June 4, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

U.S. citing new hope for Somalia, to name Somalia ambassador

04 May– Source: Reuters- 306 words

The United States, seeing new hope for Somalia, will appoint a new ambassador to Mogadishu for the first time since closing its embassy there 23 years ago as the East African country descended into chaos, a senior U.S. government official said on Tuesday.

Wendy Sherman, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, didn’t specify exactly when the ambassador would be named, but said it would be “soon.”

There were hopeful signs of improvement in the security and economic conditions in the country, following years when Somalia had become “a synonym for chaos,” she said at the United States Institute of Peace think tank in Washington.

“As a reflection both of our deepening relationship with the country and of our faith that better times are ahead, the president will propose the first U.S. ambassador to Somalia in more than two decades,” Sherman said.

Key Headlines

Puntland President welcomes the Independent Constitutional Review Commission (Radio RBC/Allpuntland)
Minister of Information hosted UNSOM’s First Anniversary event (Ministry of Information)
Adado administration delivers emergency relief to families hit by drought (Radio Goobjoog)
President Mohamud reveals rift within the government leadership (RBC/Radio Dalsan)
Parliamentary Security Committee vows al Shabaab attacks will not deter federal parliament from working (Radio Goobjoog)
Silanyo fires Minister in charge of coordinating houses of assembly & elders (Somaliland Informer)
Somaliland activists criticize new anti-terror law (Radio Ergo)
AMISOM begins training of SPF on Human Rights issues (AMISOM)
High inflation rate affects population in Bakol region (Radio Goobjoog)
“Djibouti’s La Chaumere Suicide Bombers not Somalilanders” –Somalilnad (Somalilnd Sun)
AMISOM handover equipment to the Ministry of Livestock (AMISOM)
Kenya police dismiss report of ‘White Widow’ sighting (Standard Media/Citizen TV)
US to name first envoy to Somalia in decades (Al Jazeera/Al Arabiya)
He confessed to bombing hotel but walks free (Standard Media)
Commander claims al Shabaab fighters killed in Galgadud region (Al Shahid)
Bulo Burde residents welcome government food aid say more is needed (Sabahi Online)
IDB World Bank To Partner In Development (arabtimesonline)
EU and Somali civil society develop a roadmap for stronger engagement (EU Mission to Somalia)
Somalia Faces Hunger Crisis (CCTV Africa)
U.S. citing new hope for Somalia to name Somalia ambassador (Reuters)
Over 1000 refugees complete studies in Kenya (Xinhua/Shanghai Daily)
Somalia: U.S. to Name Envoy (New York Times)
U.S. Foreign Policy in Somalia (U.S. Institute of Peace)

PRESS STATEMENT

Minister of Information hosted UNSOM’s First Anniversary event

04 Jun – Source: Ministry of Information – 772 words

H.E. Mustaf Duhulow, the Minister of Information today hosted the event of UNSOM’s First Anniversary in Somalia and thanked Mr. Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of UNSOM for his tireless commitment and dedication to support the Federal Government and the people of Somalia in order to bring peace and stability.

Participants of the event included H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the President of Somalia, H.E. Ridwan Hirsi Mohamed, the Deputy Prime Minister and H.E. Nicholas Kay, the SRSG for Somalia and Head of UNSOM.

The Minister of Information welcomed all delegates taking part UNSOM’s 1st Anniversary event that took place at the Ministry of Information. There was a photo exhibition which showed the progress made so far in Somalia. “Together for peace in Somalia – UNSOM” film was presented to participants that showed how far we come together towards bringing peace and stability in Somalia.

Minister of Information speaking at the event said “The Ministry of Information is honoured to host this very important event to Somalia. UNSOM has been with us for the last 12 months and we are very grateful to see the remarkable transformation of UN support to Somalia.

We now have a dedicated and committed leader who has tirelessly worked with us to galvanize the efforts of the International Community towards Somalia. Mr Kay is leading the way for us to have one door knock to all UN agencies, which is what our President has asked when he came to power in September 2012. Nicholas Kay, has advanced this approach and went the extra mile to galvanize the efforts of the International Community towards Somalia.

“As you can see from the photo exhibition and the film we have come a long way to this date, and we need to celebrate the enormous achievements that we together are making to advance the peace and stability in Somalia.

The Minister of Information speaking on the progress of the Federal Government said “We now have an excellent partnership working with UNSOM, and during the last 4 months we have made remarkable progress to carry out a thorough consultation on Media Law and Telecommunications Law with all key stakeholders, liberating over 10 districts from the tyranny of terrorists, We are stabilizing the country by engaging with communities and providing basic services to people, we have established the Independent Commission on the Review of the Provisional Constitutions and appointed 5 respected and well known individuals from all walks of life representing all regions to lead this process, We established ministerial sub-committees in order to streamline the function of the government and implement good governance, We have developed our Strategic Communications, which will help us to better coordinate our messaging, We have established the joint security operation centre and we now have excellent partnership working with AMISOM, our leaders visited regions with a view to reconcile with communities, our Public Finance Management is progressing very well, as we now have Board of Directors, Governor and Deputy Governor to our Central Bank that came through competitive recruitment process with the help of World Bank. Similarly we now have Auditor General and Accountant General that came through competitive recruitment process. We have achieved all the above despite the enormous challenges that exist.”

The Minister concluded his remarks and said “I have no doubt that UNSOM will continue to work with the Federal Government on key priorities, such as review of the Provisional Constitution, the establishment of Federalism and the democratization process in order for us to hold fair and free elections by 2016. UNSOM is now in a position to understand the competing priorities and challenges that we face, which include the fragmentation of the society, bringing peace and stability while we are at war with terrorists, the lack of resources, and other challenges that exist. A year ago, Nicholas Kay, had little information on Somalia, but today, he is one of the experts that can really sympathize and understand the difficulties and the challenges we confront on a daily basis.

The best way to come out of the current morass is to fully empower the Federal Government as it is the only institution that is fully representative by all people and all walks of life in Somalia. It is also imperative to support all activities in Somalia through the Federal Government, which is the legitimate institution in Somalia that can safeguard the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the country. I hope that next year we will celebrate the 2nd Anniversary with more progress on the ground and I wish you all every success. Thank You.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Puntland President welcomes the Independent Constitutional Review Commission

04 May– Source: Radio RBC/Allpuntland/daawadnews- 172 words

The President of Puntland State of Somalia Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas has welcomed the appointment of the Independent Constitutional Review Commission by the Cabinet of the Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia last week.

President Abdiweli Gaas has mentioned that his administration was confident in the individuals included into the commission comprising five respected members of the society.

“I welcome the appointment of the Independent Constitutional Review Commission of Somalia, and I hope that they will execute their tasks freely,” President Gaas added.

He said Puntland has its representative to this commission which is Mrs Asha Gelle Dirie, the former Minister of Women of Puntland.

During a weekly meeting in Mogadishu last week, the cabinet of the ministers has approved the Independent Commission on the review of the Provisional Constitution.

The Commission consists of 5 well respected and known figures in Somalia that is diverse and represents the community. They are Ms Asha Gelle Dirie, Prof Omar Hassan Mohad-Allah, Osman Jama Ali (Kalluun), Mohammed Abdallah Salah and Hassan Hussein Haji.

Adado administration delivers emergency relief to families hit by drought

04 May– Source: Radio Goobjoog- 131 words

The administration of Himan & Heb in Central Somalia has delivered emergency relief to some families in humanitarian conditions in the outskirts of Adado district.

The district commissioner of Adado, Abdullahi Abdirahman Hussein speaking to Goobjoog stated that some people mostly children starved to death at localities under Adado district.

The commissioner said that his administration is planning to distribute more relief food to the affected people until the food crisis in the region is solved.

Mr. Hussein affirmed that if an urgent help is not delivered to people in the area their humanitarian situation might turn worse.

Finally he urged the federal government of Somalia and international aid agencies in and out of the country to take immediate actions to support the people in the area living under harsh conditions.

President Mohamud reveals rift within the government leadership

04 Jun – Source: RBC/Radio Dalsan – 213 words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has unveiled the rift between him and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed saying that there is no need for foreign intervention, RBC reports. Speaking at the first Anniversary of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Somalia (UNSOM) in Mogadishu, President Mohamud acknowledged that the country needs political stability, wherein all work together according to their mandate.

“Political stability is the main objective that we can achieve our goals, it is the only way we can execute our expected tasks as the leadership of the government,” he said. While touching on the solution for the recurrent political in-fighting within the government’s top officials, the President said that all differences of views will be resolved in accordance to the Constitution and the Sharia Law.

“The government has undergone many challenges within its leadership, but fortunately all the differences were resolved in accordance to the Constitution, and now it will be solved on the same way,” he added.

The President’s comment came as he and the Prime Minister together attended the extraordinary session of the Federal Parliament one week after the terrorist attack on the Parliament. The Tuesday’s parliament session was aimed for mourning the loss of more than 10 security officers those killed during last week’s parliament attack.

Parliamentary Security Committee vows al Shabaab attacks will not deter federal parliament from working

04 May– Source: Radio Goobjoog- 140 words

The parliamentary security committee stated that the attacks by al Shabaab will not affect the duties of federal parliament to the people. The vice chairman of the committee Dahir Amin Jessow said that the government forces and African union peacekeeping mission have overpowered al Shabaab in many operations within the capital city and major towns in some regions of the country.

He reiterated that the overall security of the federal parliament is quite good and the security forces are always alert to prevent planned attacks by al Shabaab.

He condemned the civilian population of providing hide out to al Shabaab members who regularly carry out deadly acts against innocent people. He urged the public to work closely with the security institutions so as to maintain security.

Al Shabaab carried out fatal attack on parliament building which killed more than ten people on 24th May.

Silanyo fires Minister in charge of coordinating houses of assembly & elders

03 Jun – Source: Somaliland Informer – 88 words

Somaliland president H.E Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo has sacked the Minister of Technology, Research & in charge of coordinating the Houses of Elders & Assembly Mr. Adam Ahmed Warsame according to a presidential decree R SL/M/XILQ/249/1-2544/062014 which has been released by the press secretary of the office of the president Mr. Ahmed Suleiman Dhuhul.

The press statement has stated that he was fired due to grievances, complaints and lack of diligence. The press further stated that the president will name a replacement God willing.

Somaliland activists criticize new anti-terror law

04 May– Source: Radio Ergo- 194 words

Civil society activists have warned Somaliland’s Houses of Representatives and Elders not to approve a new anti-terror draft law, which they warn legalizes human rights violations.

The bill on Combating and Preventing Terrorism, which the cabinet approved and submitted to the two chambers last week, violates fundamental rights and freedoms and invades people’s privacy, according to Mowlid Farah Muse, the executive director of Somaliland’s Human Rights Centre.

“The new law would prohibit fair trial and the right to defence, freedom of movement and freedom of association. Therefore, it violates both Somaliland’s constitution and international law,” Muse told Radio Ergo’s local reporter in Hargeisa.

The bill grants security services broad powers to tap on phone calls and internet activity, to make arrests without warrants, and creates secret court hearings in which neither the defendants nor their representatives are allowed to attend.

“The bill is vague and ambiguous as it can be used to prosecute anyone as a terrorist,” Mohamed Abukar, a lawyer in Hargeisa, told Radio Ergo. He fears that it could be used to crackdown on the political opposition.

Human rights activists and lawyers urge that the bill be amended before being passed into law.

AMISOM begins training of SPF on Human Rights issues

03 May– Source: AMISOM- 394 words

AMISOM Police commenced a training of 27 Somalia Police Force (SPF) personnel on human rights issues in reference to police work. The training is a Training of Trainers (ToT) that will run for five days and will benefit directors from the various sections of the Somali Police.

AMISOM is collaborating with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) Human Rights department and the Rule of Law sections in conducting the training intended to build the capacity of the SPF to carry out trainings on Human Rights issues for their counterparts in performance of their duties and to fill the gaps in newly recovered areas.

Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, AMISOM Police’s Training Coordinator says the training aims to enhance the sensitivity of the Somali Police to human rights, and to educate them about how to effectively execute their duties while at the same time upholding the rights of citizens.

High inflation rate affects population in Bakol region

04 May– Source: Radio Goobjoog- 137 words

Reports from Hudur town, the headquarters of Bakol region states that inflation rates continue to rise proving the lives of many people in the region difficult.

The inflation rate sky rocketed as there are no basic commodities and food relief that reached the town for couple of months since the joint forces of SNA and AMISOM seized the control of the Hudur town due to the blockage of al Shabaab.

On the other hand lorries transporting emergency food to Hudur town and nearby areas are still in Baidoa. The aid agencies warned that many people might die if the inflation rates caused by the clashes and drought continues.

Many families who fled from clashes between government forces backed by AMISOM troops and al Shabaab who reached some parts of Bakol region are also in humanitarian condition due to high inflations.

“Djibouti’s La Chaumere Suicide Bombers not Somalilanders” -Somalilnad

03 Jun – Source: Somalilnd Sun – 184 words

The Government of Somaliland has Expressed its Commiseration with the people of Djibouti following the deadly terrorist attack on La Chaumere restaurant and pledging cooperation with Djiboutian authorities while at the same time informing that the couple involved in the bombing was from the Somalia capital of Mogadishu.

This was informed by the Somaliland minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Ali Jama Farah ‘Bureed’ during an exclusive interview with Bulsho TV in his Hargeisa offices.

Minister Bureed who just returned from Djibouti where he had visited as a special envoy of his boss, president Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo for purpose of Conveying his country’s condolences to the people of Djibouti as a result of deaths, injuries and damage to property occasioned by the attack on La Chaumere hotel said:

“The government of Somaliland has extended its condolences to the people of Djibouti upon the heinous act perpetrated by terrorist in their country” The message of commiseration with the Djiboutian was submitted during a meeting Minister Bureed had with the Djiboutian Prime Minister Mohamed Abdulqadir Kamil and fisheries minister Mohamed Ahmed Awale in the neighbouring country’s capital.

AMISOM handover equipment to the Ministry Of Livestock

03 May– Source: AMISOM- 175 words

As part of AMISOM’s ongoing support to the Federal Government Somalia in the reconstruction of Somali state institutions, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia (SRCC), Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif, on behalf of African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resource (IBAR) handed over 5 monitors and 5 computers to the Director of veterinary services Dr. Sowda M. Roble from the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range.
During the handover, Ambassador Annadif reiterated AMISOM’s continued role in enhancing the capacity of the government‘s institutions.

“The livestock sector is the largest contributor to Somali livelihoods and today’s donation will assist in the improvement of the efficiency of the Ministry as well as assist the Ministry carry out its services with more ease,” said Ambassador Annadif.

Dr. Roble thanked AMISOM for its continued support saying the Ministry remains grateful to AMISOM for its unwavering support and that the donation will go a long way in helping the ministry carry out its services more effectively.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya police dismiss report of ‘White Widow’ sighting

04 Jun- Source: Standard Media/Citizen TV/New Vision-223 Words

Kenyan officials on Tuesday dismissed a report that British terror suspect Samantha Lewthwaite, known as the “White Widow”, had been inadvertently helped to leave the coastal resort island of Lamu.

According to the Standard newspaper, a “mysterious” white woman who may have been Lewthwaite was allegedly offered a police escort in April to visit a Kenyan army base in Somalia before disappearing.

“These are wild allegations, which are not true,” Lamu County police commander Leonard Omollo told AFP, explaining that the woman who was escorted had been identified as a Spanish tourist.

“This lady was a visiting tourist from Spain and she has since returned home,” he said. Kenya’s military spokesman, Willy Wesonga, refused to comment on the report.

Lewthwaite, a 30-year-old Muslim convert, has been linked to Somalia’s al Qaeda-tied al Shabaab rebels, who have launched a string of attacks in Kenya including last September’s assault on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall that claimed at least 67 lives.

US to name first envoy to Somalia in decades

04 Jun – Source: Al Jazeera/Al Arabiya – 107 words

President Barack Obama is set to announce the first American ambassador to Somalia since the civil war erupted more than 20 years ago, according to a US diplomat.

“As a reflection both of our deepening relationship with the country and of our faith that better times are ahead, the president will propose the first US ambassador to Somalia in more than two decades,” Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman told a US think tank on Tuesday.

Sherman would only say the announcement from Obama, who is in Europe, was expected “soon” and confirmed that, initially, the new ambassador would be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

He confessed to bombing hotel but walks free

03 Jun – Source; Standard Media – 100 words

When the Paradise Hotel in Mombasa was bombed and 15 people killed 12 years ago, the police were desperate to find any evidence to nail the al Qaeda terrorists responsible for the attack.

And they got the big break they had been praying for when they finally nabbed Omar Said Omar, who confessed that he had participated in the bombing when he was interrogated. The world waited with bated breath, hoping to see justice being served when the prime suspect was finally arraigned in court.

He was charged with the bombing of the Israeli-owned Mombasa Paradise Hotel on November 28, 2002.

Commander claims al Shabaab fighters killed in Galgadud region

03 Jun – Source: Al Shahid – 133 words

Military commander in central Somalia has on Monday claimed that Somali military forces have killed at least six al Shabaab fighters and seized three others following an offensive against the militants in Balli-tur, 20 KM north of El-bur district in Galgadud region which in one of the rare al Shabaab strongholds residents in the country.

Mohamed Kahiye Arrale who headed the operation carried out by the Somali government forces supported by African Union forces in the country especially Ethiopian contingent who defeated al Shabaab militants in Elbur district in March this year.

He added that several areas near El-bur town have fallen into the government hands peacefully. The government forces backed by their African Union allies launched the offensive after al Shabaab fightersSunday night attacked government forces base in the outskirts of El-bur town.

Bulo Burde residents welcome government food aid, say more is needed

03 May– Source: Sabahi Online- 834 words

Bulo Burde residents are welcoming the government’s distribution of food aid in recent weeks, after Somali and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops managed to circumvent al Shabaab’s blockade on the town.

The first consignment of food aid arrived by plane on May 28th, with a second shipment of supplies arriving May 31st, after the allied forces cleared al Shabaab from El Waare and Dhabadey villages, opening access to Bulo Burde for a dozen trucks attempting to deliver food and other basic goods into the town.

Bulo Burde traditional elder Muse Ahmed said the first shipment came on two planes, each carrying 2.5 tonnes of food and medicine.

IDB, World Bank To Partner In Development

03 May– Source: arabtimesonline- 259 words

Presidents of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and World Bank, Dr Ahmad Mohammad Ali and Jim Kim respectively, agreed to build a bilateral partnership geared to promote development in various fields particularly education. The two institutions will work out a program for reviewing the educational systems of their member states, according to a statement released by the IDB after the meeting of the two men on Monday. During his visit to the IDB headquarters in Jeddah, Kim was briefed in detail on the achievements, programs and future plans of the IDB Group. He commended the achievements of the Group and invited Dr Ali to join him and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on a visit to Somalia next year. The visit, the first such joint mission, aims to coordinate the development efforts in the Arab country, the statement noted.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

EU and Somali civil society develop a roadmap for stronger engagement

04 Jun- Source: EU Mission to Somalia-165 Words

Today, the European Union concluded a country wide consultation mission in order to elaborate an “EU Roadmap for Engagement with Civil Society”.

The European Union decided to step up its support to civil society organisations by developing a Roadmap that will allow donors and Somali partners to frame their activities in a structured dialogue and a more strategic cooperation.

The Road Map will be fully aligned with the Somali New Deal Compact and will enhance the cooperation and the social contract between the authorities and the civil society.

During this consultation mission, the EU had the opportunity to discuss with civil society actors (women groups, media, trade unions, Chamber of Commerce, youth groups, human rights defenders, elders, etc.) the main elements that should be included in this new Roadmap. Once the round of consultations will be over, the Roadmap and its main priorities will be presented to all Somali partners and will serve as a basis for a better cooperation with the Somali civil society.

Somalia Faces Hunger Crisis

04 Jun- Source: CCTV Africa-01:36mins

Somalia risks sliding towards a catastrophic hunger crisis similar to the 2011 famine. 200,000 children under five are already facing malnutrition. And the situation is getting worse due to two failed rainy seasons and renewed conflict. CCTV’s Carol Oyola reports.

U.S. citing new hope for Somalia, to name Somalia ambassador

04 May– Source: Reuters- 306 words

Wendy Sherman, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, didn’t specify exactly when the ambassador would be named, but said it would be “soon.”

Over 1,000 refugees complete studies in Kenya

04 Jun- Source: Xinhua/Shanghai Daily-312 Words

About 1,086 refugees living in Kenya’s Dadaab complex have completed studies under income- generating projects and livelihood initiatives.

The Youth Education Pack (YEP) conducted by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is specially designed for out-of-school youth who may return to formal schooling, those who have dropped out of school many years ago and those who cannot access formal education.

“I was extremely happy to interact with two young ladies handling mechanical work at the vehicle engineering section. This is a very rare sight among our Somali communities,” Abdiqafar Salat, Dadaab deputy district education officer said on Tuesday.

Somalia: U.S. to Name Envoy

04 May– Source: New York Times- 105 words

The United States will soon appoint an ambassador to Somalia for the first time since closing its embassy in Mogadishu 23 years ago, Wendy Sherman, under secretary of state for political affairs, said Tuesday at the United States Institute of Peace, a think tank in Washington. She said the move was a sign of “our deepening relationship with the country and of our faith that better times are ahead.” An American diplomat based in neighboring Kenya has been representing United States interests in Somalia. A State Department official said the new ambassador would not yet be based permanently in Mogadishu.

U.S. Foreign Policy in Somalia

03 Jun- Source: U.S. Institute of Peace-57:27mins

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman will discuss new U.S. policy to advance peace, stability and development in Somalia.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“No nominee to announce yet, State officials told us, but bundlers are unlikely to fight over this one. We’re betting that the lucky person will be a career Foreign Service Officer. If that’s the case, there’s probably no reason to rush. That nominee will just, as we’ve written, join the 20 other career ambassadorial nominees, many of whom have been held hostage for up to a year on the Senate floor as a result of the “nuclear option” fallout.”

Ambassador job opening soon! (In Somalia)

03 Jun- Source: Washington Post Blog-247 Words

It’s been 23 years since the United States has had an embassy in perennially war-torn Somalia — best known for warring militias, chaos and pirates. (Remember the great Tom Hanks movie “Captain Phillips” last year?)

But in the hope that things might begin improving, we’re told, the administration is planning to name an ambassador to Mogadishu (scene of the 1993 “Black Hawk Down” tragedy), Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said Tuesday in a talk at the U.S. Institute of Peace.
U/S Sherman at @USIP on #Somalia: 20 years ago, the United States essentially withdrew from this country. And now, we are back.— Marie Harf (@marieharf) June 3, 2014

For the time being, she said, that envoy will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, which is where a diplomatic team, headed by a special representative, travels back and forth to Somalia. But, as conditions and relations improve — although car bombs and other attacks by al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab rebels continue, the idea is to have an actual embassy once again in Somalia.

“It is high time the security agencies in Kenya separated the issue of refugees from matters concerning national security. Refugees have been with us since independence and they have never been seen as a security threat. A few rotten apples among them still gives no justification for the blanket swoops witnessed recently and which are ongoing.”

Why targeting refugees is misplaced

03 Jun- Source: Standard Media-689 Words

Since the 1980s, Kenya has received a huge influx of refugees from neighbouring Somalia and Sudan. The fall of President Mohamed Siad Barre’s government in Somalia in 1991 has seen Kenya give refuge to countless men, women and children who cross its borders daily to escape the war in Somalia.

These refugees, who were traditionally received on humanitarian grounds, are now increasingly viewed as a security threat. The question that arises in many circles is; does this influx really pose a threat to the country’s national security? Desperation Are these perceived threats genuine or are they merely an act of desperation by security agencies that seem unable to unearth the causes of insecurity?

The history of refugees in Kenya dates back to the inception of the current State in the early 1960s. The country has been host to refugees from its neighbours who have experienced civil wars, political unrest and upheavals at one time or another. These include Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. By August 2013, the total number of refugees and asylum-seekers in Kenya stood at more than 600,000. Kenya is a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and its subsequent Protocol of 1967, as well as the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention.

“When one examines Somali history it is clear that there is considerable reason for pride, but whilst we must all have a deep reverence for the past, we must work assiduously to ensure we do not become the slaves to it. Whilst history may have resulted in geographical fragmentation and physical separation, there is no reasons why Somalis whereever they may reside should not have a unity of purpose and resolve to demonstrate that they are one people of the heart and mind determined in their different ways to prove their critics wrong.”

So much more than flags and speeches

03 Jun- Source: Mark T Jones Blog-1247 Words

Some months ago after having delivered a speech on the Horn of Africa I was asked what the staple food of the Somalis is, I replied (only partly in jest) – politics. Sit in any Somali cafe or restaurant and the place is certain to be filled with lively and often extremely animated discussion about the current machinations of various parties, factions or individuals.

The Diaspora follow and debate the goings-on ‘back home’ with a fascination and passion that would make for a fascinating sociological study. Here is a drama bursting with heroes and villains, yet one that most foreigners find near impenetrable due to the size of its cast, familial and clan connections and the accretions of slights, betrayals, injustices and occasional triumphs.

Little wonder then that Somalis have such an oral tradition, where bards and poets are revered for their ability to memorise and convey that which others might have chosen to disregard or forget. Whilst politics is the cause for disengagement and disinterest in much or the world, to many Somalis it is their meat and drink.

Top tweets

@SomaliaNewsroom #Banadir gov/#Mogadishu Mayor Mungaab+delegation in #Istanbul #Turkey for talks on development projects etc. #Somalia pic.twitter.com/vHcZU9ozC0

@amisomsomalia A mother holds her sick child as they wait to see a doctor at a free #AMISOM run clinic #Somalia pic.twitter.com/OPDmxnkaxQ

@stability_fund Fragile States Index http://tinyurl.com/ltd3x8m Not a great story for #somalia. But surely some parts of the country would score much better.

@USAforSOMALIA “Today there are tangible reasons for hope”-@statedept U/S Sherman on #Somalia @democracyis

@UNOCHA Humanitarian needs in Maaxas #Somalia, alarming parallels to 2011 famine http://ow.ly/xAwzU pic.twitter.com/Zyqw87CqyY

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Image of the day

Image of the day Waberi band sings to entertain guests during UNSOM’s first year anniversary event held at the Ministry of Information on 3rd June 2014. Photo: UN/ David Mutua