April 26, 2018 | Morning Headlines
Weapons Stolen From UAE Training Facility In Somalia, Sold On Open Market
25 April – Source: Reuters – 718 Words
At least 600 weapons were stolen in the past week from a former United Arab Emirates-run training center in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu and are for sale in the city, weapons dealers said on Wednesday. The weapons, including new Kalashnikov assault rifles and Chinese versions of them, were stolen by Somali National Army soldiers who had been trained by the UAE at its facility, three Somali men who purchased weapons from the soldiers told Reuters.
The Gulf nation has trained hundreds of Somali troops since 2014 as part of an effort boosted by an African Union military mission to defeat an Islamist insurgency and secure the country for the Somali government, which is backed by Western nations, Turkey and the United Nations. The UAE ended the program on April 15, shortly after security forces at Mogadishu’s airport seized millions of dollars and temporarily held a UAE plane. The escalating diplomatic dispute is one aspect of the fallout in volatile Somalia from a crisis in the Gulf region that has spilled into the Horn of Africa.
Somalia’s relations with the UAE are strained by a dispute between Qatar and Saudi Arabia because Mogadishu has refused to take sides. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have strong trading links with and influence in Somalia, offset by the sway of Qatar and its ally Turkey, one of Somalia’s biggest foreign investors.
Key Headlines
- Weapons Stolen From UAE Training Facility In Somalia Sold On Open Market (Reuters)
- Somalia Qualifies For The Final Of CECAFA Cup After Defeating Uganda (Halbeeg News)
- First Deputy Speaker Lifts Suspension On Lower House Secretary (Radio Dalsan)
- Candidates Vying For The Position Of Speaker Deliver Speeches At The Parliament (Halbeeg News)
- Miraa Traders Find Huge Unexplored Market In Somaliland (The Standard Kenya)
- Families In Misery As Whereabouts Of Loved Ones Still Unknown (The Star Kenya)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia Qualifies For The Final Of CECAFA Cup After Defeating Uganda
25 April – Source: Halbeeg News – 168 Words
The Somali national Under-17 team has qualified for the final of the ongoing Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Under-17 championship in Burundi after defeating Uganda. In what seems to be rebirth of Somalia’s national team after over 27 years of nearly non-existence, has reignited the hopes of jubilant Somali people following today’s match which saw one of the strongest countries in the region being humiliated helplessly.
Farhan Dugow has scored the winning goal for Somalia in the second half of march thus guaranteeing Somalia to qualify for the final for the first time since 1980s. Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has congratulated the young heroes over their victory. “Congratulations to our under 17 team for reaching the CECAFA cup final. you have made us proud. I wish you well and bring the cup home,” President Farmajo said on a social media post. Somali Sports Minister, Khadija Mohamed Dirie has also lauded the young Somali players for their commitment to restore Somalia’s dignity in soccer
First Deputy Speaker Lifts Suspension On Lower House Secretary
25 April – Source: Radio Dalsan – 79 Words
First Deputy Speaker has allowed Lower House Secretary Abdikarin Haji Abdi Buuh to resume his work after he had been suspended from work during the crisis affecting the Lower House leadership. In an official statement from the office of the First Deputy Speaker, Muudey explained to have lifted the suspension on Secretary Buuh. Meanwhile, Muudey asked the finance ministry and the central bank to release the parliament bills which weren’t released in the months of February, March and April.
Candidates Vying For The Position Of Speaker Deliver Speeches At The Parliament
25 April – Source: Halbeeg News – 323 Words
About six candidates contesting for the position of the Speaker of the Somalia’s Federal Parliament (Lower House) have on Wednesday presented their program to the lawmakers. The candidates among them former ministers and sitting legislators have spoke about their political achievements and what each of them will do if the win the speakers position.
MP Abdiasis Lafta Gareen said he will create an atmosphere of open discussion among the legislators. He said he will share the House’s daily duties with the fellow MPs. He also noted that he will ensure the house act as check and balance to the executive. Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur, a former Speaker and current MP has narrated his tenure as the Speaker of the eighth Parliament claiming his achievement as triumphant. “I am unique as I led a 500-member Parliament for over three years period. The circumstances were tough. Using the lessons I learnt from that period, I believe that I can correct what went wrong.” He said. He said he is armed with 14 years experience of being a lawmaker in the country.
Salim Aliyow Ibrow, a former Deputy Prime Minister has also employed his 45 years know-how of the Somali politics. He says he has the portfolio to the lead the House. “I will enforce empowering the skills of the legislators and connecting the MPs to the regional and international parliaments.” MP Ibrow noted. MP Haji Ali, the fourth candidate has presented his program as a qualified lawmaker for over 14 years. He promised to move forward in the work of Constitutional Review, Reconciliation and the keeping the unity of the Somali people as sacred. The fifth candidate MP Isaq Ibrahim Yarow has promised his fellow lawmakers to be impartial Speaker and protecting the law of the country and the Parliamentary Bylaws as well. Five other candidates who are running for the position of the Speaker are expected to deliver their agendas to the house tomorrow.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Miraa Traders Find Huge Unexplored Market In Somaliland
25 April – Source: The Standard, Kenya – 301 Words
A fact-finding excursion by a miraa traders’ lobby has reported a huge untapped market for the stimulant in the semi-autonomous republic of Somaliland headquartered in Hargeisa. The Nyambene Miraa Traders Association (Nyamita) said the market in the region was so huge that the issue was not about the quality of Kenyan produce but whether local producers had sufficient quantities for a year-round supply at a steady price. Nyamita Chairman Kimathi Munjuri said the association was pushing for an agreement between the two governments. “We have been told many stories about Hargeisa, the capital city of Somaliland, most of them not true,” said Mr Munjuri.
Although highly in demand, miraa imports into the peaceful and stable Somaliland face a 100 per cent duty and flight charge that make it uncompetitive compared to Ethiopia’s hereri, a stimulant of the same family that is brought in from the nearby region by road.
Tax obligation: Somaliland places large tax obligation on importers from nations such as Kenya that do not recognise it as a semi-autonomous region of Somalia. A bunch of hereri retails for Sh,1500 in Hargeisa compared to miraa, which sells at Sh2,500, according to Nyamita. According to the association, the market in Hargeisa at 150 tonnes daily remained the prime target that could give an expected boost to the sub-sector.
Kenya’s miraa imports to Somaliland currently stand at only 72 tonnes a month delivered direct into Lasanod and Badan towns 700 km from Hargeisa — some 18 days a month. Nyamita admits that one of the challenges will be a reliable supply throughout the year at a steady price, adding that the miraa-growing area can hardly guarantee 50 tonnes daily in dry weather. The association is urging the Government to diplomatically recognise the breakaway region to ease access to its markets.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“I have been left with nothing for my children to inherit: The house he built me leaks when it rains. I depend on my vegetable vending business to take care of our three children,”
Families In Misery As Whereabouts Of Loved Ones Still Unknown
25 April – Source: The Star, Kenya – 1111 Words
Violent extremism through al-Shabaab is increasing its foothold in Kwale, as youths continue to be recruited and taken to Somalia by the terror group. County commissioner Karuku Ngumo says there are still youths in Somalia. There region is known to host a number of al-Shabaab returnees, with the whereabouts of others still unknown. Families in Kwale have lived in misery and frustration for years, searching their sons and fathers, who got lost mysteriously but are suspected to have joined the militant group in Somalia. Many have searched in vain and the authorities usually tell the families that their children are likely to have joined al-Shabaab, hoping to earn huge sums of money , which they can send back home and help their families.
What saddens Damaris Limba is the whereabouts of her husband, who got lost in February 2014 and has not contacted his family since then. The family of Hamisi Likungu lost their son, Salim Likungu, to what police say to be the lure of Al-Shabaab. Salim is said to have been kidnapped by unknown people at Ibiza town in Ukunda, Kwale County, when he was going for lunch after working at his workshop.
Salim, 42, left two wives and eight children when he was seen forced into a probox by his employees. Limba, the second wife, had just left him after a short visit to the workshop. “He had asked me to have lunch with him but since I had left my children at home, I decided to take my lunch when I returned. I never knew that would be my goodbye,” she said.
The wife said Salim was not a very religious person and he had few friends. She added that he was a hardworking man, who took care of his polygamous family without any financial problems, wondering why he could have joined Al-Shabaab. “The government says my husband crossed over to Somalia willingly and was not kidnapped. But why hasn’t he communicated back home for four years now?” Limba, 34, posed.