July 22, 2016 | Daily Monitoring Report
Clans In Warsheikh Accept Ceasefire
22 July – Source : Goobjoog News – 134 Words
A ceasefire has taken an effect after days of vicious fighting in Warsheekh town, which claimed several lives.Traditional elders arrived in the town to mediate in the conflict.Dozens were injured in the latest string of clashes after two armed militiamen, loyal to the two warring tribes, engaged in bloody battles.
After lengthy joint mediation efforts by respected clan elders and politicians, a ceasefire was agreed upon with members of the two warring clans embracing the outcome of the talks.The clashes between the two rival clans started last week following a land dispute, with local elders trying in vain to mediate between the groups.The situation in the town has witnessed a recurrence of clan-based battles, with last week alone claiming lives of more than five people.
Key Headlines
- Clans In Warsheikh Accept Ceasefire (Goobjoog News)
- Galmudug President Is Recovering From His Heart Surgery (Goobjoog News)
- Hiran Elders Raise Stakes For State Formation Endeavor (Garowe Online)
- 1900 Burundian Troops Finish Year-long Peacekeeping Duty (CCTV)
- Somali Refugee Who Arrived In Europe On People Smugglers’ Boat Passes Masters Course (Express)
- We Are Burning The Midnight Oil To Beat Electoral Deadline- Somali Polls Chief (Goobjoog News)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Galmudug President Is Recovering From His Heart Surgery
22 July – Source: Goobjoog News -135 Words
Galmudug officials have confirmed the surgery of the President of Galmudug state, Abdikarim Guled, and assured members of the public that his health is stable after undergoing “a successful heart surgery” in India. .
Deputy Minister for Justice, Mohamud Gure, said that the President’s doctors had declared his health as satisfactory.“I hereby confirm that the health status of the President is okay and he is not in any danger. He is recovering well.”President Abdikarim Guled travelled to the Indian capital, New Delhi, last week following heart-related complications.He is expected to return to the country to continue with preparations for Somalia’s historic general elections later this year.Thousands of Somalis seek medical attention in India every year upon being referred by local hospitals.
Hiran Elders Raise Stakes For State Formation Endeavor
21 July – Source: Garowe Online – 204 Words
“We will have a federal state on our own”, Hiiraan clan elders have told Somalia’s Federal Government (SFG) and the leadership of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD.This stand is the latest in a series of hard positions communicated to through the media by traditional elders, who have been locked in a deadlock for months over the formation of a new state in southern Somalia.The exercise of forming an “own state” would include a Parliament and the election of a new President, said Hiiraan Elders Spokesman, Ugas Ali Ugas Muhumed Ugas Shafec. The move could deal a blow to IGAD initiative to forge ahead with the state formation process in Hiiraan.
The national government in Mogadishu has come under fire in the past for asking IGAD to spearhead the process. Hiiraan elders placed a condition to their return to the convention venue, calling for their region to be split into two or three: “I want to announce that Hiiraan will have a full-fledged state after Ugas Hassan is crowned,” the elder told a news conference in central Beledweyne town.He advised IGAD officials to ditch their efforts if they cannot meet the conditions set out. Several hurdles have hindered the efforts to create a federal member state consisting of Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions over the recent months.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
1,900 Burundian Troops Finish Year-long Peacekeeping Duty
22 July – Source: CCTV – 246 Words
Almost 1,900 Burundian troops who have been fighting militants in Somalia are heading home. Burundi was among the first countries to join the inter-governmental peacekeeping force, the African Union Mission to Somalia or AMISOM.It’s been a tough 12 months for these soldiers. But their tour of duty in Somalia is now over – and they’re flying out from Mogadishu.Their commander says they made a big difference and credits their partnership with Somali forces.”Our relationship with the Somali National Army has been good because we shared information about the enemy – Al-Shabaab. Also, during reconnaissance patrols, we were together,” said Major John Berchmans Manirakiza, 32nd battalion, AMISOM. “And it was the Somali National Army helping us because of the language barrier. It was them who told us the names of the localities, helped us with information and taught us how to communicate with the Somali populations.”
Al Qaeda-linked militant group Al Shabab continues to plague much of Somalia. Amisom has helped retake territory from the group. But the mission is by no means over.These soldiers are to be replaced with a new contingent from Burundi. The country contributes around 5,000 troops to Amisom, the second-largest contributor after Uganda.Amisom earlier this month received a one-year extension from the UN Security Council.The African Union plans to end its mission in Somalia by 2018 – the 22,000 strong force is facing financial challenges after one of its key donors, the European Union cut funding.
Somali Refugee Who Arrived In Europe On People Smugglers’ Boat Passes Masters Course
21 July – Source:Express- 279 Words
A SOMALI refugee who arrived in Europe on a people smugglers’ boat without any formal education has just passed a Masters course in astrophysics.Abbas Roble, 22, came to Britain in 2007 aged 13, after travelling through Africa, across the Mediterranean to Crete and then onto Europe He was held by the immigration authorities for a year but, on his release, the youngster was determined to make up for lost time.Now, after years of hard study, he has become the first asylum seeker to be given a place on a prestigious PhD course at the Photon Science Institute at the University of Manchester.Abbas started his educational journey by taking his GCSEs at a college in Leeds and then an Access to Higher Education course which led to a place to study Physics in Manchester.
He was forced to delay joining the course for two years because of his immigration status when he won a full tuition fee scholarship and a small grant.Even then he could not afford to pay rent so continued living with a family in Leeds from where he commuted every day for three years before moving on to his Masters course.His determination and application has paid off and Abbas gained a first class Masters of Physics with Theoretical Physics.He said: “Manchester is where new physics is born. It’s where the atom was split, the first computer was built and graphene was isolated.“The university is a world-leading institution for fundamental physics, and Manchester is a beautiful cosmopolitan city. I would highly recommend it to anyone.” Dr Tim Westlake, the university’s director of student experience described Abbas as an “exceptional young man.”
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
Omar Mohamed Abdulle was appointed chairperson of the Federal Electoral Implementation Team, FEIT in June 2016. The Team is tasked with overseeing the electoral process and will work closely with the State Level Implementation Team.Abdulle was born in Jowhar in 1957 and graduated with a law degree in 1983 from the Somali National University. Goobjoog News political affairs editor Abdullaziz Gurbiye interviewed him on a range of issues regarding the forthcoming polls.
We Are Burning The Midnight Oil To Beat Electoral Deadline- Somali Polls Chief
22 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 1113 Words
Goobjoog News: How was the Federal Electoral Implementation Team (FEIT) established?
The State Level Implementation Team was established through a competitive process by the federal member states and appointed by federal member states presidents. The Federal Electoral Implementation Team was appointed by the Prime Minister and approved by the President. I was chosen later to head the FEIT.
GN: What has the FEIT done so far since it was established?
We met in July 12, 2016, for the first time. We defined a working framework in line with the guiding principles of the FEIT. We also established a working formula with key stakeholders in particular the Federal Government, International community, elders and federal member states.We chose six different sub committees: The first one was the Training and Capacity Building subcommittee. This would be responsible for training of staff to conduct such aspects as registration of candidates and management of the electoral process. The second subcommittee is in charge of security. Others included the finance and services, media and technical sub committees. We also formed another crucial committee which will be responsible for implementing the 30% quota for women in both the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament.
GN: How were you elected as chair of the Team?
The Team has 22 members and they elected five people to be in charge of the elections. These members were responsible for electing the chair of the Team. Through secret ballot I was elected chair after competing with two other contestants namely Sayiid Jama Gorshel and Nafisa Gedi Santur. For the deputy’s position, the contestants were Sahro Abdi Hussein, Deeqo Yassin and Fardowsa Mohamed Duale. Deeqo Yasin won the seat.
GN: Prior to your appointment as FEIT chair, you were the President’s legal advisor. As a result, there is concern you may not be objective enough given the president is also a candidate in the upcoming polls. How do you respond to this?
That’s a good question. Somalis are also conscious about this. I was the president’s legal advisor and as such the president can have an advisor just like he would have a doctor. My position now has nothing to do with my previous role at Villa Somalia. I was strictly advising the President on legal matters; on laws passed by parliament, treaties and bilateral agreements at international level. I did not advise him on his political ambitions. People may have their fears but I think actions speak louder than words.
GN: Have you left your role as President’s advisor or you still consult for him?
The people in this Team previously worked in different stations but once they were tasked with this responsibility they all relinquished those contracts to serve the Team exclusively. I too obeyed that rule and so I am no longer the President’s legal advisor. I am now the chair of the FEIT.
GN: What is the specific mandate of the FEIT?
This committee is national/federal. Our mandate does not involve conducting the elections per se but establishing the framework under which the polls will be conducted. This involves ensuring the polls are held within specific timelines and standards, setting the terms and conditions for the electoral teams and the form of registration of delegates.
Our obligation is to observe and supervise other committees which are tasked with running other electoral process including the selection for candidates. We are also responsible for setting the dates, identifying the respective polling stations and ensuring all the necessary materials/equipment are procured and ready for the polls.
TOP TWEETS
@fqdayib:#Somalia is the most corrupt country in the world. This is a form of mass murder because most of the foreign aid goes into unknown pockets.
@UKinSomalia:Country updates for FCO’s 30 priority countries published 2day #HumanRights #Somalia @foreignoffice@HarrietLMathews http://bit.ly/2ad5umR
@Abdelfatahassan:Our host @mmidnimo is on the stage today for another spectacular #starrupGrind event in #Mogadishu#Somalia. Moving forward
@Tuuryare_Africa:#UPDATE: Three militants killed after #USfighter jets bomb #AlShabaab hideout in #Somalia|https://tuko.co.ke/157804-al-
@UNdeClercq:Proud to see #Somalia co-hosting #pledge4PBFconference in September ,#peacebuilding fund vital to improve security
@NGOConsortium:#Somalia women want tougher laws against Gender based violence #GBV
IMAGE OF THE DAY
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict,Leila Zerrougui address the press on the final day of her Somalia trip.
Photo: UNSOM.