January 9, 2014| Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Federal leaders congratulate Puntland President-Elect

08 Jan- Source: Somali Current/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Radio Dalsan- 268 words

Somalia’s Federal Government leaders send their congratulations to Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali (Gas) on his election as President of Puntland State in northeastern Somalia. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud congratulated Puntland State President-Elect Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas for his victory in th presidential elections, declaring that the result is a victory for the new Somalia. “I extend my personal congratulations to Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas and I look forward to working closely with him as the government continues to build a federal Somalia. Puntland is a model for the rest of the country and what happens there matters very much.” President Hassan said. “I also pay tribute to all of the other candidates who contested these elections for the civilized manner in which the campaign was conducted. Puntland has shown the rest of Somalia and the world that the democratic culture is alive and well here and this is what must guide us as we rebuild our country.” he added. Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed welcomed the victory of former Prime Minister, praising ‘the peaceful, free and fair elections in the region. “These elections were possible thanks to the improved security and stability in Somalia and I congratulate Puntland on ensuring that the elections were peaceful, free and fair. This is a great day for not just Puntland but all of Somalia. Puntland is leading the way on the development towards a federal Somalia and serves as an example to other states.” Prime Minister Abdiweli said. He paid tribute to the former Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Faroole) for his hard work and activities during his reign.

Key Headlines

UN Envoy to Somalia congratulates Puntland (UNSOM)
Federal leaders congratulate Puntland President-Elect (Somali Current/Radio Mogadishu)
AU Special Representative congratulates Puntland (AMISOM)
Somaliland delegation on way to Turkey to attend Istanbul Talks (Somaliland Informer)
Al Shabaab bans use of mobile Internet and fibre optic in Somalia (Harar24/Somalimemo Online/Radio Risaala)
UAE Red Crescent gives $2.5 mn in aid to Somalia (Dubai News/ IANS/WAM)
New President of Puntland Vows to Fight Lack of Security (Reuters/VOA New)
Navy Thwarts Pirate Attacks on Iranian Oil Tanker (farsnews)

PRESS STATEMENT

UN Envoy to Somalia congratulates Puntland

08 Jan- Source: UNSOM- 193 words

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has congratulated Puntland’s President-elect Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, appointed by members of the Puntland Parliament.

“I applaud the Speaker and Members of Parliament for their efforts leading to the smooth process of today’s vote. I also appreciate the important role of the traditional leaders. I congratulate all the people of Puntland,” Mr. Kay said.

SRSG Kay saluted the smooth and peaceful transfer of power and the constructive role of outgoing President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole.

He noted that despite numerous challenges along the way, through compromise and perseverance, the Puntland-led process had achieved its goal of selecting the region’s new leadership. He called for calm and unity in the region following the process.

Mr. Kay said he was re-assured by the commitment of many stakeholders to resume the democratization process that was suspended in July 2013, and urged greater participation of women in the political process.

“Puntland is leading the way on the development of a federal Somalia. The United Nations support the people of Puntland and all of Somalia as they move together towards peace, reconciliation, democracy and prosperity,” he said.

Somali President congratulates Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas for his election as Puntland President and declares vote a victory for Somalia

08 Jan- Source: Office of the President- 277 words

His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud today congratulated Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas for his victory in Puntland’s presidential elections and declared the result a victory for the new Somalia.

The President said: “I extend my personal congratulations to Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas and I look forward to working closely with him as the government continues to build a federal Somalia. Puntland is a model for the rest of the country and what happens there matters very much.”

“I also pay tribute to all of the other candidates who contested these elections for the civilized manner in which the campaign was conducted. Puntland has shown the rest of Somalia and the world that the democratic culture is alive and well here and this is what must guide us as we rebuild our country.”

The President praised the Puntland Parliament for its “remarkably responsible role” managing the electoral process.

“The people’s representatives have spoken with their votes today, bringing to a close a productive political campaign in which the many issues facing Puntland were vigorously debated. The traditional elders of Puntland, the Electoral Commission and the courageous security forces deserve every credit for making this process such a success.”

The President thanked outgoing President Faroole for his leadership during the past five years, for staging the elections on time and accepting the results of the vote with “great dignity”.

AU Special Representative congratulates His Excellency Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas on his election as President of the Puntland State of Somalia

08 Jan- Source: AMISOM- 170 words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has congratulated His Excellency Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas following his election as President of the Puntland State of Somalia in a free, fair and transparent process. He pledged the support of AMISOM to H.E. Ali Gaas, his government and the people of the Puntland state and look forward to working with him in his new role.

The AU Special Representative applauded the maturity which the people of the state of Puntland demonstrated throughout the entire political process up to the election of the President. “I am delighted to learn that the entire election process was free, fair and transparent which is a good sign of political maturity in Puntland.” He said.

Ambassador Annadif paid tribute to the outgoing President, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Farole for his dynamic leadership that has seen the Puntland state register tremendous achievements on the political and security fronts and wishes him well in his new life.

Prime Minister congratulates Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas on his election as President of Puntland State

08 Dec- Source: Office of the Prime Minister- 164 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed congratulates Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas on his election as President of Puntland State of Somalia.

The Prime Minister, said: “I welcome these elections and want to congratulate the new President, Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas, on his election by Puntland MPs.

“These elections were possible thanks to the improved security and stability in Somalia and I congratulate Puntland on ensuring that the elections were peaceful, free and fair. This is a great day for not just Puntland but all of Somalia. Puntland is leading the way on the development towards a federal Somalia and serves as an example to other states.

“I want to thank on behalf of the country Abdirahman Mohamud Faroole for his service and hard work for the people of Puntland. He has been a strong leader, advocate and representative for the State of Puntland and its people.

“I look forward to working with President Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas as we build a new Somalia.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Federal leaders congratulate Puntland President-Elect

08 Jan- Source: Somali Current/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Radio Dalsan- 268 words

Somaliland delegation on way to Turkey to attend Istanbul Talks

08 Jan- Source: Somaliland Informer- 300 words

A seven member delegations have left for Turkey on Wednesday to attend the talks in Istanbul. The delegation which will represent Somaliland in the Istanbul conference is composed of four cabinet ministers namely: Hon. Mohamed biihi Yonis- minister for foreign affairs, Hon. Hirsi Ali Haji Hassan- minister for presidency Minister of Labour and social services Mahmud Garad and Members of parliament Hon. Ahmed Andi Nur Kijandhe and the two deputies of Somaliland parliament. The Somaliland team of negotiators that includes government ministers and members of parliament is led by the Minister of foreign affairs Hon. Mohamed Biihi Yonis. The Somaliland delegation which departs the country in the early morning of the 8th Jan. from Egal airport shall transit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa from where it shall depart direct to Istanbul. The Somaliland delegation is expected to stay a couple of days in Addis Ababa and the FM said that they will attend short training to prepare for the talks in Turkey. Somaliland FM has said that they will do the necessary preparation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian capital and will set the terms that they will discuss with their Somali counterparts. He added that the duty to engage talks with SFG is the sole duty of Somaliland government and will be held liable. He reiterated that the lower and upper house of parliaments made unanimous agreement that the responsibility of engaging talks on behalf of Somaliland is the sole duty of the government and no other party reserves the right to take such actions. He pledged that the government will inform the outcome of the talks to Somaliland people.

Al Shabaab bans use of mobile Internet and fibre optic in Somalia

08 Jan- Source: Harar24/Somalimemo Online/Radio Risaala- 232 words

Al-Shabaab movement announced that it has banned the use of Internet services on cell phones and through the use of fibre optic in Somalia . An official statement issued by the al Qaeda affiliated movement to the local media Wednesday, declared that they decided to ban the internet services after looking into the issue and declared that it had “adverse effects on the moral behavior of the Muslim population in Somalia.” The statement also cited that the use of Internet on mobile phones by “the Muslim population is a security threat, they could be spied on and monitored, while spies transmitted information through using Internet on their phones,” they further added that the use of Internet on phones aided “the enemy” in targeting and striking the Somali population, and in particular their own members and fighters. Al Shabaab demanded in the statement that all telecommunications companies in Somalia should stop providing the use of internet services on cell phones and not allow fibre optic to be used in Somalia, despite the fact that they only control southern and central Somalia. The statement also declared that telecommunications companies have fifteen days to disable all internet services on cell phones. It further added that any company that refuses to comply with the ban would be seen as “collaborating with the enemy, and necessary steps would be taken against them in compliance with the Shari’ah”.

REGIONAL MEDIA

UAE Red Crescent gives $2.5 mn in aid to Somalia

08 Jan- Source: Dubai News/ IANS/WAM-105 words

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Red Crescent Authority has provided relief assistance worth AED 9 million (around $2.5 million) to those affected by the recent floods that hit the Somali town of Jowhar. Mohammed Atiq Al Falahi, secretary-general of the UAE Red Crescent, said the aid included various food materials in addition to the construction of a number of developmental projects along with anti-malaria medication. He added that the assistance provided by the Red Crescent in Somalia comes within the context of its humanitarian and relief efforts to help and support the people of Somalia, who suffered from many natural disasters and armed conflicts.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

New President of Puntland Vows to Fight Lack of Security

08 Jan- Source: Reuters/VOA News-544 Words

Parliament narrowly elected former prime minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali as president of Puntland on Wednesday, backing his campaign against corruption and insecurity in the relatively peaceful Somali region. At the tip of the Horn of Africa and with a third of Somalia’s population of about 10 million, the semi-autonomous Puntland spans the north of Somalia and has largely escaped the worst of the country’s upheaval of the last 20 years. Somalia’s central government and foreign powers advocating a loose federal political system in Somalia have held Puntland up as a possible model, having avoided the worst of a seven-year insurgency fought by militants seeking to impose a strict interpretation of sharia law.

Navy Thwarts Pirate Attacks on Iranian Oil Tanker

08 Jan- Source: farsnews-376 words

Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siyavash Jarreh announced on Wednesdaythat the Navy’s 28th fleet of warship saved the Iranian tanker from pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden. “The Iranian oil tanker was attacked by 12 pirate boats this morning but they failed due to the timely action of the 28th flotilla of warships and the pirates fled the scene,” he added. The admiral underlined that the Iranian oil tanker was escorted by the Navy flotilla through the waterway and continued its path towards its destination fully safely.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

WardheerNews welcomes the election of President-elect Gaas and loudly praises both the wind of change blowing and the democratic culture that is mushrooming in the region. Both Somaliland and Mogadishu also need to embrace change as both look into the future.

Puntland Election: A Clarion Call to Democratic Transition

08 Jan- Source: Wardheernews-482 Words

On January 8, 2014, law makers in the semi-autonomous state of Puntland of Somalia elected former Somali Prime Minister, Dr. Abdiweli M. Ali Gaas, who narrowly defeated the incumbent President Abdirahman Mohamed Faroole. The incumbent conceded his defeat with dignity. In the last two days, all Somalis throughout the globe closely followed this election with keen interest. Although it was a highly contested election, in the end Dr. Gaas won in the third round by a single vote of 33 against 32 for Faroole. As difficult as this loss was for the incumbent, President Faroole congratulated both his supporters and those who voted for President-elect Gaas, adding that the process “was a fair election and I am conceding that I was defeated.” As the third Presidential election since the inception of the Puntland state in 1998, both its politicians and the electorate have shown a level of commitment to transitioning their region into a democratic state.