April 2, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report
PRESS STATEMENT
AMISOM Troops Successfully Repulse Al-Shabaab Terrorists Following Simultaneous Attacks On Three AU Bases In The Lower Shabelle Region
02 April – Source: AMISOM – 154 Words
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira, lauds the AU troops in Lower Shabelle region for the gallantry they displayed, during a confrontation with Al-Shabaab earlier today. The troops fought off and successfully repulsed the terrorists who had launched simultaneous attacks on Forward Operating Bases in Quoryole, Bulomareer, and Golwein.
The militants were dealt a heavy blow, with at least 30 of them put out of action, following intense fighting. Eight vehicles which ferried the terrorists, including two Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices were destroyed and an assortment of weapons recovered. Unfortunately, AMISOM lost four gallant soldiers in the fighting. Six others sustained injuries. AMISOM pays tribute to these troops whose courage and sacrifice has frustrated Al-Shabaab’s intent. “We honor our brave soldiers, who are resolute in continuing to neutralize the insurgents in order to restore peace and stability in Somalia,” said Madeira.
Key Headlines
- AMISOM Troops Successfully Repulse Al-Shabaab Terrorists Following Simultaneous Attacks On Three AU Bases In The Lower Shabelle Region (AMISOM)
- Deputy Speaker Of Somali Parliament Suspends House Secretary General Over Impartiality (Halbeeg News)
- Suspected US Drone Strike Kills 3 Civilians In Central Somalia (Shabelle News)
- AU And UN Special Envoys On Funding Consultations For AMISOM Make An Assessment Visit To Somalia (AMISOM)
- Jawari Must Confront Disaffected MPs (Hiiraan Online)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Deputy Speaker Of Somali Parliament Suspends House Secretary General Over Impartiality
02 April – Source: Halbeeg News – 149 Words
The first deputy of Somalia Lower House, Abdiweli Ibrahim Mudey on Monday suspended the Secretary General Abdikarim Buh following allegations of impartiality in the ongoing political crisis. In a statement, Mr. Mudey accused Mr. Buh of violating the House Standing Orders saying the Secretary General was found to have been involved in the ongoing political tension.
“Having realized that he is involved in politics and violated the law on the working of public servants and having established that he is involved in the ongoing conflict and also abused the power of the administration which he has been warned severally not breach, therefore he is temporarily stopped from working as from today,” reads the statement. Though the statement did not clarify who take over the office, Mudey reportedly directed the deputy of Secretary General, Mohamed Abdi to assume office on acting basis. Buh has not yet commented on his suspension.
Suspected US Drone Strike Kills 3 Civilians In Central Somalia
02 April – Source: Shabelle News – 133 Words
At least three civilians, including a woman, were reported to have been killed a suspected US drone strike in central Somalia on Monday. The airstrike was carried out at Da’ar, an Al-Shabaab-controlled area, located about 20 Kilometers west of Elbur district in Galgadud region of central Somalia.
Two prominent local elders identified as Ali Hared and Yusuf Dhegay were among those killed in the drone attack, according to a statement released by Al Shabaab. Sources in the area said the drone has fired a missile targeting a convoy carrying civilians on the outskirts of Elbur. Al Shabaab had denied claims that 10 militants killed in the raid. US military has intensified the airstrikes against the Al Shabab following October 14 deadly truck bombing that killed more than 512 people in Mogadishu’s Zoobe junction.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
AU And UN Special Envoys On Funding Consultations For AMISOM Make An Assessment Visit To Somalia
01 April – Source: AMISOM – 362 Words
The Special Envoys on Funding Consultations for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), made a day’s visit to Mogadishu today, to discuss sustainable funding to peace operations in the Horn of Africa country. Ramtane Lamamra and Jean-Marie Guehenno, the Special Envoys from the African Union and the United Nations respectively, emphasized a gradual shift of security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somali security forces, without retrogressing the progress already made in securing the country.
“It is very important that gradual shift from AMISOM to the Somali authorities happens in a way that doesn’t jeopardize all the efforts that have been made so far,” said UN Envoy Guehenno. Mr. Guéhenno acknowledged the presence of a multiplicity of actors who are supporting security and peacebuilding programmes in Somalia and highlighted their importance towards the achievement of sustainable peace. “In the coming phase, the coordination between all these actors is more important than ever and it is of course a very sensitive issue,” he remarked.
The two Special Envoys met with the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, the Prime Minister H.E Hassan Ali Khaire, the AU and UN Special Representatives for Somalia, Francisco Caetano Madeira and Michael Keating respectively, ambassadors from the Troop Contributing Countries to AMISOM, who are accredited to Somalia, and European Union officials.
Discussions with these teams focused on achieving a smooth transition of the security responsibility from AMISOM to the Somali security forces. The Envoys’ assessment visit to Somalia is part of ongoing consultations on peace support operations for AMISOM, spearheaded by the African Union and the UN.
The AU Special Representative for Somalia Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira expressed concern that unpredictable funding to AMISOM, may have far reaching implications on Somalia. “It is no longer an issue of charity. Supporting SNA or AMISOM is not charity at all. Success of security in Somalia, in all its aspects, is success for everything, including international business,” Madeira said. Upon completion of their assessment, the Envoys will submit a report, which will inform decisions of the African Union Commission and the UN, on the level of funding and provision of logistical support to AMISOM.
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“The Federal Parliament has turned a blind eye to agreements ratified by the cabinet but picks a fight with the executive branch of the government to undermine transparency-based or revenue-boosting initiatives that previous government failed to adopt.”
Jawari Must Confront Disaffected MPs
31 March – Source: Hiiraan Online – 534 Words
The deadlock over the motion against the Speaker of the Federal Parliament of Somalia has prompted Somalia’s partners to voice their concern about fragility of the federal institutions. This parliamentary deadlock is the second Somalis have experienced since 2010 when the current Southwest State President, Sharif Hassan, then Finance Minister, replaced Adan Madoble, who had replaced Sharif Hassan when the latter expressed support for the Union of Islamic Courts. Attempts to sack Sharif Hassan as Speaker failed in 2012.
Under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud rift between the executive and legislature with did not occur. Power struggle pitted the President Mohamud against two Prime Ministers, who lost parliamentary vote and each was replaced by a new Prime Minister. The Federal Government of Somalia under President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohammed is credited with introducing stability in the executive branch of Somali federal institutions.
This approach empowers the Prime Minister, who only faces threats from MPs against his appointment as PM. An attempted Vote of No Confidence against Prime Minister Hassan Kheire failed last year because it had not been masterminded by the Presidency. Prime Minister Kheire balanced his duties to govern with his concern for Somalis in foreign jails. The Federal Government of Somalia facilitated the release of more than 400 Somalis from foreign jails and captivity in Libya. This example about government performance is enough to render any motion against the government politically motivated.
The source of the rift between the Prime Minister and the Parliamentary Speaker partly lies in the parliamentary Financial Committee’s revocation of tax regime the Finance Ministry has introduced. The Committee sided with influential Mogadishu business community members, who object to any tax to be levied on their businesses. It is not clear what laws the Finance Committee used to resort to an unprecedented move to strike down the initiative to increase the government’s revenue base. The Speaker has not commented on the decision of the Parliamentary Finance Committee to sabotage the government.
The Federal Parliament has turned a blind eye to agreements ratified by the cabinet but picks a fight with the executive branch of the government to undermine transparency-based or revenue-boosting initiatives that previous government failed to adopt. Somalis want a federal parliament that is neither a tool of the federal government nor a means used by disaffected MPs to dissolve the government.
TOP TWEETS
@M_Farmaajo: Spoke on the phone and congratulated H.E Abiy Ahmed. I assured him of my commitment to deepen our bilateral relations in promoting trade and investment and strengthening security for the region. I have no doubt PM Ahmed would steer our cooperation to new levels.
@GuardianAus: The heartbreaking life of Somalia refugee women in Indonesia – in pictures
@HarunMaruf: BREAKING: Lanmine explosion kills seven civilians near Bulobarde town, Monday. The victims, including six members of the same family among them children, were riding a donkey cart when hit by the explosion. Local officials say Al-Shabab planted the IED.
@Mogadishuupdate: BREAKING: Deputy Speaker Abdikarim Mudey sacks House General Secretary Abdikarim Buh for being incolved in the in going political crisis #Somalia
@HarunMaruf
@DalsanFM: BREAKING Political tussles and intrigues continue despite the suspension of the impeachment motion as Deputy Speaker Abdikarim Mudey sacks House General Secretary Abdikarim Buhu for being “partisan” in the ingoing political crisis#Somalia
@DrBeileh: Held the High Level SMP Committee meeting@MofSomalia today with @AmbGamal and his team from@MoPIED_Somalia
@AbdulBillowAli: .@amisomsomalia press statement re Sunday’s coordinated attacks against Ugandan troops serving in#Somalia. AMISOM Chief Francisco Madeira says the mission lost four soldiers & killed 30 AS. Meanwhile, AS says it lost 14 fighters & managed to kill 59 AU troops
IMAGE OF THE DAY
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo received AU Envoy Ramtane Lamamra and UN Envoy Jean-Marie Guehenno in his office yesterday in Villa Somalia, Mogadishu.
Photo: @TheVillaSomalia