March 19, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report
PM Khaire 1 Year Anniversary Event Cancelled Over Current Political Crisis
19 March – Source: Radio Dalsan – 167 Words
An event to mark Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire’s one year in office has been cancelled, Radio Dalsan has learnt. A reporter visited the venue of the event scheduled for Sunday, and confirmed the cancellation. All the preparations at the Sahal Hall in Mogadishu had been concluded in the premises that can hold up to four thousand guests A source close to Villa Somalia has told Radio Dalsan that President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo had called for the cancellation of the event “due to the current tension in the country”.
President Farmaajo was scheduled to leave for Doha Qatar on Sunday, but postponed the trip to mediate the current political crisis pitting Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and Speaker of the Lower House Mohamed Osman Jawari. Speaker Jawari accuses the PM of masterminding a vote of no confidence against him. MPs affiliated to the PM accused Speaker Jawari of being an impediment to Parliament procedures. Prime Minister Khaire was appointed in February 2017 and confirmed on March 1.
Key Headlines
- PM Khaire 1 Year Anniversary Event Cancelled Over Current Political Crisis (Radio Dalsan)
- Somali President Holds Talks With Jawari Over Ongoing Political Dispute (Halbeeg News)
- South West Confirms Negotiation With Al-Shabaab Officials (Radio Dalsan)
- UAE To Train Security Forces In Somaliland (Ahval News)
- Somaliland Backs Dubai’s DP World Over Berbera Port (Arab News)
- Somalia Clans Secure Peace With Death Sentences And Hefty Fines (BBC World Service)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somali President Holds Talks With Jawari Over Ongoing Political Dispute
19 March – Source: Halbeeg News – 202 Words
Somali President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and the Speaker of the Parliament, Mohamed Osman Jawari met on Sunday night in Villa Somalia, a lawmaker confirmed on Monday. The leaders discussed the ongoing political stalemate between the Speaker and Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire.
Mr. Abdirahman Beneben, who spoke to VOA Somali said, the president and the speaker discussed a wide range of issues, including the motion against Mr. Jawari and the security of the parliament among others. “The House speaker and President Farmaajo talked about the differences between Prime Minister Khaire and the Speaker. The speaker noted during the meeting, that the motion against him must be held outside the Parliament with presence of Senate Committee and Civil Society groups,” said Benebene during the interview.
Speaker Jawari, who spoke to the media on Sunday accepted the motion against him to proceed to parliament, saying it has met the quorum threshold. “The no-confidence motion is now accepted, and it should be tabled before the House within 10 days, as per the House Standing Orders,” said Speaker Jawaari. The First Deputy of the Lower House, Mr. Abdiweli Mudey will chair the sessions of the Parliament till the fate of the motion against Jawari is decided.
South West Confirms Negotiation With Al-Shabaab Officials
19 March – Source: Radio Dalsan – 133 Words
A senior Al-Shabaab official has surrendered to Southwest State administration. The official surrendered alongside his fighters. The spokesman for the South West Administration, Mr. Nurradin Yusuf Ga’ma, told reporters, that the defector was identified as Mr. Addawe, and he was accompanied by a number of militants, though he did not comment on the numbers of the militia.
The spokesman, also noted that, they are still talking with other officials. “Indeed you always hear that there is militia, who always defect and join the Southwest administration,” said Mr Nouradin Ga’ma. The spokesman noted that, there are still militants who are hiding in the towns of Bay and Bakool regions, but he hopes they will defect soon. Al-Shabaab has not yet commented on the reports, that a senior official surrendered to the Southwest Administration.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UAE To Train Security Forces In Somaliland
19 March – Source: Ahval News – 258 Words
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to train security forces in Somaliland as part of a deal that involves establishing a military base in the semi-autonomous region Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi Abdi said on Thursday, Abdi said the UAE base will guarantee economic development and security for Somaliland and also deter extremist groups in the region, Reuters journalist Alex Cornwell reported.
Somaliland, on Africa’s Gulf of Aden coast, broke away from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognized. However, the UAE has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the impoverished region in recent years and last year began constructing a military base in the port of Berbera.
The UAE’s move to establish a military presence in the strategically important region, adds to the increasing militarization of Africa’s strategically important Red Sea coastline. In December, Turkey signed a deal to redevelop Suakin Island, a ruined port on Sudan’s coast, beefing up its presence in the region. Turkey already has several thousand troops stationed in Somalia and its Parliament voted in February to extend their period of deployment.
Whilst Ankara claims Suakin Island will not be used for military purposes, the redevelopment agreement angered Egypt and Gulf Arab states wary of what they see as Turkey’s expansionist ambitions. This comes at a time when relations between Turkey and several Arab states have been strained since Turkey sided with Qatar in a crisis in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This pits Qatar against a group of Gulf Arab states led by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
Somaliland Backs Dubai’s DP World Over Berbera Port
19 March – Source: Arab News – 204 Words
The Somaliland government has rejected Somalia’s right to block a deal to allow Dubai’s DP World to make a $440 million investment to help develop Berbera Port, according to Somaliland Press. The row came about when the Somaliland government allowed Ethiopia a stake in the Berbera investment consortium. Afterwards, the Somalia parliament voted to ban the UAE from investing in Somalia. The issue has become a test case for Somaliland independence.
A report in Somaliland Press said: “The DP World’s investment in Somaliland has, loudly and clearly, proven Somaliland’s independence. The agreement between DP World and Somaliland has shown that Somaliland is an independent country that can engage in international deals without regard to Mogadishu’s government.” It continued: “DP World’s agreement has ended Mogadishu’s claim for controlling Somaliland territory.”
The newspaper cited DP World CEO Ahmed Bin Sulayem as saying: “Somaliland is an independent country for the last 28 years. It is a very stable country. It has a vibrant democratic system. Our project won the endorsement of Somaliland’s parliament.” Somaliland Press said: “Whether we like it or not, Ethiopia is a regional power to reckon with. Since Ethiopia has a share in the port, it will become its sea route which will help both Somaliland’s and Ethiopia’s economic growth. Second, since Ethiopia invested in Somaliland, Ethiopia will assist Somaliland strengthen its peace and stability.
“Ethiopia will not tolerate any regional authorities, Mogadishu’s government, or enemies to sabotage Somaliland’s stability. Lastly, Ethiopia and Dubai will work closely together to ensure Somaliland’s recognition provided that the port attains its intended objectives.” Muse Behi Abdi Abdi, president of Somaliland, has recently been in Dubai meeting government ministers.
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“In Somali society, if someone commits a murder and manages to escape, his clan is held responsible. As a result, many innocent people can easily become the victims of these vendettas simply because they happen to belong to a certain clan.”
Somalia Clans Secure Peace With Death Sentences And Hefty Fines
18 March – Source: BBC World Service – 409 Words
Two rival Somali clans have signed up to a groundbreaking peace deal which aims to end the cycle of revenge killings. Following three weeks of mediation, the rival Sa’ad Yoonis and Ba’iido clans in the disputed Sanaag region reached an agreement on harsh new rules.
Now, anyone found guilty of carrying out a revenge killing or vendetta will face a death sentence. The family of the perpetrator will also have to pay fine a $100,000 (£72,000). There has long been tension between many Somali clans due to rivalry and competition over resources such as grazing land for livestock or access to water.
But vendettas going back generations have added to the violence and the cycle of revenge has been extremely hard to break. Ahmed Bahir Mahmood, an MP, said they hoped the new strict measures would work. “The punishments that have been agreed are more severe than before. Now we have decided the person must be killed – life for a life – and his family must hand him in,” he told the BBC.”If someone comes to a communal area like a bore hole or a grazing area with a gun then the army or the police should confiscate the gun. If he refuses to hand over the weapon they should shoot him straight away in the head.”
Reports from the Sanaag region, which is claimed by both the self-declared republic of Somaliland and by Somalia’s autonomous state of Puntland say that last year 23 people were killed and 65 were injured during one incident involving the two clans. Earlier this year in response to that attack, 15 people were killed and 39 others were injured. The previous feuds have now been settled with blood money, and more has been paid for funerals. But now the rules have changed with the new punishments. Officials from Somaliland mediated the discussions, and under the agreement any perpetrators are to be handed over to the authorities in the capital, Hargeisa. Other death sentences have been commuted to lengthy prison sentences.
TOP TWEETS
@Goobjoognews: Jawari put the President on defense over motion-source –
@HarunMaruf: BREAKING: Rescue efforts underway after a commercial boat caught fire near Bosaso port; fate of crew unclear: Reports. #Puntland #Somalia
@su_serc: Mr Geoffrey Rono taking the Somalia delegation through the various services the center has to offer#PoweringAfrica @MoPIED_Somalia #Renewableenergy
@HarunMaruf: BREAKING: Two crew members wounded after fire catches commercial boat near Bosaso port town of Puntland. Police say boat was carrying fuel and other goods, all lost now. Cmdr of PMPF Gen Abdirazak Diriye says all crew rescued but hard to safe boat. (Video by @Abdiqanihassan)
@GuleidJ: Somaliland: The trial of jailed poet Naema Ahmed Ibrahim started today. One witness of the state was heard. The second hearing is scheduled on Tuesday, 20 March.
@DalsanFM: BREAKING: A merchant boat loaded with goods catches fire off the Bossaaso port in #Somalia‘s #Puntland State.
@DalsanFM: Banaadir Regional Administration (BRA) Governor@engyarisow has pledged to protect Mogadishu’s privately run mini pitches following threats by #Alshabaab demanding their closure or extortion. Gov. Osman joined footballers for a night match in Karaan district. #Somalia
@falastiniman: Somali president Farmajo met Speaker Jawari tonight for current crisis, according to sources Jawari requested 3 things. Bringing back the old guards of the parliament, motion against him should come to the floor in 10 days with civil society observance & vote to be on ballot box.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Minister of Finance Abdirahman Duale Beyle met with a delegation from Egypt in Mogadishu.
Photo: @DalsanFM