December 19, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

President Hassan: AMISOM troops from Sierra Leone had no political agenda in Somalia

18 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Mareeg Media/Radio RBC – 198 Words

The president of Somalia Hon. Hassan Sheik Mohamed speaking at a farewell ceremony for 850 Sierra Leonean troops leaving the country has commended the AMISOM battalion for their courage and dedication while serving the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia. He said that the troops had no political or economic agenda whatsoever in Somalia and that they had the best interest of Somalia at heart and that their sole aim was to stabilize Somalia.

The president pointed out the similarities between the two states in terms of the civil war, and that Sierre Leone is an example for Somalia. While commenting about the Ebola outbreak in that country, which was the main reason for troops leaving Somalia, the president offered his condolences to those who lost their loved ones to the virus, and committed that Somalia will stand with the people of Sierra Leone in the hard times. “I always said and I will say it again, the best gift one can give to someone else is to sacrifice his life, and that is what these troops have done, and we owe them too much” President Hassan said at the ceremony in Kismayo, where the troops were based.

Ahmed Mohamed Islam, the head of the Interim Jubba Administration applauded what he termed as the heroic actions of the Sierra Leonean troops serving in the AMISOM peacekeeping mission in Somalia. He said they conducted themselves with the best code of conduct and had good relationship with the locals “They even shared their daily rations with the disadvantaged citizens of this country” Ahmed said. He hoped that Kismayo would be the twin sister of Free Town, the capital city of Sierra Leone. The commander of Sierra Leone troops Mr. Alio said he was disheartened to leave Somalia but wished the country best luck. According to the commander there was only one soldier killed in a action and six others wounded. Sierra Leone troops pulled out the country under difficult situation happening back home, the outbreak of Ebola disease has made impossible for the troops to be exchanged with others.

Key Headlines

President Hassan: AMISOM troops from Sierra Leone had no political agenda in Somalia
ASWJ welcomes the appointment of the New PM Omar Abdirashid (Radio Mustaqbal)
Sierra Leone troops withdraw from Somalia (Radio Goobjoog/Mareeg Media/RBC)
Security forces in Bay arrest al-Shabaab suspects at Goof Gaduud (Radio Dalsan)
Somali police in preparation to mark 71st anniversary (Radio Bar-kulan)
Interim Jubba Administration welcomes the newly appointed prime minister of Federal Government of Somalia ( Radio RBC)
Central state formation committee training concludes (Sabahi Online)
120 Somali refugees head home from Kenya (World Bulletin)
Somali refugee with NZ passport facing terror charges in Australia (One News)
Germany Welcomes nomination of New Prime Minister (Germany Embassy)
The EU disburses 10.875 million EUR helping to accelerate socio-economic recovery in Somalia (EU)

SOMALI MEDIA

ASWJ Welcomes the appointment of the New PM, Omar Abdirashid

18 Dec – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 103 Words

The Ahlu Suna Wal-Jama’ (ASWJ) administration in central Somalia welcomed the appointment of the prime minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke, Radio Mustaqbal reported.The consultative committee chairman of ASWJ Sheikh Omar Abdiqadir told reporters that their administration believes in the interest of the citizens, underlining the significance of getting out of the current status quo. He said ASWJ is optimistic over the appointment of the prime minister and expects positive actions in his tenure. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on yesterday, 17 December appointed Mr. Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke who was Somalia’s Ambassador to US – as the new Prime Minister, replacing Mr. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed.

President Hassan: AMISOM troops from Sierra Leone had no political agenda in Somalia

18 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Mareeg Media/Radio RBC – 198 Words

The president pointed out the similarities between the two states in terms of the civil war, and that Sierre Leone is an exemplary for Somalia. While commenting about the Ebola outbreak in that country, which was the main course for troops to leave Somalia in its entirety, the president offered his condolences to those who lost their loved ones to the virus, and committed that Somalia will stand with the people of Sierra Leone in the hard times. “I always said and I will say it again, the best give one can give to someone else is to sacrifice his life, and that is what these troops have done, and we owe them too much” President Hassan said at the ceremony in Kismayo, where the troops were based.

Security forces in Bay arrest al-Shabaab suspects at Goof Gaduud

18 Dec – Source: Radio Dalsan – 83 Words

The security forces of the federal government of Somalia backed by the Ethiopian contingent of AMISOM have carried out operations at areas in Goof Guduud, Bay Region. In the operations, many al-Shabaab suspects were arrested .Dalsan reporter in the region said the operations also affected areas under the jurisdiction of Baidoa, the capital of Bay where SNA and al-Shabaab clashed yesterday. Our reporter adds that traffic is moving again in the area and people have started going about their businesses as normalcy returned.

Somali police in preparation to mark 71st anniversary

18 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 132 Words

Somali Police Force is in the last stages of preparations to mark the 71st anniversary of its formation. The force is now busy practicing parade to mark the colorful ceremony set for Saturday 20th December. Somali police band Hegan is also expected to entertain the guest with patriotic songs during the event. Police band leader major general Adan Ahmed Omar has told Bar-Kulan that the band will also showcase drama dubbed “the challenge we experienced and the lessons we learnt.” during the event ceremony on Saturday. Somali national police force and main civil law enforcement agency of Somalia was established upon independence in 1943, it served as one of the principal organs of the Somali Armed Forces. After the start of the civil war in the early 1990s, the Somali Police Force essentially ceased to operate.

Interim Jubba Administration welcomes the newly appointed prime minister of Federal Government of Somalia

18 Dec – Source: Radio RBC – 208 Words

Interim Jubba Administration (IJA) warmly welcomes the appointment of Prime Minister of Federal Government of Somalia His Excellency Amb. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, who was appointed as Prime Minister of Somalia on Wednesday December 17, 2014 by President of Federal Government of Somalia H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.Interim Juba Administration congratulates His Excellency Amb. Omar Abdirashid appointment and involvement of Somalia progressive future.

The IJA would like to acknowledge the wonderful work he has done in advancing Somalia during his previous capacity as former Prime Minister of Transitional Government of Somalia 2009-2010 and last post as Somalia Ambassador to the United States of America.We firmly recognize Prime Minister Sharmarke’s contribution to support Jubba during formation of Interim Jubba Administration and leadership he had shown in enhancing programme of Somalia Federalist.The IJA reinforces its commitment to completing tasks ahead and target milestones of State formation, constitutional review and vision 2016 under the mandate of of inclusive politics. The IJA is optimistic to see progress in both peace and state building in Somalia and completion of Federalism. IJA would like to once again reaffirm its commitment to supporting all efforts guided by an obligation to the Somali people to create a united, inclusive and developed Federal Somalia

REGIONAL MEDIA

Central State formation committee training concludes

17 Dec – Source: Sabahi Online – 93 Words

A Somali government training programme for technical committees charged with making appointments for Somalia’s new Central State in Mudug and Galgadud regions concluded in Mogadishu Tuesday (December 16th), Somalia’s Goobjoog News reported. The Ministry of Interior organised the training in co-operation with the Somali Non-Governmental Organisation Centre for Research and Dialogue and Finn Church Aid.During the closing ceremony, Minister of Interior Abdullahi Godah Barre called on the trainees to take up their responsibilities towards the state formation process and to apply their new skills to form an inclusive administration for the state.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

120 Somali refugees head home from Kenya

18 Dec – Source: World Bulletin – 312 Words

Some 120 Somali refugees living in Kenya were repatriated back to their native Somalia on Thursday, from which they had fled two decades ago following the outbreak of civil war.”The convoy is made up of three buses escorted by security personnel from either country [Kenya or Somali] until they reach their destination,” UNHCR spokesman Emmanuel Nyabera told The Anadolu Agency. Each voluntary returnee was given $100 to meet their travel needs. Returning refugees will be settled in Kismayo and Baidoa, two Somali cities that are now relatively peaceful. They are expected to arrive to their destinations by Saturday. “Upon arriving, we help them settle down and start new lives,” Nyabera said.The UNHCR spokesman said it was the second group of Somali refugees to return home.Last week, some 100 Somali refugees living in Kenya became the first to be repatriated back to the war-torn country after more than two decades of civil war. A total of 10,000 Somali refugees living in eastern Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp are expected to be repatriated within six months. Areas of Somalia that have been declared safe for the returnees include Luq, Baidoa and Kismayo, all of which were liberated from Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militant group in recent years.

Somali refugee with New Zealand passport facing terror charges in Australia

18 Dec – Source: One News – 340 Words

A 24-year-old Somali refugee who holds a New Zealand passport will stand trial next year for breaking Australia’s tough anti-terror laws.This morning a Melbourne judge decided there was enough evidence against Amin Mohamed to send him to trial on four charges of preparing to enter a foreign state to “engage in armed hostilities”. Mohamed was stopped by Federal agents at Brisbane Airport last September as he attempted to board a flight to Turkey. He is accused of preparing to fight in the Syrian civil war and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

He was told his New Zealand passport had been cancelled and when questioned told authorities he was flying to meet his fiance – but couldn’t tell them her name. The NZ Government won’t discuss the case or say how his passport was cancelled. But Mohamed’s lawyer told ONE News that Internal Affairs cancelled the passport just eight days after re-issuing it, claiming there were “reasonable grounds” to believe Mohamed might be involved in terrorist activity. Evidence presented in court alleged Mohamed was recruited by Sydney man Hamdi al Qudsi who was arrested as part of Australia’s so-called terror raids last December. Police intercepted phone calls between Mohamed and al Qudsi and say coded conversations allegedly talk of a big job involving holy warriors and martyrdom.

Germany welcomes nomination of new prime minister

18 Dec – Source: Germany Embassy – 73 Words

German Ambassador to Somalia, Andreas Peschke, said on the occasion of the nomination of Ambassador Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke as new Prime Minister of Somalia: “Germany welcomes the nomination of Ambassador Sharmarke as new Prime Minister. We are looking forward to a good cooperation with him. We hope for the swift formation of a new government. Germany remains a faithful partner and friend of Somalia in its efforts to build peace, reconstruction and development.

The EU disburses 10.875 million EUR helping to accelerate socio-economic recovery in Somalia

18 Dec – Source: EU – 254 Words

The EU made its first payment of 10.875 million EURO to the World Bank managed Multi Partner Trust Fund for Somalia, contributing to collective efforts to improve the lives of all Somali citizens. This is part of an overall package of 60 MEUR planned to be committed by the end of 2015. One year ago, Somalia and its partners signed the Somali Compact, agreeing, among other, to establish a new and simple financing architecture which would help to streamline financing for country’s reconstruction and development and facilitate government ownership and leadership. The World Bank Multi-Partner Fund (WB MPF) is one of the two specific funds which were set up for this purpose.

The EU is one of its key contributors, helping to strengthen the economic foundations, capacity of Somali institutions and improve business environment, especially for youth and women. This initial contribution of 10.875million EUR will mainly enable the financing of the emergency expenditure including the civil servant salaries. Michele Cervone d’Urso, Head of the EU Delegation to the Federal Republic of Somalia, said: ‘Socio economic recovery represents the foundation for sustainable peace. This is the EU priority. Multi Partner Fund, administered by the World Bank is key in progressing towards this goal. Multi Partner Fund concentrates concrete and actionable priorities and new flagship programs. Hard choices have been made by the government in selecting them. Now it is time for delivery. The EU stood by its word and aligned its own investments with the Government plans and preferred aid channels.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Al Shabaab militants have been chased out of South-West State of Somalia thanks to the Somali National Army and AMISOM. But it is believed that they have melted into the civilian populations. Suicide bombing and other terrorist attacks are likely to continue.”

The inception of South-West State of Somalia – a glimmer of hope

18 Dec – Source: HOL – 1182 Words

The newly-established South-West State of Somalia, the fruit of months of talks between the regions’ elders, offers a glimmer of hope!The State now enjoys the support and the recognition of the Federal Institutions of Somalia and the international community thanks to the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Speaker of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, and the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia. They are commended for the commitment shown and the role they have played in bringing about this entity.

The people of the three regions that constitute this new entity must now be in euphoria. For them, the formation of this State signals a new era of peace, stability, and prosperity for the entire nation. For them, this achievement further calls for the strengthening of devolution of authority to the grassroots while ensuring that the Somali unity will always remain sacred. Unless the country is united, its sovereignty and territorial integrity can be easily compromised.

Hon. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden has been elected as the Interim President of the State, and many inside the country and in the diaspora have welcomed this choice. However, the responsibility that has been bestowed upon him is incredibly immense. His charisma and political experience will be needed to spearhead, inter-alia, a political consensus on the way forward. A great deal of creativity and shrewdness from his part will be required to ensure that the political differences that continue to loom among the major stakeholders in the State are set aside.