May 23, 2016 | Morning Headlines
President Mohamud Declares 2016 Electoral Model Law, Bypassing Parliament
22 May – Source: Goobjoog News – 307 Words
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared the 2016 electoral option law by invoking executive powers hence rendering the protracted parliamentary debate over the matter inconsequential.
Citing articles 1, 22, 72, 87, 9, 97 and 99 of the Provisional Constitution, the President said it was imperative the electoral model be adopted into law to tame the escalation of rifts and protect the interests of the country: “Safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders, civil society, parliament and the leaders of the High Level Partnership Forum and safeguarding what the international community is expecting from us, we issued this presidential decree and it will take effect from today,” the President said Sunday morning.
He said the elections will take place as scheduled and in all venues as agreed. The decree in effect therefore endorses all the proposals as submitted by the National Leadership Forum late last month. Parliament and the civil society had earlier raised concerns about certain proposals including the exclusion of Banadir region from having representation in the Upper House. The announcement, which effectively renders null the ongoing debate in Parliament, was arrived at as international pressure was exerted on the government including the UN Security Council, which told the President on Thursday “to explore all constitutional means at his disposal” to ensure the electoral modalities are adopted by Parliament.
Security Council President Abdellatif Aboulatta told the media on Thursday that time was running out fast and the Council was categorical the electoral model had to be adopted:. “Our message was loud and clear. The Somali government has to move on with the elections on the date as decided. We urge the President to take the necessary steps to utilise any constitutional tools at his disposal to ensure the elections materialise.” Parliament deferred debate on Saturday after the Speaker Osman Jawari said the President and his team from the regional states had requested for two days to iron out the contentious issues
Key Headlines
- President Mohamud Declares 2016 Electoral Model Law Bypassing Parliament (Goobjoog News)
- Kenya’s President Threatens To Pull Out KDF From Somalia If EU Fails To Fill Funding Gaps (Goobjoog News)
- Somalia President Planning To Dissolve Parliament (Garowe Online)
- SNA Raids Al-Shabaab In Somalia 3 Militants Killed (Shabelle News)
- House Team Urges Kenyans To Support KDF Mission In Recovering Somalia (The Standard)
- Somali Army Kills Senior Al-Shabaab Leader (Sputnik News)
- Somali Entrepreneurs Receive Training On Doing Business With The UN (UNSOM)
- AMISOM Holds Forum On Countering Violence (AMISOM)
- Why Dadaab Closure Has To Be Aligned To Amisom Exit(The EastAfrican)
PRESS STATEMENT
International Community Welcomes Presidential Decree On 2016 Electoral Process
22 May – Source: UNSOM – 412 Words
The United Nations, the African Union (AU), the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the European Union (EU), Ethiopia, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States welcome the decree issued by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the modalities of the 2016 electoral process.
The international community notes that the decree will enable the technical preparation and implementation of the electoral process without further delay. It is in accordance with the repeated commitments of the Federal Government, the Federal Parliament, the National Leadership Forum and other key actors and institutions that there should be no extension of the constitutionally mandated term limits of the legislature and the executive.
“Somalia’s international partners welcome and fully support the step that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Federal Government have taken,” said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Michael Keating. “We all would have preferred a different scenario for the endorsement of the model. But intense engagement among politicians, especially in the last few weeks, made it evident that the Federal Parliament would have had great difficulty in agreeing on and legalizing the model”
“The President and his government have acted to preserve timelines that will allow technical preparation and implementation of the electoral process, which were at serious risk. The challenge now is to prepare and implement the elections. We call on all Somali stakeholders to now work constructively to that end”
International partners recognize that the modalities of the electoral process are the result of negotiations over the course of nearly ten months. These began with the joint declaration by the Federal Government and the Federal Parliament on 28 July 2015 that one-person, one-vote elections would not be possible in Somalia in 2016. Inclusive and participatory consultations on an electoral model have been held across the country. They noted that Somali leaders have worked hard to achieve agreement on the modalities of the electoral model.
There are many technical and procedural issues still to be resolved, including the National Leadership Forum’s commitment to reserve 30 per cent of seats in both Houses of Parliament for women and the formation of an electoral dispute resolution body. International partners stressed their commitment to support a timely, transparent and inclusive electoral process: “This decree is a decisive move in the right direction. Political progress is critical to the millions of Somalis who want stability and greater accountability. It is also essential for both regional and international peace and security,” SRSG Keating stressed.
NATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya’s President Threatens To Pull Out KDF From Somalia If EU Fails To Fill Funding Gaps
22 May – Source: Goobjoog News – 228 Words
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has threatened to withdraw the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers from Somalia if the international community does not fill funding gaps for the operation in the country.
Speaking at the meeting with UN Security Council delegation on Friday, Kenyatta said the funding cuts to African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops will be a huge burden and will not be filled by troop contributing countries.
“As one of AMISOM’s major troop contributing countries, Kenya is questioning whether it was worth the huge cost. [President] Kenyatta asserted that AMISOM was not getting the support it needed in terms of resources and equipment, and argued that the UN needed to take on a much greater role,” the UN Security Council Report stated on Friday.
Kenyatta said it was not Kenya’s role to close the funding gap and the logical conclusion would be for Kenya to pull out its troops. Kenya has 3,664 soldiers operating under the framework of AMISOM, who are in Lower and Middle Juba. In January, the EU cut its budget to AMISOM by 20 per cent and guaranteed that the European body gives $1,028 AMISOM per month with no other allowances.On 15th January 2016, fighters from the Al-Shabaab group launched an attack on a Kenyan base in El-Adde town in southwestern where the group claimed to have killed over sixty soldiers.
Somalia President Planning To Dissolve Parliament
22 May – Source: Garowe Online – 246 Words
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) is planning to dissolve parliament ahead of presidential and parliamentary election and selection processes later this year, Garowe Online has learnt.
The decision is said to be under consideration as western donors and members of International Community say they are disappointed that the 275-seat-chamber of national assembly has failed to pass 2016 electoral transition. Mohamud is currently engrossed in talks with his Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker and regional presidents at Villa Somalia.
Presidency sources tell Garowe Online that Mohamud is seeking support from regional presidents for controversial scheme to include members representing Banadir region in the Upper House. The Somali President will decree National Election Proposal (NEP) if parliament repeals it tomorrow, meaning Parliamentarians would be sent packing as soon as possible. On Thursday, a protest not seen as “spontaneous” was staged in Mogadishu, with rally participants demanding seats in the Upper House.
Critics say, President Mohamud orchestrated the demonstration on the eve of a visit by diplomats from United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s 15-member States. UN delegates called for swift endorsement of election modality jointly introduced by Somali political leaders on April 12.
SNA Raids Al-Shabaab In Somalia, 3 Militants Killed
22 May – Source: Shabelle News – 117 Words
The military forces of Somalia’s Federal Government have launched an offensive against an Al-Shabaab hideout in an area near the southern town of Adan Yabal in Middle Shabelle region, a government official has said. Adan Yabal District Commissioner, Mohamud Sheikh Hassan, has confirmed at least three militants were killed in the attack, which took place on Sunday at Al Shabaab-held Gulane village.
“SNA (Somali National Army) soldiers killed 3 Al-Shabaab fighters and seized their weapons during an attack on Gulane area located in the outskirts of Adan Yabal town,” said Hassan. So far, Al-Shabaab, the Al Qaeda-affiliated militant group, is yet to comment on the development.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
House Team Urges Kenyans To Support KDF Mission In Recovering Somalia
22 May – Source: The Standard – 291 Words
The Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Relations has called on Kenyans to rally behind the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) efforts to securing the country.
The committee’s chairman Ndung’u Gethenji said this will motivate the troops and ensure peace prevails in Kenya and across Africa. Speaking to The Standard on Sunday from Kismayu in Somalia, the Tetu MP commended the KDF troops for a sterling job that has brought peace in the conflict-prone region.
“We came to Kismayu on a fact-finding mission and also visit our troops as a way of marking the World Anti-Terrorism Day (which was observed yesterday),” Gethenji said. He said the committee members are satisfied with KDF’s work and dismissed information that the troops are involved in illegal charcoal business.
“We have visited the port of Kismayu and paid a courtesy call to Jubaland’s President Sheikh Ahmed Madobe. Life is returning to normal as people are now engaged in economic activities,” he said. He added: “We have looked for any opportunity to establish whether our troops engage in charcoal business but we have found none. I call upon Kenyans to support them because they risk their lives to protect us.”
He noted that President Madobe supports repatriation of refugees from Kenya back to their home countries. Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka, a member of the committee said: “Madobe said he is happy with our troops’ work. We have also established that our troops carry out joint operations with their counterparts and relate well with the community here. This is good for the security of our country.” Onyonka said. He urged Kenyans to take advantage of the peace in Jubaland and invest in the country. “Madobe called on President Uhuru Kenyatta not to recall the troops yet.
Somali Army Kills Senior Al-Shabaab Leader
22 May – Source: Sputnik News – 126 Words
The Somali Armed Forces have killed one of the leaders of the Al-Shabaab militant group near southwestern country’s city of Xuddur,. Midnimo news website reported on Saturday that the militant was killed as a result of joint operation of Somalia’s army and the African Union.
The media outlet added that one more senior Al-Shabaab militant was captured during the operation. Somalia has been mired in an armed conflict with Islamist militants for two decades. Its government relies heavily on the African Union’s peacekeepers for protection.
The state’s collapse in the African nation provided a breeding ground for warlords, pirates and the al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab terrorist group. Al-Shabaab has been staging numerous attacks in Somalia in an attempt to create an Islamic state ruled by Sharia law.
Somali Entrepreneurs Receive Training On Doing Business With The UN
22 May – Source: UNSOM – 414 Words
The United Nations unveiled a training programme on business opportunities for Somali entrepreneurs at a seminar in Mogadishu.
The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) in-conjunction with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia on Saturday briefed at least 30 business owners on available business opportunities within the United Nations. The half-day seminar held in Mogadishu also provided the business owners with tips on how to do business with the UN.
“I thank the UN for the much-needed seminar for our business people. Our business people have been frustrated because of lack of know-how on how to register with UN agencies. And there was a myth about UN not wanting business people to take part. Today, I think they have solved that issue. From there, UN and our Chamber of Commerce can work together,” said business owner Mr. Hashim Duale.
The Director of UNSOS Amadu Kamara reassured the private sector in Somalia of the UN’s readiness to do business with local companies: “Part of our objective as well is to engage as many Somali companies as possible in this initiative because it creates employment as part of the capacity building that is integral to the recovery of the country. One of the most vibrant aspects of Somali society is the commercial industry. By and large, the private sector has been very successful, operating across clan lines, geographical locations,” noted Mr. Kamara in an interview on the sidelines of the seminar.
The Federal Minister of Commerce and Industry, Eng. Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed represented the Federal Government of Somalia. The minister said, “I would like to encourage the UN to continue supporting local companies; and call on local companies to respect the processes and procedures in place and to register with the Ministry of Commerce. From our side (Government), we will facilitate.”
AMISOM Holds Forum On Countering Violence
22 May – Source: AMISOM – 496 Words
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in collaboration with the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) unit of the Federal Government of Somalia organized a consultative forum on Saturday to enrich the ongoing drafting of the national CVE strategy.
The Forum held in Mogadishu brought together representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia, neighborhood watch organizations, women’s rights groups, female artists, university students, and youth representatives, to brainstorm and contribute to the draft strategy. The CVE strategy is aimed at influencing the mainstreaming of gender at policy-making level. Participants shared their opinions regarding the objectives, legal framework, areas of priorities and strategy implementation, including monitoring and evaluation tools.
Hon. Mustapha Duhulow, the CVE Coordinator and former Minister of Information and Tourism emphasized the importance of the contributions from different stakeholders: “We have been doing consultations with different sections of society; so today we have met with the women’s group and it has been sponsored by AMISOM it has been really very productive, very positive meeting. We have shared a lot of information with them and they are going to share with us the root cause of the problems, the drivers of violent extremism and how we can tackle these problems,” noted Hon. Duhulow. Dr. Mina Hassan, the coordinator in the Ministry of Women & Human Rights Development reaffirmed the commitment to resolutions made in Djibouti last year, during the conference on women and countering violent extremism.
“When we were in Djibouti, it was agreed that Somali women have a bigger and vital role in the society. It was also agreed that other members of society, such as like religious leaders and youth be included in such forums. Women are wives and mothers and they are regarded as strong players in this strategy. They occupy a special position in our society and they ca n detect early signs of radicalization in their communities. It became apparent that a forum be hosted for women for the strategy to become inclusive,” explained Dr. Mina.
The chairperson of Banaadir Youth Association Mr. Abdikaafi Mohamud Makaraan thanked the organizers for the opportunity offered to the youth to add their voices to the process. He said, “Peace will never happen in Somalia without involving the women and the youth.”In her contribution to the forum, AMISOM Gender Officer, Ms. Mane Ahmed emphasized women’s critical role in homegrown efforts at countering violent extremism and their capability in identifying signs of radicalization, discouraging its occurrence and serving as “force multipliers” to raise awareness to the community.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Ideally, the very notion of sending refugees and asylum seekers back to Somalia, where they will be exposed to Al Shabaab’s brutality — the very reason why some of them fled the country — is perilous and imprudent. And this is why we cannot delink the closure of the Dadaab refugee camp from the overall joint effort of Amisom’s and international community stabilisation plans for Somalia” — Aden Abdirisak, Executive chairman of Farsight Africa Group.
Why Dadaab Closure Has To Be Aligned To Amisom Exit
22 May – Source: The EastAfrican – 796 Words
Kenyan officials say the decision to close the Dadaab refugee camp that houses close to a million refugees from nearly 13 nationalities –majority of who are of Somali origin — is final.
The Kenyan government argues that the key terror attacks like those that involved Westgate, Lamu and Garissa University College, were planned at the camp. And Kenya has every right to close down the world’s biggest refugee camp if it feels its security is threatened. However being part of the larger international community, are there other considerations that need to be taken into account?
Is it possible that this move might boomerang on the Kenyan government and make the security situation worse? And will the move equally have an economic impact on Kenya? The answer to these questions is a big yes. Sample these facts: Rough estimates indicate that the Kenyan economy will lose Ksh 80 million ($800,000) a month if they go ahead and close the camp. The World Bank estimates that the approximately Ksh1.4 billion ($140m) economic microcosm will be run down with the closure of the camp followed by the destabilisation of the local pastoral community’s way of life.
In a research done last year when a similar announcement was made but later rescinded, the World Bank concluded that the host community would lose an annual income of Ksh 300 million ($3 million a year) income from the sale of livestock and milk to the refugees alone. Apart from the pastoralists, financial institutions — especially those that deal in money remittances — also stand to take a hit. Other sectors that will similarly be hurt include the many shopping complexes, the taxi and matatu industry, suppliers of goods and services and hotels.
As the refugees leave, these businesses will cease as demand for goods and services wane due to lack of purchasing power. For an area that is classified as arid or semi-arid, such an economic dent is weighty. The absence of income generating activities is bound to make insecurity in the region far worse. Those who are on the ground say that if Kenya goes ahead and closes the Dadaab camp and repatriates the majority of the refugees back to Somalia, the move may onetime come back to haunt the country. According to this school of thought, with no means of livelihood, those who will have been repatriated will become easy target recruits for Al Shabaab and other terror groups.
This view is shared by the Somali government. As soon as Kenya made known its intentions to close down Dadaab, the Somali government through a press statement by the Foreign Affairs ministry observed that, “expelling vulnerable Somali refugees at a time Somalia is making internationally recognised progress towards stability will only increase the risk of insecurity in the region.”