July 29, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report
High Level Partnership Forum Opens In Mogadishu
29 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 195 Words
The first ever Ministerial High-Level Partnership Forum (HLPF) has opened in Mogadishu co-chaired by Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and UN Special Representative Nicholas Kay. The forum brings together 30 international delegations and more than 120 participants from all branches of Somali government, including Parliament and the Interim Regional Administrations, and the international community. The HLPF will review overall progress against the New Deal Somali Compact, focusing on political and security progress over the past six months.
According to a press statement released by from the office of the president, “The HLPF represents a critical point at which to review this progress, address the challenges, identify possible gaps, and agree on what must be accomplished by the end of 2015.” One of the main outcomes expected from the forum is the presentation of guiding principles and an action plan outlining the process for reaching a workable agreement on the 2016 electoral process. However, the absence two important regional leaders has not helped matters in the forum. Jubbaland president Ahmed Madobe and Puntland president Abdiwali Gas have refused to attend the forum over disagreement with the Federal Government.
Key Headlines
- High Level Partnership Forum Opens In Mogadishu (Goobjoog News)
- Two Al-Shabaab Militants Executed In Bulagadud (Wacaal Media)
- Constituent Assembly Opens In Kismayo To Adopt Jubbaland Charter (Goobjoog News)
- Faroole Accuses Federal Government Of Trashing Constitution And Causing Friction Among Local Administrations (Wacaal Media)
- Ahlu Sunna fighters In Bardhere Integrated In To National Army ( Goobjoog News)
- Somalia Police Locks Down Key Roads In Mogadishu (Shabelle News)
- Embassy Continues Its Work In Aftermath Of Car Bombing (China Daily)
- Obama Warns On Africa Leaders Refusing To Step Down (BBC)
- Senior AMISOM Officials Visit Barawe Hospital In South Somalia (Coastweek)
- The Rule of Law And Security Institutions Group (UNSOM)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Two Al-shabab Militants Executed In Buulagaduud
29 July – Source: Wacaal Media – 121 Words
The Interim Administration of Jubbaland’s army yesterday executed two members of Al-shabaab after they were arrested on allegation of spying for the militants in Buulagaduud. The two were arrested from a local hotel with sources saying they were known members of the group which was recently dislodged from the area. The executions were done at a local military base. Additional reports indicate that the two previously visited the area and were arrested and released on more than one occasion. The executions come a few days after the Jubbaland Administration’s army commander in the area was killed. Col. Mursal Geedi died after suspected Al-Shabaab militants planted explosives in a toilet he was using.
Constituent Assembly Opens In Kismayo To Adopt Jubbaland Charter
29 July – Source : Goobjoog News – 146 Words
The newly drafted Jubbaland provisional charter is set to be voted on by a constituent assembly in Kismayo today, and delegates are expected to endorse the document. Some 300 delegates from 15 districts of Jubbaland are attending the two days convention in Kismayo according to an organizing committee member who spoke to Goobjoog News. The draft regional constitution was put on wide ranging public consultation and residents from remote areas such as Dolow had the opportunity to have their say on matters such as the presidential term in office, the number of cabinet ministers and so on. Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) has recently signed the draft copy in a ceremony held in Kismayo, attended by Somali Stability Fund officials, which is the agency funding the exercise. The administration has consulted with federal government over a vote of no confidence passed by the federal parliament against the Jubbaland assembly.
Faroole Accuses Federal Government Of Trashing Constitution And Causing Friction Among Local Administrations
29 July – Source: Wacaal Media – 181 Words
The former head of state of Puntland Abdirahman Faroole has accused the federal government of fueling political crisis in the country by trashing the constitution. “We can only lead our people to prosperity through the constitution, if we bypass the [constitution], I think we are only working towards creating animosity and conflicts. The federal government is therefore responsible for what we have witnessed in the country” said Faroole. The former Puntland added that implementing the constitution in as far as creating new administrations is concerned was a key to the country’s reconstruction efforts and urged the Federal Government to take that route. His sentiments come after the standoff between Puntland and the Federal Government seem to have been resolved. The administration of Galmudug has agreed to review its borders with Puntland as per its constitution meaning the latter has now succeeded in reclaiming its territories.
Ahlu Sunna fighters In Bardhere Integrated In To National Army
29 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 106 Words
Reports from Gedo indicate that fighters loyal to Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa have been integrated into Somali National Army. Fighters have taken part in the operation recovering Bardere from Al-Shabaab last week and fought alongside SNA and AMISOM troops. Sheik Isak Hussein Mursal who is the Secretary General of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa of Southern Somalia told Goobjoog News that they are happy about the integration and welcome it. He said that they had agreed to handover their fighters to strengthen the Somali Federal Government so that it can deliver security the country. But he demanded equal rights for their fighters including salaries and training.
Somalia Police Locks Down Key Roads In Mogadishu
29 July – Source: Shabelle News – 107 Words
Somalia police, along with security forces have locked down key roads in Mogadishu for security reasons amid 2nd High Level Partnership Forum which kicked off in the capital today.The forum is being held at African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) military base in Mogadishu airport and is co-hosted by President Hassan Sheikh and UN Chief for Somalia, Nicholas Kay. Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland and Interim Jubaland administrations have reportedly declined to attended the forum over disagreement between both regional state administrations and government leaders.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Embassy Continues Its Work In Aftermath Of Car Bombing
29 July – Source: China Daily – 463 Words
China has sent a mission to bring home the body of the Chinese embassy security staff member killed in a car bombing in Somalia and dispatched a working group to tackle the aftermath, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. The suicide bombing at the gate of the Jazeera Palace Hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Sunday killed at least 15 people, including the Chinese embassy staffer in charge of security and safety precautions, and injured three other embassy staff members. A group of photos believed to feature the scene went viral on China’s leading social network Sina Weibo after they were posted on Monday night by a Chinese diplomat. The diplomat, posting under the username @xingzheyuyang, said the pictures were taken by colleagues at the Chinese embassy in Somalia.
In the photos, embassy staff members wear helmets and bulletproof jackets, and some have bandages. Netizens made close to 1,000 comments on the photos. The hotel housed diplomatic missions, including the Chinese embassy, in the turmoil-filled country. China condemned the attack on Monday, and Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang confirmed that embassy staff members had been transferred to a safe area. The ministry confirmed on Tuesday that the overall situation of the embassy staff there is good, saying that “the current priority of the embassy is affairs regarding emergency treatment” and that the embassy will “get work in other fields done”.
For the sake of staff members’ safety, the Chinese embassy in Somalia is considering a move to a less risky location and is working to improve security measures. Hotels’ security capabilities are very limited as Mogadishu suffers from long-term instability, said He Wenping, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences studying West Asia and Africa. To choose a more secure place, an area with many embassies would be ideal since a single embassy is exposed to greater danger, according to He. She also suggested locations close to local government institutions where security is heightened. The embassy itself should also strengthen safety awareness to keep its staff from danger.
Obama Warns On Africa Leaders Refusing To Step Down
28 July – BBC 644 Words
US President Barack Obama has ended his visit to Africa by warning the continent will not advance if its leaders refuse to step down when their terms end. “Nobody should be president for life,” Mr Obama said. He was speaking at the African Union’s headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, the first time a sitting US president has addressed the body. Earlier in the trip, Mr Obama visited Kenya, the homeland of his late father. “I don’t understand why people want to stay so long, especially when they have got a lot of money,” he told the 54-member AU, an apparent criticism of African leaders who have done just that.
Calling on the AU to ensure leaders respect their constitutions and step down when their term ends, Mr Obama specifically mentioned Burundi, whose president Pierre Nkurunziza has controversially been re-elected for a third term. “Sometimes you will hear leaders say ‘I’m the only person who can hold this nation together.’ If that’s true, then that leader has failed to truly build their nation.” He said democracy was about more than just holding elections: “When journalists are put behind bars for doing their jobs or activists are threatened as governments crackdown on civil society then you may have democracy in name, but not in substance.” And he joked about his own chances of another term in office, which he is constitutionally barred from seeking.
Mr Obama also called for an end to the “cancer of corruption”, saying it was the key to unlocking Africa’s economic potential. The money could be used to create jobs and build schools and hospitals, Mr Obama said. The rapid economic growth in Africa was changing “old stereotypes” of a continent hit by war and poverty, he said. But unemployment needed to be urgently tackled on a continent whose one billion people will double in a few decades, Mr Obama said. “We need only look to the Middle East and North Africa to see that large numbers of young people with no jobs and stifled voices can fuel instability and disorder,” he added.
Senior AMISOM Officials Visit Barawe Hospital In South Somalia
29 July – Source : Coastweek – 486 Words
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has appealed to the residents of Barawe to guard their newly found peace and support efforts to eliminate insecurity in Somalia.The appeal was made during a visit by senior officials led by Maj. Gen. Nakibus Lakara, the AMISOM Deputy Force Commander Support and Logistics, who handed over rehabilitated water and sanitation facilities at Barawe Hospital.
Lakara who represented the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission(SRCC) also donated an assortment of medical supplies that included drugs, beds, mattresses, bed sheets, pillows and hospital tables.This was during a function held at the hospital premises attended by Brig. Gen. Cyprien Ndikuriyo the AMISOM Chief of Staff, Dr. Opio Ododa the AMISOM Senior Civil Affairs Officer. Others included Colonel.Stephen Mulenga, the Chief of Civil-Military Coordination (CIMIC), Bashir Mohammed Yusuf, the Barawe District Commissioner and commanders from Somali National Army and Somali Police Force.
While handing over the items, Maj.Gen. Lakara said:”Part of what AMISOM is doing is to deliver in terms of stabilization of Somalia and that is the purpose why we are here.”So that is why we have come here and it will be our pleasure to continue supporting the people of Barawe.” Lakara said AMISOM has an objective to eliminate ‘al-Shabaab’ and ensure peaceful self-governance for Somalis, which would foster national development.He revealed that as part of efforts to stabilize Somalia, AMISOM would continue to support establishment of more police stations and growth of the Somali National Army under a program to ensure law and order in the country.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“I think we are at an opportune moment now in Somalia where we have really seen that there has been forward movement. It’s very clear to us that the Somalis are serious about their own future. It’s clear to us that Somalia wishes to be a proper country and that they want to take this process in a forward an organized manner the way that is worthy of a proper government.”
The Rule of Law And Security Institutions Group
27 July – Source: UNSOM – Video – 8:18 Minutes
The Rule of Law & Security Institutions Group (ROLSIG) is a new structure within UN Missions, in that it brings together UN elements (Mission staff & UNDP) in order to deliver a ‘One UN’ approach in support of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Somali people.
Top tweets
@TheVillaSomalia #Somalia: President about to speak at the first ever High Level Partnership Forum (HLPF) held in #Somalia
@UNSomalia ‘We promised to get our political act together. We have delivered this for the good of #Somalia‘~ President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud #HLPF2015
@amisomsomalia SRCC Ambassador @MamanSidikou1 & AMISOM officials are attending #HLPF2015. Will support FGS in their goal of delivering results for #Somalia
@UNSomalia ‘Participation, Inclusion and Good Governance are crucial and a hallmark of democracy’~ President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud #HLPF2015 #Somalia
@TheVillaSomalia Ambassador Kay @Somalia111 tells gatherings at the HLPF “#Somalia has changed for the better.”
@TheVillaSomalia #Somalia PM “let me reiterate what the President just said: one vote,one person will not be possible in 2016.”
@amisomsomalia #ReasonToLoveAfrica : Outstanding scenery from every part of the continent. Aerial view of #Kismayo #Somalia
Image of the day
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and SRSG Nick Kay opening the High Level Partnership Forum 2015 earlier today.