NATIONAL MEDIA
President Farmajo’s Speech At The Tokyo International Conference On African Development
29 August – Source: Villa Somalia – 711 Words
H.E Shinzõ Abe, The Prime Minister Of Japan, H.E. Dr Abiy Ahmed, The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic Of Ethiopia; H. E. Antonio Guterres, The Secretary-General Of The Un; H. E. Musa Faqi Chairman Of The African Union Commission; Vice President of the Republic Of South Sudan H. E. James Wani Igga; H. E. Mohamud Ali Yusuf, The Foreign Minister of the Republic Of Djibouti; H. E. Osman Saleh The Foreign Minister Of State Of Eritrea, H.E Monica Juma, The Foreign Minister Of Kenya, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I express my gratitude to His Excellency Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Government of Japan for hosting TICAD 7 and, by extension, thank the people of Japan for the warm hospitality extended to me and my delegation. The Horn of Africa is truly unique in its geography, people and history. The Horn is also strategic to global trade, natural resources, security and connectivity in this age of global interconnectivity and interdependence. Yet, for too long in the past, the Horn region was held captive by insecurity, mistrust and lack of common vision for peace and development. Now, we have finally woken up to the need to reverse this history and look forward together to a brighter common future built on mutual respect, trust and advancing cooperation in all areas of mutual benefit for the prosperity of the whole people of the region.
As part of my long-term vision, I made it clear in my campaign that Somalia, once again, must return to playing a key role in the Horn by initiating and championing the reconciliation efforts. This was, and remains, important for stability and progress not just for Somalia but also across the region which depends on effective cooperation and collaboration with one another for common prosperity. We are glad that our two brotherly states of Eritrea and Ethiopia re-established bilateral ties. This was complemented by high-level visits between Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia in which after much discussion a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by all three nations which committed us to further enhancing our socio-economic, political and people to people relations. Today, these discussions are proudly joined by Djibouti which is a valuable member of the Horn of Africa region and one which will also play an integral role in the achievement of our common goals of security, stability, political connectivity, and social and economic cooperation.
The Horn of Africa region offers unrivalled opportunities for economic development and growth if we can further strengthen the political, social and economic ties between the concerned countries and our global partners. Somalia has one of the longest coasts in the world and is able to facilitate trade across the Horn region. Ethiopia has a growing middle class and a population that can support the ambitions of Horn of Africa entrepreneurs and foreign investors while Djibouti and Eritrea are the gateways to the Horn itself. Together, our countries can, and must, capitalize on our potential and enhance our new but hard own cooperation. Indeed, the Horn of Africa states is not alone in working together towards a better future for their countries and people because we have many friends who are supporting us all along the way for the interest of peace and security in the wider world and we thank them. We thank the Government of Japan and, in particular, the leadership of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has shared his vision for Japan’s positive engagement and support towards peace and stability in the African continent. This support will no doubt also complement existing and planned common Horn of Africa regional efforts to capitalize on common opportunities while confronting the challenges of the region together. The most important guiding principles for the Horn of Africa region now are similar to that of TICAD and include partnership, innovation and regional cooperation initiatives. I am confident that this Special Conference on Peace and Stability in the Horn of Africa and its Neighboring Region on the margin of the TICAD 7 today will provide an opportunity for us all to exchange views on the current situation in the region, to identify common challenges and for all of us to reiterate the political will and commitment to further accelerate peace efforts.
29 August – Source: Halbeeg – 133 Words
Somali National Army (SNA), General Odawaa Yusuf Rageh, has appointed a commander who will serve under the command of the 21 sector of the army. Mr. Rageh, who himself was appointed last week, assigned Gen. Mas’ud Mohamed Warsame to lead 15th battalion of SNA’s 21st sector in central Somalia. In a statement, the SNA Chief has called on the commander of the sector to help the new commander to execute his duty. The move comes after the Somali army has stepped up its offensives against Al-Shabaab fighters in the south and central Somalia. Somali president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo had last week named Rageh, SNA’s infantry commander, as the new Army Chief. In a ceremony held at Defence Ministry in Mogadishu, Army Chief General Rageh took over the reign from his predecessor General Dahir Aden Elmi.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Uganda Airlines Joins Growing List Of International Airlines Into Somalia
29 August – Source: AMISOM – 544 Words
With improving peace and security as well as expanding business opportunities across the country, Somalia is witnessing an impressive growth of its aviation sector, which now attracts some of the world’s best known international airlines. Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, Ethiopia Airlines, and Qatar Airlines operate regular flights into Mogadishu and on Thursday, August 29, Uganda Airlines joined the list. The national carrier of Uganda launched its direct flight from Entebbe International Airport to Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport, joining the growing list of international and regional airlines that fly into Somalia. When the inaugural Uganda Airlines flight touched down to a water salute at Aden Abdulle International Airport, it was welcomed led by Somali Federal Government officials, officers from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Uganda’s Ambassador to Somalia, members of the Somali and Ugandan business community, foreign diplomats and the press. The airline’s Commercial Director, Jennifer Bamuturaki said they have started with four flights a week, but expect to increase these. “We will be flying into Mogadishu four times a week, every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. We are expecting two more Bombardier planes in October this year. Once we have the aircraft delivered to our fleet, we will increase our flights to Mogadishu to six times a week,” said Bamuturaki.
Apart from Somalia, Uganda Airlines will also operate flights to Nairobi, Juba, Dar es Salaam, Bujumbura, Mombasa, and Kilimanjaro. The Somali Minister of Education, Abdullahi Godah Barre, who was on hand to welcome the inaugural flight, noted that Uganda was a popular destination for Somalis seeking education opportunities and direct flights would further boost the ties between the two countries. “Uganda comes after Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Turkey in attracting students from Somalia,” Minister Abdullahi said, adding that the presence of international airlines is testimony that Somalia is consolidating its peace and security, and is open for business. The Director-General of Somalia Civil Aviation Authority, Ahmed Moalim Hassan said that licensing of international airlines to operate out of Somalia, would help reduce challenges that Somalis endure while travelling abroad, and also enhance regional integration. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdulkadir Ahmed Kheyr Abdi cited the previously lengthy transit hours that passengers travelling between Entebbe and Mogadishu had to endure, but now this would be a story of the past. “We have many passengers who travel, but there were no direct flights and they had to suffer lengthy waiting times and other inconveniences. We are grateful that Uganda joins the international fleet that comes here and will positively impact on the travel experiences of the people of these two countries,” said Minister Abdulkadir.
After more than two decades of conflict, Somalia is on the path to recovery anchored on the effort and sacrifice of AMISOM, whose troops are fighting alongside Somali Security Forces to defeat terrorist groups and restore peace and security. The expulsion of terrorists from Mogadishu and many other parts of Somalia by AMISOM and Somali Security Forces has boosted investor confidence, opened up business and economic opportunities, facilitated growth in the air and travel industry, seen the reopening of international agencies and foreign embassies and the return of the Somali diaspora who are keen to be part of a new trajectory for their country.
29 August – Source: Guardian – 880 Words
Somalia faces a new humanitarian crisis with more than 2 million people now threatened by severe hunger, aid agencies say. A further 3 million people are uncertain of their next meal, the latest assessments suggest. The new emergency comes two years after the threat of a major disaster in the unstable east African state was averted by timely aid from the international community. Experts describe the crisis as a “climate emergency” and say communities are still struggling to recover from the lengthy drought that ended in 2017. So far donors have promised less than half of the $1bn (£0.8bn) the UN and other agencies say is required. The average number of people reached with food assistance from January to May this year was only slightly more than half the total over the preceding six months, aid officials say, with many agencies forced to cut back in some areas because the humanitarian appeal for Somalia was so poorly funded. Richard Crothers, Somalia Country Director at the International Rescue Committee, said, “The international community must scale up its response … now, or many in Somalia, especially children under five, will die from starvation.”
The crisis has been aggravated by continuing conflict between al-Shabaab, the Islamic extremist movement that has been fighting for more than a decade to impose a strict religious rule on Somalia, and government troops, which are backed by regional forces and US air assets. Sharifo Ali Mohamud, 30, fled her home town in Middle Shabelle, one of the agricultural regions in Somalia worst hit by the drought, in February. “The drought hit our village. We used to grow maize on the farm but it became dry. We did not have anything to eat. Then the fighting started,” said Mohamud, who travelled for three days with her seven children to reach Mogadishu, the capital. “Life is very difficult here. We don’t get enough water and food and [if] I return to my village, I am afraid the harsh drought condition will be bitter.”
The April to June period, initially forecast as an average rainy season, is now thought to be one of the driest on record in more than 35 years. In recent years, the frequency and duration of these dry spells have increased. The failed rainy season followed abnormally hot and dry conditions since October last year and was partly caused by cyclones in the southern Indian Ocean. Two-thirds of the country’s population live in rural areas and are completely dependent on the rains for their crops and livestock. Nur Ali Ibrahim, a 53-year-old farmer and a father of 11 from the Middle Shabelle region, said he had travelled to a displaced camp in Mogadishu’s Abdiaziz neighbourhood because his family could no longer survive when his farm “went dry and no crops grew”. The area around Ibrahim’s village, about 40km (25 miles) north of Mogadishu, was controlled by al-Shabaab, making it difficult for humanitarian organisations to deliver aid there…..
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
29 August – Source: Reuters – 1235 Words
When Mumtas Khadar turned nine she couldn’t wait for the ritual undertaken by every woman in her village in Somaliland in northeast Africa that she believed would make her more beautiful. But the traditional practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) left her in agony, bedridden for a week than with painful periods every month and troubles conceiving when she married. “I was happy as I thought it would be a great dignity for my wedding night,” Khadar, now 45, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in Sanani village on the outskirts of Hargeisa, capital of the self-declared republic of Somaliland. “It was our culture. Everyone did it. But I’d never do this to my daughters,” she said via an interpreter as she sat with other women on the concrete floor of a bare meeting room of the semi-arid village where goats roam the dusty streets. Khadar, who now has three children, is one of the thousands of women being targeted by health workers going village-to-village and even door-to-door in Somaliland which has one of the world’s highest rates of FGM, a practice which can kill or maim women.
U.N. agency UNICEF estimates about 98 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have undergone the procedure in the breakaway Islamic state of four million, which has operated independently of Somalia since 1991, but is not globally recognised as a country. The World Health Organization estimates about 200 million women globally have undergone FGM, which involves the partial or total removal of external genitalia. In Somalia and Somaliland, the vaginal opening is typically sewn almost closed. Six African countries – Chad, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Sudan – do not criminalise FGM, which world leaders pledged to end under a set of global goals agreed in 2015.
Somaliland last year passed a fatwa, or religious order, to condemn the two most severe forms of FGM, but this left mixed interpretations on lesser forms of FGM and no law has been introduced to punish those responsible. But Somaliland government spokesman Mukhtar Mohamed Ali said eradicating FGM was a priority and a proposed law – that was amended after opposition from Islamic clerics – is before the president and could be passed by the end of the year. “We are committed to ending all these practices,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview in his office in the government district of Hargeisa, a sprawling dusty city of nearly one million people with few tarmac roads. “This has been a cultural practice for many years and it is not easy to stop such a tradition … but there is a lot of respect for the laws in Somaliland.”
At the Sanani meeting, organised by the Somaliland Family Health Association (SOFHA), all 35 women present had been cut. Khadan Abdilahi, a manager of a SOFHA clinic who organises awareness sessions in Hargeisa and nearby villages on the harm caused by FGM, said it was a major task to change cultural views and to clarify to women there was no religious basis for this. Abdilahi, a 32-year-old mother of three, recalled how she was lured into her grandmother’s lap with sweets at the age of five, confused as her screaming sister shouted at her to run. “I was too young to run away. I did what they wanted,” said Abdilahi, whose personal experience drove her to train as a nurse and midwife at Hargeisa’s Edna Adan University Hospital…… |
