February 15, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report
PM Khaire And Banadir Business Community Leaders Meeting Ends Without Results
15 February – Source: Jowhar.com – 201 Words
Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, accompanied by Finance Minister Abdirahman Du’ale Beileh held a meeting with Banadir business community leaders to discuss the current strike at Mogadishu port and new government taxes. Reports say the meeting ended with no agreement since the government insisted on implementing the excessive taxes imposed at Mogadishu port.
The Prime Minister and the business members had a fierce debate and the traders protested the 5% tax imposed on all goods arriving at Mogadishu port, claiming it is only enforced in Mogadishu. The traders cautioned that the tax increase could trigger inflation and increase food prices in Mogadishu markets. The Prime Minister insisted that the new taxes should be enforced and said the traders should take part in the rebuilding of the country.
The Prime Minister told the traders that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are pushing for the implementation of tax system, so that it can lead to debt relief. Meanwhile, Banadir regional businessmen are expected to hold a special meeting today to discuss of the outcome of yesterday’s meeting. Mogadishu’s port was closed in the past several days after the Ministry of Finance has imposed the excessive taxes.
Key Headlines
- PM Khaire And Banadir Business Community Leaders Meeting Ends Without Results (Jowhar.com)
- Government Sending Mixed Signals On IGAD Free Movement Proposal (Hiiraan Online)
- SFG Forces AMISOM Conduct Security Operation In Mogadishu’s Heliwaa District (Dhacdo.com)
- Hirshabelle State Launches Emergency Water Trucking Along River Shabelle (Halbeeg News)
- Ashghal Team In Somalia To Aid Projects Of Qatar Fund For Development (The Peninsula)
- Why A Group Of Seattle Mothers And Children Came Together To Write Their Own Alphabet Book (Seattle Times)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Government Sending Mixed Signals On IGAD Free Movement Proposal
15 February – Source: Hiiraan Online – 229 Words
Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Isse Awad has said that his government supports open borders in the IGAD region, despite government officials voting down a measure that would seek to achieve those goals on Monday. Speaking to Africa 24 TV on Wednesday evening, Minister Awad said that he supports the IGAD proposal, saying that Somalis would benefit greatly from free movement. “We’re comfortable (with the open border) in fact we encourage it, we welcome the region’s borders to be open, the economy of the countries in the region to be integrated. Somalis & Somalia will benefit very much from such open border”.
He went on to say that he believes open borders should extend beyond IGAD and be discussed at the AU level to include the entire continent. However, the Minister’s statements contradicted the decision reached by the Somali government, to not sign a deal that would allow the free movement of people.
Col. Mohamed Adan Jimale, the Director of Immigration told reporters on Monday, that the proposal was not in the best interest of Somalia, since Somalia does not fully control its borders, and lacks the proper legal structure. Two of Somalia’s five borders are currently controlled by Somaliland. South Sudan, another IGAD country currently mired in conflict has also voiced concerns about the open border plan saying that such a move would not be in the nation’s best interest.
SFG Forces, AMISOM Conduct Security Operation In Mogadishu’s Heliwaa District
15 February – Source: Dhacdo.com – 87 Words
Somalia’s National Intelligence Agency officers and AMISOM this morning launched a major security operation in Mogadishu’s Heliwaa District. Reports say the allied forces are targeting specific neighbourhoods of the district after the security forces received information that suspected Al-Shabaab members are hiding in those areas.
The allied forces arrested several suspects in the operation. The crackdown comes a day after Al-Shabaab fighters raided the AMISOM Maslah military base in the district. Al-Shabaab is reportedly active in several neighbourhoods of Heliwaa district causing insecurity acts during nighttime.
Hirshabelle State Launches Emergency Water Trucking Along River Shabelle
14 February – Source: Halbeeg News – 246 Words
The government of Hirshabelle on Tuesday pledged to start supplying water to people who live alongside the River Shabelle. The river dried up weeks ago, exposing humans and livestock to possible starvation. Delegates led by Hirshabelle Deputy President, Mr. Ali Abdullahi Guudlawe have visited several villages located alongside the river.
The officials held discussions with elders of the villages on means to reduce imminent starvation and water shortage. Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Guudlaawe said his government would launch emergency water tracking to rescue thousands of residents facing dire water shortage. “As Hirshabelle administration, we pledge to move forefront in the efforts to supply clean water to thousands of people in the state,” Mr. Guudlaawe noted. Much of the once bountiful and lush-green cereal, vegetable and fruit farms in Middle Shabelle and Hiraan regions were reduced to dry dust fields after the waters of river Shabelle ran dry.
Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim Dakane, a farmer in Bal’ad town has expressed concern over water shortages that hit the area saying crops have dried up, as there is no water to irrigate. He noted that they walk long distances in search of water. “People in this area rely on water from the river to survive, now the water ran dry, there are no wells here, people are digging for water in dry river bed, while others track long distance to track water,” said Mr. Dakane who spoke to reporters. Mr. Dakane called on the federal and state governments to intervene.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Ashghal Team In Somalia To Aid Projects Of Qatar Fund For Development
15 February – Source: The Peninsula – 348 Words
A technical delegation from the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ has visited the Republic of Somalia, with an aim to achieve the objectives of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Ashghal and Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) to provide technical services and consultations, and manage the projects financed by QFFD outside Qatar.
The delegation was headed by Eng. Ahmed Ali Al Ansari, the Technical Office manager of Ashghal, accompanied by Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Sada, Assistant Roads Design Department Manager and Eng. Abdulaziz Salah El-dein Omar, Senior Road Design Engineer. The visit aims to study the implementation of two roads projects; Mogadishu – Afghoy which is 30km long, and the road of Mogadishu – Balad – Jowhar which is 90km long.
The team visited and met a number of Somali officials to obtain all technical information related to the two projects, in addition to discussing the available capabilities and resources locally, as well as reviewing laws and contractual procedures in the Republic of Somalia. The delegation also conducted site visits to the two projects accompanied by a technical team from the Somali side to inspect the current construction works and the traffic situation on the two roads, in addition to checking restoration and maintenance records.
Ashghal’s team will prepare a detailed technical report on the visit and its results, as well as prepare suitable recommendations and proposals for the planning and execution of the projects in line with the estimated costs and the contributions specified by QFFD. On the sidelines of the visit, the Public Works Authority delegation met the Prime Minister of Somalia, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Justice, the Under-secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office Director of the President of Somalia.
The delegation conveyed the greetings of the President of Ashghal and the Authority’s employees to the Somali Officials, emphasizing Ashghal’s keenness to complete the two projects according to the timetables set for them with the required specifications, and to put all its expertise and capabilities in the service of the projects and the official Somali entities.
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“They brought in family possessions, rooted in Somali culture, to be photographed to appear alongside the appropriate letter of the alphabet. Next to “D,” for instance, is the word “Dambiil” and a picture of a basket.”
Why A Group Of Seattle Mothers And Children Came Together To Write Their Own Alphabet Book
12 February – Source: Seattle Times – 339 Words
Over meals of traditional food and tea, five Somali mothers and their children gathered in their New Holly neighborhood this past year to create a children’s book. The Seattle families brought in family possessions, rooted in Somali culture, to be photographed to appear alongside the appropriate letter of the alphabet. The plan now is to distribute 1,000 copies of “Baro Af-Soomaali” locally, before marketing the book more broadly.
Necessity was the mother of invention for these families as they decided to do something about the fact that even in Seattle where the Somali community is among the largest in the nation there aren’t enough books in Somali. The Seattle Public Library has about 200 books in Somali, according to the library system, and under half are children’s books. There are very few board books. Packed into the New Holly Gathering Hall in Southeast Seattle, a crowd of hundreds celebrated the launch Friday of the new children’s alphabet board book, “Baro Af-Soomaali,” for the Seattle Public Library system and beyond. The title translates to “learning Somali.”
The overarching goal of the project: to provide a tool for Somali parents who want to share their culture while teaching their children English. During their workshops, each family was assigned letters and began creating artwork for the book. They brought in family possessions, rooted in Somali culture, to be photographed to appear alongside the appropriate letter of the alphabet. Next to “D,” for instance, is the word “Dambiil” and a picture of a basket.
Project leaders plan to distribute 1,000 copies of “Baro Af-Soomaali” locally, before marketing it to libraries, schools and retailers across the country and globe, according to the library system and Seattle Housing Authority. The book will also be available as a free PDF download on the system’s website. The book was funded in part by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Race to the Top Deep Dive 3 with Puget Sound Educational Service District and Community Center for Education Results.
TOP TWEETS
@DalsanFM: BREAKING: Mohamud Siraji wins Jubbaland Parliamentary by election in Kismayo to replace his slain brother Public works Minister Abbas Siraji who was shot dead in May 2017.
@HarunMaruf: Somalia welcomes free movement of persons within IGAD region, FM @AmbAhmedAwad1 tells@falastiniman. His comments contradict remarks attributed to Somali immigration officials.
@MariamYassinHY: Thank you @IOM_Libya supported by #EUWe managed to give rapid medical intervention, hospitalisation for 2 Somali young men who escaped from Human Traffickers@TheVillaSomalia@SomaliPM @DeputySomaliPM@VLorenzoEU @A_Nur @HarunMaruf @mustaqbalmedia@MinisterWHRD @Tuuryare_Africa
@Goobjoognews: FOREIGN AFFAIRS minister gives nod to IGAD border opening as Immigration Dept rejects –
@Bartamaha: #Somali Foreign Min “We’re comfortable (with the open border) in fact we encourage it, we welcome the regions borders to be open,the economy of the countries in the region to be integrated. Somalis & Somalia will benefit very much from such open border” While the gov rejected this
@DalsanFM: PHOTOS: 2 Somali nationals who escaped from Libyan human Smugglers hospitalized with the assistance of@IOM_Libya #Libya #Somalia @A_Nur READ STORY:http://radiodalsan.com/en/2-
@Bartamaha: Kismayo on the spot over charcoal tradehttp://bartamaha.com/kismayo-
#Somalia http://bartamaha.com/
IMAGE OF THE DAY
An AMISOM Police officer facilitates training on Security and Criminal Intelligence for police officers of the South West Regional State of Somalia in Baidoa.
Photo: AMISOM