February 15, 2017 | Daily Monitoring Report
Daallo Plane Carrying Somali MPs And Ministers Makes Emergency Landing In Nairobi
14 February – Source : Radio Dalsan – 166 Words
A Daallo flight from Mogadishu made an emergency landing at Nairobi’s JKIA Airport after one of its engines failed. Kenya security and firefighters rushed to the runway before the plane landed after it was denied to use the Wajir International Airport. “Wajir Airport did not allow our plane to land as it is required. We were directed to fly directly to Nairobi” Mohamed Jama a passenger told Radio Dalsan.
Aboard the plane were at least 120 passengers among them 3 ministers 10 Mps 3 Senators and former Somali National Intelligence boss. This is not the first time that the airline has experienced mechanical problems. “Its time the management of this airline look at the worthiness and safety of the flights” one of the MPs said. Last year one of its planes that had the Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu as its passengers almost crashed. In 2015 an explosion that was carried out by an Al-Shabaab operative occurred in one of their planesthat was flying to Djibouti.
Key Headlines
- Daallo Plane Carrying Somali MPs And Ministers Makes Emergency Landing In Nairobi (Radio Dalsan)
- All Crew Members Rescued After Commercial Boat Sinks Off Coast Of Somalia (Goobjoog News)
- Calm Returns To Parts Of Mudug Region After Battle (Shabelle News)
- Auditor General Says Approval Of 2017 Budget By Cabinet Is Illegal (Jowhar.com)
- Somaliland Asks US for Exemption To Trump’s Travel Ban (Associated Press)
- Somalia Heralds New Dawn After Election (Daily Nation)
NATIONAL MEDIA
All Crew Members Rescued After Commercial Boat Sinks Off Coast Of Somalia
15 February – Source : Goobjoog News – Words
A crew of twelve members have been rescued after their small commercial boat sank off the coast of Somalia. The boat had been on its way to the port of Hobyo in north-east Somalia when it was overturned by heavy winds and waves according to Abdifatah Hussein Sheikh, who is among the traders who suffered economic losses after the incident. “Heavy storms overturned the boat and destroyed it,” Sheikh narrated.
He said all the crew members were rescued by helicopter owned by NATO counter-piracy mission. “Efforts to rescue the crew were coordinated by the helicopter, closely monitored by the European Union Naval Force warship and it was successful one,” said Andrew Mwangura, a former Kenya Seafarers Union official. The commercial boat was carrying business consignment for Somalia’s Galmudug traders.
Calm Returns To Parts Of Mudug Region After Battle
15 February – Source : Shabelle News – 106 Words
A precarious calm has returned to some parts of Mudug region in Central Somalia, a day after a deadly gunfight between Galmudug forces and Al-Shabaab militants. Local residents in Amara and nearby villages said the situation is normal and people are going about their daily activities, mainly the business normally.
On Tuesday, Galmudug state forces accompanied by Non-AMISOM troops have launched a joint offensive to retake the seaside town of Harardhere in Southern Mudug province. The squeezing forces clashed with Al Shabaab fighters at Adaley area, outside Amara, as they were en route to Harardhere city. At least 5 people, including soldiers died in the fight.
Auditor General Says Approval Of 2017 Budget By Cabinet Is Illegal
15 February – Source: Jowhar.com – 90 Words
The Auditor General has termed as illegal a decision by the outgoing Cabinet to approve the 2017 national budget saying the 2015 budget has not been accounted for. In his remarks, the Auditor General said the decision was secretly passed by the Minister for finance and the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister, Mohamed Omar Arteh.He accused the two of blocking the constitutional requirement for the Auditor General to scrutinise the budget. He said the Deputy Prime Minister assembled less than 10 ministers who passed the budget terming it as illegal.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somaliland Asks US for Exemption To Trump’s Travel Ban
15 February – Source: Associated Press- 120 Words
Somalia’s breakaway northern territory of Somaliland is asking the United States for an exemption to President Donald Trump’s executive order on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations. Somalia is one of the affected countries, but Somaliland considers itself an independent state after breaking away in 1991. It continues to seek international recognition for its claim.
A statement by Somaliland’s foreign affairs minister, Saad Ali Shire, says the republic wrote a letter Monday to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly requesting the exemption to the travel ban. The statement says Somaliland argued it “has not experienced the emergence of terrorist organizations,” in contrast to Somalia, where homegrown extremist group al-Shabab continues to carry out deadly attacks.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“The election of the president and members of parliament is one key step ahead in the long journey Somalia has embarked on. The road ahead is bumpy and the task is arduous, but the confidence and determination of the people is a big encouragement.”
Somalia Heralds New Dawn After Election
15 February – Source : Daily Nation – 660 Words
Somalia has a new President democratically elected by members of both houses of the national parliament in an open and fair process witnessed by local and international observers. I congratulate President-elect Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo” Mohamed and wish him well as he steers the country towards a brighter future. Despite enormous multiple challenges, Somalis have defied the odds and completed their election. A new bicameral parliament is now in place. Although a one-person one-vote election was not attained this year, the foundation stone has been laid and Somalia is now on the path towards achieving universal suffrage by 2020. As the head of Amisom, I congratulate the people of Somalia for this feat. I thank the leadership for staying the course.
The successful conclusion of the presidential election heralds a new dawn for a country that has been plagued by years of instability, devastating internal strife, cyclical drought, violent extremism and terrorism. Having worked side by side with the national security forces to secure the electoral process, Amisom takes pride in this successful collaboration. It was a gruelling but worthwhile journey that started last October and culminated in the presidential vote a few days ago.
The election of the president and members of parliament is one key step ahead in the long journey Somalia has embarked on. The road ahead is bumpy and the task is arduous, but the confidence and determination of the people is a big encouragement. Let 2017 be the year of firsts for Somalia. There is an opportunity for leaders to continue to work together in building a strong partnership between the government and the people for reconciliation and national unity in an all-inclusive dialogue on power and resource sharing, job creation, women and youth empowerment, national security and development.
http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/
TOP TWEETS
@engyarisow: #Somalia destined for a brighter future after successful elections, says AU Special Representative…
@Daudoo: #Somalia govt accuses #UAE of violating sovereignty of the country after its agreement with #Somaliland to set up military base in #Berbera
@ICRC_Africa:People living in places of detention should be treated humanely. This is why we visited over 4,000 detainees in #Somalia in 2016.
@AAbdishakur:#Somalia: We need politics that moves beyond bickering and personal destruction and interested in real reform and political transformation.
@Adesoafrica:The drought affected families in #Somalia are in urgent need of food and water. Donate today http://bit.ly/2jsjjzV #KeepthePromise
@OCHASom:#Somalia among countries in East Africa where food prices have soared to record levels as drought bites http://bit.ly/2liqcIn
@Daudoo: BREAKING: Heavy fighting between #Galmudug troops & #AlShabaab fighters erupts near #Amara village. Casualties reported – Witnesses #Somalia
@HarunMaruf: Unidentified plane dropped leaflets over Harardhere town Tuesday, Al-Shabab fighters reportedly collected the papers.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
A new battle group from Burundi arrives in Mogadishu to replace soldiers who completed a year tour of duty in Somalia.
Photo: AMISOM