March 28, 2013 | Morning Headlines.
President Hassan reiterates again his commitment to the cause of Human Rights
27 Mar – Source: The President’s Office – 265 words
Doha, Qatar, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, welcomed the Human Rights Watch report: Hostages of the Gatekeepers – Abuses against Internally Displaced in Mogadishu, Somalia.
“I and The Federal Government of Somalia welcome the Human Rights Watch for their detailed and comprehensive report into the situation faced by IDP’s in Mogadishu in 2011/12. The personal testimonies are heartbreaking and deplorable and totally unacceptable to the values of the Somali people.
“I have stated publicly and reiterate again now, my personal commitment to the restoration of civil security in Somalia and to holding to account any who are found abusing human rights.
“The challenges that face us, however, in rebuilding our nation are immense, and our need for constructive partnerships cannot be overstated. Security, both civil and military remains our highest priority. Reform of our security institutions is underway; leadership is being renewed, training is being designed and implemented, and discipline and professionalism issues are being addressed. We are committed to rebuilding security forces in which the publics have trust and confidence.
“The decision to establish the Independent Task Force on Human Rights, which was launched on 5 February, was taken to address concerns about the human rights abuses and to investigate violence against women. We fully comprehend the collective responsibility to prevent human rights abuses.
“We call upon all our supporters and allies to help us develop the capacity we need to tackle this terrible problem.”
Key Headlines
- Calm returns in Afmadow town (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Middle Shabelle politicians arrive in Jowhar for key assessment (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somali President attends his first Arab League Summit (Africa Review)
- Fahd receives Somalia Comoros President(Oman observer/ONA)
- Somaliland: “We are not in the UAE for talks with Somalia Authorities”-Dr Omar (Somaliland Sun)
- Two killed in robbery incident in Bosaso (Radio Bar-kulan/Universal TV)
- UAE FM receives Somalia’s Foreign Minister (Emirates News Agency)
- Unreported acts of piracy distort overall figures – experts (Defenceweb)
PRESS STATEMENT
President Hassan reiterates again his commitment to the cause of Human Rights
27 Mar – Source: The President’s Office – 265 words
Doha, Qatar, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, welcomed the Human Rights Watch report: Hostages of the Gatekeepers – Abuses against Internally Displaced in Mogadishu, Somalia.
“I and The Federal Government of Somalia welcome the Human Rights Watch for their detailed and comprehensive report into the situation faced by IDP’s in Mogadishu in 2011/12. The personal testimonies are heartbreaking and deplorable and totally unacceptable to the values of the Somali people.
“I have stated publicly and reiterate again now, my personal commitment to the restoration of civil security in Somalia and to holding to account any who are found abusing human rights.
“The challenges that face us, however, in rebuilding our nation are immense, and our need for constructive partnerships cannot be overstated. Security, both civil and military remains our highest priority. Reform of our security institutions is underway; leadership is being renewed, training is being designed and implemented, and discipline and professionalism issues are being addressed. We are committed to rebuilding security forces in which the publics have trust and confidence.
“The decision to establish the Independent Task Force on Human Rights, which was launched on 5 February, was taken to address concerns about the human rights abuses and to investigate violence against women. We fully comprehend the collective responsibility to prevent human rights abuses.
“We call upon all our supporters and allies to help us develop the capacity we need to tackle this terrible problem.”
SOMALI MEDIA
Calm returns in Afmadow town
27 Mar- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Bar-kulan- 113 words
Calm has reportedly returned to Afmadow town in Lower Jubba Region, southern Somalia, following rcent deadly clashes between government troops backed by the AU peacekeepers and al Shabaab Islamists fighters.
Clashes were said to have escalated after heavily armed Islamists fighters attacked government bases in the town and continued until Tuesday morning.
At least ten people, mostly combatants, died and 15 others were wounded during the clashes.
Middle Shabelle politicians arrive in Jowhar for key assessment
27 Mar- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 113 words
Several politicians from Middle Shabelle region on Wednesday arrived in the regional capital, Jowhar, to assess both the humanitarian and security situation in the region.
Hundreds of local flag-waiving residents welcomed the leaders outside the town. Some residents were reportedly seen carrying pictures of top Somali leaders in support for the government.
The 12-members delegation is led by the chairman of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs Abdikadir Osoble.
Somaliland: “We are not in the UAE for talks with Somalia Authorities”-Dr Omar
27 Mar- Source: Somaliland Sun- 383 words
Rumours purporting secret talks between the presidents of Somaliland and Somalia in the Emirates are reportedly without foundation.
According to the Somaliland foreign minister Dr Mohamed Abdilahi Omar, his boss H.E Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo has neither held nor plans to hold talks with his Somalia counterpart Mr Hasan Sheikh Mahmud.
Two killed in robbery incident in Bosaso
27 Mar- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Universal TV/ Hiiraan Online- 91 words
Two people were on Wednesday gunned down by suspected thugs in a robbery incident in the commercial city of Bosaso, northeastern Somalia.
The gunmen walked into a local Money Transfer Company, KAAH, and opened fire at the employees, killing two of them on the spot, among them a cashier.
The other one is said to be a security guard manning the main gate.
The gangs walked away with an unspecified amount of money.
REGIONAL MEDIA
UAE FM receives Somalia’s Foreign Minister
27 Mar- Source: Emirates News Agency- 49 words
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foreign Minister, has received today Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Somalia Fauzia Yusuf Haji Adan.
The meeting discussed a variety of topics of mutual interest as well as ways of enhancing bilateral relations to serve the mutual interests of the two countries.
Somali President attends his first Arab League Summit
27 Mar- Source: Africa Review- 273 words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has underlined his government’s commitment to expand its rule to all the regions of the civil-war plagued Horn of Africa country.
Addressing the Arab League Summit in Doha, Qatar, President Mohamoud said his government would strive for a united and stable Somalia.
The Somali leader left the capital Mogadishu for Doha Monday to participate, for the first time, in the Arab League Summit.
The conference was opened by the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Fahd receives Somalia, Comoros President
27 Mar- Source: Oman Observer/ONA-243 words
His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, who is currently taking part in the 24th Arab Summit Conference on behalf of Sultan Qaboos, received at the Doha Sheraton Hotel yesterday President Shaikh Hassan Mahmoud of Somalia. During the meeting, Sayyid Fahd conveyed greetings of Sultan Qaboos along with His Majesty’s best wishes of good health and well-being to President Mahmoud and the brotherly people of Somalia further progress and prosperity.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Unreported acts of piracy distort overall figures – experts
27 Mar- Source: Defenceweb- 463 words
Somali piracy still poses a significant threat as numbers remain high and criminals remain heavily armed, say experts, who maintain that figures showing a reduction in Somali piracy mask the true numbers.
While International Maritime Bureau (IMB) statistics covering 2012 depict a reduction in Somali piracy, now relegating the country to second place in number of acts of overall piracy, the danger faced from Somalian Pirates in the Gulf of Aden are as potent as ever, according to maritime security company Typhon.
Al Shabaab’s treatment exposes Obama ‘rendition’ hypocrisy, critics say
27 Mar- Source:Examine- 672 words
Monday’s announcement of a guilty plea by a Shabaal who was captured by the U.S. overseas offered opponents of President Barack Obama another chance to expose his hypocrisy, this time with regard to a program he and other liberal-left politicians condemned during the Bush administration: Rendition.
A Somali national who admitted he was the liaison official between al-Qaeda affiliates in Somalia and Yemen, and who later acted as a U.S. government informant and witness pleaded guilty to a number of U.S. terrorism-related charges, according to the Justice Department on Monday.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Educated expatriates, including public finance experts, have given up jobs in Europe and North America to return home and now want to more than double state revenues within a year to $88m and reach $160m by 2013.”
Somaliland aims to show coming of age
27 Mar- Source: Somalilandpress-813 Words
In a macabre twist on Noah’s ark, a crane in the Somaliland port of Berbera is hoisting camels two by two on to a ship taking them to their death across the Gulf of Aden. Just like the awkwardly suspended cargo, Somaliland itself has been left dangling for 20 years. In 1991 the former British protectorate declared independence from anarchic Somalia, but no country has recognised it, as it is considered part of Somalia. Yet Somaliland, , is largely peaceful and has built itself up from ruin with very little outside donor help.