for security said that his talks with Somali President revolved around the conference on Somalia to be held in Britain next May, radio Mogadishu reports. The British delegation’s visit comes at a time when the British government is planning to hold an international conference on Somalia in London, May 2013.
Key Headlines
- Somali President receives delegation from Britain (Radio Mogadishu/ al Shahid)
- Prime Minister Shirdon and President Museveni discuss advancing security in Somalia (Prime Minister’s Media Office)
- Somalia: Bay & Bakool elders receive death threats from al Shabaab (Raxanreeb)
- Militant Recruitment Of Somali-American Youth Appears Halted Says US Congressman (VOA News)
- Uganda to train equip Somali military (Daily Monitor)
- Ethiopian PM Hailemariam confers with UK Minister for African Affairs (Walta Information Centre/ENA)
- Tackling Somali piracy needs new onshore focus – World Bank (Reuters/World Bank)
- Displaced Somalis suffer cycle of sexual violence (BBC)
PRESS STATEMENT
Prime Minister Shirdon and President Museveni discuss advancing security in Somalia
11 Apr – Source: Prime Minister’s Media Office – 352 words
Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon discussed with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on how to advance the African Union Mission in Somalia, transform the Somali Army to defeat Al-Shabaab and improve security more broadly across Somalia.
The Prime Minister stated the urgency to move forward and advance security while defeating and freeing more territory from al Shabaab. The terrorist group was already weakened and should be eliminated from the region, said the Prime Minister. He also stated that security is at the top of the country’s agenda and the first pillar of the six main pillars the government has established to rebuild the Somali nation.
“Security is our top priority and we are working toward achieving a stable and safe country with the support and sacrifice of AMISOM member states – with Uganda in the lead,” Prime Minister Said. “Al Shabaab enslaved our people especially a large number of our young generation as child soldiers, forcing unwanted marriage on young and under-age girls and brainwashing some to commit terrorist acts. Therefore we have an obligation to save them from these criminals,” the Prime Minister said.
With the arms embargo lifted Prime Minister Shirdon and President Museveni discussed systematic ways to build the Somali National Army and steadily move forward in the process of defeating al Shabaab and pacifying Somalia in general. They both admitted the urgency and the need to move quickly in fighting for the freedom of many Somalis under the control of al Shabaab.
“We understand the need to guard the roads, villages, towns and coastal areas while protecting civilians and we are at your disposal to achieve full security in Somalia,” President Museveni said. The President reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment in stabilizing Somalia directly and through the African Union mission and pledged more support.
Ugandan troops make up the biggest percentage of AMISOM. Close collaboration between the two countries will advance the regional security and contribute to the elimination of al Shabaab. The Prime Minister and his delegation are scheduled to travel to Burundi, a key contributor to the AMISOM. After visiting Burundi the Prime Minister will conclude his landmark regional trip on Saturday.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somalia: Bay & Bakool elders receive death threats from al Shabaab
11 Apr – Source: Raxanreeb – 119 words
Traditional elders from Bay & Bakool who took part in the ratification of draft constitution for Somali Federal government have received fresh death threats from militant group, al Shabaab.
Speaking to the media that often promote the group’s agenda, Sheikh Mahad Abdikarim who’s the group’s envoy to Bay & Bakool threatened that they will assassinate the elders who attended the meeting in which Somalia’s draft charter was passed.
Sheikh Mahad Abdikarim vowed that they’ll kill anyone who took part in the charter’s ratification process should they arrive in these two provinces saying, “any elder who took part in the approval of Somali draft charter is like Augustine Mahiga and if they fall in the hands of Mujahidin (al Shabaab fighters) they’ll be beheaded”.
Somali President receives delegation from Britain
11 Apr – Source: Radio Mogadishu/ al Shahid – 133 words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud on Wednesday met in his office in Mogadishu delegation from the Britain led by the adviser of British Prime Minister for Security Affairs, Oliver Robinson. Somali President discussed with the visiting British delegation on matters relating to the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The two sides discussed during the meeting the importance of the international conference on Somalia, which will host by the British government on May, 2013.
The adviser of the British Prime Minister for security said that his talks with Somali President revolved around the conference on Somalia to be held in Britain next May, radio Mogadishu reports. The British delegation’s visit comes at a time when the British government is planning to hold an international conference on Somalia in London, May 2013.
Somaliland president wants term extension for the House of National Assembly
11 Apr – Source: Somaliland Informer – 255 words
Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo has written a request letter to the House of Elders demanding that Members of the Guurti ( Elders) to make term extension for Somaliland House of National Assembly by two years and this will pave the way for holding the presidential and the parliamentary elections at the same time.
The president forwarded letter of appeal on the day that he was leaving for turkey to attend the Somaliland –Somalia talks which the Turkish government hosted and is expected to open on 13th April.
Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) wrote letter to president Silanyo of Somaliland citing that the parliamentary elections cannot be held at the planned date due to lack of voter registration in the country.
Mogadishu IDPs cautiously welcome relocation plans
11 Apr – Source: Radio Ergo – 417 words
Somali federal government officials say plans are in the final stages to relocate more than 400,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently living in Mogadishu city. The relocations are to be carried out with the assistance of international aid agencies. But the displaced are worried about the conditions they will find in the new locations. “If we are moved somewhere else, the main questions we have are whether the new place will be safe and secure, and what opportunities there will be for us to earn a living,” said Maryan Ali Sahel, a displaced woman.
The Mayor of Mogadishu, Mohamed Ahmed Noor Tarsan, who is also the regional commissioner of Banadir, told Radio Ergo the plans entailed setting up of settlement for the IDPs in three locations, Daynile, Jazira, and Gubadley, all in the outskirts of the city. A government commission comprising cabinet representatives and regional leaders was overseeing the implementation.
“There is no government that would accept its people living in such a deplorable state inside the city. We shall relocate these people to a place that is better in terms of health and sanitation. Those who are opposed to the relocation should go and rent houses and live like normal people,” Mayor Tarsan said. So what services and livelihood facilities are being planned for the relocated IDPs?
The director of the Disaster Management Agency, Dr. Abdullahi Mohamed Jimale, told Radio Ergo: “Before the actual relocation of these IDPs, basic services need to be put in place, including shelter, water, food and medication, and this is the first step that should precede implementation of the relocation plan.” Maryan Ali Sahel, an IDP living in a camp near the National Parliament building, told Radio Ergo’s reporter about the difficulties faced. She said the conditions were deplorable and not fit for human beings and any proposal to get them out of their current situation would be welcome.
UNICEF Deputy for Somalia meets with Director of Puntland Social Welfare Agency
10 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 106 words
Puntland Social Welfare Agency (PASWE) received a delegation of UNICEF officials who arrived in Garowe led by UNICEF Deputy Representative for Somalia Foroogh Foyouzat who met with the Director of PASWE Hussein Mohamud Hubsireed, Garowe Online reports.
A delegation of UNICEF officials led Deputy Foroogh– in her first visit to Somalia –paid a courtesy visit to the PASWE headquarters in Garowe.
The purpose of the visit was to introduce the deputy representative to PASWE, as part of her introductory tour to UNICEF partners in Puntland. Madam Foyouzat was on her first trip to Somalia following her appointment as the Deputy Representative for the organization in Somalia.
Youth training in electronics
10 Apr – Source: Radio Ergo – 246 words
Abdullahi Hundub runs a busy electronics repair shop in Burao, fixing radios, televisions and mobile phones. He also runs a successful electronics training programme, aiming to give unemployed young people the skills they need to set up their own repair businesses.
Abdullahi Hundub, who is disabled, has 10 years experience. “There are no institutions to learn this skill in Burao or Hargeisa. I learnt what I know by watching repairmen at work,” he told Radio Ergo. “I’m now a trainer, a skills teacher for the youth. Some of the youth I have trained are now running their own repair places in the markets here, in Burao town.”
Ahmed Adan is one of Hundub’s former students. “I learnt how to repair mobile phones, and for the last three years that’s what I have been doing to earn a living. It is hard to get employment in this country, and this skill helped be in getting my daily bread. I have opened a small work-shop where I do the repair work, it a step forward in my life and key to my livelihood.”
REGIONAL MEDIA
Uganda to train, equip Somali military
11 Apr – Source: Daily Monitor – 236 words
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday said his country would work with the international community to help train the Somali military.
Museveni, who was meeting visiting Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, said building a strong military is critical in stabilizing the Horn of African country that has faced decades of war.”The pillar of the army is officers.
We really must train officers and if there is any way we can support you, we are happy to do that. We need to get well educated officers and non-commissioned officers with the right ideology and organize and support them to take control of the security of their country,” he said, according to a State House statement issued here.
Museveni, Somali PM discuss security
10 Apr – Source: New Vision – 436 words
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to work with the international community to train and equip the Somali army. “The pillar of the army is officers. We really must train officers and if there is any way we can support you, we are happy to do that.
We need to get well educated officers and noncommissioned officers with the right ideology and organize and support them to take control of the security of their country,” he said.
Museveni was meeting the Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon who is on a two day official visit to Uganda. Prime Minister Abdi Farah hailed Uganda’s role in redeeming Somalia saying he personally had to come and thank the people of Uganda for offering their sons and daughters to the region to ensure peace and stability.
Ethiopian PM Hailemariam confers with UK Minister for African Affairs
11 Apr – Source: Walta Information Centre/ENA – 95 words
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn Wednesday held talks with UK Minister for African Affairs, Mark Simmonds on bilateral issues between Ethiopia and the UK as well as African affairs.
Simmonds told journalists after the talks that the discussion with the Premier was constructive and fruitful. The Minister also said discussion was held on issues related to the international conference to be held in Britain on the affairs of Somalia on May 7, 2013. According to ENA, Simmonds invited PM Hailemariam to take part in the conference, according to an official of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Yemen cancels Somali maritime debts
10 Apr – Source: Sabahi Online – 137 words
The Yemeni government agreed to cancel tax debts owed by the Somali government for ships docked off its coast, Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi announced Tuesday (April 9th).
Hadi made the announcement in Sanaa after meeting with a delegation led by Somali Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohamed Noor Gaal, who delivered a letter from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, according to Yemen’s official Saba news agency.
In the meeting, Hadi praised bilateral relations between the two countries. “Yemen has nearly 1.2 million Somali refugees sharing the living with the people of Yemen under the difficult circumstances experienced by the country,” he said.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Tackling Somali piracy needs new onshore focus – World Bank
11 Apr – Source: Reuters/World Bank – 721 words
Although the number of attacks has markedly fallen since 2011 thanks to tougher security aboard ships and increased Western naval patrols, piracy emanating from the lawless Horn of Africa nation may still cost the world economy about $18 billion a year, the bank said in a report released on Thursday.
Pirates operate far beyond Somalia’s waters, disrupting shipping on global routes in the Indian Ocean and into the Red Sea. Since the first reported hijacking in 2005, 149 ships have been seized, raising total ransoms of $315 million-$385 million.
That is a fraction of the amount World Bank in its 218-page report estimates it costs the world economy from distortions to trade prompted by piracy. Other bodies give lower estimates. But the costs of naval operations, guards on ships, higher insurance and other factors run into billions of dollars.
Piracy incidents have dropped since 2012, but much of that experts attribute to tougher security at sea. Talk among donors of offering alternative livelihoods to pirates have had little impact given that Somalia’s government has limited control over the country and a pirate’s booty is far higher than other work.
Displaced Somalis suffer cycle of sexual violence
11 Apr – Source: BBC – 126 words
Boys kick footballs around on the flat sand, against the pockmarked, low-rise skyline of the Somali capital. Young couples stroll along the seafront – men and women together, appropriately dressed, of course. But as life returns to Mogadishu, its people, scarred by decades of war, are facing a mountain of problems.
A combination of fighting and famine has left 1.1 million people displaced. In Mogadishu alone there are more than 500 camps where families eke out a meagre living under scraps of tarpaulin and cloth supported on stick frames.
The United Nations says women in particular are vulnerable here. They recorded 1,700 rapes in the camps last year – many are thought to have been carried out by members of the Somali security forces.
Militant Recruitment Of Somali-American Youth Appears Halted, Says US Congressman
10 Apr – Source: VOA News – 140 words
A U.S. congressman from Minnesota says the recruitment of young Somali-Americans by militants in that state appears to have stopped. Representative Keith Ellison said in an interview with VOA’s Somali Service that he is not aware of any recent cases of young people from his area being recruited or traveling to Somalia to fight with militant groups like al Shabaab.
Ellison warns that because recruitment often takes place “in the dark,” or secretly, it may still be going on. He says lack of integration into American society – caused by high unemployment and the expense of higher education – has made Somali-American youths more vulnerable to terrorist recruitment.
“It’s important that we make sure that there [are] jobs, education, opportunity for Somali-American youth so that they will be able to say ‘no’ to these kinds of recruitments,” he said.
Turkey gives Somalia the gift of a hospital
10 Apr – Source: Sabah – 332 words
Turkey has perhaps made the greatest contribution to the situation in Somalia in health and medical services. In a country where surgeries were virtually impossible and lives were lost in even the smallest of operations, now there is a brand new palatial-like hospital built by Turkey’s Health Ministry.
It took 169 workers nine months to complete what was not only the first building built in the Somali capital in the past 20 years, but is also the sole building to have an elevator. There are currently two hospitals in operation in Somalia; one is the Åžifa Hospital established by Medical Park in Mogadishu a year and a-year-and-a-half ago and the other is the field hospital, also opened by the Ministry of Health.
When the field hospital was set up it was so dangerous in Somalia that the doctors had to stay in tents in the hospital garden. An operating room was set up on the bottom floor and security guards would guard the entrance. With the completion of the new hospital scheduled for July, the field hospital will soon be shut down.
Before Turkish doctors began arriving to Somalia, it was impossible to conduct surgeries in the nation because there was no anesthesia nor anyone who knew how to administer them. Now, with the arrival of Turkish doctors, Somali doctors are being trained in all of the areas in which they were lacking.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The U.S. sanctions, intended to curb radical Islamists’ activities, instead will stifle economic growth a requisite for stability.”
Sanctions on Somalia will stifle growth, affect stability
10 Apr – Source: Washington Post – 639 Words
President Obama’s plan to renew sanctions against Somalia to weaken Islamist militants would wrack the war-torn country’s economy just as an elected government is restoring stability for the first time in 22 years and as thousands of refugees are returning to their homeland. The sanctions, imposed in 2010, are scheduled to be lifted Friday. They prohibit charcoal exports a key source of funding for al Shabaab terrorists, whose grip on parts of Somalia has been loosened by U.N.-backed African Union forces. Charcoal exports are also a basic economic resource that affects thousands of Somali villagers.
In announcing to Congress his intention to extend sanctions for one year, Mr. Obama last week noted that his administration in January formally recognized Somalia’s new government, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The U.S. action allows the resumption of full diplomatic relations with Somalia, as well as civilian and defensive military aid.
“Although the U.S. recognition underscores a strong commitment to Somalia’s stabilization, it does not remove the importance of U.S. sanctions, especially against persons undermining the stability of Somalia,” Mr. Obama said in a letter to lawmakers. “For this reason I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency with respect to Somalia and to maintain in force the sanctions … to respond to this threat.”
Such harsh action could not come at a worse time for the struggling villagers and merchants in Somalia, which I visited last week. Security in the Somali capital Mogadishu has improved dramatically since African Union forces drove out al Shabaab in August 2011, but sporadic bomb attacks continue.
“So last week, the United States declared that it is now willing to provide military aid, including arms exports, to Somalia. Weirdly, that actually means that thing are looking up in the world’s only failed state.”
Failed state of Somalia starting over
11 Apr – Source: London Free Press – 576 Words
There have been no elections in Somalia since 1967 and there won’t be any this year, either. But the country has a new parliament (appointed on the advice of clan elders) that has elected a new president, and the new government controls a significant part of the country. The world’s only fully “failed state” may finally be starting to return to normality.
A failed state is a horrendous thing: No government, no army, no police, no courts, no law, just bands of armed men taking what they want. Somalia has been like that for more than 20 years, but now there is hope.
So much hope, that last month the United Nations Security Council partially lifted its embargo on arms sales to Somalia in order to let the new Somali government buy arms, and last week the U.S. government followed suit. The new government replaces the “Transitional Federal Government,” another unelected body that had enjoyed the support of the UN and the African Union for eight years.
“This week the Foreign Ministers will also discuss preventing sexual violence in conflict, an issue that is unfortunately relevant to many countries, including Somalia. Under our Foreign Secretary’s Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative, the UK has been working hard to push this issue up the international agenda because we believe more can and must be done to stop these acts occurring.”
Somalia and the G8: Push to start
10 Apr – Source: FCO Blog – 650 Words
This week, as part the UK’s Presidency of the G8, Foreign Ministers will meet to discuss the need to encourage the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to re-engage in Somalia. The G8 countries are some of the largest shareholders in both the World Bank and the IMF. As a result, the UK is using its Presidency of the G8 to propose that G8 countries support two things.
Firstly, in the short-term, to support the steps needed for IFIs to re-engage with Somalia; and secondly, to support a longer-term process leading eventually to arrears clearance (Somalia is approximately £459 million in arrears, with a total external debt of over £2 billion) and full engagement of the IFIs with Somalia.
With one of the lowest levels of GDP per capita in the world, Somalia needs to create a stronger economy and more sustainable growth in order to help improve both security and living standards. However, for twenty years, the conflict, instability and absence of a legitimate government in Mogadishu has meant that the International Financial Institutions (principally, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank) have been unable to provide any tangible, sustained support to Somalia.
Engagement by the IFIs is a key element in Somalia’s recovery from conflict and state collapse. Not only will this support build and grow the economy – creating more jobs and more opportunities for the Somalis – it will also support the foundations on which a successful and increasingly stable Somalia will be built.
“After years of fighting, Somalia is ready to rebuild its economy. Nobel nominee Dr. Hawa Abdi and Dell’s Steve Felice speak about the importance of investing in women in emerging markets.”
Dr. Hawa Abdi: Empower Somalia’s Businesswomen
10 Apr – Source: The Daily Beast – 1136 Words
At the close of the Clinton Global Initiative University this past weekend, former president Bill Clinton told Stephen Colbert that the one lingering problem he’d most like to tackle is “the disparity in treatment between boys and girls and women and men.” Earlier in the day, two leaders from seemingly unrelated worlds—Dr. Hawa Abdi, a co-host of the 2013 Women in the World Summit, who has provided refuge to more than 100,000 displaced people since the start of Somalia’s civil war, and Steve Felice, president and chief commercial officer of Dell—took part in a panel, moderated by Chelsea Clinton, that addressed this very issue. Afterwards, Abdi and her daughter Deqo Mohamed sat down with Felice, bringing together the worlds of a remote displaced person’s camp and big tech to connect on common goals—and shared challenges.
Sarah J. Robbins: You’ve established initiatives that seem very different but that each promote women’s entrepreneurship. Dr. Abdi and Deqo, your foundation has a Women’s Education Center. Why, with the many needs in Somalia, have you chosen to do this?
Deqo Mohamed: After we started the education center in 2008, the goal shifted from just providing education to fight malnutrition and female genital mutilation—practiced by 98 percent of Somali people—to include language and math instruction. You see, many of the women living with us were already in the market, selling vegetables, fruit or clothing.
Though they had businesses, they couldn’t succeed—since they couldn’t do their own calculations, someone else was taking their profits. We gave them basic knowledge to empower them, as well as the skills to make handcrafts, which they can also sell. Steve, tell me about the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network.
Steve Felice: As we realized that in both emerging markets and the developed world, the small businesses have been creating more economic development than the big companies, we also saw the emergence of women who were getting into the workforce from an ownership standpoint. I was blown away by these entrepreneurs’ level of skill and creativity but also by their networking ability. We thought: We need to get these capable people together who aren’t competing against each other but working together—it’s good for our business, and it’s also good for the global economy.
“An awe-inspiring documentary webseries & photo exhibition bringing you the untold stories of Somalia”
Untold stories of Somalia
11 Apr – Source: Kick Starter Blog – 575 Words
Somalia Toso shares the untold stories of a nation historically perceived as one of the world’s most dangerous, shedding light on its beauty through the lens of diaspora, art and culture.This documentary webseries and photography collection will uncover Somalia on the ground, Somalia in transition and Somalia moving forward.
This won’t be your typical coverage of Somalia -no sir! Instead of focusing on the typical stuff like pirates or famine, we’re going to bring you the unbelievable tales of innovative architects, the unconventional movers, and the ambitious creators. Cause this project is all about inspiring, collaborating, and empowering.
Here is how the coverage will unfold.
Part 1 – We’re Going Going, Back Back, to SOMALIA. Follow our creator & visionary as she prepares for her first trip home in over 20 years.
Part 2 – The Real Somali Vs. The Media. See what Somali’s have to say about Somalia, especially those who’ve stayed & those who’ve gone back to rebuild
Part 3 – What Now? What will be next for our creator & those she’s encountered on her journey back home.
Top tweets
@farhanjimale The #G8 foreign ministers meeting is taking place in Lancaster house. It is where #Somalia conference was held last year pic.twitter.com/f1hDnmzzjS.
@t_mcconnell Excited to get a review copy of ‘Al-Shabaab in #Somalia‘ by intrepid academic Stig Jarle Hansenhttp://bit.ly/NRVLA6 via @HurstPublishers.
@WorldBankAfrica NEW REPORT: The#PiratesOfSomalia: Ending the Threat; Rebuilding a Nation:http://bit.ly/PiratesOfSomalia … #piracy #Somalia.
@OCHASom @UNMASSomalia started assessing & clearing from mines potential relocation sites for #Mogadishu ‘s 360,000 IDPs. #Somalia @mineaction.
@AbukarArman As #Somalia enters a historical phase of renegotiation/reinvention each of her sons/daughters must think of ways 2 influence positive change.
Image of the day
Somali Speaker Prof. Mohamed Sheikh Osman ‘Jawari’ displays a ceremonial gavel he received after meeting diaspora community in Oslo, Norway on April 10, 2013. Photo: Qaranimo.