April 25, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

The world will see that Somalia has turned the corner, Prime Minister tells UK Foreign Secretary

25 Apr – Source: Prime Minister’s Media Office – 407 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon today outlined recent progress on security and human rights and laid out his government’s hopes for a successful Somalia Conference in London as he welcomed the British Foreign Secretary William Hague to Mogadishu on his second visit to the Somali capital.

The Prime Minister congratulated the Foreign Secretary on opening the British Embassy in Somalia, a strong sign of the improving situation that other countries would note and follow. The government had just appointed Somalia’s first Ambassador to the UK in many years and Somalia-UK relations were excellent.

“Most of your counterparts around the world have not yet visited Somalia, so I am particularly delighted to see you here again on your second visit, the Prime Minister said.” The government also welcomed the UK championing the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative as part of its G8 Presidency.

“My government has been extremely clear on this issue. Sexual violence is against Somali culture, against our religion, and is completely unacceptable,” the Prime Minister said. “This is one of the reasons we launched the Independent Task Force on Human Rights and we have taken other action in this area. I appreciate the UK working with us on this and also taking note of the progress we have made on this critical issue.”

Key Headlines

Prime Minister galvanized security forces as reforms take hold (Prime Minister’s Media Office)
UK to Support Somalia’s Intelligence organ (Shabelle)
AU chief Dlamini-Zuma visits Kenya (Africa Review)
Families flee Shabelle riverside areas fearing floods (Radio Ergo)
Uganda to open 5 new missions (New Vision)
Somalia launches free education program (Press TV)
President Silanyo meets with member of US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for African Affairs(Somaliland Press/Hiiraan Online)
Sugar imports from Somalia fund al Shabaab Kenyan officials say (Sabahi Online)

PRESS STATEMENT

The world will see that Somalia has turned the corner, Prime Minister tells UK Foreign Secretary

25 Apr – Source: Prime Minister’s Media Office – 407 words

Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon outlined recent progress on security and human rights and laid out his government’s hopes for a successful Somalia Conference in London as he welcomed the British Foreign Secretary William Hague to Mogadishu on his second visit to the Somali capital. The Prime Minister congratulated the Foreign Secretary on opening the British Embassy in Somalia, a strong sign of the improving situation that other countries would note and follow. The government had just appointed Somalia’s first Ambassador to the UK in many years and Somalia-UK relations were excellent.

Updating the Foreign Secretary on recent progress ahead of the Somalia Conference in London on 7 May, the Prime Minister said: “Security remains our greatest priority and our greatest success. I have instructed my ministers to share with the Somalia Conference our progress on building our armed forces and police, reforming public financial management systems and the justice sector, rebalancing the relationship between the centre and regions and promoting national dialogue and reconciliation. The world will see that Somalia has turned a corner.”

The Prime Minister said he was now looking forward to hearing how the international community would be supporting the Somali government’s plans. “As we rejoin the community of nations, one of the last barriers to full membership is the issue of our arrears clearance. I am hopeful that with the UK as our key partner in London we can make real progress here. Now that we are recognised by the IMF, we are at last poised to end our economic isolation – just as we have ended our political isolation. Finding a solution to our arrears position would be one of the greatest achievements of the Somalia Conference.”

Prime Minister galvanized security forces as reforms take hold

24 Apr – Source: Prime Minister’s Media Office – 337 words

Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon made a bold sweep across Mogadishu, visiting numerous security, defence and intelligence sites, praising the armed forces and police and calling on them to redouble their efforts to stabilise Somalia. Abdihakim Mohamoud Haji Faqi, the Minister of Defence, welcomed the Prime Minister at the Ministry of Defence headquarters, where the Cabinet visitors took a salute and met a contingent of Somali troops fresh from six months training in Uganda.

“Somalia needs you more than anyone today,” the Prime Minister told the troops. “You are in the vanguard of our efforts to stabilize the country. That great responsibility falls upon you. To get where we need to be, to create a bright future for Somalia, we cannot rely on other countries. We must take ownership of our own destiny.”

Accompanied by the Minister of Interior, Abdikarim Hussein Guled, the Prime Minister also visited the Police Academy for the launch of Birmad, a new police special forces unit trained in Somalia and Djibouti consisting of crack police officers with a mandate to secure Mogadishu. The new unit’s responsibilities include counter-terrorism, protection of IDPs and women and weapons clearance.

“Birmad’s first task is to secure Mogadishu,” the Minister of Interior said. He asked the conference hall of more than 800 officers, “Are you ready to step up to the plate?” The officers roared back, “Yes we are!” The Prime Minister’s sweep across Mogadishu also included a visit to Halane Military Training Camp at Jazeera, where he inspected a parade of Somali-trained troops.

“As we strengthen our armed forces, you are pioneers for the way forward,” the Prime Minister said. “Somali-trained troops to defend Somalia.” The Prime Minister also visited the National Intelligence and Security Agency and the Benadir Region headquarters. He ended his day-long visit with a call on the Ministry of Information, where he paid tribute to Mohamed Ibrahim Rageh, the state broadcaster killed in Mogadishu on Sunday.

SOMALI MEDIA

UK to Support Somalia’s Intelligence organ

25 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 80 words

United Kingdom’s Minister for African affairs who addressed the media said that his government will support Somalia with intelligence to curb threats from al Shabaab.

The minister who was at a forum in United States attended by a large number of Somali elites informed the media that his government was ready to support the Somali government with maintaining security, politics, and rebuilding of its intelligence. “We will support the Somali public so that they can defeat terrorism’’ stated the minister.

Families flee Shabelle riverside areas fearing floods

25 Apr – Source: Radio Ergo – 342 words

Some 300 families are reported to have abandoned their homes in areas close to the River Shabelle in Beledweyne over the past week, fearing a further rise in river levels. The areas where people have moved include Hawo Tako, Labdere, Shah-Ma’an and Dagah-Jebis. These places are all on the outskirts of the town and on the edges of the river. The areas are either encircles by the course of the river, or have a water course running through them.

Most of these people have taken temporary residence in other parts of the town, often with relatives or friends. Abuukar Isaq, a resident of Hawo-Tako, closest to the river, told Radio Ergo that some of the farms in their neighbourhood had been submerged and they feared further flooding.

“We are seeing the river levels rising every day. The river keeps on swelling and the water is increasing, so our fear is what would happen if the river bursts it banks at night while we are asleep. Because of the possibility of such a disaster happening, we have left this neighbourhood!” he said. SWALIM, the UN’s flood watch unit, said the river Shabelle water level was at 6.55 metres – 0.75 metres lower than the level that could cause floods. SWALIM had predicted a decline in the water levels in following five days.

However, the floods that occurred in Beledweyne during the Deyr rains last year are fresh in people’s minds and have had the greatest impact on their decision to move. During the night of 28 September 2012, strong floods swept through the area and destroyed a large number of homes. Hundreds of families lost their homes, property, and above all their entire farmland and crops.

Kenya, Ethiopia to help rebuild Somalia

25 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 289 words

Kenya and Ethiopia have reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together with Somalia to help its government towards reconstruction. Speaking after holding bilateral talks with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in Nairobi, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said that conflict in Somalia had affected its neighbors.

The Head of State said: “On IGAD and regional peace and development, we focused on our efforts to contribute to sustainable peace, reconstruction and development in Somalia.”

“Kenya and Ethiopia remains strategic partners especially within the IGAD framework in the search for peace and political stability of Somalia. Kenya and Ethiopia continue to bear a disproportionate burden occasioned by the long standing crisis which afflicted that neighborly state for more than 20 years ago,” the president added, saying that they also touched on efforts towards the positive developments on the negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan.

President Silanyo meets with member of US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for African Affairs

24 Apr – Source: Somaliland Press/Hiiraan Online – 110 words

Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (Silanyo) who is in the United States congress met with Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona at Capitol Hill, Washington DC.

Senator Jeff Flake, a senior member representing of the minority party (Republican) in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for African Affairs hosted President Silanyo and members of his delegation in his office.

President Silanyo told Senator Jeff Flake “it is the primary responsibility of the authorities and people of Somaliland to make efforts to acquire political recognition from the international community and since Somaliland reasserted its independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991, Somaliland has demonstrated the characteristics of a strong democratic state”,.

Turkish Food Aid Distributed to Somaliland Regions & Buhodle

24 Apr – Source: Qaran News – 107 words

Turkish Food Aid estimated to be at least 5000 Tons has been distributed to six regions and including Buhodle by the Somaliland ministry of Resettlement.

The Director-General of the ministry, Ali Mohamid Abdillahi “Bikalo” stated that the food aid was distributed to the regions of Somaliland with a special focus on Buhodle. The food aid come from the Turkish Red Crescent and consists of basic staples, such as grain, sugar and rice.

Director-General Ali “Bikalo” stated that the aid will be focused on the poorer and weaker members of the community in terms of their situation and will reach all the regions of the country as intended.

Pentavalent Vaccine launched first time in Puntland

24 Apr – Source: Puntlandi Online – 876 words

Puntland Ministry of Health has introduced first Pentavalent vaccine in Puntland at a decorated ceremony held at the premises of the ministry of health. President of Puntland Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud Farole officially announced that Puntland received Pentavalent vaccine by giving the vaccine drops to several Children.

A well organized ceremony was held at Ministry Health building in Garowe . The participants of the event included , President of Puntland Dr. Abdirahman Farole, parliamentarians, director general of ministry of health , Director of Primary Health Care (PHC) departmental heads of the ministry of health, officials from UNICEF , WHO and World Vision , women groups and International guests.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Uganda to open 5 new missions

25 Apr – Source: New Vision – 374 words

Uganda is to open missions in Mogadishu, Brazil, Kuala Lumpur and Asmara, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign affairs, Ambassador James Mugume has said.

He explained that the opening of a mission in Mogadishu is key to Uganda’s image in Somalia. He, however, said additional Sh2.48b is required by the ministry to effect it.

“We have played a big role in stablisation of Somalia. We should help the Somalis come together, consolidate the benefits on the progress we have made in the security sector,” he added.

Sugar imports from Somalia fund al Shabaab, Kenyan officials say

24 Apr – Source: Sabahi Online – 707 words

Al Shabaab operatives posing as traders are doing business with Kenyan merchants as a way to fund the militant group’s terrorist activities, according to Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim.

“The trade proceeds, especially from the sugar imports, are going to the coffers of the militant group,” Maalim said April 15th during a town hall meeting with local merchants at the Garissa Guest House. “The militants are relying on the trade to sponsor their violence.”

The import of Somalia-produced sugar is worth an estimated 100 billion shillings ($1.2 billion) annually, according to Garissa County Development Officer Kenneth Rutere, but much of it is not declared to Kenyan customs officials, making it the country’s largest illicit market.

Kenya Police accused of abuse in Garissa Operation

24 Apr – Source: Star News – 338 words

A Human Rights organization has criticized the ongoing security operation in Garissa. The Northern Forum for Democracy has accused police officers of violating human rights during the operation to flush out terrorists in the county.

Khalif Abdi Farah, the organization’s coordinator alleged that police are harassing, beating locals and even looting their property under the guise of looking for criminals.

“It is very unfortunate that whenever something happens in Garissa and security officers decide to carry out an operation, it is the innocent people who end up suffering while the real culprits roam freely.How do they expect to win the confidence of the people to provide them with information if they continue doing this,”said Khalif.

AU chief Dlamini-Zuma visits Kenya

24 Apr – Source: Africa Review – 215 words

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, is undertaking a working visit to Kenya, officials announced. According to a press release from the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dr Dlamini-Zuma will meet and hold talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya’s 4th President.

After her brief meeting during his inauguration, the AU statement disclosed, Dr Dlamini Zuma agreed to discuss critical issues of cooperation between Kenya and the continental body. The issues, the press release added, include developments in the East African sub-region and Africa as a whole.

Kenya is an important player in the socio-economic development, as well as peace and stability in the sub-region, and has active membership in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) and the East African Community (EAC).

The three are all regional economic communities of the African Union. The Kenyan Defence Forces’ contribution to the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has played a critical role in enhancing sub-regional peace.

Somali runners feel safest in years

24 Apr – Source: Al Jazeera English – 656 words

It has been almost two weeks since al Shabaab rebels killed at least 35 people in a Mogadishu courthouse, forcing the question of whether security in Somalia is improving as rapidly as previously believed.

As politicians, foreign agencies and other usual targets for al Shabaab brace themselves for potential future attacks, at least one of these groups -members of the Somali National Team- said they feel just as safe now as they did two weeks ago. “The situation has not changed,” said Leila Samo, a runner who recently qualified for the Olympic team.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia launches free education program

25 Apr – Source: Press TV – 279 words

The Somali government has launched a nationwide educational program for nearly a million school students. Making the announcement, the country’s development and social affairs minister said that the Somali federal government has already put in place plans to realize free education program that will target both young children and adult across the strife-torn country.

Experts say that deeply preoccupied by the war, the majority of the Somali children lost opportunities for their socio-economic development like education. The new government in Mogadishu however hopes to change all this in a short period of time.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“It seems that the Somaliland’s aspiration for recognition may soon come. Mogadishu now has an official government recognized by the community of nations (e.g. US, UK, etc.) and various international organizations (e.g. World Bank, IMF, etc.), its government is no longer transitional. This allows the current Mogadishu government to legally grant Hargeisa (Somaliland’s capital) official recognition; this would not have been binding in the past with the transitional governments.”

Somaliland May Soon Become a Recognized Country

25 Apr – Source: Hiiraan Online – 912 Words

The Republic of Somaliland re-declared its independence on May 18th, 1991, therefore removing itself from Somalia proper. I say re-declared its independence because on June 26th, 1960 it initially gained independence from Great Britain and then voluntarily joined into a union with Somalia Italiana (Italian Somaliland) on July 1st, 1960, to create the Somali Republic.

Since re-declaring its independence, Somaliland has been able to govern itself peacefully as a functioning country with an independent judiciary, free press, distinctive currency (Somaliland shilling), and other attributes of national governance. Since 1991, Somaliland has had four presidents with the latter two being elected in open elections that was deemed free and fair by international observers. I had the pleasure of observing their 2010 Presidential election.

Somaliland justifies its independence mainly on two points: (1) it was previously an independent recognized country, State of Somaliland, from 06/26/1960-07/01/1960, and (2) its people where brutally victimized by Somalia’s dictatorial ruler, Siad Barre (1969-91).

“It is time that Somali women come out to shape the future of Somalia. This can only start with reclaiming their positions in their houses — not only feeding their families, but also guiding them to the path of peaceful co-existence.”

Singer Falis Abdi Mohamed: Every Somali is responsible for re-building Somalia

24 Apr – Source: Sabahi Online – 934 Words

Falis Abdi Mohamed, a 26-year-old singer and member of the Nairobi-based Somali hip-hop group Waayaha Cusub, returned to Somalia in March to perform in a series of small concerts for peace as part of the Mogadishu Music Festival, the first multi-band music festival in the capital since civil war broke out in 1991.

She founded Waayaha Cusub in 2004 with fellow Somalis living in Kenya after violence engulfed her hometown Kismayo. In 2008, she married the lead singer and manager of the group, Akhyaar Abdulahi Ali, also known as Shiine.

Falis has made it her mission to help bring peace to her homeland and steer young people away from terrorism. She spoke with Sabahi about her music and ambitions.

“With the summer holidays coming up, an influx of diasporan men are expected in Mogadishu in the next few months. Hamdi and her friends say they’re happy about this – the more fish in the sea, the better the chance of a good catch.”

Somalia’s eligible bachelors – and how to spot them

24 Apr – Source: Voices of Africa – 902 Words

“London or Minneapolis?” a soft female voice asks. It comes from a few tables behind me at Village Restaurant – a popular hangout for Somali diasporans in Mogadishu – as I finish a call to my friend. “Eastleigh,” I respond, trying not to disclose my London background. Eastleigh is a district in Nairobi, inhabited mainly by Somalis.

Clutching a shisha pipe in her right hand that is patterned with henna flowers, she blows thick white smoke that fills up the dimly lit corner of the restaurant. “You may dress like a local but you don’t sound like the Eastleigh type. You definitely don’t look like one.”

Moving her chair to my table, she introduces herself as Hamdi from Hamarweyne, a district in Mogadishu. In the dim lights her gold necklace and rings are hard to miss, and one can smell the incense smoke she perfumed her long, black, orange-highlighted hair with from a mile away. Her two female friends soon join us. They’ve come here in the hope of mingling with their preferred type of men – diasporan guys.

Top tweets

@UNICEF Children in #Somalia to receive new 5 in 1 Pentavalent vaccine against deadly diseases:http://uni.cf/17X6XFY #lastchild1st #vaccineswork.

@UNPOSomalia SOMAPIC a new initiative against piracy off the #Somalia Coast http://somapic.org/ #UNPOS #CGPCS @Piracy_OBP @UNODC @EUNAVFOR.

@tresthomas_HOA Shabaab calls government journalists “legitimate targets.” It would be unwise to think other journalists get a pass. #Somalia.

@mfaethiopia #AmbBerhane‘s discussions with the head of@UNPOSomalia, Ambassador Mahiga, covered recent political & security developments in #Somalia.

@ChengHopkins Fortunate 2 discs #Somalia Peacebldg wth Amb Elmi Ahmed Duale, DSRSG #PeterdeClercq &#ClareLockhart bfr vst n June. pic.twitter.com/HsDftXhq2Y.

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Image of the day

Image of the day British Foreign Secretary William Hague, left, shake hands with Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, after their meeting in Mogadishu on April 25, 2013. Photo: @Daudoo