December 4, 2013 | Morning Headlines.
Puntland President names Conflict Resolution Committee, candidates reject to endorse
03 Dec- Source: RBC/Radio Dalsan/ Garowe Online/Allpuntland Online/Radio Mustaqbal- 148 words
Puntland President Abdurahman Mohamed Farole, who is also a presidential candidate has on Tuesday appointed the Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Committee which will be responsible in selecting and vetting the region’s new upcoming parliament members ahead of the presidential election. The region is preparing for presidential election in January 2014 facing high number of candidates running for the presidency in the next four years. “The appointed committee members are from all the regions of Puntland as I hope they will have the confidence of the candidates and the people.” Farole said during a press conference in Garowe Presidency. But soon after President Farole released the list, the other candidates in the election opposed to endorse the committee and called it as “illegal committee”. The rival candidates who are in Garowe, Qardho and Galkacyo vowed that they will appoint another Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Committee in their turn.
Key Headlines
- Speaker Jawari says ousted cabinet should lead country as a “care-taker government”
- ( Raxanreeb)
- UK Ambassador to Somalia arrives in Baidoa(Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu)
- After Prime Minister’s Ouster Somalia Political Divisions Persist (VOA)
- Thousands displaced in Taleh amid clashes in Sool region(Radio Ergo)
- UN delegation arrives in Jowhar Middle Shabelle region (Radio Bar-kulan/Jowahr Online)
- Three independent reporters arrested in Somaliland (Somaliland Informer/Radio Dalsan)
- Zambia’s Chipolopolo Reload for Somalia’s Ocean Stars (Times of Zambia)
- Afghanistan North Korea and Somalia top world corruption index (Gulf News/AFP/VOA)
- Somaliland’s first maternity hospital gives hope to women (Reuters)
SOMALI MEDIA
Puntland President names Conflict Resolution Committee, candidates reject to endorse
03 Dec- Source: RBC/Radio Dalsan/ Garowe Online/Allpuntland Online/Radio Mustaqbal- 148 words
Puntland President Abdurahman Mohamed Farole, who is also a presidential candidate has on Tuesdayappointed the Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Committee which will be responsible in selecting and vetting the region’s new upcoming parliament members ahead of the presidential election. The region is preparing for presidential election in January 2014 facing high number of candidates running for the presidency in the next four years. “The appointed committee members are from all the regions of Puntland as I hope they will have the confidence of the candidates and the people.” Farole said during a press conference in Garowe Presidency. But soon after President Farole released the list, the other candidates in the election opposed to endorse the committee and called it as “illegal committee”. The rival candidates who are in Garowe, Qardho and Galkacyo vowed that they will appoint another Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Committee in their turn.
UK Ambassador to Somalia arrives in Baidoa
03 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/Universal TV/SNTV- 121 words
UK Ambassador to Somalia Neil Wigan has on Tuesday arrived in Baidoa and held discussions with the authorities and community elders. Wigan discussed with local administration officials and community leaders with a wide range of issues including security, humanitarian aid and the conference which currently taking place in the town. He told the media that the main objective behind his arrival was to assess the current situation of the region. The Ambassador added that the British government will contribute to the development of the region as it does to other parts of the country. Deputy Governor of Bay region Osman Maalim Ali said that they have requested the Ambassador to assist his administration to improve basic services such as health and education.
Speaker Jawari says ousted cabinet should lead country as a “care-taker government”
03 Dec- Source: Raxanreeb-165 Words
The Speaker of Somalia Federal Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari has called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to appoint new Prime Minister a day after the parliamentarians sacked the Prime Minister in a no confidence vote. In a press statement released Tuesday, the Speaker said that it was a constitutional right for the parliament to hold a vote of confidence against the cabinet while upholding the federal constitution. “Until new Prime Minister is appointed and then the Prime Minister selects new ministers, the current cabinet has the right to serve as a caretaker government,” the speaker said. Mr Jawari noted that the parliament will continue its ordinary third session until December 31st while the parliamentarians will take their yearly leave after that date. “If a new Prime Minister is appointed then the parliament will be called for extraordinary session.” the statement concluded. The statement comes a day after 184 lawmakers out of 249 fired the country’s Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon amid impeachment motion tabled against his cabinet.
Thousands displaced in Taleh amid clashes in Sool region
03 Dec- Source: Radio Ergo- 232 words
Thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes in Taleh district in the northern Sool region, after two rival administrations fought over control of the town last week. The conflict has pitted the local Khatuma administration, formed last year, against the administration of Puntland. A district community leader, Mohamed Abdulahi, said more than 9,000 families were now homeless and had been camping out in the open air in the outlying villages for several days without shelter. “Four thousand of the families fled to Halin village, and the other 5,000 families fled to Dhumay, Gogashi Qabe and several other villages,” Abdulahi told Radio Ergo. He said the displaced families had no shelters, food nor clean water. The rains were worsening sanitation and hygiene conditions in the area. Abdullahi said there were reports of cases of malaria and diarrhea among those sleeping rough. He noted that there were no humanitarian agencies operating in the area and that no aid had so far been forthcoming for the people of Taleh district. Those who fled feel the situation is precarious and unsafe for their return home until an agreement has been reached by the conflicting parties. At least 10 people were killed and 15 more wounded in the clashes on Thursday. Puntland soldiers are now in control of the district, which is currently being visited by Puntland’s vice- president Abdisamad Ali Shire.
UN delegation arrives in Jowhar, Middle Shabelle region
03 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Jowahr Online/Radio Risaala- 119 words
A delegation from United Nations has on Tuesday arrived in Jowhar, the provincial capital of Middle Shabelle region to assess the damage caused by the recent River Shabelle flooding. The delegates are expected to visit the internally displaced families who are temporarily living near the airport and a certain Mother and Child Centre in the area, according to an official from the local administration who requested to remain anonymous. The delegation was led by Philippe Lazzarini, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. Lazzarini was accompanied by other officers from UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP and UN OCHA. The delegates are also due to assess the damage left behind by the flooding on the farming activities in the region.
Three independent reporters arrested in Somaliland
03 Dec- Source: Somaliland Informer/Radio Dalsan- 144 words
Somaliland government has on Tuesday arrested three independent practicing journalists in Hargeisa. The reporters took part in a protest staged by Hubaal newspaper staff who expressed their concern over the attack at their office and the man who was in custody for carrying out the attack has been released from police custody. The peaceful protest was led by Hubaal newspaper staff and the secretary of Somaliland Journalist Association Mr. Mohamed Rashid was among those who staged the demo. They held the protest outside the presidential palace carrying banners asking the current government to bring the perpetrators of attack to justice. Mr. Mohamed Rashid, Secretary of SOLJA spoke before the demo kicked off and said that it is the duty of the government to bring the attackers to justice. He called upon the government to put immediate custody to the attacker who has been released.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Zambia’s Chipolopolo Reload for Somalia’s Ocean Stars
03 Dec- Source: Times of Zambia-403 Words
AFTER edging out stubborn Burundi 1-0 on Sunday, Zambia has now set its sight on claiming the scalp off Somalia in tomorrow’s group match to book a place in the quarter-finals at the 2013 GOtv CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup. Festus Mbewe’s 64th minute strike secured Zambia’s win over Burundi at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya and moved the Chipolopolo into joint Group B leadership with Tanzania. The Chipolopolo will face the Ocean Stars tomorrow in the decisive Group B match at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, more than 130 kilometres outside of Nairobi. Delegation leader, Jeffrey Chipilingu said in an interview in Nairobi yesterday that the victory over the Swallows of Burundi had boosted morale in Patrice Beaumelle’s squad and that the Chipolopolo were now targeting another win over Somalia.
Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia top world corruption index
03 Dec- Source: Gulf News/AFP/VOA-138 words
Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia are seen as the world’s most corrupt countries, while Denmark and New Zealand are nearly squeaky-clean, graft watchdog Transparency International said in a survey on Tuesday. Worldwide, almost 70 per cent of nations are thought to have a ‘serious problem’ with public servants on the take, and none of the 177 countries surveyed this year got a perfect score, said the Berlin-based non-profit group.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
After Prime Minister’s Ouster, Somalia Political Divisions Persist
03 Dec- Source: VOA-483 Words
On Monday, Somali lawmakers voted Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon out of office following weeks of disagreement with the president over a planned cabinet reshuffle. However, the change of prime minister won’t necessarily end Somalia’s political wrangles. As the Somali government marked its one-year anniversary in September, the international community was generally satisfied with the progress and stability of the government compared to its predecessors. But some political observers said the government was not inclusive enough, and that some clans were shortchanged in the political appointments. The problem between the president and prime minister reportedly started when they tried to negotiate how to reorganize the Cabinet. The prime minister’s ouster was sealed in parliament Monday, when his critics accused his administration of favoritism and clan politics.
Somaliland’s first maternity hospital gives hope to women
03 Dec- Source: Reuters- 3:15 min
After the Somali civil war, hospitals were destroyed and deaths in childbirth were among the highest in the world. Health pioneer Edna Adan Ismail tells the story of how she set up Somaliland’s first maternity hospital and set out to train a thousand midwives.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“In special regard to Somalia’s socio-political environment in the last decade, realpolitik and the political flairs of the President, PM, and Parliament Speaker and their allies appear to be as important as the constitutional responsibilities entreated to each officeholder. At the same time, this environment is a product of the growing pains that nascent institutions in Mogadishu must overcome in the long-term by building the capacity of each branch of government.”
Somalia PM’s Ouster: Sign of Institutional Success and Vulnerability
03 Dec- Source: Somalia Newsroom-844 Words
On 2 December 2013, the Somali parliament passed a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Said as 184 Ministers of Parliament (MPs) out of 250 present voted to oust the head of government who was approved in October 2012. Rumors of a rift between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the PM appeared sporadically over the past few months, even as the two stated at the outset that they would do away with government infighting of the past. Africa Confidential claimed that the vote was “not entirely along clan lines” as many in Shirdon’s Darod clan and Marehan sub-clan voted against him. Whether bribery or other incentives played a part in the vote is usually a topic of conversation but hard to prove empirically. Shirdon stated that some of his own cabinet members failed to back him in the hope that they would keep their positions in a new government.