June 13, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

AU Special Representative welcomes the deployment of Caretaker Administrators in newly recovered areas

12 Jun – Source: AMISOM – 289 words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has welcomed the move by the Federal Government of Somalia to deploy Care-taker Administrators in newly recovered areas. The Care-taker administrators deployed by the Ministry of Interior and Federalism will take-over governance from the Somali National Army and AMISOM as part of the stabilization efforts.

The AU Special Representative said with support from AMISOM, Care-taker administrators are deploying in Bulo Burte and Jalalaqsi districts signaling a further sign of progress and recovery from Al-Shabaab control and absence of state control.

“AMISOM has continued to fulfill its mandate of supporting the Federal Government to create conducive environment by eradicating the extremist activities of Al-Shabaab and expand government control to all areas of the country so that good governance, human rights and rule of law take roots.” said Ambassador Annadif.

Key Headlines

PM Abdiweli returns back to Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu/Goobjoog)
The Federal Government of Somalia is committed to transparency and accountability during the Constitution Making Process (Ministry of Information)
Somali government deploys police forces in Jowhar town (Bar-kulan)
Bangladeshi hostages in Somalia return home (Al Jazeera)
Relief agencies urged to assist flood-hit families in Bal’ad (Bar-kulan)
Al Shabaab militant group are planning to attack Djibouti warns Britain (Somali Current)
South Africa: Government and police failing to protect Somali refugees from deadly attacks (Amnesty International)

PRESS STATEMENT

AU Special Representative welcomes the deployment of Caretaker Administrators in newly recovered areas

12 Jun – Source: AMISOM – 289 words

He called upon all peace loving people to do their civic duty to give maximum support to the new administrators and to cooperate with Somali security institutions and AMISOM in the restoration of peace, stability and the rule of law, so that the country quickly embarks on development and social progress.

On his part, the Director General of the Ministry of Interior and Federalism Ali Abtidoon Xalane said the deployment indicate that the people of Somalia are taking the destiny in their hands.

“This day, with support from AMISOM, Care-taker administrators are deploying in Bulo Burte and Jalalaqsi districts as a sign of progress in recovery from Al- Shabaab control and absence of state control.” Said Mr Abtidoon adding that the objective was to train the administrators along with the commander of prisons, the security and the police that would lead the administration.

The Federal Government of Somalia is committed to transparency and accountability during the Constitution Making Process

12 Jun – Source: Ministry of Information – 612 words

H.E. Mustafa Duhulow, the Minister of Information, today spoke on the progress being made on the Constitution Making Process. The achievements of the Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs are leading to a transparent and accountable process as part of Vision 2016. On 29th May 2014 the Council of Ministers approved the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission (ICRIC), a group of 5 well known and well-respected individuals within the community. The Parliament will soon approve the commission.

H.E. Farah Abdulkadir, the Minister of Justice & Constitutional Affairs, speaking on the process said: “As 2014 is the year of Action & Delivery, the Federal Government of Somalia is in the process of completing all the processes to establish the Commission so it can start its work. The process includes establishing a venue, the collation of all existing documents and materials related to the review process and, finally, a Technical Retreat.

The Technical Retreat will be jointly convened by the cabinet and the parliament during second week of July and immediately following the Technical Retreat the Commission will link up with Federal Institutions for feedback. Then the Process Framework will be presented to regional authorities for their comments. Finally, the cabinet will give its endorsement and it will then be ready to be presented to Parliament before parliament enters recess on July 20. The Process Framework will then be shared with the public and the Independent Commission will be officially launched.”

Minister Farah Abdulkadir, speaking on the purpose of the above process said: “The purpose of the process is to have transparency and accountability, to share information and to create the conditions that will ensure the legitimacy of the Constitution Making Process. It is also to clarify expectations regarding roles and responsibilities and to strengthen coordination across all institutions. The Federal Government also aims to share the Process Framework with the International Community and to discuss guidelines and principles that will build greater coordination.”

He continued: “During the month of August, activities are planned that will focus on strengthening capacities in the design and facilitation of public education, dialogue and the consultation processes. We will ensure that state-of-the-art practices and tools inform these processes. The review process will bring people together who come from different perspectives to discuss important and challenging issues. These conversations will require skilled management to ensure that all voices are heard and all perspectives are considered.”

Minister of Information during the press conference said: “The Federal Government of Somalia believes that the Constitution Making Process should be a Somali-Led and Somali-Owned process, something that is very important to the legitimacy and the ultimate success of the process. The Government is committed to the implementation of Vision 2016, including the Review of the Provisional Constitutions, the implementation of Federalism and the democratisation process in order to hold free and fair elections by 2016. The Review of the Constitution is a pillar of Vision 2016.

Once the review of the constitution is finalised there will be a referendum. Prior to the referendum there is a set series of activities, including public consultation, civic education, debates and discussions, town hall meetings, and media activities that will provide an objective view of understanding of the constitution. The Minister of Information concluded his press conference, saying:

“The Federal Government of Somalia is committed to ensuring that the process is transparent and accountable to the people. Therefore, it is essential for communities to take part in the process, as the engagement of the public is the key to the success of the process. I therefore call on everyone to support the process as the review of the constitution is vital to the realisation of Vision 2016.”

SOMALI MEDIA

PM Abdiweli returns back to Mogadishu

12 Jun – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Goobjoog – 96 words

The Prime Minister of the federal government of Somalia Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has returned home after three days official visit to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa where he attended IGAD conference on South Sudan. At the Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu, the premier was warmly received by cabinet members and members of the federal parliament. Mr. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed while addressing the media at the airport said that the extra-ordinary meeting of IGAD discussed the crisis in South Sudan and have issued number of key recommendations aimed to end crisis of South Sudan.

Somali government deploys police forces in Jowhar town

12 Jun – Source: Bar-kulan – 114 words

A first batch of police forces from the federal government of Somalia has on Wednesday night arrived in Jowhar town, the provincial capital of Middle Shabelle region. The police forces with armored vehicles arrived in the city from Mogadishu to reinforce security forces in Jowhar according to security officials in the region who spoke to Bar-kulan. They added that the deployment of the police forces came as a response to a previous request made by the security officials in Jowhar to the federal government of Somalia. Some of the traditional elders and the business people in the area told Bar-kulan that they are grateful for the deployment of the police forces in the region.

Al Shabaab militant group are planning to attack Djibouti, warns Britain

12 Jun – Source: Somali Current – 108 words

Britain has warned that Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militant group is planning further attacks in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti. “There are credible reports that al Shabaab plans have the capability to attack important targets in Djibouti particularly Western interests,” said the Foreign Office. The reports further says that due to the Djibouti troop’s contribution to AMISOM in Somalia and harboring of western interest inside its soil al Qaeda linked group see it as an important target. “Western interests within Djibouti and country’s participation in the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia may be seen as a legitimate target by al Shabaab militant group,” the Foreign Office statement said.

Relief agencies urged to assist flood-hit families in Bal’ad

12 Jun – Source: Bar-kulan – 104 words

Somali government’s top official in Bal’ad town in Middle Shabelle region, Mohamed Mohamud Saney has lamented relief agencies’ response to the recent floods in the region. In an interview with Bar-kulan, the official said that recent floods in Hawadley area have displaced a number of families and destroyed farms in area as he appeals for more help. He added that the situation needs an urgent response from relief agencies and added that his administration cannot tackle the issue without support from the relevant authorities. Saney urged the federal government and the relief agencies to assist the families affected by the floods in the region.

Taleh conference Halted, as Somaliland forces move closer to the town

12 Jun – Source: Hiiraan Online – 84 words

Khaatumo conference unexpectedly halted and delegates left from the town of Taleh after heavily armed contingents belonging to the Somaliland military have set up bases outside the town. A correspondent in the town Osman Abdinur Hashi told HOL that Khaatumo delegates escaped toward the village of Xallin which is about 40 kilometres east of Taleh. Some residents in the town have been reported fleeing from their homes in fear of possible breakout of fighting between Somaliland forces and those of Khaatumo in the town.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Bangladeshi hostages in Somalia return home

12 Jun – Source: Al Jazeera – 140 words

Seven Bangladeshi sailors, held hostage by Somali pirates for almost four years, have returned home, comparing their experience to “hell”. The sailors, who had been held in dire conditions and suffered beatings, flew into the Bangladeshi capital on Thursday after lengthy negotiations to free them. “Every day in captivity was like hell. We were not given proper food. They used to torture us on almost every day for ransom,” Abul Kashem, one of sailors, told reporters at Dhaka airport. Although Bangladesh said the sailors were freed, other officials have contradicted the claim, saying they were among 11 sailors mostly from Asia who escaped last week and were taken to safety in Kenya. The group “sneaked out a window” to escape their captors, before being rescued by local security forces, a British mediator who helped secure their freedom said last week.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

South Africa: Government and police failing to protect Somali refugees from deadly attacks

12 Jun – Source: Amnesty International – 145 words

Attacks on Somali-owned shops in and around Mamelodi township over the last six days have cost lives and livelihoods and are part of a disturbing trend of violence against refugees and migrants which the police and government are failing to address, Amnesty International said. “Despite repeated calls, the police were slow to respond and failed to adequately deploy patrols to stop the escalation of violence which has so far left one refugee dead, ten others injured and at least 76 shops burnt or looted,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for Southern Africa. “These attacks are just the latest in a wave of ongoing and widespread violence targeted at refugees and migrants in South Africa. The fact that they were preventable highlights a pattern of inaction on the part of the police and a failure of political will in government to tackle this violence.”

Somali Islamists plotting Djibouti attack

12 Jun – Source: AFP – 136 words

Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents are planning further attacks in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, Britain warned Thursday, after suicide bombers last month attacked a crowded restaurant. “There are credible reports that al Shabaab plan, and have the capability, to attack targets in Djibouti, including Western interests,” the Foreign Office said, noting “there is a high threat from terrorism” in the port city. Troops from Djibouti are part of the African Union force in Somalia fighting the al Shabaab, and Djibouti’s port also serves as a key base for ships taking part in international anti-piracy operations off the Somali coast. “Djibouti and Western interests within Djibouti may be seen as a legitimate target by al Shabaab because of its support to the Somali government and its participation in the African Union peacekeeping mission,” the Foreign Office statement said.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Somalia’s GDP is on the road to doubling in the future, simple math and demographics bear that out – but it can double in the next five years and vastly improve the quality of life for the entire region if the global community understands not only what is at stake but appreciates what is possible.”

Somalia’s GDP will double in the next five years (if…)

12 Jun – Source: Hiiraan Online – 781 words

On June 3, 2014 I attended a speech given by Wendy Sherman, Undersecretary for Political Affairs on “US Foreign policy in Somalia” at the US Institute of Peace. Ambassador Sherman’s announcement that the president will be naming an ambassador to Somalia “soon” ignited many rapid-fire conversations within the Somali Diaspora, Somali media, as well as non-Somalis; all sharing a similar hopeful reaction for what is to come. Those of us in the Diaspora who have been working and appealing for this major step, see it as a sign that Somalia and the Somali people are on the long road back to becoming contributing members of the global community. I was encouraged to hear in Ambassador Sherman’s remarks a changing of the narrative of the Somali people, from one of solely focused security concerns, to one with a vision that includes economic growth, development, investment, and opportunity. Great to the ears of those who have given much of themselves to rebuilding the quality of life for Somalis including its crumbling and non-existent infrastructure. In the past several years many Diaspora business, social and political entrepreneurs have ventured back to the country to do what they can.