July 1, 2016 | Daily Monitoring Report
Somalia Commemorates Its Independence Day
01 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 261 Words
As Somalis celebrate 56 years of independence, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged them to dedicate themselves to defending the country’s freedom and sovereignty. On this day Somalia commemorated the beginning of a new nation after achieving freedom from the colonial powers and merging to form one nation. The day is marked with speeches fostering unity and peace, hoisting of flag, signing of national anthem and colorful police parade.
On July 1st 1960, the present-day north and south Somalia, which were under British and Italian control respectively, merged to form one nation—the Republic of Somalia, thus ushering a new chapter in the history of the country. These regions were then called British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland, and there were other territories which now form part of present-day Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti.
A special ceremony was held at the recently renovated Mogadishu’s municipal Council, commemorating the 56th anniversary of Somalia’s independence on Wednesday. The ceremony was attended by government officials including Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke. Later in his speech, Mr Mohamud asked the people to cherish Independence Day calling it a day of sacrifice, unity and solidarity.
Key Headlines
- Somalia Commemorates Its Independence Day (Goobjoog News)
- US Removes Somali Businessman From Sanctions List (Hiiraan Online)
- Puntland President Holds Security Meeting With Galkayo Security Officials (Goobjoog News)
- Somali President Appoints 2016 Federal Electoral Implementation Team (Shabelle News)
- Six Killed In Gun Attack On Two Buses In Kenya’s Mandera (Reuters)
- Plan To Professionalise Somali Police (New Vision)
- On The Path To Peace And Stability (Goobjoog News)
NATIONAL MEDIA
US Removes Somali Businessman From Sanctions List
01 July – Source: Hiiraan Online – 322 Words
The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it has removed Somali business tycoon Ahmed Nur Ali Jim’ale from its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list on Thursday. OFAC is a branch of the US Department of Treasury that imposes economic sanctions on individuals, corporations, governments and regimes they believe poses a threat to the US economy, national security or foreign policy.
Those considered to be a threat are subsequently placed on the SDN list. U.S citizens, permanent residents, foreign nationals and U.S based corporations are prohibited from engaging in any financial transactions with those on the list. Violating sanctions imposed by OFAC can result in civil and criminal penalties. Ahmed Nur is believed to be one of the wealthiest businessmen in Somalia where he is a major shareholder in communication firms.
The removal of the sanction also lifts a travel ban that has been placed on him since 2001, when he was initially placed on the list. Prior to this development, Mr. Jim’ale has been living in exile in Djibouti for over 15 years. In 2001, Ahmed Nur was the majority owner of Al-Barakat Money transfer. After the 9/11 attacks the US government listed Al-Barakat as a terrorist entity. They seized its assets and placed sanctions on senior management, including Ahmed Nur Ali Jim’ale.
The sanctions had a devastating effect on the Somali economy as many residents were dependent on remittances sent by family members abroad. The sanctions on Al Barakat group of companies were officially lifted in 2012 when the US and UN found that there was no evidence of the company being involved in terrorist activity. The UN Security Council removed individual sanctions on Ahmed Nur Ali Jim’ale in 2014. In the UN removal notice he was described as a prominent businessman and accused of being a player in the Al-Shabaab sugar-charcoal trade although that claim has yet to be proven.
Puntland President Holds Security Meeting With Galkayo Security Officials
01 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 223 Words
The President of Puntland, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas has chaired security meeting held in Galkayo town where he has briefed on the security progress. Matters concerning heightened security measures were broadly covered, obstacles discussed and further solutions formulated. At the opening of the gathering, security officers have highlighted the outcomes of security operations carried out in their areas and the challenges they faced during the operations.
President Gaas has commended the police officials for the marvelous job they conduct and their commitment to maintain peace and security of the town. “The government and the people of Puntland understand the difficult circumstance under which our forces are operating, I call upon them to double their efforts to win war against the enemy in our country,” he said.
He also talked about wide range issues including the ongoing development projects in Galkayo especially in the area of infrastructure. He finally called upon people of Galkayo to work hand in hand with the regional government of Puntland. “The government and its people have to work together, and in that way we can change many things, now we want the changes that has brought us here to be achieved and we want the people to take part.”
Somali President Appoints 2016 Federal Electoral Implementation Team
01 July – Source: Shabelle News – 62 Words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has on Thursday named a national electoral commission of the forthcoming 2016 elections due to be held in August later this year. The president has announced the appointment of the electoral panel through a presidential decree seen by Radio Shabelle’s Mogadishu station. The newly appointed team is assigned to organize schedules, calendars and the facilities of 2016’s general elections (parliamentary and presidential).
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Six Killed In Gun Attack On Two Buses In Kenya’s Mandera
01 July – Source: Reuters – 66 Words
At least six people were killed when gunmen sprayed two buses with bullets on Friday in Kenya’s Mandera county on the border with Somalia, a regional official said. Mandera County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia told Reuters the attack happened at 9.30 am (0630 GMT) as the buses were traveling to Mandera town from the capital Nairobi. “So far we are talking of six dead,” he said.
Plan To Professionalise Somali Police
01 July – Source: New Vision – 393 Words
A multi-partner project aimed at transforming the Somali Police Force (SPF) into a modern and professional unit was unveiled Thursday in the capital Mogadishu. The Police Project Coordination Cell (PPCC), which has representation from the Somali Police Force, various United Nations bodies and the African Union Mission In Somalia (AMISOM), will provide a platform for information exchange, allowing development partners to deliver a more co-ordinated response to the needs of Somali police.
Somalia, which is making a slow but steady recovery from two decades of civil war, is in need of strong police institutions at the federal and member state levels that have the capacity to protect lives and property and ensure that citizens enjoy peace and security. This new project will be spearheaded by senior SPF officials and co-chaired by the police commissioner of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).
Speaking during the launch, Somalia’s Deputy Police Commissioner, Gen Bashir Abdi Mohamed, said the body’s mission was to establish a professional force able to provide quality services to the public “under the most challenging circumstances.” Gerard Smith, a Senior Project Co-ordinator from UNSOM, said all groups involved in the PPCC were committed to transforming the force into a professional unit.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“It is not just on the military front that we are working. AMISOM is supporting and encouraging the unfolding political process and the country’s efforts towards an inclusive dialogue and reconciliation. It is prioritising stabilisation and getting government institutions back on their feet to be able to be present and perform their governmental functions throughout Somalia.”
On The Path To Peace And Stability
01 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 1,058 Words
Fifty-six years ago today, the great nation of Somalia gained its independence from colonial rule. It was freedom well-earned after the country’s forefathers gallantly wrestled power from foreign occupiers and hoisted the white and blue flag for the first time to signify liberation. The struggle ushered in self-rule and a hope for a brighter future. Unfortunately, in 1991, the country plunged into a protracted civil war and collapse of law and order ensued, betraying the dreams and aspirations the freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for, and sending millions of Somalis into neighbouring states and beyond as refugees.
In 2007, however, Somalia received a new lease of life when the African Union deployed its first group of peace enforcers to dislodge Al-Shabaab terrorists who had committed gross human rights violations on innocent civilians both in Somalia and in neighbouring countries. Today, as the rest of the world joins Somalis in celebrating the country’s 56th independence anniversary, I can say with confidence, that the objective of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to disrupt, degrade and destroy Al-Shabaab and stabilise the country, is largelybeing achieved.
AMISOM has managed to push Al-Shabaab from 80 percent of the country including the key towns in Somalia. This has been done through three major military operations namely; Operation Eagle, Operation Indian Ocean and Operation Jubba Corridor. The objectives of these operations were three-pronged: to liberate the towns, disrupt the terrorists’ supply routes and prevent them from collecting illegal taxes from the population.
Al-Shabaab has been pushed to a small area in southern Somalia and AMISOM will launch a final push to annihilate the militants and allow the population to go about their lives freely, securely and enjoy, in confidence, the fruits of independence deservedly earned 56 years ago. Our military successes have forced Al-Shabaab to change its modus operandi and engage in asymmetric warfare, indiscriminately targeting civilians, public places, government installations and businesses in heinous attacks calculated to cause maximum destruction and reap maximum publicity.
TOP TWEETS
@UKinSomalia : @HarrietLMathews also sent a message of goodwill to the government & people of #Somalia as the country marked its 56th #IndependenceDay
@drchorn_africaY; Now: Somalia Amb to Kenya speaking@NRC_HoA launch of report on HLPRights of displaced women in #Somalia
@FatimaSheikIssa : Our leaders are good at condolences, independent celebration & holding highlevel forums but have hard time offering a viable vision #Somalia
@qalbi114 : Religious terrorists and secular fanatics should both have no say in the future of Somali people. #Somalia#HappyIndependenceday
@UNSomalia : Joining Somalia in celebrating 56 Years of Independence. Happy Indepencence Day #Somalia.#SomaliaIndependenceDay
@Moshireh : #Somalia free spirited citizens will undoubtedly be here well after these sectarian morons are in the history books.#politicalindependants
IMAGE OF THE DAY
We wish Somalia a very happy Independence Day as and let’s show
respect for mother Somalia.
Photo: @Mogadishuimages