August 10, 2016 | Morning Headlines
For First Time In 25 Years, US Has Ambassador In Somalia
09 August – Source: Voice of America – 326 Words
The first U.S. ambassador to Somalia in 25 years has arrived in Mogadishu and presented his credentials to the Somali government. Ambassador Stephen Schwartz, who met Tuesday with Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisalam Omar Hadliye, is tasked with helping Somali officials stabilize the country after decades of civil war and the Al-Shabaab insurgency.
“The appointment of an ambassador to Somalia is a sign of the strong bonds between the two countries,” Schwartz said after the meeting. “… I am pleased to have this opportunity to help the people of Somalia build a peaceful nation with a stable democratic government.”
Schwartz praised Somalia’s progress over the last eight years and urged Somalia’s leaders to deepen their commitment to improving the lives of Somali people, including women and youth, according to a statement from the Somali Foreign Ministry.
State collapse is the main reason for the long U.S. diplomatic absence from Somalia. In 1991, the U.S. embassy in Mogadishu closed after the regime of Mohamed Said Barre was overthrown and violence erupted between warring clan militias.
In late 1992, President George H.W. Bush deployed U.S. troops to Somalia to support a U.N. aid mission aimed at relieving mass starvation. But 10 months later, 18 American soldiers were killed in Mogadishu by rebels who shot down two U.S. helicopters, in the “Black Hawk Down” incident. The United States withdrew its troops the next year. After two decades of war and chaos, it was only in 2012 that Somalia achieved some measure of stability with the creation of an internationally-backed government.
Key Headlines
- For First Time In 25 Years US Has Ambassador In Somalia (VOA)
- Acquire IDs To Avoid Arrest Intelligence Chief Tells Somalis (Goobjoog New)
- Majority Of Hiiraan People Support The State Formation (Shabelle News)
- Khatumo Leader Affirms Talks Between Somaliland And Khatumo (Goobjoog News)
- Ban Welcomes Election Timetable In Somalia Says ‘Milestone’ Process Must Be Fair And Transparent(UN News Centre)
- Minnesotans Head To The Polls For Primary Elections (CBS News)
- Ottawa Police Background Investigator Resigns Says Somali-Canadian Hired For ‘Political Reasons’ (Ottawa Citizen)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Acquire IDs To Avoid Arrest, Intelligence Chief Tells Somalis
09 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 282 Words
The head of NISA Abdullahi Gafow Mohamud has called on all Somalis who do not have Identity cards (IDs) to acquire them the soonest to avoid arrest as the government launches massive security operation. Mohamud said the move is aimed at combating criminals who are violating the city’s peace. Speaking during a meeting, Mohamud said the possession of the legal document was a necessity to any individual particularly when seeking to access jobs, services from government institutions and banking facilities.
“Residents will not be allowed to conduct business, go to school, or travel through the city airports unless they have required documents,” said Gafow. He added, “We will not even allow residents to rent a car, or get a phone without a national ID card.”
For over two decades, getting any form of official identification for Somali citizens was done through the back alleys of the infamous Bakara market, a system known as “Abdallah Shideeye” or the counterfeiter. Without a functioning government and institutions during the two decades of civil war, many Somalis had to acquire fake identity cards and passports to travel as they sought refugee status in neighboring countries.
Although it is mandatory that all Somalis aged 18 and above be issued with national identity cards, majority of Somalis do not have legal IDs. The introduction of these documents and supporting solutions will help the government of Somalia in its efforts to restore law and order, enhance economic development, and improve the standard of living for the citizens of Somalia. The national ID documents improve the security situation in the country by enabling law enforcement agencies to verify citizens’ identities, while the e-passport facilitates international travel across borders.
Majority Of Hiiraan People Support The State Formation
09 August – Source: Shabelle News – 115 Words
A Somali elder says most of the people in the Hiiraan region are ready to give their full support to the government plan to form an inter-regional federal state. Speaking to Radio Shabelle, Muse Harun Aden said, “It is time move forward and establish the regional administration for Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions.”
Adding to his support, Mohamed Yacqub, another elder has condemned a recent report made by several clan elders in Hiiraan, who said they want the region to be divided into two with each getting its own state. The Somali federal government has been working hard to create a new federal state for the regions, but the efforts continue to be hindered by disputes among clan elders.
Khatumo Leader Affirms Talks Between Somaliland And Khatumo
09 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 283 Words
The leader of Khatumo, the self declared regional state, Ali Khalif Galaydh has for the first time disclosed that his administration is seeking to come to the negotiating table with the breakaway Somaliland after years of recurrent conflicts between the two. Speaking to Goobjoog News, Galaydh said his administration has been carrying out initiatives to iron out the row between Somaliland and Khatumo.
“Both my administration and that of Somaliland have been trying to hold talks over the long time rifts between us. We are planning to live peacefully with our neighbours,” said Galaydh. Galaydh expressed hopes on the possibility to negotiate with Puntland state of Somalia. In August, 2014, Galaydh was elected President of Khatumo which has no recognition from Somali government.”
In March this year, tension mounted in the region after the breakaway region of Somaliland deployed hundreds of troops and battle wagons outside Buhoodle town controlled by Khatumo regional state. Somaliland, which had declared a unilateral independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991, aims to consolidate its territory with the aim of attracting the international community’s attention in the hope of securing an international recognition. Somaliland considers Somalia as a barrier standing in its way of winning international recognition.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Ban Welcomes Election Timetable In Somalia, Says ‘Milestone’ Process Must Be Fair And Transparent
09 August – Source: UN News Centre – 269 Words
Welcoming today the announcement by Somalia of a timetable for the 2016 electoral process, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that process for the upcoming polls, which sets October for presidential elections, is an important milestone in the country’s journey towards democracy. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban welcomed the announcement by Somalia’s Federal Indirect Elections Implementation Team (FIEIT) of a timetable for the 2016 electoral process.
According to the statement, this decision, which sets out the process to choose a new federal Parliament between 24 September and 10 October and President by 30 October, has today been endorsed by Somalia’s National Leadership Forum.
“The Secretary-General trusts that the agreed timetable will be adhered to, and urges all parties to refrain from any action that would cause further delay,” the statement continued, adding that the UN chief noted that the 2016 electoral process is an important milestone in Somalia’s journey towards democracy. In that regard, he further welcomed the National Leadership Forum’s commitment to ensure transition towards a multi-party system by 2018, ahead of elections in 2020.
“The Secretary-General emphasizes the importance of Somalia’s 2016 electoral process being conducted in a transparent, credible and inclusive manner, and in a climate of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the statement said, adding that in this regard, Mr. Ban commended in particular the renewed commitment of the NLF to ensure that one-third of Parliamentary seats are set aside for female candidates. This is an “important signal” of the country’s progress towards inclusive political governance that will allow all Somalis to enjoy the benefits of peace, the statement concluded.
Minnesotans Head To The Polls For Primary Elections
09 August – Source: CBS News – 383 Words
Voters in Minnesota will head to the polls Tuesday for the state’s primary election. Voters have only a handful of primaries Tuesday and the lack of any prominent races has officials predicting a less than 10-percent turnout, but there’s still plenty at stake. GOP Rep. John Kline’s retirement set off a scramble for his southern Minnesota congressional seat, with four Republicans vying to advance to November. Conservative radio talker Jason Lewis carried the party’s endorsement, with businesswoman Darlene Miller, former state Sen. John Howe and consultant Matt Erickson also in it. Democrat Angie Craig, a former St. Jude Medical Executive, had a clear path to face the winner in the fall.
Meanwhile, one of Minnesota’s longest-serving lawmakers is fighting to extend her 44-year legislative career in a three-way Democratic primary. Minneapolis Rep. Phyllis Kahn has been challenged by two Somali community activists, Ilhan Omar and Mohamud Noor. A win for either of Kahn’s challengers could pave the way for the nation’s first Somali-American lawmaker, since Tuesday’s winner was likely to be heavily favored in the liberal district.
House Speaker Kurt Daudt also had a primary challenger. Daudt, seen as a potential Republican candidate for governor at some point, was trying to fend off Alan Duff, a former Isanti County commissioner who said Daudt hadn’t done enough to limit state spending. Another House race attracting attention is in St. Paul’s District 65-A. The leader of Black Lives Matter in St. Paul, Rashad Turner, is challenging incumbent Representative Rena Moran.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“On the same day Abdirahman Abdi was pronounced dead, Ottawa police moved to hire a Somali-Canadian man who had failed a background check, prompting the civilian investigator in charge of vetting officers to resign, Postmedia has learned”
Ottawa Police Background Investigator Resigns, Says Somali-Canadian Hired For ‘Political Reasons’
09 August – Source: Ottawa Citizen – 963 Words
On July 25, just after 3 p.m. Abdi, 37, was pronounced dead in hospital after being arrested by police the day before on the steps of his Hilda Street apartment building. On the same day as his death, the decision was made to offer a job to an applicant. In a letter of resignation, obtained by Postmedia, sent by civilian background investigator Christina Benson, Benson alleged the applicant was an “unsuitable” police candidate and that his hiring “is being done for political reasons to appease the Somali community.”
Chief Charles Bordeleau told Postmedia he approved the hiring of 19 new officers during a previously scheduled meeting on July 26. Postmedia has learned that the approved list of candidates sent by the recruiting section did not initially include the applicant. All police candidates are presented to the chief, who is responsible for signing off on their hiring.
Bordeleau said that “all of the candidates had gone through the rigorous OPS selection process and I believe met the qualifications for employment with our service.” In an email to all officers sent Monday evening after Postmedia asked him for comment, the chief said two of the candidates that were made offers had “items in their background checks” that he was asked to review. “I looked at the cases in their totality and established offers should be made to both individuals.”
The applicant is active in the Somali community in Ottawa. All potential police officers are heavily screened prior to being hired. Abdi’s arrest and his subsequent death have rippled through the city and have resulted in community allegations of police brutality and racism. Benson, a background investigator on the force for more than five years, alleged in her resignation letter that the service has “disregarded their own hiring standards.”