August 14, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Government comments on recent airplane crash at Mogadishu airport
14 Aug – Source: Radio Dalsan/Hiiraan Online/Bar-kulan – 170 words
A Ministerial and Officials Committee appointed by the prime minister of Somalia to investigate the recent military plane crash at Mogadishu airport issued its first report of the ongoing investigations about the incident. The airplane, Antonov An-12 belonged to the Ethiopian Air Force, and crashed due to normal incident which occurred inside Aden Abdulle International airport of Mogadishu around 8:00 am. 9 August, 2013, the report said.
The plane was from Ethiopia and headed to Mogadishu international airport before it crashed. Six persons were onboard and there were no any passengers onboard. The initial investigations found that the airplane tried to land but missed its way and got out of the runway. Four were killed and two others were wounded.
The AMISOM rescue team and the firefight unit at the airport reached the crash area soon to rescue the crew. The committee chaired by the Deputy Minister of Information of the federal government of Somalia Abdidhakur Ali Mire said they would publish full report on their investigations soon.
Key Headlines
- Government comments on recent airplane crash at Mogadishu airport (Radio Dalsan/Hiiraan Online/Bar-kulan)
- Somali speaker commends Uganda Parliament (New Vision)
- MP strongly rebuffs allegations from former PM (Raxanreeb)
- No interruption in Somalia aid: Ankara (Hurriyet Daily News)
- New Special Representative for Somalia James P. McAnulty Takes up Duties (Raxanreeb/Radio Mustaqbal/Dalsan)
- US pledges investment for many African countries including Somalia (Radio Dalsan)
- Somaliland will not attend Brussels’ Somalia Conference (Garowe Online/BBC Somali Service)
PRESS RELEASE
AU Special Representative reiterates AMISOM’s commitment in protecting the rights of women and vulnerable members of Society
14 Aug – Source: AMISOM – 253 words
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Human Development & Public Services in the Federal Government, H.E. Dr Maryam Qasim. The two leaders discussed the general situation in Somalia, the positive role played by AMISOM and areas of cooperation between AMISOM and the ministry in particular issues of human rights and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
Ambassador Annadif and H.E. Dr. Maryam Qasim reiterated the need for establishing gender safety nets in order to eliminate unfortunate abuse of women and other vulnerable members of society in the country. “AMISOM is at the disposal of the Government to support it in its efforts to continue eradicating gender inequality, empower women and benefit all people of Somalia.” Said Ambassador Annadif.
The support of the Africa Union Mission in Somalia to the civil servants in the different ministries is part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the capacity of the country’s public service. AMISOM recently assisted the Federal Government of Somalia to draft its first National Gender Policy.
On behalf of the Somali Government, H.E. Dr Maryam Qasim thanked AMISOM for supporting the Somali government by building capacity to the different ministries and reaffirmed full support of the government to protect women saying that the country’s Gender Policy will go a long way in strengthening the development of Somalia. “I want to thank AMISOM for its relentless efforts in addressing matters relating to Gender.” She concluded.
SOMALI MEDIA
Government comments on recent airplane crash at Mogadishu airport
14 Aug – Source: Radio Dalsan/Hiiraan Online/Bar-kulan – 170 words
A Ministerial and Officials Committee appointed by the prime minister of Somalia to investigate the recent military plane crash at Mogadishu airport issued its first report of the ongoing investigations about the incident. The airplane, Antonov An-12 belonged to the Ethiopian Air Force, and crashed due to normal incident which occurred inside Aden Abdulle International airport of Mogadishu around 8:00 am. 9 August, 2013, the report said.
The plane was from Ethiopia and headed to Mogadishu international airport before it crashed. Six persons were onboard and there were no any passengers onboard. The initial investigations found that the airplane tried to land but missed its way and got out of the runway. Four were killed and two others were wounded.
The AMISOM rescue team and the firefight unit at the airport reached the crash area soon to rescue the crew. The committee chaired by the Deputy Minister of Information of the federal government of Somalia Abdidhakur Ali Mire said they would publish full report on their investigations soon.
MP strongly rebuffs allegations from former PM
14 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb – 101 words
A member of Somalia Federal Parliament Dahir Amin Jesow has said that he was very upset about the recent allegations from former politicians including the country’s former transitional prime minister Ali Mohamed Gedi who currently lives in Kenya.
In media interviews, the former prime minister Mr Gedi has alleged that the federal government of Somalia was inciting clan based clashes and that the government was not complying with the federal constitution at all.
“I was surprised by the statement from the former prime minister while ignoring the achievements made by the new government in the past nine months,” the MP said.
New Special Representative for Somalia, James P. McAnulty, Takes up Duties
14 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb/Radio Mustaqbal/Dalsan – 163 words
P. McAnulty takes up duties as Special Representative for Somalia, the United States’ senior policy official on Somalia, starting August 14. Mr. McAnulty entered the U.S. Foreign Service in October 1983.
He has served at U.S. Embassies in Caracas, Venezuela; Mexico City, Mexico (two separate assignments); Nassau, The Bahamas; San Jose, Costa Rica; Nairobi, Kenya; Brussels, Belgium (at the U.S. Mission to the European Union); and, most recently, Abuja, Nigeria, where he served as Counselor for Political Affairs, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, and Deputy Chief of Mission.
He also worked at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on issues involving bilateral relations with Mexico in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs and involving arms control issues in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. Mr. McAnulty received the State Department’s Warren Christopher Award for Outstanding Performance in Global Affairs in 2002 for his work on behalf of refugees as the Regional Refugee Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.
US pledges investment for many African countries including Somalia
13 Aug – Source: Radio Dalsan – 133 words
The United States and sub- Saharan African countries on Monday launched discussions on how their Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, known as AGOA, will go forward, said Michael Forman, US trade representative.
Speaking to the press on Monday on the sidelines of the 2013 AGOA Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Forman, who also led the US delegation to Ethiopia, said U. S. officials and ministers from AGOA eligible sub-Saharan African countries have launched a review on what kind of changes to be made to AGOA going forward.
AGOA is the US flagship economic initiative with sub-Saharan Africa, providing duty-free entry to the US for nearly 7,000 product lines. According to Michael Forman, US trade representative the investment will be allocated to upgrade the economic growth for the Sub-Saharan African Countries including Somalia.
Somaliland will not attend Brussels’ Somalia Conference
13 Aug – Source: Garowe Online/BBC Somali Service – 104 words
Somalia’s separatist region of Somaliland has said it will not attend the upcoming New Deal conference for reconstruction and development of Somalia which is due to take place in Brussels on 16 of September.
Speaking on BBC Somali Service, Somaliland’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Bihi Yonis said Somaliland previously informed EU officials that Somaliland is willing to attend ‘Brussels Conference’ with its own name since Somalia and Somaliland are two separate administrations.
“The priorities of Mogadishu government and Somaliland are quite different, for instance our needs aren’t similar but we [Somaliland] will welcome any support to develop our initiatives,” added Mr. Yonis.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somali speaker commends Uganda Parliament
13 Aug – Source: New Vision – 296 Words
The Speaker of the Federal Parliament of Somalia has applauded Uganda’s Parliament saying it was one of the best in Africa. Mohammed Sheik Osman Jawari hailed Uganda’s Parliament noting that it has developed many systems and processes.
“You have knowledgeable staff and experienced MPs. You have effective committee systems. We shall learn from the abundant resources and excel. There is plenty to learn from Uganda,” Jawari said on Tuesday.
He said this during the signing of a twinning agreement between Uganda’s Parliament and that of Somalia. The function took place at Parliament of Uganda. Under the twinning arrangement Uganda will train Somali staff and MPs on Parliamentary business such as drafting Bills, making reports, debating and following the Rules of Procedure. Jawari led a delegation from Somalia’s Parliament.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
No interruption in Somalia aid: Ankara
14 Aug – Source: Hurriyet Daily News – 122 words
Turkish officials expressed determination to continue the country’s humanitarian assistance to the conflict-ridden African country of Somalia despite a fatal attack that killed a Turkish police officer last month.
“There is no sign that would prompt us to say the attack has led to a dramatic change on the ground concerning the delivery of aid.
Yet, we can assume a slowdown in the delivery because top security measures have been implemented since the attack,” a Turkish diplomat told the Hürriyet Daily News Aug. 12, when asked about the state of affairs surrounding the delivery of the humanitarian assistance provided by the Turkish government to Somalia through several institutions, particularly in the aftermath of the deadly attack on the Turkish mission in Mogadishu.
German Development Media Awards: Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Somalia
13 Aug – Source: Deutsche Welle – 186 Words
Abdalle Ahmed Mumin was born in Kismayo, Somalia in 1984 and got a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from the University of Somalia in the capital Mogadishu. Before beginning his media career, he worked as an English teacher and youth activist.
In 2001, he began writing articles for a local newspaper, mainly focusing on social affairs. He also spent time working at several radio stations. Today Mumin is a freelance journalist based in the capital and passionately involved in activism around media freedom and human rights.
His photograph was taken at a protest held by Somali journalists against the detention and killing of their colleagues. The reporters stand or sit with strips of tape across their mouths, on which they have drawn a large X. The demonstration followed the arrest of a reporter who interviewed a woman raped by government forces.
Police officials had claimed the interview was “false” and aimed only to discredit government institutions. In 2012, 18 journalists were killed in Somalia while more than 28 were wounded, making the country one of the most dangerous places on earth to work in the media.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Governments created the framework for the commercial decision that Barclays took. They cannot distance themselves from these decisions. Neither can they deny that driving remittances underground will undermine the law enforcement objectives of anti-terrorism financing frameworks. The negative impact on their international development goals is also evident.”
Banks move on money remitters – but will it really combat crime?
14 Aug – Source: The Conversation – 975 Words
Recently a petition signed by 25,000 people was handed in to UK’s 10 Downing Street urging British bank Barclays to reconsider its decision to close the bank accounts of scores of money remitters. A remitter that loses access to a bank account struggles to find a new banker. If it fails to secure a new bank account it is unable to continue its business legitimately.
Money remittance – money sent by the more than 200 million migrant workers internationally to family members in their countries of origin – is a huge and important industry. The World Bank estimate global remittance flows in 2012 at US$530 billion. These funds are vital to the recipients and recipient countries.
In the case of Somalia, remittance receipts may amount to a quarter of its GDP, providing a lifeline to more than 40% of its population. Barclays’ action is not confined to small remitters. They are also closing the account of Dahabshiil, the largest Somali money transfer business. Dahabshiil is headquartered in Dubai and reportedly employs more than 2,000 people in 144 countries, with 130 branches in Somalia, a further 130 branches in the UK and 400 branches globally.
“Barclays bank says it doesn’t want to enable money laundering, but critics say it is cutting vital flows of money into the country.”
British bank faces backlash for cutting money transfer service to Somalia
13 Aug – Source: CS Monitor – 820 Words
Somalis are bracing for the impact of the British bank Barclay’s decision to sever ties with most money transfer companies in Somalia. About 250 remittance agencies lost their partnership with Barclays on Monday.
The banking giant says it is concerned that it does not know where money transfers are going and who is sending the money. With little ability to track cash flows, the company says it is much easier for money launderers and the financing of terrorist activities.
“It is recognized that some money service businesses don’t have the proper checks in place to spot criminal activity and could unwittingly be facilitating money laundering and terrorist financing,” said Barclays spokesperson Daniel Hunger to the UN humanitarian news agency IRIN. Somalis living in and out of Somalia say that the plan will cut vital flows of money.
Top tweets
@Hamza_Africa #Turkey to continue its humanitarian assistance to #Somalia despite recent fatal attacks targeting#Turkish nationals http://bit.ly/16KdoKv.
@Adesoafrica What are the options for remittances from the UK to #Somalia post-Barclays? #SomaliLifeline. From the@guardian. http://bit.ly/146Vr6z.
@TEDxMogadishu Rediscover #Somalia ; join us in the end of August for #TEDxMogadishu http://instagram.com/p/c-
@SomaliaNewsroom New U.S. Special Rep for #Somalia, James P. McAnulty, Takes up Duties http://j.mp/13y3hWP Note: Ex-rep Swan was confirmed for #DRC post.
@Daudoo AlShabaab’s Twitter Feed “ @HSMPRESS1 ” Targeting Mpls. Men & Women « CBS Minnesotahttp://cbsloc.al/17mOSPq #Somalia.
Image of the day
Somalia’s Parliament speaker Prof. Mohammed Sheikh Osman ‘Jawari’, left and his Ugandan counterpart Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga exchange documents during a ceremony in Kampala, Uganda on Tuesday.