August 27, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Five children killed playing with explosives in Somalia
27 Aug – Source: Times Live/AFP – 143 words
“There was a heavy explosion, we believe caused by an explosive device that they had been playing with,” said Abdi Jinow Alasow, governor for the Middle Shabelle region. “At least five children have died and more than 10 others were injured,” he added. “The death toll could rise as most of the victims have suffered serious injuries.”
The explosion in the town of Balad, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu, took place shortly after the school opened this morning.
The town was recently wrested from the control of al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents by African Union troops alongside government forces.
“I heard a very loud explosion, and minutes later I saw mothers crying,” said Abdifatah Mohamed, a witness. “There were nearly 20 children who were attending the class when the explosion occurred, most of them were either killed or seriously injured.”
Key Headlines
- Five children killed playing with explosives in Somalia (Times Live/AFP)
- Somali caretaker government ready to hand over power (Daily Nation/Africa Review/Daily Monitor)
- Deputy Dhusamareb commissioner released from detention (Bar-kulan)
- Puntland Condemns Former TFG President’s Political Interference (Garowe Online/Markacadeey)
- Two of Roadmap signatories disown Supreme Court option (Bar-kulan/Somaliweyn/Hiiraan Online/Jowhar Online)
- UN representative to Somalia concerned by slow political transition wants deadlines met (Washington Post/ AP)
- Prof. Jurile gives up his bid for parliament’s top seat (Bar-kulan/Horseed Media/Garowe Online)
SOMALI MEDIA
Deputy Dhusamareb commissioner released from detention
27 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 94 words
Dhusamareb deputy district commissioner, Abdiqadir Abdi was last night released from detention after he was held in custody for four nights. Abdiqadir Abdi Nur was accused of helping his relative acquire illegal weapons. The district’s top-brass denied the charges labeled against him where he told Bar-kulan, the case is both politically and economically instigated. Abdiqadir’s release comes at a time when Somali new parliamentarians are preparing for the election of the new parliamentary speaker and president for the war-torn nation.
Two of Roadmap signatories disown Supreme Court option
26 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan/Somaliweyn/Hiiraan Online/Jowhar Online – 150 words
Two of Somalia’s roadmap signatories have rejected president Sharif’s recent assertion that they agreed to move to the Supreme Court and seek redress after the technical selection committee rejected the appointment of some MPs into the new parliament.
The immediate former Galmudug president Mohamed Ahmed Alin and Ahlu Sunna official Mohamed Mohamoud Yussuf (Aw-Libah) disowned the alleged agreement, saying that such move is not legally right. Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu in reaction to president Sharif’s assertion, Mr. Alin said the decision to move to court over this issue contravenes the agreements contained in the roadmap.
He accused the TFG side of taking unilateral decision without consulting other signatories of the roadmap, adding that they will not accept such move. Aw-Libah on his side maintained that no group can reach a decision without consulting the other partners and called for parties involved to immediate stop interfering with the TSC.
Puntland Government Nominates Committee on Federal Affairs
26 Aug – Source: Somaliweyn – 102 words
In the view of the ongoing political process in Somalia, Puntland Government has nominated a Committee on Federal Affairs to monitor political developments during this critical juncture of electing national leaders, including elections for Speaker of Parliament, President and nomination for Prime Minister.
The Committee consists of senior Cabinet Ministers and is mandated with monitoring the ongoing Somali political process to ensure adherence to the agreed principles until the process is finalized. The Committee is also tasked with providing policy guidance to Puntland government leadership. The Committee shall also serve as a point of contact and coordination between Puntland Government and external parties.
Prof. Jurile gives up his bid for parliament’s top seat
26 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan/Horseed Media/Garowe Online – 107 words
Prof. Abdirizak Hassan Osman Jurile has abandoned his bid to contest for the position of speaker just four days after declaring his interest for the seat. Speaking at a special sitting in Mogadishu where candidates eyeing for the position of speaker of the newly inaugurated parliament were tabling their political manifesto, Jurile said there are several other candidates who are worth to be the speaker of the Somali parliament than him. Juirle who is a professor of Chemical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology declared his candidacy last Wednesday and becomes the only candidate that has so far relinquished his bid for the parliament’s top seat.
Somali security forces conduct operations in Mogadishu, 4 killed
25 Aug – Source: Mareeg Online – 128 words
Somali security forces carried out operations in Mogadishu to tighten security of the capital which is now preparing to hold parliamentary and presidential elections. The special security forces launched on Saturday search operations, focusing on neighborhoods in Mogadishu’s’ Hodon district, where elements affiliated with or sympathetic to al Shabaab are suspected to be hiding.
“Joint forces are conducting large-scale searches of homes, pedestrians and cars,” a resident in Hodon district confirmed, adding that 4 suspects were killed and two others captured during the operations.
This is the largest operation conducted by joint forces in the capital since Somali Transitional Federal Government forces and AMISOM took control of Mogadishu and nearby areas after al Shabaab was driven out of the capital in August 2011.
Angola to document Somali refugees
26 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 112 words
Angola has started issuing permits to Somali refugees in its country following talks between the Angolan government and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), reports say. The Angolan government has already issued refugee status permit to over 400 Somalis to allow them work and stay in the country legally.
Somali community members welcomed the Angolan government’s decision to recognize Somali refugees in the country by allowing them to get legal documents that are vital for their stay in Angola.
The community chairman said the decision to document Somali refugees in the country came as a result of their continued campaign through the UNHCR and relevant Angolan authorities to have Somalis recognized as refugees.
Attack on Gov’t troops kills two in Mogadishu
26 Aug – Source: Markacadeey/Shabelle – 124 words
Unknown armed groups have attacked Somali police forces in Mogadishu, killing two—one police and a civilian and injuring many others, witnesses said. The incident happened near Km4 area in central Mogadishu, marking it the latest in series of attacks on Somali and AU forces in the capital,according to officials.
“At least five men armed with AK-47 assault rifles attacked the police as they were on patrol on Sunday morning at Km4, killing a soldier and taken of the gun from the dead soldier,” said a witness.
Puntland Condemns Former TFG President’s Political Interference
26 Aug – Source: Garowe Online/Markacadeey – 181 words
Puntland Government strongly condemns and objects to steps taken by the former President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to intensify his interference and manipulation of the Somali political process, thus jeopardizing the Roadmap at its final stage. The Somali people’s hope was inspired when the Technical Selection Committee (TSC) screened candidates for the new and reformed Somali Federal Parliament. The TSC was most praised, both nationally and internationally, for excluding candidates linked to clan warlords and extremism.
On Saturday night, the former TFG leaders whose mandate expired on Aug. 20 held a private meeting in Mogadishu. The former TFG President later issued an illegal decision that directly interferes with the political process and creates new obstacles to peace.
The former TFG President decided to illegally empower the TFG Supreme Court to interfere illegally with the agreed-upon selection process for Members of Parliament. It has been revealed that Chairman of the TFG Supreme Court, Mr. Aideed Ilkahanaf, personally went to the TSC compound, declared that the TSC mandate has expired, ordered the TSC members to handover documents and come to court.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somali caretaker government ready to hand over power
27 Aug – Source: Daily Nation/Africa Review/Daily Monitor – 188 words
The Cabinet of caretaker Prime Minister of Somalia Prof. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali held a meeting in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, at the weekend to discuss the end of the transition achieved by the Transitional Federal Government, an event marked by the establishment of a Federal Parliament on August 20. The Cabinet chaired by Prof. Ali foresaw a democratic process leading up to the election of a Speaker and two deputies expected tomorrow.
“We are also looking forward to an equally democratic progression running up to the election of a new president of Somalia,” reads a press statement by the cabinet on Saturday. PM Ali underlined that the end of the transition was achieved through a sound collaboration between the TFG’s state organs.
He said his cabinet would smoothly hand over power when in the coming weeks a new president is elected and a new cabinet formed. “My (caretaker) government is ready to hand over power to a new Federal Government when formed,” promised the caretaker premier.
On August 1, a provisional constitution, which replaced the eight-year-old Transitional Federal Charter, was adopted by an 825-member Constituent Assembly in Mogadishu.
Ugandan President meets widows & orphans of UPDF chopper crash victims
25 Aug – Source: Daily Monitor – 168 words
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has assured widows and orphans of the recent Uganda Air-Force helicopter crash victims that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and the Government of Uganda, will look after them within the limited means and asked them not to be anxious on that scope.
The President who was this morning meeting the widows and orphans of the 7 bereaved families at State House, Entebbe, consoled and expressed condolences to them. He consoled each bereaved family with Shs.10 million to help them at the moment.
The Air-Force personnel lost their lives on Sunday August 11, when three helicopters they were travelling in that were destined for the AU sponsored AMISOM operations in Somalia crashed into Mt. Kenya.
“The government will pay for the education of the children and the widows will be helped in ways that can make them earn money on their own. The families of the fallen UPDF officers should reside in the UPDF quarters until government will make arrangements to relocate them”, he said.
African Union chair praises developments in Somalia
26 Aug – Source: Sabahi Online – 168 Words
Chairperson of the African Union Commission Jean Ping praised Somalia’s passage of the draft constitution and the appointment of a new parliament this month in a statement released Friday (August 24th).
“The chairperson lauded the grassroots approach to participatory democracy leading to the ongoing selection of members of parliament through the exemplary and co-ordinated efforts of the traditional elders, the Technical Selection Committee and the international observers,” the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) statement said.
Ping urged the new parliament to stick to the established timetable for elections of president, parliamentary speaker and other prominent leadership positions, and to put in place the measures necessary to ensure fairness of the processes.
He reiterated that factions promoting chaos in Somalia will not be tolerated. “As we approach the very last milestones of the Roadmap, any attempt to derail this process will be unacceptable,” the statement said. Ping also praised security developments in southern and central Somalia, lauding the accomplishments of Somali, AMISOM and Ethiopian forces in fighting al Shabaab.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Five children killed playing with explosives in Somalia
27 Aug – Source: Times Live/AFP – 143 words
“There was a heavy explosion, we believe caused by an explosive device that they had been playing with,” said Abdi Jinow Alasow, governor for the Middle Shabelle region. “At least five children have died and more than 10 others were injured,” he added. “The death toll could rise as most of the victims have suffered serious injuries.”
The explosion in the town of Balad, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu, took place shortly after the school opened this morning. The town was recently wrested from the control of al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents by African Union troops alongside government forces.
“I heard a very loud explosion, and minutes later I saw mothers crying,” said Abdifatah Mohamed, a witness. “There were nearly 20 children who were attending the class when the explosion occurred, most of them were either killed or seriously injured.”
UN representative to Somalia concerned by slow political transition, wants deadlines met
26 Aug – Source: Washington Post/ AP – 189 words
Somali elders must select the legislators ahead of the planned election on Aug. 28 of a speaker and a deputy, U.N. Special Representative Augustine Mahiga said on Saturday. Mahiga said there was no “time for delay,” and urged the technical committee and elders compiling the list of parliamentarians to “continue working together in a spirit of mutual trust and flexibility to fulfill their responsibilities as defined in the protocols.”
In an exercise praised by the U.N. as a “watershed moment” in Somalia’s road to peace and stability, 215 Somali lawmakers were sworn in on Aug. 20, the day the mandate of Somalia’s eight-year-old caretaker government expired. It also was the day a new president was to be selected, but those hopes were dashed by political bickering, seat-buying schemes and threats of violence.
Somalia’s intricate clan politics and loyalties must be navigated in the selection of the country’s next leaders. A clan that wins the post of speaker, for example, is not eligible to get the presidency. Somali elders are tasked with naming a full parliament, since a general election is impossible because of the country’s chronic insecurity.
ARC and Minnesota Somalis collaborate for Somalia relief program
26 Aug – Source: Insight News – 292 Words
The Minnesota-based American Refugee Committee has been named a “Top Ten Finalist” for the Peter Drucker Innovation Award for Nonprofit Innovation. The Awards committee recognized ARC for its “I AM A STAR” program, which engages the Somali community in Minnesota and around the globe to help shape ARC’s humanitarian response in Somalia.
“In all, the Drucker Institute received 612 applications from nonprofits in 49 states and the District of Columbia. [The American Refugee Committee] should be proud to stand out as one of the most innovative nonprofits in America,” the Drucker Institute reports in a letter to ARC.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three candidates in September. The winner will receive a $100,000 prize from the Coca-Cola Foundation. Information on the Top Ten Finalists can be found here: http://www.druckerinstitute.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“So why did Museveni go into Somalia? Perhaps because he genuinely feels he should help our African brothers out of their quagmire through Pan African solidarity; and our president holds strong Pan African feelings. Perhaps it was to serve his vision of grandeur; for Museveni has a larger-than-life image of himself. Today, with his armies in five countries – the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa Republic, South Sudan, Somalia and of course Uganda – he seems to have achieved his dream of grandeur and empire. And of course, UPDF’s presence in Somalia also comes with other perks – good pay for the soldiers, revenues from renting our equipment to AMISOM, replacement equipment for every weapon we send to Mogadishu and some measure of international prestige.”
Museveni’s mission to Somalia
25 Aug – Source: The Independent (Uganda) – 1032 Words
My recent visit to Mogadishu and seeing what our troops have done there made me proud. Yet perhaps the greatest lesson from Somalia was not necessarily the good that our army is capable of doing in foreign lands but how smart President Yoweri Museveni is at geo-strategic positioning. Museveni has cultivated a very good understanding of the dynamics of regime survival in Africa, a factor that explains his decades of rule.
First, have policies that foster economic growth in order to continually increase your tax revenues. Second, leverage these economic policies for international financial support to supplement your fiscal position. Money is an important political resource to finance patronage for elites, welfare (however poorly delivered) to the masses and to sustain an army. Third, sustain some appearance of democratic politics by tolerating a measure of freedom while maintaining an iron grip on the military and security agenda. So people can express themselves freely but when this threatens your power, crack down hard with the military i.e. hide your iron fist underneath a velvet glove. Third, to crown this assemblage of factors, ensure that the western powers, especially the US, are beholden to you for their geostrategic interests in the region.
“The Somali people are beginning to realise the importance of stable governance, in the fight for the hearts and minds, the West must toe a line of caution. Any fully-fledged military intervention by the West in Somalia would not only be a disaster for Somalia’s future, but it might just prove to be a disaster for the security of western nations.”
Analysis: Is Somalia destined for foreign intervention?
27 Aug – Source: British Arab Guy Blog – 1515 Words
Somalia, known as the world’s most famous failed state is currently in the midst of pivotal change; with impending elections and increased interest by the West, Somalia’s is not only on the agenda of world leaders, but its future also seems more brighter than it has in a long time. On 23 February 2012, over 40 governments gathered in London to decide the future of Somalia. British Prime Minister, David Cameron was the first to candidly explain how Somalia, in his words “directly threatens British interests”.
These threats predominantly arise because of the presence of Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda associate, the lack of stable governance and the notorious Somalian pirates. Cameron went on to highlight how nations such as the UK understand that unless they help the people of Somalia to build a stable future, the problems will keep reoccurring. Considering that the following this speech the African Union (AU) increased its troop presence in Somalia from 12, 000 to 18, 000, is the West signalling a renewed appetite for intervention as a final solution to Somalia’s problems?
The UK is not alone is in its pursuit for a solution to Somalia’s problems, Hillary Clinton has said that the “US will look for ways to increase our involvement in Somalia, including considering a more permanent diplomatic presence”.
“Transparency is key to winning public trust and confidence as well as sustaining the recent territorial gains. It is obvious that Somalia needs strong security apparatus and if the lack of regular and punctual payments of public sector staff, especially the police and army, continues this could endanger the secured minor successes. Therefore, to get to the bottom of the corruption practices in this war-torn nation the international community should focus on not only the TFG officials but also regional administrators who cannot differentiate between the public and personal goods…”
Transparency Matters in Somalia’s Transition
26 Aug – Source: Wardheer News – 916 Words
Even before the latest report by the United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea (MGSE), Somali political elite was distrusted by most of the ordinary citizens in the war-scattered nation of Somalia. The detailed scandal that was exposed in the report was no surprise. It’s obvious that unelected officials who are insulated from public accountability by lack of proper elections are always the last to fear the consequences of their misappropriation of public money for their personal use.
But after the MGSE report which revealed an endemic level of corruption at the highest level in the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), Somali leaders must feel the heat once and for all. The new Somali parliament must prepare for the departure of current leadership and the international community must realise that it has an unprecedented responsibility to assist in the removal of corrupt and incompetent public officials.
United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) should prepare a transparent plan for a transition that empowers the intellectuals, civil society members, clean and progressive candidates who would serve the interest of their countrymen better than any of the politically awarded power mongering individuals. Instead of propping up this failed regime and its self-elected doyen’s that reign, the international community and particularly the UN must give Somalia the real assurance it needs to drive forward into democracy by empowering its people to reshape the history of their nation and build their second republic.
“Sectarian and opportunistic men who utilise clan and religious politics represent a threat for women and their prospects of political inclusion. Extending the nomadically inherited active and public role that Somali women occupy in the social and economic well-being of the household into the political sphere threatens the already stiff competition for limited leadership positions. “
Marginalising women in Somali politics
24 Aug – Source: Aljazeera – 944 Words
Somalia has recently selected its parliament on Somali soil for the first time since the civil war of the late 1980s. This is a significant achievement since regional power brokers such as Ethiopia and Kenya, with the financial and logistical backing of the European Union, the United States and the United Nations, concocted Somali governments in neighbouring countries.
Such success is unfortunately marred by controversies, with continuous allegations of corruption in the selection of the members of parliament, as well as persistent charges that millions of international donor funds intended for Somali security and basic infrastructure ended up in the pockets of a few men in top leadership positions.
While international news coverage of the above shady political process is repeated ad nauseam, the status of the 30 per cent quota for women in current parliament-approved constitution rarely gets any ink.
My reading is that international media outlets as well as Somali journalists take it for granted that failure of fulfilling this quota is best explained by the Islamic faith of the Somali people. This is often cited as being in conflict with decrees imposed from outside by international actors who allegedly paid for the hefty cost of $60m for the current constitution, and who also provide the salaries of former MPs and senior government leaders.
“If the international community is sincere about the wellbeing of Somalia and its people, the country can stand on its feet, no matter how long it takes. But ever since Somalia ceased to exist as a sovereign dignified country, the international community has been attempting to help the Somali people put their house in order. However, none of the countless attempts has come to fruition, prompting one to question the sincerity of the attempts.”
Is the World Uniting to Salvage Somalia?
25 Aug – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1012 Words
Somalia has been a failed state for more than two decades and its people have continuously been disgraced due to their fabric and due to the international community’s insincerity; but time will tell whether the Somali people are willing to put their division and mayhem to an end, and whether the international community is sincere about salvaging this afflicted nation and its disjointed country.
God helps those who desire to help themselves.
The deep rooted division and mayhem that exist in the country cannot be solved unless hearts open up to each other and rationality prevails. But unfortunately, when one talks about Somalia, one must be dealing with complex issues and paradoxical phenomena. The matter looks good from outer view but is rotten beneath the outer layer. One frequently hears some statements saying Somalia is a homogeneous society, meaning its people have everything in common, but neither homogeneity nor monotheism has helped this ailing society. And one may simply argue that the overly used statements concerning the society’s homogeneity are unfounded statements devoid of veracity.
“As Samia listened to our translator repeat each question to me, she would fixate her gaze on me, one eyebrow raised and a smug grin on her face as she waited for the end of the delivery (it was usually about a boy). And then she would laugh. A year later, she greeted me eagerly in Addis Ababa, her English improved enough to have small conversation. She was frustrated when she couldn’t express herself properly, but I was thrilled to hear her speak the same language as me – in almost perfect grammar. She was still on her quest to find a coach – somewhere, anywhere.”
Grieving for Samia: Al Jazeera’s Teresa Krug on her friendship with late Somali Olympian
The first time I met Samia was two years ago in Hargeisa, Somaliland, where she had agreed to be interviewed. I remember she stepped off the plane from Mogadishu in a new royal-blue dress and headscarf, track trousers tucked underneath.
In that first week together she was noticeably reserved, yet stubborn. She would respond to my constant inquiries into how she was doing with a simple, “fine.” And then, frustratingly, refuse to answer too many personal questions about herself.
This 19-year-old. Sitting in a stiff chair for long stretches of time. Away from her family, in a country where she knew no one. Staying with a stranger whom she might have taken more seriously if I hadn’t been all of 25 years old.
Top tweets
@Semhar Incredible. #Somalia TFG soldiers open fire on IDPs seeking food in Mogadishu, & killing 3. No stmt from govt yet. http://nblo.gs/BpFmu.
@mary_harper I wonder who will win the election for parliamentary speaker in #Somalia and who this will disqualify from being president and.
@HMAMattBaugh Fully agree “@ActForSomalia We hope a new era of governance in #Somalia that is more responsive,representative,
@UNPOSomalia #UN Envoy #Mahiga: “no time for delay, outstanding issues of Parliamentarians list must be resolved tomorrow”: http://bit.ly/PcogMp #UNPOS.
@Lobici #Turkey continues #expanding its #economic influence in #Africa; it is building a new embassy in Mogadishu #Somalia now.
@AwaleHowle AlShabaab war gives region’s players opportunity to show off their air power #Uganda #Kenya #Ethiopia #Somalia #Amisom http://bit.ly/OkjBpV.
Image of the day
Members of Somalia’s new-inaugurated parliament meet in Mogadishu over the weekend to deliberate on the elections of the house speaker. Photo: Raxareeb.