July 19, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report
Somali President Meets With Somaliland Officials In Brussels
19 July – Source: Shabelle Media – 176 Words
Somali President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, is reported to have held talks with officials from the northern breakaway region of Somaliland during the Somalia Partnership Forum in Brussels, Belgium. Sources say President Farmajo met with Somaliland’s Opposition leader, Faisal Ali Warabe and former President of the now-defunct Khatumo State, Ali Khalif Galayr, and discussed a wide range of issues.
Warabe, who is the chairman of Justice and Welfare (UCID) party, said the meeting which took place on the sidelines of the partnership forum, focused on ways to working as a team towards Somalia’s development. He revealed that the talks also touched on the escalating tension between Somaliland and Puntland in Tukaraq village, in the northern Sool region. To date the conflict has claimed lives of many.
President Farmajo and members of the international community have in the past urged the warring regional administrations to end their hostilities through dialogue. The tension in Tukaraq emerged last January after Somaliland forces captured the town from Puntland troops following a battle that led to hundreds of families abandoning their homes.
Key Headlines
- Somali President Meets With Somaliland Officials In Brussels (Shabelle Media)
- Two Al-Shabaab Fighters Killed In Qoryooley Town After Gun Battle With SNA (Halbeeg News)
- Al-Shabaab Kidnap Elderly Men From Gedo Region (Hiiraan Online)
- Qatar Calls For Radical Solutions To Somalia’s Crisis (The Peninsula)
- UAE Reiterates Commitment To Somalia’s Unity Security And Stability (Emirates News Agency)
- Ali Haji Warsame: An Interview (Wardheere News)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Two Al-Shabaab Fighters Killed In Qoryooley Town After Gun Battle With SNA
19 July – Source: Halbeeg News – 154 Words
The Somali National Army (SNA) killed two Al-Shabaab fighters and wounded several others Wednesdayevening after heavily armed Al-Shabaab fighters attempted to stage an attack on a military camp in Qoryooley town. Al-Shabaab fighters have been staging attacks against SNA and AMISOM forces since 2007 when the African Union deployed continental forces to Somalia. Qoryooley Deputy District Commissioner, Mohamed Abdi Gashan said Somali military forces managed to repulse the attempted attack on the town.
Mr. Gashan said the 8.30pm attack found the Somali Army on high alert. “Al-Shabaab fighters attempted to attack the camp and the town from different sides but they were repulsed,” he said. Two Al-Shabaab fighters and several others were injured during the gun battle according to the official: “We have seen two bodies of Al-Shabaab fighters and several others were wounded, while one of our soldiers sustained light injuries,” he stated. Al-Shabaab is yet to comment on this development.
Al-Shabaab Kidnap Elderly Men From Gedo Region
19 July – Source: Hiiraan Online – 109 Words
News from southern Somalia, Gedo region, indicate that that members of the Al-Shabaab militia group have kidnapped two elderly men. Briefing the media, Gedo Governor Mohamed Mohamud said the hostages were neither employees of the Gedo administration nor the Federal Government. He explained they may have been abducted for other unknown reasons.
The Governor added: “Two young men who were kidnapped alongside the elderly men, were released while the senior citizens are still held by Al-Shabaab”. Nonetheless, there are conflicting reports to the effect that the two elderly hostages, Abdullahi Kosow Mohamed and Ahmed Omar, are local district commissioners. Al-Shabaab is yet to comment on the kidnap drama.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Qatar Calls For Radical Solutions To Somalia’s Crisis
19 July – Source: The Peninsula – 319 Words
The State of Qatar has invited the international community to join forces to find radical solutions to the crisis in Somalia so that it can maintain its sovereignty and achieve national reconciliation, noting the efforts and concrete steps taken by Somalia at all levels for the benefit of the Somali people.
This came in a speech delivered by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, at the International Partnership Forum on Somalia on Tuesday in Brussels, Belgium. The Minister of State said that the broad participation of the international community in the Forum affirms the common will to find radical solutions to the Somali crisis so that the country can maintain its sovereignty, achieve national reconciliation, establish security on its territory, build its institutions and provide a decent living for its people. “This can only be achieved through joining the efforts of the international community,” he said.
“In order to build on the momentum that has been achieved, we must continue to make initiatives to support Somalia, honour the commitments we made, respect Somalia’s sovereignty and not interfere in its internal affairs, in accordance with international law and the political declarations made in this regard, in addition to providing full support in the fight against terrorism, which we condemn regardless of its pretexts, and strengthening cooperation between the federal government and all its states without marginalising any party,” the Minister added.
He emphasized the importance of increasing support for African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), particularly the by United Nations, pursuant to Chapter VIII of the Charter. He affirmed that the State of Qatar would continue providing relief assistance to Somalia and other affected countries, thus assuming its responsibility as an active and responsible member of the international community, out of the belief that peace, security, development and human rights are interdependent and are the only way to avoid extremism, violence and terrorism.
UAE Reiterates Commitment To Somalia’s Unity, Security And Stability
19 July – Source: Emirates News Agency – 696 Words
Mohammed Issa Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, EU and Luxembourg, has reiterated the UAE’s commitment towards the people of Somalia and its support for efforts aimed at bringing unity, security and stability to Somalia and addressing security, political and developmental challenges in the Horn of Africa.
He welcomed the latest positive development between Ethiopia and Eritrea. ”The UAE is willing to work with regional and international partners to build on this historic achievement to enhance peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.” ”Over the recent years, the UAE has always been at the forefront of international efforts to support Somalia and restore peace and stability to its people. Towards this end, the UAE has provided humanitarian and developmental assistance, security training as well as financial and logistic support for its armed forces. We also supported efforts to combat maritime piracy off the coast of Somalia and contributed funds to regional development projects,” said the UAE ambassador while addressing the international stakeholders gathered in Brussels for the Somalia Partnership Forum (SPF).
Organised by the European Union together with the Federal Government of Somalia and Sweden from 16th to 17th July, the event aimed to mobilise the international community to step up support for Somalia’s efforts to build a more secure and prosperous political, economic and security future following years of conflict. Representatives from 58 countries and 6 international organisations gathered in Brussels to participate in the 2nd SPF, following the successful inaugural SPF in Mogadishu on the 5th of December 2017.
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“The people in Puntland unanimously view Al-Shabaab and ISIS as the enemy and they are ready to fight these radical groups that espouse a brand of religion that is contrary to Islam and the Sharia.”
Ali Haji Warsame: An Interview
19 July – Source: Wardheere News – 1747 Words
Ali Haji Warsame is a veteran Somali public figure who was the Education Minister of Puntland between 2014 and 2015, a presidential candidate in the federal elections of 2016, a former Puntland presidential candidate in 2014, and a member of the Puntland Focus Group. He is expected to run in the Puntland presidential elections in January 2019. He spoke to Wardheere News. Below are excerpts of the interview.
WardheerNews (WDN): Are you officially running in the Puntland presidential election? Ali Haji Warsame: It is too early to say. Unlike the federal elections in Mogadishu, Puntland presidential campaigns start very late. What is more important now is to ensure that the elections take place on time (January 8, 2019) fairly and freely with all the necessary arrangements done on consensus.
WDN: Is there any possibility that Puntland President Abdiweli Gaas will postpone the elections? Warsame: There is always that possibility, but I believe any extension of his term, which is to expire on January 8, 2019, will be unconstitutional. Many Puntlanders, including myself, will fight any attempt to delay the elections.
WDN: Is Puntland ready for one-man, one-vote in 2019? Warsame: A one-man, one-vote election is not going to happen because the current government led by Professor Gaas failed to honor its commitment to the people of Puntland and the regional state is not ready for that. There are security, constitutional, and administrative problems that hinder such elections from taking place. There is no multiparty system, and no electoral council, no census has been done, and the TPEC (Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission) isn’t actually functioning due to lack of funds and time constraints. For an election like that to happen, there must be a process to follow, and there is none now.
WDN: What is the solution? Warsame: We have to go back to the old 2014 system of electing a President within the constitutional framework. That system had Elders selecting 66 MPs (Members of Parliament) who will in turn elect a President. In its final session, the current Parliament has to pass what is called a “constitutional attachment” for the 2019 elections—that is the legal framework that will govern the electoral process for the 2019 to 2023 presidential and legislative terms. Then, the Puntland President has to issue a decree to form a Vetting Committee, in consultation with the Parliament, elders, and the candidates, to tackle the nitty gritty details of the elections. A senior security official, who is trusted by all—including the President, the elders, Parliament, and the candidates—has to be appointed to oversee security matters during the elections. There must be free media accessibility and equal air time accorded to all candidates
TOP TWEETS
@taakulosom: As part of a Recovery Program to restore the condition of the families who lost their animals to drought@DM_AID has provided families with livestock as a means to tackle the impact of the drought.@DanishMFA @akobaek@DM_AID @DanishMFA @akobaek
@AliHoshow: The north and south of #Somalia are one body. President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmaajo) in the center, from the left Eng. Faisal Ali Warabe, leader of the Justice and Welfare Party (UCID) in #Somaliland, and on the right, Prof. Ali Khalif Galaid, a former #Somali PM.
@joaoscarpelini: Today, the Somali National #YouthCouncil held its first consultation in #Benadir. Working w/ @hon_khadija & MoYS team, the council is creating a platform for #SomaliYouthto voice their needs & aspirations! Next the Council will take the discussions to all regions of #Somalia!
@HarunMaruf: Here is the picture you have been waiting for from Brussels. Pres @M_Farmaajo meets with Somaliland opposition leader Faysal Ali Warabe (left) and (ex) Khaatumo leader Ali Khalif Gallaydh (right). #Somalia
@TaekwndoSomalia: Day 2 – #Somalia Taekwondo National Team at the Parade for All African Youth Games – 2018 Opening Ceremony @TaekwndoSomalia raised the #Somali flag at the July 5th Stadium in Algeria’s capital city, Algiers. @AstaanSport@elmi11_ahmed @Asahaaf @Riovice @DalsanFM@Fatumaabdulahi
@PolandMFA: Deputy FM #Papierz attends#SomaliaPartnershipForum in Brussels.Forum aimed to analyse political developments and security challenges in #Somalia , and assess the needs stemming from the country’s grave humanitarian situation.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, Somaliland’s UCID party leader Faisal Ali Warabe and leader of Khatumo state, Ali Khalif Galaydh, during the recent Somali Partnership Forum in Brussels, Belgium.
Photo: @HarunMaruf