August 29, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Somali president meets with UN, AU officials in Mogadishu

29 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Dalsan/SNTV/Hiiraan Online – 125 words Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has met senior officials from the African Union and the United Nations who have visited Mogadishu yesterday. The president and the officials from the African Union and the United Nations discussed ways of improving the security as well as measuring what achievements the AMISOM mission in Somalia has reached in the last two years. Walid Mussa who spoke ofnbehalf of the joint committee from the United Nations and the African Union said they were planning to visit several locations where AMISOM troops were operating. According to a press statement from the presidential office, the joint committee will visit areas including Jowhar, Baidoa and Kismayo to measure the improvement of the security as well as the challenges facing the improvement of security.

Key Headlines

Somali president meets with UN AU officials in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu/Dalsan/SNTV/Hiiraan Online)
Somali govt gets a boost with key Jubaland deal (Capital News/AFP)
Somali Federal president supervises military facilities in Mogadishu (Raxanreeb/SNTV/Radio Mogadishu/al Shahid)
China to reopen embassy in Mogadishu (Sabahi Online)
Interview-Somali gov’t undermining federal plan – regional leader (Reuters)
Armed men shoot and kill security officer in Mogadishu (Raxanreeb)
US Ambassador to Somalia visits Mogadishu (Walta Informtion Center)
Agreement ends fight over leadership of Somali port city near Kenya (Washington Post/AP)

PRESS STATEMENT

The African Union welcomes the agreement between the federal government of Somalia and the Jubba delegation

29 Aug- Source: AU/Peace and Security – 248 words The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, welcomes the signing yesterday in Addis Ababa, under the auspices of Ethiopia, Chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Chair of the AU, of an Agreement between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Jubba delegation regarding the current political, governance and security situation of the Jubbas. The Chairperson of the Commission commends the Somali parties for reaching this historic Agreement, which is a further illustration of the capacity of the Somalis to triumph over their differences. The Chairperson of the Commission thanks Ethiopia for its untiring efforts, the resources committed and for its dedication in facilitating the negotiations between the parties. She expresses the AU’s gratitude to the IGAD member states and Secretariat for their continued commitment to peace, security and reconciliation in Somalia, and their determination to sustain the current momentum in Somalia. The Chairperson of the Commission calls on Somalia’s partners to extend increased support to the FGS and the Somali people in their efforts. In this respect, she looks forward to the successful holding of the High-Level Conference on a New Deal for Somalia, scheduled to take place in Brussels on 16 September 2013. She assures the Somali authorities and other stakeholders of the AU’s continued commitment, notably through AMISOM, to assist them in consolidating the tremendous progress they have made.

Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the establishment of the Interim Jubba Administration in Somalia

28 Aug – Source: EU – 306 words The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission issued the following statement today: “I welcome the agreement reached today in Addis Ababa for the establishment of the Interim Jubba Administration. It is important not only for Somalia but also for the stability of the entire Horn of Africa region. I hope this will pave the way for the constitutional review to achieve a consensus on the establishment of the federal system. The achievement has been possible thanks to the constructive approach of all parties and the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to pursue an agreement in the interest of the people of Somalia. I congratulate Ahmed Madoobe for his appointment as Leader of the Interim Jubba Administration. I recognise that both parties have made a major political effort to achieve this agreement, and will need to sustain that effort to ensure that it is implemented, which I hope will happen swiftly. The EU stands ready with international partners to engage rapidly in support of the immediate needs of the local population and will continue to help the people of Somalia in their efforts to build a more stable future. I commend the efforts of all those who have worked for this outcome, in particular the IGAD chair Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, as well as the Kenyan authorities, the U+ and others. The Brussels Conference on Somalia on 16 September 2013 will be an important opportunity to provide renewed impetus to Somalia’s stability and reconstruction through endorsement of the New Deal Compact so that the country can turn a page in its history and embrace a new future.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali president meets with UN, AU officials in Mogadishu

Somali Federal president supervises military facilities in Mogadishu

29 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb/SNTV/Radio Mogadishu/al Shahid – 189 words The president of the Federal Government of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday supervised several military facilities in the capital, Mogadishu in a bid to restore security efforts. The president, accompanied by the Defense Minister and the leading Military Officers of the state visited the seat of the defense ministry, the central command of the military as well as several other bases. In his address to military servicemen and woman, the president has pledged full support for the improvement of the rebuilding of the national army at a national level and also expressed the government’s willingness to regularly pay the servicemen and the woman. “Despite some improvements there are still some of our members who illegally use the name of the army to loot, kill the civilians or rape the women” the president said in his address. The Defense Minister of the federal government of Somalia, Abdihakim Haji Fiqi also noted that while the government intends to give full rights to the military servicemen and women, the ministry will not tolerate some individuals using the name of the army to incite insecurity or loot the civilians.

New Galgadud governor takes office

29 Aug – Source: Radio Dalsan/SNTV – 119 words The new governor of Galgadud region, central Somalia has taken office on Wednesday after a well-organized ceremony was held in Dhusamareb town, the capital of the region. During the ceremony in Dhusamareb town, the former governor Ahmed Yusuf Ciyow transferred the responsibility of the regional administration to the newly appointed governor Hussein Ali Cirfo. The ceremony was attended by the leading officers of the national army, Ahlu Sunna senior officials, district commissioners and other distinguished officials. The new governor Hussein Ali Cirfo has pledged that his main priorities will be reconciling the community and improving the security in the region. Mr Cirfo reached the region last week after he was appointed in an interior ministry decree.

Armed men shoot and kill security officer in Mogadishu

29 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb – 90 words Unidentified gunmen have shot and killed a National Security and Intelligence officer in Mogadishu’s Kaxda district on Wednesday evening, locals said. The security officer Khalif Mohamud Ali was the Head of the National Intelligence office at Kaxda neighborhood of Mogadishu. Eyewitnesses and district officials said gunmen attacked the officer’s home and killed him. Two of his guards were seriously wounded in the attack. The perpetrators fled as the police reached the area. No one was arrested until now but a heavy search operation was launched, the district officials confirmed.

Puntland Govt sets fire to counterfeit Somali shilling

28 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 119 words Following Nugal’s first degree court in the Puntland capital of Garowe completed the proceedings of counterfeit Somali Shilling, officials from the Puntland government in northern Somalia set fake currency totaling 216,715 So. Sh on fire on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports. The burnt money was transported by a truck carrying livestock from southern Somalia and police forces manning a checkpoint on the outskirts of Garowe have seized the amount last week. Puntland’s Deputy Attorney General Mohamed Hared, who spoke to the reporters inside the court building shortly after court judge Abdinur Jama Hussein said that the counterfeit money was aimed at weaken the already turbulent markets in Puntland which have been experiencing inflations and substantial fluctuations.

President Silanyo attends Graduation Ceremony at Amoud University

28 Aug – Source: Somaliland Press – 100 words President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (Silanyo) during a visit to Borame attended the graduation ceremony of more than 415 students who graduated from the various faculties at the prestigious Amoud University in Awdal region. President Silanyo speaking during the Graduation ceremony told graduates that they are expected to become leaders in their communities and public services and capable of becoming fully competitive in all sectors.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali govt gets a boost with key Jubaland deal

29 Aug – Source: Capital News/AFP – 353 words The semi-autonomous Somali state of Jubaland agreed Wednesday to ally itself with the national government, in a deal hailed as boosting to efforts to unify the war-torn nation. The is welcome news for Somalia’s internationally-backed authorities, who have struggled to extend their reach far beyond the capital Mogadishu and are also fighting the Al-Qaeda-inspired Shebab militia. Jubaland, situated in southern Somalia and bordering Kenya, was one of several breakaway regions of the fractured Horn of Africa nation. There is also Puntland in the northeast tip of the country which wants autonomy within a federation of states, while Somaliland in the northwest declared total independence in 1991. The agreement was signed after a week of negotiations in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa between Somalia’s State Minister, Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir, and the self-appointed leader of Jubaland, Ahmed Madobe.

US Ambassador to Somalia visits Mogadishu

29 Aug – Source: Walta Information Centre – 138 words Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met the newly appointed US ambassador for Somalia, James P. McAnulty, in Mogadishu on Monday. Discussions covered a wide range of issues including bilateral relations between the two countries, the ongoing talks in Addis Ababa between the Somali Federal government and the Jubaland administration, and the country’s security situation. They also discussed the national conference, “Vision 2016: Transitioning Towards Democracy” being planned by the Government early next month in advance of the New Deal for Somalia Conference in Brussels onSeptember 16.

China to reopen embassy in Mogadishu

28 Aug – Source: Sabahi Online – 81 words Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Wang Yang said hat China would re-open its embassy in Somalia by the end of the year. Somali Foreign Minister Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Aadan, who is currently visiting China, said her government donated the land for China to rebuild its embassy. The two officials discussed ways of strengthening bilateral ties between their countries, with Yang saying China would increase educational scholarships it provides to Somali students. China has also pledged to support several development projects in Somalia.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Interview-Somali gov’t undermining federal plan – regional leader

29 Aug – Source: Reuters/ trust.org – 598 words The president of Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region said the central government was undermining plans to create a federal system and that he would develop potential oil resources in his area even without a revenue-sharing deal with Mogadishu. Abdirahman Mohamud Farole’s remarks in a Reuters interview show the deep national divisions and the huge task facing the Mogadishu government as it seeks to unite the nation with devolved powers after two decades of war and clan rivalry. Mogadishu has promised to share power and resources in the poor Horn of Africa state, but distrust of central government still threatens fragile security gains of the past two years, highlighted when Puntland broke off ties this month.

Agreement ends fight over leadership of Somali port city near Kenya

28 Aug – Source: Washington Post/AP – 174 words Officials say Somalia’s government has signed a deal over the administration of a southern port to end months of dispute that threatened wider conflict in the region. The city of Kismayo, which has a lucrative port, was being fought over by the Mogadishu-based central government and a former militia leader named Ahmed Madobe whom Mogadishu leaders say has the backing of Kenya. Clashes for control of the town killed more than 70 people in June, according to the World Health Organization. According to an agreement signed Wednesday, officials meeting in Ethiopia agreed to a two-year Interim Jubba Administration, a leadership period that would pave the way for the creation of a federal state controlled by the central government.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“If the embargo were lifted, Mr Jimale would be in a better position to economically and socially contribute to his country’s rebuilding efforts.”

Ahmed Nur Ali Jumale: A fair man who deserves justice and fairness

28 Aug – Source: Hiiraan Online – 280 words The Somali government’s decision to demand the UN embargo be lifted on the Somali businessman Ahmed Nur Jimcale deserves to be hailed and celebrated. The government’s move came late, however, as the proverb goes ‘it is better late than never.’ When the country’s institutions collapsed, in early-nineties, as a result of the civil war Mr Jimcale facilitated telecommunications infrastructure connecting the Somalis abroad with their relatives at home. He also invented money transfer system that helped millions of Somalis in Somalia to receive much needed help from their countrymen abroad. Further, he stated charity organisations that helped starving somalis inside the country. It is difficult to overstate the many lives he saved as a result of his business making skills and charitable activities. Sadly, his business and charity activities were hampered or limited by the events of September Eleven in 2001. He became one of the victims of the so called ‘War on terror.’ Now, more than a decade, this man deserves justice and fairness. After a thorough investigation, the Somali government’ committee that investigated allegations against Mr Jimale concluded that there was no justification for keeping Mr Jumcale and his companies on the UN:s Embargo list. The accusations and allegations against him were mere rumours and hearsay, which could not stand the scrutiny of the Somali government’s committee.

“Somali journalists are under assault. Not only is the country one of the deadliest places for media workers, the year-old government is weighing a restrictive media law. The European Union, one of the African’s country’s most important supporters, needs to be more forceful in ensuring a free media environment in Somalia”.

The EU must intervene to help journalists in Somalia

28 Aug – Source: Euractiv – 659 words I am near certain that when Libaan Abdullahi Farah decided to become a journalist, he didn’t think it would lead to his death. But on 7 July, that’s exactly what happened. The news of the murder of Farah (also known as Liban Qaran) is horrific, but what is even more tragic is that he is one of at least seven Somali media workers killed so far this year, putting the African nation in the same league as Syria, Pakistan and Egypt as the world’s deadliest places for journalists. Liban Qaran was a TV journalist who was on his way from work when he was shot four times in the throat, chest and legs. He died on the way to the hospital. His death was followed on 16 August by the murder of veteran state radio and TV engineer Ahmed Sharif. The brazen killings and their impact on journalism drew the attention of Unesco Director-General Irina Bokova, who said after Liban Qaran’s death, “All too many media workers in the country have paid with their lives for our right to be kept informed. I pay tribute to their dedication and call on the authorities to spare no effort to stop these killings.”

Top tweets

‏@amisomsomalia The #AfricanUnion welcomes the agreement between the federal government of #Somalia and the #Jubbadelegation http://bit.ly/17kQBsL .

@Naleye #Somalia: #UN envoy welcomes agreement between government, southern region’s leaders http://bit.ly/141A9wR .

@Hamza_Africa Gen. Saacid also said #Somalia will start training its new police recruits within the country instead of sending them abroad. #Mogadishu.

@UN_DPA “Here to help, here to stay”, says #UN envoy to#Somalia in UN’s Politically Speaking newsletterhttp://ow.ly/nZitL. Follow the conversation →

Image of the day

Image of the day Federal Government of Somalia and the Jubba delegation signed an agreement in Addis Ababa, 28 Aug 2013.