August 27, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
Electoral team reveals speaker’s election date
26 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 92 words
The Somalia Electoral Commission has given reasons behind the postponement of the election of the speaker that was earlier slated for Sunday, 26th of August, 2012. The commission’s spokesman Osman Libah Ibrahim said that the election would be held this Tuesday; he said six aspirants are now contesting the speaker’s position while 15 others are contesting for the positions of the two deputies, making a total of 21 aspirants.
Key Headlines
- President Sharif announces Supreme Court will decide if candidates will join parliament (Hiiraan Online)
- Outgoing PM confident of winning the race to Villa Somalia (Bar-Kulan)
- Air strikes hit coastal town in Puntland’s Bari region (Garowe Online)
- Allied forces move closer to the port city of Kismayo militants flee (Mareeg Online)
- Al Shabaab agent surrenders to Puntland forces (Garowe Online)
- UN official says transition in Somalia is slow (AP)
PRESS STATEMENTS
SRSG statement on the finalization of the list of Parliamentarians
25 Aug – Source: UNPOS – 233 words
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga is encouraged by the progress made by the Traditional Elders and by the Technical Selection Committee (TSC). However, he remains deeply concerned by the ongoing delays of the finalization of the list of the Members of Parliament that might threaten the electoral calendar.
“The candidates for the Speakership will deliver their speeches tomorrow and make their presentations in preparation for the Speaker’s Election day on Tuesday, 28 August. So there is no time for delay.”
SRSG Mahiga urges the Elders and the TSC to continue working together in a spirit of mutual trust and flexibility to fulfill their responsibilities as defined in the protocols. They must ensure that all outstanding issues are resolved by tomorrow, Sunday 26 August, in order for preparations to be in place for the Parliament to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker on Tuesday 28 Ausgust 2012.
SRSG Mahiga takes this opportunity to thank the Elders and the TSC for their hard work, tireless
efforts and commitment in carrying out their tasks and moving the process forward. “Last Monday, 20 August, the most qualified Parliament in the recent history of Somalia was inaugurated. We are just a few critical steps away from fully ending the transitional period. We must all support this effort to ensure that the complete number of the new Somali lawmakers begin their vital work immediately.”
H.E. Jean Ping, welcomes the recent encouraging developments in Somalia
24 Aug – Source: AMISOM – 425 words
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Dr Jean Ping, welcomes the recent encouraging developments in Somalia. In particular, the Chairperson lauded the grassroots approach to participatory democracy leading to the ongoing selection of members of Parliament through the exemplary and coordinated efforts of the Traditional Elders, the Technical Selection Committee and the International Observers.
Twenty one years after the country fell into conflict, the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) chosen by 135 Traditional Leaders adopted, on 1 August, a new Constitution and on 20 August, a new Federal Parliament was inaugurated, thereby paving the way for ending the Transition, and for opening the first legislature to be formed inside Somalia since 1991. These developments constitute
a significant milestone for the people of Somalia. The security situation across south central Somalia has notably continued to improve, thanks to the multi‐pronged operations being carried out by the Somalia National Security Forces (NSF) and their allies, with the support of AMISOM and the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF).
As Somalia continues on this path of progress, further work needs to be done. The Traditional Elders and the Technical Selection Committee must complete the important and urgent task of vetting and appointing the remaining members of Parliament.
The Chairperson, noting the impending election of the Speaker of Parliament and the Deputies, scheduled for Sunday, 26th August 2012, encouraged Parliament to stand by the timetable and put in place all procedures and committees necessary for a speedy, fair and transparent election culminating in the election of the President of the country.
The African Union remains concerned that the process to end the Transition continues to be jeopardized by individuals determined to maintain Somalia in a state of chaos. As we approach the
very last milestones of the roadmap, any attempt to derail this process will be unacceptable. Recalling the joint statements of 1 May 2012 and 9 August 2012 of the AU, IGAD and the UN, issuing a last warning to those undermining the process, the Chairperson underlined the readiness of the
African Union, working closely with its partners, to take measures against spoilers. The Chairperson takes this opportunity to reaffirm the African Union’s commitment to continue supporting the country’s peace and reconciliation process. To this end, the African Union will continue to work closely with IGAD, the UN and other international partners. Equally, the African Union will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Somali people in this last phase of ending the Transition and as they open a new chapter in their long struggle for greater stability.
SOMALI MEDIA
President Sharif announces Supreme Court will decide if candidates will join parliament
26 Aug – Source: Garowe Online/Somaliweyn/Bar-kulan/
President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed announced on Saturday that candidates rejected as members of parliament by the selection committee will be judged by Mogadishu’s High Court. “After reviewing the process we have decided that candidates rejected as parliamentarians will be put on trial by the Mogadishu high court, because these candidates were part of the government and process,” said Sharif.
Outgoing PM confident of winning the race to Villa Somalia
24 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 108 words
Somalia’s outgoing Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has expressed his confidence that he will win the race to State House ahead of the upcoming elections slated for late this month. Ali said he is quite optimistic that he will emerge top after the upcoming election given his past records and the public confidence he enjoys due to his reforms in the country during the last one year.
Electoral team reveals speaker’s election date
26 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 92 words
The Somalia Electoral Commission has given reasons behind the postponement of the election of the speaker that was earlier slated for Sunday, 26th of August, 2012. The commission’s spokesman Osman Libah Ibrahim said that the election would be held this Tuesday; he said six aspirants are now contesting the speaker’s position while 15 others are contesting for the positions of the two deputies, making a total of 21 aspirants.
Air strikes hit coastal town in Puntland’s Bari region
24 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 125 words
Air strikes reportedly from international forces deployed off the coast of Somalia targeted a mountainous area near town of Qandala. According to sources in Qandala, the strikes hit last Thursday afternoon. It is unclear as of yet if the strikes were from a naval ship or warplanes that had taken off from a the naval ship as attempts to reach US naval bases stationed in Somali waters failed.
Kenya must probe civilian casualties in Kismayo, says HRW
24 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan/Mareeg Online – 115 words
Human Rights Watch has called on Kenyan government to promptly investigate civilian casualties during the fighting between a Kenyan naval ship and al Shabaab militants in the port town of Kismayo on August 11, 2012, where three civilians − boys aged 11 and 15, and a pregnant woman were killed and two others wounded, apparently from shells fired by the Kenyan vessel.
Somaliland: Official was suspended on the request of the auditor general, says DG
25 Aug – Source: Somaliland Press – 98 words
The Director General at the ministry of Information Mr. Abdirashid Jibril Yusuf announced he was suspending the Director of Administration and Finance at SLNTV Mr. Hassan Mohamed Mahmoud indefinitely on the request of the auditor general. Speaking to the media in his office he said the decision to suspend the official was prompted by a request submitted by the auditor general concerning a corruption case currently under investigation.
Allied forces move closer to the port city of Kismayo, militants flee
25 Aug – Source: Mareeg Online – 102 words
Somali and AMISOM forces are moving closer to rebel-held port city of Kismayo, to wrestle control from al Shabaab, reports said on Saturday. Residents in the border town of Dhobley said that Somali and Kenyan military forces backed by tanks and artillery had left the town to Kismayo, 500 Km south of Mogadishu.
Security meeting concluded in Guri’el
24 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 82 words
A two-day security meeting was concluded in the central Somali town of Guri’el, Galgadud region, on Thursday night. The meeting which was attended by area traditional elders, government and Ahlu Sunna officials was aimed at discussing security situation in the entire Galgadud region.
Al Shabaab agent surrenders to Puntland forces
25 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 79 words
A member of al Shabaab operating in the Galgala Mountains turned himself over to military forces stationed in the region on Saturday. Chief of Darwish forces stationed in Galgala area Col. Jama Saeed Warsame spoke to Radio Garowe confirming the surrender of a Galgala militia agent. “Around 11:30 the man surrendered to Darwish forces. He was carrying a heavy submachine gun known as a PKM, documents and radios,” said Col. Warsame.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Drought reduces livestock exports out of northern Somalia
24 Aug – Source: Sabahi Online – 95 words
Drought in Somaliland has reduced annual livestock exports to Gulf Arab countries and will lead to significant financial losses for farmers and the state, officials say.This year, exports are expected to decrease by approximately 800,000 head of cattle, which will result in a $5.6 million loss in tax revenue for Somaliland, said Mohamed Shukri Jama, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.
Somalia campaign shows regional players’ enhanced air power
27 Aug – Source: The East African – 600 words
On August 12, when three Ugandan Air Force Mi-24 combat helicopters crashed into Mount Kenya, questions were asked about the safety of the region’s military aircraft and the competence of their pilots.
That the country was sending attack helicopters, for the first time, to the African Union Mission in Somalia, also brought into play the quiet arms race between the region’s militaries.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UN official says transition in Somalia is slow
26 Aug – Source: Business Week/AP – 101 words
The U.N. representative to Somalia said he is “deeply concerned by the ongoing delays” in choosing all the 275 members of parliament who will select a new Somali president. Somali elders must select the legislators ahead of the planned election on Aug. 28 of a speaker and a deputy, said the U.N. Special Representative Augustine Mahiga on Saturday.
Mogadishu safer, but still dangerous
24 Aug – Source: VOA News – 118 words
Today whoever visits Somalia’s capital will tell you how significantly security has improved in the city. Ordinary Somalis don’t have to face the constant street fighting they endured during the last two decades. But those involved in the process of bringing stable institutions and government to the war-torn country still face an element of danger. Targeted killings in the city are on the rise.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“There is much optimism that the incoming government will not only work to put these institutions in place but will also initiate internal political dialogue on the future of the country, especially the discussion on a new national constitution.”
Somalia’s chance for peace and stability
25 Aug- Source: Daily Nation-337 Words
The eastern African region must ensure that the new government in Somalia will be stable enough to ensure peace and security in the region. Even as the election of MPs went on the entire week, there were a number of spoilers who do not want Somalia to return to normalcy because they are benefiting from the war economy. The region should not allow the incoming government to be embroiled again in diversionary tactics that impede the stabilisation of Somalia.
“On a sunny Thursday morning an ageing DC10 touches down at Aden Abdulle International Airport. The blue sky and the inviting Indian Ocean engulfed a dilapidating airport. After disembarking the plane and meeting with AMISOM representatives, I realised something strange was happening inside me. For the first time in my life I experienced an unadulterated sense of ownership and belonging. The ocean breeze, the sand, the tiny insects busy constructing their living quarters and the whitesand beaches all seemed to be mine – here I belonged. At last I had arrived home.”
Coming Home to Mogadishu
25 Aug- Source: The Independent (Uganda)-1825 Words
Somalia, Somali or Waryaa (as my Kenyan brothers/sisters would say) has been the identity I have been carrying for more than 30 years – an identity that I have come to accept but never understood. I was born in Mogadishu but left at around 4 years old never to return until a sunny morning on July 26. Growing up in Kenya and later in the UK I was constantly reminded of my otherness.