May 30, 2017 | Daily Monitoring Report
Galmudug And Puntland Leaders Agree To Jointly Work On Security Of The Region
30 May – Source : Goobjoog News – 176 words
The leaders of Somalia’s Central and Northern Regional States have agreed to jointly work on the security of both states. Speaking at Galmudug President’s inauguration on Monday, Puntland leader, Abdiweli Ali Gaas said his administration will work with the government to ensure a lasting peace between the two regional states.“My administration will work with Galmudug State to restore peace in the region as well as whole country,” said Gaas. On his part, Galmudug President Ahmed Dualle Haaf said Galmudug is ready to work closely with its neighbor, Puntland.
The visit of Puntland leader becomes first tour since the commencement of Galmudug State. Both regional states have historically experienced hostility towards each other that has led to fighting between the regional militias over border disputes. Clashes between Puntland and Galmudug Forces on the outskirts of Galkayo town late last year had led to the death of over ten people. Galkayo town is the provincial headquarters of Mudug region. Puntland controls northern side while Galmudug administrations are based in the southern neighborhood of the town.
Key Headlines
- Galmudug and Puntland Leaders Agree To Jointly Work On Security Of The Region (Goobjoog News)
- National Reconciliation Conference To Be Held In Mogadishu (Hiiraan Online)
- Jubbaland President Calls On Galmudug State To Reach Lasting Deal With Ahlu Sunna (Goobjoog News)
- Focus On Famine: Muslim Canadians Use Ramadan To Send Help To Victims (Toronto Metro)
- Here Is How The Somali Diaspora Are Using Photography To Challenge Perceptions (Buzzfeed)
NATIONAL MEDIA
National Reconciliation Conference To Be Held In Mogadishu
29 May – Source : Hiiraan Online – 100 Words
A national reconciliation conference will soon be held in Mogadishu, according to Minister for Interior and Reconciliation Affairs. Minister Abdi Farah Juha said his ministry is currently working on the plans of the conference, underscoring the importance of a genuine reconciliation for the Somali people.
Juha said the objective of the conference is to undertake genuine reconciliation among the brotherly Somali People since the country has been in conflict for a long time. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has previously said that his government will give a priority to reconciliation among the people in order to resolve the country’s multiple conflicts.
Jubbaland President Calls on Galmudug State to reach lasting deal with Ahlu Sunna
30 May – Source : Goobjoog News – 178 Words
The leader of Jubbaland Regional State, Ahmed Mohamed Madobe has called on Galmudug state leader to hold talks with the leaders of Ahlu-Suna Waljama’a (ASWJ) less than a month after AhluSuna-Galmudug talks which was brokered by the Somali Government collapsed. Speaking at Galmudug President’s inauguration on Monday, Madobe urged President Ahmed Dualle Haaf to start negotiations with Ahlu-Suna Waljama’a. “President Haaf has to come up with concessions and move forward to meet with ASWJ. He should invite them to the negotiating table,” said President Madobe.
Somalia’s political commentators maintain that a meaningful and genuine political dialogue in the region is necessary as Ahlu-Suna Waljama’a, Somalia’s moderate Islamist group which controls the designated capital of Galmudug, Dhusamareb, rejected to recognize the regional government led by President Geelle. Ahlu-Suna and Galmudug talks brokered by Somalia’s federal government collapsed last month following disagreement between the sides on the agenda. Meanwhile, Ahlu-Suna neither commented on the issue of the failed power-sharing talks nor the election of President Geelle. The group’s fighters held large swathes of territories in Galgadud region, including Dhusamareb and Guri’el towns.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Focus On Famine: Muslim Canadians Use Ramadan To Send Help To Victims
30 May – Source : Toronto Metro – 266 Words
Ramadan is usually a time for fasting, prayer and renewal of religious devotion. For some local Muslims, this year’s Ramadan will also be a time to organize and send some relief to those facing hunger and famine. From Toronto to Ottawa and Calgary, members of the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) are teaming up with students and Muslim volunteers to prepare and pack about 1,500 supply kits to be delivered to thousands of families in Somalia.
“Ramadan is the time for us to show support to others, and do something to care for those who are suffering,” said Farheen Khan, IDRF’s director of fund development and external affairs. “30 million people are facing starvation and it’s important that we try to help any way we can.” The charity has led campaigns across the country to raise funds for the cause before. This time staff have partnered with Global Medic to purchase portable water purification units, hygienic items and nutrition supplements to include in each kit.
Somalia is one of four African countries where the United Nations has declared a state of emergency and warned full-blown famine could break out if US$4.4 billion is not earmarked to counter the catastrophe. South Sudan, Nigeria and Yemen are also at risk. East Africa is in the midst of drought conditions that have devastated crops and livestock, displaced millions of people and left thousands of children severely malnourished. Khan said the Ramadan campaign is also about educating Canadian children about global issues. “We want them to know they can be part of the solution,” she said.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“Somalis are generally not shown in a positive light and the only way to combat them are project such as this and others go there taking continue to break those stereotypes that are portrayed towards Somalis in the UK. … So [on] one side it’s about sharing stories [you] wish to share with people, and the other side remains a mystery to the reader.”
Here Is How The Somali Diaspora Are Using Photography To Challenge Perceptions
30 May – Source : Buzzfeed – 2111 Words
Last year, British-Somali poet Warsan Shire’s work made it onto Beyoncé’s Lemonade album, sparking a huge interest in the spoken word and poetry. But more and more Somalis are moving on from traditional forms to more visual works of art, such as photography and fine art. The art often reflects their own experiences and diasporic communities. For example, British-Somali Amina Adan mainly photographs Somali communities in the UK. But Somalis don’t just tell their own stories: Canadian-Somali Amaal Nuux’s photography includes pictures she took while volunteering in an orphanage in Uganda.
Photography is being used as a form of expression for the Somali diaspora on social media too, with some Somalis amassing thousands of likes by sharing their experiences on social media. While the photos are all aesthetically pleasing, there is more than meets the eye. Mohamed Mohamud, a 24-year-old graduate of Brunel University London, founded the viral Somali storytelling platform, Somali Sideways. He first got into photography while at university by taking classes with hopes of improving his technical skills. Shortly afterward he launched Somali Sideways, which began as a personal project: He would take photographs of people standing sideways and post them online. Soon he started receiving submissions, and the website evolved into a space where Somalis across the globe could share their stories.
Why photograph people sideways? He was drawn to the concept, Mohamud said, because people choose to share certain aspects of their lives, keeping other stories private: “In the beginning I thought [the name] was weird but then I realised it’s the weird thing people remember. And so the project was about taking photos of Somalis standing sideways in London. Then later throughout the years, it excelled exponentially. It has taken me places I never even dreamed of going. So Alhamdulillah.
“Somalis are generally not shown in a positive light and the only way to combat them are project such as this and others go there taking continue to break those stereotypes that are portrayed towards Somalis in the UK. … So [on] one side it’s about sharing stories [you] wish to share with people, and the other side remains a mystery to the reader.”
Mohamud said the platform’s been well-received. “People loved the idea and I felt it was a duty for me to share amazing stories from our people,” he said. “Especially what’s going on in the media toward Somalis – I feel like it’s even more imperative to carry on.” He aimed to make the platform relatable and for any Somali to be able to share something. Family and friends thought he was “going bonkers” when he explained the project to them. “They believed it was something weird and people would not react to it as much,” Mohamud said. “They still support me regardless, and I thank them so much for it.”
Though he received a death threat and abuse when he first started Somali Sideways, Mohamud said most of the feedback, from Somalis and non-Somalis, has been amazing. He has received submissions from high-profile Somalis such as YouTuber and blogger Hodan Yusuf and musician Aar Maanta. “I was so surprised when celebrities from the Somali community were in support and decided to take part.” Aar Maanta’s submission a message about building an orphanage in memory of a friend who passed away has been the most memorable for Mohamud, and it still inspires him to this day.
TOP TWEETS
@HarunMaruf: BREAKING: 4 passengers rescued after a plane chartered by US contracting firm Bancroft crashed at Mogadishu airport: source #Somalia
@radiogarowe: #Puntland & #Galmudug leaders reach peace deal aimed at to ending #Mudug conflict, with presence of #Jubbaland President & Interior Minister
@HarunMaruf: BREAKING: Govt troops exchange fire with gunmen at a checkpoint in Wadajir district of Mogadishu as they attempted to disarm them: source.
@HarunMaruf: Reports from Mogadishu suggest Pres Farmajo may be planning a shake up in the team at the Palace; new appointments said to be likely:reports
@Vatescorp: #Somalia: Mogadishu Security forces shoot dead #AlShabaab fighter in Bakara market http://ow.ly/Trjn30c7Pms
@CbsSomalia: Delegation from #Somalia met IMF to discuss final review implementation of reforms under Staff-Monitored Program/SPM
http://centralbank.gov.so/
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Somali Federal President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo takes part in the inauguration ceremony of newly elected Galmudug Regional President Ahmed Dualle Haaf in Cadaado yesterday
Photo: Radio Muqdisho