July 10, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

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UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Wishes Somalis a Happy Ramadhan

09 Jul- Source: UNSOM- 115 words
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, wishes the people of Somalia a Happy Ramadhan.
As Somalis join Muslims around the world to observe the holy month, SRSG Nicholas Kay said: “This is a month for spiritual reflection and a good time to ponder on the numerous things that need to be done to consolidate recent achievements. Somalia needs to continue registering tangible progress in order to sustain the commitment of the international community.”

SRSG Kay called for restraint from actions that could hold Somalia back from enjoying its rightful place among peaceful nations of the world.

“I wish all Somalis a happy and peaceful month of Ramadhan,” said SRSG Kay.

Key Headlines

Somali Prime Minister jets back to Mogadishu (Hiiraan Online)
Somali defense minister states plans to eliminate al Shabaab from Somalia (Radio Shabelle)
Somali government denies Abu Mansur talks (VOA Somali Service)
Khatumo administration rejects outcome of Somalia –Somaliland talks (Radio Shabelle)
France welcomes Somalia”s adherence to chemical weapons convention (Kuwait News Agency)
Air Uganda starts direct flights to Mogadishu (Africa Review)
In Somalia UN official spotlights plight of refugees returning to their homeland (UN News Centre)
US Court Convicts Somalis of Piracy and Murder (VOA)

PRESS STATEMENT

UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Wishes Somalis a Happy Ramadhan

SRSG Kay called for restraint from actions that could hold Somalia back from enjoying its rightful place among peaceful nations of the world.

“I wish all Somalis a happy and peaceful month of Ramadhan,” said SRSG Kay.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali Prime Minister jets back to Mogadishu

09 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/ Radio Mogadishu/Shabelle/Hiiraan Online-117 words

Abdi Farah Shirdon, Somalia’s fledgling Prime Minister on Tuesday returned to the Somali capital, Mogadishu after one-day visit to Baidoa, capital of Bay region in southern Somalia. The Prime Minister while in Baidoa held talks with local elders and intellectuals, civil groups and officials of AU peacekeeping forces in the region. Shirdon was accompanied by some of his cabinet ministers including the defense and trade ministers, as well as some members of the Somali Federal Parliament. The Prime Minister visited key places such as Baidoa general hospital where a number of patients are being treated.This is the Prime Minister’s first visit to assess security situation of Bay region where al Shabaab still remains active.

Somali defense minister states plans to eliminate al Shabaab from Somalia

09 Jul- Source: Radio Shabelle- 80 words

During a press conference in Baidoa, Somali defense minister Abdihakim Haji Fiqi said that the allied forces have started plans to eradicate al Shabaab fighters inside Somalia. The minister added that the AMISOM troops and the federal government troops will launch planned attacks on al Shabaab fighters in South and central Somalia. The minister’s remarks comes as the federal government troops have intensified fighting in Bay and Bakol regions of Somalia.

Somali government denies Abu Mansur talks

09 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/VOA Somali Service/Garowe Online- 136 words

Somali Federal government has refuted reports suggesting that talks with Sheikh Mukhtar Robow (better known as Abu Mansur), a senior al Qaeda-linked Islamist leader are underway in Bakol region where he hails from. Speaking to the VOA Somali service, western-backed government’s defense minister Abdihakin Hajji Mohamud Fiqi said that reports suggesting Abu Mansur is in talks with the government are baseless and unfounded information. He added that the Somali Federal government is welcoming and will ensure safety and better life for whoever wants to renounce violence and ask forgiveness.

Khatumo administration rejects outcome of Somalia –Somaliland talks

09 Jul- Source: Radio Shabelle- 139 words
The president of Khatumo state of Somalia has opposed the current meeting held in Istanbul between the federal republic of Somalia and the Somaliland administration. Mohamed Yusuf Jama has termed the talks as illegal and and added that the talks holds no values to Somalis in general. The president has called on the federal government to terminate the talks and urged the government to continue representing the Somali public in the whole of Somalia. Mr. Jama said that it was unfortunate of a recognized government to hold talks to a single state and sidelining other states in the country.

REGIONAL MEDIA

France welcomes Somalia”s adherence to chemical weapons convention

09 Jul- Source: Kuwait News Agency- 262 words

France said on Tuesday that it praised the decision by Somalia to adhere to the Paris Convention banning chemical weapons, which was originally agreed in 1993 and came into force in 1997. The convention sets out a processes for disbarment and the total eradication of one category of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Air Uganda starts direct flights to Mogadishu

09 Jul- Source: Africa Review- 274 words

Privately-owned carrier Air Uganda has started direct flights from Entebbe to Mogadishu, joining the ranks of airlines that are servicing the recovering country. Somali government officials and Ugandan diplomatsTuesday held a ceremony at Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport to flag off operations. “This kind of direct links between Somalia and Uganda is an indication of the development being attained by Somalia after years of civil conflict,” Nathan Mugisha, the deputy Ugandan Ambassador to Somalia and a former commander in the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) said.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

In Somalia, UN official spotlights plight of refugees returning to their homeland

09 Jul- Source: UN News Centre- 401 words

The United Nations refugee chief today expressed solidarity with the Somali people during a visit to Mogadishu, particularly the hundreds of thousands who have fled the country and are seeking to return to their homeland after two decades of conflict. “This is a moment of hope for the people of Somalia,” said High Commissioner for Refugees Ant?nio Guterres, adding that his agency (UNHCR) will be working with Somalia and the host countries to be prepared when the time arrives to repatriate those who fled the country and who have “suffered on a scale that is beyond measurement.”

US Court Convicts Somalis of Piracy and Murder

09 Jul- Source: VOA- 171 words

A U.S. federal court has found three Somali men guilty of hijacking a boat and killing four Americans in 2011 off the coast of Somalia. Following a five week jury trial in Norfolk, Virginia, Ahmed Muse Salad, Abukar Osman Beyle and Shani Nurani Sheikh Abrar were found guilty Monday on all 26 counts against them, including piracy and murder. They face the possibility of the death penalty during a sentencing on July 22.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The reasoning that money service business accounts are to be closed to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing is counter-intuitive. Closing legal channels of transferring money will only encourage people to send money, either for legitimate or ‘nefarious’ reasons, through illegal channels. This will make tracing the flow of funds impossible, and will greatly increase the likelihood that funds will channelled for these illegal uses.”

Somalia/money transfer: Barclays Decision Threatens Efforts to Build Lasting Peace and Security

09 July- Source: African Arguments-1414 Words

A recent decision by Barclays Bank to close the accounts of 250 money transfer organisations working around the world will have a particularly severe effect on Somalia’s efforts to emerge from two decades of conflict. The timing of this decision could not have been worse; just when the country has formed the first government to be internationally recognized in two decades, when piracy is at a historic low, and the al Shabaab insurgents seem to be weakening, the main channels by which remittances, foreign investment and international aid funds flow to reach those who need them are in danger of being closed down. A study recently conducted by FAO’s Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit, based on interviews with over 700 households in Puntland and Somaliland, estimated that 42% of the population relies on remittances. These funds are used for basic food, education and medical expenses, as well as to start up small businesses and settle debts. One third of recipients said that if remittances were stopped they would not be able to afford basic food. More than 80% of the sample relies on a single sender of remittance support, and 93% of recipients get their money through Somali money transfer organisations.