December 12, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Tiyeeglow: soldier arrested for murder of 5 women

11 Dec – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 73 Words

Commissioner of Tyeglow district in Bakool region Mohamed Abdille Hassan told Mustaqbal radio that the security forces apprehended a soldier suspected to be behind the murder of five women in the district.The soldier is the husband to one of the two women killed by Al-shabab in the area and as revenge he killed five women who are allegedly Al-shabab members.The commissioner stated that the accused will soon appear before the court.

Key Headlines

First Somali Youth Parliament convenes in Mogadishu Elects Speaker (Radio Goobjoog)
Somali students organize awareness campaign in South Africa (Radio Mogadishu)
Customs office opens in Mogadishu (Bar-Kulan)
Diiraani announces candidacy for Galgaduud & Mudug President (Radio Mogadishu)
Mogadishu mayor tours city night business (RadioBar-Kulan)
Tiyeeglow: soldier arrested for murder of 5 women (Radio Mustaqbal)
Legal advisor to the ministry of women affairs arrested (Radio Mustaqbal)
Humanitarian situation worsens in Somalia says UN co-coordinator (Coastweek)
Wajir Ngo wants government to rethink security strategy (Star Kenya)
Turkey sets a global example in Mogadishu says UN official (Daily Sabah)
Diplomats discuss terrorism in S. Africa gathering (Turkish Press)

SOMALI MEDIA

First Somali Youth Parliament convenes in Mogadishu, Elects Speaker

12 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 504 Words

The First Somali Youth Parliament has been holding its first session in Mogadishu yesterday after much deliberations and preparations for a close to two months. The parliament consists of some 275 members who are between the ages of 15 and 30. They are all drawn from universities across Somalia.

The top agenda of the session was to elect a new speaker and his two deputies who will be managing the activities of the parliament. The session has been chaired by Zeynab Abdullahi, the youngest youth parliamentarian who was elected as the caretaker speaker. Three candidates declared their intentions to vie for the position of the speaker, namely Yoonis Abdirahman Mohamud, Mohamed Ahmed Haaji and Mahdi Abshir Omar.

The election exercise kick started by mid-day as the names of the MPs were being called from the podium and then MPs coming to the ballot boxes to cast their votes in favor of whoever they wished to elect as the speaker. When the electoral commission announced the results, it was clear that a second round was necessary as no candidate secured two thirds majority of votes. Mahdi Abshir Omar got 105 votes, Yoonis Abdirahman got 99 votes, while Mohamed Ahmed got 37 votes, and votes got spoiled. There were 246 MPs in the sitting.

Since no candidate secures two thirds of the vote, the two candidates with the most votes, Mahdi Abshir and Yoonis Abdirahman proceeded to the second round, this time the electoral commission decided to do the voting by show of hand. But before they could announce the results of the second round, candidate Mahdi Abshir come to the podium and withdrew his candidacy, citing family issues, this paved the way for Yoonis Abdirahman Mohamud to be declared as the winner.

It was a joyous mood in the hall when the caretaker speaker officially handed over the reign to the newly elected speaker Yoonis Abdirahman who thanked all those who voted for him or against him, he also pledged to work toward united and vibrant youth in Somalia. Prof. Shirwa , the head of the civil society organizations in Somalia congratulated Yoonis for his new role, he hailed this as a real platform for the youth in Somalia “I would urge you Mr. Speaker that you shouldn’t lie to your members, and you should be accommodative to all your members whether they voted for you or against you” said Shirwa who also offered to officially recognize the Youth Parliament.

Prof. Yaxye Ali Farah, the dean of ISU University also congratulated the newly elected speaker, also Mr. Abshir Bukhari who was one of the organizers reminded the speaker and the parliament as a whole that they should be up to task and debate each and every bill in the national parliament and to show their political maturity and honesty more than the actual MPs in the national parliament. The election of the two deputy speakers will be held on a yet scheduled date that will be set by the electoral commission.

Somali students organize awareness campaign in South Africa

12 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 209 Words

Somali students based in universities in South Africa have started a two day awareness campaign in predominantly Somali inhabited area of Belville. The aim of the campaign was to raise level of awareness on importance of Education facilities and opportunities available to Somali youth living in Cape Town and surrounding areas.

The participants drawn from villages, district and as well the city so as to be given chance to understand how students are able to enroll for classes depending on their level of education. Somali students who eager to learn and get knowledge will be able to benefit from the opportunities available in South Africa. So far they have registered more than one hundred students who need quality education in different level according to Abdi wahab Haji who is one fo the organizers of the event.

Abdinasir Ali who is the Chairperson of Somali student Association of Western Cape Town said that its important to help the somali community. It’s first such big event organized by Somali students to the community’s youth who need education opportunities available in South Africa. It will benefit hundred of students of Somali origin.

Customs office opens in Mogadishu

11 Dec – Source: Bar-Kulan – 79 Words

The interim administration Jubaland has on Thursday opened an office to facilitate customs services such as registration of vehicles. Interim Jubaland administration Suldan Abdulkadir Hajji has said the establishment of the office will ease security challenges in the port city. He urged vehicle owners and drivers to register their vehicles for identification. Normal services are returning in several part of Somalia after armed group Al Shabaab was pushed out of several strategic areas including the capital city of Mogadishu.

Diiraani announces candidacy for Galgaduud & Mudug President

12 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 102 Words

The politician Cabdi Raxman Mohamed Diiraani announced today that he will be running for the president of the regional state of Galgaduud & Mudug. He made the announcement at a large ceremony held in Mogadishu attended by parliamentarians, military officials and other dignitaries. The head of Immigration and Citizenship, Cabdulahi Gaafoow who spoke at the ceremony endorsed Cabdi Raxman Diiaani as a candidate with knowledge, ability and patriotism and wished him luck in the upcoming electoral process to select president of the administrative regions. Abdirahman Mohamed Nur Dinari touted his credentials and his accomplishments and his plans for the development of the regions.

Mogadishu mayor tours city night business

11 Dec – Source: Bar-Kulan Radio – 93 Words

Mogadishu mayor Hassan Mohamed Hussein has toured the city improving night business. Mungab wanted to assess the business situation in the capital during the night. He praised the residents who do business at night while urging them to work closely with security forces to improve security of the capital. The mayor accompanied by some of his officials in Benadir administration were seen talking to shoppers to encourage business activities. He said they are working to develop the services of the city and urged residents to take part in improving the image of the city.

Tiyeeglow: soldier arrested for murder of 5 women

11 Dec – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 73 Words

Legal advisor to the ministry of women affairs arrested

11 Dec – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 117 Words

The national intelligence and security agency (NISA) arrested the legal advisor to the ministry of women affairs and human right of Somalia Barliin Mohamed, Mustaqbal radio reported. It was last night when the director of the ministry of women affairs Mohamed Omar Noor was forcefully arrested from his house in Waaberi district in Mogadishu by NISA forces.

Mrs. Khadijo Mohamed Diriye the minister for women affairs told the media that the arrest of the director is unconstitutional and violation against members of the ousted cabinet stating that she sent a complain letter to the president and parliament speaker.The director was arrested according to the directive of the attorney general over mishandling the duties of his office

REGIONAL MEDIA

Humanitarian situation worsens in Somalia says UN co-coordinator

12 Dec – Source: Coastweek – 200 Words

The UN humanitarian coordinator in Somalia, Philippe Lazzarini, hsd warned that the humanitarian situation in the country has significantly deteriorated this year, for the first time since the end of the 2011 famine. The humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa country worsens as a result of a combination of conflict, drought, floods, increasing food prices and limited aid access, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here, quoting Lazzarini. “More than three million Somalis need humanitarian assistance urgently, including one million people who can’t meet their minimum food requirements—this is a 20 percent increase compared to the same time last year,” Dujarric said.

Wajir Ngo wants government to rethink security strategy

12 Dec – Source:Star Kenya – 292 Words

A Wajir-based NGO on Thursday called on the government to reconsider the proposed security laws saying it will further aggravate the already poor security situation in the country.
The Director of Girl-Kind-Kenya Rukia Abdullahi said Kenya has enough laws to take care of the country’s security system.

“What we need is the effective implementation of those laws,” she said. As the county most affected by insecurity including terrorism in the recent past, Rukia who was speaking in Nairobi yesterday, said the (Amendment) Bill 2014 will “plant mistrust” between the state and the citizens which she said “are already on the rocks,” “The government must develop explicit strategies including incorporating the local county governments in the security sector. Such laws would only lead to victimisation of many innocent and infringe on their basic rights ,” she said.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Turkey sets a global example in Mogadishu, says UN official

12 Dec – Source:Daily Sabah – 627 Words

High-level Turkish delegates led by then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Mogadishu, the Somali Capital, on Aug. 19, 2011. The visit was intended to provide humanitarian aid to the city as well as plan the reconstruction of roads, hospitals and buildings, but more importantly, it was intended to attract the attention of the world to Somalia, as the country has suffered from severe famines for many years.

The comprehensive involvement of Turkey in Somalia has made visible changes to the country in many areas from health to infrastructure. Roads and hospitals were built, destroyed buildings were reconstructed, schools were opened, Somali Police were trained in Turkey, trade and investment have increased and Turkish Airlines began flying to Mogadishu. From the Turkish Red Crescent and the Istanbul Municipality, to private sector investment and government funding programs, Turkey has brought different resources together to aid Somalia in every possible way.

Turkey’s struggle to develop the country has also paid off. Today, the effort inspired humanitarian organizations that work on refugee issues, and as a result, the world’s first Innovation and Planning Agency (IPA) in a refugee camp was established in Somalia. The co-founder of the agency and former U.N. head of the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, Kilian Klleinschmidt, said Turkey’s efforts in Mogadishu has set a global example.

Diplomats discuss terrorism in S. Africa gathering

12 Dec – Source: Turkish Press – 579 Words

An Iraqi diplomat said on Thursday that terrorism continued to pose a serious threat to international peace and security. “Recent terrorist attacks across the world remind us that this threat is ever present,” Iraq’s ambassador in South Africa, Hisham al-Alawi, said. “In Iraq, we have been through a lot of war, but I haven’t seen the level of destruction as in Syria,” he added during a symposium held in Pretoria on terrorism in Africa and the Middle East region. Called “Understanding and Countering Extremism and Terrorism in Africa and the Middle East”, the symposium brought together a host of Arab and Africa diplomats along with scholars and researchers.

Somalia’s Charge d’ Affairs in Pretoria, Mohamed Ali Mire, said the Qaeda-linked movement Al-Shabaab had spent a lot of money on propaganda aimed at encouraging young people to it. “Al-shabaab has huge financial resources that can cover their military operations (at operational as well as at medium-term levels),” Mire said. He added that some of the funding came from taxes the group imposed in areas it controlled and money it received from sympathizers. Mire added that Al-Shabaab, which has been fighting against the government of Mogadishu for control in several Somali towns for several years now, had between 6,000 and 8,000 well-trained members who came from Somalia as well as other countries.

Apart from spending money on propaganda, Mire said, Al-shabaab spent money on military equipment, such as road bombs, guns, mobile phones and electronic devices. He said Somalis living outside their country were also discriminated against and stereotyped because of Al-Shabaab. A terrorism expert, meanwhile, said what he called “militarized states” could not continue to terrorize their citizens and not expect armed reaction.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“There have to be complete investigations and accountability for those who commit these transgressions so that they can be prosecuted…A peaceful environment has to be created to instil confidence in the Somali public, which is living amid political, cultural, economic and security chaos.”

Somali government, activists pledge to reverse grim human rights record

11 Dec – Source: Sabahi Online – 863 Words

Human rights conditions in Somalia remain grim, with assassinations, targeted bombings, harassment, rape and the mass displacement of people an ongoing problem in some parts of the country, according to Mogadishu-based Peace and Human Rights Network (PHRN). “All those abuses are contrary to human rights, Islamic law and the good Somali culture,” PHRN said in a statement released Wednesday (December 10th) in recognition of international Human Rights Day.

The report noted that human rights activists, journalists, religious leaders, politicians and women in particular are subjected to continuous intimidation and human rights abuses. “Those abuses are happening to Somalis every day. Among the latest incidents was the [attack] in the town of Baidoa in Bay region, which killed numerous people including reporters,” the report said. “There are also transgressions that occur in the capital city of Mogadishu where Somali civilians and people who are well-known within the society have been killed.”

The report said the security situation in Mogadishu is largely unstable. “Recently it has seemed as though it is getting out of hand, which can result in a hopeless environment if things keep going the way they are,” PHRN said. PHRN chairperson Zahra Omar Malin stressed how important it is going forward to ensure the return of peace and the confidence of the Somali people.

Top tweets

@farahblue #Turkey sets a global example in #Mogadishu #Somalia , says #UN official
httw.hiiraan.com/news4/2014/Dec @TC_Mogadishu

@africaupdate ICSR & BBC Publish Global Survey of Jihadist Violence, “The New Jihadism: A Global

@MikaelLindvall #Somalia sexual violence bill, to be presented in cabinet soon, could make a huge difference. Clearly a priority..theguardian.com/global-developm

@samirasawlani Somalia RT: @DalsanFM_SOM: Ministry of Women Disturbed by the Arrest of its Director://fb.me/1zOLWNQoR

@bahariAlkadir the world’sfirst Innovation and Planning Agency (IPA) in a refugee camp was established in Somalia.

@isiAfrica #Somalia at #STATCOM2014 thanking #SouthAfricafor support in developing national statistics system #datarev

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Image of the day

Image of the day KDF Sector Two commander, Brig. General Walter Raria, gives a farewell speech to the soldiers during their rotation in Kismayo, Somalia . Photo: AMISOM