July 7, 2015 | Morning Headlines

Main Story

Somalia’s Parliament Approves Independent Electoral And Local Boundaries Commission

06 July – Source: Horseed Media – 193 Words

Somalia’s Federal Parliament on Monday unanimously approved the newly formed Independent Electoral and local boundaries commission.Chaired by the Parliament speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari, the Session took place by the presence of 187-legislatures.Prior to the session, members of the Federal Parliament were given several days to read the curriculum vitae (CV) and working experience of the 18 members who were also present at the Parliament’s session in Mogadishu.

The voting of the approval of the new commissions was carried out through secret ballots – a rare way of balloting in the Parliament.However, under the terms of Somalia’s provisional constitution, the Electoral commission is responsible for the registration of voters and the conduct of free and fair elections expected to be held in 2016.
The new commission which were appointed in May by the Federal cabinet was objected by the autonomous state Puntland, accusing the Federal government of breaching the constitution and neglecting agreements signed by the government itself with the regional administrations.Analysts and commentators have doubted the possibility of national elections to be held across the country due to the massive work to be accomplished prior to the elections date.

Key Headlines

Somalia’s Parliament Approves Independent Electoral And Local Boundaries Commission (Horseed Media)
Interim Jubba Administration Forces Launch Security Sweep In Kismayo (Goobjoog News)
Puntland Police Detain 82 Ethiopian Immigrants (Horseed Media)
Galmudug Head Of State Gives Maiden Speech Calls On MPs To Focus On Tough Task Ahead (Wacaal Media)
Puntland President Hurdle To Dialogue-Former Commander (Garowe Online)
AMISOM Announces New Offensive Against Al-Shabaab (Radio Dalsan)
Three Al-Shabaab Militants Killed In Somalia (The New Indian Express)
AMISOM Force Commander Visits Burundi Troops In Jereredo (Coast Week)
Shuja Family Gather At Heidelberg West Home For Ramadan Feast (Herald Sun)
UK Khat Ban – For The People By The People One Year On (Hiiraan Online)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Interim Jubba Administration Forces Launch Security Sweep In Kismayo

06 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 109 Words

Interim Jubba Administration (IJA) forces have been conducting massive security sweep in Kismayo town and areas around it, for last 24 hours. Commanders in charge of the operation said that the inspection was intended to beef up the security of the capital administrative IJA Kismayo and undisclosed number of people suspected being Al-Shabaab members were apprehended. The security forces of IJA were seen patrolling every corner of the town. The operation which was conducted by the security forces has curtailed the movement of people and public vehicles. It was a day ago the administration of Jubbaland have instituted a night-time curfew due to the potential safety concerns posed in Kismayo.

Puntland Police Detain 82 Ethiopian Immigrants

06 July – Source: Horseed Media – 181 Words

Security forces in Puntland State of Somalia, have detained over 80 Ethiopian illegal immigrants who were on a voyage to gulf countries to seek asylum, a security official has said. The 82 immigrants were arrested when Police intercepted the lorries they were travelling in, close to Garowe, the capital of Puntland. “We arrested them along with the drivers of the Lorries and are currently held in a Garowe Police station,’’ said Farah Abdullahi, a security officer. In recent years, tens of thousands of African migrants risk their lives to try and enter Yemen on unseaworthy boats in search for a better life. Many die atrocious deaths – beaten, thrown overboard, eaten by sharks, drowned or asphyxiated in the hold of crowded smuggler boats. Puntland vowed that it will fight against the undocumented immigrants who are using its coastal areas to cross the red sea and reach gulf countries. War-torn Yemen is mainly used as a transit country, with African migrants often aiming to move on to neighbouring oil-rich Gulf nations to find work.

Galmudug Head Of State Gives Maiden Speech, Calls On MPs To Focus On Tough Task Ahead

06 July – Source: Wacaal Media – 127 Words

Following his election as the head of State of Galmudug, Abdikarim Hussein Guled gave his maiden speech thanking all those who elected him to office. “I thank all the delegates, members of parliament and other stakeholders for the good job they did in the state building process. We still have along way to go and I urge you to forget about the election campaigns and focus on the tough tasks ahead” he said amid cheers from members. The state building process will now enter the most important phase including coming up with its capital, cabinet as well as armed forces among other state organs. The state will have Adaado as its temporary capital as Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a which vehemently opposed the process has forcefully taken over its designated capital of Dhuusamareeb.

Puntland President Hurdle To Dialogue-Former Commander

06 July – Source: Garowe Online – 203 Words

Former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Police Force General. Muhiyadin Ahmed Musse has accused Puntland President of being a major obstacle to a dialogue spearheaded by mediation committee, Garowe Online reports. Reacting to recent remarks by President Abdiweli Ali Gas who put a condition on talks with striking commander, Gen. Musse said President’s pre-condition is faltering and he is more open to engage in negotiations. “The president has always been reluctant to mediation. We do favor end to differences through better means. We don’t want things to end up in gunfire,” he told a local news site. When asked about whether the handover of weaponry is epicenter for the dispute, he said: “I don’t have arms for the president, he doesn’t possess weapons. It’s not questionable and everybody has own arms henceforth it’s impossible to tell others, you can’t be in possession of such hardware”. Moreover, Gen. Musse once again reiterated that he is not aiming to harm stability but wants that their rights demand be implemented. The accusations have come after outcome of a gathering between Puntland President and a committee set to arbitrate on the dispute became unsubstantiated. Sources tell Garowe Online that the president insisted on the surrender and disarmament of General. Muse before any face-to-face dialogue.

AMISOM Announces New Offensive Against Al-Shabaab

06 July – Source: Radio Dalsan – 161 Words

African Union peacekeeping troops in Somalia has announced new offensive against armed group Al-Shabaab.The new move comes days after wide media reports of AMISOM vacating several bases after Al-Shabaab attack on one of its base outside Mogadishu. AMISOM force Commander General Jonathan Rono confirmed the operation while speaking to contingents from Burundi in Jereredo army base. General Rono outlined the fight against Al-Shabaab and plans to recapture strategic areas from the armed group.“In coming days Somali National Army together with AMISOM will conduct operations to capture remaining 20 percent from Al Shabaab,” he said. General Rono consoled Burundians for the loss of soldiers after Al-Shabaab attack on their base last week. AMISOM commander comments echoes Somali National Army and AMISOM withdrawal from several bases around the capital Mogadishu and Lower Shabelle region earlier this month. Al-Shabaab has intensified attacks against government and AMISOM troops since the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Three Al-Shabaab Militants Killed In Somalia

06 July – Source: The New Indian Express – 193 Words

Three Al-Shabaab militants were killed in fierce fighting after the Al Qaeda-allied insurgents launched an attack on a government military base in Jala-laksi district of Hiran region in central Somalia. Jala-laksi deputy administrator Mahamod Fidow told journalists on Monday that Somali military officers repulsed the attack by heavily armed Al-Shabaab fighters on their military base on Sunday night, Xinhua news agency reported. “They attacked our military base, but the forces stopped them. We have managed to kill three of the attackers while the others fled away from the scene,” Fidow said. He said the military officers later launched security operations in the region and arrested several suspects who were being investigated for various incidents of insecurity in the region. “We will investigate them and later release innocent people while those found with offences will be taken to court,” Fidow added. The official also said that the situation was calm, denying there were casualties among the security forces. The Al-Shabaab has not claimed responsibility, but the group has carried out similar terror attacks before, vowing to intensify attacks on government bases and African Union peacekeepers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

AMISOM Force Commander Visits Burundi Troops In Jereredo

06 July – Source: Coast Week – 222 Words

AMISOM Force Commander Lt. Gen. Jonathan Rono has visited Burundian troops on the frontline in Jereredo Army base in Sector 5. He briefed the troops about the on-going re-adjustment and re-organization of troops in strategic towns, saying it was aimed at revitalizing security in the outposts.
“I want to pay gratitude to you for the tactical role you play, commiserate with you on the loss of lives we recently encountered while executing our mandate and defending the noble cause in Leego. “Together with the Somali National Army, ensure that peace prevails and that we defeat the terrorists and create an enabling environment to foster development.” Said Lt. Gen Rono. The Force Commander re-affirmed the Force’s commitment in dealing with tactical challenges and maintaining the success achieved. “In the coming few days, together with our partners and Somali National Security Forces, we shall intensify activity and momentum. “We have already scored eighty percent and we are hopeful the remaining twenty percent can be achieved as well,” he added. The Force Commander urged the troops to observe the principle of togetherness, pan-Africanism and brotherhood. He was accompanied to Jereredo by AMISOM’s Chief Security Officer Col (Rtd) Peter Chege, the Force Chief of Staff Brig Gen Cyprien Ndikuriyo, Sector Five Commander Col Reverien Ndayambaje and Deputy Chief Information Officer Lt col Ezra Kukundakwe, among others.

OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE

“Like many other former Somalian refugees, the Shuja’s left the African country in fear for their lives.Before moving to Australia, Zach said his father played soccer with the Somali National Football Team in the African championships.He tells me his mother is from Marka, an ancient port town about 78km southwest of Mogadishu, by the beach.”

Shuja Family Gather At Heidelberg West Home For Ramadan Feast

06 July – Source: Herald Sun -409 Words

I couldn’t feel more welcome at the Shuja family home who have generously invited me to break the Thursdayfast with them.Gathering at their parent’s home in Heidelberg West, I meet siblings Sara Omar and Zach Omar who are waiting for the rest of their family to arrive for the evening meal. The women have been cooking the evening feast since 1pm, starting with the homemade beverages and moving on to the main dishes including the Shurbad — a slow cooked oat and meat soup.Talking with the family, Charles Latrobe College Year 12 student Ms Omar tells me while on school holidays she has been able to help her mother with the cooking each day during Ramadan. Mr Omar, who is visiting with his wife Hiba Abanur and baby boy Ayman for dinner, said his mother Hamido Abdi and four other siblings — two sisters and two brothers — moved to Australia when he was 15 and were followed a couple of years later by their father Iman Shuja.He tells me his third sister was born in Australia.The Shuja family have lived in Banyule since they first came to Australia in 1998 on humanitarian visas.“We mainly came for safety but also education for the children,” he said “It’s a lot safer and we can support ourselves.”

“More fathers are present at home, working or seeking employment and in effect becoming better role models for their children. As shop owner and former user Ahmed Musa stated ‘I always chewed Khat. It took a lot of my time, now I see my family more especially my youngest daughter.”

UK Khat Ban – For The People By The People, One Year On

03 July – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1,216 Words

The UK banning of Khat a year ago surprised much of UK society who had not heard of the drug – let alone aware that there was campaign to stop its use. However, for those aware of the Horn of Africa and Arab cultures namely Somalia and Yemen the leafy plant Khat acts as a stimulant, commonly chewed by men. As of June 24th 2014, Khat became classed as a class C drug and banned from the UK. UK Home secretary, Theresa Mays’ argued it was for the betterment of vulnerable communities’ health and social wellbeing, as well as concerns over the UK turning into a hub for European supply. The ripple effects across UK Somali communities were real and profound. No longer was it possible to boldly brandish Khat in the UK. Arguments began proliferating in the media and public discussions that the law had been introduced too quickly and had potential negative consequences such as – pushing people to harder drugs or alcohol, damaging race relations, devastating Kenyan Khat-growing economies and a loss of 2.5 million for the UK treasury.

Many argued that Theresa May decided to implement the ban without apparent evidence and against the advice of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. The ban was portrayed simply as an encroachment on freedom pushed forward by the government. Somalis’ were thus shown as somewhat voiceless in the matter. When in actual fact numerous Somali individuals and groups were lobbying the government for many years to make Khat illegal. This part of the Khat ban story has received little mainstream media attention. However, few stories were heard such as a BBC Wales 2012 report about a young Somali youth worker Mr Dualeh warning that Khat should be illegal, as he believed it was killing his community. Upon the eve of the ban 29 UK based Somali community organisations from television stations, job training centres, charities and youth groups endorsed a report titled ‘Khat Ban: Removing segregation and promoting integration’ in direct support of Theresa May’s decision. Contributor to the report London Youth Somali Forum, Chair, Mohamed Ibrahim stated ‘Our fight against Khat has been real for many years and we have finally won’.

Naturally, as an issue that is intimately affecting their own community, Somalis in the UK are more than well-placed to advise the government. As the Home Office minister Karen Bradley told to the BBC ‘We took the decision based on the strong views of the Somali community, particularly mums and wives’. There were of course some within the community who were vocally against the ban largely given the business it generates and its cultural significance. However, most Somalis’ welcomed the ban and this is evident in our lack of distinctive protest. In testimony to community advice it appears the legislation has had many positive social impacts upon the lives of former Khat’s users’ and public health services. Mental health issues namely psychosis and others such as insomnia, paranoia and depressions have all been linked to Khat use. Physical health can also be affected with poor appetite, mouth ulcers, and gum disease prevalent amongst users.