August 21, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

AMISOM to leave Somalia in 2016 – envoy

20 Aug – Source: New Vision – 502 words

The African Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), a peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union would be leaving Somalia in 2016, according to the latest assessment by stakeholders. Lydia Wanyoto, the Acting Special Envoy of the African Union to Somalia and Eng. Sheik Sayid Ahmed Dahir, the Somalia ambassador to Uganda say that the roadmap of 2016 would be adhered to and that by that time the federal Government would have developed capacity to independently run the affairs of the war-torn state. Sayid Ahmed said that Somalia is on the right path and thanked regional Governments, especially Uganda for ensuring that the conflict is subdued.

Key Headlines

AMISOM forces seize Gadon-dhowe village in Gedo region (Radio Bar-kulan)
Ministerial meeting reaffirms commitment to solving Somalia crisis (UNHCR)
UAE and Turkey delegates arrive in Kismayo (Radio Goobjoog)
AMISOM to leave Somalia in 2016 – envoy (New Vision)
Seven al Shabaab members receive death penalty (Radio Mogadishu)
Somali Man Accused of Taking Part in Mpeketoni Attack Brought Before Court (Radio Dalsan)
Kenya extends dusk to dawn curfew in Lamu by a month (Standard Media)
Somali pirate kingpin finally arrested (News24/AFP)

PRESS RELEASE

AMISOM and the Federal Government of Somalia conclude a Conference on the Role of Somalia Civil Society in the Implementation of Vision 2016

20 Aug – Source: AMISOM – 442 words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) have today concluded a three-day conference intended to sensitize Somalia civil society on the role they can play in the implementation of Vision 2016.

In Somalia, there has not been a functional civil society since the collapse of the central government. In recent past, due to improved security attributed to the Somali National Army (SNA) supported by AMISOM, there are functioning institutions. In light of these new and positive developments, there is a need for Somalia’s civil society to mobilize, sensitize, and work together with the government to garner local support for the implementation of Vision 2016.

The objective of the conference was to identify the role of Civil society in supporting inclusive political dialogue and initiation of processes of social reconciliation to restore trust between communities through review, to identify the role of civil society towards the finalization and adaptation of federal Constitution by December 2015 and to identify how civil society can participate in the preparation of democratic processes leading to holding of credible elections by 2016.

The conference gave the civil society opportunity to create awareness among themselves on recent political developments in Somalia. It was presided over by Honorable Eng. Luqman Mohamed, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs and was attended by 58 participants including, six members FGS parliament, several Director Generals, ministers from Galmudug Puntland and partners.
During his remarks, Hon. Luqman Mohamed emphasized the importance of civil society in political and socio-economic development of any country. For this reason, he urged Somalia’s civil society to work with the FGS to achieve the objectives laid out in Vision 2016. “I can assure you that the Federal Government of Somalia is willing to work with all civil society groups to move the country forward. The efforts of the government should be complemented by those of the civil society,” he said.

Ambassador Rodney Kirwa, representing the African Union Commission’s Peace and Security Department, called on the participants to take advantage of the recent positive developments and work together for a better Somalia. “This process should be owned by each and every Somali. It should not be we versus them. Your combined efforts will significantly improve all your initiatives for a peaceful and prosperous Somalia,” he said.

The conference formulated key recommendations which will inform both the government and civil society’s decisions when working together. “This conference has given us the opportunity as African people to solve our own problems,’” said the Somalia Ambassador to Rwanda,Amb. Abdullahi Sheikh Maxamed, in his closing remarks.

The Global Initiative on Somali Refugees (GISR)

20 Aug – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 534 words

His Excellency the Prime Minister of Somalia visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to deliberate the refugee state of affairs and launching the Global Initiative on Somali Refugees (GISR). Among the host were; Special Representative of the Secretary General, and representatives of AU, IGAD. H.E Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed stated that there are over 1 million Somalis who mostly live as refugees as well as another million who are displaced as a result of conflict, drought and famine and other ills afflicting the Somali nation.

H.E Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed expressed how grateful he is to donors and agencies such as UNHCR and other sister UN agencies, the IOM, NGOs both local and International, for extending help to Somali refugee and IDPs, nevertheless they do not adequately match the needs: witness the chronically underfunded Humanitarian Appeal for Somalia.

H.E Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed stated:

“I want to express the deeply felt gratitude of myself and the Somali people for the asylum accorded to them and for the kind hospitality with which way they are being hosted by their brothers and sisters in the five neighboring countries here represented.

“International recognition of the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia gave impetus to the search for solutions to alleviate the suffering of our people and has led to the setting up of the National Agency for Refugees, Returnees and IDPs.”

Furthermore, despite many impediments Somali refugees have made significant contributions to their home country for example through life saving remittances as well as to the countries from which they have received asylum. They are therefore not a burden but people who contribute to the economies of host countries, by using their qualities and skills as survivors and entrepreneurs.

The majority of these refugees and IDPs are unfortunately the most vulnerable in our society: the women children and the elderly. Their needs are massive requiring equally massive levels of assistance which is increasingly becoming difficult to obtain.

One of its immediate tasks was to embark on negotiations with Kenya which was hosting nearly 500,000 refugees, the largest group of Somali refugees anywhere in the world. This resulted in the signing on Nov 10th 2014 by FGS of a Tripartite Agreement for Voluntary Repatriation of Somali refugees living in Kenya.

H.E Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed recently met with the President of Kenya and his Deputy to discuss further the implementation of the agreement which provides the legal framework for the modest, orderly and voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees. Implementation of its main provisions will occur soon and to enter into similar agreements with the countries hosting Somali refugees who are represented in this meeting.

H.E Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has further affirmed that his government is dedicated to removing as many obstacles as possible to repatriation and reintegration of the Somali people in their home country. In this connection the government will be expanding, with the help of the National Somali Army together with AMISOM, areas of peaceful coexistence, governance and , development; inter-ministerial task force has been established to mitigate the negative impact of the potentially devastating drought. The Global Initiative is a marker on a journey the goal however should be the implementation and its outcomes for the initiative.

SOMALI MEDIA

AMISOM forces seize Gadon-dhowe village in Gedo region

20 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Badweyn Online/Alldhacdo Online – 117 words

Kenya armed forces serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia seized Gadon-dhowe village, 45 KM out of Kenya-Somali border town of Beled-hawa, Gedo region. Beled-hawa security chief, Ismail Kofi told Bar-kulan that AMISOM forces took over the village after waging war which lasted less than an hour against al Shabaab militants in the village. He stated that a relative calm has returned to area following the armed confrontations between the two sides and urged local populations to work with AMISOM forces that seized the area. African Union forces and their Somali allies have recently been planning wider offensive against al Shabaab militants in various parts of Gedo region.

Seven al Shabaab members receive death penalty

20 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Goobjoog/Kulmiye/Rissala – 127 words

The Somali military court on Wednesday sentenced seven al Shabaab members to death penalty after the court heard their case as the military court spokesman Abdullahi Keyse announced the court’s verdict. They were accused of being members of al Shabaab group and murdering senior government official in Mogadishu. On the other hand six others were sentenced to life in prison for giving information, hideout to al Shabaab and facilitation of the attacks carried out by the group in various parts of the city. The spokesman said that the individuals sentenced to life in prison can take appeal within three weeks starting from the date their verdict was reached.

UAE and Turkey delegates arrive in Kismayo

20 Aug – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Bar-kulan – 137 words

Delegates from the governments of UAE and Turkey comprising politicians and investors arrived Kismayo, the headquarters of Lower Juba on Wednesday. The aim of the delegates visit is not clearly known but immediately started taking closed door meeting with the top leaders of Interim Juba administration in the airport. Our correspondent in Lower Juba reports that the IJA and AMISOM security forces imposed curfew on to the town so as to maintain the overall security of the town. Business companies from United Arab Emirates and Turkey who are also accompanying the delegates are expected to survey the business opportunities in the port town and sign agreements with the interim Juba administration. Since last year Juba regions was witnessing relative stability that has encouraged potential investors to flock into the region.

Somali Man Accused of Taking Part in Mpeketoni Attack Brought Before Court

20 Aug – Source: Radio Dalsan – 238 words

Omar Abdurrahman 26 was yesterday brought before a court. According to Daily Nation newspaper from Kenya reported that Omar Abdulrahman, 26, was arrested on August 13 in Lamu West and was being held at Mpeketoni Police Station. Police said Abdulrahman was among the gang that participated in the mass killings and destruction of property in Mpeketoni Town and the surrounding areas on June 15 and 16. The officer handling the case, Raphael Wanjohi, is attached to the Criminal Investigations Department in Lamu County. He, however, asked the court to grant him 10 more days to complete the investigations.Mr Wanjohi said police wanted to conduct identification, forensic analysis and collect views from several other witnesses. “We also want to confirm if Abdulrahman was among the killers.

REGIONAL MEDIA

AMISOM to leave Somalia in 2016 – envoy

20 Aug – Source: New Vision – 502 words

Kenya extends dusk to dawn curfew in Lamu by a month

20 Aug – Source: Standard Media – 361 words

Inspector General of Kenya Police David Kimaiyo has extended the Lamu County dusk to dawn curfew by a month following insecurity in the area. The directive begins August 21 to September 21. Kimaiyo issued initial curfew order in July following insecurity in the region that left over 40 people dead. He issued the orders within Lamu County from July 20, 2014 to August 2014 from 6.30PM to 6.30PM. The IG added that every person residing within Lamu County is directed to remain indoors during the period the curfew order is in force except under and in accordance with the terms and condition of a written permit granted by the police county commander. The order was criticised by leaders including Adan Duale who is the leader of Government business in parliament. He argued that the directive was an infrigment to Muslims rights who were by then observing the month of Ramadhan.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Ministerial meeting reaffirms commitment to solving Somalia crisis

20 Aug – Source: UNHCR – 285 words

Participants at a ministerial meeting co-chaired by UNHCR in Addis Ababa on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to find solutions for hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees and called on the international community to help the Somali government in its efforts to restore peace and progress. The commitment came in a communiqué released at the end of the meeting, attended by UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres and ministers of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and Yemen, which together host nearly 1 million Somali refugees. Another 1 million Somalis remain displaced within Somalia. Also present were the UN Special Representative on Somalia and representatives of the African Union; the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development; and the UN Economic Commission for Africa; “We hereby endorse a renewed engagement for Somali refugees which binds us to act in solidarity to address the imperatives of this pressing problem. At the heart of these commitments are guiding principles which emphasize the importance of the Somali Federal Government’s commitment in actions concerning Somali refugees, the imperative of continued support to host communities, the need to increase refugee participation in future actions and to create differentiated solutions for a diverse refugee population, the benefits of considering new alternatives for long-staying refugees, and the importance of engaging new actors in the search for solutions,” the communiqué said.

Somali pirate kingpin finally arrested

20 Aug – Source: News24/AFP – 341 words

Somali security forces have arrested one of the country’s most powerful pirate chiefs, who once hijacked giant vessels earning him multi-million dollar ransoms, security sources said on Tuesday. Mohamed Garfanji was seized late on Sunday in the capital Mogadishu along with several of his well-armed bodyguards, according to foreign and Somali security sources. There was no official confirmation from the internationally-backed government, and sources could not confirm if he was still being held. Both the United States and the Seychelles reportedly want to question him for his alleged kidnapping of citizens from both nations.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“Mohamed Ali, director of the Iftiin Foundation, explains why Somalia’s employment situation borders on ‘catastrophic'”

‘Driven by unemployment, youth in Somalia turned to piracy as a solution’

20 Aug – Source: The Guardian – 540 words

How would you describe the issue of youth unemployment in the developing world? We are seeing an alarming form of youth marginalisation and exclusion in the economic growth of developing countries across the world. 90m young people around the world are unemployed – this number rises to 300m when you consider those that are under-unemployed. Those who do get work often end up in highly exploitative jobs in the informal sector. In Somalia, almost seven out of 10 young people in the country are unemployed. When you consider that over 70% of the population is under 35, the youth unemployment situation in Somalia borders on catastrophic. As a result most young people want to leave the country and hundreds die each year trying to cross the Mediterranean sea to enter Italy illegally in search of jobs in Europe. And many have become vulnerable to exploitation by terrorist organisations and piracy groups. The situation is doubly worse for young women.