March 12, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
IMO leads praise for piracy reduction
12 Mar – Source: Maritime Journal – 273 words
A number of International Maritime groups have welcomed the recent decrease in the number of attempted and successful attacks against ships by Somalia based pirates operating in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean.
They include the International Maritime Organization, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO), the International Parcel Tankers Association (IPTA), and the International Shipping Federation (ISF).
This decrease may be attributed to a combination of factors, including the presence of naval forces disrupting pirate operations; implementation of self-protection measures on board merchant ships and better situational awareness of where the threats are; coupled with more effective action ashore in Somalia by the Somali authorities and the international community.
Key Headlines
- Prime Minister signs historic agreement with Puntland regional administration (Raxanreeb Online/Horseed Media/Garowe Online)
- IMO leads praise for piracy reduction (Maritime Journal)
- Government soldiers on go-slow pour into Baidoa (Bar-kulan)
- Strengthening of Somali shilling causes uproar government blames it on business community (Radio Risaala/Horn Cable TV)
- Somali PM Denies Seeking Immunity on Behalf of a Convicted War Criminal (Somaliland Press)
- Regional elders take over Jubaland conference (Radio Kulmiye)
- Makono helped shape Somalia (Herald News)
- Somali militants threaten Kismayo conference participants (Bulshoweyn Online)
- Somalis condemn al Shabaab’s arrest of Qur’an teachers (Sabahi Online)
PRESS STATEMENT
Prime Minister signs historic agreement with Puntland regional administration
11 Mar – Source: Raxanreeb Online/Horseed Media/Garowe Online – 360 words
His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon today signed a landmark agreement with the Puntland regional administration on the latest leg of his Listening Tour in Garowe. The agreement between the Federal Government of Somalia and Puntland, signed by the Prime Minister and Puntland regional administration President Abdirahman Sheikh Mohamed Farole, details the relationship between the central government and the Puntland administration. It was hailed by the Prime Minister as the first of its kind to clearly state each party’s responsibilities and obligations to the other and the latest advance in the central government’s to bring the regions together.
“Yesterday it was Galgadud, today Garowe, tomorrow Galmudug. This Listening Tour is about uniting the country. Today’s agreement with Puntland is another major step forward in reconciliation and federal state-building.”
The Prime Minister said he was surprised how peaceful Puntland was and assured his hosts that the federal government will assist in fighting terrorism in Puntland. “I believe that this agreement will improve our relationship and ensure our ties get only stronger,” the Prime Minister said. The historic agreement signed in Garowe contains 7 articles, summarized as follows:
1. Greater collaboration and trust-building: defining responsibilities, protocols, honouring agreements and respecting the federal constitution.
2. Working together to improve security: building armed forces, police and other security institutions and fighting al Shabaab. Parties agreed to “share intelligence, expertise and harmonize security institutions”.
3. Economics and development: financial management, the need for new Somali currency; investments and immigration issues. “The federal government welcomes and will facilitate any foreign investment in Puntland.”
4. The federal government will accelerate the process of federal state building.
5. Improvement to Puntland’s democratic system of governance and elections.
6. Accounting for and restitution of property taken during the civil war. An independent body should be appointed to ensure that property looted from Somalis abroad and at home be returned.
7. The upper house of the federal Parliament will be established soon. The Prime Minister’s Listening Tour continues to Galmudug with a number of public events.
SOMALI MEDIA
Strengthening of Somali shilling causes uproar, government blames it on business community
12 Mar – Source: Radio Risaala/Horn Cable TV – 202 words
Over the past few months, the Somali Shilling rose steadily against international currencies like the US Dollar. This has caused inflation and increased the general cost of life to many people in Mogadishu and beyond. Although this may be attributed to the fact that many Somalis are returning from the diaspora with dollars to invest in the local economy, some analysts also point to other factors, for example, lack of proper regulations in the financial sector.
However, Somalia’s Assistant Minister for Finance, Mohamed Hussein Adan blamed the business community for compounding the problem. He said many business people were hoarding money for speculation purposes, which he said, was leading to the appreciation of the Somali shilling.
The appreciation of the Somali shilling against other foreign currencies has hurt many sectors in the economy especially the export and money markets. Also those feeling the pinch include residents who depended on remittance from abroad, since the same dollar fetches less Somali shilling and hence less goods.
Government soldiers on go-slow pour into Baidoa
12 Mar – Source: Bar-kulan – 150 words
Reports from southwest Somali city of Baidoa say hundreds of government soldiers who are on a go-slow have been arriving in the city after deserting their positions at the frontline demanding payment. Trouble started two days ago when soldiers on the frontline in areas like Qansah-dere, Bardale and Gof-gadud refused to attend their duties and instead moved to Baidoa to demand their salaries.
It forced their superiors and area government officials to appeal to the defiant soldiers to report back to duty while their grievances were being addressed at the highest level. Confirming the incident, Baidoa district commissioner Hassan Moalim Ahmed said the soldiers deserted their positions and decided to lodge complaints to the authorities in the regional headquarter.
His regional boss Abdi Adan Hosow ordered the defiant soldiers to report back to their respective duty stations, adding that plans are now underway to return them back to their areas.
Regional elders take over Jubaland conference
12 Mar – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 117 words
The elders of the Jubaland say they have taken over a conference meant to discuss the formation of a regional state in the southern Somalia. At a press conference held at Kismayo, the elders said they are now in control of the initiation conference in which the an administration will be formed for the two Juba and Gedo regions.
On the other hand, the elders said that everybody can participate the conference including those who originate from the central Somali regions, adding that the conference will also play part in reconciling the different sides. The remarks comes representatives from the Kismayu transitional administration are gathering in the Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
Somali militants threaten Kismayo conference participants
12 Mar – Source: Bulshoweyn Online – 144 words
Somalia’s al Shabaab militants have threatened the residents of Bardhere town, Gedo Region [southwestern Somalia], over participation in the conference [taking place in Kismayo] aimed at establishing an administration for Jubba and Gedo regions.
Al Shabaab leaders gathered Bardhere elders and youths and told them that they [al Shabaab] would never tolerate anyone attending the conference that will form an administration for Jubba and Gedo regions. They told them that they would kill anyone who travelled to Kismaayo to attend the conference.
Some of the threatened elders told the website that they had high hopes of attending the conference, but now they would not be able to leave. Al Shabaab has total control over Bardhere town and its residents always comply with orders issued by the group.
Somali PM Denies Seeking Immunity on Behalf of a Convicted War Criminal
11 Mar – Source: Somaliland Press – 184 words
Somali Federal Government Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon vigorously refuted allegation leveled against him for seeking immunity for a convicted war criminal instead saying he was requesting the American government to transfer the case to Somali courts this after he arrived in Garowe the capital of Puntland.
The Prime minister while addressing the parliament of the semi autonomous Puntland ,he reject claims carried in the media seeking immunity for the former Deputy Prime Minister and Defense minister in the former siad barre regime who at the time was the architect of massive carpet bombardment which resulted in the total destruction of Hargeisa and the brutal deaths of over 170,000 non-combatants Somalilanders and forcing the rest to flee across the border to refugee camps in Ethiopia .
“I didn’t request the government of America to grant immunity to Mr. Ali Samater, instead what I did is to demand the case against the former official to be transferred to our own courts in an effort to accord Mr. Samater a fair trial which every Somali is entitled to in our constitution,” stated the Prime Minister.
Gedo governor, ‘troops didn’t travel through al Shabaab territory’
11 Mar – Source: Garowe Online – 136 words
Governor of Somalia’s southern region of Gedo Mohamed Abdi Kalil stated that 200 forces that were moved from Gedo region and stationed in close proximity of Kismayo last week, did travel through al Shabaab controlled districts and were not there to disrupt or spark violence in the region.
Governor Kalil speaking to Somali media on Monday ensured that Gedo government forces that traveled to Kismayo and set up camp at Berhani district some 40 KMs from Kismayo airport were there to safeguard peace.
“The troops were a group of forces that were relocated by the Somali Federal Government to the Lower Jubba region. They were not stationed there to spur problems,” said Governor Kalil. There were reports that the troops traveled through over 10 al Shabaab checkpoints without coming across any difficulties from the terror network.
Somaliland VP Meets With Visiting Head of HALO Trust Foundation
11 Mar – Source: Somaliland Press – 117 words
Somaliland Vice President Abdurrahman Abdullahi Ismael (Saylic) also the acting President, today in his office received a delegation headed by the Director General of HALO Trust Foundation Mr. Guy Willoughby who is in the country.
VP Saylic during the meeting on behalf of the President and people of Somaliland thanked HALO Trust for not only expanding their presence in the country but most importantly for the lifesaving work.
The Country still needs the assistance provided by the mine clearance agency to clear the ever present danger posed by landmines to both humans and livestock which were left over during the brutal civil war which was carried out by the bloody regime of Gen. Mohamed Siyad barre.
REGIONAL MEDIA
DP World welcomes Simatech’s new service between Jebel Ali Port and Mogadishu
12 Mar – Source: Al Bawaba – 363 words
DP World has welcomed shipping line Simatech’s new service between Jebel Ali Port and Mogadishu as a significant step in re-establishing trade links between Somalia and the rest of the world.
Container trade to Mogadishu was suspended some years ago due to the political situation in Somalia and the risk of piracy. With the absence of container services, traders had to depend on break bulk operations using smaller vessels.
The newly commenced container service will provide customers with safe and faster cargo movement including faster transit times. Container ships will be handled at Mogadishu port.
Somalis condemn al Shabaab’s arrest of Qur’an teachers
11 Mar – Source: Sabahi Online – 660 words
Residents of the Hiran region in central Somalia are speaking out against al Shabaab’s efforts to recruit children by forcibly enlisting the support of Qu’ran teachers. Locals also condemned al Shabaab’s recent arrests of Qur’an school teachers, and successfully pressured the militant group to free the teachers.
On February 25th, al Shabaab arrested 12 Qu’ran school teachers in Halgan district who refused to support their jihadist ideology or persuade their students to join the militant group’s ranks and take part in terrorist activities.
After parents and town elders publicly denounced the arrests and al Shabaab’s use of the Qur’an schools as a source for conscription, the militants were forced to release the teachers unharmed.
Al Shabaab reportedly arrested eight Qur’an school teachers in Halgan again on Friday (March 8th) for trying to establish a local administration in the town contrary to the militant group’s rules. They released the teachers two days later.
Somalia Livestock Export
11 Mar – Source: K24 TV – 2:15 min
The country’s livestock export business is finally leaping back to its feet. This coming on the back of the return of calm in the previously war torn country of Somalia.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
IMO leads praise for piracy reduction
12 Mar – Source: Maritime Journal – 273 words
A number of international maritime groups have welcomed the recent decrease in the number of attempted and successful attacks against ships by Somalia based pirates operating in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean.
They include the International Maritime Organization, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO), the International Parcel Tankers Association (IPTA), and the International Shipping Federation (ISF).
This decrease may be attributed to a combination of factors, including the presence of naval forces disrupting pirate operations; implementation of self-protection measures on board merchant ships and better situational awareness of where the threats are; coupled with more effective action ashore in Somalia by the Somali authorities and the international community.
Somalia gripped by inflation, high prices
12 Mar – Source: Press TV – 207 words
For many people in Somalia, life is proving to be much more difficult each day as inflation rates continue to soar in the war-torn Horn of Africa nation. The Somali shilling has lately lost value against the dollar.
According to analysts, influx of foreign currency and especially the dollar circulating in Somalia is partly to blame for the financial woes. The inflation has angered a wide section of the Somali public who blame the government for the financial crisis. They now hope that the government will address this issue immediately.
The inflation has not only angered the locals. Mogadishu Mayor Mohamud Ahmed Nur Tarsan came out strongly to also criticize the Somali business community for the inflation.
Makono helped shape Somalia
12 Mar – Source: Herald News – 697 words
A senior police officer last week donated US$1 000 towards the Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri’s welfare fund. The fund was formed to cater for police widows and orphans.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Charles Makono, who was in 2011 appointed as the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM Police Commissioner), is now back in the country after his tour of duty in the horn of Africa country. AMISOM Police was formed by the AU with the mandate to train, mentor and provide capacity building support to bring the Somali Police Force (SPF) to international policing standards.
Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri said this had been the historic appointment since Snr Asst Comm Makono is the first one in Africa and the world over to hold such a position since AMISOM was formed. This was the first appointment of its kind.
Somalia Begins Exporting Livestock for the First Time in 22 Years
11 Mar – Source: the News Market – 123 words
Somalia has officially begun exporting livestock from the main port in it’s capital Mogadishu for the first time in 22 years. Livestock rearing is the country’s main economic activity, and the launch event, saw the loading of ten of thousands of goats and camels onto cargo ships bound for markets in the Gulf.
The export of livestock and other produce from the port came to a halt in 1991 when the government of former president Siad Barre was ousted and civil war ensued.
Security and economic activity is returning to most parts of south central Somalia as members of the Somali National forces (SNA) and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces defeat extremist group al Shabaab.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“With real time naval intelligence, thousands of Combined Maritime Force (CMF) sailors and dozens of warships available to protect commercial ships transiting Somali waters, MARLO has a lot of firepower at its disposal. But to be effective they need the help and support of ship owners and operators.”
Protecting Ships From Somali Pirates – The Navy vs Private Security
11 Mar – Source: Forbes – 801 Words
In 2012 the number of successful pirate seizures of merchant ships fell from a 2009 figure of 38 to 21 according to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) command in Bahrain but another statistic published by the group highlights a more troubling trend. In an official press release CMF states “The number of attacks, including attempts to seize a vessel, within the HRA has increased from 145 in 2009 to 183 last year.”
In short we are no closer to solving the problem, which has only become more complicated since 2009 when Vice Admiral Robert Moeller, former deputy of U.S. Africa Command, referred to piracy near Somalia as a “a very, very complex situation”.
Since that time the global cost of piracy has steadily increase with current estimates exceeding $7 Billion per year as new resources continue to flood the region. Some experts, however, conclude that the addition of coalition warships, diplomatic working groups and private security firms, increases complexity and further confuses ship owners looking for simple solutions.
For this reason, the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) recently announced that improving communication and coordination between stakeholders is a top priority for the US Navy. In recent press releases MARLO has stated the need to “coordinate political, military, and other efforts” in the region and to continue its mission to “promote cooperation between the U.S. Navy and the commercial maritime community.”
“With the arms embargo now eased for one year, Somali officials say they will be able to rebuild the country’s military forces and consolidate recent gains made against al Shaabab.”
Equipping Somalia To Better Confront Terrorism
11 Ma r- Source: VOA – 276 Words
Twenty-two years ago, as Somalia plunged into political chaos and civil war, the United Nations Security Council moved to cut off the flow of weapons that were helping fuel the fighting by imposing a strict arms embargo on the Horn of Africa nation.
Last year, as the nation’s first president since the fall of the last government in 1991 took office, Somalia faced another threat to peace and stability in the continued presence of al Shabaab insurgents bent on toppling the new government and imposing a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Somali leaders say the arms embargo is hampering their ability to confront the threat. On March 6, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to suspend the embargo on the Government of Somalia.
“The UN Resolution 2093 offers great opportunity to the people of Somalia. The Federal Government must tackle the reconciliation among Somalis with an honest, serious and substantive political dialogue, policies and actions with the aim of achieving the shared goal of one nation one people.”
UN Resolution 2093 endorses State building Mission for Somalia
11 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1294 Words
The Resolution 2093 adopted by the UN Security Council on March 6, 2013 endorses the long overdue partnership mission between the Federal Government of Somalia and the International Community for the peacebuilding and statebuilding of Somalia. The mission is ambitious, complex and treacherous but the right one.
The significance of the Resolution is historic for several reasons. First, it ends the more than two decades the international community has been avoiding the responsibility of addressing the statelessness of Somalia in difference to other African failed states. Second, it reaffirms the commitment of the US government towards the peacebuilding and statebuilding for Somalia. Third, it merges the conflicting strategies pursued by the individual or group members of the international community for their self-interests. Fourth, it moves Somalia from the regional level management and supervision to UN level partnership.
The Resolution addresses five issues, namely the African Union forces in Somalia (AMISOM) , the human rights and protection of civilians, the lifting of arms embargo imposed on Somalia from 1992, the role of the United Nations in Somalia, and the violations of the ban on the charcoal export.
Top tweets
@PoetNation Celebrating Women in Somalia – from the International Women’s Day 2013 on 8 March. http://youtu.be/8nE0Qe7tdC0 #Somalia @amisomsomalia.
@SomaliPM #Puntland can be a role model for federal #Somalia – in #Garowe I spoke about national unity, good governance & one-person-one-vote election.
@aysanei Unity and common vision led by the Federal Gov’t of #Somalia, supported by the regional admins and public will lead #Somalia to prosper.
@UNPOSomalia Read the Profile of a #Somali Peacemaker: http://blogs.independent.co.
@Dahirkulane PM Saacid @SomaliPM delegation and @SomaliInterior Abdikarim H. Guled visit #Galkayo #Galmudug #Somalia http://youtu.be/7CbqkIPXaZ0.
Image of the day
Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon and Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole sign Cooperation Agreement in Garowe on March 11, 2013. Photo: @Radio Garowe.