July 31, 2015 | Morning Headlines
UN Expresses Concern Over Absence Of Two States From Mogadishu Conference
30 July – Source:Wacaal Media – 288 Words
The United Nations has expressed concerns over the absence of Jubbaland and Puntland states from the Vision 2016 conference that entered its second day in Mogadishu. UN special envoy and head of UNSOM Nicholas Kay said that it was disheartening to see heads of state Ahmed Madoobe of Jubbaland and his Puntland counterpart Dr. Abdiweli Gas miss the all important conference. Speaking in Mogadishu, Kay added that it was imperative to have all regions represented at the conference as matters of national importance were being discussed. “We have put extra efforts to have the presence of Ahmed Madoobe and Dr. Abdiweli Gas, however we did not succeed in bringing them here but we are committed to convince them and attend to their grievances” said Kay.
Kay’s sentiments were echoed by President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who said that he personally visited Kismaayo to convince Jubbaland head Ahmed Madoobe but to no avail. President Mohamud spent 24 hours in Kismayu this week. On the same note, Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke headed to the other state where he also sought to bring on board Dr. Abdiweli Gas of Puntland. His efforts did not yield fruits either. The two states took issue with the Federal government over its handling of the federalism process especially in the recent formation of Galmudug State. They also accused the federal government of meddling with the internal affairs of the regional states, a claim the Federal Government denies. Jubbaland was aggrieved by a decision by the Federal Parliament to pass a vote of no confidence against its parliament while Puntland says parts of its territory was annexed to the new state of Galmudug. The two other states of Galmudug and South West Somalia are however attending the conference.
Key Headlines
- UN Expresses Concern Over Absence Of Two States From Mogadishu Conference (Wacaal Media)
- Somali Government Forces Claim Victory Over Al-Shabaab In Bakol (Radio Bar-Kulan)
- Puntland Warns Federal Government Against Term Extension (Horseed Media)
- China May Suspend Aid To Somalia After One Chinese Was Killed In Attack (Somali Current)
- Water Shortage Hit Eel-Hur Locality (Goobjoog News)
- Jubbaland Did Not Contribute To The Capture Of Baardheere SNA’s Gedo Spokesman Claims (Wacaal Media)
- Kenya Military Given Sh9bn From US To Fight Al-Shabaab (Daily Nation)
- Somalia President : No Election In 2016 (Associated Press)
- Somalia: Islamic Terrorists Are Easy Corruption Is Hard (The Strategy Page)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somali Government Forces Claim Victory Over Al-Shabaab In Bakol
30 July – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 109 Words
Somali government claimed it has inflicted heavy casualties on Al-Shabaab fighters in a fierce fighting that erupted in parts of Bakol region on Wednesday. Hudur district commissioner Mohamed Moallim said 16 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in the clashes in Burdhuhun and Kulan Jarer villages near Tiyeglow. Mohamed said dozens of militants were also captured or injured during the operation that is aimed at liberating the Al-Qaeda linked group from the region. Somali government forces conducting the military operation in Bakol are backed by Ethiopian troops that are part of the African Union Mission in Somalia. More than 20 combatants from both sides are confirmed to have died in Wednesday’s fighting.
Puntland Warns Federal Gov’t Against Term Extension
30 July – Source : Horseed Media – 208 Words
Somalia’s autonomous state of Puntland has said that it will not accept a term extension or a delay to the elections expected to be held in 2016. On Thursday, Puntland released a statement explaining why it had refused to attend a high-level partnership forum on the 2016 new deal which kicked off in Mogadishu yesterday. The regional administration accused the Federal Government of violating the Provisional Constitution, undermining the federalism system and non-implementation of the previous agreements reached by both sides. Puntland went on to further say that: “it will not accept a term extension or a delay of the 2016 elections’’ and called for a national conference to discuss on the elections and “collective national interests.’’ Earlier this week, Somalia’s Federal Parliament and government announced in a joint session that there is no a possibility of holding national elections across the country.The decision was criticized by the Somali citizens who said that the government failed to implement its pledges when it came to office in 2012. Since last year, speculations have been going around over the possibilities of holding national elections across the country. Some sources revealed that the government was planning to ask the parliament to extend its mandate for a further two years.
China May Suspend Aid To Somalia After One Chinese Was Killed In Attack
30 July – Source: Somali Current – 331 Words
China may suspend the emergency assistance it extends to Somalia after one of its own was killed in Mogadishu at a terror attack on a high end hotel where China embassy had its offices. The only Chinese killed in the attack was a security personnel who was at the premises at the time of the attack that was claimed by the militant group Al-Shabaab. The hotel is frequented by foreign nationals, particularly foreign aid workers, journalists and diplomats. Qian Wenbin, a staff with the Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics says he usually goes to Somalia every year where he spends at least two to three days as he conducts market survey and meeting clients, but states that the country is not safe for foreigners. “The overall situation in Somalia is not good. It is chaotic and dangerous,” said Qian Wenbin.
Somalia needs Chinese to build infrastructure and refurbish the old ones it build before the civil war broke out. Chinese media is reporting that there are currently no Chinese enterprises taking part in investment or other projects in Somalia. Yicai , Shanghai’s China Business News said Chinese contractors have not obtained any business contracts in 2013 or 2014. China, on the other hand, is said to have engaged in feasibility studies on various projects and one under consideration is an expansion of the hospital for women and children. Somalia currently has few reliable health facility. “Terrorism is the biggest threat to China’s investment in Somalia. The latest attack on the Chinese embassy, which only reopened last year after years of civil war, has undoubtedly slowed the pace of Chinese assistance and investment,” Liu Guijin, a Chinese investor in the country, said. “That terror attacks are one of the risks faced by China in its investment in the country,” he added. A truck filled explosives rammed into Jazeera hotel in Mogadishu where 13 people have been confirmed dead.
Water Shortage Hit Eel-Hur Locality
30 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 258 Words
Residents of Eel-Hur are facing serious water and food shortages which prompted many people to flee according officials. Residents have been complaining of river sand brought by the flooded river during last year’s rainy season as it brought the accessibility of the area stalemate. Eel-hur chief, Mohamed Mohamud Guur speaking to Goobjoog News said that the living condition of the residents is getting worse as the price of food and drinking water sky rocketed due to lack of access to the areas caused by sand. “The condition is becoming worse as river sand made the area impasse making the price of 200 litres of water to reach Som sh 120000 ( 6 US Dollars), Donkey carts are supplying water to the area. there is scarcity of water in the area” he said.
He added “the area has no health care, learning institutions and other public amenities. People travel to other towns to seek medical treatment,” Mohamed pointed out that the effect left by floods that hit the area last year can still seen as the floods washed away several house and destroyed several hectares of crops. “The area [is home to] over 1, 500 families of which about 500 families stay homeless after their houses were carried away by floods” the chief said. Eel-Hur locality and its environs are reported to have been struggling with water and food shortages that lead many to flee to other parts of the region. Residents who talked to Goobjoog News have confirmed that there is no aid agency operating in the areas and called for assistance.
Jubbaland Did Not Contribute To The Capture Of Baardheere, SNA’s Gedo Spokesman Claims
30 July – Source : Wacaal Media – 186 Words
There are no military personnel from the Interim Administration of Jubbaland in Gedo region, especially Baardheere town neither did they contribute to its liberation from Al-Shabaab, a spokesman of the Somali National Army has claimed. Speaking to the press in the recently captured town of Baardheere, Gedo region’s spokesman of the Somali National Army Col. Adan Ahmed Hirsi said that all the officers that recently captured the town of Baardheere from Al-shabaab were from the National Army and AMISOM. He added that Jubbaland forces did not play a role. “I would like to inform you that it was the national armed forces in collaboration with AMISOM that liberated Baardheere. Reports that Jubbaland played a role in the offensive that secured the town were baseless,” Hirsi said. When asked about a trip made to the area by the Vice President of Jubbaland Gen. Fartag, Mr. Hirsi said that the VP visited the area and held talks with elders of his clan in the area. The spokesman also refuted claims that traditional elders from the area were in Kismayu attending a conference that is coming up with Jubbaland’s constitution.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya Military Given Sh9bn From US To Fight Al-Shabaab
30 July – Source :Daily Nation – 567 Words
The US Government has given the Kenya Defence Force Sh9.5 billion in aid this financial year to enhance the fight against Al-Shabaab.The money will be used to buy equipment, train soldiers and support the Kenya military in Somalia and the fight against Al-Shabaab.From this amount, about Sh5.9 billion will go to Amisom, of which Kenya is a part. The money is for enhancing “manoeuvre and border force, counter-improvised explosive devices, intelligence and logistics”.It will also help Kenya soldiers identify and target Al-Shabaab terrorists and respond to attacks effectively. The money would also buy military aircraft.
The military said that about Sh1.9 billion would be used to buy drones and unmanned aerial systems for spying on land and sea, while another Sh2.52 billion would support the Kenyan Ranger Regiment. The surveillance equipment the military is expected to buy has been described as virtually undetectable and is equipped with video cameras which can be monitored from a remote location. They also do not require a runway to launch. According to a security assistance monitor document released on July 21, just three days ahead of the arrival of US President Barack Obama in Nairobi, this year’s allocation is a 163 per cent increase compared to the Sh3.8 billion given last year.The security assistance monitor is part of the Centre for International Policy, which tracks and analyses US security and defence assistance worldwide by collecting publicly available government data.
Somalia President : No Election In 2016
30 July- Source : Associated Press – 193 Words
Somalia’s president is ruling out the possibility of holding elections that are due next year, citing security challenges stemming from an Islamic insurgency. Opposition parties charge that that his government is taking advantage of poor security to extend its mandate through postponement of elections.National elections are impossible amid rampant violence orchestrated by the Somali Islamic extremist group al-Shabab, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in a statement. Mohamud’s term expires in August.
Mohamud denied the opposition allegations. In his statement, he said that his government intends to focus on a review of the Constitution as well as building a strong national army.Elected in 2012, Mohamud’s government has struggled to assert its authority across the Horn of Africa nation. Although al-Shabab militants have been driven out of their major strongholds over the years, they still control some parts of rural Somalia from which they plot attacks.Al-Shabab, which has ties with al-Qaida, has stepped up lethal attacks in recent months, targeting African Union forces, government officials and foreigners. On Sunday, at least 15 people were killed when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-laden truck at the upscale Jazeera Hotel in the capital, Mogadishu.
UNSOM Visits Somali Capital’s Central Prison
30 July – Source: CIHAN – 459 Words
Officials from the United Nations Assistance Mission (UNSOM) recently visited Somali capital’s Central Prison to assess their current status and to discuss means of providing support to ensure provision of effective correctional service. Built in 1930, Mogadishu Central Prison is the country’s main correctional facility, and faces major challenges including congestion of inmates, limited infrastructure, lack of basic facilities such as sleeping quarters, access to clean water, adequate food and a conducive environment that would facilitate humane treatment and rehabilitation of inmates. Somalia has 10 functional prisons – Mogadishu, Baidoa, Beletweyne, Kismayo, Marka, Berweyn, Bulbarde, Hudur, Afgoye, and Afgoy Farms.
UNSOM through its Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group extends technical support to boost the capacity of the Custodial Corps, support development of infrastructure and coordinate international efforts to assist the custodial service. Col. Mohamed Sheikh Omar, Commander of Mogadishu Central Prison, was glad to receive UNSOM officials at the premises. “They have inspected the projects. They have been extending support, including construction of kitchens, the perimeter wall for improved security, construction of the drainage and sewerage system as well as the water tank that is under construction, among others,” he said. Col Omar is also appealing to fellow Somalis to lend a hand in rebuilding the facilities. “As Somalis, we have also appealed to our business community and the universities in Somalia for support and the response so far has been positive,” said Col. Mohamed Sheikh Omar.
General Mohamed Jaama Bashir, Commissioner General of the Custodial Corps, says that the needs of the correctional facilities are enormous and must be addressed urgently in order for the sector to be effective in supporting the overall effort towards restoration of peace in the country. “The most important duties are rehabilitation of inmates so that the prisoner, when he gets back to the community, he has changed his behaviour for the better, which means he is educated, he is caring and has undergone vocational training; those are the most important qualities,” said Gen Bashir. The prison’s administration is in the process of improving the infrastructure to give more space for inmates, prison security as well as conduct rehabilitation programs including imparting of technical skills with the assistance of the local business community and the UN. UNSOM officials also underscored the importance of effective correctional facilities to avoid relapse into crime.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“The peacekeepers depend on Somali police and soldiers to provide security in the newly liberated towns and villages but the continuing problems with corruption (especially bribes, theft and abuse of power) often result in local warlord or clan militias chasing away the security forces or constantly skirmishing with the security forces because of complaints from locals about the corruption,”
Somalia: Islamic Terrorists Are Easy, Corruption Is Hard
30 July – Source: The Strategy Page – 1143 Words
The government revealed that security and political problems will prevent holding national elections in 2016, as the current interim government earlier agreed to do. Some foreign donors believe this is a ploy so the interim government can stay in power longer and steal more aid money. But UN and peacekeeper officials agree that security throughout the nation will not achieved by the end of 2016. Part of the problem is political with many of the clans (tribes) maintaining armed militias and refusing to abide by a “one man, one vote” system. That is, some clans demand more (foreign aid and other resources) than their numbers justify. Meanwhile the IMF and other international economic agencies agree that the Somali economy is growing steadily. Most widely accepted numbers are 2.7 percent GDP growth in 2015, 3.4 percent in 2016 and 4.3 percent in 2017. But it all depends on maintaining security (controlling al Shabaab and other warlords) and reducing corruption. In Somalia keep the peace for long periods is unusual.
Meanwhile the security forces and peacekeepers are continuing an operation begun on the 17th to clear al Shabaab out of rural areas in the far south (Jubba). This was a major operation, involving mostly Kenyan and Ethiopian peacekeepers. These operations have become larger, longer and more frequent. This one has, so far driven al Shabaab out of 22 towns and villages and killed nearly 80 of the Islamic terrorists. Ten were captured and several wounded al Shabaab were carried away by their comrades. Peacekeepers and security forces suffered about twenty dead and several dozen wounded. Most of these casualties came from roadside bombs and mines used by al Shabaab to slow down the advancing soldiers and police. Sometimes these devices were used in conjunction with an ambush force of al Shabaab gunmen.
Over fifty civilians were believed killed as well. These people were caught in the crossfire or used as human shields by al Shabaab. Some villagers complain that peacekeepers and security forces deliberately killed civilians but that is hard to prove and doesn’t really make sense unless some local civilians are fighting alongside al Shabaab. That does happen occasionally. Some of the civilian casualties are the result of air attacks by Kenyan and Ethiopian warplanes against al Shabaab in urban areas or military vehicles captured by al Shabaab.