January 30, 2017 | Morning Headlines
Twenty Four Candidates To Face Off In The February 8 Presidential Elections In Somalia
29 January – Source : Goobjoog News – 295 Words
Twenty four candidates will battle out for the top office in the land on February 8 presidential elections, the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) announced Sunday evening. The PEC released the list following the three days of registration of candidates which began thursday in what is now one of the clearest indications of Somalia electing a new president after several false starts since September last year.
Among the candidates are the incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke and former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. A winning candidate will require at least two thirds of the votes from both Houses of Parliament. The Lower House consists of 275 members while the Senate is made up of 54 members. It is now clear if Somaliland will conclude the elections for the remaining two senatorial seats ahead of the February 8 poll. In effect, one will require the endorsement of at least 219 votes to win in the first round failure to which a second round will be called with four of the candidates with the greatest number of votes in the first round taking part.
Any candidate who gains a two thirds majority in the second round, the 2012 Provisional Constitution says shall be elected president. Article 89 (d) of the Provisional Constitution notes in the event no candidate gains the necessary two thirds majority in the second round, a third round shall be conducted between the two candidates with the greatest number of votes from the second round. Whoever gains the greatest number of votes in the third round shall be elected president. According to the timetable released by the PEC this past week, the candidates will be expected to participate in a public debate tomorrow which is to be aired in the media.
Key Headlines
- Twenty Four Candidates To Face Off In The February 8 Presidential Elections In Somalia (Goobjoog News)
- Senior Al-Shabaab Commander Killed In Southern Somalia (Garowe Online)
- Southwest Kills Several Al-Shabaab Fighters Seize Assorted Weapons In Bay And Bakool (Goobjoog News)
- Galdogob Court Sentences Five Men Convicted Of Gang-rape To Lashes Prison And Fines(Hiiraan Online )
- British Official ‘Deeply Concerned’ By Somalia Drought (VOA)
- AMISOM Lauds Contribution By Burundi Towards Restoration Of Peace In Somalia (AMISOM)
- Stage ‘Gradually Being set’ For Somalia To Move To A New Phase In Sustaining Peace – UN Envoy (UN News Centre)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Senior Al-Shabaab Commander Killed In Southern Somalia
29 January – Source : Garowe Online – 186 Words
A senior Al-Shabaab commander has been killed during an offensive in Gedo region by Somali military on Sunday, January 29. Garbaharey district commissioner Iman Adow Kaarshe confirmed that Al-Shabaab commander of Gedo region Abdullahi Qanas, was killed following ground operation against the insurgents’ hideout in Tulo-Barwaqo village. “The notorious Al-Shabaab commander who was in charge of Gedo region was killed in a major Somali National Army (SNA) offensive at Tulo-Barwaqo area, 19 km away from Garbaharey town Sunday morning,” he said.
He added that SNA will continue to clean up Al-Shabaab held areas in the region, which has been hit by deadly terror attacks, including raid on KDF base in El Adde village in January 2016. The district commissioner didn’t reveal if there were casualties from the Somali forces who have stepped up their fight against Al-Shabaab group that stages frequent attacks in the country.Al-Shabaab is yet to release a statement on the Somali military claim of killing top leader. SNA together with Kenyan defense forces (KDF) have launched an operation in Gedo following Friday’s alleged Al-Shabaab car bombing and gun attack on Kulbiyow base.
Southwest Kills Several Al-Shabaab Fighters, Seize Assorted Weapons In Bay And Bakool
29 January – Source : Goobjoog News – 234 Words
Forces loyal to Southwest regional state have killed several Al-Shabaab fighters in areas in Bakool and Bay regions and seized over 10 AK-47 rifles. South west Minister of Disarmament and Rehabilitation of militias, Hassan Hussein said soldiers launched operations to fight against Al-Shabaab fighters in parts of Bakool and Bay regions. “Following the engagement, several Al-Shabaab militant were neutralised and others escaped with injuries. Some of the assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered,” he said. Hussein has stressed the need to provide the best possible security to the public and dissuade would-be criminals with deployment of plain-clothed officers. “We will be using various officers in our departments to crack down on terror activities and pick up elements that are disrupting our security” he added.
He noted that the move was aimed at eradicating “anti-peace” groups as well as restoring peace and security in Southwest state. “This is a normal security operation of the security forces aimed at ensuring peace and security of our community and eliminate a few elements who want to cause trouble,” he said. Al-Shabaab group carried out multiple deadly attacks in Mogadishu and towns across Somalia for the past few years, highlighting security challenges faced by the UN-backed government protected by the African Union forces in Somalia. The group once controlled much of Somalia before the African Union and Somali forces drove the group out of Mogadishu in 2011.
Galdogob Court Sentences Five Men Convicted Of Gang-rape To Lashes, Prison And Fines
29 January – Source : Hiiraan Online – 376 Words
Five suspects involved in the brutal gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl in Galdogob, Puntland that sparked outrage have been sentenced to a combination of lashes, prison terms and a fine by a sharia court in Galdogob. Six teenage boys allegedly forced two girls into a car and drove them to the outskirts of Galdogob before the girls were subjected to violent rape.
A group of men were arrested earlier this month after they forced two girls into a car and drove them to the outskirts of Galdogob before they were violently raped and assaulted. A viral video of the attack which occurred in December of last year surfaced. One of the assaulted girls was hospitalized for a month following the attack. A sentencing document obtained by HOL lists the sentences as follows; Shirwa Jama Junle was sentenced to 200 lashes, a ten-year prison sentence as well as a $4620 USD fine, Yasir Maher Hashi was sentenced to 200 lashes, an eight-year prison sentence and a fine of $3520USD, Ayanle Wale was sentenced to 100 lashes, a seven-year prison sentence and a fine $2560USD, Yahya Awka was sentenced to 100 lashes, a six-year prison term, and a fine of $1760USD and Abdirizak Hosh Jibril was sentenced to 100 lashes, a five-year prison term and a fine of $1760USD.
The total sum of $14,220 is to be paid to the two victims. One victim will receive $6080 while the one who sustained more serious injuries will receive $8140. A man who was initially arrested with the group was not found guilty by the court. According to testimony heard at the trial, he did not participate in the gang-rape and assault but he recorded it. The court ruled that the video was instrumental in securing the convictions of the other five men. He has been since released.
The Puntland Police commissioner, General Erag, has told Hiiraan Online that the men will be transferred to a Garowe prison to serve out their sentence. Puntland recently enacted a law criminalizing sexual assault under the Sexual Offences Act in December 2016, first of its kind in Somalia. Under that law, a convicted rapist could receive up to a 30-year prison sentence. However cooperation with local elders has hindered the application of the law.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
British Official ‘Deeply Concerned’ By Somalia Drought
29 January – Source: VOA- 281 Words
The British secretary for International Development says she is “deeply concerned” at the worsening drought situation in Somalia.At the end of a visit to Mogadishu Saturday, Priti Patel said the drought is affecting millions of people and Britain plans to step up providing support to Somalia.“Millions of people in Somalia are currently living in desperate conditions as drought threatens lives and instability, which is why the UK is stepping up support to save lives and provide basic food, clean water and nutrition,” she said in a statement.“Building a secure, stable and prosperous Somalia is a top priority for the UK and while great progress has been made, significant challenges remain,” the statement said.
Patel announced that London will provide several million dollars in support for the people affected by the drought. She said the money will be delivered through three U.N. agencies: the World Food Program, U.N. Children’s Fund and the Food and Agricultural Organization.Several days ago, the international community appealed for $864 million to help 3.9 million Somalis who needed urgent life-saving assistance, a statement said.Delayed and insufficient rainfalls have been blamed for the drought.
The Somali government warned against possible famine in parts of the country unless urgent humanitarian deliveries are made to the regions in the northeast, central Somalia, southwest and Somaliland.The government said this is the worst drought in 25 years. The drought has affected nomadic communities and farmers, according to the government.She said Britain will host a conference for Somalia in May attended by members of the international community to offer future support for Somalia.In Mogadishu, Patel met interim head of state Mohamed Osman Jawari.
AMISOM Lauds Contribution By Burundi Towards Restoration Of Peace In Somalia
29 January – Source : AMISOM – 383 Words
The leadership of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has commended the continued role played by Burundi in support of the process for restoration of peace in Somalia. Speaking during a meeting with the Burundian Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Prime Niyongabo, the Deputy AU Special Representative for Somalia Hon. Lydia Wanyoto said the impact that Burundi is making alongside other Troop Contributing Countries has been central to the progress notable in Somalia today. Lt. Gen. Prime Niyongabo is on a working visit to Somalia during which he has visited and interacted with troops at the forward bases, commending their bravery. He also held meetings with the AMISOM Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Osman Noor Soubagleh and other senior officials.
Flanked by representatives of the AMISOM senior leadership, the DSRCC Hon. Wanyoto pointed to the most recent achievements by the Burundian contingent, including enabling security for the state formation process of HirShabelle state, recovery of territory from Al-Shabaab militants and supporting electoral security, among others. “They oversaw the formation of HirShabelle state, they secured and it was possible to form a state. The second one was the whole entire process of electing the regional leaders to form a state and also the current elections for the federal government. They have overseen elections, even beyond the sector. This is how much value Burundi and their contribution to the mission is visible and they have our full support,” Hon Wanyoto stated.
OPINION, CULTURE & ANALYSIS
“Turning to the humanitarian challenges facing the Horn of Africa country, he reported that about five million people are estimated to be in need around the country and an estimated 320,000 under-five-year-olds are acutely malnourished,”
Stage ‘Gradually Being set’ For Somalia To Move To A New Phase In Sustaining Peace – UN Envoy
27 January – Source: UN News Centre- 1064 Words
Briefing the Security Council on the situation in Somalia, the United Nations envoy for the country noted today that the recently concluded election was a “mirror” to Somalis, showing them the good and the bad regarding how power is exercised, relations between elders, clan power brokers, politicians, business, ordinary citizens, women and men.“They do not like everything they have seen, least of all the levels of corruption, and the absence of institutions that can ensure legal and financial accountability,” said Michael Keating, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia.
Mr. Keating’s briefing follows an extended parliamentary electoral process and comes less than two weeks ahead of presidential polls. It also comes against the backdrop of increased Al-Shabaab militancy aiming to disrupt the elections, as evidenced by a series of recent attacks.
Stressing the importance that the last stage of the electoral process is conducted transparently and according to the agreed rules, designed to ensure free and fair elections, he noted: “The election of a President accepted as legitimate by the population and by the international community will set the stage for Somalia to tackle the serious challenges ahead.”However, he added: “If voting […] is seen as compromised by corruption, coercion or external interference, then the country could face a protracted period of uncertainty.”
In his briefing, Mr. Keating, who also heads up the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), told Council members that despite the problems seen in the recently concluded elections, the process also had “very encouraging” outcomes, marking an important milestone in the country’s evolution and post-conflict transformation.For instance, the number of voters had increased significantly and the electorate was expanded from 2012’s 135 male elders to over 13,000 individuals (30 per cent of them female). It was also particularly notable that almost a quarter of the members of parliament are now female.“A truly remarkable achievement, the result of effective political mobilization of women, supported by the UN and the international community and some Somali leaders,” noted the Special Representative.“The new Parliament is younger, more diverse and is likely to be more responsive to the electorate than the previous one. In short, this Parliament is more legitimate and representative than any since the last elections were held in 1969,” he noted.