December 27, 2013 | Morning Headlines.
Mogadishu Airport Revenue Increases More Than 50%
26 Dec- Source: Somali Currrent/Radio Dalsan- 272 words
The revenue generated from Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport has increased more than 50%, during the first three months of Favori LLC operation, the company said. Favori, a state-owned Turkish firm has officially took over the management of Adan Abdulle Airport on September 15 from SKA, a Dubai-based aviation firm, and the company says it has received $1.1 million direct revenue from the airport in the period. “This represents more than 50% income for the government compared to the closest comparable period in the past,” says Ahmet Cetin President of Favori LLC.
Key Headlines
- New Somali Prime Minister officially resumes office (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Dalsan)
- Puntland candidates accept legitimacy of vetting committee(Radio Bar-kulan)
- Mogadishu mayor urges residents to develop city (Radio Dalsan)
- Hiiraan administration to visit scene of recent inter-clan clashes(Radio Bar-kulan/Hiiraan Online)
- Traffic system irregularity increases accidents in Somali capital (Hiiraan Online)
- Eight killed in outskirts of Garbaharey Gedo region(Radio Bar-kulan)
- Al Shabaab behind plot to bomb stadium says Ethiopia ( Sudan Tribune)
- UN expert urges Somalia to finalize human rights roadmap (UN News Centre)
- Muslim youth extremism out of hand warn leaders(Standard Media)
- Fear in Khatumo ahead of Puntland polls(IRIN News)
- Korea taking initiative in global anti-piracy campaign(Korea Herald)
SOMALI MEDIA
New Somali Prime Minister officially resumes office
26 Dec- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan/Dalsan/Kulmiye/RBC- 0124 words
The President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called on the new Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed to work on the stabilization and development process of the country. The president was speaking at a ceremony where the new prime minister officially took office from predecessor Abdi Farah Shirdon. On his side, the new prime minister promised that he will work on improving the security and the development progress in the country. Meanwhile, the outgoing Prime Minister Shirdon stated that his government has accomplished many tasks and achieved tangible success during the one year in office. The Somali parliament unanimously endorsed the new prime minister on Saturday following the ouster of Abdi Farah Shirdon.
Mogadishu Airport Revenue Increases More Than 50%
26 Dec- Source: Somali Currrent/Radio Dalsan- 272 words
The revenue generated from Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport has increased more than 50%, during the first three months of Favori LLC operation, the company said. Favori, a state-owned Turkish firm has officially took over the management of Adan Abdulle Airport on September 15 from SKA, a Dubai-based aviation firm, and the company says it has received $1.1 million direct revenue from the airport in the period. “This represents more than 50% income for the government compared to the closest comparable period in the past,” says Ahmet Cetin President of Favori LLC.
Puntland candidates accept legitimacy of vetting committee
26 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Garowe/Mustaqbal- 104 words
Puntland presidential candidates have on late Wednesday announced that they have accepted the legitimacy of the vetting committee appointed by the incumbent President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole. Ali Abdi Aware, one of the opposition candidates told Bar-kulan that after taking many important issues into consideration the candidates took the decision to compromise their stance over the vetting committee. He added that they have abandoned their early opposition to the committee for the common interests of the Puntland people. Aware called on the Puntland public to fully cooperate with the authorities for the betterment of their country.
Mogadishu mayor urges residents to develop city
25 Dec- Source: Radio Dalsan- 125 words
Mogadishu Mayor Mohamud Ahmed Nur Tarsan has urged those who own semi-permanent structures in and outside the capital to vacate as soon as possible. Tarsan said the move is meant to the restructuring of the capital city which is part of the larger reconstruction process of the country following the return of peace and stability. Speaking to the residents of Daynile district in Mogadishu, the Mayor has called upon those who own large tracts of land outskirt of Mogadishu to develop it or sell to willing investors. “If you are ready to sell some of your land I can connect you to willing investors who are ready to build hotels and industries,” he said.
Hiiraan administration to visit scene of recent inter-clan clashes
25 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Hiiraan Online- 107 words
A delegation from Hiiran administration and humanitarian agencies in the region are expected to arrive in Kabhanley and its surrounding villages on Wednesday. Mohamed Farah Ahmed, Hiran administration and humanitarian agencies’ coordinating officer told Bar-kulan that they are planning to visit Kabhanley in order to assess the damages left behind by recent inter-clan conflicts in the area. He added that there are other plans in place to assist affected families and resettle displaced families back to their villages in the region. Recent inter-clan conflicts in Kabhanley have left several people dead, scores injured and many families displaced.
Somaliland: Taxi drivers at Hargeisa airport hold protest
26 Dec- Source: Somaliland Informer- 154 words
Taxi drivers are reported to have gone on strike on Thursday outside Egal International airport according to reports. The taxi drivers expressed their concern over the decision made by the Aviation minister Mr. Mohamoud Hashi Abdi allow Raaxo Taxi Company to provide services in the airport. It is said that the minister has agreed with Raaxo Taxi Company to operate in the airport. The taxi drivers parked their cars in line and holding sit in demo in the hope that the government will intervene. The taxi drivers who are holding the protest are said to be the ones that operated in the airport, The Aviation minister is believed to have an agenda of modernizing the airport and also intends to improve the security standard of the airport.
Traffic system irregularity increases accidents in Somali capital
26 Dec- Source: Hiiraan Online- 546 words
Despite signs of more progress in place in Somali capital, where streets and main roads in the heart of the city have been reconstructed for the first time in more than two decades, the positive move forward seems to be the cause of another kind of deaths and devastations rather than cannons or stray bullets, that once were the main reasons for deaths in the war-weary capital. In less than a week, more than 5 car accidents have been reported alongside the Maka Al-Mukarama Street in the city centre alone, causing deaths, wounds, destruction of vehicles and other properties.
Eight killed in outskirts of Garbaharey, Gedo region
25 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Star- 106 words
At least 8 people have been killed and scores injured after federal government forces clashed with al Shabaab fighters in the outskirts of Garbaharey in Gedo region. Garbaharey district commissioner Iman Adow Karshe confirmed to Bar-kulan that the government forces have lost one soldier in the skirmishes between the two sides. He added that at least 7 al Shabaab fighters were killed while one government soldier sustained injuries. He finally said that the fighting broke out after al Shabaab fighters attacked government military base in the outskirts of Garbaharey town in the late hours of Tuesday afternoon.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Al Shabaab behind plot to bomb stadium, says Ethiopia
26 Dec- Source: Sudan Tribune- 378 words
Ethiopian security officials on Wednesday said that al Shabaab, a Somali terrorist group allied to al Qaeda, was behind a failed bomb attack in Addis Ababa in October. The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and the Federal Police said they have arrested five suspects who they says are members of the al Qaeda’s East African wing. Police told Sudan Tribune that the suicide bombers planned to bomb Addis Ababa stadium when over 20,000 spectators were watching a qualifier for the football World Cup between Ethiopia and Nigeria. A few hours before kickoff, two suicide bombers died after the bomb they were preparing for the attack accidentally exploded at their residence near Bole International Airport.
UN expert urges Somalia to finalize human rights roadmap
26 Dec- Source: Kuwait News Agency/UN News Centre- 299 words
The United Nations Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Shamsul Bari, urged on Thursday the Somali Federal Government to finalize and implement the human rights roadmap endorsed by the cabinet in August. “The human rights Roadmap defines the government’s responsibilities and sets goals to be achieved in a short period of time,” Bari said. “Finalizing it would demonstrate a sincere commitment by the government to rebuild the foundation and structures of human rights in Somalia,” he added.
Uptick in road accidents in Somaliland causes concern
25 Dec- Source: Sabahi Online- 611 words
Serious motor vehicle accidents are at an all-time high in the Somaliland region, intensifying concerns among citizens and officials about road safety. On average, about 15 people die in motor vehicle accidents each month and more than 200 people are injured, said Fuad Ahmed Hussein, an adviser to the Somaliland Minister of Public Works, Housing and Transport. According to the annual police report on crime, which was released November 3rd, there were 2,875 accidents between January and October 2013, resulting in 146 deaths and 1,805 injuries. Compared to the previous year, that is an increase of 18%, Hussein told Sabahi.
Muslim youth extremism out of hand, warn leaders
23 Dec- Source: Standard- 273 words
Muslim leaders in Mombasa have conceded that youths are becoming militant islamists but blamed this on poverty and alleged marginalisation of the region. They said all Kenyans should participate in holistic efforts to combat radicalisation. Several mosques in Mombasa have been taken over by militant youths who swept away moderate imams accusing them of apostasy and links with the Government. The targeted moderates blame the radicalisation on the followers of slain radical islamist Sheikh Aboud Rogo and jihadist returnees from Somalia.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Fear in Khatumo ahead of Puntland polls
26 Dec- Source: IRIN News- 169 words
Thousands of people in northern Somalia’s two-year-old Khatumo state remain displaced for fear of a repeat of the armed violence in late November that forced them to flee their homes in the state capital, Taleh. “The life of the displaced people is now getting worse for several reasons, including lack of shelter, shortage of food stuffs and medicine” said Muktar Ibrahim Habashi, who serves as minister in the state’s presidency. “Disease broke out in the camps of the villages settled by the people displaced from Taleh, including diarrhoea, pneumonia, malaria, etc., so they need emergency assistance,” he added.
Korea taking initiative in global anti-piracy campaign
25 Dec- Source: Korea Herald – 223 words
The U.S. government on Tuesday noted South Korea‘s role in global efforts to counter piracy in waters off Somalia. South Korea is among more than 80 member states of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, a voluntary ad hoc forum created in 2009 under a U.N. Security Council resolution. The Contact Group has five working groups aimed at drawing on a wide range of international expertise and taking a problem-solving approach to piracy in cooperation with Somali officials. South Korea leads Working Group 3, “working closely with the shipping industry to enhance awareness and build capabilities among seafarers transiting the region,” the State Department said in its Quarterly Update on the Contact Group.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Forget ships, for a moment; without seafarers, international trade in most commodities would not be possible. So, while counting the economic cost of piracy, consider the human cost too, and not just at the time of year reserved for showing goodwill toward fellow people.”
There’s nothing romantic about pirates, and they’re very much still around
26 Dec- Source: Platts Blog-1159 Words
Hollywood’s latest depiction of piracy on the high seas on the silver screen in Captain Phillips may not have been an accurate portrayal of the real character of Richard Philips himself, if the critics are right — I have never met him so am in no position to judge — but it did serve to alert a broader audience to the scourge and danger of piracy that remains a menace to international shipping and, more importantly, a threat to the lives of innocent seafarers. Piracy incidents may have fallen to a seven-year low in the first nine months of this year, but the International Maritime Bureau, which published that statistic, warns on its website that the threat and danger is still very real, especially in the waters off Somalia and in the Gulf of Guinea off the west coast of Africa. The release of the movie is timely; while the piracy attack that inspired it occurred only a few years ago, it had probably slipped the memories of most people who at the time had heard about it.
“In many ways, the country is at a crossroads, either to survive or otherwise slip once again into chaos and civil strife. All this depends on the vision of the leadership and the political will on the ground.”
SOMALIA: Can Somalia pick up the pieces?
25 Dec- Source: Raxanreeb-728 Words
Somalia’s Federal Parliament approved overwhelmingly the new Prime Minister on Saturday, marking the beginning of the latest attempt to pick up the pieces. Somalia has come a long way setting its own political crises through constitutional manner without external input or pressure. This political momentum, which the country seized at the right place and right time, is among the rare successes that have ever been delivered by Somalia’s institutions. In early December, the federal parliament dissolved former Prime Minister Mr. Abdi Farah Shirdon “Saaid” with a majority vote of no-confidence -amid political rift with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed- accusing him of incompetence. Despite Mr. Saaid accepted the parliamentary decision in dignified way; his dismissal can’t justify the poor performance of the whole government or serve as scapegoat.