July 26, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Mandate of UN monitoring group on Somalia and Eritrea extended for another year

25 Jul – Source: UN News Centre – 260 words

The Security Council today extended for another year the mandate of the United Nations panel of experts monitoring compliance with the embargoes on the delivery of weapons and military equipment to Somalia and Eritrea. In a resolution adopted unanimously, the Council decided to extend until 25 August 2013 the mandate of the Monitoring Group on Eritrea and Somalia, which also investigates all activities – including in the financial and maritime sectors – which generate revenue that is then used to break the arms embargoes.

The Group is also tasked with examining any means of transport, routes, seaports, airports and other facilities used in connection with violations of the embargoes. By the resolution, the Council also decided that the arms embargo on Somalia shall not apply to supplies of weapons and military equipment, or the provision of assistance, for use by the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS).

It also decided that the Eritrea arms embargo shall not apply to protective clothing temporarily exported to Eritrea by UN personnel, media representatives and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel for their personal use only. It shall also not apply to supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use. In addition, the Council welcomed the Monitoring Group’s recommendation to set up a Joint Financial Management Board to improve financial management, transparency and accountability of Somalia’s public resources, and called for an end to the misappropriation of funds.

Key Headlines

Historic convention on draft constitution opens in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu/SONNA)
Security Council press statement on Somalia (UN)
Garissa police arrest ‘al Shabaab’ suspects hiding in Dadaab camp (Coast Week/ Xinhua)
UN Special Representative for Somalia on the opening of the National Constituent Assembly (UNPOS)
China calls for further coordination on Somali piracy (Xinhua)
Save the Children donates goats for needy people in Mataban (Radio Bar-kulan)
Mandate of UN monitoring group on Somalia and Eritrea extended for another year (UN News Center)
Former president’s brother escapes assassination attempt family says (Raxanreeb)
Kenya Police extends war against terrorism to porous borders (Coast Week/ Xinhua)
AFM infantry training team deployed to EU Training Mission to Somalia (Times of Malta)

PRESS STATEMENT

Security Council press statement on Somalia

25 Jul – Source: UN – 531 words

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Néstor Osorio (Colombia):

On 24 July, the United Nations Security Council received a briefing from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Augustine Mahiga, on the transition process in Somalia. The Council was also briefed by Hardeep Puri, Ambassador of India and Chairman of the Somalia and Eritrea Sanctions Committee, on the final reports of the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group.

The Members of the Security Council noted that the transition was at a decisive phase, with under a month to go until its end. The members welcomed some of the recent progress on the road map and its associated agreements, including the June agreement of the Nairobi Protocols and publication of the new draft Constitution.

The Security Council welcomed recent military gains by AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia) and Transitional Federal Government forces in Somalia, and noted the importance of establishing legitimate governance systems swiftly in these areas. The members of the Council paid tribute to the sacrifices and bravery shown by AMISOM personnel in the pursuit of peace and stability in Somalia.

The members of the Council welcomed some recent developments to end the transition, including the selection of the 825 members of the National Constituent Assembly, which convened on 25 July. However, the members of the Security Council also expressed serious concern that deadlines agreed recently in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and through the Garowe Process continued to be missed. This included the appointment of members of the Somali Parliament. The members of the Council reiterated that the transition must end on 20 August 2012, and urged the Transitional Federal Institutions and the road map signatories (the Principals) to redouble their efforts to complete the road map tasks, and deliver on their commitments in a timely and effective manner.

The members of the Security Council underlined that the best way to deliver peace, security and economic development to the people of Somalia was through accountable, representative institutions, delivered through a transparent process. The members of the Security Council expressed serious concern at the reports on financial transparency in Somalia.

They called again for the end of the misappropriation of funds, which undermined the ability of the authorities to deliver essential services to the Somali people. They stressed the need for improved financial transparency and management to help lay the groundwork for better economic and social development in Somalia. The members of the Security Council underlined the primary importance of the transition process, and underlined their resolve to take action against individuals and entities threatening the peace, security, and stability of Somalia, including after the August transition deadline has passed.

The members of the Security Council further underlined the importance of regional cooperation and dialogue for promoting durable peace and stability in Somalia. The members of the Security Council encouraged all Somalis to engage constructively in the political process and move towards a more peaceful and stable Somalia. The coming weeks represent an unprecedented opportunity to realize the ambitions of the Somali people for peace and prosperity, through a transparent transition to accountable governance. The members of the Security Council called on the Principals to seize this opportunity.

UN Special Representative for Somalia on the opening of the National Constituent Assembly

25 Jul – Source: UNPOS – 357 words

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Dr. Augustine Mahiga, today called on all Somali people to participate fully and peacefully in the remaining political processes that will facilitate the end of the transition by the 20th August 2012. The SRSG made these comments as the 825-member National Constituent Assembly (NCA) convened in Mogadishu to discuss, vote on, and adopt a new Provisional Constitution. “This is one of the critical remaining milestones to complete the transition on the 20th August.

These milestones are; first, to deliberate on and adopt the draft constitution; second, to form a new Parliament; and third, form a new Government. The NCA is the first step!” Dr. Mahiga said. “The Provisional Constitution provides a legal framework that will support the new Federal Parliament, President and Government to continue the much needed political and social stabilisation in Somalia,” the SRSG said. “It also brings Somalia into the 21st century on issues such as fundamental human rights and freedoms, including the empowerment of women.”

“This new constitution also recognises the fundamental importance of Somalia as an Islamic state, blended with modern 21st century society.” Dr. Mahiga explained. “It’s adoption by a representative group of Somalis selected by the traditional Elders will be key to completing the remaining tasks to end the transition.”

“With less than one month left until the transitional period ends, it is time to deliver on the legitimate expectations of the Somali people,” Dr. Mahiga said, pledging continued support. “The United Nations Security Council is watching this process and remains committed to doing all that is possible to support Somalia’s leadership to reach a timely end to the transition political processes and lead to peace and stability in Somalia.”

The SRSG also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the significant effort that has gone into organizing this important 9-day event. “The logistics involved in mobilising a large number of people and rehabilitating a venue where such a large event could take place has been a huge undertaking and it has been successfully led by the Transitional Federal Government’s Joint Implementation Unit with support from the United Nations,” he said.

SOMALI MEDIA

Historic convention on draft constitution opens in Mogadishu

26 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA – 261 words

The convention of the constituent assembly that is to approve the provisional draft constitution has officially opened in the Somali capital Mogadishu, marking historic achievement. In a colorful ceremony held at Gen. Kahiye Police Academic on Wednesday, officials of the Transitional federal Government, UN. Special envoy to Somalia, representatives from IGAD, Arab league, AU, AMISOM, other ambassadors to Somalia witnessed the convention of the 825 delegates to approve the constitution, media and artists.

Somali president, Sharif Sh. Ahmed, premier, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, parliament speaker, Hon. Sharif Hassan Sh. Adam congratulated Somali people for this great and historic day calling it fruitful achievement. UN. Special envoy to Somali, Ambassador, Augustine Mhiga endorsed on-going political change saying that everything would go ahead as scheduled and Somalia will celebrate the Eid-the festival at the end of the holy Ramadan month and have new president on August, 20.

Minister of the constitution, Abdirahman Hosh Jabril told the convention will last 9 days and delegates would be divided into 10 groups while debating the constitution and he was hopeful that everything would work as desired and expected. Somali national forces particularly police and the security forces and the African union peacekeeping forces have guaranteed the safety of the constituent assembly and all parties attending to this meeting have been issued with ID-cards and security pass.

Save the Children donates goats for needy people in Mataban

26 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 100 words

Save the Children on Wednesday distributed animals to over 300 needy families in Mataban town and its environs, Ahlu Sunna officials say. ASWJ’s area deputy district commissioner Liban Abdi Diriye told Bar-kulan that the charity Save the Children donated six goats to each family in the area.

Diriye thanked the aid group for continuing to support needy families camping in Mataban and its environs, appealing to other humanitarian aid agencies to do the same. The charity has also recently distributed financial aid to eight hundred needy families in the same district, with each family receiving a hundred and twenty dollars.

Former president’s brother escapes assassination attempt, family says

26 Jul – Source: Raxanreeb – 177 words

Col. Warsame Yusuf Ahmed, the younger brother of former interim president of Somalia, late Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed has for the second time escaped an assassination attempt in Galkayo town of Somalia’s central region of Mudug, relatives and family confirmed to RBC. Col. Ahmed, who is the Head of Criminal Investigation Department [CID] of Puntland administered section of Mudug region has sustained a minor injuries on his left hand after a land mine bomb planted in front of his home in Galkayo exploded on Sunday July 22nd.

“The explosion occurred at noon of Sunday in front of the home after my father returned back from work.” Abdulkadir Warsame, son of Col. Warsame told RBC on the phone. “He is in good mood now and is being admitted to the hospital” he added.

The director of Galkayo’s biggest hospital GMC, Dr. Abdulkadir Mohamoud Jama (better known as Dhagacade) said that Col. Warsame is now recovering as he was buoyant the medication from his hospital will be sufficient to treat the wounds of Col. Warsame.

Top security officials shot dead in Mogadishu

25 Jul – Source: Radio al-Furqaan/Somalia Report/SONNA – 99 words

The head of TFG’s anti-terrorism forces in Karan district, Abdi Sharah, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Karan district of Mogadishu. According to a witness, the armed gunmen immediately escaped from the scene before the TFG security forces reached the area. The security chief of TFG’s Waberi district and his deputy were also shot and killed by gunmen on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the Somali National News Agency reports that especial security forces known as Gashan have been seen in all main road junctions ensuring the security in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

NUSOJ held 2 Day workshop in Garowe

26 Jul – Source: Raxanreeb – 440 words

The National Union of Somali Journalists held a two-day training workshop on improving media professionalism and responsibility in Garowe, the capital of the semi-autonomous regions of Puntland in the northeastern regions of Somalia on 17 – 18 July, 2012.

The training, which was sponsored by the Golis Telecommunication Company, a private telecommunication company, has attracted more than 30 Somali journalists in the semi-autonomous regions of Puntland.

The opening ceremony of the workshop was attended by information minister, Ahmed Ali Askar, general manager of Golis Telecommunication Ali Haji Warsame, the head of Golis’marketing Saed Hussien, head of Golis commercial sector Omar Faruk. In the opening speech at the training, chairman of NUSOJ Burhan Ahmed Dahir gave details over improving the Puntland journalists to be professional in their tasks.

Al-Qalam donates food aid to IDPs in Baidoa

26 Jul – Source: Bar-kulan – 139 words

A UK based charity, Al-Qalam on Wednesday distributed humanitarian relief food to about 150 internally displaced families camping in southwestern Somali city of Baidoa, Bay region. The donations which consisted of wheat flour, rice, beans, Sugar and cooking oil was distributed to needy families in 1stJanuary Camp in Baidoa. Mohamed Ali Kheyre, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the donor for supporting them during this month of Ramadan. Kheyre said the aid they received is just a drop in the ocean and appealed for more from other aid agencies. In mid last year, the UN has officially declared six parts of Somalia to be suffering from famine amid the worst drought in east Africa for 60 years. The drought in East Africa has put an estimated 11 million people at risk, with Somalia being the worst-hit country in the region.

National Disaster Management and ICRC distribute relief goods to over 300 IDPs in Mogadishu

25 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Somalia Report – 65 words

The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) co-operating with ICRC distributed relief goods to over 300 Somali IDP families in Badbaado IDP of Dharkinlay district, north of Mogadishu on Wednesday. Dharkinlay’s district chairman Mo’allim Abdulle thanked the two agencies for their support. The chairman of NDMA Abdulaahi Mohamed Jum’ale urged the aid agencies and the wealthy Somalis to help the IDPs during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia set to vote on new constitution

26 Jul – Source: Al Jazeera – 2:08 min

Somalia is on the brink of creating its first legitimate government in more than 20 years. The National Constituent Assembly is meeting in Mogadishu and is due to vote on a new Constitution, and it will also pick members of parliament – who, in turn, will choose Somalia’s next president. Al Jazeera’s Nazanine Moshiri reports from Nairobi in neighbouring Kenya.

Kenya Police extends war against terrorism to porous borders

26 Jul – Source: Coast Week/ Xinhua – 813 words

Kenya has dispatched a team of anti-terrorism police unit and intelligence officers to several parts of northwest region to conduct 24-hour security surveillance along the porous border after two terror suspects were arrested with two hand grenades in Kitale, Western Kenya.

Regional County Commissioner Peter Orkwayo said the team led by senior police officers from Nairobi will pitch tent in key border entries in Trans-Nzoia, Pokot and Turkana counties to step up a 24- hour security monitor and activities linked to al Shabaab.

Somalia constitution nears reality as 800 delegates meet to approve draft

25 Jul – Source: Africa Review – 273 words

Over 800 delegates from all clans of the Somali society have started the process of adopting a draft constitution at Scuola Polizia (Police Academy) in the Somali capital Mogadishu Wednesday.

The representatives were selected on the basis of the formula known as 4.5 whereby the four major Somali clans, namely Dir, Darood, Hawiye and Digil-Mirifle, had equal shares while a coalition of smaller clans was allocated with half of the number given to a major clan.

The Transitional Federal Government’s Minister of Security and Interior Affairs, Mr. Abdisamad Moalim Mohamoud promised tight security throughout the constitutional adoption period that is underway for the coming nine days.

Mr. Abdurahman Hosh Jibril, the TFG Minister for Constitutional and Federal Affairs, had Tuesday said that 95 per cent of the delegates were present in Mogadishu.

Garissa police arrest ‘al Shabaab’ suspects hiding in Dadaab camp

26 Jul – Source: Coast Week/ Xinhua – 725 words

Kenya’s authorities are holding six al Shabaab suspects for questioning after being arrested at the sprawling Dadaab refugee complex in northern Kenya which has been rocked by grenade attacks in the recent past. Dadaab District Commissioner Albert Kimathi said the police recovered AK 47 guns in the operation which was carried out on Monday night.

Kimathi said the six suspects, all from Somalia, were arrested at the sprawling ifo2 refugee camp following a collaborative effort between members of the public and the police officers who have in the past two weeks been conducting raids in the camps in a bid to flash out the bandits hiding in the camp.

Mosque says ‘terror outfit’ UN fingered just a nursery school

25 Jul – Saurce: Daily Nation – 324 words

A mosque in Nairobi has denied claims by the UN that it funds Somali terrorist group al Shabaab. Pumwani mosque, in Majengo Estate, said Al-Hijra, the name of the organisation allegedly funding al Shabaab, is a nursery school.

The UN’s Somalia sanctions monitoring group report says the Muslim Youth Council (MYC), which it accused in an earlier report of being a front for the Islamists “has not only changed its name, but reorganised its membership and finances in order to permit its organisation, Pumwani Riyadha Mosque Committee in Nairobi, to continue funding al Shabaab.” Although officials of the mosque admitted funding Al-Hijra, they said the money was not being channelled to al Shabaab.

Somalia assembly meets to form new government

25 Jul – Source: Al Jazeera – 510 words

A special assembly tasked with voting on a new constitution for war-torn Somalia has convened for the first time, as the corruption-riddled government approaches the end of its mandate next month.

The 825-member National Constituent Assembly (NCA) – chosen by traditional elders in a UN-backed process – began a marathon-nine-day meeting on Wednesday to debate on a provisional constitution, before final ratification by a national referendum.

Billed as the key to lifting Somalia out of two decades of civil war, the end of the transitional government comes as regional forces have wrested a series of key strongholds from al Qaeda linked al Shabaab fighters.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

China calls for further coordination on Somali piracy

26 Jul – Source: Xinhua – 392 words

The international community should strengthen its coordination and cooperation on the Somali piracy issue, a Chinese diplomat said here on Wednesday.

“The issue of piracy off the Somali coast has always posed a serious threat to stability and development of the region as well as safety and security of international shipping,” said Wang Min, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, when addressing the 12th Plenary Meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS).

“At present, acts of piracy are still running rampant. They are getting apparently industrialized and violent, with increased all-weather piracy capabilities and expanding scope of attacks,” he said. “It is imperative for the international community to strengthen coordination and cooperation to cope with these developments.”

Mandate of UN monitoring group on Somalia and Eritrea extended for another year

25 Jul – Source: UN News Centre – 260 words

In addition, the Council welcomed the Monitoring Group’s recommendation to set up a Joint Financial Management Board to improve financial management, transparency and accountability of Somalia’s public resources, and called for an end to the misappropriation of funds.

AFM infantry training team deployed to EU Training Mission to Somalia

26 Jul – Source: .Times of Malta – 170 words

A three-man infantry training team from the Armed Forces of Malta has been deployed to the European Union Training Mission to Somalia, which is based in Uganda.

Malta’s deployment is the fourth and the team is made up of of members of C (Special Duties) Company – Warrant Officer John Grixti, Sergeant Adrian Cipriott and Lance Bombardier Angelo Gatt..

Most of the training is conducted in Bihanga Training Camp, Uganda, and involves positive interaction and a training partnership with the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces.

Turkish Red Crescent to send 77 heavy-duty vehicles to Somalia

25 Jul – Source: Anatolia News Agency – 84 words

The Turkish Red Crescent Aid Society will send 77 heavy-duty vehicles to Somalia. In a written statement released Wednesday, the Turkish Red Crescent said that the vehicles would be sent from the southern port of Mersin on Thursday. The heavy-duty vehicles would be used in the reconstruction of the Somali capital of Mogadishu, the Turkish Red Crescent said.

Aside from the 77 heavy-duty vehicles, the Turkish Red Crescent will also send 2,000 tonnes of sugar and 2,000 tonnes of flour to Mogadishu on Thursday.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“The government’s failure to respond has prompted accusations that South Africa is willfully shirking its responsibility to crack down on illicit mercenary activity, in violation of its own laws. Security analysts, however, caution that instead of pointing to active meddling in the Somali conflict, the government’s failure to co-operate with these probes points rather to the great bulk of bureaucracy that impedes the government in just about every sector.”

SA’s guns-for-hire in Somalia – what happens now?

26 Jul – Source: Daily Maverick – 1703 Words

The United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea has this year highlighted the problematic role played by private security companies (PSCs) in Somalia, both in providing assistance to “non-statutory” forces in the semi-autonomous Puntland region, as well as flooding Mogadishu with hefty men hauling around big guns.

The Monitoring Group’s recent, leaked report alleges that the South African government has been either unwilling, or unable stop the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of weapons and military equipment, as well as the direct or indirect supply of technical assistance or training, financial or other assistance by South African PSCs working in Somalia. More interestingly, the South African government was found not to have co-operated with the Monitoring Group’s investigation, by ignoring various inquiries for further information.

Top tweets

@BillaoJournal Capability of #ANSF in #Afghanistan is measured & reported on so why not similar evaluation of #TFG troops in #Somalia? http://tinyurl.com/ccw73la.

@unictunis Mandate of @UN monitoring group on #Somalia and #Eritrea extended for another year http://ow.ly/cvFOB.

@ScottTPaul Intl “inattention and inaction” caused Somalia’s problems? http://bit.ly/Nu14Z7. NO- with more “inattention,” #Somalia might have thrived..

@GeoMmm In #Somalia, fuel-efficient stoves prevent sexual violence and generate income for vulnerable families http://bit.ly/NWryRN.

@weltenbuerger1 Statement of UK mission to the UN on photos of special forces and Somali children with guns http://bit.ly/MI3KTn.

@OCHASomalia new photos #Somalia http://bit.ly/QkrkXO Somalis are determined to improve and sustain their livelihoods http://twitpic.com/abuaze.

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Image of the day

Image of the day Hundreds of Mogadishu residents hold peaceful rally in support of the convention of Somalia’s National constitution assembly. Photo: Somaliweyn.