July 10, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Final Communiqué of the Somaliland and Somalia Dialogue Held In Istanbul
10 Jul – Source: Somaliland Sun – 151 Words
In accordance with the framework agreements reached in Chevening, Dubai and Ankara, delegations from Somaliland and Somalia met in Istanbul between 7 and 9 July 2013 with the assistance of the Turkish Government.
In accordance with the agreements codified in the Ankara Communiqué of 13 April 2013, this round of the dialogue attempted to establish additional parameters to further clarify the relations between the two sides and gave a particular attention to issues that have arisen since the previous meeting.
Somalia and Somaliland:
1. Agreed to the return of the air traffic management from the UN and decided to establish a joint control body that is based in Hargeisa to lead the air traffic control of both sides. It is also agreed that this body will propose a mechanism for equitable revenue-sharing.
2. Committed to the continuation of the talks. The next meeting will be held in Turkey in 120 days.
Key Headlines
- Somali President meets with his South Sudan counterpart (Radio Mogadishu/ Somalia Today)
- Prime Minister wishes Somalis a happy Ramadan after returning from Baidoa (Prime Minister’s Media Office)
- Holy Ramadan month begins calls for help and mercy (Radio Dalsan/Bar-kulan/al Shahid)
- Delegation jets back to Somalia after meeting SA officials (Shabelle/SNTV/Somaliweyn/
Somali Channel TV/Jowhar Online) - Somaliland government bans use of old Somali passport (Somaliland Informer)
- Final Communiqué of the Somaliland and Somalia Dialogue Held In Istanbul (Somaliland Sun)
- UN concerned over humanitarian situation in Kismayo (Press TV)
- Remembering the July 11 2010 bomb blasts in Kampala (New Vision)
- Four Sri Lankan sailors rescued (Daily News)
- Joseph Lenku: Kenya to open more border points to stem insecurity (Standard Media)
- Flight time from Entebbe to Mogadishu reduced (Daily Monitor)
PRESS STATEMENT
Prime Minister wishes Somalis a happy Ramadan after returning from Baidoa
10 Jul – Source: Prime Minister’s Media Office – 368 words
His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon today wished Somalis a happy Ramadan and called on the country to build on national unity, the foundation for a strong and secure Somalia. Returning from a two-day visit to Baidoa the capital city of Bay region in south-west Somalia, the Prime Minister said:
“Today more than ever, Ramadan brings us together as one country, united with our brothers and sisters across the Muslim world. We should use this time to consider how much stronger we are together, how unity is always more powerful than division, how together we can build a secure and successful Somalia from the ashes of war. Today I wish my fellow Somalis a safe and happy Ramadan with their families.”
The Prime Minister was speaking after making his first visit to assess the security situation in Bay region. He held a series of meetings with the regional administration, district leaders, civil society organisations, traditional leaders and security chiefs, including Somali National Army (SNA) commanders and AMISOM forces.
Discussing governance and the stabilization plan, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of pulling together to improve security in the region by defeating al Shabaab. He praised the role of AMISOM and the SNA in the region and their effective collaboration to secure the regions of Bay and Bakol.
Social welfare was a key priority, together with security, the Prime Minister said after visiting Baidoa General Hospital, stressing the need for government and civil society to come together to tackle the development challenges. “We are working hard to provide much needed social services here, healthcare being one of our top priorities,” he told health workers and patients.
It was important to build trust between the centre and the regions, the Prime Minister said in a meeting with more than 60 traditional leaders. “I am reaching out to you, the local leadership and traditional leaders who have the best interests of your community at heart,” he said. “We must work together and respond to the needs of our fellow Somalis.”
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Abdihakin Mohamud Haji Faqi, Defence Minister, Mohamed Ahmed Hassan, Commerce Minister, Mohamud Moalin Yahye, Deputy Minister for Social Development, MPs and top security officials.
SOMALI MEDIA
Holy Ramadan month begins, calls for help and mercy
10 Jul – Source: Radio Dalsan/Bar-kulan/al Shahid – 125 words
Muslims in Somali Republic have on Wednesday started their first day of the Holy Ramadan Month in the Islamic Hijra Calendar. Officials from the Somali government, well-known clerics, and local traditional leaders expressed their best wishes to the nation and called for the population to help each other and mercy among the people.
The Somali president said in a press statement that “I congratulate all Somalis by the holy month of Ramadan,” and wished to fast Somali people, the month of Ramadan in peace. He urged the Somali President in regard to the statement of the Somali people to collaborate and compassion in the holy month of Ramadan. He pointed out that he had asked Somali businessmen in a meeting with them recently to help the needy during Ramadan.
Banadir regional administration called for the people to refrain from the illegal activities during the Ramadan month. The regional administration also warned the owners of the local restaurants and bars against violating Ramadan. Elsewhere, the speaker of the federal parliament has asked the business people to support the poor and the IDP families who can not afford their livelihood.
Somali President meets with his South Sudan counterpart
10 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Somalia Today – 169 words
The President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, who is participating in the Independence Day celebrations for southern Sudan met with his counterpart President Salva Kiir in Juba, the capital of southern Sudan.
The two leaders discussed about relations between the two countries, and affairs of the Somali community in southern Sudan, and other issues concerning the two countries.
President Hassan Sheikh commended the role of the Government of Southern Sudan to embrace the Somalis in their country, adding that the Somali community in southern Sudan asked him to carry a congratulation message and to thank President Salva Kiir and his government, and his people for their respect for the community.
Delegation jets back to Somalia after meeting SA officials
10 Jul – Source: Shabelle/SNTV/Somaliweyn/
The Federal Government of Somalia recently sent a delegation from Somalia’s Foreign Ministry to South Africa to address the attacks on Somali refugees and traders in South Africa. The delegation was led by Jamal Mohamed Barrow who is the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Jamal who addressed the media at the airport elaborated on his visit to South Africa. The Assistant Minister said that they met with South Africa’s top leaders to address the difficulties the Somali Diaspora in South Africa face and laid down plans to prevent such circumstances from recurring.
The minister added that the SA officials agreed and promised to provide full protection to the Somalis in SA.
Khatumo state opposes talks between Federal Gov’t, Somaliland
10 Jul – Source: Radio Dalsan/Radio Shabelle – 148 words
The president of newly declared Khaatumo state of Somalia has officially opposed the talks between Somalia Federal Government and the breakaway region of Somaliland. “We are very upset that the federal government is negotiating with one clan of the five big clans in the northern Somalia.” President of Khaatumo state Mohamed Abdullahi said.
The leader of the small administration which is based in Taleex district of Sool region criticised the government’s role to sit with separatist leaders as he vowed that Khaatumo administration will not recognize any outcome from the Istanbul Somalia and Somaliland gathering.
The announcement from Khaatumo administration came a day before the third rounds of the talks between Somalia federal government and the Somaliland administration ended in Istanbul.
Somaliland government bans use of old Somali passport
09 Jul – Source: Somaliland Informer – 231 words
Somaliland’s Ministry of Aviation and Air Transport has announced that it has banned the use of old Somali passport that the Somali Federal Government already stopped.
According to press statement issued by Ahmed Dalal Faarah, the Director General of the Aviation Ministry said that in accordance with letter released from the office of national travel department and attached to an order from the Minister that is in charge of Aviation and at the same time it is purpose is to put the decision of banning the old Somali passport with immediate effect.
The DG of Aviation Ministry has ordered that everybody concerned must know the ban imposed upon on the green Somali passport.
IDP women safer thanks to solar lighting in Mogadishu IDP camps
09 Jul – Source: Radio Ergo – 300 words
Women among the 1,000 IDP families living in camps near the former Galayr University and Zone K area of Mogadishu’s Hodan district are especially happy with an electrification project that has brought solar powered lighting to their homes and surroundings.
The project was implemented by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). It has had a positive effect on security in the camps, where women especially have long been prey to attackers and rapists. Fatuma Ibrahim, an IDP, said it used to be impossible to go out at night for fear of bandits roaming the camps for preys. Even the toilet was out of bounds because of this sense of insecurity.
“There were no lights at night so we never used to go out, as the area was totally in darkness all over, and there were thugs roaming around, who raped women and robbed people,” she said. Radio Ergo’s local correspondent visited the camps at night and found the area well lit and people enjoying the electricity for various reasons. He described seeing children out playing football and other games in the evening in the lighted areas and having fun.
Final Communiqué of the Somaliland and Somalia Dialogue Held In Istanbul
10 Jul – Source: Somaliland Sun – 151 Words
In accordance with the framework agreements reached in Chevening, Dubai and Ankara, delegations from Somaliland and Somalia met in Istanbul between 7 and 9 July 2013 with the assistance of the Turkish Government.
In accordance with the agreements codified in the Ankara Communiqué of 13 April 2013, this round of the dialogue attempted to establish additional parameters to further clarify the relations between the two sides and gave a particular attention to issues that have arisen since the previous meeting.
Somalia and Somaliland:
1. Agreed to the return of the air traffic management from the UN and decided to establish a joint control body that is based in Hargeisa to lead the air traffic control of both sides. It is also agreed that this body will propose a mechanism for equitable revenue-sharing.
2. Committed to the continuation of the talks. The next meeting will be held in Turkey in 120 days.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Remembering the July 11, 2010 bomb blasts in Kampala
10 Jul – Source: New Vision – 172 words
Exactly 3 years ago, the Somali-based al Shabaab militants, who have close links with the world’s leading terror group, al Qaeda, attacked Uganda, killing 76 people who were watching the final of the FIFA World Cup.
The bombs went off almost simultaneously at the Kyaddondo Rugby Grounds at Lugogo and the Ethiopian Village in Kabalagala, Kampala. al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the bombings.
The Somali-based al Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the explosions, saying it was avenging the presence of Ugandan peacekeepers in the war-torn Horn of Africa country.
Salalah-Mogadishu marine service starts
10 Jul – Source: Times of Oman/ Oman News Agency – 192 words
The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has launched a new service between the Port of Salalah and Mogadishu. The first vessel carried 1,344 twenty-feet equivalent (TEU) to Salalah Port on July 6, 2013.
The new fortnightly service will carry Somali consignments to different world markets through Salalah Port. The service is in pursuance of the efforts made to enhance the existing trade between the two countries, which was estimated at $116 million.
Suban Mahd, Commercial Attaché at the Somali Embassy in the Sultanate, said, “This is a milestone achievement for Somali trade, in general, and bilateral trade between Oman and Somalia, in particular.” Peter Ford, CEO of Salalah Port, stated, “Salalah Port is very happy to act as a communication link between MSC and Somalia.”
Joseph Lenku: Kenya to open more border points to stem insecurity
10 Jul – Source: Standard Media – 271 words
Kenya plans to open more immigration border posts along the Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia borders as part of efforts to tame insecurity.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku said on Wednesday the borders are porous, huge and largely remain unmanned which has contributed to the increase of small arms and light weapons and hence insecurity in the region. He said border which measures more than 1,600 kilometers have at least three immigration posts which are not well equipped.
The equipment will boost the Border Patrol Unit’s capacity to man the Somalia- Kenya border, which remains the single largest contributing factor to the proliferation of firearms in the region.
Flight time from Entebbe to Mogadishu reduced
10 Jul – Source: Daily Monitor – 349 words
Travelling from Entebbe International Airport to Somalia has been reduced from eight hours to two hours after Air Uganda started direct flights from Entebbe to Mogadishu.
This makes Uganda’s premier airline the latest carrier to invest in Somalia’s economic recovery, with the three weekly flights it has announced on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Air Uganda’s managers say they’re targeting Somali travellers, government officials, military personnel and entrepreneurs from around the region who are keen on seeking opportunities in the country, after two decades of war.
Somalis could face death penalty over Oman piracy
10 Jul – Source: Arabian Business/Reuters – 152 words
Three Somalis have been convicted of piracy, kidnapping and murder in the 2011 shooting deaths of four Americans sailing in the Indian Ocean off of Oman and could face the death penalty, according to court documents.
The three men – and eleven others who previously pleaded guilty – boarded the Americans’ yacht armed with assault rifles and planned to sail it to Somalia and hold the Americans for ransom. Instead, the hostages were killed by the pirates as they were being trailed by US military forces.
A federal jury, which has been hearing the case since early June in US. District Court in Norfolk, found Ahmed Muse Salad, Abukar Osman Beyle and Shani Nurani Sheikh Abrar guilty on all 26 counts against them, according to court records.
Somaliland region cabinet overhaul draws mixed reviews
09 Jul – Source: Sabahi Online – 807 words
Somaliland regional President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo’s decision to re-shuffle his cabinet and increase its size will strain limited economic resources unnecessarily and change little in the region, political analysts and opposition leaders say.
On June 25th, Silanyo announced the most sweeping change to his cabinet since coming to power in 2010, dismissing seven members, moving others and increasing the number of cabinet members from 33 to 45.
Silanyo dismissed Interior Minister Mohamed Nur Arraleh, Health Minister Hussein Muhumed Mohamed, Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Abdullahi Jama Geljire, Industry Minister Abdirizak Ali Osman, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Ali Elmi Gheleh, Deputy Minister of Commerce Aden Diriye Egal, and Deputy Minister of Education Ali Hamud Jibril.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Four Sri Lankan sailors rescued
10 Jul – Source: Daily News – 115 words
The External Affairs Ministry yesterday said four out of six Sri Lankan sailors on board MV Albedo which had sunk in rough seas off the Somali coast were rescued by the EU Naval Force.
According to the Sri Lankan mission in Kenya, a search and rescue operation was conducted by the EU Naval Force using patrol craft in the areas looking for survivors , External Affairs Ministry spokesman Rodney Perera said.
This ship MV Albedo was en route to Kenya when she was captured by the Somali pirates in 2010 with a crew of 23 sailors comprising six Sri Lankans, seven Pakistanis, seven Bangladeshis, two Indians and an Iranian.
Three Somali Pirates Convicted In Yacht Hijacking That Left 4 Americans Dead
10 Jul – Source: AP – 251 words
All three Somalis convicted by a federal jury on murder, piracy and other charges stemming from a yacht hijacking that left four Americans dead will face potential death sentences at sentencing later this month, including a man defense attorneys had claimed was mentally handicapped. Court records show the jury found Ahmed Muse Salad, Abukar Osman Beyle and Shani Nurani Shiekh Abrar guilty on all 26 counts against them late Monday. Of those, 22 counts are eligible for the death penalty. The charges stemmed from the hijacking of the yacht Quest in February 2011.
The yacht’s owners, Jean and Scott Adam of Marina del Rey, Calif., and their friends, Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay of Seattle, were shot to death several days after they were taken hostage at sea as the U.S. Navy tried to negotiate their release. The Americans were taken hostage by 19 men who intended to bring them back to Somalia where they hoped to ransom them for millions of dollars. They were the first U.S. citizens killed in a wave of pirate attacks that have plagued the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean in recent years.
Defense attorneys for Salad had argued he should not be eligible for the death penalty because they claimed he is mentally handicapped. Defense documents say Salad has a low IQ, a poor memory and had difficulty functioning as a child in Somalia. Defense attorneys also noted in court filings that his co-defendants describe Salad as “slow” and inept at fishing.
UN concerned over humanitarian situation in Kismayo
10 Jul – Source: Press TV – 213 words
As rival clan militias continue to fight for the control of the southern Somali city of Kismayo, the United Nations expresses concern over the humanitarian situation there.
Hundreds of families are reportedly fleeing Kismayo as forces loyal to rival warlords who claim the leadership of a new state called Jubbaland clashed in June. The violence left more than fifty people dead and many others seriously injured. Most of the injured were flown to Mogadishu.
Somalia Urged To Ensure Protection Of Journalists
09 Jul – Source: RTT News – 352 Words
The U.N. envoy in Somalia on Monday underscored the importance of protecting journalists and defending press freedom in the Horn of Africa nation, following the killing of a television reporter a day earlier. Libaan Abdullahi Farah ‘Qaran,’ a reporter for Kalsan TV based in Gaalkacyo, the capital of the north-central region of Mudug, was reportedly shot dead while returning home from work on Sunday.
Nicholas Kay, the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, and to all media professionals in Somalia.
“UNSOM is dedicated to working with Somali authorities to strengthen the security and justice sectors in order to ensure that Somalia is safe and that perpetrators of violent crime are brought to justice,” he said in a news release. Kay also noted that this is a “politically tense” period in Puntland ahead of local elections, and he called for restraint on the part of all political actors.
UKAID/FAO aided Somali groups showcase work of new enterprises
09 Jul – Source: FAO Somalia – 306 words
Three Somali enterprises formed out a UK funded programme have, for the first time, showcased what is seen as new and promising kind of investment opportunities along the livestock value chain.
The 3-day event ending today, organized by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization in the Somali city of Hargeisa, was one of the first attempts to court Somali communities to buy in to the new products along the livestock value chain. The new by-products include, cheese, sausages, yogurt, leather shoes, belts and bags, soap from camel bone marrow and jewelry among others.
“With these successful initiatives, I strongly believe that we can now focus standardizing these products and start, not only reducing reliance on imports, but also exporting to regional markets,” said Sa’ad Ali Shire, Somaliland’s Minister of Planning and Development. About 65 percent of the Somali population depends on livestock, a sector that has seen tremendous growth since Gulf State lifted a 9-year ban on Somali livestock exports.
Japan to pursue international watchdog participation against sea piracy
09 Jul – Source: Japan Daily Press – 213 words
Japan is extending its part in keeping maritime order in the international community as the Maritime Self-Defense Force has been allowed to continue its participation to battle the pirates of Somalia.
The two governments have come to an agreement of having the Maritime SDF keep their post in the waters surrounding the Horn of Africa. The agreement had been signed on Tuesday by top security and Cabinet officials of Japan and Somalia.
Piracy has been a major dilemma of commercial shipping lines passing through the waters of Somalia and the Indian Ocean. From 2009 to 2011, the Defense Ministry had recorded 200 annual piracy attacks. The number of attacks decreased in 2012, but concerns still remain. Besides Japan, Australia, Pakistan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom have also joined the fight.
Community rebuilds after ‘Islamophobic’ arson attack
09 Jul – Source: Channel 4 – 06: 49 min
The arson attack on the al-Rahma community centre in north London – blamed on the EDL – has left local Somalis and their children deeply affected. Will the area and its people ever recover?
It was around 4am in the early morning of 5 June when Abubakar Ali’s door was knocked by someone calling his name, writes Channel 4 News reporter Jamal Osman. Abubakar knew it wasn’t going to be good news. And he was right. His brother Omar gave the bad news: “The community centre is on fire.”
“It was one of the biggest shocks in my life,” Abubakar told me. Last month the al-Rahma Centre, a Somali community project in Muswell Hill, north London, was burned down in what appear to be an Islamaphobic attack.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Although Abdul left Somalia at a very young age, he still comfortably speaks his mother tongue – Somali – and he feels a lot of affection for his native country. Deep in his heart and in his daily Melbourne life, his thoughts are with his family with whom he communicates on a regular basis. His love for his mother who couldn’t be close to him for many years is also the same love that he expresses for his motherland. He is able to share an interesting cultural insight of Somalia because his mother has described and reminded him of their life back in Somalia.”
Strong for Somalia: The Unbroken Bond between a Young Man and His Native Country
09 Jul – Source: Far From Africa – 713 Words
Jutting out into the Indian Ocean, in the ancient times Somalia had the international reputation of being a one-stop port for commerce. Sadly Somalia is nowadays known for the recurring humanitarian crises and the civil war that broke out in 1991 which has affected countless families including Abdul’s.
Abdul was born in Mogadishu in the south of Somalia, also known as the White Pearl of the Indian Ocean, one year before the outbreak of the war. Although he left his country at a very young age, the thought of Somalia brings back beautiful memories of his childhood and his happy family and community life. “Tribalism is a very big topic in Somalia. We can talk to someone from a different tribe but we are always conscious of our differences and we make sure that we don’t encroach upon their groups. A common social practice in Somalia is to gather and talk of many topics such as sports and other tribes”.
For a better picture of this tribal mosaic, Somalia is the land of many clans. There are five mains clans (Darod, Dir, Hawiye, Isaaq and Rahanweyn) which are divided into numerous sub-clans. Abdul is a Majerteen and his tribe falls into the Darod clan. Abdul shares an interesting point about Somalia with Islam being the distinguishing denominator from other countries in the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea). Islam is the main religion and unifies all Somali groups. “We may disagree in many matters but at the end of the day, we all believe in one god and the same principles”.
“This is the stuffs that real pirate hijacking of Somali origin are made out of, not the type of skulls and sword of the Jolly Roger flag but the real deal of skinny fishermen turn pirate with Kalashnikovs that turn deadly, whose lives have little meaning beyond survival by any means necessary.”
Stolen Seas, Somali Piracy Debunked: An Interview with the filmmaker
09 Jul – Source: Wardheer News – 1362 Words
Stolen Seas is yet another “Pirate” documentary for a world that has become obsessed with Somali Piracy. The filmmaker follows the hijacking of the CEC Future; a Danish owned ship flying with a “Bahamas” flag (big companies rent flags from mostly poor countries to bypass legal restriction) that was hijacked while traveling off the coast of Somalia in 2008.
It’s all too surreal as it should be that malnourished teens with mysterious faces hidden behind colorful shawls are running the scheme. We soon come to find out through Mr. Thymaya Payne’s lenses Somali piracy is much more complex and yet very simple in its inception. In 90 minutes Mr. Payne manages to bring Ship industry experts, piracy Somali_Pirate_High Sea experts, Somali political figures, the history of the Somali civil war and those adversely affected by the hijacking.
The film delves into the politics that may have had a hand in Piracy, we come to know in the film that pirates are a causality of their own history, that of the Cold war and the dumping of endless old weapon that have made meek –weak nomad fishermen into destructive and destructible pirates.
Top tweets
@SomaliaNewsroom #Somaliland–#Somalia in Turkey: return of air traffic mgmt from UN/establishment of joint control body based in #Hargeisa; talks ~120 days.
@OCHASom Fewer pple fleeing #Somalia, 21,000 since Jan ’13, 78,000 in ’12 and 295,000 in ’11 http://bit.ly/12fftLE @UNHCRso http://twitpic.com/d1tk96.
@t_mcconnell Interview with British kidnap victim Judith Tebbutt, held in #Somalia for six months http://bit.ly/12W3xwZ by@KiraCochrane for @guardian.
@petermartell Judith Tebbutt on #Somalia kidnap: if someone’s fighting your corner ‘shining a light for you, that is everything’ http://t.co/sFAoQfLBfn.
@ferigom69 ‘Durable Solutions’ – Refugee Perspectives On Return to Somal http://allafrica.com/c/-4t3QR #somalia vía@allafrica #somalia.
Image of the day
A government soldier walks past the shell of a damaged vehicle after an explosion near the main market in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu July 9, 2013. Photo: Reuters.