August 23, 2016 | Daily Monitoring Report
US To Provide Sh19bn For Dadaab Closure And Electoral Reforms
23 August – Source: Business Daily – 454 Words
The United States government will provide Sh17 billion for repatriation of refugees as Kenya pushes ahead with its plan to close the Dadaab camp by end of the year. Visiting Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in the country on a two-day tour, said an additional Sh2.5 billion would be released to support electoral reforms ahead of next year’s general elections. “The US government will offer an assistance of $170 million for refugees, returnees and for the humanitarian aid in Kenya,” said Mr Kerry.
On electoral reforms, Mr Kerry urged political parties to resolve their disagreements on policy and process in regard to the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) reforms to ensure peace after the elections. “The US is investing over $25 million in supporting Kenya’s electoral process that will be used in observation, and dispute resolution,” he said yesterday during a news conference in Nairobi.
He pointed out that the US does not support any party. “We support a free and fair election free of violent acts, this is your country and we will not step on anyone’s toes,” he said. He had in the morning held discussion with President Uhuru Kenyatta where among other things they canvassed the planned closure of Dadaab camp and the security situation in South Sudan.
Key Headlines
- US To Provide Sh19bn For Dadaab Closure And Electoral Reforms (Business Daily)
- Puntland President Visit Sites Of Galkaayo Suicide Bombings (Goobjoog News)
- Clan Clashes Leave One Dead Near Afgoye District (Shabelle News)
- Galmudug’s SEIT Starts Delegate Registration For 2016 Elections (Goobjoog News)
- Full Video: US Secretary of State John Kerry’s Press Conference In Nairobi Kenya (NTV)
- Three Men On Way To Join Al-Shabaab Intercepted (Daily Nation)
- Kerry Tells Kerry It Will Start Withdrawal From Somalia In 2018 (Bloomberg)
- INTERVIEW: Our Territorial Integrity Is Incontestable But Our Foreign Policy Responsive To Global Dynamics – Somali Foreign Minister (Goobjoog News)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Puntland President Visit Sites Of Galkaayo Suicide Bombings
23 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 208 Words
The President of Puntland State of Somalia, Abdiweli Ali ‘Gaas’ on Monday evening visited the sites of the suicide bombings in Galkaayo where over 20 people were killed and more than eighty people sustained injuries. Gaas condemned the brutal attack against Puntland residents and urged security agencies to bring the culprits before the justice.
The president said that the critically wounded people will be airlifted for further treatment abroad as soon possible. Gaas returned to the country from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he attended the 4th year memorial service of Meles Zenawi, the former Ethiopian Prime Minister.
On Sunday, two vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED)s hit Galkayo local government offices close to a school and busy Dayaha market during work-time. Al-Shabaab, which is trying to overthrow the Somali government, claimed the responsibility for the suicide attacks saying that they killed over thirty people.
The terrorist group stages attacks on military bases, government offices, hotels and carry out assassinations against the government officials. Al-Shabaab still controls several towns and villages in south and central Somalia although Somali forces backed by AU troops have pushed them out of most holds. The group lost control of several coastal towns including Mogadishu, Kismayo, Barawo and Marka which were economically strategic for the group.
Clan Clashes Leave One Dead Near Afgoye District
23 August – Source: Shabelle News – 106 Words
One person was killed, and several others wounded in a renewed clan clashes at a rural village near Afgoye area in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on Tuesday. The tribal fighting broke out after the two rival clans disputed over farming lands in the village which falls under Afgoye district, according to residents.
Local elders are on mission to defuse the tension as they began mediation efforts to end the clan feud. Heavy machine and artillery fire could be heard. The fighting is reportedly going on in the outskirts of Afgoye, with reports that residents in the battle zone are in fear and could make displacement shortly.
Galmudug’s SEIT Starts Delegate Registration For 2016 Elections
23 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 192 Words
Galmudug’s State Election Implementation Team (SEIT) has started enlisting the traditional elders in the State who will take part in the upcoming electoral process amid reports saying Somali electoral team opted to drop 51 delegates. The chairman of Galmudug’s SEIT, Hussein Sheikh Mohamed affirmed that the commission had begun gathering the 135 elders that participated in the 2012 election.
“Our skilled employees started their work to conduct the registration. The elders poured into Adado town inorder to participate in the process,” Mohamed said. He called on the residents of Adado town to welcome the huge delegation coming into the town.
Due to lack of funds, reports have alleged that designated implementation teams have plans to reduce the number of delegates participating in the electoral college. Somali leaders agreed on a total of 14,000 delegates in the recent NLF meeting that took place in Mogadishu. The Somali government is depending on the international community to fill the financial gaps facing the execution of election process.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Full Video: US Secretary of State John Kerry’s Press Conference In Nairobi, Kenya
23 August – Source: NTV – Video: 24:00 Minutes
Three Men On Way To Join Al-Shabaab Intercepted
23 August – Source: Daily Nation – 310 Words
Three young men who left Isiolo County two weeks ago on their way to Somalia have been intercepted. The three, who were part of an initial group of six, were arrested at Dagahaley refugee camp. Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya on Monday said the other youths from Tullo-roba were still missing and are suspected to be on their way to join the Somalia-based Islamist group.
The suspects are said to have travelled from Isiolo to Garissa on motorbikes. They carried reserve fuel in containers and spare wheels. He said detectives were following leads after their parents reported their disappearance. The six were friends aged below 35 years. The suspects are to be returned to Isiolo by police for interrogation.
“Police were informed about the presence of the three at the camp as they seemed suspicious. They were on their way to Somalia,” said Mr Natembeya. Police have questioned several people believed to be recruiting young people in Isiolo to join Al-Shabaab. It is also suspected that the recruiters and those radicalised have changed tactics by using motorcycles on their way to Mandera before crossing to Somalia to avoid suspicion.
Kenya Tells Kerry It Will Start Withdrawal From Somalia In 2018
22 August – Source: Bloomberg – 272 Words
Kenya and other East African nations will begin withdrawing their troops from Somalia in 2018 because of improved security in a country that’s been ravaged by civil war for more than two decades, President Uhuru Kenyatta told U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Somalia’s army and the African Union mission, known as Amisom, have registered “remarkable progress” in their battle with al-Qaeda-linked militants, Kenyatta told Kerry during Monday’s meeting in the capital, Nairobi, according to an e-mailed statement from the presidency. With a gradual pullout of troops planned for two years’ time, Kenyatta said it was important to build the capacity of the national military to assume the mandate.
Amisom, which comprises troops from Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia, is battling Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant group that’s waged a 10-year-old insurgency in the Horn of Africa nation in a bid to impose a strict version of Islamic law. Somalia has been embroiled in civil war since the ousting of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
The country’s lawmakers are scheduled to choose a new president on Oct. 30, a process the government says is necessary because the electoral commission doesn’t have the capacity to conduct a nationwide vote. The “success of the electoral process depends on the support from the international community and partners,” Kenyatta said, according to the statement.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“It is not about impression, rather we talk about facts. Americans sent their ambassador to Somalia and we did the same, they train our military and they give aid to Somali people. They assist Somalia in all the sectors.”
INTERVIEW: Our Territorial Integrity Is Incontestable But Our Foreign Policy Responsive To Global Dynamics – Somali Foreign Minister
23 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 642 Words
Somalia launched its foreign policy in 2015 defined by a strong case for territorial integrity. The policy, the government said would be pursued within the African integration process, in cooperation with its neighbors in East Africa, and as a member of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Goobjoog News correspondent Ahmed Abdihadi this week sat with Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisalam Hadliye Omer to explore a range of issues.
Goobjoog News (GN): Somali citizens accused of involvement in piracy are facing charges and jail terms in Indian prisons. One of them died last year of TB and the Somali embassy there has been accused of neglecting the case. What action has your office taken on this matter?
Omer: We assigned this matter to lawyers; these lawyers will try to transfer prisoners to Somalia. In principle, Indian government is ready to do that. Now, they are under the Indian law, and we will see how we can help them. I know one person died and I sent my prayers to his family.
GN: Did you personally engage this matter?
Omer: Yes I did. When the deceased young man was ill, I tried to help him. The Indian government was aware before I engaged personally.
GN: Last week, you received the new American Ambassador to Somalia; let’s talk about the timing and significance of this reception.
Omer: America is super power country.It has the biggest economy, military and technology in the world. For a while our relations with America was not well matured; now that is not the case. This is a success of this government. It’s the achievement of the Somali president and Somali prime minister and all Somalis.
GN: When this government’s term was starting, Americans were keen to offer a lot of help and assistance but analysts say they got disappointed after they learnt that this government was less effective in dealing with pressing issues in the country. Did you get that impression from the new American ambassador?
Omer: It is not about impression, rather we talk about facts. Americans sent their ambassador to Somalia and we did the same, they train our military and they give aid to Somali people. They assist Somalia in all the sectors.
TOP TWEETS
@Eye_on_Somalia : #hiiraan 7 suspected Al-Shabaab militants arrested in Somalia: “The police conducted an operation th…http://bit.ly/2c1B3nw #somalia
@Vatescorp : #Somalia: Five #AlShabaab fighters killed in fighting in on outskirts of Dinsoor, Bay
@USEmbassyCyprus : U.S. to provide $146 million in add’l humanitarian assistance to #refugees, drought victims in #Kenya& #Somalia. http://go.usa.gov/xDUw9
@Vatescorp : #Somalia: Somaliland President reiterates peace, reconciliation calls to eastern Sool, Sanaag regions
@JustinTBrady : Extremely important for #Somalia as is the Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) #Sweden so generously supports.
@AfricaResearch : #Elections in #Somalia on the horizon &@analystsomalia wrote this comprehensive briefing to bring you up to speed http://bit.ly/Somalia2016
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Secretary of State, John Kerry meets with regional foreign ministers on regional cooperation and dialogue to resolve challenges in Somalia and South Sudan
Photo: @JohnKerry