August 19, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report
Kenyan Parliamentarians In Somalia To Discuss Bilateral Relations
19 August – Source: Somali Update – 192 Words
Members of the Kenyan Parliament have on Tuesday visited the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu as part of official visit that seeks easing relations between the two countries.The delegation of the Kenyan MPs and Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya Gamal Hassan were received at Aden Abdulle Airport by their Somali counterparts.Both sides held a meeting in which they said they deeply discussed key issues concerning the two neighboring countries. A joint press conference, the parliamentarians of the two countries mentioned among the issues highlighted were security cooperation and the fight against Al-Shabaab.
“Our countries are good neighbors and have common security phenomena and need to address jointly.” Mr Ilyas Shiil of Kenya parliament said. Head of defense sub-committee of Somali Parliament Hussein Arab Isse noted that easing visas for the citizens from both countries and information sharing were also discussed.”We welcome our friends from Kenya. This visit is the start point and we anticipate to move forward in the near future and see Kenya and Somalia as two friendly nations.” Both sides also agreed that a delegation from Somali Parliament will visit Nairobi soon to continue improving relations between the two parliaments.
Key Headlines
- Kenyan Parliamentarians In Somalia To Discuss Bilateral Relations (Somali Update)
- Despite Domestic Opposition International Community Hails Jubaland President’s Re-election (Hiiraan Online)
- Tension High In Garbaharey Following Standoff Between Forces Allied To Incoming And Outgoing Administrations (Wacaal Media)
- Galmudug Parliament Gives President Guled 15 More Days To Form Cabinet (Radio Muqdisho)
- Bur-Dhubo Hospital Struggles With Shortage Of Medical Supplies (Goobjoog News)
- IGAD Top Envoy Shields Jubaland Administration From Frustration (Somali Current)
- Garowe City Council Members Sworn Into Office (Villa Puntland)
- Egypt: Al-Azhar Sheikh – We Are Keen On Supporting Somalia To Confront Extremism (All Africa)
- Police: Vandalism Probe Lacks Evidence Of Race Motive (SC Times)
- Somali Youth Group Wilderness Program Partner To Give Twin Cities Girls A Special Trip To Yellowstone (Star Tribune)
- The Somali Federal Government Is A House On Fire With No Exit Part (Wardheer News)
- On The Other Side Of Mogadishu (Somali Current)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Despite Domestic Opposition, International Community Hails Jubaland President’s Re-election
19 August – Source: Hiiraan Online – 276 Words
In spite of significant domestic opposition, the international community has hailed the re-election of Ahmed Madobe as the president of Jubbaland administration and congratulated the region for the recent election. In a joint statement issued late on Tuesday the international community urged Jublanad and Somali government to work closely with other Somali stakeholders to hold constructive dialogue on the state formation process and the electoral process for 2016. “We congratulate Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madobe” on being elected President of the Interim Jubba Administration by the Jubba Regional Assembly,” the joint statement said.
“We commend H.E. Madobe’s commitment to work earnestly with the committee formed by Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke to address the composition of the IJA Regional Assembly and we encourage him to take steps to resolve this issue at the earliest in an inclusive manner.” Mr. Madobe’s re-election has drawn criticism across Somalia with critics described the election as ‘sham’ and ‘gerrymandered’. Somalia’s government remains tightlipped about the election, suggesting its discontent towards Mr. Madobe’s re-election; however, Puntland administration has hailed it as ‘democratic’ and said it stood by the outcome.
Established in 2013, the Kismayo-based Jubaland administration led by Ahmed Madobe is a close ally for the Kenyan government which sent thousands of troops to fight the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab group in Somalia after spate of attacks including kidnappings of foreign tourists in its territory. Jubaland’s militias control Juba regions including Kismayo town and helped Kenyan forces to kick militants out of key strongholds including the port city of Kismayo which has long served as militants’ top revenue source until they were ousted in 2013.
Tension High In Garbaharey Following Standoff Between Forces Allied To Incoming And Outgoing Administrations
19 August – Source: Wacaal Media – 177 Words
Tension is very high in Garbaharey town in Gedo region after fears emerged on how a standoff between the recently appointed administration and the previous one could degenerate into a full blown conflict. Confirming the situation, a local traditional leader Buraale Jaama Deer told the media that forces allied to both sides were amassing their military strength in the town raising fears that they could square it out at any time. “The whole town has come to a standstill, business have closed and people are fearing to be caught in the crossfires” said Buraale adding that it was a pity that locals were being subjected to this tense situation because of vested interests by people whose mission is to clinch power by all means. Buraale said local elders were trying to broker a peace deal before any blood shed is realized but their efforts did not bear any fruits so far.
Galmudug Parliament Gives President Guled 15 More Days To Form Cabinet
19 August – Source: Radio Muqdisho – 161 Words
A request by the President of Galmudug asking the regional parliament for an extension to the deadline to form his cabinet has been accepted. The MPs gave the president 15 more days to form his Cabinet. The MPs debated the request in an extraordinary session held yesterday after a similar request asking for 48 hours lapsed. Addressing the press after the meeting , the Speaker of the Galmudug Parliament said the meeting was an extraordinary one requested by the resident.“We had a quorum of 53 members, and in that regard the meeting is legal, the president requested the parliament for an extension to form his council of ministers, and the parliament has accepted to give him 15 more days, ” the speaker said. Meanwhile the President of Galmudug, Abdikarim Hussein Guled said the reason for the request of an extension is that the government is fairly new and more time had to be given to negotiation with other parties in the region.
Bur-Dhubo Hospital Struggles With Shortage Of Medical Supplies
19 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 254 Words
Bur-Dhubo Hospital is facing a serious shortage of drugs and medical supplies, the result of the ongoing skirmishes in the surrounding areas. The situation, which has been worsening steadily for several months, deteriorated to an alarming level this month. The town’s medical officers have announced a state of emergency, with the danger of acute shortages of basic medication. TROCAIRE, an NGO that sponsored the hospital has said that it has fail to supply medicine and other equipment to the hospital due to the ongoing clashes between Somali government forces backed by AMISOM troops and Al-Shabaab fighters in Gedo region. Hussein Ali Abdulle, the manager of Bur-Dhubo hospital has told Goobjoog News that the situation was getting worse for the last few days after outbreak of diarrhoeal diseases in the area which killed one person and ten other hospitalised.
“We are already facing a severe shortage – 35 to 40 percent – of needed medicines and disposables, which impacts the treatment of the growing number of the population of the town” he said. Somali National Army supported by AMISOM has been recent months advancing to Al-Shabaab controlled areas. On 22nd last month, Al-Shabaab fighters have withdrawn from the town of Bardhere in south of Somalia’s Gedo region without fight after hot pressure exerted upon them. Bardhere town used to be the largest stronghold for Al-Shabaab’s top officials and its foreign jihadist fighters before they fled after heavy military assault by the Somali government forces and the African Union mission in Somalia.
IGAD Top Envoy Shields Jubaland Administration From Frustration
18 August – Source: Somali Current – 219 Words
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) special representative to Somalia, Mohamed Abdi Affey has warned parties bent on causing mayhem in Jubbaland administration that their actions would not be entertained, saying the administration has transited from transitional government to an elected one. Speaking at the event to inaugurate the recently elected president, Ahmed Madobe of Jubbaland administration in Kismayu, Affey said IGAD would not allow anyone to reverse the gains made in the new dispensation. Mr Affey noted that the leadership of the administration would remain elective. “Anyone who want to lead Jubbaland must be a person elected by the local assembly,” he said.
He continued, “No clan that reside in the (Jubbaland) region will achieve leadership through violence and mayhem—only elections.” Jubbaland assembly Saturday overwhelmingly elected Ahmed Mohamed Islam, Ahmed Madobe in 69 out of the 74 votes cast in an election billed as free and successful. He was followed in distance by Hilowle Adan Mohamed and Osman Hussein Fayrus both garnered two votes while Mohamed Osman Yusuf received none of cast ballots. The United Nations, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom congratulated Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madobe” on his election as the President of the Interim Jubba Administration (IJA) on 15 August.
Garowe City Council Members Sworn Into Office
18 August – Source: Villa Puntland – 149 Words
In a swearing-in ceremony of Twenty Six city council members for Garowe town; the headquarter of Puntland state of Somalia has taken place in Garowe earlier today. Some dignitaries including the minister for internal affairs Mr. Ahmed Cilmi Osman (Ahmed Karaash) and internal security minister Mr. Abdi Hirsi Ali Qarjab attended the event. Both internal affairs minister and internal security minister have had the opportunity of giving some remarks in the event. The ministers made it clear to everyone in the event that the council members were selected through meritocracy. The minister for Internal affairs also announced that the election for the Garowe mayor to take place tomorrow on Thursday 19th of August 2015. The council member will elect the mayor. Twenty six members who managed to fulfill the requirements took an oath of office. Two applicants for the position were rejected after they could not meet the requirements.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Egypt: Al-Azhar Sheikh – We Are Keen On Supporting Somalia To Confront Extremism
19 August – Source: All Africa – 90 Words
Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayyeb asserted on Monday 17/8/2015 Azhar’s keenness on supporting Somalia. He was speaking during a meeting with Somali Education Minister Khadra Bashir to discuss fostering bilateral relations in the education field. Tayyeb said Al-Azhar is keen on increasing the number of scholarships to Somali students to study at Al-Azhar as well as preparing a training program for Somali preachers that aims to confront extremism. Bashir hailed Azhar’s role in spreading moderate Islam, adding that her country is in need of Al-Azhar to confront extremism.
Police: Vandalism Probe Lacks Evidence Of Race Motive
18 August – Source: SC Times – 547 Words
Vandalism to several vehicles over the weekend has left some St. Cloud residents feeling unsafe and wondering whether they are being targeted for their ethnicity. But St. Cloud police say they have not found any evidence that the crimes were racially motivated. A number of residents of Quarry Commons Apartment Homes and Edjwood Estates Apartments woke up on Sunday morning to find the windows, windshields, bumpers and other parts of their cars smashed in. Haji Yussuf, who lives nearby, said more than 20 cars were vandalized. Lul Hersi, who lives at Quarry Commons, said 18 of the damaged vehicles belonged to people of the Somali community.
Police records show 10 reported incidences of vandalism — seven in the parking lot at Edjwood Estates and three on the road next to Quarry Commons, which are about a half mile apart. St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson said more vehicles could have been vandalized but not reported to police. “Some of the people that live there are very poor. This is their livelihood, and this is how they take their kids to school,” Haji Yussuf said. “This vandalism is not right.” Some victims of the vandalism say it has made them feel threatened. The crimes followed a series of Facebook posts threatening violence against the Somali community that St. Cloud police investigated.
UniteCloud.org, an effort to improve relationships among St. Cloud-area residents, displayed the Facebook posts as screenshots, including one from Aug. 9 that shows a man with a cut and bruised face claiming he was robbed by Somalis. UniteCloud’s display also shows Facebook statements about getting revenge and “hunting season.” Hassan Yussuf, a St. Cloud resident, said the vandalism showed a progression from social mediaabuse to destruction of property, leading community members to fear what would come next.
Somali Youth Group, Wilderness Program Partner To Give Twin Cities Girls A Special Trip To Yellowstone
18 August – Source: Star Tribune – 742 Words
A group of Somali-American girls is headed to Yellowstone National Park next week as part of a joint project between a Somali youth group and Wilderness Inquiry. This photo is from last year, when a similar trip was considered a success.A dozen high school girls from a Somali youth program will get a special chance to explore some of the most iconic U.S. sights at Yellowstone National Park next week as part of a growing partnership with a wilderness group.For the third year, youth group Ka Joog and Wilderness Inquiry, the Minneapolis-based program that runs hundreds of outdoor trips a year, are bringing 12 girls from Eden Prairie, Minneapolis and St. Paul to Yellowstone. On the weeklong trip, they’ll see Old Faithful and other famous spots as well as less traveled spots, hiking the backcountry and paddling in large voyageur canoes on Yellowstone Lake.“I’m just really happy and excited for this opportunity,” said Amal Halane, 17, of Eden Prairie. “I wouldn’t be able to do this without them organizing this.”
The trip, which takes place Aug. 21-28, is free for the girls and led by expert guides, who in turn learn more about Somali culture from the 14- to 18-year-old children of refugees. It’s part of an expanding partnership between Wilderness Inquiry and Ka Joog, which has offices in Eden Prairie, St. Paul and Minneapolis, and mentors and tutors young Somali-Americans away from trouble. (Ka Joog means “stay away” in Somali.)This winter, the two groups will host their first dog-sledding trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, doing separate five-day trips for girls and boys with Ka Joog.“It’s an honor and a pleasure to work with an organization like this and provide meaningful engagement with Somali youth in the state,” said Chad Dayton, Wilderness Inquiry’s director of programs and partnerships.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Just three years ago when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud came to power in September 2012, the people of Somalia were full of hope. They were expecting that the new leader’s victory will turn out as a break from the past – a dark past in which Somalia has become known as a land of despair and bloodshed – to a new beginning of hope and fresh leadership. But unfortunately, their dreams and hopes were doomed instantly.”
The Somali Federal Government Is A House On Fire With No Exit Part
19 August – Source: Wardheer News – 1053 Words
My heart expands with great sorrow as I wonder if Somalia will ever again be able to pull itself back up from its abyss and primal chaos. I wonder too if Mogadishu – once called the ‘pearl of the Indian ocean’ – will ever get back its cosmopolitan taste and national image rather than its present clan character. Gone are the days when Somalia was once considered to be one of Africa’s great success stories and the envy of its neighbours.
Today as never before, there are dark clouds on the horizon as the security situation is getting out of hand in Mogadishu and it has already reached its boiling point. Suicide attacks and the assassinations of government officials have become the order of the day in the city. This chaos is not just out of the blue, but it is the result of a massive corruption, clan nepotism and the violation of the country’s Provisional Federal Constitution, which have become a system of governance practiced by the Federal Government of Somalia. AMISOM is trying its best to stabilize southern Somalia but its efforts will not bear fruits that will last as long as the Somali Federal government is corrupt, feeble, faction-led, and incompetent and still continue to violate the country’s Provisional Federal Constitution.
“They say, Mogadishu is better at night than daytime. Lively night’s leave you shock in the evening, you will see a gaggle of youths wearing the latest fashion, walking along the Makkah al Mukaramah, the best and the most popular road in the city.”
On The Other Side Of Mogadishu
16 August – Source: Somali Current – 973 Words
My visit to Mogadishu was initially conceived as a mission of sorts: curiosity to experiment what the future held for the capital, once paradise on earth, as it re-emerged from years of fratricidal civil war. It all started with an invitation from Abdi, my close friend. “How come you don’t want to come to Mogadishu,” he inquired. “It is not such a bad place.” Prior to my travel, I called my mom just as usual informing her about my trip to Mogadishu. However, her voice seemed different but she simply said “safe journey, Hooyo.” Her tone sounded neither worried nor excited. Call it confused or ambivalent. On the flight, there was no one beside me for the first hour and I did what I normally do when traveling by plane: read a book. Then a middle-aged man approached and sat next to me. He was lanky, with chipmunk-like cheeks; glasses hung from a chain and whispered, “Is it your first trip to Mogadishu?” I answered with simple but cautious “Yes,” wondering how he had discovered it was my first visit.
“Mogadishu is not the same place I knew,” he said, “It is totally changed.” The man assumed that, perhaps, I was a toddler when Mogadishu started changing and that I had barely seen the city in its heyday when it was peaceful. Interestingly, he came up with three essential survival rules for the newly arrived: Never tell anyone your true identity, never disclose your current address, and always be cautious. Bored by his nuance words, I resumed my reading until the flight attendant announced that we are due to land shortly. The capital once a crown jewel of East Africa—a place sanctified with twinkling hotels, sandy beaches, perfect coastline, and palm trees perfectly lined, and such heaving, historical sites that made neighboring countries green with jealousy. However, after 23 years of brutal civil war, Mogadishu is slowly rising out of the ashes. Today, it is a tale of recovery, rebirth and bright future.
TOP TWEETS
@Somalia111: Great to meet @m_Diini to hear about#MIBF205. Good luck with #Mogadishu International Book Fair –#Somalia rising
@UNODC_MCP: W. a pic. of the #Mogadishu #maritime#police engaging w. local fishermen, happy#WorldHumanitarianDay #ShareHumanity
@deeqtaako: #Somalia #Mogadishu Central Jail gets first skills training centre http://goobjoog.com/
@Owdiini: Nine #Kenyan MP’s in #Mogadishu in show of support: http://www.somalicurrent.com/
@NaleyeAbdi: @SomaliPM appoints former director of#Puntland Maritime Police force PMPF @FaroleM as his new political advisor. #Mogadishu. #Somaliland.
@UNDP: Fatuma is pursuing justice for all rape survivors in#Somalia: http://on.undp.org/R0cKF #ShareHumanity#WHD2015
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Residents of Mogadishu’s Dayniile district attend a community policing event.
Photo: AMISOM.