August 13, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
UN Security Council envoys visit war-torn Somalia
13 Aug- Source: AFP/ Daily Star -272 words
U.N. Security Council ambassadors met with Somalia’s president Wednesday under heavy security in the war-ravaged capital Mogadishu, the presidency said in a statement.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and top government officials met the U.N. envoys “to discuss progress in Somalia”, the presidency said in a statement.
The U.N.-mandated African Union force provided armed guards for the diplomats, as they visited their fortified base at Mogadishu airport.
Somalia’s hardline al Shebab Islamists are fighting to topple the internationally backed government.
The visit comes amid growing warnings of a humanitarian crisis, three years after more than 250,000 people, half of them children, died in a devastating famine.
Key Headlines
- Somali president appeals for help to prevent humanitarian crisis (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu)
- Denmark pledges millions to help fight terror in Somalia (cphpost.dk)
- Five-day seminar for Somali female lawmakers commences in Kampala Uganda (SNTV/RBC)
- UN Security Council members arrive in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog/Radio Risaala)
- Business activities in Afgoye came to stand still after explosion aimed at government forces (Radio Goobjoog)
- Three Al Shabaab suspects arrested in Mudug region (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Kenya in high-risk category for Ebola spread WHO says (Daily Nation)
- Humanitarian needs in Somalia remained immense 2.9 people need assistance (Radio RBC)
- Somalia: Malaria parasite becoming resistant to the available medications (Radio Goobjoog)
- Abudwak residents oppose central state formation agreement (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somaliland: Danish Trade Minister in Hargeisa (Somaliland Sun)
- Kenya: Eastleigh landlords bear the brunt of insecurity (Star-Kenya)
- AMISOM denies opening fire on civilians in Marka (Sabahi Online)
- Somalia Applauds Reopening of Chinese Embassy (CCTV)
PRESS STATEMENT
President Meets with United Nations Under Secretary General for Safety & Security, Peter Drennan, in Mogadishu
12 Aug- Source: Office of the President- 132 words
HE the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud today met with the Under Secretary General of the United Nations for Safety & Security, Peter Drennan, at Villa Somalia HE the President and the Under Secretary General discussed the various challenges facing Somalia and the overall development of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) as well as ways to improve cooperation with UN.
The Under Secretary General expressed his appreciation of the progress made by the FGS over the past two years and and noted that UN is committed to strengthening support to the government, especially in the security sector.
HE the President also discussed the impending humanitarian crisis in parts of Somalia and appealed to the United Nations and international community for humanitarian assistance to prevent a repetition of the events of 2011.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali president appeals for help to prevent humanitarian crisis
13 Aug- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV- 134 words
Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday met the Under Secretary General of the United Nations head of Safety and Security, Peter Drennan in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.
The two officials discussed a series of challenges facing Somalia and the overall development of the federal government as well as ways to improve the cooperation between the UN and Somalia.
Peter Drennan expressed his appreciation of the progress made by the federal government in past few years and reiterated United Nations commitment towards Somalia, especially in the security sector.
Meanwhile, Somali president raised the issue of looming humanitarian crisis in many parts of the country and appealed to the UN and international community for humanitarian assistance to prevent devastating famine similar to the catastrophic events of 2011.
Five-day seminar for Somali female lawmakers commences in Kampala Uganda
13 Aug – Source: SNTV/RBC – 150 words
Five-day seminar intended to raise the education of Somali female lawmakers has kicked off in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. Somali female members of the Somali parliament along with their Ugandan counterparts are expected to both take this trainings aimed to equip female lawmakers with more education.
A well arranged opening ceremony in Africano hotel in Kampala was attended Somali Deputy Minister of Women and Human Rights Developments and Senior officials from AWEPA organization which is facilitating this seminar.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Chairperson of Somali female lawmakers commision Maryan Mohamed Isack that they are very happy to attend this seminar meant to increase women in politics.
This seminar is said it will run for five days to increase women’s influence in politics and it will come just days after Parliament speakers and deputy speakers had wrapped up similar seminar intended to equip them with knowledge.
UN Security Council members arrive in Mogadishu
13 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Risaala/Radio Kulmiye/Jowhar Online- 83 words
UN Security Council members arrived in Mogadishu this morning, the Deputy Head of AMISOM, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto Mutende and AMISOM Force Commander LT. Gen Silas Ntigurirwa welcome the delegates today.
The delegates will meet top government officials including president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and parliamentary committees of security and defense.
The Leader of interim Juba administration in Southern Somalia Ahmed Mohamed Islam aka Ahmed Madobe and delegates are also arrived Mogadishu to meet the UN security council members for one day visit to Somalia.
Business activities in Afgoye came to stand still after explosion aimed at government forces
13 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 110 words
Business activities and public transport in Afgoye district of Lower Shabelle region was interfered with after federal government forces in a checkpoint were aimed with explosion last night.
Immediately gunfire between the forces and the attackers embarked in the area as the sound of the bullets was heard in all the villages of the district.
Most of the business people and villagers were seen fleeing from the scene avoiding to be affected by the clash. The number of casualties is not clearly known as government officials in the region declined to give comment about the attack.
Three Al Shabaab suspects arrested in Mudug region
13 Aug- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 124 words
Galmudug administration security forces have arrested three men suspected of having links with Somalia’s terrorist group, al Shabaab in Wangalo village, 40 KM south of Galkayo town.
Galmudug’s police chief in Mudug region Mohamed Nur Ali Gabar told Bar-kulan that the police arrested the three men while driving a luxury car in Wangalo village and are suspected of having links with al Shabaab militants.
He added they were informed that two unidentified men from Somali capital Mogadishu had arrived in the area along with another local man who is suspected of being their guide.
The police chief added that the three men will be transferred to Galkayo, the provincial capital of Mudug region for further interrogations.
Humanitarian needs in Somalia remained immense, 2.9 people need assistance
13 Aug – Source: Radio RBC – 145 words
Humanitarian needs in Somalia remained immense, with 2.9 million people inside the nationwide requiring assistance following continuous warnings of possibility of the country to be sliding into famine.
Poor rainfall, continued conflict, surging food prices, increasing malnutrition and the restricted flow of commercial goods all contributed to worsen an already fragile situation.1,3 A significant funding shortfall and access restrictions reduced response capacity to reach people in need.
Meanwhile Four cases of polio were reported in Mudug region as of 5 June. This brings the number of cases in Somalia to 198 since the outbreak started in April 2013. A vaccination campaign was since carried out in Mudug and surrounding districts.
Around 4,000 suspected cases of measles were reported between January and June. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund allocated US$1.4 million for an emergency campaign to combat the outbreak.
Somalia: Malaria parasite becoming resistant to the available medications
13 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 119 words
Federal government’s health ministry has publicized that there is widespread outbreak of Malaria in some regions of the country. The director of health ministry Abdiqani Sheikh Omar who is attending conference on prevention of Malaria in Qahira stated many people in Lower and middle Shabelle regions were hospitalized and many other patients suffering from reach the health centers day after day.
He underlined that malaria parasite has become increasingly resistant to the normal medications used to treat people adding there is no other available medicine in the country.
Over thirty countries attending Qahira conference are taking into considerations proper ways of controlling the spread of Malaria and ensure research findings that can be applied to malaria treatment and control.
Abudwak residents oppose central state formation agreement
13 Aug- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 150 words
A meeting was held in Abudwak district in which its residents voiced strong opposition to recent agreement signed in Mogadishu with the intention of forming a regional administration for Mudug and Galmudug regions in central Somalia.
The meeting was said to be organized by the local community members and was attended by Somali government representatives in Abudwak town.
Somali government’s head of Abudwak administration Abdirisak Hassan Owl who spoke to the press after the meeting stated the local administration in Abudwak is opposed to the Mogadishu agreement.
He emphasized that Abudwak residents need to be part of any agreement which intends the formation of a unified regional state for Mudug and Galgadud regions.
Ugas Ahmed Barre, one of the elders in Abudwak town who attended the meeting acknowledged the importance of community participation in any state formation attempts in Mudug and Galgadud regions.
Somaliland: Danish Trade Minister in Hargeisa
12 Aug – Source: Somaliland Sun – 109 words
A ministerial delegation from the government of Denmark is on an official visit to Somaliland. The Team led by the Danish minister of Trade and Development Mogens Jensen and consists of some senior officials and a large coterie of around 20 journalists from various media houses in Copenhagen landed around 4.30pm at the Egal international Airport in Hargeisa the capital of Somaliland. It is not yet clear what the actual objective the Danish delegation’s visit pertains to, since Minister Jensen who was received by the Somaliland minister of foreign affairs Mohamed Behi Younis did not brief the assembled local journalists at the airports VIP lounge as is customary.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya: Eastleigh landlords bear the brunt of insecurity
13 Aug- Source: Star-Kenya- 374 words
Landlords in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area have been pushed to undercut rents for residential houses owing to waning demand, moths after security agencies carried out ‘Operation Usalama Watch’ in April.
Droves of existing tenants fled the area when the police started combing Eastleigh for aliens and suspected members of the al Shabaab militia group alleged to carry out sporadic grenade attacks in the city.
As a result, landlords have slashed rental prices by as much as two-thirds in a bid to woo new tenants, opting to settle for lower yields than have vacant units.
Eastleigh had hitherto the attacks and the security operation been a thriving commercial hub, driving up demand for commercial, retail and residential space. According to the Eastleigh Business Community, most prime properties that previously fetched “good money” for investors is now being sold or let at throw-away prices.
Kenya in high-risk category for Ebola spread, WHO says
13 Aug- Source: Daily Nation- 172 words
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has categorised Kenya as a high-risk area for Ebola transmission. WHO representative in Kenya Dr Custodia Mandhate said Kenya is classified as level 2, which means a high-risk area for the transmission category.
She commended efforts by the Ministry of Health to screen passengers jetting into the country at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from countries with Ebola but called for additional measures to prevent the virus from spreading. “Safety measures are critical and have to involve all relevant sectors,” she said during a press briefing Wednesday.
Speaking at the same function, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said banning Kenya Airways from flying to west Africa will not help stop the spread of the virus.
AMISOM denies opening fire on civilians in Marka
12 Aug – Source: Sabahi Online – 134 words
Residents in Marka staged protests against the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) after its troops were accused of firing on civilians, an allegation AMISOM denies. Marka Deputy Commissioner for security and political affairs Barlin Abdullahi Mohamed accused AMISOM of firing on civilians after one of its convoys was hit by an improvised explosive device on Sunday.
An AMISOM water tanker was targeted in the attack, believed to be carried out by al-Shabaab, Al Jazeera reported. Local residents said AMISOM responded by firing on civilians and arresting youths, claims AMISOM officials have denied.
“As is standard operating procedure, AMISOM forces maintained their defensive postures, secured the area and did not open fire,” said AMISOM spokesman Colonel Ali Aden Humad. “AMISOM does not have a mandate to arrest civilians and we did not arrest civilians.”
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UN Security Council envoys visit war-torn Somalia
13 Aug- Source: AFP/ Daily Star -272 words
U.N. Security Council ambassadors met with Somalia’s president Wednesday under heavy security in the war-ravaged capital Mogadishu, the presidency said in a statement.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and top government officials met the U.N. envoys “to discuss progress in Somalia”, the presidency said in a statement.
The U.N.-mandated African Union force provided armed guards for the diplomats, as they visited their fortified base at Mogadishu airport.
Somalia’s hardline al Shebab Islamists are fighting to topple the internationally backed government.
The visit comes amid growing warnings of a humanitarian crisis, three years after more than 250,000 people, half of them children, died in a devastating famine.
Denmark pledges millions to help fight terror in Somalia
13 Aug- Source: cphpost.dk- 355 words
The trade and development minister, Mogens Jensen, has agreed to send 19 million kroner in aid to Somalia to aid the government and African Union troops in their struggle against terrorism.
Jensen met with the Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, his government, members of the nation’s civil society, UN representatives, and the commander of the African Union troops (AMISOM) stationed in the war-torn country. “To build a new and peaceful Somalia, it is essential to improve the security,” Jensen said in a press release.
“So we’re giving 19 million kroner to the Somali army and the AMISOM forces that play such an integral role in fighting [terror group] al-Shabaab.”
Somali Journalist scolds NPP demonstrators In the US
13 Aug- Source: Ghanaweb- 338 words
The shame that befell the few NPP elements who staged a demonstration at the side of the US-African summit at the present of the State Department, Washington DC, against President John Mahama last week was made complete when a Somalian journalist present scolded them for their unpatriotic act.
Before the Somali scolded them, the demonstrators were already facing embarrassment as a result of their poor attendance. In spite of the publicity they had carried out, less than forty people turned up for the demonstrations. The international media, who were present to cover the summit meeting looked on amused at the small group, parading shameful placards, screamed themselves hoarse in a bid to be heard. Security men present looked on irritatingly.
In the midst of the screaming, a Somali journalist, Yasmeen Maxamuud, who was present to cover the summit meeting walked to the demonstration and to their dismay, began to scold them.
Yasmeen asked them why they were dragging Ghana’s good name in the mud. She told the stunned demonstrators whatever their grievances, Ghana did not deserve such unpatriotic act at the international stage because it is much respected among the comity of nations.
Somalia Applauds Reopening of Chinese Embassy
12 Aug- Source: CCTV- 2:05 min
Somalia’s foreign minister says China’s recent decision to reopen its embassy there marks a new chapter in relations between the countries. Abdirahman Duale Beyle says he wants China to play a major role in rebuilding the country. In the next in our series of special reports, we explore how relations have evolved in recent years. CCTV’s Clementine Logan reports.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Despite the US and EU’s thoughts that Somalia is a country that is making steady progress, the facts on the ground show that Somalia is still a mess.”
Somalia: Ignoring the facts on the ground
13 Aug- Source: Mail & Guardian Online-913 words
The Obama administration recently announced that the US will appoint an ambassador to Somalia for the first time in two decades. But the new ambassador will not be posted in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu – where insecurity prevails.
And the Pentagon has also acknowledged deploying a team of military advisors to the war torn Somalia, to assist Somali and other African troops battle against al-Shabab. But this new expanding US involvement in Somalia’s conflict would do little to make a difference in Somalia or bolster the position of US backed beleaguered Somali government.
The US and EU’s narrative about Somalia is a country that is making slow but steady progress. They say the country made some gains in security and economic conditions, that al-Shabab has been driven out most of population centres in south central Somalia, with the help of African Union troops, a legitimate Somali government has formed, and a road map calling for nationwide election by 2016 is in place.
“By working with mainstream classrooms to become more inclusive, we can ensure that Somali students are learning in spaces which are inclusive of their identities.”
“Can I just take the hijab off?” developing safe spaces for Somali children in mainstream classrooms
13 Aug- Source: Wardheernews- 909 words
In September, my two nieces began school at a local Montessori school, a far cry from their previous school: a charter school in Columbus with questionable educational quality. The charter school she attended, like many in North Columbus, has a large Somali student population. In recent years, Somali parents in the US have been increasingly turning to charter schools (typically with large Somali or Muslim populations) to educate their children. In Minnesota, home to the largest Somali population in the United States, 1 in every 3 Somali children is enrolled in a charter school (Brown, 2012). While such statistics are not available for Columbus, it would seem that the numbers are high. This rejection of mainstream public schools is based on a fear that Somali students are at risk for discrimination and will assimilate into school culture, thus losing their Islamic and Somali identities (Kapteijns & Arman, 2008).
While the charter school had problematic educational standards as well as a history of teachers who harbored disparaging views of Muslims, parents gravitated to this school because of the large Somali population. Somali parents place a high value on safe (educational) spaces, where students are free to express their identities. For Somali parents, such schools would ensure that children did not lose their Islamic and Somali identities – identities which they feel are endangered in mainstream classrooms. Research has supported this; in one study assessing Somali parental views on charter schools, most parents agreed that preservation of cultural identity was the single most important factor in considering schools for children (Hussein, 2012).
Top tweets
@ygaraad Historic #UN Security Council meeting underway in#Mogadishu #Somalia.
Horn Of Africa Three #Shabaab suspects “in a luxury car” arrested in Mudug region http://www.bar-kulan.com/2014/
Lasoco Somalia Abudwak residents oppose central state formation agreement http://j.mp/1sRu3XB #Somalia
Villa Somalia @TheVillaSomalia HE the President & the govt meet today in #Mogadishu with representatives of the UN Security Council to discuss progress in #Somalia
AMISOM @amisomsomalia 2/ #AMISOM continues to conduct peace support operations in #Somalia to stabilize the situation in the country.
UNSOM @UNSomalia WATCH: Young Somalis talk about fulfilling their potential despite huge challenges:http://bit.ly/Vk0iDa #Somalia #IYD14
Image of the day
A martial arts group puts on a display at an event to mark International Youth Day in Mogadishu on 12 August 2014. Photo: UN/Ilyas Ahmed