May 24, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somalia celebrates 50th Anniversary of OAU in Mogadishu

23 May – Source: Raxanreeb/Hiiraan Online/Bar-kulan/Shabelle – 152 words

The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended a ceremony in Mogadishu to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Organization of the African Union (OAU). Dignitaries present in the event included the Special Representative of the AU to Somalia, Djibouti Ambassador to Somalia who is also the Dean of Diplomatic corps in Mogadishu, the EU and UK Ambassadors to Somalia and other diplomats. Somalia has been at the heart of the African Union since its inauguration. As one of the founding fathers, Somalia is proud to stand here today emerging from decades of trauma, supported by African Union. The President of Somalia said “It is a time to reflect on the past 50 years – to learn the lessons of the past and more importantly o celebrate the achievements of this continent. But most importantly, it is time to look forward over the next 50 years.

Key Headlines

Somalia celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the OAU in Mogadishu (Raxanreeb/Hiiraan Online/Bar-kulan/Shabelle)
ICRC delegation visits Kismayo (Bar-kulan)
Puntland military court issued death sentences for Islamic Mufti’s killers (Garowe Online)
Kenya cautioned over new crisis in Somalia (Standard Media)
Violence in Somalia scares investors aid workers (AP/Yahoo News)
Major new funding for teachers’ salaries in Puntland and Somaliland (UNICEF Somalia)

PRESS RELEASE

AMISOM celebrates 50th Anniversary of the OAU

23 May – Source: AMISOM – 392 words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) today celebrated the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963. The main event which took place at the AMISOM Conference Centre in Mogadishu was presided over by the President of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohammed and was attended by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC), members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Mayor of the City of Mogadishu, traditional elders, the civil Society and AMISOM officials.

In his remarks during the event which was under the theme; Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance, the President of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the event was an opportunity for Somalia to be at the centre of fifty years of African Renaissance and provides an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved since the formation of the OAU.

He said; “No-one likes Pan Africanism and African Renaissance better than Somalia. This is where the whole Africa converges to support Somalia. Somalia is therefore a strong example of African cooperation. Africa has the potential to make the twenty-first century, the African century. The African Union is a community of nations that stand side by side to find African solutions for our problems.”

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif recalled that Somalia was one of the founding members of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and also played a key role in the liberation of many African states. “The sacrifice by the AU peacekeeping force though difficult is therefore one way of giving back to Somalia.AMISOM is in Somalia to support the government and its people and does not intend to stay forever but will leave once peace and stability have been restored.”

The European Union Ambassador to Somalia said there is no better place to celebrate 50th anniversary of the OAU than Somalia because it is in Somalia where the African Union has made a big difference. Main activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organization of the African Unity (OAU) will be held on Saturday May 25th at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa in which several African Heads of State and Government will be in attendance.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somalia celebrates 50th Anniversary of OAU in Mogadishu

23 May – Source: Raxanreeb/Hiiraan Online/Bar-kulan/Shabelle – 152 words

ICRC delegation visits Kismayo

23 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 113 words

Delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has on Thursday visited the port city of Kismayo, capital of Lower Jubba region in southern Somalia. The International Committee of the Red Cross’s deputy administrator in Kismayo was cordially received the delegation at the Kismayo airport. The delegation has then paid a visit to the Kismayo general hospital to oversee the situation of the hospital where they were welcomed by the hospital administration. Kismayo hospital general director Dr Abdi Abukar Hajji told Bar-kulan that they held a meeting with the ICRC and discussed the hospital’s situation and also how International Committee of the Red Cross would deliver assistant to Kismayo general hospital.

Puntland military court issued death sentences for Islamic Mufti’s killers

23 May – Source: Garowe Online – 138 words

The Puntland military court in northern Somalia has convicted 7 persons of committing acts of terrorism and has sentenced them to death, Garowe Online reports. The Puntland military court for Nugal, Mudug, Sool, and Ayn regions convened the case in Garowe and listened to the case of the killing of Sheikh Abdulkadir Nur Farah, the Mufti of Puntland who was gunned down brutally inside Badr Mosque in Garowe on February 15, 2013. Two persons – Abdirahman Hussein Jama Bile and Abdullahi Osman Ahmed – were brought befor the Puntland military court with prosecutors and public defenders present, witnesses told Garowe Online, as the media was banned from recording the court proceedings. According to numerous witnesses, Abdirahman Hussein was captured by citizens after he shot and killed Sheikh Abdulkadir inside the mosque and attempted to escape.

Ethiopian government denies Jubbaland involvement

23 May – Source: Bar-kulan/VOA- 108 words

Ethiopian government has distanced itself from the political dispute that has shadowed the newly established administration in the port city of Kismayo dubbed the Jubbaland state of Somalia. Speaking to the Voice of America radio station, Ethiopian Prime Minister Spokesman Getachew Reda said that Ethiopian government is not involved in Jubbaland affairs nor backs the political sides in Kismayo. Speculations going around for the last couple of weeks say that the Ethiopian government is involved the disputed political issues currently going on in Kismayo. Getachew Reda stated that Ethiopia is supporting the peace progress in Somalia and the war-torn country’s emerge from two decades of lawlessness and chaos.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya cautioned over new crisis in Somalia

23 May – Source: Standard Media – 151 words

Kenya has been asked to rethink its support for the self-declared state of Jubaland in southern Somalia as the region and the Federal governments squabble. The situation has further been compounded with warlords drawn from various declaring themselves president. group of Kenyan businessmen warned that Kenya’s security is likely to be once again threatened if the region returns to the hands of al Shabaab, with fighting reported in parts of the south after six men declared themselves president. The group told the government to remain neutral in mediating a solution of the emerging conflict between Jubaland and the Federal Government; which is reluctant to recognize an independent Juba state. The new conflict between the Somali Federal Government and Jubaland is likely to crop up today in Addis Ababa during the ongoing AU heads of State meeting. Somali president Sheikh Hassan is set to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss the matter.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Violence in Somalia scares investors, aid workers

23 May – Source: AP/Yahoo News- 134 words

A spate of attacks by Islamic insurgents in Somalia’s capital is forcing investors, businessmen and aid workers to have second thoughts about expanding operations in Mogadishu. African Union and Somali troops pushed al Shabaab insurgents out of the capital in August 2011, fostering a relatively secure peace that Mogadishu hasn’t seen in years. Somalis living overseas are returning, bringing new foreign investment capital with them. The last 18 months have been Mogadishu’s best in years, say residents. But a recent spate of attacks is threatening those gains. The Turkish Red Crescent is reviewing its Somalia operations, a Somali official said, because of security concerns after a series of attacks. One such attack struck a car carrying Turkish aid workers on a day when gunmen and suicide bombers killed 35 people at the nation’s court complex.

Major new funding for teachers’ salaries in Puntland and Somaliland

23 May – Source: UNICEF Somalia – 173 words

The Global Partnership for Education, the only multilateral partnership devoted to getting all children in school to receive a good quality education, had just approved significant grants which will provide a major boost to efforts to get more children in Puntland and Somaliland into the classroom. The grants of 4.2 million USD for Somaliland and 2.1 million USD for Puntland will mainly be used to support the Ministries of Education to develop methods of paying regular teacher salaries. This will mean that more primary school teachers, both male and female, will be paid by the authorities and the number of teachers is expected to rise. A similar programme of 8.2 million USD to support the finalization of Education Sector Plan, development of a teacher data base, support to the regional and district offices as well as support to the payment of teacher salaries in the South Central Zone is currently in process of being applied for by the Directorate of Education, Ministry of Human Development and Public Services in Mogadishu.

Canadian sisters on front lines of rebuilding Somalia

23 May – Source: The Star/Canadian News – 175 words

The Elman sisters are bathed in the honey glow of Somalia’s late afternoon sun, the only sounds coming from an iPhone in a pink case that chirps continuously and the bursts of chatter from women upstairs. A sign in the corner of the office where they sit reads: “Real Men Don’t Rape.” For those who know the Canadian sisters from Ottawa, it is rare to see them together, just talking, sitting still, not working on Somalia’s front lines. Iman has just come from work and is still dressed in her military fatigues, a black hijab discreetly tucked beneath the lieutenant’s cap. She turns heads on Mogadishu’s streets: it is rare, if not unheard of, to have a female commander, let alone one who is only 21. When she joined the military two years ago, women were given two pairs of pants to sew together to make a skirt. Knowing it would be hard to fight in a skirt, Iman told them one pair of pants would do. Now she commands 90 men in her battalion.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“The movie illustrates how the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) contributed to these achievements of the Somalis, helping to pave the way for a new kind of UN presence on the ground.”

Somalia: From Transition to Transformation

23 May – Source: Somaliland Sun – 145 Words

A new 30-minute UN film retraces the considerable progress Somalia has achieved last year in trying to overcome what many see as one of the world’s most intractable crises. Its release comes as the East African country enters a new phase in its trajectory to peace and as the United Nations prepares to establish a new in-country mission to help consolidate and build upon hard-earned gains towards peace, reconciliation and stability. “From Transition to Transformation” underlines how things began to change in 2012 with the establishment of a representative Government, the approval of a draft constitution, and the weakening of the militant insurgency after two decades of strife and humanitarian crises.