August 28, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Government & Jubbaland administration sign agreement in Addis Ababa
28 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan/Dhanaan Online/Jowhar Online – 130 words
Talks between the Somali Federal government and Jubbaland regional administration leaders over the future of the Jubbaland region have been concluded in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, after the two sides signed agreements on Tuesday night.
Addressing the media in Addis Ababa, Somali ambassador to Ethiopian Abdisalan Ahmed Hajji Aden said that after days of talks and discussion over the future of Jubba region, the two delegations were able to reach and sign an agreement.
This agreement is expected to end months of standoff and political dispute in the southern Somali town of Kismayo where several clashes between two rival groups took place. Somalia’s neighboring countries and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) bloc have supported the talks, urging both sides to halt the prolonged turmoil and solve their differences through dialogue.
Key Headlines
- Government & Jubbaland administration sign agreement in Addis Ababa (Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan/Dhanaan Online/Jowhar Online)
- Government security apprehend famous Somali cleric in Mogadishu (Radio Dalsan)
- Dr. Tedros Adhanom tweets Somalia and Jubaland agreement (Ethiopian Reveiw)
- Tax collection begins in Galgadud (Bar-kulan)
- Kenya raises alert for al-Shabaab terror plot (Sabahi Online)
- UN office: Somalia still suffering from malnutrition despite relative decline (Press TV)
- Mogadishu explosions target Federal Govt soldiers (Garowe Online/Shabelle)
- UN hosts experts’ meeting on rebuilding Somalia (Xinhua)
SOMALI MEDIA
Government & Jubbaland administration sign agreement in Addis Ababa
28 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan/Dhanaan Online/Jowhar Online – 130 words
Talks between the Somali Federal government and Jubbaland regional administration leaders over the future of the Jubbaland region have been concluded in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, after the two sides signed agreements on Tuesday night.
Addressing the media in Addis Ababa, Somali ambassador to Ethiopian Abdisalan Ahmed Hajji Aden said that after days of talks and discussion over the future of Jubba region, the two delegations were able to reach and sign an agreement.
This agreement is expected to end months of standoff and political dispute in the southern Somali town of Kismayo where several clashes between two rival groups took place. Somalia’s neighboring countries and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) bloc have supported the talks, urging both sides to halt the prolonged turmoil and solve their differences through dialogue.
Government security apprehend famous Somali cleric in Mogadishu
28 Aug – Source: Radio Dalsan – 148 words
Somali government security forces have apprehended a famous Somali cleric in Mogadishu late on Tuesday, Dalsan radio reports. Sheikh Ahmed Nur Abdi Jim’ale was detained by the airport police soon after he was arranging to travel to a domestic flight from Mogadishu’s Aden Adde airport late on Tuesday.
His arrest came after Sheikh Jim’ale lost his belongings before the police took off. The police said they have suspected Sheikh Jim’ale and were investigating his case, Sheikh Jim’ale was taken into custody by the intelligence unit of the Somali government.
Sheikh Ahmed Nur Abdi Jim’ale who is a famous Somali scholar has been working with radio Dalsan and was the head of Religious section of the radio. His arrest was soon condemned by Dalsan radio director Hassan Ali Gesey who called for unconditioned release for Sheikh Jim’ale.
Tax collection begins in Galgadud
28 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 94 words
The Somali government administration in the central region of Galgadud declared that a tax collection will begin in many parts of the region. Addressing the journalists, Galgadud region governor Hussein Ali Weheliye Iro said that the business people in the region will required to pay taxes from now on. Mr Iro added that this is an attempt to develop the region and pay government forces’ salaries.
Hussein Ali Weheliye Iro, the newly appointed governor of Galgadud region has visited the region, holding meetings with the different parts of the community.
Mogadishu explosions target Federal Govt soldiers
27 Aug – Source: Garowe Online/Shabelle – 105 words
Several bomb explosions targeted trucks carrying Somali Federal Government soldiers in Yaqshid district of Mogadishu on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports. At least five soldiers died in the explosions which were landmine attacks on two separate convoys, according to witnesses.
“The first roadside bomb was timed to go off when the first truck touched it, after a few minutes another bomb went off; we have seen five bodies dressed in military uniforms,” said a nearby resident. Nobody claimed responsibility for the attacks.
House of Representatives receives Draft-Law from Somaliland’s Government on Livestock andTransportat on Sectors
27 Aug – Source: Somaliland Informer – 102 words
The Government of Somaliland submitted a draft-law to The House of Representatives; the draft-law known as The Road Development Law is the first of its kind in Somaliland. This draft-law, submitted by the Presidency, was given directly to the Speakers of Somaliland’s House of Representatives. The Somaliland Road Authority also comes under the Presidency. The House of
Representatives in their agenda-setting meeting included the draft-law and assigned an assessment committee. The Road Development Draft-Law is hoping to increase the taxes of livestock and transportation; in respect to the transportation aspect, vehicles will be taxed four times a year rather than two times.
Al-Shabaab retreats from Qurac-Jomo areas
27 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 101 words
Bakool region administration of the Somali Federal government stated that Al-Shabaab militias have peacefully withdrawn from Qurac-Jomo areas of Bakool region after previously taking control of the area.
Speaking to Bar-kulan, Celbarde district commissioner Abdirizak Awarre said that Al-Shabaab militias could no longer stay in these areas, knowing that they cannot resist Ethiopian troops backed by Somali government forces. He added that local administration run by residents left after Al-Shabaab marched towards the area.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Dr. Tedros Adhanom tweets Somalia and Jubaland agreement
28 Aug – Source: Ethiopian Review – 63 words
Ethiopian of Foreign Affairs Minister , Dr. Tedros Adhanom confirmed via Twitter a few hours ago that an agreement had been reached by the Somalia Federal Government and Jubaland Administration in Addis Ababa today after lengthy talks facilitated by Ethiopia. The finalized agreement on the nature, name and structure of the federal state in the south of Somalia will be signed tomorrow tweeted Adhanom.
Somali farmers relish freedom from al-Shabaab extortion
27 Aug – Source: Sabahi Online – 525 words
Farming is flourishing in parts of Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region as residents return free from al-Shabaab rule. For years, al-Shabaab had imposed hefty taxes on residents’ crops, seized portions of their crop yields and threatened farmers who said they could not pay.
“Al-Shabaab used to take money from us illegally during their rule in the region,” said Janale district farmer Hassan Mudey, 44, adding that when the militants controlled the region, they forced him and other farmers to pay $300 each month.
“They would not listen to us and whenever we told them we could not afford the money they bullied us into paying,” he told Sabahi. “They would even take money from us when the planting season was bad.”
Kenya raises alert for al-Shabaab terror plot
27 Aug – Source: Sabahi Online – 605 words
Al-Shabaab may be plotting terrorist attacks in Kenya to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the assassination of extremist cleric Aboud Rogo Mohammed, security officials warned.
Kenyan security officials last week placed citizens on alert, saying the Somali militant group could be targeting Mombasa, the coastal city where the cleric preached and where he was killed in a drive-by shooting on August 27, 2012.
Authorities raised the security level after receiving intelligence reports that at least five al-Shabaab fighters had crossed into Kenya from Somalia, Coast region Police Chief Aggrey Adoli told Sabahi.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UN office: Somalia still suffering from malnutrition despite relative decline
28 Aug – Source: Press TV – 202 words
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Somalia has announced a slight improvement in fighting malnutrition in the country. The body says malnutrition has decreased by 23% in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2012.
OCHA attributes the improvement to several factors among them, a general progress in the socio-economic environment, continued humanitarian assistance, and more access to various parts of the country.
OCHA, however, warns that malnutrition is still above emergency levels among internally displaced people also known as IDP’s. Somalia has witnessed its worst famine in six decades with the U-N estimating that half a million Somalis have lost their lives since 2011.
UN hosts experts’ meeting on rebuilding Somalia
27 Aug – Source: Xinhua – 300 words
The UN Economic Commission for Africa on Tuesday opened here a three-day conference of international experts to explore ways of building infrastructure and effective institutions in Somalia following decades of conflict.
The gathering, co-organized with the Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute (HESPI), an African thinktank, was attended by Somali professionals and academics. HESPI Managing Director Ali Issa Abdi told reporters that the conference is meant to garner support from the international community to rebuild Somalia and enable the country’s institutions.
He said the international community needs to provide not only money, but also technical and intellectual support to help Somalia reconstruct its infrastructure and institutions.
“Somalia needs now the attention, the focus and the help of the international community. We want to hear more from our friends in the globe; not only from the West but also the East; from the Middle East; from Africa itself. We do not ask only money, we ask for technical support; we ask for intellectual support,” said Abdi.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“I am, therefore, pleased to say that the Somali community to which I belong is exceptionally resilient, productive, hardworking, courageous, intelligent and determined. These are people who can reach beyond measurable heights in the 21st century if only our own political leaders and their foreign stakeholders act honestly in all their endeavours to stabilize Somalia for a better tomorrow.”
My journey back to Somalia
27 Aug – Source: IRIN News – 1367 words
My journey back to Somalia, my home country, was a dream and a choice I always wanted to achieve. I wanted to live on the soil of my ancestors away from the congested refugee camps of Dadaab and far from the tall buildings of Nairobi that hosted me temporarily and offered me an opportunity to be a citizen in a second home where I grew up and studied peacefully.
After almost two decades in Kenya, I finally decided to return to the country of my origin after getting an exciting opportunity to work with the Ministry of Education in order to bring hope to the next generation and give back my skills and knowledge to my community.
I arrived at Aden Ade International Airport in Mogadishu on 26 July, a Friday morning. Almost all the passengers in the plane I was travelling in were Somalis, mostly returning from abroad. The small airport and its facilities were very busy and chaotic. It was far from international standards – with all the signs of the wreckage of war and unfinished reconstruction under way.
“The list of individuals who were killed for serving the poor is endless. I don’t ask to know who killed them but why they were murdered. The who is easy but the why was never debated. Most articles, blogs talk about who killed and we rarely discuss why they were killed.”
Attribute to our fallen Heroes’
27 Aug – Source: Hiiraan Online – 489 words
I refused to leave and was taken away against my will. Today, men and women who grow up in the diaspora and have decided to help rebuild their country are once again forced to leave or face threat of severe bodily harm or death.
This week a beautiful life was cut short when unknown assailant shot and kill Abdirahman Hussein from Sweden. The only crime this smart kid committed was going back home in the hope of changing lives or at least making a difference. I am proud of him because most of the youth in his age bracket do not have the urge to go back to assist their fellow countrymen and women.
One thing struck me as strange, we do not know why this young man was murdered, we do not know what crime he has committed besides trying to build a bridge between his adopted country (Sweden) and Somalia.
Top tweets
@DrTedros Tweeps. I have good news 4 u. #Juba & #Somalia#Government have reached a deal in #Addis. Great day 4#Somalia & z region. Will sign 2morrow.
@omabha SOMALIA: PM declares 27th of August as the national day of human rights – Raxanreeb Online http://dlvr.it/3snKGf #Somalia.
@dailynation Tension as #Somalia breakaway regions argue over border http://bit.ly/17cS0l7 .
@Lattif My journey back to #Somalia http://shar.es/zZO2o > The last two sentences say it all. Good story @MoulidHujale.
@Mandamyth1 #China willing to reconstruct #Somalia/ China hasn’t forgotten that Somalia the 1st to recognise China in#Africa:http://news.xinhuanet.
Image of the day
Soldiers of the Burundi National Defence Forces serving with AMISOM begun a rotation of troops 26 August at Aden Abdulle International Airport. A battalion of BNDF who have served a one-year deployment as part of the AU mission in Somalia are being replaced by a new group of forces who begun their own 12 month tour of duty upon their arrival in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Photo: AU-UN IST/ STUART PRICE.