May 29, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali High Military Court Chairman meets delegation from United Nations

28 May – Source: Al Shahid – 103 words

Abdirahman Mahmud Turye Somali High Military Court Chairman met on Wednesday with Mitch Dufresne Principal Rule of Law Officer, Chief Joint Justice and Corrections Section at UNSOM (Somalia). The two discussed Somali courts and the justice process. During the conference, Somali High Military Court Chairman has told Chief Joint Justice and Corrections Section at UNSOM (Somalia) that he would like UN to minimize criticism against Somali justice and courts. Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mahmud, first half of May this year named Abdirahman Mahmud Turye as Somali high military court chairman after his predecessor resigned from that post and appointed as Banadir region governor.

Key Headlines

There is a great progress in Somalia says former UN Somalia envoy (Hiiraan Online)
30 arrested over attempted assassination of Somali Military chief (Bar-kulan)
Somali lawmaker airlifted to Turkey for treatment (Radio Goobjoog)
Female soldiers join the army ranks in Somalia (Yahoo News/AP)
Shortages clan rivalries weaken Somalia’s new army (IRIN News)
Somali High Military Court Chairman meets delegation from United Nations (Al Shahid)

SOMALI MEDIA

There is a great progress in Somalia, says former UN Somalia envoy

28 May – Source: Hiiraan Online – 141 words

Former United Nations Special representative to Somalia Augustine Philip Mahiga said that there was a major move forward and tangible development in Somalia one year since he left the country. Speaking to the state-run media, the former UN Somalia envoy who is currently in the country said he was happy to witness the progress made by the federal government and the people of Somalia in the fields of security, reconstruction, business and key other areas. “A year after I left and two years after the end of the transition, I came back to Somalia to deliver a message of greetings to the Somali people and congratulate them on the changes of development on the ground,” Mr. Mahiga said during an interview with the state-run media on Wednesday. He said he was confessing that there were progressions made in the fields of policy, economy, security and public services.

30 arrested over attempted assassination of Somali Military chief

28 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 130 words

30 people have been arrested over the attempted assassination of Somalia’s Military chief, Gen. Dahir Aden Elmi whose convoy came under attack on Wednesday in Mogadishu. The Military chief escaped unhurt after Improvised Explosive Device planted on the roadside of Mogadishu’s Milk Factory Road exploded on his convoy. At least one woman was injured in the blast according to Hodan district police station chief, Mohamed Dahir who spoke to the media shortly after the incident. He said that the police have rounded up at least 30 people suspected of having involvements in the incident and are being investigated on possible links to the attack. Al Shabaab militant group has immediately claimed responsibility of the attack in which they said was meant to assassinate Somalia’s Military chief, Gen. Dahir Aden Elmi.

Somali lawmaker airlifted to Turkey for treatment

28 May – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 104 word

One of the lawmakers of federal parliament of Somalia, Omar Mohamed Mohamud aka Omar Finish among the MPs who sustained injuries during the federal parliament attack on Saturday was airlifted to Turkey for treatment. Before the plane carrying the MP departed from Aden Adde international airport in Mogadishu, Mr. Omar Finish told the media that the government of Turkey agreed to give him treatment. He sent condolence to the families and friends of the murdered Turkish national who lost their loved ones in Mogadishu. This is the second MP moved to outside the country for further treatment after the deadly attack on the federal parliament.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali High Military Court Chairman meets delegation from United Nations

28 May – Source: Al Shahid – 103 words

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Female soldiers join the army ranks in Somalia

28 May – Source: Yahoo News/AP – 183 words

With an AK47 automatic rifle slung over her shoulder, Naeemo Abdi frisks people coming into a Mogadishu police station. When she holds back a man who tried to enter unchecked, he scowls at her and barks: “Woman and soldier?” She did not respond but directed the man to the security checkpoint. It’s unusual to see a female in the military in traditionally conservative Somali society where women’s duties are generally at home and limited to family chores. But Abdi and other determined women are breaking down those barriers. About 1,500 females are now in the military of 20,000, according to estimates. The lean 25-year-old Abdi explains that she has endured many challenges joining the army two years ago. She moved from a conventional domestic role as a wife and mother of three to work in the army because she liked the prestige. She said she faced massive opposition from her spouse and family who thought she’d be cast off should she decide to become a soldier. “It was difficult, but I must do this to serve my country unreservedly,” she said.

Shortages, clan rivalries weaken Somalia’s new army

28 May – Source: IRIN News – 167 words

Acting governor of Baidoa and Sector 3 commander of the Somali National Army (SNA) Brig-Gen Ibrahim Yaro breaks into a broad grin, bordering on a chuckle, when asked whether his forces have any of their own helicopters. “You see that vehicle,” he said, pointing to a pick-up truck with a 14.5mm heavy machine-gun mounted on the back, “that is the heaviest weapon we have in the sector [covering the Bay, Gedo and Bakool regions]. It’s borrowed from one of the clans. It’s on loan for free, although we [SNA] have to fix any mechanical problems. But they [the clan] can take it back any time they want to,” he told IRIN. The national army’s dilapidated Baidoa barracks has a single coil of razor wire for a roadblock at its entrance – in stark contrast to the adjacent heavily fortified African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base, which houses Ethiopian, Burundian and other soldiers from African states, as well as a small contingent of US special forces.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“The case against Somalia retaining membership of the Arab League includes how the Arabs have failed to stand by Somalis in their moments of trouble, their treatment of Somalis, no real economic or trade benefits, but also that the majority of Somalis are not Arabs and should not, therefore, belong to an organisation whose criteria for a membership requires that one should speak Arabic and practice Arab culture, both of which are alien to Somalis.”

Why Somalia Should Leave the Arab League

28 May – Source: Huffington Post – 809 words

Arab league was formed on 22 March 1945 and its six founding members were: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria. The League’s main goal is “to draw closer the relations between member States and co-ordinate their political activities with the aim of realizing a close collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty”. Somalia joined the League of Arab States (Arab League) in 1974, becoming the first non-Arab member of that organization. A seat in the Arab League meant potential economic fortunes and political (military and diplomatic) support. After the civil war, it still retained its membership of the Arab League until today, even if by name (and recent attendance) only. Is being a member of the Arab League right for Somalis? Let’s have a look at the Arab League’s main goal, “To safeguard their member’s independence and sovereignty”. We can see that The Arab League has not involved itself politically in much of Somalia’s affairs over the last few decades. But individual League member states, such as Egypt have continued to get involved. In the late 1970s, the Soviets had switched sides to supporting Ethiopia with the Ogaden War. This led to other Arab countries providing more economic aid to Somalia during the 1980s, resulting in Somalia becoming increasingly dependent on these Arab countries. But this came with a price-tag. Two particular price-tags to be specific.