July 31, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Federal Government endorses central state after tripartite deal

30 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Garowe Online/Radio Kulmiye – 224 words

Federal Government of Somalia has endorsed central Somalia state after lengthy discussion in Mogadishu on Wednesday as loose federalization process continue to gain momentum. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed witnessed the ceremony that led to the formation of semi-autonomous state of central Somalia at Villa Somalia Presidential compound with UN, EU, AU, IGAD and AMISOM envoys present. According to a press statement from the Prime Minister’s office, Somalia government hosted Gal Mudug authorities, local administration of Himan and Heeb and the paramilitary group of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamea in Mogadishu in July in an effort to create an environment conducive for understanding and mutual cooperation. “Having considered the need for clear political agenda towards the establishment of inclusive and permanent governance system in line with the will of the local communities and Provisional Federal Constitution [PFC],” the statement noted. “The parties agreed to administration consisting of Galgaduud and Mudug regions”.

Key Headlines

Federal Government endorses central state after tripartite deal (Radio Mogadishu)
Somali woman killed for not wearing veil relatives say (BBC)
IJA forces seize new al Shabaab bases near Kismayo (Radio Bar-kulan)
Somali women ‘untapped resource’ in fight against al-Shabaab (Sabahi Online)
Fighting between government forces and al Shabaab erupts in Bay region (Radio Goobjoog)
Puntland president meets with media representatives in Garowe (Radio Bar-kulan)
Somali man suspected of killings in Lamu (Star News)
Delegation from African Union Mission in Somalia arrives in Kismayo (Radio Bar-kulan)
Al Shabaab free prisoners for Eid festival (Somali Current)

PRESS STATEMENT

UN Representative for Somalia welcomes agreement of intent to form new administration in central Somalia

30 Jul- Source: UNSOM – 867 words

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, welcomed today’s agreement in principle to form a regional administration in central Somalia. Under the leadership of the Federal Government, representatives from the region signed a document in which they stated that they would work together towards the establishment of a new administration in central Somalia.

The signing was witnessed by Envoys and senior representatives of the African Union, the European Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations.

“Though this is only the first step in a process of state formation in central Somalia, it is a sign of the country’s progress towards meeting the goals set out in Vision 2016 and the Provisional Federal Constitution,” SRSG Kay said. “The process of federalism is aimed at building a stronger, more united and peaceful Somalia.”

“Forming an inclusive administration in central Somalia will not be without its challenges, but these can only be resolved through consultation, dialogue and negotiation involving all parties,” he added. “I urge in particular the full participation of women in the process. It is also vital that the creation of a regional administration is done in a way that protects the interests of both emerging and existing administrations.”

“As a witness to today’s agreement, the United Nations is committed to supporting the Federal Government’s peace-building and state-building efforts,” Mr. Kay said.

SOMALI MEDIA

Federal Government endorses central state after tripartite deal

30 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Garowe Online/Radio Kulmiye – 224 words

Federal Government of Somalia has endorsed central Somalia state after lengthy discussion in Mogadishu on Wednesday as loose federalization process continue to gain momentum. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed witnessed the ceremony that led to the formation of semi-autonomous state of central Somalia at Villa Somalia Presidential compound with UN, EU, AU, IGAD and AMISOM envoys present. According to a press statement from the Prime Minister’s office, Somalia government hosted Gal Mudug authorities, local administration of Himan and Heeb and the paramilitary group of Ahlu Sunah Wal Jamea in Mogadishu in July in an effort to create an environment conducive for understanding and mutual cooperation. “Having considered the need for clear political agenda towards the establishment of inclusive and permanent governance system in line with the will of the local communities and Provisional Federal Constitution [PFC],” the statement noted. “The parties agreed to administration consisting of Galgaduud and Mudug regions”.

IJA forces seize new al Shabaab bases near Kismayo

30 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/All puntland Online – 135 words

Army officers from the Interim Jubba Administration on Wednesday claimed to have seized several al Shabaab bases in areas near Kismayo, the administrative capital of the interim administration. The army chief of the Interim Jubba Administration Aden Mohamud Qojar told Bar-kulan that his forces seized an al Shabaab bases in Abdi-dhore village which lies 48 KM west of Kismayo. He said his forces launched an offensive against the militant group in the area which resulted on the seizure of the group’s bases. Qofar declined to comment on the number of casualties but said his forces are now heading to Kamjaroon where al Shabaab militant group is believed to have a strong presence.

Fighting between government forces and al Shabaab erupts in Bay region

30 Jul – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Shabelle – 105 words

At least three people died and scores wounded after fighting between federal government forces and al Shabaab erupted in Bay region. The fighting started after al Shabaab attacked government forces convoy from Bardale district heading to Qansahdhere district in the region. The fighting went on for almost an hour as locals confirm to the media. The sounds of the gunfire was heard all over the surrounding areas as the sides used heavy and light weapons. Neither government forces nor al Shabaab have not given comments about the fighting in Bay region. Al Shabaab on a regular basis carry out attacks on government African union peacekeeping troops in Somalia.

Delegation from African Union Mission in Somalia arrives in Kismayo

30 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 142 words

A delegation led by the Acting Special Envoy of the African Union to Somalia Lydia Wanyoto on Wednesdayarrived in Kismayo, the provincial capital of Lower Jubba region. The delegation was jointly received at the airport by officials from the Interim Jubba Administration and the African Union Mission in Somalia. Lydia Wanyoto and her delegation are reportedly going to have talks with the Interim Jubba Administration officials to discuss relations between the interim administration and the African Union Mission in Somalia. They are also expected to raise the issue of reconciliation efforts in the region to bring harmony among Jubba communities as well as restoration of peace and order in Jubba regions. Forces from Kenya and Sierra Leone under the African Union Mission in Somalia are currently stationed in Kismayo and are fighting against Al Shabaab militant group in wider Jubba regions.

Al Shabaab free prisoners for Eid festival

30 Jul – Source: Somali Current – 151 words

Al Qaeda linked Somali militant group Shabaab has freed five prisoners for the sake of end of holy month of Ramadan Eid festival. The group leader in the lower Shabelle region Sheikh Mohammed Abu Abdalla has confirmed the release saying they have agreed to free the five prisoners with the respect of Eid occasion. “The five were in jail for various crimes they committed and were sentenced from one and half years to two months,” He said. The five are Abdullahi Muse, Hussein Mohamed, Hassan Ali, Ahmed Jeylani and Idris Mohamed. According to the group the freed prisoners have not committed serious crimes such as murder and spying. This is the first time the group released sentenced prisoners in their custody. The group has executed more than ten people with in this year accused of spying related cases.

Puntland president meets with media representatives in Garowe

30 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 173 words

Puntland president Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas on Tuesday met with Media Association of Puntland representatives to discuss contentious issues in a media bill recently passed by Puntland Parliament. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, the deputy chairman of Media Association of Puntland Mohamed Dahir Yusuf said that they presented the points they deemed controversial in the bill to the president for considerations before signing the bill into law. He added the president said that his administration respects the press freedom in Puntland saying the constitution is clear about the position of the press freedom and the rights of the journalists.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali man suspected of killings in Lamu

30 Jul – Source: Star News – 255 words

A Somali national was taken to court in Lamu on Monday over murder and destruction of property. Officer Paul Abogi attached to the CID in Lamu West told the court that Ahmed Hassan is suspected of being among a group of people that committed brutal killings that led to the deaths of more than 78 people and the destruction of property of unknown value. The crimes were committed in Kakathe, Pandanguo, Mpeketoni, Hindi, Kibaoni and Witu.

Somali women ‘untapped resource’ in fight against al Shabaab

30 Jul – Soure: Sabahi Online – 653 words

For years women in Mogadishu have been on the side-lines in the fight against al Shabaab, but more recently they have begun to play a more active role by providing critical information about suspicious activity and people to security agencies, officials told Sabahi. Women are an untapped resource and could play a more decisive role in defeating al Shabaab, but have been so far underused in security efforts, said Jawahir Barqab, the director of the Benadir Women’s Association, a Mogadishu-based non-governmental organisation that works to advance women’s issues such as equal representation in politics and job opportunities. Barqab said her organisation has been trying to change that situation since last December by facilitating the collaboration of security agencies with civilian women, and training women on how to monitor and report suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali woman killed for not wearing veil, relatives say

30 Jul – Source: BBC – 301 words

Militant Islamists in Somalia have shot dead a Muslim woman for refusing to wear a veil, her relatives say. Ruqiya Farah Yarow was killed outside her hut near the southern Somali town of Hosingow by gunmen belonging to the al Shabaab group, they say. The militants had ordered her to put on a veil, and then killed her after returning and finding she was still not wearing one, the relatives said. An al-Shabab spokesman denied the group had killed the woman. Al Shabaab does not fully control the area where she was living, he added.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“If the Kenyan government is to be believed, tourist arrivals are down a little bit on last year. Hotel operators tell a different story, speaking of a crisis rather than a decline. It’s a potentially devastating blow for Kenya’s economy. For this, Kenyan has got al Shabaab and an increasingly misguided invasion of Somalia to thank.”

Kenya’s tourism crisis: Al Shabaab hits where it hurts the most

30 Jul – Source: Daily Maverick – 858 words

There was some bad news this week for Kenya’s tourism industry, a vital driver of the country’s $41 billion economy (the Economist estimates that tourism provides up to 15% of GDP). According to the state-run Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), international arrivals for the first five months of the year are down 4%, from 398,000 in 2013 to 381,000 in 2014. In other words, 17,000 less people have opted to travel to Kenya this year, largely as a result of travel warnings issued against Kenya by the UK, US and other western nations. But this news is not bad enough, apparently. In a scathing attack, one of the country’s major hotel chains accused the government of grossly misrepresenting the figures. Headed “4% DROP IN TOURISM! WE MUST BE JOKING!”, the statement from Rosemary Mugambi, head of sales and marketing for TPS Eastern Africa, which operates the Serena group of hotels, did not pull any punches. “When we come across such statements which are not in touch with reality on the ground, we wonder if KTB and the Kenya tourism industry ‘live in the same Kenya’,” said Mugambi. She argues that the 2013 figures were already a 30% drop on the 2012 figures, and that the situation was even worse in 2014. According to the company’s own statistics, tourism this year was already 30-50% down in Kenya’s coastal regions, and 20% down in its safari parks. “WHEN ONE DOES NOT ACCEPT THERE IS A PROBLEM – ONE NEVER SEEKS SOLUTIONS,” concluded Mugambi, the frustrated caps all hers.