March 20, 2015 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Many Families Displaced Due To Water Shortages In Bur-Dubo

19 March – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 162 Words

Reports from Bay region state that acute water shortage in Bur-Dubo town has caused many families to flee their homes. Reports also highlight that many evacuated families reached Baidoa town, the administrative capital of South-West State. Ahmed Sheikh Mohamed, Bur-Dubo Deputy Commissioner for Social Affairs, gave an exclusive interview to Goobjoog News and said the serious water shortage in Bur-Dubo is the worst in years. He said it has displaced many families, who have yet to receive proper support from aid agencies, but have received some small help from their neighbours. He explained that residents in the area had been using dams which have now dried up due to the prolonged droughts in the region. He noted that the cost of a drum of drinking water reached sh100,000 which is unaffordable for many families. Mohamed added that some of South-West State ministers visited the town to monitor the situation in the area.

Key Headlines

Seychelles Court Convicts Nine Somali Pirates (Somali Current)
Many Families Displaced Due To Water Shortages In Bur-Dubo (Radio Goobjoog)
Somalia And Qatar Ink Co-operation Agreements On Education And Aviation (Garowe Online)
UN Envoy Dismisses Current Somali Leaders’ Term Extension Bid (Hiiraan Online)
Second Deputy Speaker Of The Federal Parliament Visits New Villages In Mudug (Radio Dalsan)
Wajid Blockade Causes Suffering (Radio Ergo)
Police Reveal How Al-Shabaab Men Planned Executed Westgate Attack (Standard Digital)
Glimmer of Hope: US Appoints Ambassador To Somalia After Two Decades (AFK Insider)
EU And UN Habitat Highlight Impact Of SECIL Project In Mogadishu (European Union/Hiiraan Online)
Somalia PM Interview: We Are Ready For Business (Al Jazeera)

SOMALI MEDIA

Seychelles Court Convicts Nine Somali Pirates

19 March – Source: Somali Current – 200 Words

Top court in Seychelles convicted 9 Somali pirates including Minor for their role in attacking Honkong M/V Zhongji off the Somali coast in November 2013, Seychelles News Agency reports. The court has sentenced eight of the adults to 14 years in Prison while the juvenile was given to three years for piracy Membership in criminal group. The Judge ruled that the sentences would run parallel and the time they had already spent in detention would be deducted from the their sentences The nine were arrested by Danish sailors in Nov 2013 when the Danish HDMS ship intervened following their attempt attack on the Hong Kong ship M/V Zhongji. The Danish handed the Somali Pirates to Seychelles authorities. The Judge presiding over the case rejected defence’s arguments that the Nine were fisher-men pointing out there were no fishing equipment or deep freeze on board. Seychelles located Western Indian Ocean and geographically close to Somalia Coast and has been the forefront of the fight against piracy. Seychelles has been working together with the international partners to apprehend and prosecute Somali pirates and has so far prosecuted more pirates than any other country in the Region.

Somalia And Qatar Ink Co-operation Agreements On Education And Aviation

19 March – Source: Garowe Online – 222 Words

Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke met with his Qatar counterpart H.E Abdullah Bin Nasser Khalifa al Thani in Doha. The meeting centered on co-operation and the longstanding relationship between the two nations with the leaders agreeing on the need to forge closer ties on stabilisation, trade and investment as well as governance. “I’d like to thank the government and people of Qatar for their unending support to Somalia.Our people remain grateful and I wish to share with you the good news of Somalia’s progress and stability which Qatar has contributed to,”said PM Sharmarke. Prime Minister Sharmarke who’s on an official state visit to Qatar also witnessed the signing of two key agreements between the two nations to co-operate closely on education and aviation.

“These landmark agreements in the education and aviation sectors signed today represent the aspirations of my administration to fast-track the socio-economic development of our country after many years of instability and will foster economic growth and employment opportunities,” said the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is accompanied on the visit by Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Hadliye Omar, Planning and International Co-operation Minister Abdirahman Aynte, Transport and Aviation Minister Ahmed Jama, Health Minister Hawo Hassan Mohamed and Somalia’s Ambassador to Qatar Omar Idris.

UN Envoy Dismisses Current Somali Leaders’ Term Extension Bid

19 March – Source: Hiiraan Online – 337 Words

With a general election set to take place in Somalia in 2016, the United Nations envoy to Somalia has dismissed Somalia’s incumbent leaders’ alleged term extension bid after their term expires next year. Speaking to the VOA Somali service Thursday, Nicholas Kay emphasized that the international community would not accept Somali leaders’ term extension after August next year. “There can be no term extension for Somali leaders after their term expires – and the international community won’t accept that.” Kay affirmed in the interview. Mr. Kay says he believes that the Somali government has achieved much for the past few years, a move he described as ‘laudable’. He noted tougher tasks need to be completed by the government including formations of regional administrations and a general referendum for the country’s draft constitution. He also highlighted security as a top priority for the government. There were no comments from Somali government officials on Mr. Kay’s comments.

The latest development divided public opinion, with some expressed their support for it while others censured the envoy for acting “above” his political status. “Nicholas Kay is acting like a head teacher in a comprehensive secondary school in Camden, London,” said an anonymous Somali observer on Hiiraan Online’s readers’ comments section. “The Somali people and their parliament decide whether they want to extend the term for the government or not. It is none of his business. The days of the colonial governors from Europe whose decisions were final are no longer here. Somalis rule their destiny. They know what they want.” added the anonymous Somali observer. Adding that Mr. Kay should avoid operating outside his political status. “Yes the UN and Mr. Kay are here to advise and support financially. But they are not here to subjugate and impose their order on the Somali people -We can surely survive without any outside help or orders.” However, the envoy’s remarks reinforce Somali leaders’ previous assurances of no term extension after 2016 before the country’s elections.

Second Deputy Speaker Of The Federal Parliament Visits New Villages In Mudug

19 March – Source: Radio Dalsan – 170 Words

Somalia’s second deputy speaker of parliament, Mahad Awad Abdala, on Thursday laid the foundation stone for a new building in Mudug’s Towfiiq village The parliamentarian, who is on official visit to Puntland, toured several government institutions in Mudug and Nugal regions. The speaker visited Towfiiq village with other state officials amidst tightened security. Puntland State Minister for Health, Abdulahi Jama asked Towfiiq inhabitants to focus on development, and to work with the town administration. “The government is planning to set up new government buildings here,” Jama said. “You should take advantage of the ongoing government projects and you should work very closely with the regional authorities.” The second deputy speaker of the Federal parliament of Somalia has been holding talks with the region stakeholders including state officials and elders.

Wajid Blockade Causes Suffering

18 March – Source: Radio Ergo – 352 Words

People in Wajid district in Bakol region say they are facing increasingly difficult living conditions as roads leading to the town still remain blocked. For a year, there have been no vehicles transporting food and essential goods to the town due to a blockade on the town imposed by the Al-Shabaab militant group. Residents had been relying on food smuggled in on donkeys by women traders using paths through the bush. But they recently stopped the supplies after receiving threats from Al-Shabaab. Ugas Ibrahim Ali, a local trader, closed his shop in Wajid a week ago after he was unable to receive any food supplies from the smugglers. “There is extreme hardship in the town, people depended on very limited food supplies smuggled in by women but Al-Shabaab has stopped it so the people here are in danger. We have closed our shops due to lack of supplies, if the roads are not opened people will starve,” he said.

Hassan Adan Ali, the district commissioner of Wajid, told Radio Ergo the children in town were very vulnerable. “The town was a town when trade was free, markets functioning and food supplies accessible. But now there is an acute shortage of food. I can say that 55 per cent of the people here are undernourished, we are appealing for an immediate humanitarian intervention,” he said. Habiba Ali Yusuf, a member of the local women’s group, said many families in town depended on food distribution by a local NGO but the aid was not enough. “You may see families who have not cooked food for three consecutive days, and it is really a big problem,” said Habiba Ali. Sahra Adan Mohamud, 56-year-old mother of seven, said life in Wajid was desperate. “There is no mentionable life here, my husband doesn’t have a job, sometimes my children and I suffer from hunger, because we have nothing to eat,” she said. Wajid district commissioner said his administration had no capacity to address the worsening humanitarian situation. He said they submitted a plea to the government to address the plight of the locals.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Police Reveal How Al-Shabaab Men Planned, Executed Westgate Attack

19 March – Source: Standard Digital – 762 Words

The Al-Shabaab militant Adan Dheq alias Garaar who was killed in a US drone attack in Bardhere, Somalia last week was in Nairobi in September 2013 to plan the Westgate Mall attack. A profile released by police and National Intelligence Service show Gaarar, a Somali national, was the one who bought a Mitsubishi salon car registration number KAS 575X that was seized in front of the mall after the attack. The car had explosives and weapons at the time of its recovery, almost a week after the attack. He and his accomplices paid Sh340,000 to get the car on September 6, 2013 from a mechanic in Eastlands. Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said Garaar alongside two other militants were killed on March 12 in a US drone attack. According to the latest police confidential report, Garar, his accomplice Abdikadir Mohamed alias Mohamed Hussein from Kenya and the seller walked into Barclays Bank Queensway Branch in Nairobi and transacted the business before leaving. CCTV cameras at the bank captured their movements.

The original owner of the car was a female staff of United Nations in Nairobi who sold it to another staff of International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) in Nairobi. The ICRAF staff gave it to his brother to help in getting a buyer. Kimaiyo said the brother took the car to a garage in Buruburu and put it on sale. On September 6, 2013, Mohamed and Garaar approached the mechanic at the garage and said they were ready to buy the car. According to police, the mechanic called the owner and informed him there were buyers who were ready to pay in cash. When the owner arrived, he insisted they do the transaction in a bank. They drove to Barclays in the evening and transacted the business. Investigations have shown they later paid for an insurance cover in Nairobi using fictitious names. After the attack on September 21, 2013, Kenyan police offered a ransom of Sh500,000 to anyone who could help them trace Garaar and Mohamed.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Glimmer of Hope: US Appoints Ambassador To Somalia After Two Decades

19 March – AFK Insider – 549 Words
Katherine Dhanani was named the first U.S. ambassador to Somalia in more than 20 years on Feb. 25, signaling a deepening relationship that was strained between the two countries since Somali forces brought down two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters in 1993. This was big news for citizens of the war-torn Horn of Africa nation and came as a relief. Just a couple of weeks earlier, the U.S. led other Western countries including Australia and Britain in blocking money transfers to Somalia on the grounds that they could be financing terrorists. With the reinstatement of the first U.S. ambassador since war broke out in Somalia in 1991, there is hope that the $1.3 billion remittance channel could resume normal service soon.

Many Somali families depend on relatives abroad to send sustenance money through an informal money transfer system known as hawala. “This is a sign of the improved situation there (Somalia), and our confidence that this country is moving in the right direction,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. assistant Secretary of State for African affairs, during a recent online press briefing to discuss U.S. policies in Africa. A 24-year war between government forces supported by African Union forces against Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabab has brought Somalia’s economy to its knees in its capital Mogadishu and other town around the country. The country has however seen some semblance of peace in the last two years, giving hope that its economy can be revived. Several other countries have also renewed relations with the Horn of Africa nation.

EU And UN Habitat Highlight Impact Of SECIL Project In Mogadishu

19 March – Source: European Union/Hiiraan Online – 239 Words

Today, the EU and UN Habitat marked the closure of the SECIL project with a ceremony highlighting the jobs and basic urban services the project has created for the Mogadishu’s residents over the past 3.5 years. With a total support of 3.5 million EUR, the EU and its implementing partner UN Habitat rehabilitated key markets, established a sustainable solid waste collection system, strengthened regulations and skills in the construction sector, established laboratories for the testing of water quality and construction material quality, improved access to safe drinking water, established a Technical Training Centre, and provided valuable employment and livelihood opportunities to community groups engaged in low-cost fuel production.

“The SECIL project is a great achievement for Somalia’s capital, said the EU Ambassador to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso. It will bring a visible change in the Mogadishu resident’s every day lives by providing cleaner water, a cleaner environment and more jobs. And this is what the Somalis want.” The project “Sustainable Employment Creation and Improved Livelihoods for Vulnerable Urban Communities in Mogadishu (SECIL)” has worked in close partnership with the Benadir Regional Administration (BRA) to ensure the sustainability of project activities. The EU, UN-Habitat and BRA highlighted the unique approach of the SECIL project and praised its developmental outlook. They also emphasized the strong commitment of the local authorities to take over and maintain project activities for the future.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“That is why I came here to change the narrative and get away from that. Somalia is ready for business. It is no longer the country in which piracy and terrorism dominate the news. There are millions of Somalis that are moving on with their own lives. I think the country is rebuilding. I think most Somalis now have decided to pick up their own pieces and do whatever they can to better their lives. I think that should also be part of the news. That negativity no longer fits the country. The world should now look at Somalia with different eyes.”

Somalia PM Interview: We Are Ready For Business

19 March – Source: Al Jazeera – 1,248 Words

Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke became Prime Minister of Somalia for a second time in December 2014 and faces a tough task in preparing the transition to a new administration in 2016. Sharmarke’s biggest challenge includes unifying the country and challenging the armed group al-Shabab. Somalia has made significant gains against the group, but the rebels still pose a significant threat to the Somali state and its immediate neighbours. African Union peacekeepers and Somali security forces have managed to push Al-Shabaab out of some the country’s major cities, but the fighters still control large swathes of the countryside in southern Somalia. The group continues to launch periodic attacks in the capital Mogadishu, including against government institutions, and hotels frequented by government officials. Al Jazeera’ Barry Malone talked to Sharmarke about continuing insecurity in the country, foreign investment and the possibility of ever sitting at a table with al-Shabab.

Al Jazeera: What are you doing in Qatar?
Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke: Somalia is no longer equated with the negative aspects: piracy, terrorism. Now the country is ready for business. And we want to solicit with whomever wants to invest. In the end, it’s economic growth and poverty reduction that really can get so many youth in our country out of disparity. So we are pushing to move onto the investment. So we discussed ways in which Qatar could invest in the country.
AJ: You said Somali had a negative reputation around security: piracy, al-Shabab etc. Do you think that hinders investment? How can investors trust their investments will be secure in Somalia?
Sharmarke: I think Somalia is the number one country that has seen a steady decline in terrorism activities in the last few years when you compare it to other hot spots in the world. So I think Somalia is less vulnerable and the country is really moving out of this, gradually but surely.
AJ: Last night the Pentagon put out a statement saying that a US drone had killed a senior al-Shabab leader, Adan Garar. They say this man was one of the masterminds of the Westgate attack in Kenya. What do you think the impact of that strike will be?
Sharmarke: There’s no safe haven for terrorists in Somalia. Whoever commits crimes wants to be punished. The United States cooperates with us on on containing and destroying terrorist activities in Somalia. I think in the last couple of years most of the key leaders of al-Shabab were taken out. In that sense, the al-Shabab organisation is really weakened and even some are defecting to the government side. We’ve had the defection of high-profile individuals. And there is also an amnesty in place. Whomever denounces violence, we’re ready to deal with and accommodate.