August 23, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

President, UN envoy meet to solve row over Somali parliamentarian selection

23 Aug – Source: VOA Somali Service/Bar-kulan/Jowhar Online/Somali Channel TV/Hiiraan Online/Mareeg Online – 335 words

Somali Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and the UN Special Representative for Somalia Ambassador Augustine Mahiga have once again held a meeting to discuss the fate of those who were exempted from the list of the new parliamentarians who were blamed to have had criminal records. President Sharif causioned over accusing anyone who hasn’t been convicted of crimes in a court of law.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that Ambassador Mahiga and President Sharif want some members previously exempted to be included in the list of the new parliamentarians. In spite of Somalia successfully forming a new parliament, there is still a row regarding the individuals rejected by the Technical Selection Committee (TSC). Out of the 275 legislatures required for a full house, only over 200 were selected and proposals for some 50 individuals were rejected by the TSC.

As a result of the exemption, the traditional elders refused to re-select new members to be included in the list of the new legislatures. The elders and President Sharif believe that everyone has the right to be included in the list. After their meeting, Ambassador Mahiga and President Sharif held a joint press conference expressing their stand on the matter.

“The elders have the right to select anyone they find fit and there should be no targeted exemptions,” president Sharif said while seemed to have taken firm stand on the matter. “Such exemptions will create unnecessary tension which we cannot afford to have in the present situation. This will derail the peace process that was hard-earned,” he added.

Key Headlines

President UN envoy meet to solve row over Somali parliamentarian selection (VOA Somali Service/Bar-kulan/Jowhar Online/Somali Channel TV/Hiiraan Online/Mareeg Online)
TSC says controversy over rejected MPs resolved (Bar-kulan/Jowhar Online)
Somali envoy urges Kenya to end ‘drilling of oil’ in southern regions (Shabelle Media)
AMISOM forces take over security of Afgoye corridor (Mareeg Online/Somaliweyn)
Speaker requests completion of Parliament members selection (Radio Kulmiye)
Ugandan Special Forces Continue Fight Against Somali Terrorism (eNCA)
U.S. AFRICOM Commander Reports Progress Against al Shabaab (Defpro)
Somalia: Bleak House (Strategy Page)

SOMALI MEDIA

President, UN envoy meet to solve row over Somali parliamentarian selection

23 Aug – Source: VOA Somali Service/Bar-kulan/Jowhar Online/Somali Channel TV/Hiiraan Online/Mareeg Online – 335 words

On the other hand, Ambassador Mahiga seemed impartial on the matter. “We had meetings with the traditional elders and TSC and we are working to resolve the matter,” he said. Analysts say the new parliament is full of competent personalities who can turn the waves in favour of a peaceful Somalia. The credibility and reputation of the new parliament largely depends on how transparent the election of the speaker of the parliament will be.

TSC says controversy over rejected MPs resolved

23 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan/Jowhar Online – 164 words

Some of the proposed MPs whose nomination was earlier rejected by the technical selection committee could now be allowed to have their say in the new parliament after the controversy surrounding their nomination was reportedly resolved. Reports say some of the remaining MPs are expected to be sworn in in Mogadishu in the next few hours.

Prof. Abdullahi Hirey, Co-Chairman of the TSC told Bar-kulan they did not reject these individuals but were slightly delayed to due to lack of some required documents which they failed to produce during the selection, adding that they have now submitted all the required documents and will soon take oath.

Hirey confirmed they have already submitted the list of 239 MPs and the remaining ones will be submitted by Thursday to get set for the country’s top office bearers’ elections. He however said his team will meet traditional elders involved in selection of the new parliament-but did not specified what they will be discussing during their meeting.

Somali envoy urges Kenya to end ‘drilling of oil’ in southern regions

23 Aug – Source: Shabelle Media Network – 168 words

Somali ambassador to Southern Sudan, Abdirahman Nur Dinari urged the Kenyan government to stop meddling with Somalia’s Internal Affairs and particularly the drilling of oil wells in the country.

Speaking to Shabelle media, Dinari said he was concerned about Kenyan government’s plan to start drilling oil wells in Jubba Regions [southern Somalia]. He also urged the new Somali parliament to oppose the plan by the Kenyan government the same way the previous transition parliament opposed the agreement earlier reached with the country.

The envoy said if nothing is done about Kenya’s move, it could prove very dangerous. The call comes a day after MPs in the former transitional parliament urged their colleagues in the new parliament to oppose Kenya’s drilling of oil in Jubba Regions where their forces are currently deployed.

AMISOM forces take over security of Afgoye corridor

22 Aug – Source: Mareeg Online/Somaliweyn – 151 words

The African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said Wednesday that they have taken over the security of the Afgoye corridor from the Somali soldiers. Since the joint forces of TFG and AMISOM made major military gains against the al Shabaab beyond the capital this year, the main road that links Mogadishu to the agricultural town of Afgoye has witnessed a lot of insecurity and robbery against the civilian buses by armed groups.

Afgoye had been a main al Shabaab stronghold. sitting at a strategic crossroads, linking the capital, Mogadishu, with western and southern parts of the country. Al Shabaab’s withdrawal from Afgoye without fierce resistance follows a pattern of retreat, including a pull-out from positions in Mogadishu last August, and their abandonment of the key city of Baidoa to Ethiopian and Somali troops in February.

Hostages released after Buhodle community leaders intervene

23 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 127 words

Four students who were kidnapped while headed to Burao earlier this month, were freed after clan elders negotiated their release, Garowe Online. The four were kidnapped two weeks ago after armed men stopped a vehicle in the district of Qurulugud while they were en-route to Burao.

Clan elders and community leaders in Buhodle upon hearing the kidnapping began negotiating with the kidnappers to release the four hostages. The kidnapping could have potentially hindered peace talks between Somaliland and residents of Buhodle who were engaged in skirmishes over the past year.

Saleban Isse Haglatoosiye former Chairman of the defunct SCC met with Somaliland President Mohamed Ahmed Silanyo to discuss Somaliland’s military withdrawal from the outskirts of Buhodle and neighboring towns.

Speaker requests completion of Parliament members selection

22 Aug – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 104 words

Acting Somali parliament speaker Muse Hassan Abdulle has urged the elders to complete the selection of the outstanding numbers of parliament members so as to allow the house proceed with the normal proceedings. Muse said the parliament needs to get the required quorum in order to hold its sessions , adding that postponements will occur if parliament is incomplete. On the other hand, the selection of Parliament committee that was approved Tuesday is likely to have a meeting in the regional transportation center and it is expected to discuss matters related to the upcoming elections.

Puntland forces seize suspected al Shabaab agents with weapons

22 Aug – Source: Mareeg Online – 127 words

The security forces of the Somalia’s northern semi-autonomous region of Puntland, have on Wednesday conducted security operations in central town of Galka’yo, some 750 Km north of Mogadishu, witnesses and security officials said.

Witnesses said the army detained dozens of armed men carrying explosives, whom the officials are accusing of having links with al Shabaab militants.
Mohammed Yusuf Jama’a, the Puntland’s governor for Mudug vowed to continue with the operations to secure the town. “These military operations will not stop until they (gangs) are wiped out from the entire city,” he added.

The city is divided into two zones, where the main northern portion forms part of Puntland state, while its southern tip is governed by the Galmudug administration.

Gov’t soldier opens fire on civilian bus, kills 3

22 Aug – Source: Markacadeey/Shabelle – 136 words

Witnesses say a soldier dressed in Somali government military uniform has opened fire on a vehicle carrying dozens of passengers in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, killing at least three people. Wednesday attack took place at Sanaa junction, east of Mogadishu, where witnesses said that two passengers and the driver were killed on the spot while another woman was injured.

“This act is part of the ongoing attacks on civilian buses in Mogadishu by armed groups who intend to loot and rob passengers off their possessions,” said a bus driver who spoke with Shabelle Media on condition of anonymity. Shortly after the attack, Somali security forces sealed off the area and began operations, but reports indicate that the killer escaped from the scene, before the army arrived.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Meles’ death will not destabilise region, says Ongeri

22 Aug – Source: Daily Nation – 218 words

Kenya is confident Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s death will not affect regional stability. Foreign Affairs minister Sam Ongeri told reporters in Nairobi on Wednesday that that the “strong foundation” left by Meles and the “shared security concerns” within and outside Nairobi and Addis Ababa will enable Ethiopia to pull through.

“I am confident that Ethiopia will maintain not only political stability, but also its remarkable economic growth rate,” he said. “The excellent relations existing between Kenya and Ethiopia will continue to grow stronger under the new leadership in Ethiopia. I, therefore, do not expect any problems that would cause Kenya any apprehension,” he said.

“Within Ethiopia itself, he (late Meles) was instrumental in bringing about peace and rapid development following long-drawn devastating civil war coupled with natural calamities such as famine.” The Ethiopian leader died aged 57 on Tuesday in a Brussels hospital following months-long speculation about his health.

The late Meles led the country for two decades, recording substantial economic growth but Amnesty International said his leadership had been punctuated with muzzled press, ethnic conflicts as well as poor human rights record. On Tuesday, his former deputy Hailemariam Desalegn took over as the new Prime Minister. In the region, the late Ethiopian PM had been instrumental in finding a solution to the war-torn Somalia.

Mogadishu Remains Dangerous

22 Aug – Source: eNCA -1:44 mins

African union troops use armoured vehicles to get around Somalia but even these are vulnerable to attack. eNCA’s Robyn Kriel recounts a terrifying experience of an assault on Ugandan soldiers that took place inside the protected confines of the vehicle.

Ugandan Special Forces Continue Fight Against Somali Terrorism

22 Aug – Source: eNCA – 1:42 mins

Uganda’s elite Special Forces team helped drive terrorists al Shabaab out of Somalia. Now the soldiers are posted at “Kilometre 50”, North West of the capital, where they continue to hunt down and fight insurgents. eNCA East Africa Bureau Chief, Robyn Kriel, filed this exclusive story.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia: Bleak House

23 Aug – Source: Strategy Page – 772 Words

The new parliament has yet to select a new president to actually run, or try to run, the country. The leading candidates are all considered tainted (corrupt and likely to steal foreign aid) by the international donor community. The major thieves named, or implied, in a recent UN corruption investigation deny they stole anything over the last eight years, even though the evidence against them is overwhelming and often quite obvious.

Prospects for the new government are not good. Those Somalis who most often attain leadership positions have proved rapacious and incompetent, except when it comes to stealing aid for themselves their families and, to a lesser extent, their tribe (called clans in Somalia). This is a common pattern in failed states and chronically poor areas in general. But to the UN, giving up is not an option, despite bleak prospects.

Many EU (European Union) members are ready to stop participation in the international anti-piracy patrol off Somalia. It’s expensive and there is a sense that the pirates are in permanent decline. As of this June only eight vessels and 215 crew were being held for ransom compared to 23 vessels and 501 crew in June 2011. It’s been noted that no ship with armed guards has been attacked. The use of armed guards was long resisted, largely because of the fear that it would cause more violence. That has not happened, as the pirates do not press attacks on ships that fire back.

U.S. AFRICOM Commander Reports Progress Against al Shabaab

23 Aug – Source: Defpro -730 Words

Calling the elimination of safe havens and support for terrorist groups in Africa his top priority, the commander of U.S. Africa Command reported that U.S. support for Somalia’s military has had a direct impact in degrading the al Shabaab terror organization there.

“The performance of African militaries in Somalia … has been extraordinary,” Army Gen. Carter F. Ham told Soldiers Radio and Television Service reporter Gail McCabe during closing ceremonies for exercise Southern Accord here. Ham noted the U.S. government role in training and equipping these forces and the impact it has had in increasing the African partners’ counter-terrorism capabilities.

“They really have degraded the capability of al Shabaab, an al Qaeda affiliate operating in Somalia, where most of Somali territory is no longer receptive to al Shabaab,” he said. “They certainly still have some strong points, but are [al Shabaab is] greatly diminished over the last year, because of the role of Africans.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“In order for Somaliland to become and remain more viable, every region in the country must play a role in the national life. The towns outside of the main cities of Hargeisa, Burao and Borama must be not be neglected. Understandably, Somaliland faces the numerous problems that come with being a developing nation; unrecognized, impoverished, below average infrastructure, e.g., lack of roads, communication links, draught, deforestation, de-mining, and so on. But, it is imperative to see the cup as half full, instead of half empty.”

Somaliland: Hargeisa Is Booming, But What Of The Other Cities & Towns

22 Aug – Source: Harowo – 815 Words

Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland is booming. Like a phoenix it has risen from the ashes. This once proud and picturesque city is once again growning rapidly. After the destruction of the civil war to get rid of the dictatorship in Mogadishu , Hargeisa has managed to recover during the last two decades.
Sadly, for the thousands of innocent people who had lost their lives during the air bombardment and shelling, it doesn’t matter at all.

However, for all Somalilanders both at home and abroad, to see Hargeisa and Burao return close to their former glory is a source of pride. Having said that, whilst Hargeisa, Burao and Borama, have become the main cities in Somaliland in terms of development; Hargeisa is in danger of becoming the be all and end all of Somaliland .

Top tweets

@amisomsomalia Latest from Frontline series: challenges #AMISOM soldiers face carrying out diverse peacekeeping mission in #Somalia: http://bit.ly/NXzErO.

@farhanjimale The fact that now we have at least 4 former prime ministers running for #Somalia‘s top positions! What does that mean?….guess!

‏@AJEnglish Why does over 50% of #Somalia‘s new govt come from the old regime? Is there real change? Watch @AJInsideStory | http://aje.me/O55xRc.

@FreeMySomalia Will be interesting to find out how many languages are spoken by #Somalia‘s newly selected MPs. Good number are from the Diaspora. #Mogadishu.

@Aynte To appreciate #MelesZenawi‘s shaping affect on #Somalia politics, read Gen. Ahmed Jama’s terrific piece http://bit.ly/O5ep5X.

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Image of the day

Image of the day Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed speaks at a joint news conference with UN special envoy Dr Augustine Mahiga at the president’s official residence in Mogadishu August 22, 2012. Photo: Somaliweyn.