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JOINT PRESS STATEMENT
21 August – Source: UNSOM – 181 Words
With a view to promoting stability and preserving unity among the communities of Jubaland, Somalia’s international partners (Canada, Ethiopia, European Union, Finland, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, African Union Mission in Somalia [AMISOM], Intergovernmental Authority on Development [IGAD] and United Nations) have engaged all stakeholders in Jubaland to encourage them to reach agreement on a single electoral process that is credible, inclusive, fair and peaceful. We are concerned that in the absence of such agreement, the likelihood of instability and division within Jubaland is significantly increased.
Ahead of the planned events on 22 August 2019, we call on all stakeholders to avoid any actions that could cause violence. We welcome the efforts of AMISOM to create a secure environment in Jubaland, and encourage coordination between the forces on the ground. We urge all stakeholders to act with restraint, wisdom, and statesmanship.
Maintaining peace and stability in Jubaland is crucial not only for the people of this Federal Member State but also to enable further progress on Somalia’s national political, security, economic and development priorities. |
NATIONAL MEDIA
21 August – Source: Garowe Online – 214 Words
U.S.-trained Somali Special Operations forces swooped into Al-Shabaab-controlled areas in southern Somalia and rescued 20 hostages in a rare and daring raid, Garowe Online reports. The freed hostages, who are said to be local civilians, have been in the hands of the extremist group in the disclosed location for an unspecified period returned to their home villages.
The rescue operation was carried out last week by Danab in the vicinity of Yontoy, the main Al-Shabab bastion located north of the southern port city of Kismayo, the current seat of Somalia’s Jubaland state. Images shared through social networking sites purportedly showed civilians being evacuated on a military truck belonging to the Somali troops. There was no independent confirmation about the Danab rescue.
An American Navy SEAL member, Staff Sgt. Alexander Conrad, 26, was killed and four others were wounded in an Al-Shabaab attack on their base in the outskirts of Kismayo in June last year. The operation comes two weeks after the troops recaptured Awdheegle, a strategic agriculture town, 70 kilometres southwest of Somali capital Mogadishu, pushing back al-Qaeda affiliated group al-Shabaab. The elite Somali army unit, Danab which means “Lightning Brigade,’ emerged as a key force in the fight to reclaim territory held by Al-Shabaab is combined with Americans in “counterterrorism” operations.
21 August – Source: Radio Dalsan – 58 Words
21 people have been elected to the Warsheikh District Council in HirShabelle state. The new council was picked by a team of 105 delegates and was overseen by representatives of the Federal Government of Somalia and Hirshaballe state representatives. Warsheikh district council is facilitated by the Somalia Youth Development Network (Soyden) and funded by the Somalia stabilisation fund.
21 August – Source: Halbeeg – 178 Words
The authorities at Jubaland regional state of Somalia have announced new security measures to beef up security ahead of the Presidential election. The decision was reached following the meeting of the state assembly security committee. A statement from the Ministry of Interior on Tuesday declared the shutdown of the main airport, the port and roads entering the southern port city. Movement air, land and sea transport will be restricted from 20th till 23rd in August in and around Kismayo the statement confirmed. The Ministry further said the move is meant to ensure the peaceful polls slated on Thursday 23rd August. Authorities called upon members of the public to cooperate with Jubbaland regional police and AMISOM police unit whose responsible for maintaining law and order during the democratic exercise. Presidential candidates including incumbent Ahmed Mohamed Islam address the new parliament on Tuesday. They promised security, economic development and strong relations with the federal government. Federal government urged the state officials to follow the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and reconciliation guidelines on elections or risk the outcome not recognized.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
21 August – Source: The Star – 298 Words
The national government should do more to create jobs for young people in Northeastern, two MPs have said. Ahmed Kolosh of Wajir West and his Wajir North counterpart Ahmed Abdisalan said young people resort to desperate measures, including joining terror groups, because of lack of jobs. He spoke in Wajir during a meeting with a seven-member youth group formed by Equal Access International to counter al Shabaab in the region using social media. The seven-member youth group from Garissa county called Peace Promoters targets youth in Eastleigh, Garissa and Wajir.
Abdisalan said if the issue is not addressed urgently, then it would end up having far-reaching effects on the country. “I’m not in any way justifying their actions which are not good, but there is nothing as bad as a having an idle but educated youth,” Abdisalan said. “This is one person who can easily be convinced to join this criminal grouping not because he or she likes it but because they want to make ends meet.” He said the government should think of coming up with affirmative action so that educated youth who have the necessary qualifications are given special consideration when it comes to jobs.
Kolosh said employment in the area is low compared to other parts of the region. “The only way to reduce the infiltration of our youth into this terror group is by engaging our youth and having their minds occupied. It is a home-grown problem that requires a home-grown solution,” he said.
Equal Access International’s country director Abdirashid Abdullahi said the aim is to build community resilience in the face of terror that has become a nightmare for border communities. Abdullahi said services in far-flung areas have been compromised by al Shabaab militants since non-locals cannot risk their lives by working there.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“The Family Assistance Programme, launched this month in Nairobi, is an initiative funded by the German government and implemented by the International Organisation of Migration. Since its inception in 2016, the programme has assisted over 280,000 beneficiaries. It offers a regular pathway for migrants in vulnerable situations. The German Embassy in Nairobi serves applicants from Kenya, Eritrea and Somalia. Majority of the applicants are of Somalia origin.”
20 August – Source: The Star – 1271 Words
With a smile on her face, Zuleka* (not her real name) says she is excited to see her husband after nine years apart. The last time their two children saw him, the son was only five years old and the daughter four. “My husband left Somalia in 2010 after security issues, someone had threatened his life and he decided to flee for his safety,” she said. After he left, Zuleka faced many challenges in Somalia, including raising her two children on her own and trying to get reunited with her husband.
From Somalia, her husband came to Kenya via road before travelling to Kampala. “He stayed briefly in Kampala before moving to Sudan and finally Libya,” she said. In 2012, he arrived in Libya, where he was arrested and detained for eight months. Most African migrants end up in Libya detention centres, trying to flee conflict and poverty for a better life in Europe. Thousands of migrants are held in dire conditions in government-run detention centres across Libya. According to reports by the BBC, migrants pay smugglers to go to sea but are caught and put in detention camps. They bribe their way out, escape or get sold to traffickers by guards. They may also try and raise money to pay smugglers and try the sea again. Last year, Zuleka’s husband initiated the reunification process after settling and landing a job in Germany.
BRIGHTER FUTURE
Amina* last saw her son three years ago after they were separated trying to flee conflict that had broken out in their Somali homeland. He was only 12 years old, when he went missing. She would occasionally receive unconfirmed information of her son’s whereabouts. However, she was unable to get into direct contact with him. During an interview with the Star, Amina says her son went to Libya after fleeing Somalia, though she cannot confirm how he got there. He was arrested and detained in Libya for about six to seven months. Asked if her son faced the ordeals migrants go through in Libya, she broke down and was unable to continue with the interview.
The Star, however, learned that he safely arrived in Germany by sea, where he initiated the reunification process with her. It took her a while to get the necessary documentation to travel to Nairobi for the process. Zuleka and her two children are in the process of DNA testing to prove their relationship. The family, who moved to Nairobi in July last year, reside in Nairobi West and have been in regular contact with their father. “He got a good job in Germany and he sends us money for upkeep regularly. I am so happy that we will finally be reunited,” she said. “My hope for the future is renewed.” Amina, on the other hand, is in the initial stages of visa application, and she is hopeful that she will soon see her son again.
THE REUNIFICATION PROCESS
The Family Assistance Programme, launched this month in Nairobi, is an initiative funded by the German government and implemented by the International Organisation of Migration. Since its inception in 2016, the programme has assisted over 280,000 beneficiaries. It offers a regular pathway for migrants in vulnerable situations. The German Embassy in Nairobi serves applicants from Kenya, Eritrea and Somalia. Majority of the applicants are of Somalia origin. Project coordinator Eleonora Servinor said, “Families that have been separated face many obstacles in the reunification process, leading to prolonged separation, which negatively affects the ability of migrants in destination countries to integrate and thrive.”
Some of the obstacles faced by families include high financial and evidentiary requirements, restrictive eligibility criteria, lack of information and support, as well as logistical barriers. Due to these challenges, families have fallen victim to misinformation and exploitation by visa brokers and smugglers. The programme, however, empowers families with information and visa-related services in their native language, including Kiswahili, Arabic, Kurdish, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali, Dari and Pashto.
IOM Kenya acting Chief of Mission Ferdinand Paredes said, “We serve between 60 to 100 people per day and utilise a sophisticated, tailored case management system, which enables programme staff to track and record every interaction with beneficiaries.” Adding, “The system is securely accessed by the German Federal Foreign Office, enabling real-time monitoring of programme activities.” German Ambassador Annett Gunther said the programme offers reunification services to families at no cost. “The people who come to Germany have mostly escaped situations of conflict and turmoil and, on their way, have been separated from their families. The programme assists in expediting and easing the visa application process,” she said.
For families to be reunified with their loved ones in Germany, contact has to be made by the migrants after being granted refugee status in Germany. Parents who wish to be reunited with their children must travel to Germany before the child attains the age of 18. “In some cases, processing time takes so long that minor children become adults are no longer eligible for family reunification,” Servino said.
Applicants are asked to provide documentation that proves relationships with those in Germany, including birth and marriage certificates. Short deadlines to apply for reunification means potential applicants only have three months to gather required documents. “The time of processing takes about six to nine months, but the waiting time may be longer since we are only allowed to process 1,000 visas per month,” she said. Though the visa application process is free, applicants incur transportation costs to Germany. IOM, however, offers special interest rates and sometimes NGOs provide assistance funds to them. Other costs incurred by the families include DNA testing, document translation and verification and costs for obtaining the required documents……. |
