December 5, 2013 | Morning Headlines.
President applauds Somali women for fighting for the rights of the most vulnerable
04 Dec- Source: Office of the President- 340 words
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E Hassan Sh. Mohamud today paid tribute to Somali women activists and those campaigning to improve women’s rights.
Speaking at the “Women’s Peace and Security Day”, an event organized by the United Nations to promote the role of women in society, the President re-affirmed the government’s commitment to improving the lives of women and children in Somalia:
“After two decades of civil war the Government is completely committed to reforming our laws and creating new laws and policies, that have never previously existed in Somalia, to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable in our society.”
Highlighting the practical steps that have already been taken by the government, the President said:
“In its first year the Government has taken a number of concrete steps to protect women. We have drafted a National Gender Policy, we are in the process of creating a special crime unit that will investigate and counter gender-based violence and a dedicated clinic is being built to care for the victims of sexual violence. Our security forces, police and judiciary are now receiving, and will continue to receive, specialized gender training. We acknowledge that there is a long way to go but we are dedicated to making serious progress in this area.”
“Women have an essential role in society and when you the women of Somalia are united you are able to achieve your goals. I applaud you for fighting for the rights’ of the most vulnerable in society and I pledge to you today that women will continue to be represented at the highest level of the Somali Government.”
Key Headlines
- Somali security forces killed two al shabaab members in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu)
- President Al-Bashir calls for further support to Somali government (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Puntland Presidential candidate Abdiweli Gaas reaches Garowe(Radio RBC)
- UN delegation in Jowhar to seek further assistance to flood victims(Radio Bar-kulan)
- Tropical cyclone leaves a trail of devastation in its wake in Somalia (trust.org/ Care International)
PRESS STATEMENT
President applauds Somali women for fighting for the rights of the most vulnerable
04 Dec- Source: Office of the President- 340 words
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E Hassan Sh. Mohamud today paid tribute to Somali women activists and those campaigning to improve women’s rights.
Speaking at the “Women’s Peace and Security Day”, an event organized by the United Nations to promote the role of women in society, the President re-affirmed the government’s commitment to improving the lives of women and children in Somalia:
“After two decades of civil war the Government is completely committed to reforming our laws and creating new laws and policies, that have never previously existed in Somalia, to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable in our society.”
Highlighting the practical steps that have already been taken by the government, the President said:
“In its first year the Government has taken a number of concrete steps to protect women. We have drafted a National Gender Policy, we are in the process of creating a special crime unit that will investigate and counter gender-based violence and a dedicated clinic is being built to care for the victims of sexual violence. Our security forces, police and judiciary are now receiving, and will continue to receive, specialized gender training. We acknowledge that there is a long way to go but we are dedicated to making serious progress in this area.”
“Women have an essential role in society and when you the women of Somalia are united you are able to achieve your goals. I applaud you for fighting for the rights’ of the most vulnerable in society and I pledge to you today that women will continue to be represented at the highest level of the Somali Government.”
The President, who was joined at the event by the Minister for Human Development and Public Services H.E Maryan Qaasim, the UN’s Special Representative to the Secretary General Nicholas Kay, several Ambassadors, the AU and civil society leaders, thanked the UN for hosting the event and for standing up for human rights in Somalia.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali security forces killed two al shabaab members in Mogadishu
04 Dec- Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/al Shahid- 95 words
Somali security forces confirmed the killing of two members of al Shabaab movement and the arrest of two others, in operations carried out by security forces Tuesday night in Huriwa district, north of the capital, Mogadishu. The operation was launched after gunmen believed to be from al Shabaab militia attack a police station in the area, which led to violent clashes between the two sides. Somali government official Omar Abdullahi Jaafan said the security authorities managed to kill two and capture two others in the operations carried out by the authorities after the attack.
President Al-Bashir calls for further support to Somali government
04 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/al Shahid/cammaara Online- 103 words
President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir of Sudan says that Somalia needs further support from the international community in order to enhance the development process and the relative peace in Somalia. The president called for further support to the Somali government during a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in Sudanese capital of Khartoum. The two leaders signed a number of cooperation agreements on several issues including security and launching power transmission line linking the two countries. Meanwhile, President Al-Bashir expressed his government’s commitment towards peace and development process in Somalia. He finally thanked African Union and IGAD for their role in stabilizing Somalia.
Puntland Presidential candidate Abdiweli Gaas reaches Garowe
04 Dec- Source: Radio RBC- 141 words
Puntland Presidential candidate, and former Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas has on Wednesday arrives on Garowe, the capital of Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland. Mr Gaas was welcomed by elders, women and young supporters gathered at Birtadheer, nearly 10-km out of Garowe. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to the people who have gathered here to receive and welcome me,” Mr Gaas said. He said that he has met different section of the society in Puntland in different towns on the road between Galkacyo and Garowe. Mr Gaas, a renowned politician and university professor is among more than ten presidential contestants running for Somalia’s Northeastern region’s presidency in the next four years. Puntland’s Presidential campaign for the upcoming election is turning heat after the rival candidates opposed a vetting committee announced by the incumbent president Abdirahman Farole on Tuesday.
UN delegation in Jowhar to seek further assistance to flood victims
04 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 106 words
UN delegation in Jowhar led by Philippe Lazzarini, said that they will seek further aid supplies for the flood survivors in Middle Shabelle region from humanitarian organizations. The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Philippe Lazzarini said in a press conference that the delegation had assessed the current situation of the area and will discuss humanitarian organizations of how to deliver aid supplies to the survivors. Residents in Jowhar town, the provincial capital of Middle Shabelle region have been hit hard by recent flooding of Shebelle River and clan skirmishes which left a number of people dead and hundreds of others flee their homes.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya: Madrassa tutor beheaded as terror fears rise
04 Dec- Source: Standard Media- 114 words
Police sources indicate Faiz was arrested several times over links with Sheikh Rogo, al Shabaab and terrorism but had grown close to the Kenyan security in recent years. Yesterday, Supreme Council of Muslims of Kenya Coast branch Chairman Muhdhar Khitamy said he had received the news of Faiz’s death but had no details. Separately, mainstream Muslim leaders continued talks on radicalisation at a secret location to contain the take-over of mosques by indoctrinated youth as a Catholic priest reported new threats on churches.
New charge for terror suspect
04 Dec- Source: Star- 395 words
The state has brought a new charge against a terror suspect. Swaleh Abdi Said, was arrested on October 10at Likoni area Mombasa county after being found with two explosives. Yesterday, he appeared before magistrate Richard Odenyo faced with another charge of being a member of a lawful organization namely the al Shabaab.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Tropical cyclone leaves a trail of devastation in its wake in Somalia
04 Dec- Source: trust.org/ Care International- 450 words
My visit to the hard-hit tropical cyclone areas in Dangorayo and Eyl districts of Nugaal region was shocking. The harrowing scene that I have encountered will remain ingrained in my mind – the death and destruction of livestock, houses, roads, fishing boats, the water polluted and most significantly the loss of human lives. The impact of the disaster was massive and had severe negative implication on the social, economic and psychological well-being of the survivors. Villages were littered with carcasses, and engulfed by the stench of dead animals. Livestock, the main source of livelihood, was severely affected, assets were depleted and villages were submerged, leaving behind stranded pastoralists.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Somalia deserves to have a renewed opportunity to render its democracy sustainable and, believe it or not, perhaps a sign of a spring that has arrived. When I say it is a pleasant surprise, it is because it comes as a desirable interruption in the sad sectarian conflicts taking place in other parts of the Arab nation.”
Somalia’s democracy a pleasant surprise
04 Dec- Source: Al-Monitor-441 Words
On Dec. 2, Somalia’s parliament voted Abdi Farah Shirdon, the prime minister, out of office. For too long we have been hearing about tribal conflicts, pirates’ practices and terrorism by so-called al-Shabab and almost no other news of any significance. The prime minister asked parliament on Sunday that he be allowed to defend his government against charges, but his request was rejected. The speaker provided the result of the vote in parliament to the Somali president as well as to the prime minister. A new prime minister will be named by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who said, “I welcome parliament’s role as a strong signal of Somali democracy at work.” The president further added, according to a report in The New York Times, “It is important to emphasize that the constitution has been our clear guidance throughout this situation,” and expressed appreciation for the work of the departing prime minister. The United Nations special representative for Somalia said, “Parliamentary business was managed in accordance with the provisional constitution,” adding, “Somalia’s institutions are coming of age!”