March 13, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somalia to host African Parliament conference in near future
13 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV – 125 words
Members of Somali parliament have attended African Parliament conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Abdisamad Maolim mohamud, among the participating Somali parliament officials said among the main points of focus in this conference is uniting Africa and getting one United Africa.
He stated that Somalia hosting conference of this kind in the near future is being discussed in this meeting. These officials also emphasized their need to convey their opinions to other counterparts attending this conference on matters regarding the development of the continent.
African parliament will celebrate its 10th year anniversary since its inception on the coming Saturday.
Within this conference, many African parliamentarian are expected to deliver their views on getting one united Africa and will run until 19 this month.
Key Headlines
- Somalia to host African Parliament conference in near future (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
- AMISOM spokesperson annoyingly responds to allegation from AU soldier (Hiiraan Online/RBC)
- Puntland President meets Djiboutian head of State Ismail Omar Gelle (Puntland TV)
- Somali security forces AMISOM launch joint operations in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog)
- Somaliland President Initiates Zeila Port Modernization (Somaliland Sun)
- Kenya plane raid kills 32 al Shabaab fighters (Daily Nation)
- Mogadishu mayor’s desire to monopolise Benadir security raises concerns (Sabahi Online)
- Somalia to seek Japan’s help to save young boys from life of piracy (Global Post)
- Somalia peacekeepers launch offensive against militants: UN (Reuters)
PRESS STATEMENT
Somalia set to develop its marine resources, says President in Japan
12 Mar – Source: Office of the Somali President – 258 word
Somalia must seize the opportunity to develop its marine resources after decades of neglect, His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in Japan today. Speaking in Tokyo on the second day of his visit to Japan, the President said:
“We have the longest coastline in Africa and now that the country is recovering from conflict we need to learn how to develop our marine resources profitably and sustainably and also defend our territorial waters. This visit to Japan helps us lay the foundations for such development guided by international best practice.”
The President visited the port of Yokohama and its Japanese coastguard centre, where he was briefed on the country’s comprehensive coastguard training programmes and how it conducts operations to protect its coastal zone.
The President also met the leadership of the Nippon Foundation, a private, not-for-profit grant-making body specializing in maritime development and humanitarian assistance. He praised the government and people of Japan for the country’s ambitious development programme in Somalia.
“We have come to Japan with a number of project proposals which we hope Japan will be assisting us with,” the President said. “These include agricultural projects, livestock, fisheries and marine resources as well as other assistance targeted at rebuilding our institutions.”
During the rest of his visit to Japan the President will be meeting Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation H.E. Abdirahman Duale Beileh, Minister of Planning H.E. Saciid Abdullahi Mohamed and Minister of Public Works & Reconstruction H.E Nadiifo Mohamed Osman.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somalia to host African Parliament conference in near future
13 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV – 125 words
Members of Somali parliament have attended African Parliament conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Abdisamad Maolim mohamud, among the participating Somali parliament officials said among the main points of focus in this conference is uniting Africa and getting one United Africa.
He stated that Somalia hosting conference of this kind in the near future is being discussed in this meeting. These officials also emphasized their need to convey their opinions to other counterparts attending this conference on matters regarding the development of the continent.
African parliament will celebrate its 10th year anniversary since its inception on the coming Saturday. Within this conference, many African parliamentarian are expected to deliver their views on getting one united Africa and will run until 19 this month.
AMISOM spokesperson annoyingly responds to allegation from AU soldier
13 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online/RBC – 183 words
African Union mission in Somalia AMISOM condemned a recent statement from a Burudian soldier claiming that AMISOM is not willing to defeat al Shabaab in Somalia. Burundian soldier who was serving for African Union Mission in Somalia told a writer for Kenyan newspaper, The Star, that AMISOM is not happy to defeat al Shabaab in Somalia because they want to keep earning big salaries by claiming to have being fighting al Shabaab in Somalia.
AMISOM spokesman Ali Adan Hamud responding to this allegation said that they are in Somalia to restore security and defeat al Shabaab. Hamud also stated that before deploying any African Union soldier, he/she is given orientation of the African Union Mission in Somalia which is to eliminate al Shabaab from Somalia.
“That is not something possible, and I don’t think that man was African Union soldier. 2014 is the year for AMISOM to defeat al Shabaab in South and central of Somalia,” said Hamud.
Puntland President meets Djiboutian head of State, Ismail Omar Gelle
13 Mar – Source: Puntland TV – 158 words
The president of Puntland state of Somalia, Dr. Abdiwali Mohamed Ali Gaas who is now in an official visit to Djibouti meets Ismail Omar Gele, Djiboutian head of State. President Gaas accompanied by Planning and General Works Ministers had taken bilateral talks with the President Ismail mainly focusing on Puntland current situation and ways of strengthening the cooperation between the two.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Dr. Gaas praised President Ismail Omar Gelle for his endless support for the people of Somalia from the collapse of central government. President Ismail promised to strengthen the mutual cooperation on business.
In the course of this official visit, Dr. Gaas also met Djibouti Prime Minister Abdikadir Kamil Mohamed and talked about the running development projects in Puntland and Djiboutian government can contribute to them.
The president of Puntland and his delegation will remain in Djibouti and are expected to meet business community and also the Somali people living in Djibouti.
Somali security forces, AMISOM launch joint operations in Mogadishu
13 Mar – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 111 words
Somali security forces and AMISOM have launched joint operations in some districts of Mogadishu. The forces blocked the major roads in Dayniile district interfering with public transport and business activities.
A witness told Goobjoog FM that the security forces were making house to house operations asking different questions to the residents of Dayniile. Over one hundred people were arrested during the operations. The security officials stated that they will continue with the operations until the security of the district is fully maintained.
On the other hand the forces opened fire after some men tried to escape during the operation, the casualties are not yet clear.
Somaliland Minister of Commerce and International Investment in the UAE to Discuss Commercial Deals
12 Mar – Source: Somaliland Press – 110 words
The Minister of Commerce and International Investment Dr. Mohamed Abdillahi Omer left the country headed for the UAE to sign major business related deals.
Reliable source have confirmed to us that the Minister of Commerce was invited by the UAE officials in a bid to discuss major deals which the government of Somaliland and the UAE have been working on in the past few months and which are said to be in the final stages.
The Minister of Commerce was recently quoted saying “We intend to invite a number of UAE business groups to visit and invest in Somaliland in oil and gas-exploration opportunities, and our fisheries industry,”.
Somaliland President Initiates Zeila Port Modernization
12 Mar – Source: Somaliland Sun – 151 words
A Government delegation led by president Silanyo has completed a two days official tour of Awdal & Salal regions.
On the second and last day of his tour residents of Sayla were surpised to share breakfast with their head of state at a common restaurant in Zeila town which was followed by a leisurely presidential walk with member of his entourage interacting directly with the town’s residents chatting with different group at different time.
There after his entourage left at about 1330 hrs for Lughaya and on reaching the town a Large crowd consisting of communal elders, clerics, legislators, regional administrators and women leaders came out to welcome him to their residence where he laid a foundation stone for a modern port of that will relieve the work load of the busy port of Berbera. Upon initiating the zeila port modernization, the head of state entourage went ahead with the regional tour.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya plane raid kills 32 al Shabaab fighters
13 Mar – Source: Daily Nation – 78 words
Some 32 militants were killed and 10 others injured on Tuesday evening when Kenyan warplanes hit an al Shabaab camp in Somalia.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) on Wednesday quoted the Gedo region deputy governor Ali Matan as saying that Kenyan fighter jets bombarded the camp in Bardera, which is considered the main stronghold for the al Qaeda-linked group.
The attack by the Amisom troops in the South West Somalia also destroyed military vehicles belonging to the group.
Mogadishu mayor’s desire to monopolise Benadir security raises concerns
12 Mar- Source: Sabahi Online-924 Words
New Benadir Governor and Mogadishu Mayor General Hassan Mohamed Hussein Mungab has proposed moving the region’s entire security apparatus under his command, but military experts say such a move could jeopardise, rather than improve, the security situation.
When Mungab took the reins from Mohamud Ahmed Nur Tarsan on March 4th, he said his first priority would be to improve security in the city, and as such, he suggested that the head of the regional police report directly to him.
“I want to tell you that [the security agencies] should come under the direct command of the governor of Benadir regional administration and the mayor of Mogadishu city,” Mungab said in a speech at his inauguration. “They should come under him directly and he should issue day-to-day orders to them, give them their allowances and hold them accountable.”
The governor said that if there is any “obstruction” as he rolls out his new security plan he cannot be held responsible for the region’s security situation. Officials from the region’s police and intelligence agencies have not made any public statements on the governor’s proposal.
Somali legendary singer Tub’ee is dead
12 Mar- Source: Africa Review-308 Words
Somali music legend Mohamed Sulayman Tub’ee is dead. The singer, who was 68 years old, died at a hospital in Munich, Germany on Tuesday. His son, Mustaf Mohamed Sulayman confirmed the death.
“My father passed away at around 7am on Tuesday,” said Sulayman. “We got the confirmation from the hospital doctors.”
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed was among the local dignitaries who sent their condolences to the bereaved family. “Everybody is destined to die. All we have to do is to pray for the soul of our beloved Mohamed Sulayman Tub’ee to end up in heaven,” said the PM.
In February, Mogadishu Mayor Mohamud Ahmed Nur alias Tarzan announced his authority’s $20,000 donation to help the singer meet the medical expenses.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia to seek Japan’s help to save young boys from life of piracy
12 Mar – Source: Global Post – 148 words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Wednesday he will ask the Japanese government to help provide vocational education for young men at risk of falling into a life of piracy.
“We want the amount of funds that Japan was putting into service delivery like education to be refocused on providing vocational education centers for those young boys so that they become useful members of society,” Mohamud said at the Japan Press Club prior to consultations with Tokyo this week.
Piracy in the Gulf of Aden peaked around 2012 and is now “drastically declining,” he said, thanks to pressure from international naval and coast guard forces that have patrolled the region, as well as Somali efforts to mobilize community leaders against the crime.
“This joint effort has succeeded to make the piracy phenomena almost zero,” he said. Nevertheless, Mohamud said, “the root cause for the piracy is still there.”
Somalia, peacekeepers launch offensive against militants: UN
12 Mar – Source: Reuters – 246 words
African Union peacekeepers and the Somali army have begun a major offensive against al Shabaab militants, the U.N.’s Special Representative to Somalia said on Wednesday, urging donors to fund logistical support. U.N.-backed peacekeepers pushed the Islamist fighters out of Mogadishu in 2011, but the al Qaeda-linked group has continued to launch guerrilla-style attacks there and kept control of several towns and many rural areas.
A new offensive to capture the remaining territory had been expected ever since the U.N. Security Council in November authorized an increase of more than 4,000 peacekeepers for the African peacekeeping force known as AMISOM, from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Sierra Leone.
Special Representative Nick Kay said the push started this month when Ethiopian troops took control of towns in southern Somalia, including Bakool regional capital Hudur.
“(The offensive) is progressing quite well,” Kay told Reuters via telephone from Mogadishu.
“The Ethiopians clearly have been doing well, recaptured several important towns in Bakool and in Gedo (region).” Kay said al Shabaab had to be pushed out of territory where it was training more insurgents, taxing businesses and importing arms through ports.
“That’s why this AMISOM and Somali National Army (SNA) offensive is really important to deprive them of those bases,” Kay said. In a rare move, the U.N. has passed a resolution to provide logistical support to the SNA troops fighting alongside the 22,000-strong AMISOM force, which has been in Somalia since 2007.
US Welcomes Joint AMISOM-Somali National Army Efforts Against al Shabaab
12 Mar – Source: US Department of State – 127 words
The AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops working jointly with the Somali National Army have liberated several towns from al Shabaab in Western Somalia. These efforts will help spread security and stability to all the Somali people, and accelerate the return of government institutions and services.
Our focus will not wane on meeting Somalia’s continued humanitarian needs as the offensive continues.
The United States supports AMISOM and the Somali people’s efforts to defeat al Shabaab and bring greater peace to their country.
We continue to support AMISOM and the Somali National Security Services through the provision of equipment, logistics, and training support. The United States has obligated over $512 million since 2007 to support AMISOM, and over $171 million to build a more effective and professional Somali National Army.
Mogadishu more dangerous for aid workers now than under al Shabaab – UN
12 Mar – Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation – 159 words
It is more dangerous for humanitarians to work in the Somali capital today than it was when parts of the city were controlled by the Islamist militant group al Shabaab, a senior United Nations official said.
This makes it very hard for aid workers to help nearly 370,000 internally displaced people (IDP), mainly women and children, living in squalid camps scattered around Mogadishu and terrorised by the militias that run them, Edem Wosornu, acting head of office for OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) Somalia, told Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Al Shabaab ruled most of southern Somalia from 2006 until 2011, when African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces drove them out of Mogadishu and other urban areas.
The militants are still able to hit targets in government-controlled parts of the capital, and across the region, at will. “I have been covering Somalia for the last three years and this is the worst it’s been,” Wosornu said.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“In a country where killing and violence is omnipresent, it is vital for the government to step away from a widespread belief where death is seen as the answer. Somalia’s playing fields should be for children and football, not for firing squads.”
Dispatches: Somalia – Firing squad on the football field
13 Mar- Source: Human Rights Watch-459 Words
Two days ago, in broad daylight, on a makeshift football field in Mogadishu, state security forces carried out the execution by firing squad of three men. Children were among the crowd who witnessed the executions, which had been handed down by Somalia’s military court.
Access to Somali military court proceedings is severely restricted so precise information is sketchy. In a statement, the chairman of the military court, Colonel Liban Ali Yarow, said the three were sentenced to death for killing and for murder. According to him, one was a soldier found guilty of killing a civilian, the other two defendants were a soldier and a member of the municipal police, found guilty of murdering two government soldiers.
A 2011 presidential decree granted the military courts extensive temporary powers– notably jurisdiction over all abuses committed in areas declared under a state of emergency, which included Mogadishu’s central market and camps for internally displaced people. Since then, we have raised concerns for the due process rights of defendants before military courts.
“Concisely, I hold the view that Somalia was misled by other nations whose rationalization to understand our own situation was desperately poor. Without giving any care as to what we really need, these nations are ripping us off future opportunities.”
Aid to Somalia: the World’s Disastrous Business
13 Mar- Source: Raxanreeb-745 Words
History recorded a nation known in the Literature as “Ad.” This nation was, by far, the most powerful and materialistic nation the world known of their time. Yet, this nation was drifted by painful draughts and repeated famines. So one day, what looked like a helpful rain cloud appeared in the sky, heading right toward their dwellings. Because they were in great despair and consistent despondency, they rejoiced delightfully for the coming water.
But as it turned out, the cloud was yet another greater punishment, destroying homes and everything on its way. Indeed, the cloud, which they thought was a glimpse of hope, saw the demise of this great nation. Immediately after the cloud passed, the only footprints left there was their territorial geography. The whole nation vanished in a short time.
The moral of this story is that, like any other creature, humans go through cycles dictated by change. Many mighty powers disappeared for variety of reasons. Contrarily, others emptied their territory because of their incompetence. They undervalued their power and hoped for a free lunch. And here is Somalia for you. Somalia routed out its system of governance 20-some years ago, succumbing to an empty and yet disastrous aid.
Top tweets
@faoinsomalia Last minute rush as #SOPEC2014 gets closer. Venue- Dubai WTC. Theme: Taking investing in #Somalia to a higher level. cc @SOPEC2014
@amisomsomalia A soldier listens to #Djiboutian ContiCo Osman Doubad speaking to SNA members at Lama Galay training camp #BeletWeyne pic.twitter.com/vCEyE0Rz3w
@Lattif Model of #Mogadishu University City, which is being built in the outskirts of #Somalia‘s capital.pic.twitter.com/EVbeES1eEl
@HanaWarda8 800 year old small white mosque has been renovated in HamarWeyne coast #Mogadishu #Somalia 2/2pic.twitter.com/aQ4o2KgIHI
@mukhtaryare Iska Dhaaf, a Seattle-based band, draws its name from a Somali phrase meaning “let it go.”http://www.seattlemet.com/
Image of the day
President Hassan Sheikh and his delegation visit #Yokohama port in #Japan with the #Japanese amb. to #Somalia. Photo: @Abdikarim_Abdi3