July 31, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
National Constituent Assembly on right track, says Constitution minister
31 Jul – Source: Bar-kulan/Radio Risaala – 132 words
Somalia’s Constitution and Federal Affairs minister Abdirahman Hosh Jibril has expressed optimism that the ongoing national constituent assembly will yield fruits, saying he is satisfied with the ongoing process. Mr. Jibril says critics of the NCA who have been spreading rumours that the 825-member assembly will not agree to adopt the draft constitution has been proved wrong.
The minister said that delegates are now even coming closer to settle and agree on contentious issues in the constitution. The Constitutional Minister of Somalia Abdirahman Hosh Jibril tlod radio Risaala that the constitutional debate is progressing well and the members have subdivided into smaller groups and they are working on it.
He also said he expects the constitution to be approved by Wednesday and on Thursday a celebration will be held to welcome the new constitution. His sentiment comes a time the national constituent assembly still continuing in Mogadishu as it required to ratify the country’s new constitution.
Key Headlines
- Prime Minister Takes Part in a Youth Forum (Radio Risaala)
- National Constituent Assembly on right track says Constitution minister (Bar-kulan/Radio Risaala)
- AMISOM troops kill 30 al Shabaab militants (Star)
- Chinese navy escorts 4734 ships in Somali waters (Xinhua)
- National Constituent Assembly enters Day 6 (Jowhar Online/Somaliweyn/Raxanreeb)
- Uganda sends police officers to Mogadishu (Daily Monitor)
SOMALI MEDIA
Prime Minister Takes Part in a Youth Forum
31 Jul – Source: Radio Risaala – 166 words
Somali Prime Minister and some of his ministers took part in a youth forum organized by CRD organization to discuss the role of the youth in community development. The director of the organization spoke at the venue first and he said they are starting a program known as “AWARENESS” which will finance youth projects and give them skills so that they don’t take part in the Somali violence that affected the society greatly.
Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Prof Abdullahi Sheikh Ali spoke briefly at the venue, where he said they have risen awareness among the youth on how they should play their part in the community and the ministry played their part in uniting the youth and promoting sports.
Lastly, prime minister Dr. Abdiweli said the youth should put effort on education since education is the only way for the community to progress. Similarly the premier reminded the youth they are the leaders of tomorrow that’s why they should collectively work on developing the country.
National Constituent Assembly on right track, says Constitution minister
31 Jul – Source: Bar-kulan/Radio Risaala – 132 words
Somalia’s Constitution and Federal Affairs minister Abdirahman Hosh Jibril has expressed optimism that the ongoing national constituent assembly will yield fruits, saying he is satisfied with the ongoing process. Mr. Jibril says critics of the NCA who have been spreading rumours that the 825-member assembly will not agree to adopt the draft constitution has been proved wrong.
The minister said that delegates are now even coming closer to settle and agree on contentious issues in the constitution. The Constitutional Minister of Somalia Abdirahman Hosh Jibril tlod radio Risaala that the constitutional debate is progressing well and the members have subdivided into smaller groups and they are working on it.
He also said he expects the constitution to be approved by Wednesday and on Thursday a celebration will be held to welcome the new constitution. His sentiment comes a time the national constituent assembly still continuing in Mogadishu as it required to ratify the country’s new constitution.
Former Colonel, Brother Assassinated in Galkayo town
31 Jul – Source: Somalia Report/ Radio Bar-kulan – 217 words
Unknown gunmen shot and killed a well-known elder, Colonel Abdulahi Mohamed Hassan (Faray), and his brother this evening in Galka’ayo (Galkayo), located in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland, according to an eyewitness who spoke to Somalia Report.
“Unknown gunmen armed with pistols killed Colonel Abdulahi Mohamed Hassan ‘Faray’ and his brother, Osman Mohamed Hassan, as they were both returning home for iftar (breaking the fast) from the Al-Taqwa mosque in Israac-village. The criminals fled the area before the people and police arrived,’’ Mustaf Hassan, an eyewitness told Somalia Report. Sources from Galka’ayo added that police are investigating this case.
“After the incident a lot of police arrived in Israac village, particularly the area near the mosque, and began investigations and asking the people a lot of questions. Most of the residents went to their homes early because of the security operations,” Khaliif Osman, a resident in Galka’ayo told Somalia Report. Col. Abdulahi Mohamed Hassan – popularly known as ‘Faray’ – was an officer in Somalia’s military in the central government led by Mohamed Said Barre. After the country collapsed, Faray became a well-known businessman in the Mudug region of the country.
National Constituent Assembly enters Day 6
30 Jul – Source: Jowhar Online/Somaliweyn/Raxanreeb – 220 words
The National Constituent Assembly continues to unfold smoothly as 825 Somali citizens from all walks of life discuss and debate the draft Somali Constitution. The formal opening of the National Constituent Assembly took place on Wednesday, July 25, representing a significant milestone in the path towards a new constitution for the Somali people.
On Day 1, the delegates were addressed by the President, the Speaker and the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government, amongst other notable personalities and speakers. Somali musicians and actors were able to contribute their artistic talents as well. The opening ceremony was attended by diplomats including United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General, Dr. Augustine Mahiga and ambassadors from Djibouti, League of Arab States, Turkey, Ethiopia, IGAD, and the African Union, amongst others.
On the second and third days, the delegates reviewed the rules of procedure, the entire constitutional process and the task lying ahead of them. Also, the constitution was read by eminent Somali personalities. On Days 4, 5 and 6 of the National Constituent Assembly, the delegates were separated into 10 thematic breakout groups, made up of approximately 80 delegates each, to facilitate debate and discussion. The delegates have been vigorously debating the provisions of the draft constitution, in some cases making recommendations of changes to be delivered to the new parliament.
Lawmaker calls for Somali elites to end Transition
30 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Somalia Report – 77 words
Speaking about the on-going the Somali Constitutional Conference, Somali Lawmaker Ibrahim Salah said that elites are needed to end the transition period. The Somali Constitutional Conference was attended by the various sectors of Mogadishu community as the TFG forces made progress in securing the venue on Monday. The meeting was attended by lawmakers, youth, elders and women. Both sides stated the importance of ending the transitional period and creating a permanent government for Somalia.
TFG told to rehabilitate bridge in Hiiraan region
30 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 130 words
The government has been urged to immediately rehabilitate a bridge in Noor Farah village, some 50 kilometres from Beledweyne town to save the lives of commuters and ease transport hurdles in the area.
Village elders urged the government and the area provincial administration to act swiftly and rehabilitate the bridge that links the region to Mogadishu, where locals receive goods. Hajji Ahmed, a local elder told Bar-kulan that the bridge is now on the verge of collapsing, hence risking the lives local commuters.
He said the bridge is the only crossing for both people and vehicles plying the route between Mogadishu and central Somalia regions. He added that local elders will soon travel to Beledweyne to raise the issue with the local provincial administration to help them repair the bridge.
Al Shabaab vacates many parts of Middle Shabelle as TFG-AMISOM close in on Jowhar
30 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Somalia Report – 73 words
Reports from Middle Shabele region indicated that al Shabaab militias fled Jowhar town and other villages of the region on Sunday night after the Somali National Forces and their allied troops closed in Jowhar. Local residents told Radio Mogadishu that the militant group also dismantled equipment for the pro-al Shabaab Radio station in the area. The radio station was initially seized from a private owner when militants took control of the town few years ago.
REGIONAL MEDIA
AMISOM troops kill 30 al Shabaab militants
31 Jul – Source: Star – 165 words
Thirty al Shabaab militants were killed and two Kenya Defence Force soldiers injured over the weekend as the insurgents attempted to block anticipated AMISOM troop advance to Kismayu. Three double cabin “technicals” (gun-mounted pick ups) and tractor were destroyed and five AK-47 rifles and an RPG gun recovered from the al Qaeda linked militants.
Sources in Somalia said 30 al Shabaab fighters were killed in Harabole about 30 kilometers south of Afmadow towards Kismayu when Kenya Airforce fighter jets pounded the insurgents camp. Many aerial raid, where taken by their colleagues to hospitals in Kismayu.
In another incident, 17 al Shabaab fighters were killed between Badhadhe and Kolbio areas during an ambush on a KDF supply convoy the following day. The insurgents had attempted to disrupt the supply line between the two camps but were repulsed.
Meanwhile, the al Shabaab in twitter message have claimed to have destroyed two KDF vehicles and killed six soldiers during the ambush. The information could not be independently verified.
Uganda sends police officers to Mogadishu
31 Jul – Source: Daily Monitor – 260 words
Uganda has flagged off a contingent of 140 personnel to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, to train police officers there in different roles. This is the first time any African country is deploying a Formed Police Unit (a team of 140 police officers, which is deployed as a group) in Mogadishu.
Previously, African countries were sending individual police officers to work under the African Union. The Director of Interpol and International Relations, Mr. Asan Kasingye, yesterday said the police unit will be commanded by Mr. John Nuwagira from the Field Force Unit.
“You are going to an Islamic country where they do not take alcohol. Respect human rights and avoid getting involved in violence. We expect high discipline and uphold the name of Uganda,” Mr. Kasingye told the departing officers. “Your duty is law and order, not fighting al Shabaab. You will be expected to protect convoys, ensure public order management, community policing and offer anti-terrorism service.”
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Chinese navy escorts 4,734 ships in Somali waters
31 Jul – Source: Xinhua – 168 words
Chinese warships had escorted 4,734 vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters by Monday, a Ministry of Defense spokesman said Tuesday. Geng Yansheng told a press conference Tuesday that since December 2008, the Chinese navy had dispatched 12 batches of 31 warships to engage in joint escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off the coast of Somalia.
The Chinese armed forces’ efforts in promoting world peace could also be seen in their participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions and international disaster relief operations, said Geng, who is also the head of the ministry’s publicity division.
Geng noted that over 20,000 Chinese have participated various joint-UN peacekeeping operations, and about 10 percent of them are currently serving in 11 missions. China has also offered minesweeping assistance to 22 countries.
Recovering from civil war, Somalia participates in London Olympics
30 Jul – Source: Press TV – 3:06 min
The appearance of Somali contingent at the opening ceremony of London 2012 Olympic Games has prompted a refreshing hope for young Somalis around the world whose country is recovering from a two decade civil war and recurrent famine.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Instead of unifying all the parties under one central government, sovereign republics would unify under a weak central government. This would seem effective since Somalia is already divided into Somaliland in the north, Puntland in the east, and Somalia in the south.”
Somalia’s Withering Sovereignty
31 Jul – Source: Just International – 1442 Words
“In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.” This quote by Albert Einstein adequately describes the behavior of the international community of nation states. For example, the theory behind the Responsibility to Protect is that states must respond to the needs of people who are exposed to atrocities such as ethnic cleansing, genocide, and crimes against humanity.
In other words, countries have a responsibility towards each other to intervene in the name of humanity when their governments have failed to protect them. Somalia is a classic example where the international community has failed to intervene to protect civilians.
“The United States is committed to restoring peace and stability to Somalia and welcomes the National Constituent Assembly’s convening. It is a milestone in the nation’s democratic transition. The next major step is for Somalia’s traditional elders to select a new parliament that will in turn elect a Speaker and President. We urge that these remaining tasks be completed quickly and transparently so the transition ends on schedule August 20, and Somalia is able to usher in a new era of governance that is more responsive, representative and accountable.”
Crafting A New Government In Somalia
30 Jul – Source: VOA – 248 Words
In a key step toward restoring political stability to war-torn Somalia, a special congress has convened there to begin the process of approving a new national constitution.
Over the next week, an 825-member National Constituent Assembly that was chosen by the nation’s traditional elders will debate and vote on a provisional legal framework for a new federal government after the mandate for the interim administration expires next month. The document will then be put to the Somali people in a national referendum.
“Aside from the strategic problems with this interventionism, there are those inconvenient facts about the US role there. Like, for example, the horrible conditions of secret CIA prisons in Somalia which confine uncharged individuals in terribly inhumane conditions without access to legal council.”
US Interventionism in Somalia Grows
30 Jul – Source: Antiwar Blog – 586 Words
Earlier this month, the UN Security Council Committee Chairman issued a letter warning against the increased use of drones over the skies of Somalia, saying such actions may violate international law. Excerpt:
The number of reports concerning the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Somalia in 2011-12 has increased in comparison with previous mandates. Several independent investigations have documented the deployment of US operated UAVs in Somalia, and other countries of the region, mostly for surveillance purposes. On at least two occasions, UAVs have reportedly been employed in targeted assassination of al Shabaab leaders and commanders during the course of the Monitoring Group mandate.
“Like moths to a flame, disparate Somali groups may rally around the perception they are fighting against the injustice of foreign meddling. Moreover, while military analysts were boasting back in June that al Shabaab could be facing the end of its once-powerful rule, questions surrounding what form of political stability will fill the al Shabaab vacuum remain unasked and unanswered.”
A Vicious Cycle of Intervention in Somalia
30 Jul – Source: The National Interest Blog – 571 Words
On Sunday, the L.A. Times revealed that the United States is equipping and training thousands of African soldiers to fight al Shabaab, the militant wing of the Islamist Somali government. For now, outsourcing the combat to African countries may appear to bring America minimal risk, but Washington’s renewal of its multi-decade attachment to Somalia continues a cycle of deciding its winners and losers. Among an assortment of tribes, clans and African states fighting for self-serving ends, Washington has handcuffed itself to a hornet’s nest.
The hubris of policy makers who believe they can remedy Somalia’s problems could produce policies that draw more recruits to the cause of militant groups, much as similar policies have in the past. Policy makers have failed repeatedly to bring order to the destitute African state, such as when it descended into clan-based warfare in the early 1990s.
Top tweets
@AbukarArman [Somalia] At this juncture, the best course of action might be to sit tight through the political roller coaster ride with eyes wide open!
@Aynte #Somalia leaders (president, PM & ‘Speaker) are running for top job, but could Clinton stop them? http://bit.ly/Oey46r.
@InterpeaceTweet Over the years, incredible efforts have been made to foster #dialogue and conflict resolution across the #Somali Region http://ow.ly/cAMCQ.
@KaburuOle @AinteJr #SOMALI Constitutional architecture presumes that Somalis are by nature tribalistically myopic and dislike centralised authority!
@t_mcconnell #Shabaab “dishonoured the living and the dead” said this Sufi leader whose father’s tomb was desecrated by militants http://pic.twitter.com/
Image of the day
Somali Prime Minister and cabinet ministers attend a youth forum held in Mogadishu. Photo: Somaliweyn.