February 10, 2015 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Parliament approves cabinet with overwhelming majority

09 Feb – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Garowe Online – 82 Words

The Somali federal parliament has just approved the newly appointed cabinet by Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Shar’amarke with overwhelming majority. 191 voted in favor for the cabinet while 22 voted against it. No MPs abstained. Judging from their own tallies, MPs were jubilant before even the results were announced by the speaker. After the announcement of the official results, the speaker called the ministers one by one for swearing. The vote breaks the political gridlock in the country.

Key Headlines

Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid condemns assassination of MP Qayaad (Radio Bar-kulan)
Parliament approves cabinet with overwhelming majority (Radio Goobjoog/Garowe Online)
Cleaning campaign launched in Galkayo (Radio Bar-kulan)
Somali judge is the new ICJ VP (Radio Dalsan)
Sudan stops giving visas to Somali nationals (Radio Bar-kulan)
Muuse Nuur Amiin passes on (Radio Danan)
Top Ethiopian leaders receive Puntland President Abdiweli in Addis Ababa (Radio RBC)
Dar Salam keen to enhance maritime security fight high sea piracy (Tanzania Daily News/Allafrica.com)
Governor’s take on teachers (The Star Kenya)
Murder of lawmaker Abdulahi Qayad Barre (Diplomatie Gouv)
S. Korea sends anti-piracy troops to Gulf of Aden (Korea Herald)
Case against Somalia shop owner dropped (News 24)

PRESS STATEMENT

Joint statement by the UN, AU, EU, IGAD, UK and US Envoys to Somalia

09 Feb – Source: AMISOM – 256 Words

The United Nations, African Union, European Union, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), United Kingdom and United States of America welcome the approval of the new Cabinet list by the Federal Parliament. They reiterated their call for the President, Prime Minister and the Federal Parliament to move expeditiously toward the implementation of the remaining Vision 2016 objectives through the new Cabinet approved by Parliament.

“We welcome the approval of the new Cabinet and we call on Somalia’s leaders and institutions to work together to accelerate delivery of the milestones of the Federal Government’s ‘Vision 2016′ which, together with the New Deal Compact for Somalia, remains the guiding framework for our engagement. It is now important to preserve the unity and stability of the Federal Government in order to stay the course in implementing the Vision 2016 agenda.” “We are also encouraged by the inclusion of female Ministers. The participation of women, youth and minority groups and the commitment to work in an accountable way will remain vital as we move forward.”They said.

2015 is a critical year to ensure continued success on the road to sustained security and stability in Somalia and to improve the lives of ordinary Somalis. International partners also condemn the murder, this morning, of Member of Parliament, Abdullahi Qayad Barre, who was killed by armed men in Mogadishu while on his way to Parliament. They call on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly and offer their sincere condolences to the family of Mr Barre and to his fellow legislators.

SOMALI MEDIA

Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid condemns assassination of MP Qayaad

09 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 151 Words

Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali strongly condemned the killing of legislator Abdullahi Qayaad Barre in Mogadishu on Monday morning. “The late MP was committed in serving his nation,” said the prime minister in a press statement. He sent his condolences to the family, friends, lawmakers and the entire Somali people on the loss of Abdullahi Qayaad. The prime minister directed the security agencies to beef up their effort in bolstering the security of the city and apprehend the perpetrators of the killing. He commended members of the parliament for their commitment in fulfilling their national responsibilities. The Al-Shabaab militant group claimed responsibility for the killing of the MP and vowed to target more as it warned lawmakers that they are legitimate targets. Abdullahi becomes the first parliamentarian to be assassinated in 2015, and the sixth since last year.

Parliament approves the cabinet with overwhelming majority

09 Feb – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Garowe Online – 82 Words

Cleaning campaign launched in Galkayo

09 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 81 Words

A cleaning campaign was on Monday launched in southern Galkayo of Mudug region. Galmudug’s Galkayo municipality said the exercise was aimed at cleaning and collecting garbage from market places and streets in order to restore the image of the town. Galmudug Galkayo mayor Bile Dini Ali told Bar-kulan the campaign would continue for two weeks, and called on residents to voluntarily participate in the operation. The campaign is said to be the largest of its kind ever launched in southern Galkayo.

Somali judge is the new ICJ VP

09 Feb – Source: Radio Dalsan – 144 Words

Somali national, Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf is the new vice-president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Judge Ronny Abraham (France) was also elected President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by his peers, Abraham and Yussuf will serve a term of three years. The International Court of Justice, composed of 15 members is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The court delivers judgments which are final and binding upon disputes between States, and gives advisory opinions to United Nations organs and agencies that are authorized to request them under the Charter of the United Nations and there are currently 13 cases on the Court’s General List. Following the elections held on 6 November 2014 and 17 November 2014 by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council to fill the five seats which were due to become vacant on 6 February 2015.

Sudan stops giving visas to Somali nationals

09 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 161 Words

The Sudanese government stopped issuing visas for Somali nationals including students, citing violation of immigration rules, Somalia’s embassy in Khartoum confirmed. Abdikadir Gulane, culture and education representative for the Somali embassy in Khartoum, told in an exclusive interview with Bar-kulan tht the new directive was issued by the Sudanese office of foreign affairs.

In a letter dated 20 January 2015, the office said Somali nationals have not been respecting the country’s immigration rules after arrival, thus no visas could be issued for them. Abdikadir said there was no official notification to the Somali embassy regarding this new directive which he termed as ‘an unfortunate decision’ targeting Somali nationals only. He said they began efforts aimed at persuading the Sudanese government to reverse its decision, adding that there were already some Somali students who were returned from airports in Sudan. The directive comes as many Somali students sent to study in Sudan have recently embarked on dangerous trips to Europe via Libya.

Muuse Nuur Amiin passes on

09 Feb – Source: Radio Danan – 104 Words

Muuse Nuur Amiin who served different posts in the country including the position of the minister of interior passed on in Mogadishu today. Condolences were sent by the members of the federal parliament. Through the government broadcasting stations, MP, Daahir Amiin Jeesoow send his condolence message to the family and friends of the deceased, Mr. Muuse Nuur Amiin. “To whom we belong and to whom we shall return. Mr. Muuse Nuur Amiin passed on this morning at Mogadishu’s Digfeer Hospital”, Member of parliament Mr. Jeesow said. Muuse suffered from a short illness prior to his death. However, his illnnes took a turn for the worst last week.

Top Ethiopian leaders receive Puntland President Abdiweli in Addis Ababa

09 Feb – Source: Radio RBC – 126 Words

Puntland President Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas along with a delegation has been warmly welcomed at Bole International airport in Addis Ababa by senior Ethiopian Federal government leaders, RBC reports. Senior Ethiopian leaders including foreign minister Tedros have received President of Puntland Abdiweli at the airport. The president is expected to attend a conference on the region’s security. President Gaas is scheduled to remain in Addis Ababa for couple of days and later proceed to Kuwait for an official visit. The president will proceed with his journey to Kuwait where the Kuwaiti government has officially invited where he is set to hold talks with Kuwait top government leaders on developmental projects that are being implemented in Puntland regions.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Dar Salam keen to enhance maritime security, fight high sea piracy

09 Feb – Source: Tanzania Daily News/Allafrica.com – 640 Words

Tanzania is committed to taking all necessary and acceptable actions to enhance maritime security and work together with regional and international partners to fight piracy. Speaking for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the just-ended judicial exhibition week in Dar es Salaam last week, Senior State Attorney Mohamed Salum told the ‘Daily News’ that fighting maritime piracy was not the undertaking of a single country. “As a move to foster the Regional and Global progress on the prosecution of pirates, the country developed the National Plan to Combat Maritime Piracy aimed at consolidating national efforts for combating piracy,” he said. The plan, the trial attorney said, would assist the government to promote Maritime Security through development of the required administrative practices, procedures and acquisition of necessary material, technical and human resources. In 2002, the government of Tanzania and United Kingdom (UK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the transfer of suspected pirates from UK marine forces to Tanzania for prosecution. Likewise in 2013, Tanzania and the Kingdom of Denmark signed a Transfer Agreement for suspected pirates. Furthermore, last year, the government signed another agreement with European Union with a view to prosecute the transferred suspected pirates arrested by the Naval Forces operating under the EU mission. Such pacts contain rights and obligations of transferring and receiving state and the suspects. The trial attorney, who is an expert trained in piracy prosecutions, pointed out, however that, implementation of available plans required financial and human resources for paying interpreters and feed incarcerated pirates. According to him, resources are also needed for the training of judges, investigators, prosecutors and pay for costs of handling of exhibits so as to maintain a firm chain of their custody.

Governor’s take on teachers

09 Feb – Source: The Star, Kenya – 112 Words

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has said it was a mistake not to devolve education. He said this has allowed teachers’ unions to hold the government to ransom and has brought confusion in the education sector. Speaking in Wajir town on Saturday, Abdullahi said non-local teachers in North Eastern are lying to Kenyans and are merely looking for excuses to be transferred. He questioned why the teachers are claiming the region is unsafe, yet more than 300 work in Somalia.Abdullahi welcomed the government’s move to advertise more than 3,000 teaching positions.The teachers refusal to go back on duty in North Eastern due to insecurity has disrupted learning in the region.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

S. Korea sends anti-piracy troops to Gulf of Aden

09 Feb – Source: Korea Herald – 244 Words

South Korea dispatched the 18th batch of troops to the Gulf of Aden on Monday to continue its commitment to the international effort to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia, the Navy said.The 4,400-ton destroyer, Wanggeon, departed the southern port city of Busan earlier in the day carrying a 300-strong contingent of the Cheonghae Unit for an anti-piracy mission, according to the Navy.

The service personnel, composed of special forces including Underwater Demolition Team, Navy SEAL team, Marines and Navy pilots, plan to carry out the mission for about six months starting in March of protecting vessels off the Somali coast and in nearby waters. They are participating in the global maritime security operations and diverse military diplomacy activities, it added. “The Cheonghae Unit has completed their missions without a hitch over the past six years which proves the Navy’s capabilities and helped boost national pride,” Adm. Hwang Ki-chul, the Navy Chief of Staff, said in a send-off ceremony at the port.

Since its first deployment in the Gulf of Aden in March 2009 as part of global efforts to tackle piracy in the region, the unit has rescued a total of 31 ships and safely escorting some 11,500 ships, including Korean ones, according to the Navy. In January 2012, Navy commandos from the Cheonghae raided a South Korean freighter that had been hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, rescuing all 21 crew members and killing eight pirates.

Case against Somalia shop owner dropped

09 Feb – Source: News 24 – 261 Words

The case against a man who allegedly shot a teenager during looting was withdrawn in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Monday because of a lack of evidence, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said. “The NPA couldn’t prove whether the gunshot came from the accused or the gunshot came from the crowd, and no firearm was found,” spokesperson Velekhaya Mgobhozi said, adding that the NPA sent its condolences to the slain teenager’s family and friends.

Somalian Inan Mohammed Abdirahman, 30, and three other men were arrested in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, after a 19-year-old was shot dead during looting in the area on 29 January. Last Monday, Mgobhozi said the other three men had been released after only Abdirahman was pointed out during an identification parade. On 30 January, Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale said Atteridgeville residents protested on 28 January about land grabs. Protests continued into the early hours on 29 January, when a councillor’s house was damaged.

“After that they went on a rampage, looting spaza shops throughout Atteridgeville township,” he said at the time. Makgale said the looting was indiscriminate and not necessarily aimed at foreign shop owners. It was during the looting that the teenager was killed, bring to nine the number of deaths in recent clashes between foreigners and locals. The violence began when 14-year-old Siphiwe Mahori was shot dead in Snake Park, Soweto, on 19 January. He was allegedly part of a group trying to rob a Somalian man’s shop. Over 180 people have been arrested in connection with public violence and the possession of stolen property.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“This practice of establishing sister countries suggests that a politically and economically powerful state pays attention to the needs of a weaker state without considering its interests and makes efforts for its development through coordination among civil society institutions.”

The practice of ‘sister countries’ in foreign policy: Turkey-Somalia

09 Feb – Source: Todayszaman.com – 521 Words

Turkey is keeping its promises in Somalia. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, through his visit as prime minister to Somalia on Aug. 19, 2011, restarted the process of Somalia’s return to life. Erdoğan was the first non-African leader to visit Mogadishu in two decades. On Jan. 25, 2015, he held a one-day visit to this country to see the progress in investments and the improvements in bilateral relations between the two countries. Turkey is part of the historical change in Somalia. In 2011, a move was made from the prevention of hunger to infrastructure investments and a restructuring of the state.

Turkey’s Somalia policy is no longer dependent on Erdoğan. It has become a state policy supported by the people. The Justice and Development Party (AK Party), the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) jointly endorsed a parliamentary bill allowing the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to deploy troops and other military elements off the coast of Somalia and the surrounding areas for another year, starting from Feb. 10, 2015. The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) did not support the motion, which had been extended five times before.

Turkish foreign policy, which has been criticized for its failure since the 2011 Syrian civil war, has become successful in Somalia thanks to the practice of “sister countries.” Through this practice, Turkey identified Somalia as a sister country, after the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC). The policy is so successful that the Somali people, who do not like the presence of foreigners and foreign forces in their lands, have embraced Turkey. Bonds of friendship and brotherhood have been established between the two peoples.