August 29, 2017 | Morning Headlines
Somaliland Warns Puntland Of Fueling Clan Feuds In Sanaag
28 August – Source: Shabelle News – 155 Words
The self-declared breakaway republic of Somaliland has warned the northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland against fueling clan feuds in Sanaag province. Speaking at a press conference in Hargeisa, the foreign affairs Minister of Somaliland, Sa’ad Ali Muse has called Puntland to stop creating conflict between the clans in the region. Muse underlined that his administration is trying to mediate the warring sides in Buhoodle, and will bring an end to the deadly clan clashes going on in the town over the past weeks.
Dozens were killed, and hundreds fled from their houses since the start of the clashes. The fighting between rival clans had erupted over a land dispute, while the local elders have been able to mediate between the groups, a lasting ceasefire has never been achieved. The minister’s call comes as Puntland vowed to send more troops to Sanaag, to prevent Somaliland from bringing the ballot boxes in the region ahead of November poll.
Key Headlines
- Somaliland Warns Puntland Of Fueling Clan Feuds In Sanaag (Shabelle News)
- Foreign Warplanes Carry Out Airstrike In Northeastern Somalia (Shabelle News)
- Puntland Police Chief Explains Reason Behind His Suspension (Garowe Online)
- One Of The ‘Worst Droughts In Living Memory’ – Two Years Without Rain In Baidoa Somalia Is Affecting Millions (Euro News)
- Young Female Journalist Uses The Power Female Journalist Uses The Power Of Media To Advocate For Peace In Somalia
NATIONAL MEDIA
Foreign Warplanes Carry Out Airstrike In Northeastern Somalia
28 August – Source: Shabelle News – 107 Words
Unidentified foreign warplanes have allegedly carried out an airstrike on a coastal town in Bari region, located in Somalia’s northeastern state of Puntland, officials said. Confirming the incident, the commissioner of Alula, Ayanle Abdullahi said the military jets targeted rural areas and killed many animals and inflicted casualties on the local herders. He added that there were no any bases for the Al -Shabaab and ISIL militants in the area hit by the overnight aerial bombardment. It’s yet unclear which country owns the military jets that conducted the air raid on Alula, but, U.S. forces often carry out such airstrikes in the country, targeting the militants.
Puntland Police Chief Explains Reason Behind His Suspension
28 August – Source: Garowe Online – 266 Words
Puntland Police forces chief, General Abdulqadir Shire Farah “Ereg” has talked about the reasons behind his suspension by the state Vice President on Sunday. In a press conference held in the state capital of Garowe, Gen. Farah said he was sacked over the release of inmates from Garowe central Prison after they were found not guilty, in accordance with the law. “Yesterday, I received a phone call from the Vice President, and asked me If I’m aware of 12 students released from Garowe Central Prison. I responded that the release was made in a legal way,” Farah said.
Farah further said that he has been dismissed after defying an order from the Vice President of Puntland, Abdihakim Abdulahi Omar “Amay” to suspend city’s Police boss for the students’ release. “I told the Vice President to write a letter to fire the area Police chief, instead of a verbal way, but Amey rejected it and threatened me with suspension, and subsequently I was removed from office,” he added. Farah stated that on August 21, Muhiyadin arrested 13 persons, including 2 with Tuberculosis (TB), while the rest were students accused of being gang members. The defendants were freed after they were found not guilty of crime last Saturday, August 26 as officials from the court visited them at the prison, and requested clarification of the crimes against them. He pointed out that Puntland has a law and no one is above it
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
One Of The ‘Worst Droughts In Living Memory’ – Two Years Without Rain In Baidoa, Somalia Is Affecting Millions
27 August – Source: Euro News – 174 Words
Baidoa in Somalia has seen no rain in two years. Cattle are dead, wells are dry and fields are empty – certain diseases such as cholera have become endemic.The drought is the most severe in living memory. Aid agencies believe more than 6 million people in Somalia need assistance, of whom about half are threatened with famine.People are leaving rural areas to where they think they will find food and water supplies, which humanitarian funding cannot sustain. According to UNHCR, almost 3 quarters of a million people (739 000) have been displaced due to the drought since November 2016.
In the villages around Baidoa, there are scattered deaths from lack of food and water, but illness is the main killer. Aid authorities admit that an official UN figure of about 550 deaths as a result of cholera and similar diseases in Somalia since the beginning of the year is “grossly underreported”. The true figure could be 10 times as many, or more. It is clear that the worst is yet to come.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“It can be very scary being a journalist in Somalia, particularly Mogadishu. I cannot go out without covering my face,” she says, but remains optimistic that all her good work will not be in vain. Leyla strongly believes that female journalists in Somalia can play an even bigger role in fostering peace and security, given their persuasive skills.”
Young Female Journalist Uses The Power Female Journalist Uses The Power Of Media To Advocate For Peace In Somalia
28 August – Source: UNSOM – 433 Words
Leyla Osman Mohamud talks passionately about the role of media in achieving peace in Somalia, but her actions talk even louder than her words. “I always wanted to be part of the change for peace so that future generations can live a life better than me,” says this young journalist, adding that she cheated death on numerous occasions while on assignment.
Leyla witnessed the suffering of innocent civilians as a result of a senseless, decades-long war, and that experience prompted her to become a radio war correspondent. “There were times when I got caught up in crossfire while reporting. One time, my colleagues were killed right in front of me. It was a horrifying experience that left me shattered,” Leyla recalls. In another incident, the young broadcast journalist escaped death by a whisker when an artillery shell smashed a building she was in, while reporting live in Mogadishu. “Many people listening to the live report thought I was dead,” she says.
These two experiences were reason enough for Leyla to quit her profession, but she decided to continue and use the power of media to advocate for peace. Now a producer, presenter and newscaster at Goobjoog, a leading multi-media news organization, Leyla is determined to fight the root causes of conflict and war in her country.“Somalia has experienced conflict for so long, and media must fully embrace its role in building peace,” she says.
Leyla’s beliefs are shared by her confreres. Yusuf Hassan, a veteran journalist, says that media can contribute to peace by credibly informing audience on relevant issues. “If the media broadcasts nothing but the truth – that is a cornerstone for peace,” Yusuf adds. Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimu, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists, adds: “Media is the channel through which dialogue can be forged to achieve peace.”
Leyla says that being a popular figure on TV and radio can be rewarding, but has its downsides in a country considered one of the most dangerous places to work as a journalist. “It can be very scary being a journalist in Somalia, particularly Mogadishu. I cannot go out without covering my face,” she says, but remains optimistic that all her good work will not be in vain. Leyla strongly believes that female journalists in Somalia can play an even bigger role in fostering peace and security, given their persuasive skills. “Women are the backbone of the society, have a better understanding of their communities and great love for people. Female journalists are in a better position to come up with the best programmes on peace and development,” she adds.