June 13, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Himan and Heb parliament elects new President

13 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Kulmiye/Radio Shabelle-139 words

Himan and Heb Parliament has Thursday elected new president of the central region of Somalia in an election held at administration’s capital Adado in Galgadud region. The presidency was contested by three aspirants, Abdillahi Ali Mohamed, Osman Mohamed Ali (Socdal) and Ali Amin Sayid Ahmed.

The parliament overwhelmingly elected Abdillahi Ali Mohamed, winning with 20 votes out of 23. Second placed Osman Mohamed Ali (Socdal) got two votes while in third was Ali Amin Sayid Ahmed with one vote.

Administration spokesman Abdillahi Farhan Jim’ale who announced the final result stated that the elections were free and fair. Himan and Heb incumbent president Mohamed Aden Ticey has not been in the race. Elections were witnessed by officials, council of elders, and civil society groups in Adado town.

Key Headlines

Himan and Heb parliament elects new President (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Kulmiye/Radio Shabelle)
Somaliland president pardons prisoners (Somaliland Informer)
President Hassan: Relationship between UK and Somalia keeps on improving (Radio Shabelle)
Somaliland opposition parties condemn government crackdown on media (Somalilandpress)
Ahlu Sunna displays al Shabaab defected fighters in Gedo (Radio Bar-kulan)
Garbaharrey IDPs lack food and shelter (Radio Ergo)
Djibouti and China to rebuild Mogadishu port (African Review)
Kenya Defence Forces assures of security downplays Jubaland war (Standard)
E-Cash program in Somalia (CNN)

PRESS STATEMENT

President Hassan hosts EU Political & Security Committee Ambassadors in Mogadishu

12 Jun- Source: Office of the President- 429 words

The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hosted the first ever visit of the EU Political & Security Committee Ambassadors in Mogadishu. The Political & Security Committee (PSC) is the main decision-making body of the EU and comprises Ambassadors from the 27 EU Member States. The President addressed the event saying “I am very pleased to receive you in Mogadishu on this first historic visit of the EU Political & Security Committee to Somalia. Welcome to the capital of Somalia. Your presence here today is indicative of the change that is happening here.”

The President thanked the EU for their unwavering support to the Government and the people of Somalia, which he said shows the commitment of the EU and their determination to see Somalia succeed in their recovery. “The Somali nation and I thank the EU for its sustained and total support over the past few years. As things have got steadily better, you have increased your work with us to build on that confidence and maintain the momentum.”

The President also thanked the EU and its Member States for sending their Ambassadors to present credentials and re-establish diplomatic relations and hoped that soon a full fledged EU Mission will come to Mogadishu.

Speaking on the upcoming Somalia Conference in Brussels in September, the President said, “I very much appreciate the friendship and the initiative of Baroness Ashton to co-host with me the Brussels Conference on16 September. I have established a high level Task Force for the New Deal process and we will be launching consultations throughout Somalia to prepare the COMPACT that will be presented in Brussels. The COMPACT will provide my Government’s framework for the next three years in terms of our political, security and developmental priorities and I very much look forward to the engagement of your Heads of State and Foreign Ministers.”

The President also thanked the EU-ACP Council of Ministers for accepting Somalia’s bid for membership of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement on 7th June 2013 and said “This is a milestone of our cooperation and allows Somalia to join the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) family after 22 years absence.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Himan and Heb parliament elects new President

13 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Kulmiye/Radio Shabelle-139 words

Somaliland president pardons prisoners

13 Jun- Source: Somaliland Informer – 90 words

Somaliland government has released 491 prisoners under the general amnesty granted by the incumbent president Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo, prisons department director Abdirahman Ahmed Mohamoud has revealed.

Abdirahman, prisons department director has said that executed the presidential pardon decree has released 491 prisons from 13 different prisons in Somaliland. The amnesty covers prisoners committed minor offences such as theft, forgery and white collar crimes but the death penalty does not.

President Hassan: Relationship between UK and Somalia keeps on improving

13 Jun- Source: Radio Shabelle- 98 words

Addressing the media at Villa Somalia, the president of the federal republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that the relationship between Somalia and the British government keeps on improving as the two countries keep their ties closer and closer as days go by.

Mr. Hassan voiced his excitement about UK’s constant support to the federal government and promised to continue working with their political friends. The president’s words come as the British government intensified its interests in Somalia as the country ends the two decade internal conflict.

Somaliland opposition parties condemn government crackdown on media

13 Jun- Source: Somalilandpress- 313 words

WADDANI and UCID two of the three official opposition party has condemned in the strongest terms yesterday government ban on a leading Somali language daily known as Hubaal newspaper.

Speaking during a press conference held at the WADDANI headquarters in Hargeisa Mr. Mohamed Hassan Dirir said, “It’s so sad to see the government of the day infringing on the rights of Somaliland citizens day in and day out, with an increasing cases of government intimidation and harassment of the press,”.

“Our deep concern is for the well-being of journalists who face violence and repression for the work that they do around the country not to mention the lack of convictions in an attempted murder case involving the Mr. Mohemed Jama Caloolay a journalist and also the owner of Hubaal media group escaped an assassination attempt this calls to question governments’ ability to solve the case,” Said Mr. Mohamed Hassan Dirir.

Farewell to Matt Baugh, UK Ambassador to Somalia

13 Jun- Source: Office of the President/Hiiraan Online/Raadreb- 330 words

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, today bid farewell to the UK Ambassador, Matt Baugh, as he comes to the end of his three year mission in Somalia.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the President said:

“Our friend Matt Baugh, UK Ambassador to Somalia, is going back to London after three years of making an impossible mission possible. His exemplary service and diplomatic leadership has focused the UK’s support to Somalia and has helped Somalia regain its place in the community of nations.

Ahlu Sunna displays al Shabaab defected fighters in Gedo

13 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 126 words

The Moderate Islamists of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a in Gedo region on Wednesday exhibited at least three people they said have defected from the insurgent group of al Shabaab in Garbaharey town, capital of Gedo region. Reports from the areas suggest that the three were among militant leaders who worked in Bur-Dhubo areas of Gedo region.

Speaking to Bar-kulan, Ahlu Sunna group spokesman in Gedo region Sheikh Mohamed Hussein Ishaq (Qadi) said the defection came after long talks and negotiation with the defected fighters. The spokesman added that among the three is a ring leader called Hussein Ali (better known as Abu-Hasaan). This is not the first time such defected members of al Shabaab were exhibited in Gedo region in southern Somalia.

Garbaharrey IDPs lack food and shelter

12 Jun- Source: Radio Ergo- 124 words

Internally displaced families in camps in the outskirts of Garbaharrey town are in desperate need of food and improved shelter. They are living in grass-made structures that give no protection from sun or cold.

Malin Hassan Madmatan, an IDP from Qansadhere location of Bay region, said his family and others living in three main camps in Garbaharrey were in desperate need of health services.

The three IDPs centres of Towfiq, Kabay and Garkaday, just outside Garbaharrey town, are home to 3,000 families. Most of them originate from Bay, Bakool and Middle Juba regions, with others from different parts of Gedo.

Mahmud Farah Ali, a member of the camps committee, said most of the IDPs had fled drought and conflict and had been living in poor conditions for the past two years. He appealed to the aid organizations, for food, shelter, and medication for the IDP population.

Somaliland Court Bans Hubaal Newspaper

12 Jun- Source: Somalilandpress- 160 words

A court in Hargeisa has in a press release banned Hubaal Newspaper a popular Somali language daily as of today 11/6/2013.

The court order bans all printing agencies in the country from publishing, circulation and the distribution of the newspaper and anyone caught printing or distributing the newspaper will be arraigned in a court of law, the goes into effect as of today and shall stay in place until further directive is to be issued by the court.

The court order which was issued and signed by Mr. Feisal Abdillahi Ismael a magistrate assigned to Maroodi Jeeh Regional court ,the given reason for the banning of the newspaper was a request from the attorney general’s office.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Djibouti and China to rebuild Mogadishu port

13 Jun- Source: Africa Review- 252 words

Djibouti and China will help rebuild Mogadishu port, officials said. A joint delegation from the two countries arrived in the Somali capital Tuesday to discuss the port plans.

The group comprised the Director of Djibouti port and officials from China who specialise in the rebuilding of infrastructure.

“The delegation and their Somali companions received reports on the port’s functions,” stated Mr Abdullahi Ali Nur, the manager of Mogadishu port.

The members of the joint Djiboutian and Chinese delegation stated that they were ready to take part in the modernisation and expansion of the Somali port.

The day al Shabaab struck terror in Dadaab

12 Jun- Source: Star (Kenya)- 882 words

The chief of the border location of Damajaley in Daadab District in Northeastern Kenya on Saturday described for the first time the grizzly details of the attack in his location where five people were killed.

On May 27, over 50 heavily armed al Shabaab militiamen carried out simultaneous raids at the Damajaley AP Camp and the Abdi Sugow Rural Border Patrol Unit post. They killed three civilians and two policemen and abducted two administration police officers who are still believed to be in their custody.

Speaking at his hospital bed at the Garissa Provincial General Hospital where he is currently admitted, Omar Khalif said the events of that fateful day are still fresh in his mind.

The long serving administrator, who was at first reluctant to open up for fear of being targeted by the al Shabaab or their sympathisers, says the local authorities had received intelligence reports that the militia were planning to strike but did not take the reports with the seriousness it deserved.

Kenya Defence Forces assures of security, downplays Jubaland war

12 Jun- Source: Standard- 185 words

The military has downplayed claims that the ongoing factional fighting in Kismayo may affect peace and stability in the country and the region at large.
Chief of Kenya Defence Forces ( KDF) General Julius Karangi said the fighting in Kismayo over power is normal and that the crisis will soon be solved. He said the Kenyan troops under AMISOM are still in control of much of the affected areas and sought to assure Kenyans of their security.
He added that a group of leaders from Somalia central government and Jubaland are having talks to solve their differences.

Cigarette smoking takes unknown toll on Somalis

12 Jun- Source: Sabahi Online- 712 words

The Somali government should undertake a comprehensive study on the effects of tobacco consumption since many Somalis lack awareness about the physical and economic consequences of smoking, health specialists and labour officials say.

An official study would cast light on smoking-related medical problems and the connection between smoking and financial and social issues, said Adam Haji Ibrahim, a physician and public health specialist who teaches at Benadir University. A study is also needed to discern how many Somalis are lighting up, he said.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

E-Cash program in Somalia

13 Jun- Source: CNN- 03:08 min

Nima Elbagir meets a woman in Mogadishu, Somalia whose life has been changed by E-cash transfers.

Chaotic And Dangerous Is The New Normal

13 Jun- Source: strategy page- 906 words

A growing number of Somalis are returning, often from sanctuary they found in Western countries. About 4,000 a month are returning from refugee camps in Kenya, but those from Western nations bring cash (sometimes a lot) and new skills. In Mogadishu there is economic opportunity and that is expected to eventually extend to the countryside. That may take a while. It’s not just al Shabaab that has to be destroyed, but also the clan feuds and numerous armed men found out there.

Two decades without any central government has made chaos a familiar lifestyle in the countryside. That will not change quickly. Moreover, for centuries the coastal towns and cities were patches of civility and the inland areas were more chaotic and dangerous. Since the 1990s the chaos and danger has been extremely intense. But now the pro-government forces and foreign peacekeepers are reducing the level of mayhem and violence. For the average Somali, that’s a big improvement.

Remnants of al Shabaab have made life difficult for Kenyans living near the Somali border. A main road runs along the border and al Shabaab gunmen find this convenient for robbery or just shooting Kenyans. Al Shabaab blames Kenya for the heavy losses the Islamic terror group has taken in the last year and wants revenge.

AMISOM Commander Admonishes Sierra Leone Trooper

12 Jun- Source: Awareness Time- 186 words

The Commander African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Lieutenant-General Andrew Gutti has over the weekend reminded troops from Sierra Leone to serve on behalf of their country and Africa.

Addressing the troops at Mission Headquarters in Mogadishu, Lieutenant-General Gutti told the troops that they would work in Lower and Middle Juba with the Kenya Defense Force to stabilize the area.

He said they are expected to join their Kenyan counterparts in sector two where AMISOM forces have made major gains.

The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces constitute AMISOM’s Fifth contingent after the Burundian, Djiboutian, Kenyan and Ugandan contingents and have been deploying into South Central Somalia since April. According to Lieutenant-General Gutti, the last deployment of troops is set for the port city of Kismayo.

Independent daily suspended indefinitely in Somaliland

12 Jun- Source: CPJ- 439 words

The acting attorney general in the semi-autonomous republic of Somaliland should withdraw his request to suspend the independent daily Hubaal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. A court ruled on Tuesday that the paper had been indefinitely suspended at the request of Aden Ahmed Mouse, according to news reports.

“Somaliland authorities often ignore their own legal system to censor the press, whether it is arbitrary detentions of journalists or, in this case, an arbitrary suspension order,” said CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes. “If the authorities are serious about their desire for self-determination, then a functional justice system must be in place. The government must stop misusing its authority to censor critical news coverage. Aden Ahmed Mouse should withdraw his request for the suspension and allow Hubaal to resume publishing.”

The regional court in the capital, Hargeisa, on Tuesday banned all Somali printing agencies and distributors from printing and circulating Hubaal, according to news reports. Hubaal’s staff members were not notified of the suspension, and learned of the decision from an announcement on the state Radio Hargeisa, Hubaal Editor Hassan Hussein told CPJ. Security agents and police prevented Hubaal journalists from entering the station’s office today, citing the court order, Hassan said.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“There is a real danger the situation in Kismayo could spiral out of control and the violence spread to the rest of the Juba Valley, unless urgent steps are taken to disengage the combatants and initiate a credible mediation to seek a peaceful political solution. It is easy to be pessimistic, but a compromise solution is achievable, if only all the sides are willing to change tack.”

This is the way out of a crisis in Jubaland

12 June- Source: Daily Nation-471 Words

Events in the southern Somali port city of Kismayo are on a fast-moving escalator as violence intensifies and armed factions mobilise and adopt offensive postures. Two days of deadly violence between the Ras Kamboni Brigade (RKB) and militiamen loyal to Iftin Basto, one of the many claimants to the contested Jubaland presidency, has left scores dead and dozens wounded, mainly civilians.

The KDF/AMISOM troops in Kismayo are now faced with the unwelcome prospect, not to say additional strain, of policing their allies, over and above the routine military task of keeping up the pressure on al Shabaab and ensuring the militant group does not stage a comeback.

The violence was predictable and is a result of four weeks of political stalemate and mediation stasis which has given elements wedded to a violent solution the signal to act. Equally, the reckless posturing, brinkmanship and bellicose rhetoric on all sides has simply served to dangerously inflame passions and polarise opinion.

Twitter chat: “Somalia In Focus”

12 June- Source: UN Blog-67 Words

What is it like to lead humanitarian efforts in Somalia? How has the humanitarian situation in Somalia changed in the past year? Tune in on Friday on Twitter for a Q&A with Somalia Humanitarian Coordinator Philippe Lazzarini, the first UN Chief Coordinator for Somalia to be based in Mogadishu in nearly 20 years. Ask questions now on Twitter using the hashtag: #SomaliaInFocus

“In May 2010, in the first trial of its kind in Europe, the Dutch Justice condemned to terms of five years in prison for so many Somali pirates captured in January 2009 in the Gulf of Aden, after the failed boarding the ship Samanyulo, with the Netherlands flag. Since then there have been similar trials in Spain, Germany, France and Italy.”

Where Are the Arrested Somali Pirates Held?

12 June- Source: Oceanuslive/Neptune Maritime-424 Words

Despite the media neglect, at present, nearly 1,200 buccaneers are being held in prisons in half the world.
From spending on criminal bailouts, this week, a Kenyan court condemned to nine Somalis to five years in prison after finding them guilty of violent abduction of MV Magellan Star, in September 2010.

“They (the pirates) endangered the lives of the crew by shooting at her’, claimed the indictment. According to a recent report by One Earth Future Foundation, the costs in global markets caused by attacks in the Indian Ocean dropped by almost 13 certainly in 2012.

The paper highlights how the expenses caused by piracy happened in just one year USD $7 billion in 2011, to between $5.7 and $6.1 billion dollars in twelve months. Similarly, the value of the ransom paid was reduced by 80 percent.

Top tweets

‏@ferigom69 Top 5 Must-Watch Somali Pirates Movies |@scoopit http://sco.lt/6hSF0r #somalia #piracy

@M_M_SHEIK 1st July is around the corner and we have what you need for that special day #Mogadishu #Somalia pic.twitter.com/QuxDxrrcYt

@amisomsomalia QUOTE OF THE DAY: Farewell to#MattBaugh, UK Ambassador to #Somalia http://on.fb.me/YJ6HUd , http://bit.ly/15YZi81 @HMAMattBaugh w

@SomaliaEU #Somalia President Hassan hosts #EUPolitical & Security Committee Ambassadors in #Mogadishu http://bit.ly/11bdPxi pic.twitter.com/dVVxMY7Ldj

@StateCSO As is true in many conflict zones, #Somalia‘s women are frequently victims of gender-based violence. Read more: http://ow.ly/lYi3h

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Image of the day

Image of the day Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, bids farewell to outgoing UK Ambassador, H.E. Matt Baugh, at Villa Somalia, Mogadishu. Photo: Hiiraan Online