February 10, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Plans for German troops to help train Somali forces
10 Feb- Source: Deutsche Welle/Reuters/dpa-186 Words
According to the report, Germany’s federal armed forces, the Bundeswehr, is to discuss plans for German soldiers to join in the EU training mission in Somalia. Spiegel Online says an as-yet unspecified number of troops would join the European Union military mission (EUTM Somalia), which contributes to the training of Somali National Security Forces.
A German Defense Ministry spokesman confirmed the report in principle but added that a political mandate was necessary from the Federal Parliament, the Bundestag, before the number of troops could be determined. The report indicated troops could be on the ground by April.
Since 2010, EUTM Somalia has contributed to the training of approximately 3,600 Somali soldiers. Training has been provided in Uganda, due to the political and security situation in Somalia, in close collaboration with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
Key Headlines
- Somali President in Turkey for medical check-up (Hiiraan Online/VOA Somali Service/Jowhar Online/Radio Dalsan/RBC)
- Somali Defense Minister says gov’t forces ready for huge assault against al Shabaab (Radio RBC)
- Somaliland: protests staged in Hargeisa (Somaliland Informer)
- Kenyan MP denies KDF withdrawal from Kismayo (Radio Shabelle)
- Somaliland Counter-Terrorism Forces Net Al Shabaab Suspect In Sool Region (Hornnewspaper)
- Somalia: Sacked soldiers protest in front of Mogadishu Presidential compound (Radio Garowe/Radio Dalsan /BBC Somali)
- Ethiopia: PM Hailemariam confers with UK Home Office’s Minister of Security (Walta Information Centre)
- Silatech Kaaba to support Somali youth enterprises (Trade Arabia)
- Plans for German troops to help train Somali forces (Deutsche Welle/Reuters/dpa)
PRESS RELEASE
AMISOM commends women peacekeepers in Somalia
10 Feb- Source: AMISOM-450 Words
The deployment of female peacekeepers in any mission provides meaningful contribution to solidifying peace and security gains in any mission. The female peacekeepers also stand as role models in the local environment, inspiring women and girls in societies which are dominated by men.
In the lead up to International Women’s Day, The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif applauded the importance of female peacekeepers in any mission during a meeting with female peacekeepers from the Troop and Police Contributing Countries (TCCS) of AMISOM in Mogadishu.
Ambassador Annadif said female peacekeepers deployed in Somalia are regarded as role models by the local population as they provide leadership of local institutions could address gender based discrimination.
“From fighting on the front line, training the Somali Police Force to treating the wounded civilians in the AMISOM hospital in Mogadishu; all of you have been pivotal in the process of building peace in Somalia,” said Ambassador Annadif.
He said that the courage, determination and contribution to the peacekeeping mission in Somalia are invaluable adding that “The presence of female peacekeepers also decreases the prevalence of sexual abuse and misconduct by other peacekeepers.”
Ambassador Annadif said AMISOM Gender Unit conducts regular training for the military, police and civilian wing of the peacekeeping mission as well as for Somali professionals working with AMISOM, on the importance of combating sexual exploitation and abuse among other human rights abuses.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali President in Turkey for medical check-up
10 Feb- Source: Hiiraan Online/VOA Somali Service/Jowhar Online/Radio Dalsan/RBC- 197 words
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sheik Mahmoud is in Turkey for a health check-up. The President will spend several days in Turkey according to the Presidential Spokesperson. Abdirahman Omar Osman, who was reached for comment by the VOA Somali service, said that the President’s tour to Turkey was mainly about a medical check-up.
“There is nothing serious with the Presidents health. The Somali President has been working hard for the past one and half year and now he has the opportunity to go and undergo a medical check-up,” Osman saidon Sunday afternoon. During his visit in Turkey, the President will also reunite with his family residing there and will be spending time with them, added the Presidential Spokesperson.
Meanwhile, President Mahmoud made a stop over at the Ambouli International Airport in Djibouti for two hours where he met with his Djiboutian counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh.
Somali Defense Minister says gov’t forces ready for huge assault against al Shabaab
10 Feb- Source: Radio RBC- 167 words
As major military move against al Shabaab controlled areas is widely expected, the Defense Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia Mohamed Hassan Hamud has confirmed the government forces were ready to launch major assault on al Shabaab. “The National Army together with AMISOM are ready to go ahead to a major liberation move.” the Defense Minister said Monday.
The Minister has also commended the effectiveness of increasingly trainings for the country’s national army with newly recruited soldiers who have benefited from a training courses conducted by Somali and foreign experts inside Mogadishu. “The newly trained forces with the backing of our friends from AMISOM contributing countries are planning to make sure that all Somalia regions are safe and liberated within this year.” the Minister vowed.
On Sunday, the Head of the African Union Forces in Somalia Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has said that AMISOM forces and the Somali National Army were ready to steadily secure the regions currently under the control of al Shabaab militant group.
Somaliland: protests staged in Hargeisa
10 Feb- Source: Somaliland Informer- 222 words
Angry protesters of mainly men and women who are staunch supporters of Wadani political party held peaceful protest at New Hargeisa village that lies in the east of the capital where reports said they burnt tires and blocked roads.
The protesters were chanting slogans that the government of President Ahmed Silanyo must stop the meddling of the parliamentary affairs and refrain from any attempt to suppress the parliament.
Anti police riots with the help of the police force have arrived where the tires were burn and dispersed the crowd of rowdy protesters. The protests were sparked following the government attempt to oust the current chairman of the house of assembly from the post by submitting motion removing him through office.
Number of places where the protesters gathered and burn tires include Kaah Hotel, Baar Waraabe and according to reports that the anti police riots managed to disperse the crowd.
More protests are expected to be staged on Monday according to reports which the protesters will express their disappointment over the government exerting its muscle to oust the current speaker and chairman of Wadani political party Hon. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi.
On the other hand, Somaliland government has decided to deploy anti terror squad in and outside parliamentary building which is opposite to the presidential palace.
Kenyan MP denies KDF withdrawal from Kismayo
10 Feb- Source: Radio Shabelle- 145 words
Kenyan MP and the Majority leader of the Kenyan parliament, Aden Barre Duale, has announced that his government will not withdraw KDF from Kismayo, the capital city of Lower Jubba Region and has also said that other forces from AMISOM will be added to the Jubba Regions.
The Member of the Kenyan Parliament has also said that the Kenyan Military are ready to support the Somali government to help the country stand on its feet again. Recently, there have been rumours that Kenyan Defence Forces will withdraw from Kismayo.
The Kenyan Defence Forces that operate in the Jubba Regions will receive extra troops from Burundi Defence Forces whom they have been recently replaced in the Bay and Bakool regions by the Ethiopian Defence Forces.
Somaliland counter-terrorism forces net al Shabaab suspect in Sool region
10 Feb- Source: Hornnewspaper-172 words
Somaliland Counter-terrorism forces have detained a former senior al-Shabaab commander who defected from the militant group and fled to his home village in Sool region. on Wednesday (February 5th) ,the suspect is currently been held in Hargeisa awaiting to be arraigned before a court.
The Counter-terrorism forces are said to have detained a high profile suspect linked to al Shabaab militant group during the operation, Abdullahi Mohamed Ahmed Arabey from a village near the Widhwidh district of Togdheer region, where he is believed to have stayed since last year when he Somaliland sneaked into the country.
Somaliland security agencies are said to have had knowledge of the presence of the al Shabaab suspect and had been monitoring all his moves for quite some time.
Although our efforts to contact intelligence officials regarding the arrest and detention of the Al Shabaab suspect proved futile, unconfirmed sources say the suspected was the mastermind behind the spate of unexplained targeted assassination in Sool region which mainly involved the killing of high level Somaliland government officials.
Sacked Somali soldiers protest in front of Mogadishu Presidential compound
09 Feb- Source: Radio Garowe/Radio Dalsan /BBC Somali- 223 words
Hundreds of sacked soldiers and disabled army veterans Saturday staged demonstration in front of Villa Somalia presidential compound in Mogadishu. They marched from Sayidka statue to the presidential palace in response to the recent decision that led to the firing of 700 soldiers including commanders, deputy commanders and captains from the army amid anti-al Shabaab offensives in southern Somalia.
They accused the army General Dahir Khalif Elmi (Indho Qarshe) of irresponsibility, saying he violated their rights while they were executing their national duties.
“The [Commander-in-Chief of Somali National Army] gave untrue comments; we were at the frontlines when we have been fired over unclear reasons. We were fighting against al Shabaab yesterday but now we are liable to be attacked,” shouted a protester.
In a separate show of complaint, disabled army veterans went on strike over support services. They said that the government halted to provide their regular services such as the food and salary. Gen. Indho Qarshe last Tuesday disclosed at media briefings the removal of 700 soldiers from the army, citing incompetence and ineffectiveness in the job.
Somalia: Turkey to build new large hospital in Puntland
09 Feb- Source: Horseed Media-257 Words
Puntland Vice President Abdihakim Abdullahi Omar has revealed that the Turkish government pledged to build a new large hospital in Puntland.
Speaking in a Conference held by Puntland non-state actors’ Association in Garowe, Mr Abdihakim Amay reiterated on the new government’s wider tasks, adding that they will work on the essential needs of the state such as launching a new free education system.
‘’ The government will improve on the health sector, so that our people won’t need to go abroad for treatment. The Turkish government is keen to build a hospital in Puntland’’, said the Vice President who never gave out further details about this.
The new hospital is expected to be built in the state’s capital of Garowe, says Vice President. In 2011, about 20 Turkish doctors visited Puntland and carried out free health care services including Surgeries, they treated almost 1500 patients from across the region.
Displaced farmers need help to return to farming
08 Feb- Source: Radio Ergo- 182 words
More than 150 displaced farmers with their families are asking for help to go back to their homes and farmlands after more than two decades spent living in the port town of Kismayo, the regional capital of Lowe Juba region.
The IDPs have been in Borow camp, one of more than 55 IDP camps hosting thousands of displaced people in the town.
Khadijo Hassan, spokesperson for the IDPs in Kismayo, said the farmers had fled from their original homes in Bay, Bakool and Jubba regions due to conflict, drought and famine that rocked the country in early 1990s.
“We have no life here and we left our farmlands so many years ago,” she told Radio Ergo’s local reporter, adding that they wanted to go back home to harvest their farmlands.
Mohamed Haji, one of the displaced farmers, said they all depended on begging and had no other means of survival. He urged Somali leaders and aid agencies to help them move back to their farmlands. “Going back and farming again is much better than the life we live here today,” Haji said.
There is corruption in Somalia, MP declares
08 Feb- Source: Somalicurrent- 233 words
Somalia government admits its failure to do a thorough investigation on corruption allegations charged by the UN’s monitoring group of Somalia and the former Somalia central bank governor, Yusur Abrar, last year.
Abrar resigned last year accusing the office of the president pressuring her to sanctions deals which she said were illegal and unethical. Since the corruption allegations became public October last year, Somalia government hasn’t officially addressed the issue publicly except saying those allegations are unfounded.
Abdulkadir Hashi, member of the parliament, and parliament’s financial committee member, says they were not able to do “a just investigation” on the matter.
“We summoned the former finance minister when [the governor] resigned from her post and questioned him what has caused [the governor] to resign. We asked among ourselves if it was necessary this case to be investigated further or not.”
“We were not able to know—and we couldn’t know—what had happen between [the governor] and senior government officials,” during the investigation because the governor left the country. He continues to say, “We bear witness that there’s no doubt that corruption and mismanagement do exist in Somalia.”
Governor Yusur claimed in her resignation letter that she raised the corruption problem with the president “multiple times”, but the president ignored her requests to get involved, and she was forced to flee the country because senior officials in the president’s office threatened her life.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Ethiopia: PM Hailemariam confers with UK Home Office’s Minister of Security
10 Feb- Source: Walta Information Centre- 112 words
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Thursday held talks with UK Internal Security Affairs Minister James Brokenshire on bilateral issues. The Premier during the occasion said Ethiopia is keen to work closely with UK in regional issues, in particular in building lasting peace in Somalia and South Sudan.
The Premier said the cooperation with UK in global and regional maters is in good terms, according to a high level official who attended the meeting. The UK Minister on his part said UK will support peaceful efforts to build peace and stability in East Africa. UK will work with Ethiopia to build lasting peace and stability in Somalia and South Sudan, the Minister said.
Silatech, Kaaba to support Somali youth enterprises
09 Feb- Source: Trade Arabia-218 Words
Doha-based social initiative Silatech has signed a deal with Kaaba Microfinance Institution (K-MFI) in Somaliland to promote youth enterprise and employment solutions. The memorandum of understanding paves the way for the two organisations to jointly develop a ‘Youth Enterprise Fund,’ which will provide dedicated funds and technical assistance to microfinance institutions throughout Somaliland.
The objective of the fund is to incentivise Somali MFIs to increase lending to young people. The fund will create two youth-focused products specially designed for different socioeconomic groups. One will be tailored for the needs of low income existing youth microenterprises, while the second will be designed for university graduates looking to start their own businesses.
Also contributing to the fund is AFIF, a non-profit Qatari development programme launched by Al Asmakh Charity Foundation and a consortium of other social investors and donors. The initiative is set to support over 3,000 Somaliland-based youth enterprises access appropriate financial service combined with business training and support over the next three years.
Al Shabaab leader on the run after two near-death misses
07 Feb- Source: Sabahi Online- 900 words
Twice in the past month, al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane has narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Kenyan and US militaries, according to local sources. Godane, also known as Abu Mukhtar al-Zubayr, has led al Shabaab since 2008, and is at the top of the list of most-wanted Somali terrorists with a $7 million bounty on his head.
It appears that in two recent strikes, one against an al Shabaab base in Gedo and the other against a vehicle convoy in Lower Shabelle, Godane left the target zone only moments before the attacks ensued. On January 9th, Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa (ASWJ) officials alerted the Kenyan Defence Forces that al-Shabaab leaders were meeting in Birta Dher village, about 18 kilometres south of Garbaharey in Gedo region.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Plans for German troops to help train Somali forces
10 Feb- Source: Deutsche Welle/Reuters/dpa-186 Words
According to the report, Germany’s federal armed forces, the Bundeswehr, is to discuss plans for German soldiers to join in the EU training mission in Somalia. Spiegel Online says an as-yet unspecified number of troops would join the European Union military mission (EUTM Somalia), which contributes to the training of Somali National Security Forces.
A German Defense Ministry spokesman confirmed the report in principle but added that a political mandate was necessary from the Federal Parliament, the Bundestag, before the number of troops could be determined. The report indicated troops could be on the ground by April.
Since 2010, EUTM Somalia has contributed to the training of approximately 3,600 Somali soldiers. Training has been provided in Uganda, due to the political and security situation in Somalia, in close collaboration with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Somaliland, the self-declared republic, is desperate for someone to find vast mineral reserves under its soil. But without international recognition – and the probability of legal battles in the future – it’s a big risk for any company to take. Somaliland too should be careful. Having dodged the aid curse, will it fall victim to the resource curse instead?”
Investing in a country that doesn’t exist: Somaliland’s hard sell
10 Feb- Source: Daily Maverick-961 Words
At the recently concluded Mining Indaba in Cape Town, Somaliland’s energy minister Hussein Abdi Dualeh had possibly the hardest sell of all. It was his job to convince the assembled mining bigwigs that his country was a viable, risk-free environment in which to invest millions and millions of dollars – all on the hope that there might be base and precious metals hidden somewhere under its drab scrubland.
He tried hard. “We have also a unique geographical location,” the minister said in his speech at the conference. “If you have a mineral deposit and if you exploit it, it will be very cheap to take to market…it’s definitely much less costly than a really getting fantastic deposit the middle of continent, which will cost you really huge amount of money to export it…even the small deposit is commercially viable considering the logistics involved in taking the minerals to market.”
It was a good effort, but will it be enough? There are, after all, a few other factors which mitigate against Somaliland becoming Africa’s next mining hotspot. The biggest problem is that Dualeh’s country is not actually a country. Officially, legally, Somaliland is a territory of the Republic of Somalia.
“Somalis as the great entrepreneurs of Africa are often desirous to demonstrate their modernity and their success. Whilst matt black, glass and chrome structures may work for some, in reality it would make far more sense if greater cognizance was taken of vernacular architectural traditions. In view of the climate it is logical to focus on soft hues, lattice work, natural ventilation and vegetation.”
Somaliland: Planning for the Future
09 Feb- Source: Somalilandpress-980 Words
Across the Somali territories we have witnessed a raft of construction projects of late. Whilst such activity testifies to a gradual return to normality, the speed and nature of the development raises some fundamental questions. In all post-conflict economies there is an initial. During this period, it is imperative that there is focus on winning the peace, just as there has been in winning the war. Those familiar with the region are well aware that the elements intent on using violence to achieve their ends have not been totally defeated, but have been dispersed and are very much on the back foot.
Psychologically this has given a tremendous fillip to the business community and has helped create an environment where investors feel sufficiently confident to engage in commercial activity again. The international community has also sought to bolster this situation and as a result locals and returning members of the Diaspora see opportunities that previously seemed non-existent.
Cities such as the likes of Hargeisa, Mogadishu and Berbera currently exude entrepreneurial activity and as a consequence land prices are spiralling ever upwards. The rate of new construction is rather alarming as it allows precious little time for a coherent planning strategy, let alone adequate regulations and safeguards that protect such cities from the worse aspects of urban development. Already it is clear that little or no thought is being given to preserving spaces for recreation, regrettably a construction free-for-all has broken out that is seeing land going to the highest bidder.
“I cannot deny that there is limited accessibility of financial resources for the farmers in Somaliland and that could be resolved among others either provision of credit to local farmers or creation off farm activities.”
Somaliland: Can we overcome dependence on food imports?
08 Feb- Source: Somalilandpress-942 Words
If we want to plan for food self-sufficiency; we can increase food productions using both horizontal and vertical by means of extensive land cultivation or by way of scientific and improved technologies. There is a tremendous decline in grain production since the country took independence from Britain resulting poverty and malnutrition and mass migration of farmers from rural to urban centers.
I think we should start with seed multiplication project especially for individual seed project for example wheat, rice sorghum and maize and plan for setting up agricultural research centre for variety development, release and maintenance. And at the same time we can create of the following:
1. Create national Seed Law and regulations: Appropriate seed legislation at the national and regional levels is essential to create an enabling environment for the development of the seed sector. FAO provides assistance to its member states in seed policy and legislation development.
2. Establishing of seed enterprises for the private sector
3. Establishment of Quality Control Unit for seed within the ministry of agriculture
4. Formation of National Seed Board within the MOA.
Top tweets
@harunmaruf First commando units graduate, display tactical raids at #Jazeera military training barracks, Saturday. #Somaliapic.twitter.com/BIFlxIZGMd
@UNSomalia #Japanese funded office equipment delivered today to #Somalia Police Force HQ with @UNSomalia support.http://bit.ly/1nm6xxV
@TheVillaSomalia If there is one lesson we can all draw from his life and career it is the importance of national unity for#Somalia pic.twitter.com/VvR6dfTQPk
@SallyHitchiner Did you know 98% of girls in Somalia experience FGM, 91% of Egyptian?Know women from these countries? #nowitspersonal http://www.one.org/
@SomaliaNewsroom Dipping its toe into #EastAfrica –> Potential Plans for #Germany (as part of EU force) to train#Somalia troops http://www.dw.de/plans-for-
Image of the day
African Union special envoy for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif holds a meeting with women from various components of AMISOM to discuss various challenges facing the women on February 8 in Mogadishu, Somalia. Photo: AMISOM