August 13, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report
Eritrean Delegates Arrive In Mogadishu For High Level Talks
13 August – Source: Halbeeg News – 212 Words
A high-level delegation from Eritrea is in Somalia for talks, following President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s visit to Asmara. The Eritrean delegation is led by Asmara’s Foreign Minister, Osman Saleh, arriving in Mogadishu on Monday.
Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and other government officials welcomed the delegates at Adan Adde International Airport. The delegates are expected to hold talks with the Somali government over common interest issues and regional affairs. The move comes barely two weeks after the Djibouti government criticised the Somali government’s decision calling for the lifting of the United Nations sanctions on Eritrea.
The Djibouti embassy in Mogadishu said that the country was “deeply shocked” by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s calling for the removal of the sanctions. Djibouti embassy said that, the economic restrictions imposed on Eritrea in 2009 were due to Asmara’s refusal, to withdraw its troops from their disputed border, and for its alleged support of Somalia-based Al-Shabaab group.
“It is unacceptable to see brotherly Somalia support Eritrea, which is occupying part of our territory and still denying holding Djiboutian prisoners,” a statement from the Djibouti embassy read. Last month, the Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo visited Asmara, a historic three-day visit, in which the two Horn of Africa nations agreed to restore diplomatic relations after nearly 15 years.
Key Headlines
- Eritrean Delegates Arrive In Mogadishu For High Level Talks (Halbeeg News)
- Somali Youth Are An Integral Part Of Society Says President Farmaajo (Radio Muqdisho)
- Prime Minister Warns Government Officials Over Corruption (Dhacdo.com)
- Somali Authorities Search For Aid Workers Kidnapped By Gunmen (CTGN Africa)
- Somalia: Respect For human Rights Vital For Future Elections (Scoop World)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somali Youth Are An Integral Part Of Society, Says President Farmaajo
13 August – Source: Radio Muqdisho – 206 Words
President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmaajo’ said, Somali youth are the backbone of society and can play a huge role, in the ongoing efforts to restore governance and improve the economy. President Farmaajo assured the youth, the government’s willingness to closely cooperate with them and create opportunities for them.
“Somali youth are an integral part of society’s development and rebuilding of governmental institutions therefore, I urge them to serve their country with zeal and determination,” noted President Farmaajo. The president made his remarks during, a meeting with youth leaders at the Presidential Palace in commemoration of World Youth Day. He briefed them on the country’s situation, in terms of politics, security, reconstruction of governmental institutions, economic development and plans to combat corruption.
He further stated that youth could play a big role in improving the national security as youth make up the highest number of the population. “As the young people of this nation, you are expected to assist the government in its efforts to fight terrorism, who are determined to annihilate the country’s youth leaders and the Somali public. President Farmaajo promised he will maintain his meetings with them in a bid to exchange information with and forge a closer connection with the country’s young generation.
Prime Minister Warns Government Officials Over Corruption
13 August – Source: Dhacdo.com – 134 Words
Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire has put government officials on notice over corruption. A tough-talking Khaire on Sunday said he will not condone graft, cautioning government officials against stealing public wealth. “I will not allow this country to be governed through corruption. I hereby send a stern message to every Somali national, whether a minister or a member of the public, and who intends to loot the public resources, that will not happen,” PM Khaire noted.
His remarks come amidst a crackdown against corruption that has so far has seen several senior government officials arrested or suspended from duties, the latest being the sacking of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mukhtar Mahad Da’ud. Prime Minister Khaire said no officials in the government who engages in corruption or abuse of public resources, will be excused.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somali Authorities Search For Aid Workers Kidnapped By Gunmen
12 August – Source: CTGN Africa – 184 Words
Somali security forces are searching for five aid workers who were kidnapped by gunmen in the south-west of the country. Reports indicate that the aid workers were abducted on the outskirts of Baidoa, which lies some 250 kilometers southwest of the capital Mogadishu.
They were on a humanitarian mission in the remote village of Busley, where they were distributing nutritional supplements to displaced persons at a local camp. Somalia’s information minister in the southwest region Hassan Abdi Mohamed confirmed the kidnappings, but did not give further details of the incident.
“We cannot disclose any information on that matter for now but we can confirm that some people were abducted. The same scenario happened in Mogadishu earlier this year when a foreign humanitarian aid worker was kidnapped – Al-Shabaab can be responsible but we cannot confirm,” he said.
Bay and Bakool regions where the kidnappings have occurred is one of several areas where U.N and several international aid agencies have been delivering aid to people facing starvation. The region has been the worst affected due to recurrent drought that has claimed thousands of lives.
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“It calls for prompt, independent and impartial investigations into human rights violations and abuses committed in the context of the electoral process. The report also urges the Somali Government to ensure that the national electoral legislation is enacted before the 2020 elections, and that it meets applicable international human rights standards.”
Somalia: Respect For Human Rights Vital For Future Elections
13 August – Source: Scoop World – 617 Words
A UN report has urged Somalia to build on the significant gains made in its peace process in the last five years and take steps to ensure future elections are not marred by the human rights violations and abuses committed during the 2016-2017 electoral process. The report by the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the UN Human Rights Office details human rights violations and abuses by State security forces, including the police and intelligence agencies, and non-State actors, among them Al Shabaab, before, during and after parliamentary and presidential elections held in late 2016 and early 2017.
Thirteen clan elders and two electoral delegates were killed between August 2016 and the presidential election held on 8 February 2017. Violent attacks on people involved in the election process continued after this, with the killing of 29 clan elders and electoral delegates, including three women. To date, only two of the 44 documented killings have been investigated and prosecuted.
In addition, journalists, human rights defenders and political leaders were subjected to attacks, intimidation and other forms of harassment and interference. “This violence impeded the free flow of information, undermining the ability of citizens to benefit from and contribute to democratic processes by means of informed decisions on a wide range of issues,” the report says.
The report notes that that the 2016-2017 electoral process took place at a time when Somalia had no political parties. Without the necessary conditions to apply universal suffrage, there was a system of indirect elections whereby 275 electoral colleges, each with 51 delegates, elected the 275 members of the House of the People, which then elected the new President on 8 February 2017. The result was a more diverse parliament with half its members newly elected and women’s representation up from 14 per cent in 2012 to 24 per cent.
“We welcome this progress but more needs to be done. Women, persons with disabilities, minority clans and civil society groups had limited or no access to the electoral process as it was a political process based on clan distribution,” said Michael Keating, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia and head of UNSOM. “Looking ahead to elections due in 2020-2021, we are urging the Government to establish a system of representation that is inclusive of all citizens, based on the one person, one vote principle.”
The report also includes a section on the 2017 presidential election in Somaliland on 13 November 2017, where a one person, one vote system was applied. The report details election-related human rights violations in Somaliland, including excessive use of force by security forces against demonstrators, which caused three deaths and injured 17.
TOP TWEETS
@MoPIED_Somalia: The second day of the Save the Children proposed portfolio consultation is taking place in Mogadishu. Federal line Ministries attended today’s meeting with the regions. The agenda is on how to jointly monitor and implement Save the Children strategic plan for 2019-2021.
@mpfsomalia: The National Economic Council (NEC) will provide leadership on economic strategy. @mpfsomaliasupports NEC, @SomaliaFGC and the Finance Ministers Fiscal Forum for harmonised and equitable economic development in#Somalia #governance
@ahmedvision1: With good leadership, youth can be a positive force for rebuilding the country and restoring national pride. Our success will determined by how we engage and invest our youth#DayOfAction #Baidoa #Somalia #IYD2018 #SafeSpaces4Youth@saalax_ali
@SomaliPM: Eritrean FM Osman Saleh and Presidential adviser, Yemane Gebreab arrive in Mogadishu for high level talks, following President Farmajo’s recent visit to Asmara. Regional cooperation for stability and economic progress is crucial for common prosperity of the Horn. #nabadiyonolol
@Goobjoognews: #SOMALILAND CLERIC Sheikh Adan Abdirahman Warsame handed 5 years jail term for ‘public incitement against the government and extremism’. His followers (17) also jailed for between one and nine years by Hargeisa court.
@Mareegonline: #UPDATE: Hormuud Telecom, one of the largest telecommunication companies in Somalia was accused of its company of listening its customers https://mareeg.com/hormuud-
@DrBeileh: The weekly IMF SMP meeting was chaired by@SomaliPM today. We are focused, determined & making tangible progress in all reforms. Thanks to all @MofSomalia for the hard work & the leadership by the PM & President@M_Farmaajo #Somalia
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire welcomed a delegation led by Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh today in Mogadishu.
Photo: @SomaliPM