July 12, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Somali leaders send condolences on death of Somalia’s ambassador to South Africa

12 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/ SNTV/ Universal TV/ al Shahid – 178 words

Somali government leaders sent condolences to the Somali people on the death of Sayid Sharif Somalia’s ambassador in South Africa. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud said in a press statement “I would like to express my sadness the death of our Ambassador to South Africa”, offering condolences to his family and the people of Somalia.

Somali President said that the late Sayid Sharif was the first Somali ambassador in South Africa, and made â€‹â€‹a great effort to strengthen relations between the two countries. For his part, the Somali Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari sent condolences to the Somali people in the death of the ambassador, pleading to God for forgiveness.

The Somali Prime Minister also expressed in a press statement his deep sorrow about the death of Somalia’s ambassador in South Africa. Sayid Sharif who was Somalia’s ambassador in South Africa died Wednesday morning in the city of Pretoria in South Africa after a struggle with diabetes and blood pressure.

Key Headlines

Somali leaders send condolences on death of Somalia’s ambassador to South Africa (Radio Mogadishu/ SNTV/ Universal TV/ al Shahid)
Dadaab refugees use skills learnt in prison to improve their lives (Radio Ergo)
Ethiopia discharges responsibility in supporting refugees: Ethiopian Premier (Walta Information Centre/ ENA)
President Farole calls on the public to support Puntland elections (Garowe Online/Hiiraan Online)
Somaliland President Silanyo Inaugurates New Quran Recitation FM Radio Channel (Somaliland Press)
Humanitarian crisis takes hold in Kismayo while rivals vie for power (Sabahi Online)
A very British export: guns and mercenaries to fight piracy in Somalia (Guardian)
Somalia raises minimum journalist age to 40 (Africa Report)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali leaders send condolences on death of Somalia’s ambassador to South Africa

12 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/ SNTV/ Universal TV/ al Shahid – 178 words

The Somali Prime Minister also expressed in a press statement his deep sorrow about the death of Somalia’s ambassador in South Africa. Sayid Sharif who was Somalia’s ambassador in South Africa died Wednesdaymorning in the city of Pretoria in South Africa after a struggle with diabetes and blood pressure.

Dadaab refugees use skills learnt in prison to improve their lives

12 Jul – Source: Radio Ergo – 310 words

Somali refugees who have served prison sentences in Kenya are using skills they learnt in jail in their new lives back in the refugee camps. Sidik Ismail Kosar, 27, was sentenced to seven years in Nairobi’s Kamiti prison for a violent crime committed in Hagadera camp in 2004. When he was released, he decided to use the many skills he had been taught to benefit himself.

“Although life in prison was difficult, it helped me too, as I learnt sewing, carpentry and farming skills in the prison. I now use the sewing skills I learnt in jail to earn my livelihood,” Sidik said.Farhan Mohamed Ismail, 20, spent one and a half years n remand in Shimo la Tewa prison, coast province, on a rape charge. He was found not guilty and released. He said the time behind bars changed him for the better.

“I did not used to attend school while in Hagardere,” he said. “I changed a great deal in prison; I shun all those things that used to waste my time. I benefitted from education; I did not speak Swahili before, now I do. I also learnt the skill of sewing, got a certificate to prove that, and now I use that skill to earn my daily bread.”

Sidik and his prison companions are presently engaged in an awareness campaign for their fellow youth in Hagadera camp, urging them to turn away from criminal activities and lead a positive life.

President Farole calls on the public to support Puntland elections

11 Jul – Source: Garowe Online/Hiiraan Online – 146 words

The president of Somalia’s Puntland government Abdirahman Mohamed Farole has called on Puntland people to support the change and give their vote in the upcoming District Council elections slated for July 15, Garowe Online reports.

Addressing Horseed political association supporters Wednesday in a public symposium at the association’s’ headquarters in Garowe, President Farole said that the ongoing democratization process in Puntland has been an epicenter for his pledges during Puntland’s 2008 presidential election campaign and the current administration will endeavor for its accomplishment.

“Vote for any Political Association, even don’t give your vote to Horseed Political Association but vote for the Political Association that you like and has the most convincing political agenda,” said President Farole, adding: “There has been anti-democracy groups who wanted to doom the process to failure but they themselves failed politically and anybody who commits crime or insecurity will face the justice.”

Somaliland: Foodstuff Prices skyrocket during Ramadan

11 Jul – Source: Somaliland Informer – 255 words

As the holy month of Ramadan fasting commenced on Wednesday, prices of basic foodstuffs skyrocketed for the last two days in Hargeisa, Somaliland capital city. Local residents shopped and stocked for the basic food commodities during the month-long Ramadan fasting and food price hike can be felt in the main markets o the city according to certain residents.

The staple food items that local residents consume during the month of fasting will have profound impact on the poor families that cannot afford to buy basic food items that rose sharply.

A market survey in Hargeisa shows that prices of food stuff have significantly increased from what they used to be in the past couple o weeks before Ramadan started. Some commodities that have witnessed noticeable increases include dates which are now sold 19 dollars while it was sold 10 dollars before Ramadan.

Somaliland President Silanyo Inaugurates New Quran Recitation FM Radio Channel

11 Jul – Source: Somaliland Press – 159 words

Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (silanyo) in a well-attended ceremony officially commissioned a new Quran Recitation FM radio channel which will be based at the Headquarters of Somaliland Ministry of Information and National Guidance.

President Silanyo took the opportunity to send Ramadan greetings to Somalilanders wherever there are, he went on to say “Ramadan is a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.

President Silanyo cautioned those who issue statements to incite and sow the seeds of hatred in order to undermine the fledging peace in the country. “Those using defaming tactics should know my tolerance has limits and I will not tolerate anyone trying to disturb the peace we enjoy and I urge them to refrain from the cheap idle talk or the usage of obscene words or else they shall face the consequences.

EU money to build classrooms in refugee camps

10 Ju – Source: Radio Ergo – 247 words

The EU’s director of educational programmes, Mohamed Mahad Sabul, has told Radio Ergo that a 3.5 million Euro education project launched at the start of this year will build 46 classrooms for schools in the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya and will give special trainings to 240 teachers.

Sabul said more than 220,000 children and young people in the refugee camps missed out on schooling. Only 30% of children of school age were actually attending school. Only 20% of girls were in school. The director attributed the low school attendance in the camps to limited school capacity, in terms of space, equipment and teachers.

The Dadaab refugee camps in North-Eastern Kenya accommodate half a million Somali refugees. It has 30 schools supported by UNHCR, including only six secondary schools. Many students who complete primary education do not get a place in secondary school.

The EU project will also build and equip laboratories for the secondary schools in the camps. It will be executed by Save the Children organization. The project will also provide vocational training, computer studies and IT classes to thousands of young people. There will also be scholarships for the top 10 students from the camps to study in universities in Kenya, Somalia and other countries.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Ethiopia discharges responsibility in supporting refugees: Ethiopian Premier

12 Jul – Source: Walta Information Centre/ ENA – 206 words

While holding talks with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres here on Thursday, PM Hailemariam said that the country is giving the necessary support to refugees coming from neighbouring countries in particular Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia.

The Premier said Ethiopia has an age old culture to give shelter to refugees and it has given them the right to movement in any part of its territory. According to ENA, half of the stated number of refugees are Somalis and Eritrean refugees stand second next to Somalis.

Humanitarian crisis takes hold in Kismayo while rivals vie for power

11 Jul – Source: Sabahi Online – 788 words

Continuing battles between forces loyal to Jubbaland presidential rivals are exacerbating the already strained humanitarian situation for civilians in Kismayo as security in the city continues to break down, relief workers say.

Last month alone, at least 71 people died and 300 were wounded in the fighting. The escalating insecurity has caused a halt to humanitarian aid and services to the city, leaving hospitals without supplies and people without food and shelter.

Ras Kamboni leader Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, former Somali Minister of Defence Colonel Barre Adam Shire Hirale and others each have laid claim to the Jubaland regional presidency.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

A very British export: guns and mercenaries to fight piracy in Somalia

12 Jul – Source: Guardian – 213 words

In the genteel world of clay pigeon and game shooting, the Sportsman Gun Centre is something of a household name as Britain’s leading purveyor of hunting rifles and related paraphernalia ranging from silk ties adorned with pheasant motifs, through moleskin breeks and tweed gilets, to full camouflage suits.

Lately however, the Exeter-based company appears to have been branching out into rather more exotic territory: details released by the government under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that it received licences last year to export more than 1,000 assault rifles, combat shotguns, pistols and other weapons to Sri Lanka.

The licences were granted at a time when UK arms exports to the south Asian country have been on the increase. Sri Lanka was the stated destination for military items worth more than £3m in just three months last year. More than £2m of those exports was under the “ML1” label – used by the UK’s Export Control Organisation (ECO) to denote small arms and weapons.

Yet, rather than going to the military of a country still classified by the Foreign Office as a “country of concern” for human rights abuses, the weapons sales are an apparent spin-off from a boom area for many British businesses – the protection of shipping from Somali pirates.

Somalia raises minimum journalist age to 40

11 Jul – Source: Africa Report – 272 Words

Somalia, with a history of repressing journalism, has set the minimum age at 40 for anyone intending to practice as a journalist in the country. Information minister Abdullahi Ilmoge Hirsi announced the decision today, made by a committee chaired by Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid.

“We invited the Somalia media and journalists last February to a meeting, which the government asked them their ideas and views towards the new law that has been passed today by the cabinet ministers,” said Mr Hirsi.

“They (journalists) came up with their clues and ideas last May, then we included them, so this law is what they have suggested” The new law has angered Somali journalists.

“What the government have done is unacceptable and against freedom of speech,” says Nur Hassan, a 25-year-old former BBC journalist from Mogadishu, currently exiled in Nairobi after death threats from terror group al Shabaab. “This law cannot improve the Somali media future,” adds Hassan. “They are ruining my future and they are ruining the profession.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“…the SFG has lost a major political point for surrendering a national asset to Somaliland – effectively awarding separatism, while gaining nothing in return.”

Somalia: Somaliland scores big against Federal Government at Istanbul talks [Analysis]

12 Jul – Source: Garowe Online/Somaliland Sun – 977 Words

The Communiqué on the political talks between Somali Federal Government (SFG) and Somaliland’s separatist administration indicates a big political score for Somaliland, as the SFG surrendered too much in the early stages of political negotiations, in hopes of achieving bigger goals.

SFG Interior Minister Abdikarim Hussein Guled and Somaliland Commerce Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Omar signed the document, entitled “Communique of the Somaliland and Somalia Dialogue Held in Istanbul on 7-9 July 2013”. The talks were hosted by the Turkish government for the second time since April.

Turkish Foreign Minister sits between SFG and Somaliland delegations, Istanbul July 7, 2013 While referencing prior agreements – Chevening, Dubai and Ankara – the document highlights that SFG and Somaliland delegations engaged in three days of deliberations at the Istanbul talks and concluded with a three-point agreement.

While Clause 2 “Committed to the continuation of talks” and Clause 3, “The next meeting will be held in Turkey within 120 days” emphasize political rhetoric, it is Clause 1 that issues practical declarations that catch everyone’s eye:

“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,” the agreement read.

Top tweets

@Refugees ‘Moment of hope’ as U.N. to help 60,000 Somali refugees go home http://rfg.ee/mSLk2 v @Reuters #Somalia.

@amisomsomalia The healing power of #sports told by a young #Somali #basketball player & entrepreneurhttp://bit.ly/176Nm4v oo pic.twitter.com/d9Sd35BpHn.

@ferigom69 A very British export: guns and mercenaries to fight piracy in Somalia | @scoopit http://sco.lt/6WAG1J #somalia #piracy.

@OECDdev @SolheimDAC with the Federal Government of Somalia & international community TODAY to discuss#NewDeal implementation in Somalia.

@unicefsomalia #Somalia–@eu_echo -funding will help provide ready to use food to 16,000 children under 5 yrs suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

Follow the conversation →

Image of the day

Image of the day Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamed, right, meets Erik Solheim, Chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), centre, and Michele Cervone d’Urso EU Special Envoy and Ambassador to Somalia, at his office, Villa Somalia in Mogadishu, Somalia. Photo: Hiiraan Online.