NATIONAL MEDIA
25 August – Source: Goobjoog – 71 Words
A landmine explosion hit a government official vehicle in the capital Mogadishu. Somali military hospital Director Khadija Iman Aynte and her driver were injured in a landmine explosion targeted by their Toyota HILUX vehicle during a drive at Carwo area, Taleh of Hodon district in Mogadishu. Federal government forces have immediately arrived at the scene conducting an operation in the area. No group has still claimed the responsibility of the attack.
25 August – Source: Goobjoog – 174 Words
Reports from the town of Dhusamareb, the capital of Galmudug, indicate that two military planes landed at Dhusamareb airport this morning as the troops are expected to take part in the security and the upcoming conference. According to reports, the aircraft carrying the troops have departed early Sunday from Aden Adde airport in the capital Mogadishu. The troops deployed to Dhuusamareeb are expected to take control of the centres recently occupied by the Federal government, such as Shirekole, which is set to accommodate delegates attending the conference. Ahlu Sunnah has before rejected the plan to deploy troops federal government troops to Dhusamareb, warning of the consequences of the deployment. Ahlu Sunnah urged the federal government to seek the solutions of the Somali people through a legitimate process based on dialogue, understanding and acceptance, and to avoid using oppression, force and control. ASWJ, which controls the capital of Galmudug state, Dhusamareb, had signed a deal late last month with the federal government after weeks of negotiations spearheaded by the Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire.
24 August – Source: Halbeeg – 148 Words
Somali Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Khaire, called upon native authors to change the negative narrative portrayed about the nation. Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 5th Annual Mogadishu Book Fair on Friday, the premier encouraged youthful Somali authors to use their pen to change the perception of the outside world towards the country. He said more reading and writing ideas will pave the way towards a civilization that leads to transformation. Hassan Khaire described the biggest challenge facing his nation as changing the perspective of the outside world towards Somali state, adding that the only way to reverse that is by creative writing backed by patriotism. The premier, who received copies of newly authored books from some of the international writers invited to the event, addressed more than 2000 participants mainly students from universities. He urged them to help his government quest for stability and economic development.
24 August – Source: Hiiraan Online – 196 Words
Former Ras Kamboni Brigade co-founder and close ally of current elected Jubbaland president Ahmed Madobe. Abdinasir Seraar has also been elected ‘president’ of Jubbaland by people opposing the current elected president of Jubaland. The recent elections will see Jubbaland have three presidents. Seraar, who fought alongside with Madobe in the then Ras Kamboni and later Ras Kamboni Movement, said Friday he was elected president of Jubaland to “save the situation” following the heavily contested polls in Jubaland. “I was not planning [to make the declaration] but it was necessitated by the need to lead the region in the right direction,” said Seraar. “The decision lies with the people of Jubbaland.” Seraar, who was among the candidates who initially registered to contest in the presidential poll, caused a stir at Kismayo Airport in May when his militias, who accompanied him, reportedly declined to disarm. Seraar, who controls a private militia, earlier served as Jubbaland spokesperson. Madobe overwhelmingly won the majority of the votes on Wednesday, garnering 56 out of the possible 73 votes by the newly elected Jubbaland parliament. The Federal Government in Mogadishu dismissed his election as a nullity as Kenya congratulated him and assured support.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
24 August – Source: The East African – 441 Words
As revived national carrier Uganda Airlines prepares to take to the skies officially on Wednesday, for the first time in nearly 18 years, its most booked route out of its four initial destinations is Mogadishu. Mogadishu is currently followed by Nairobi, whose bookings are fast coming in and are expected to peak as the flight date draws closer. The national carrier will start with flights to Nairobi, Dar-es-Salaam, Juba and Mogadishu. The first flight is expected to leave Entebbe at 6.00am and land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi at 7.15am. The Mogadishu flight will leave Entebbe at 5.37pm and land at Aden Adde International Airport at 8:00 pm.
Uganda Airlines commercial director Jenifer Bamuturaki told The EastAfrican that more clients have booked the Mogadishu flight than any other, although she did not give numbers. Uganda has a relatively large Somali community living in Kampala, many of whom are keen to travel to their homeland. “The increased bookings are because of a high demand along this route, and also because we are offering direct flights from Entebbe to Mogadishu,” Ms Bamuturaki said. Uganda Airlines is currently the only airline flying direct from Entebbe to Mogadishu. Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airways make stopovers at their hubs before connecting. “With time, we will increase the number of flights from Entebbe to Mogadishu from the current four a week to six a week,” Ms Bamuturaki said……
23 August – Source: The Star (Canada) – 288 Words
Canada Border Services Agency has suspended the imminent deportation of a former child refugee and foster child to Somalia at the request of the United Nations. Abdilahi Elmi, 34, arrived in Toronto in 1995 after fleeing Somalia and living in a refugee camp. He and his mother were granted refugee protection in Canada. But at age 13, he was placed in foster care, and, by age 16, he was living on the streets and having run-ins with the law. Elmi, who never acquired citizenship, recently served a six-month sentence for assault. Following his jail time, border officials put him on an immigration hold and ruled he was “inadmissible” in Canada because of his criminal past. He was scheduled to be deported Monday to Kismayo, where a terrorist attack in July left 26 people dead, including Canadian journalist Hodan Nalayeh.
This week, in a series of news conferences, his supporters argued that Elmi was a victim of neglect by children’s aid officials who did not help him acquire permanent status in Canada, a necessary step toward his citizenship, which would have spared him from deportation. They also argued that sending him back to Somalia was akin to a death sentence. Elmi, who is in custody in Edmonton, appealed to the Federal Court to suspend his deportation, but that request was denied on Friday. His supporters had also appealed to the UN Human Rights Committee, arguing that Canada would violate its international human rights obligations by removing Elmi to Somalia, one of the most dangerous countries in the world. He has no family there and does not know the language and culture. On Friday, the UN body asked the Canadian government not to remove Elmi, while it reviews his case.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“Mohamed Hassan Ali, who is in class five at the school, is happy that his mother can now read and write. “My mother goes to school at 1 pm. I am happy to see my mother reading and writing. Before she used to ask for help when she wanted to call someone but now he can use the phone on her own,” he said.
23 August – Source: Radio Ergo – 427 Words
Sahro Adan Mohamed, 44, can now use her mobile phone, search for names in her phone contacts, and read SMS texts without any help. For as long as she can remember, Sahro has relied on her children to help her use her phone, but now she feels liberated as a result of participating in an adult literacy programme.
Around 120 women from various IDP camps in the Somali capital Mogadishu have enrolled in the literacy classes being offered since March at Mohamud Mire school in Waberi district. “We have learnt our A, B, Cs. We learnt to read and write Somali for the first time! Before this, I wasn’t able to use my phone,” Sahro told Radio Ergo. “I learnt to search for the names on my phone, I couldn’t do that before, I only knew how to answer the phone, but now I can easily use my phone.”
As the sole breadwinner for her five children, however, Sahrois not able to attend classes as often as she would like. Sahro’s husband ceased support for the family leaving her to earn what she can, doing laundry for better-off households in the city. The classes are free, and the school also offers free education to Sahro’s children. Her son, Mohamed Hassan Ali, who is in class five at the school, is happy that his mother can now read and write. “My mother goes to school at 1 pm. I am happy to see my mother reading and writing. Before she used to ask for help when she wanted to call someone but now he can use the phone on her own,” he said.
Amina Adan Shegow, a drought-displaced agro-pastoralist from Lower Shabelle, said the classes had opened up a new future for her. She joined two months ago after being convinced by one of the teachers to start the studies. “I know it’s not too late to start so I want to continue studying as long as I can. I am going to the same school as my two daughters!” Amina commented.
Sahro Jam’a Hassan, one of the teachers, believes education will change these women’s lives. They learn reading and writing in Somali and mathematics and the school is planning to offer Arabic. “We have divided the classes into full and part-time students because these parents can’t be available all the time. The school is free both for adult literacy classes and for the children,” said Sahro. The school is supported by the ministry of education and the international NGO, Save the Children. It provides pens and books. |
