January 20, 2014| Morning Headlines.

Main Story

PM Abdiweli to ask parliament’s vote of confidence for his new cabinet

19 Jan- Source: Radio RBC/Radio Risaala- 207 words

Somalia Federal Parliament has called on the newly appointed cabinet of the country to seek for parliamentary vote of confidence on Monday before they take offices. After a meeting in the parliament on Sunday chaired by the Speaker, the Parliamentary Secretary Abdikarin Buh has announced that the parliament has asked the Prime Minister to face a parliamentary session in which the list of the new cabinet and the program of the government will be presented. “The Parliament Chair has issued an official decision to call on the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia to present the list of the names of the new council of ministers to the parliament in order for the parliamentarian to go through and then start a debate on the new government,” Mr Buh said. The parliament’s session on Tuesday will be the final day of voting for the new government after the lawmakers finish reading the government’s program of work and the names of the new cabinet members. According to Article 69th of the Federal Constitution of Somalia the cabinet can only go into function if the parliament gives 51% vote of confidence in the parliament session.

Key Headlines

PM Abdiweli to ask parliament’s vote of confidence for his new cabinet (Radio RBC/Radio Risaala)
President welcomes Japanese Ambassador and thanks Japan for its support to Somalia (OP)
Kismayo shows its support for newly appointed cabinet (Radio Shabelle)
Bomb explosion in Jowhar town kills a six year old girl (Radio Bar-kulan)
Jubaland imposes three-day curfew in Kismayo (Radio Garowe)
Ethiopian Forces to Join African Union Mission in Somalia (Al Shahid)
Somaliland President Travels to France (Somaliland Informer)
Two deputy ministers resign as Somali PM forms first cabinet (Radio Dalsan/Hiiraan Online)
Afgoye land mine injures 3 government soldiers (Radio Shabelle)
UN Envoy to Somalia congratulates new Somali cabinet ministers (Radio Bar-kulan)
Police: Accidents claim more than 60 on Mogadishu roads in 2013 (Somalicurrent)
Somaliland to attract investors with ‘Dubai model (Gulf News)
Eritrean forces board ship in Red Sea not pirates – officials (Reuters)
US dropping case against man accused of piracy (AP)

PRESS STATEMENT

President welcomes Japanese Ambassador and thanks Japan for its support to Somalia

19 Jan- Source: Office of the President- 205 words

His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed the new Japanese Ambassador to Somalia. His Excellency Tatsushi Terada presented his credentials to the President in Villa Somalia, Mogadishu. Accompanied by Her Excellency Fawzia Yusuf Adam, Somalia’s Acting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, the Ambassador said Japan was engaging with Somalia for the long term and was determined to help the country build on the encouraging progress achieved in the government’s first year.

The President said: “Japan has already proved itself to be a committed friend to Somalia. Last May the government co-hosted a special conference in Yokohama which helped galvanise the international community to provide targeted assistance to help us rebuild the country. I thank Japan for its many contributions, particularly with regard to security and building up capacity in our civil service.”

“I thank you, Ambassador, for your visit today, which represents the latest evidence of our return to the community of nations, and I pay tribute to Japan’s generosity towards Somalia. As we stabilize and develop, I look forward to welcoming Japanese investment as a powerful driver of the economic growth we need to lift our citizens out of poverty.”

SOMALI MEDIA

PM Abdiweli to ask parliament’s vote of confidence for his new cabinet

19 Jan- Source: Radio RBC/Radio Risaala- 207 words

Kismayo shows its support for newly appointed cabinet

19 Jan- Source: Radio Shabelle- 125 words

A well attended meeting was held in Kismayo, the capital city of the lower Juba Juba region. The well organized meeting was attended by intellectuals, politicians, religious leaders and members of the civil society who gathered in big numbers to show their Support to Prime Minister Abdiwali Sheikh Ahmed who recently named a cabinet consisting of 25 ministers, their deputies and 5 state ministers. Abdiqadir Isse Jama’a an intellectual who spoke to Shabelle radio after the meeting said that they strongly support the new lot of ministers and hopes they work together efficiently and effectively. The Kismayo meeting follows several other meetings which were recently held in different regions in the country showing support for Prime Minister Abdiwali and his new cabinet.

Bomb explosion in Jowhar town kills a six year old girl

19 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 141 words

A bomb explosion has killed a young girl and injured two others on Saturday night in Jowhar town, the provincial capital of Middle Shabelle region. The girl, a six year old was standing outside of a shop when the explosion occurred as a result of a hand grenade hurled at Somali government soldiers at Bar-yare Bus Terminal in Hawl-wadag neighborhood, according to Ali Mohamed Sugulle, a relative of the deceased young girl. Two other youths were also injured in the explosion; however, no casualties on the government troops were reported. Meanwhile, security forces have made several arrests in a crackdown shortly after the explosion. This is the third explosion in the town since the start of 2014 and no one has claimed the responsibility of the attack so far.

Jubaland imposes three-day curfew in Kismayo

19 Jan- Source: Radio Garowe- 167 words

Somalia’s Jubaland administration enforced a three-day curfew for the inauguration of President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) in the southern port city of Kismayo. Jubaland Internal Affairs and security Minister Gen. Mohamed Farah Darwish Sunday announced the curfew that will last for three days: “We poured many security forces into the town to ensure smooth inauguration ceremony,” said Darwish, adding that only public transport services would be allowed during the inaugural process The interior minister requested the local residents to closely cooperate with the security forces on the plan of preventing the terror activities from happening. The movement of vehicles and businesses remain stalled and soldiers in armored personnel carriers are carrying out search operations in the vast Kismayo neighborhoods. On the other hand, Jubaland government officials continue to receive the delegations invited to attend the inauguration ceremony at Kismayo International airport. The newly elected Vice President of Somalia’s northeastern state of Puntland Abdihakin Abdullahi Haji Omar Amey is among the high-ranking officials who will witness Madobe’s inauguration.

Somaliland President Travels to France

19 Jan- Somaliland Informer- 218 words

Somaliland President Ahmed Mohammed Mohamoud Silanyo jetted out Saturday afternoon for Paris, France on an official visit and would then proceed on to the UK later on. The President reiterated once more that the independence of Somaliland was not a mere state policy but a concrete constitutional charter prescribing the aspirations of the people hence that SL is expected to achieve its sovereignty in the long run. Ahmed Silanyo said that his Paris trip is an official one and is scheduled to indulge in multilateral talks touching on diverse issue with the French government. He confirmed that his itinerary would include talks with Bolloré Africa Logistics. “It is imperative for SL to engage with developed and economic giant countries in order to have impact and achieve its aspirations”, said the President. Confirming his engagements by multinational group, Bolloré logistics, he said, “It is my wish that the Berbera Port is fully fledged hence the reason I have to meet with Bolloré”. The President who was speaking to the media at the airport shortly before he left the country said that he would have a brief sojourn in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He said that upon heading for France for the official visit he would then proceed to the UK for a short rest and health retreat.

Two deputy ministers resign as Somali PM forms first cabinet

18 Jan- Source: Radio Dalsan/Hiiraan Online- 132 words

Two deputy ministers have on Friday resigned from their ministerial posts hours after Somali Prime Minister Abiweli Sheikh Ahmed announced his first cabinet on Friday. Mogadishu Mayor Mohamed Ahmed Tarsan who was appointed as the new Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports and Parliament Member Abdikafi Mo’alim who was appointed as the new Deputy Minister for Energy and Water. Both men declared on Friday that they have resigned their positions because they did not like the positions. “I did not know or even aware that I was named as a minister.” Said Mogadishu Mayor who openly said that he heard his name on the local media. “I did not deserve to take such position.” said Abdikafi Mo’alom who confirmed that he has quit the position after consultation with his clansmen.

Afgoye land mine injures 3 government soldiers

19 Jan- Source: Radio Shabelle- 146 words

A land mine attack which targeted government Vehicle at BodBodka village in Afogye district has caused severe injuries to the government troops according to the District Commissioner. The deafening blast has reportedly destroyed the vehicle. “It was a land mine attack which targeted our troops, we have confirmed that up to 3 soldiers have sustained injuries during the attack,” said Abdullahi Ahmed Ife, the D.C of Afgoye moments after the Blast when Shabelle radio contacted him. Meanwhile, the residents of Afgoye district organized a rally early Sunday morning against the local administration of the region and the heavy military presence in the town and its outskirts. The residents have been complaining of looting and illegal road blocks in the region whereby Government military has been causing the problems to the local residents.

UN Envoy to Somalia congratulates new Somali cabinet ministers

18 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 82 words

The United Nations Special Representative to Somalia, Nicholas Kay has congratulated newly unveiled Somali cabinet ministers on Friday. Ambassador Kay said in a Twitter post that unity and building national institutions will lead Somalia to a peaceful and prosperous future. Kay thanked the outgoing Somali ministers and promised that the UN will continue to help Somalia. Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed unveiled 25 ministers, 25 deputy ministers and 5 state ministers in his new government in the early hours ofFriday.

Police: Accidents claim more than 60 on Mogadishu roads in 2013

18 Jan- Source: Somalicurrent- 99 words

More than 60 people died in 1026 accidents that occurred in Mogadishu during 2013, Somali Police Traffic Force said in its annual report on Saturday. Somalia’s Traffic Police Chief, General Ali Hersi Barre (Ali-Gaab) said that the accidents increased due to the number of cars in the city at a time the Diaspora is returning to home. Ali-Gaab stated 152 people were injured in the accidents, while 1655 cars were damaged. Traffic Police Chief called to replace aged officers operating in the capital and emphasized the need to hire new young officers to reduce the accidents in the city.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Ethiopian Forces to Join African Union Mission in Somalia

19 Jan- Source: Al Shahid- 431 words

Soldiers from Ethiopia’s National Defense Force in Somalia are set to be brought under the command of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The African Union’s Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smal Chergui, reportedly revealed this at a meeting of the AU’s security arm in Addis Ababa early last week. According to him, the move is expected to increase the capacity of AMISOM to secure areas liberated and to free up other areas currently under the control of the al Qaeda linked al Shabaab.

Somaliland to attract investors with ‘Dubai model

18 Jan- Source: Gulf News- 565 words

Somaliland, an autonomous region in the Horn of Africa, wants to replicate the “Dubai model” in a bid to attract foreign investment, develop infrastructure and generate employment opportunities. “We are looking at … building free zones like Jebel Ali. We have already created a tax regime that reduce tax on foreign investment … In many ways we are looking up to the Dubai model of business promotion, ” Mohammad A. Omar, Minister of Commerce & Foreign Investment, told Gulf News. Omar was on a visit to the UAE last week where he met with representatives from both the local private and public sector in effort to boost Somaliland’s credentials on international development.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Eritrean forces board ship in Red Sea, not pirates – officials

19 Jan- Source: Reuters- 92 words

Eritrean forces have boarded a merchant vessel that was in their territorial waters in an incident the crew initially reported as a pirate attack, maritime officials said on Sunday. It was not immediately clear why the forces boarded the ship, the MV Marzooqah, and it was not immediately possible to contact authorities in Eritrea, one of Africa’s most isolated nations. The container vessel had sent out a distress signal late on Saturday indicating that they were coming under attack by pirates.

US dropping case against man accused of piracy

18 Jan- Source: AP- 347 words

Federal prosecutors are dropping their case against a Somali translator accused of being a pirate and playing an illegal role in the hostage siege aboard a Danish merchant ship off the coast of Somalia in 2008. A jury last month deadlocked on two charges of hostage-taking against Ali Mohamed Ali. He had been found not guilty of the more serious charge of piracy, and the Justice Department decided to seek retrial on the charges on which the jury couldn’t reach a verdict. Ali’s attorney Matthew J. Peed, objected to a retrial, arguing that if the refiled charges relied on the same basic facts, then Ali was being subjected to double jeopardy. The argument was based on the Supreme Court decision resulting from the case Yeager v. U.S.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“The third presidential election in Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland has brought about a change in leadership that might help enhance stability in the Horn of Africa. While it is too early to predict how the shift will ultimately play out in the region, the election of Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas may prove a crucial catalyst for Somalia’s stalled process toward federalism.”

Somalia’s Federal Agenda May Get Boost With New Regional President

17 Jan- Source: USIP Blog-975 Words

On Jan. 8, Puntland’s newly sworn-in parliament of 66 members rallied in the northeastern region’s capital of Garowe for presidential elections. The semi-autonomous polity had reverted to having its president elected by clan-appointed legislators after local elections were canceled last July due to risks of violence and the democratic process then stalled. With eight of the 11 candidates eliminated in the first round of voting, Acting President Abdurahman Mohamed Farole won the second round comfortably. Yet, the third and final round saw Gaas emerge as the winner, defeating the incumbent narrowly with 33 to 32 votes. Farole’s defeat may not have been anticipated, but the changing of the guard follows the unwritten principle of rotating leadership among an informal triumvirate of Puntland’s three major Majerteen sub-clans. The polity’s first president (Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, 1998-2004) was a representative of the Omar Mohamoud sub-clan; its second president (Mohamoud Muse Hersi, 2005-2009) belonged to the Osman Mohamoud; and the third president (Abdurahman Mohamed Farole, 2009-2014) originated from the Isse Mohamoud. Hence, it was again the turn of the Omar Mohamoud sub-clan of Majerteen to rise to the helm of the state.

“Dr Gaas is a scholar-cum-politician who is revered both at home and abroad. His academic credentials on economic development and governance are incontestable. This makes a solution to the challenges faced by people of Puntland lie within his reach. I can bet – Dr Gaas will take Puntland beyond the checklist of “minimum requirements”. He will build resilient and responsive institutions and transform the current undesired political tribalism into democratic governance.”

Why President Gaas is a ‘game changer’ in the Political Landscape of Puntland

17 Jan- Source: Wardheernews-997 Words

As they say, the arch of history is long – long – but it bends towards justice. This truism applies to the outcome of January 8, elections of Puntland State of Somalia. People of Puntland have long endured dysfunctional system of governments – characterised by incompetent systems where systematic misappropriation of public property, rent-seeking, intimidation and oppression were the order of the day. Under these predatory governments, prevailing institutions are weak and poorly designed, publicly provided services are trivial and the economy is at best a moribund. However, the election victory of the former Prime Minister Dr. Abdiwali M. Ali Gaas breathes a fresh air to the struggle for political and economic reform. It was a historic step taken to the right direction. The political Tsunami that unseated President Farole and his entire political organisation – including his vice president and speaker of parliament – sent chills to the bone. The outcome is not open to conflicting political interpretation. One word defines it – change. That is why I believe Dr Gaas is a ‘game changer’. He is a break from the past. I think Puntland crossed the Rubicon – a point of no return.