May 24, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somalia on track to end Failed State status

23 May – Source: VOA News – 512 words

Somalia’s main political entities have ended three days of often-heated talks, saying they remain committed to a political process leading to a post-transitional government by August.

Participants say the United Nations-sponsored talks were surprisingly congenial given the number of contentious issues facing Somalia’s often-hostile clans.

In the end, the six parties agreed to put some difficult issues, and many of the less important ones, aside in the interest of keeping to a timetable for creation of a post-transitional government in less than 90 days.

Key Headlines

TFG AMISOM advance to Elasha Biyaha (Bar-Kulan)
Somali police displays the body of suspected young al Shabaab recruit in Mogadishu (Shabelle)
Delegates from relief agencies arrive in Beledweyn (Shabelle)
AMISOM launches key offensive in Somalia (Daily Monitor)
Kenya secures Sh8bn China grant to fight terror (Daily Nation)
Somalia launches offensive to clear al-Qaeda from refugee camp (Telegraph)

PRESS STATEMENT

Communique of the Consutative Meeting of the Somali Signatories of the Process for Ending the Transition held in Addis Ababa from May 21 to May 23, 2012

23 May – Source: Jowhar Online – 1123 words

The Somali signatories of the process for ending the transition held a consultative meeting in The African Union Headquarters, from May 21 to May 23, 2012.

The meeting was hosted by the African Union and facilitated by the Office of the UN Special Representative for Somalia (UNPOS).

The meeting was attended by the signatories of the process for ending the transition, including HE Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG); HE Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP), HE Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Prime Minister of TFG; HE Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole), President of Puntland State; HE Mohamed Ahmed Aalim President of Galmudug State; Khaliif Abdulkadir Moallim Noor, Representative of Ahlu Sunnah Wal-Jama’a (ASWJ) and the UN Special Representative for Somalia (SRSG) Amb. Augustine Mahiga.

The Signatories of the Roadmap have today received final draft copies of the Draft Constitution which was subjected to a constitutional review by a technical committee. They harmonized and incorporated the written submissions of the signatories into the final Draft Constitution Considering the current political situation in Somalia as well as the need to urgently and fully implement the Roadmap to End the Transition based on the principles agreed upon in the Garowe I and II and Galka’yo consultations, the Somali signatories discussed at length the modalities of implementing the above- mentioned principles and agreements.

The Signatories took into account that the Transitional Federal Parliament in its current state is unable to pass the required amendments to the Transitional Federal Charter and necessary legislation to end the transition and enact the subsequent legislation required to allow the constitutional process to proceed. This comes at a time when the final preparations to table the Draft Constitution for provisional adoption are underway and the transition end date is three months away-20 August 2012.
Consequently, the Signatories of the process for ending the transition resolved to advance the process in consultation with the recognized Somali Traditional Leaders (Duubab), in accordance with Somali customary law, and have agreed:

1. To recommend that the President of the TFG provide, through a presidential decree, a legal basis to steer the constitutional process towards the adoption stage and to end the transition.

2. To consequently convene a National Constituent Assembly as soon as is practicable, pursuant to Article 1 (g) of the Garowe I Principles. The signatories have agreed that the selection of National Constituent Assembly (NCA) delegates shall be finalized no later than 20th of June 2012 and the New Federal Parliament (NFP) members no later than 15th of July 2012.

3. To facilitate the implementation of the Garowe I and II, and Galka’yo agreements and the clauses above, by adopting:

a. A Protocol Establishing the Constituent Assembly and the New Federal Parliament.

b. A Protocol Establishing the Technical Selection Committee (TSC)

c. A Protocol Authorizing the Finalization of the Provisional Constitution with the Incorporation of the Harmonized Submissions of the Signatories to constitute the final draft for presentation to the National Constituent Assembly (NCA)

4. That the TSC will assist the recognized Traditional Leaders (Duubab) to ensure that the nominees of the NCA and NFP comply with the criteria set out in Garowe II. The TSC will support the NCA in management and dispute resolution. It is agreed to amend Article 5 of the Galkayo Agreement 26 March 2012, to revise the size and composition of the TSC. It is hereby agreed that the TSC will be made up of 27 Somali members, 2 members from UNPOS and 7 International Observers. The Somali members shall be selected by the Somali signatories on the basis of the 4.5 formula.

5. To amend Article 3 (e)(i) of the Garowe II Principles of 17 February 2012, regarding the nomination process for New Federal Parliament. The Traditional Leaders shall be required to nominate one candidate for every seat instead of two. This is reflected in the Protocol Establishing the Constituent Assembly.

6. To establish an Arbitration Board of the Traditional Leaders (Duubab) no later than 26th of May 2012 to resolve any disputes that may occur regarding the validation of the Traditional Elders.

The Arbitration Board will consist of 25 Traditional Leaders, 5 from each Clan to resolve any issues or disputes arising from their respective Clans.

7. To recognize that the continuing responsibility for completing the process of ending the transition and implementing the principles of Garowe I & II and Galka’yo lies specifically with the signatories of the process for ending the transition.

8. To establish a RoadMap Signatories Coordination Office in Mogadishu to ensure effective communication and information sharing.

9. Bearing in mind that the process to end the Transition shall end on 20 August 2012, the signatories agree to the following updated timelines in order to give direction to all stakeholders.

26th May 2012 Arbitration Board of the Traditional Leaders shall be established

1st Jun 2012 Technical Selection Committee (TSC) established

20th Jun 2012- TSC publishes the finalized (and fully vetted) list of NCA delegates.

30th Jun 2012 Selected NCA members to be present in Mogadishu; Copies of draft constitution to be received by the NCA delegates

2nd Jul 2012 NCA convened – Opening ceremony

10th Jul 2012 Provisional Constitution adopted

15th Jul 2012 TSC publishes finalized and fully vetted

list of New Federal Parliament (NFP)

20th Jul 2012 New Federal Parliament members sworn in 4th Aug 2012 Election of Speaker and Deputy Speakers by NFP

20th Aug 2012 Election of President by the NFP

10.To recommend that the President approves the National Security and Stabilization Plan 2011 – 2014 (NSSP) through a presidential decree, mindful of the urgency to institute a wholly Somali owned national security sector and given the fact that the current Parliament is unable to table a motion on this matter.

11.To urge the TFG and the International Community to lend support to Puntland and Galmudug and ASWJ-controlled areas with respect to the urgent security needs of these regions stemming from the Al Shabaab’s spillover northwards up to the Golis Mountains and piracy.

12. To urge the international community to provide in a timely manner, political good offices, facilitation and financial support for the process to end the transition and to that end, lift the arms embargo as appropriate.

13.To emphasize that no delay or obstruction will be accepted by the Somali people or the International Community, and spoilers will be identified and named, and appropriate joint action by Somali and International stakeholders will be taken against them.

14.To encourage regional states and organizations –AU, IGAD, League of Arab States and OIC, to continue providing support for this process.

15.To thank the wider International Community and the UN agencies, UNPOS in particular, for their on-going support

16.Anything that is not clear in this agreement or the Protocols incorporated by reference herein shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the Roadmap and the Garowe I & II Principles, and the Galka’yo Agreement

AMISOM troops on outskirts of al Shabaab stronghold

23 May – Source: AMISOM – 358 words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces have made significant progress in the last 24 hours towards Afgoye town. Afgoye has been for a long time a stronghold of the Al-Qaeda backed Al-Shabaab insurgents and is a strategic junction for routes to the north, west and south of Somalia.

“Operation Free Shabelle” started yesterday with the objective of bringing security to the 400,000 people of the Afgoye corridor, and area north-west of Mogadishu with the largest concentration of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the world.
A senior Al- Shabaab commander yet to be identified and his escort were killed yesterday during the fighting. His two escort vehicles and a saloon car in which he was travelling were also destroyed.

In public announcements to the displaced people in the north-west of the city, AMISOM has been encouraging them to stay in their current places of residence and not to stray from their homes. The AMISOM troops have been specifically avoiding entering the built up areas and camps around the main road to Afgoye.

The Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (Deputy SRCC) for Somalia, Honorable Wafula Wamunyinyi said; “We are encouraging the inhabitants near Afgoye to remain where they are for the time being. Soon, once the security situation has stabilized, we hope to see that people will have the opportunity to return to their homes in Mogadishu and humanitarian services, provided by the international community, will be available to them.”

AMISOM forces also pushed from their positions in Maslah capturing Al Fitr town 5 kilometres to the north of the capital. Ongoing operations of the African Union Mission in Somalia seek to push Al-Shabaab forces further from the capital, supporting the Somali drive towards peace and recovery of the country.

The Force Commander of AMISOM Forces Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti, said: “The operation continues to make strong progress. Al-Shabaab terrorists are on the run. They know they are losing ground, and losing friends around Somalia. We encourage the people of Afgoye town to expel the foreign elements that lurk in their midst. They too can share in the trading and construction revival that Mogadishu has been enjoying.”

SOMALI MEDIA

TFG, AMISOM advance to Elasha Biyaha

23 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 147 words

Reports from Mogadishu indicate that Somali government forces alongside AMISOM troops are advancing to the al Shabaab stronghold of Elasha Biyaha. Government and AMISOM troops are now stationed in Carbiska area which is 9 kilometers away from the Afgoye district of Lower Shabelle. .

Somali police displays the body of a young suspected al Shabaab recruit in Mogadishu

23 May – Source: Shabelle – 143 words

The dead body of a young suspected l Shabaab fighter was yesterday put on display in Mogadishu by Somali police force, officials and witnesses said. Abdullahi Hassan Barise, Somali Police Spokesman told reporters in Bakaro market, the busiest and biggest market in Somalia that the bow was shot to death overnight as he was carrying hand grenades and also wanted to place on the ground a landmine in the market.

Delegates from relief agencies arrive in Beledweyn

23 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 101 words

Delegates from several international and local relief agencies have yesterday arrived in Beledweyn city in Hiran region to find out the basic needs of residents and the locally displaced people in the city. Aden Haji Yusuf, an USAID officer among the delegates told the local media in Beledweyn that they came to the city to listen to the ordinary people and promised to work on providing their needs.

Coca-Cola opens $17m production plant in Somaliland

23 May – Source: Somaliland Press – 148 words

An opening ceremony was held in Marodi Jeh province on Tuessday to inaugurate global beverage leader Coca-Cola’s first bottling plant in Somaliland. The state-of-the-art facility, first of its in the country was officially inaugurated on May 22 by President Ahmed Mohamed (Silanyo).

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the President said he was delighted to see local and international investors unlock the potential of social entrepreneurship in the country.

Calmness returns to Mogadishu outskirts

23 May – Source: Bar-kulan/Shabelle – 78 words

The situation in the outskirts of Mogadishu is said to be returning to normal after government troops backed by AMISOM forces clashed with al Shabaab fighters on Tuesday morning. Government and AMISOM soldiers were seen patrolling the area early hours on Wednesday where fierce clashes broke out between TFG soldiers backed by AMISOM forces and al Shabaab militant group on Tuesday.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Sudan, Somalia critical for region’s growth, says Kenya

23 May – Source: Africa Review – 194 words

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has warned that stability in Somalia and the Sudans is critical to the region’s continued economic growth.Mr Kibaki said Kenyan forces at the East African Standby Brigade would support training in order to pre-empt further conflicts.

“We will also be involved in regional security initiatives that facilitate peace and stability in our country and region,” he said at a passing out ceremony for new cadets.

AMISOM launches key offensive in Somalia

23 May – Source: Daily Monitor – 331 words

A combined Amisom force comprised of Ugandan, Burundian and Somali Transitional Federal Government troops yesterday launched a massive dawn assault on al-Shabaab positions outside Mogadishu, marking the second phase of the Somalia war.

Kenyan Forces eyes Kismayu in June

23 May – Source: the Star – 87 words

The Kenya Defence Force is scheduled to join the second and final stage of the operation to flush out al Shabaab insurgents from Somalia next month. The offensive will be launched after the KDF sign a memorandum of undersaing to formally join the African Mission in Somalia by the end of the month. A Kenyan delegation is scheduled to sign the MoU between May 26 and 28, after which is expected to flush out the insurgents from the port of Kismayu where they will set up base.

Kenya secures Sh8bn China grant to fight terror

23 May – Source: Daily Nation – 488 words

Kenya has secured a grant of Sh8.3 billion from China for installation of security surveillance cameras as it steps up the war on terror. The cameras are expected to help anti-terrorism police monitor the movements of criminal elements including militants groups al Shabaab and Al- Qaeda threats.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia launches offensive to clear al-Qaeda from refugee camp

23 May – Source: Telegraph/ ABC News/Washington Post – 185 words

A major offensive has begun to clear Somalia’s al-Qaeda-allied Islamist army from the world’s largest camp for people displaced by war and famine. The attack is the first time that Somalia’s government troops, backed by African Union peacekeeping soldiers, has moved out of Mogadishu and taken the fight directly into al Shabaab strongholds.

Progress claimed against al Shabaab in Somalia

23 May – Source: VOA News – 348 words

African Union and Somali government troops are said to be nearing victory in a lightning offensive against al Shabaab insurgents northwest of Mogadishu.

A statement issued Wednesday says African Union forces made “significant progress” in the first 24 hours of an operation in the strategic Afgoye corridor between Mogadishu and the regional capital of Baidoa.

Somalia on track to end Failed State status

23 May – Source: VOA News – 512 words

Somalia’s main political entities have ended three days of often-heated talks, saying they remain committed to a political process leading to a post-transitional government by August.

Participants say the United Nations-sponsored talks were surprisingly congenial given the number of contentious issues facing Somalia’s often-hostile clans.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“This should be cause for celebration: the pushing further back of extremists who have helped bring misery to millions of Somalis. But the problem is that to reach the Islamist stronghold troops have to pass through something called “the Afgoye corridor,” the world’s largest concentration of internally displaced people, a sprawling roadside shanty that is home to an estimated 400,000 people.”

African Union forces attack Al Shabaab stronghold

23 May – Source: Global Post Blog – 361 Words

A long-threatened offensive is underway just outside Mogadishu as African Union and government forces try to evict al Shabaab, the al Qaeda-aligned Islamist rebels, from the town of Afgoye 20 miles northwest of the capital. On Wednesday morning the assault entered its second day.