May 17, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali government worried over Kismayo situation
17 May – Source: Bar-kulan/SNTV/Universal TV/Horn Cable TV – 176 words
Minister of Internal Affairs and Security of Somali Federal government Abdikarim Hussein Guled declared that the government is worried over the administration that had been announced in the port city of Kismayo, the Lower Jubba region capital might ignite war between the residents of Jubba regions.
Abdikarim Hussein Guled Internal Affairs Security Minister held a news conference in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, said that what the Somali government has warned over months ago what has happened in Kismayo. The minister added that this corresponding announcement of self-declared administrations in Kismayo might bring vendetta among the local residents in Jubba and Gedo regions, adding that al Shabaab might take full advantage of the situation.
Abdikarim added that the Somali Federal government has made enough efforts to put off tension on Jubbaland administration establishment for the last four months, yesterday’s high delegation of both members of the Somali Parliament and members of the cabinet ministers was the last effort by the government end the prolonged dispute on the Jubbaland administration establishment but individuals immediately announced a self-declared administration in Kismayo.
Key Headlines
- Somali government worried over Kismayo situation (Bar-kulan/SNTV/Universal TV/Horn Cable TV)
- Somalia: Parliament suggests forming special guards for MPs (Raxanreeb)
- Guri-El Council of elders condemn elder Artan killing (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somalia’s Jubaland gains support as federal gov’t rejects outcome (Garowe Online)
- 13 al Shabaab militants killed in ambush on Somali National Army (Sabahi Online)
- Ethiopia Playing at Being Good Neighbours (IPS News)
- Somalia floods displace thousands (Al Jazeera)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali government worried over Kismayo situation
17 May – Source: Bar-kulan/SNTV/Universal TV/Horn Cable TV – 176 words
Minister of Internal Affairs and Security of Somali Federal government Abdikarim Hussein Guled declared that the government is worried over the administration that had been announced in the port city of Kismayo, the Lower Jubba region capital might ignite war between the residents of Jubba regions.
Abdikarim Hussein Guled Internal Affairs Security Minister held a news conference in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, said that what the Somali government has warned over months ago what has happened in Kismayo.
The minister added that this corresponding announcement of self-declared administrations in Kismayo might bring vendetta among the local residents in Jubba and Gedo regions, adding that al Shabaab might take full advantage of the situation.
Abdikarim added that the Somali Federal government has made enough efforts to put off tension on Jubbaland administration establishment for the last four months, yesterday’s high delegation of both members of the Somali Parliament and members of the cabinet ministers was the last effort by the government end the prolonged dispute on the Jubbaland administration establishment but individuals immediately announced a self-declared administration in Kismayo.
Somalia: Parliament suggests forming special guards for MPs
17 May – Source: Raxanreeb – 111 words
The Speaker of Somalia Federal Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari has said that they have suggested formation of special guards to provide security for Somali parliamentarians following constant complaints from the Members of the Parliament, RBC Radio reports.
“We have proposed to assign special police unit under the interior ministry to provide security service to the parliamentarians.” the speaker told Members of the parliament during Thursday’s session.
He said forming special security guards will close previous complaints from the legislators towards the negligence of their security. “The special police unit will be trained with the rules of the parliament as well as the respect of the parliament member.” the Speaker added.
Guri-El Council of elders condemn elder Artan killing
17 May – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 123 words
The chairman of Guri-El and Dhusamareb Council of Elders in Galgadud region in central Somalia Elmi Hirsi Arab has strongly condemned the killing of the late Council of Elders’ spokesman Artan Sheikhdon who was shot dead in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Wednesday.
Speaking to Bar-kulan, the chairman of the Council of Elders said that they are strongly condemning whoever was behind the killing of elder Artan.
He added that Artan’s killing will not derail elders from serving the people, urging the Somali Federal government to ensure the safety of the traditional elders. Elder Artan Sheikhdon was killed after explosive materials were planted in his car, and blew up in Hodan district in Mogadishu.
Somalia’s Jubaland gains support, as federal gov’t rejects outcome
16 May – Source: Garowe Online – 142 words
Somalis abroad and at home have been expressing their support for the new Jubaland state President elect Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed (Madobe) as a Somali Federal Government (SFG) Minister rejected the elections, Garowe Online reports.
Somalis from Puntland, southern Somalia, Somaliland and ones living abroad have sent their congratulations to the newly elected President of Jubaland state, Sheikh Madobe, who won the elections held in the port city of Kismayo in a landslide victory on Wednesday. He won 480 votes out of the 500 delegates, who were tasked with the state formation process of Jubaland – backed by IGAD – that has been ongoing since 2011.
Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole held a press conference welcoming the election of Sheikh Madobe. President Farole requested that the presidential candidates welcome the outcome and that the elections were in line with the Provisional Federal Constitution.
Results of first Somali football fans survey announced
15 May – Source: Gool FM – 293 words
Over 7,000 Somali fans have given their opinions on the league, club and player they follow most over the past six months in the first Somali Football Fans Survey.
As the first of its kind in the history of Somalia, the survey was carried out by Gool Foundation through its subsidiary Gool FM, Somalia’s first and only sports radio station, which was launched on May 15th, 2012, on the National Youth Day.
Using radio phone-in programs, printed questionnaires, and Facebook comments, the poll asked the fans the league they follow most, and their favorite club and player. English Premier League, Manchester United, and Lionel Messi topped the overall vote.
Hargeisa livestock Market after rehabilitation (Video)
16 May – Source: Somaliland Informer/BBC – 3:43 min
Video about the opening of the new Hargeisa livestock market after its rehabilitation . the project was funded by the United Kingdom through Seed programme.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somalia floods displace thousands
17 May – Source: Al jazeera – 01:30 min
Tens of thousands of people in southern Somalia have been displaced by torrential rain. People are desperate for assistance as large parts of the Central Shabelle region is inundated. Al Jazeera’s Bhanu Bhatnagar reports.
13 al Shabaab militants killed in ambush on Somali National Army
16 May – Source: Sabahi Online – 92 words
The Somali National Army killed 13 al-Shabaab militants Tuesday (May 14th), rebuffing an al Shabaab attack on the outskirts of Farwaley and Ara As in the Gedo region. The clashes erupted after al Shabaab fighters launched a surprise attack on Somali government troops moving through the area.
Deputy Commissioner of Beled Hawo Sheikh Addow confirmed the attack, but did not say whether the government troops suffered casualties. Calm has since been restored to the area, which is under Somali federal government control, he said.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Ethiopia Playing at Being Good Neighbours
17 May – Source IPS News – 1051 words
Despite comments by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn suggesting the pending withdrawal of his country’s troops from Somalia, many experts have voiced doubts that Ethiopia will pull out of Somalia before it is capable of handling its security without assistance.
“Ethiopia has a big interest in Somalia and will remain, keeping its eyes wide open there for some time,” Abel Abate, from the state-funded think tank the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development, told IPS.
Aid worker details dramatic rescue
16 May – Source: CNN – 01:41 min
American aid worker Jessica Buchanan talks to Anderson Cooper about being rescued from 93 days captivity in Somalia.
Sexual crimes a crisis in Somalia
16 May – Source: CNN – 04: 48 min
Fionnuala Sweeney speaks with the U.N.’s Zainab Bangura about what can be done to prevent sexual violence in Somalia.
Oil Majors Weigh Up Risks of Beginning Operations in Somalia
16 May – Source: Oil Price – 297 words
In 2011-12 African forces, backed by the US, drove al Shabaab, the main militant force in Somalia with strong ties to al Qaeda, out of Mogadishu, and seized many of its urban strongholds around the country.
Since that time militant forces have stuck to rural Somalia, waging a guerrilla war of hit and run attacks, and suicide bombings.
Considering moving into this warzone are global oil companies, desperate to explore for potential oil and gas deposits and continue the success of the East African oil boom.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“If anyone still believed we were not giving enough attention to this fast growing Continent, the evidence of the past fortnight should have put them right.”
Africa in London
17 May – Source: FCO Blog – 467 Words
This has been a fortnight of focus on Africa in London. It started with the Somalia Conference on 7 May in Lancaster House, following up the Somalia Conference of a year ago. The difference was that this time the Government of Somalia co-chaired the event and the agenda concentrated on its priorities. Feedback from those attending was hugely positive and substantial additional support to Somalia was promised by the International Community. Many useful bilateral visits took place in the margins of the main event.
Security – in the face of the continuing threat from al Shabaab – was high on people’s minds. But a longer-term perspective was being taken too. So it was logical to hold a Somalia commercial event on 8 May to look at how to underpin improvements in the country in a sustainable way.
In parallel, the first ever trade and investment mission (in either direction) from Djibouti was engaging with no less than 180 UK companies. Though not a traditional market for us, the companies were deeply interested in the prospects offered by a huge planned expansion in Djibouti’s port and free zone provision; the liberalisation of the financial sector; the renewable energy opportunities; and developments in other key sectors.
The Future of Governance in Somalia
17 May – Source: CSIS-01h: 23 mins: – 12secs
Hassan Sheikh Mahamud was elected president by Somalia’s newly formed parliament in September 2012, becoming the first permanent Somali president since 1991.
He now faces the daunting task of rebuilding a nation torn by decades of conflict and restoring the legitimacy of the state and its institutions in the eyes of the Somali people. With the al Shabaab insurgency in retreat and regional partners fully engaged, many observers see a rare opportunity for Somalia to turn a page on its chaotic past.
Please join the CSIS Africa Program as we host President Hassan Sheikh for a discussion of Somalia’s progress and prospects in the coming year.
Top tweets
@UNICEFpolio #Somalia just had its first case of #polio since 2007. Read about why we should all be concerned: http://ow.ly/l6OXd #endpolio.
@africaupdate Interesting reaction to the Jane’s piece, & worth a read: #Somalia: IHS Jane’s spin on Jubbaland trap http://bit.ly/10ID0Dw HT @AmbShinn.
@UKinSomalia .@MarkJSimmonds will answer your questions on #Somalia and the @G8 live via twitter on Monday 20 May: http://tinyurl.com/bzmgqw2.
@MattBryden Speaker Jawari: Special police unit will be trained and deployed to protect #Somali MPs http://goo.gl/aYoQM.
@Payitforward87 The saddest thing now is that Shabab is not the main problem in #Somalia, but the political issues between regions. #somali.
Image of the day
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, centre, receives credentials from the new South Korean ambassador to Somalia, Kim Chan Woo. Photo: Raxanreeb Online.