May 2, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Prime Minister: “I’m leading a pro-worker government”

01 Apr – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 739 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, speaking on International Workers’ Day, said:

“I want to take this opportunity on International Workers’ Day to salute all our hardworking men and women of Somalia, who toil daily and relentlessly from sunrise to sunset for the progress of our great nation. “Across the world, workers are celebrating this day as a reminder that Workers Rights are indeed Human Rights. We believe in equal treatment of all workers and equal rights for all the working men and women of Somalia.

“The struggles of workers around the world have indeed come a long way, since this day was designated International Workers’ Day in 1904. Here in Somalia, the struggle of the workers has its own proud and brave history, especially the young workers who fought for the independence of our country through the Somali Youth League (SYL).

“The Somali worker is not only an important part of our history but key to the future of our nation. That is why we are leaving no stone unturned towards the enhancement of the welfare of all workers in both the private and public sectors, and in facilitating better relations with trade unions and employers.

“Since the advent of my government we have been working to create an environment of peace, stability and security as these are the key ingredients to economic success and in which every Somali can better achieve his or her dreams. The promotion of decent work for all women and men is central to achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in Somalia. “I’m leading a pro-worker government. The Federal Government is working to provide an environment that will reward enterprises and the creation of a labour-intensive, knowledge-based economy, which offers its people full employment.

Key Headlines

Prime Minister: “I’m leading a pro-worker government” (Office of the Prime Minister)
Parliamentary committee to review Turkish company contract (Radio RBC)
Security forces carry out operations in Yaqshid district (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Goobjoog)
“Illicit Weapons Trafficked in Mogadishu’s Black Markets” Somali Security Minister (Somali Current)
AU Force Pursues Elusive Enemy in Somalia (VOA)
Ambassador Nur: Kenya must apologise for Somali diplomat’s arrest (Sabahi Online)
Bodies of two government forces found in the outskirts of Hudur town (Radio Goobjoog)
People dying of dehydration in central regions (Radio Ergo)
Over 200 seized in Somali swoop (Africa Review)
Puntland denies that President Gaas met some of Somaliland Ministers in Addis Ababa (Puntland TV)

PRESS STATEMENT

Prime Minister: “I’m leading a pro-worker government”

01 Apr – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 739 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, speaking on International Workers’ Day, said:

“I’m leading a pro-worker government. The Federal Government is working to provide an environment that will reward enterprises and the creation of a labour-intensive, knowledge-based economy, which offers its people full employment.

“In less than six months in office this government has taken tangible actions in support of those who work hard. Our job creation programme is clearly underpinned by political reforms, a commitment to the rule of law, an invigorated focus on higher education and training to ensure that we actively promote skills development, infrastructure rehabilitation, resuscitation of our manufacturing potential and increasing our agricultural productivity.

“To concretely achieve our goal of job creation, we signed the Decent Work Programme for Somalia with the ILO in March this year. We believe that the promotion of decent jobs, accompanied by adequate social protection, is a vehicle towards eradicating extreme and pervasive poverty, ensuring food security, restoring stability, reducing inequalities and social exclusion.

“Now that our trade union federation and employers’ organisation are recognised by the global labour movement and international employers’ organisation, I encourage the International Trade Union Confederation, the African regional organisation of International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) and International Organisation of Employers to work with and empower their Somali members to build strong, independent and credible social partners.

“In order to rid Somalia of the scourge of child labour, we will adopt a child labour policy, develop national action plan on child labour and produce the statutory instrument to designate hazardous forms of child labour. Somalia has ratified the ILO convention on worst forms of child labour.

“As the head of the government I reaffirm today the government’s political will to discontinue and prevent any attack on workers and their organizations, to put an end to impunity and provide adequate space for the full enjoyment of trade union rights and other human rights, including the right to freedom of association. There must be no interference in the internal affairs of trade unions in line with genuine application of international labour standards.

“We urge the ILO to maximise its partnerships Somalia to bring more support and resources to the badly-affected labour market. We need the ILO to provide timely guidance and advice on key employment-related matters.

“Together with the workers and all Somalis, we believe we are on the path to stability, economic recovery, improving the quality of education, health care and sanitation to achieve a better life for all. In particular, we are committed to finding more and better quality jobs for our people because we believe that decent work is the foundation of the fight against poverty, radicalising the youth and inequality in our society. “Therefore on this important day of solidarity with workers of the world, we join all the progressive forces in the world, in the continued fight for decent work and a better and more prosperous Somalia.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Parliamentary committee to review Turkish company contract

01 Apr – Source: Radio RBC – 38 words

Somalia Parliamentary Sub-Committee has called today to review a contract signed by the former Minister of Transportation which permitted Favori, the Turkish-owned company to manage the Aden Abdulle Airport. According to chairperson of Parliamentary Sub-Committee for Transportation Osman Aden Dhubow, the contract seems to be in complete violation to the country’s Provisional Constitution whereby the authority of the managing the airport became a private task instead of a governmental. “The agreement as stated clearly violates the Provisional Constitution of Somalia Federal Republic.” he said while calling the parliament to launch a wider review. Parliament will also summon the Transportation Minister to inquiry on the nature of the contract.

Security forces carry out operations in Yaqshid district

01 Apr – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Goobjoog – 109 words

Somali security forces backed by African Union troops in Somalia have on Thursday morning conducted security operations in Yaqshid district in Banadir region. Many people have been rounded up in the security clampdown which was carried out mostly in the northern side of the district, according to Bar-kulan correspondent. The correspondent added that the security forces were seen conducting searches on vehicles to ensure the security and safety of the area. The number of arrests made in today’s operation is yet to be established. This latest operation is part of recent government crackdowns in Yashqid and Heliwa districts in Banadir region to beef up the security of the capital.

“Illicit Weapons Trafficked in Mogadishu’s Black Markets” Somali Security Minister

01 Apr – Source: Somali Current – 174 words

Ministry of National Security of Somali Federal Government Abdikarin Hussein Gulled confirmed while he was briefing Parliamentarians, the existence of black markets for trafficking illicit weapons in Mogadishu, as he mentions his government’s efforts to countering those acts. Answering his ministry’s attention on the increasing illicit weapon markets inside Mogadishu, he said, “There are no open markets which illegal weapons are publicly traded. Of course in Mogadishu there are black markets for trafficking illegal weapons. We always take security measures to increase efforts of countering against those black markets and assure such markets to be terminated from the city. Illegal weapon smugglers only know each other, as this makes difficult the smugglers to be swiftly and easily identified” He added that smugglers and traffickers reach the deal in unknown locations where there are no weapons, but later transfer weapons secretly in black markets.

Bodies of two government forces found in the outskirts of Hudur town

01 Apr – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 115 words

The bodies of two government forces was seen in the outskirts of Hudur town of Bakol region , government forces attacked bases of Al Shabaab in Awbide locality outside Hudur town. New forces to reinforce government forces from Hudur town reached the area where the clash between Al Shabaab and government troops occurred. Eye witness who spoke a condition of anonymity due to security reasons told the media that many people fled from the area where the two sides clashed fearing that they will be affected. Somali national army and African Union troops re-took the control of Hudur town from Al Shabaab earlier last Month, since Al Shabaab use to carry out deadly attacks against government forces in the region.

People dying of dehydration in central regions

01 Apr – Source: Radio Ergo – 108 words

Severe water shortage has struck the pastoralist communities in central Somalia and there have been reported deaths as the expected Gu’ rains have failed to arrive. At least 10 people have died of dehydration in villages across Mataban district of Hiran region, according to various reports reaching Radio Ergo. A traditional elder, Abdi Hashi, told Radio Ergo that seven people died in Labi bagase and Adadley villages, while three have died in Yanyo village of Mataban. He attributed the deaths to the water crisis. “I have witnessed many problems, but I have never seen people dying of thirst like these people,” said Hashi, who lives in Mataban. Radio Ergo’s reporter in Galgadud has gathered reports of several other deaths, mostly of women and children, related to the lack of water in remote villages.

Puntland denies that President Gaas met some of Somaliland Ministers in Addis Ababa

01 Apr – Source: Puntland TV/Radio Garowe/Goobjoog – 135 words

The regional administration of Puntland has denied reports from the breakaway state of Somaliland that Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas during his visit to Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Puntland Education Minister Ali Haji Warsame who was among the delegates who accompanied president Gaas to Ethiopian said that no formal discussion took place between Puntland and Somaliland in Ethiopia. Somaliland foreign Minister Mohamed Bihi Younis while holding press conference in Hargeisa stated that they met with President Gaas and discussed many issues of common interest including the territorial dispute of Sool and Sanaag. “We have discussed many issues as we have some common concerns including the security of the two regions.” he added.

Ethiopian forces detain two Somali officials

30 Apr – Source: Radio Kulmiye/RBC/Shabelle – 128 words

Ethiopian forces serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia have detained two Somali officials in the town of Luq following internal dispute. The Ethiopian forces arrested Mr Diyad Abdi Kalil, a bother of the Governor of Gedo region and other officer who was identified as a military officer. According to regional official, the Ethiopian forces also stormed the district court building and forced to halt the court’s operation. The arrest of the two officials came days after Ethiopia paramilitary group detained nine individuals including members of the diaspora, a journalist and elders in the Somali border. The detained individuals were transferred to police custody in Jigjiga where they are currently held for the second week without any trail.

Ethiopian forces close down Luuq court

30 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 189 words

Ethiopian-AMISOM forces closed down a local court in Gedo regional district of Luuq of southwestern Somaliaon Wednesday. According to witnesses, the Ethiopians ordered court judges and the prosecutor to halt criminal hearings at the court building shortly after their arrival. Federal Government of Somalia officials couldn’t be reached for comment but independent sources tell GO that the Ethiopian peacekeepers who were officially integrated into African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and court officials had been at loggerheads over undisclosed issues. Separately, Ethiopian forces detained the commander of Somali army units operating in Gedo and the brother of Gedo region Governor Diyaad Abdi Kilil. Ethiopian soldiers last week captured the paramilitary group of Ahlu Sunah Wal Jamea officials, diasporans and a local reporter who are being held in Jigjiga for interrogations in security operations near Somalia-Ethiopia border.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Ambassador Nur: Kenya must apologise for Somali diplomat’s arrest

01 Apr – Source: Sabahi Online – 402 words

Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Ali Nur says he is “very upset” at how Kenyan police treated a Somali diplomat recently arrested in Nairobi and demands the Kenyan government apologise for the incident. After Kenyan police briefly arrested Somali Consul Siyad Mohamud Shire on Friday (April 25th), the Somali government summoned Nur to Mogadishu to be debriefed on the diplomatic incident and the general impact Kenya’s security crackdown is having on ethnic Somalis living in Kenya. Nur’s temporary return to Somalia elicited much speculation and news reports that diplomatic ties between the two countries were crumbling. In an exclusive interview with Sabahi in Mogadishu, Nur clarified details about the consul’s arrest and the current state of the diplomatic relationship between Somalia and Kenya. Sabahi: Can you tell us what happened the day the consul was arrested? Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur: The consul was [driving] on his way home on Friday when he passed through a location where Kenyan forces were conducting a security operation. The police stopped him and asked him for his documents. He showed them his diplomatic card and informed them that he was the consul at the Somali embassy.

Over 200 seized in Somali swoop

30 Apr – Source: Africa Review – 223 words

Somalia security agents and the African Union peacekeepers arrested over 200 suspected al Shabaab sympathizer in a massive operation in the northern suburbs of the capital Mogadishu. The crackdown was conducted in Yakshid and Heliwa districts on Tuesday. State security agents indicated that the swoop was aimed at improving the security of Mogadishu. “We are going to make public the outcome of this operation,” said an officer who did not want to be named since he is not an official spokesman. The Somali police command and the security agency often declare that such measures were aimed at preventing the actions of the al Shabaab operatives. Meanwhile, security officers in Bossaso town, 1,500km northeast of Mogadishu, paraded 12 suspects said to be members of the al Shabaab.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

AU Force Pursues Elusive Enemy in Somalia

01 Apr – Source: VOA – 395 words

African Union forces have wrested control of territory from al-Shabaab militants in southern Somalia. However, with ever-changing tactics, the terrorist group has proven to be hard to finish off. In the early morning light, AMISOM soldiers in southern Somalia deployed a surveillance drone to seek out a hidden enemy the al Shabaab militants who once controlled this territory. Ugandan peacekeepers pushed most of the militant forces out of this area in the past two months, but the threat has not yet been completely eliminated. His eyes glued to the screen, soldier Dickson Arineitwe spots something suspicious.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Thousands of foreigners, mostly Somalis in Nairobi’s Easteigh, have been on the chase since last month’s attacks.”

Foreigners pay price for Kenyan attacks

30 Apr – Source: Aljazeera – 599 words

It’s Saturday night, few minutes past 9pm, at Easteigh’s 7th Street in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The street should be teeming with crowds – shops should be doing brisk business, tea stalls should be crowded with customers and soft music should be wafting from the numerous Khat parlours that line this street. That would’ve been the picture at the start of a normal weekend here. But since April 1st, 7th street, like the rest of Eastleigh, has been anything but normal. In place of the tea stalls and customers drinking sweat spicy Somali tea are stray dogs scavenging in the pile of rubbish left uncollected on the side of the street. Street kids sleep on the sidewalks and in front of the shops that have closed early. Group of police officers and an empty lorry hang about at the far end of the once busy street, their torch blinding passersby ordering them to stop and produce ID cards. Those who don’t have an ID card can pay a bribe or face arrest. The nights in this part of Nairobi has been turned upside down.