May 8, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali Parliamentarians hold meeting to discuss security of Mogadishu

07 May – Source: Shabelle – 59 words

A meeting attended by parliamentarians was held in Mogadishu on Tuesday. The agendas discussed include security and the general situation of the country. After the meeting, Mr. Osman Mukhtar Mohamed a member of parliament addressed the media to elaborate on the outcome of their meeting. The MP said that their meeting addressed prevention of insecurity that existed in the capital.

Key Headlines

Opening address by the president of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E. Hassan Sheik Mohamoud(Office of the Somali President)
Mogadishu rallies behind the London conference on Somalia (Prime Minister’s Media Office)
Somali Parliamentarians hold meeting to discuss security of Mogadishu (Shabelle)
Somaliland President: We have not yet attained full recognition (Bar-kulan)
Museveni addresses London Conference on Somalia (New Vision)
Talks on Somalia vital for Kenya’s security (Daily Nation)
Somali conflict: Mohamud and Cameron hail ‘new era’ (BBC)

PRESS STATEMENT

Opening address by the president of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E. Hassan Sheik Mohamoud

07 May – Source: Office of the Somali President – 1180 words

A few weeks ago, I planted a young sapling in the garden at Villa Somalia to raise the issue of deforestation, and it got me thinking – what does a young sapling need for it to grow into a strong, healthy tree? It needs to be supported with a strong stake; it needs to be watered and fed; and it needs to be protected from animals that try to eat its soft bark and kill it.

And so it is with this young sapling we have all planted, called Somalia. We need support; we need assistance and investment; and we need protection from those who try to knock us over.

The first period of growth is always the most hazardous; where the most support and protection is needed. But as the bow thickens and strengthens, the tree needs less and less support, until finally it stands proud and tall and strong all on its own.

My vision is for a Federal Somalia at peace with itself and its neighbours and which poses no threat to the world; a Somalia with a resurgent economy, thriving small and medium sized business ventures and sustainable employment so that families are properly provided for; a Somalia with values of kindness, respect and human rights, all underpinned by an education system that harnesses our intellectual spirit.

So we are here today to begin a four-year process that must begin with considerable investment and support but which I hope will finish with very little.
Heads of State and Governments, Excellencies, Ambassadors, Special Representatives, Honored Guests – the Prime Minister and I welcome you to the second Somalia Conference in London.

Mr. Prime Minister, I wholeheartedly thank you and your government for your personal engagement in shaping our future and for your support in hosting this Conference. I particularly congratulate you for re-opening your Embassy on our soil in Mogadishu after more than two decades absence.

People may ask why Somalia matters at this time but there is a huge amount at stake right now: the future of our country, the security of the region and the wider world, and the removal of the piracy stranglehold on the Gulf of Aden. I know you all understand this and I fully appreciate the political capital being invested to support Somalia.

Since the last meeting held here in London more than one year ago, more has been achieved than anyone would ever have imagined. In just one year the cornerstones of a new Somalia have been successfully and peacefully laid.

The political transition has ended and I stand here as the elected President of a sovereign nation, with an elected Speaker leading a new Parliament representative of all the regions and all communities and with a legitimate and effective government delivering our Six Pillar Policy Framework – the foundation of a new beginning. Progress has defied the skeptics. Somalia has rejoined the world community.

Under my leadership, we offer the world a legitimate partner you can trust, hard at work to deliver an integrated national security plan; economic reform and new financial management systems; rule of law and judicial reform; and an environment conducive to commercial growth. We are achieving real progress week by week, month by month. But challenges do remain.

Despite being militarily defeated, al Shabaab have melted into society and begun a new phase of insurgency and a campaign of terror – an experience I know that Great Britain comprehends as well as any other. Our Constitution is only partially complete. Piracy must come to an end. Millions of Somalis still live in desperate conditions as refugees in neighbouring countries or as internally displaced persons in their own country. And we lack developed government institutions, schools, hospitals, roads, sanitation and other basic services.

As you will hear over the coming hours, however, we come to London to share with you our detailed plans to address these challenges.
We are rebuilding our armed forces. We are restructuring and developing our police force. We are reforming our justice sector. And we are revolutionizing our public finance management systems. We are driving Somalia from emergency to recovery; and from recovery to development and reconstruction.
Ultimately, however, it will be a Somali owned solution that will fix Somalia, but no country has ever recovered from such social and economic collapse without the help of the world. And so in partnership with our endeavors, we respectfully ask for your total and unflinching commitment, partnership and support. We hope that you will agree how you can support the implementation of our plans and put an end to our dependence on the international community.

The Federal Government of Somalia has now laid down the foundations for a new public finance management mechanism, which we believe will give enable our donors to agree funding arrangements with the confidence that funds will reach their intended recipient.
The progress that has been made in Somalia over the past three years would not have been possible without the courageous support of IGAD, the African Union and our brothers and sisters in AMISOM and the ultimate sacrifice paid by many brave African soldiers. We owe to it their memory to ensure that we do not take one single step backwards.

The progress that has been made in Somalia over the past three years would also not have been possible without the committed support of the United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union. We owe it to the publics who contribute to these governments and institutions to see this process through to a successful conclusion.

We are also indebted to the kindness and generosity of countries like Turkey, Norway, the Arab League member states and other countries. Your assistance over the past few years has spread hope and belief among our people.

We welcome UNSOM, the new United Nations Mission in Somalia, and we are grateful for the consultation offered in agreeing both the mandate and the appointment of the SRSG. We congratulate His Excellency Mr. Nicholas Kay on his appointment as SRSG.

We are looking forward receiving him and the new UN mission in Mogadishu. I wish to thank Ambassador Mahiga, the outgoing SRSG, for his relentless and determined efforts in leading the design of the roadmap and seeing the transition through. Our best wishes and tributes go to him. The people of Somalia are eternally grateful. Winning the war in Somalia has been proved. Winning the peace in Somalia will take patience and great skill. We are at a critical junction. The time is now.

We have little time today and lots to achieve. All of us, especially those in the background who have worked so hard to make this conference happen, will want to depart with a real sense of progress.

I thank you all for coming, and for your dedicated support. Together we can make Somalia strong again. A tree standing tall in the African bush with deep roots binding it securely to its region and offering shade and protection to its people as they rebuild their lives.
Thank you.

Mogadishu rallies behind the London conference on Somalia

07 May – Source: Prime Minister’s Media Office – 350 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon today addressed big rally to support the London Somali conference at Peace Park in the center of Mogadishu. Prime Minister and some members of his cabinet spoke to the largest crowd held in Mogadishu for a long time, which was organized by Mogadishu city district leaders together with Banadir regional administration.

The rally was to show solidarity with the London conference co-hosted by the UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahamud, and attended by fifty-five countries and partners of Somalia. The conference aims to provide coordinated support to Somalia on four key areas; political stability, improving security, justice reforms and public financial management.

“London conference is historic and we are very hopeful of its outcome. The international community underlined its commitment to provide coordinated and sustained support for the implementation of our own plans to move Somalia forward,” Prime Minister said expressing government support for the conference and expectations of the new partnership with international friends and partners.

Prime Minister stated the progress made on several fronts including; forming regional administrations and Somali Government’s Stabilisation Plan. He acknowledged the security and instability challenges facing the country, which are too tough for Somalia to deal by itself.

“We need international support to strengthen government institutions that are at infant stage. We also need resources to fight terrorists, pirates and perpetrators of sexual violence,” Prime Minister Said. “We want to see coordinated efforts towards finding Somali solutions to the Somali problems. London conference offers that opportunity and that is why we remain hopeful. We thank the British government for taking the lead and co-hosting the conference.”

Somali Interior Minister H. E. Abdikarim Hussein Guled spoke at the rally as well and reiterated the Federal Government’s view that security is the essential prerequisite for further progress in all other spheres. Gulled called upon the international friends and partners at the London conference to offer more support on Somali policing efforts. He also, noted the Federal Government’s commitment to fulfill its obligations to provide safeguards to protect human rights and respect international obligations.

The International Somalia Conference final communiqué

07 May – Source: British Foreign & Commonwealth Office – 2000 words

The Somalia Conference took place at Lancaster House on 7 May 2013, co-hosted by the UK and Somalia, and attended by fifty-four friends and partners of Somalia. We met at a pivotal moment for Somalia. Last year Somalia’s eight-year transition ended and Somalia chose a new, more legitimate Parliament, President and Government.

Security is improving, as Somali and AMISOM forces, and their Ethiopian allies, recover towns and routes from Al Shabaab. The number of pirate attacks committed off the coast of Somalia has drastically reduced. The famine has receded. The diaspora have begun to return. The economy is starting to revive.

But many challenges remain. Al Shabaab is still a threat to peace and security. The constitution is not complete. Piracy and terrorism remain threats. Millions still live in Internally Displaced Persons and refugee camps. The country lacks developed government structures, schools, hospitals, sanitation and other basic services.

The Federal Government of Somalia has set out its plans to address these challenges in its Six Pillar Policy. At the Conference, the international community came together to agree practical measures to support the Federal Government’s plans in three key areas – security, justice and public financial management.

The Federal Government presented its vision for the implementation of federalism, the adoption of a permanent constitution and holding of elections. We also agreed to work together to tackle sexual violence in Somalia. We agreed that partnership between Somalia and the international community would form the basis of our future cooperation: the international community is committed to provide coordinated and sustained support for implementation of the Federal Government’s plans.

Political

We agreed that political progress remains the key to ensuring long-term stability for Somalia. We welcomed the Federal Government’s plans to resolve outstanding constitutional issues, including the sharing of power, resources and revenues between the Federal Government and the regions. We further welcomed the Government’s commitment to hold democratic elections in 2016. We reiterated our support for building capacity in democratic institutions throughout Somalia, beginning with support for local elections in Puntland next month.

We welcomed the dialogue on the future structure of Somalia that has begun between the Federal Government and the regions. We welcomed progress on forming regional administrations and looked forward to the completion of that process. We encouraged the regions to work closely with the Federal Government to form a cohesive national polity consistent with the provisional constitution.

We welcomed the IGAD Extraordinary Summit, held in Addis Ababa on 3 May under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, which agreed a framework for dialogue on regional issues. We looked forward to further progress ahead of a meeting of IGAD in the margins of the African Union Summit in May.

We welcomed the dialogue between the Federal Government and Somaliland at Ankara in April 2013 to clarify their future relationship, building on the meeting at Chevening in June 2012, and welcomed the Ankara communiqué. We expressed our appreciation for the facilitating role played by Turkey.

We welcomed the protection of fundamental rights in the constitution, and the Federal Government’s commitment to uphold human rights, including by establishing an independent National Human Rights Commission. We further welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to protect women and children, and take steps to end the involvement of children in armed conflict.

We commended the recent visit of the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict to Somalia, and the plan for a Somali and international team of experts to make recommendations on how sexual violence could be addressed. We agreed on the important role a free and independent media should play in Somalia, and welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the killing of journalists, and to promote press freedom.

Security

We shared the Federal Government’s view that security is the essential prerequisite for further progress in all other spheres. We commended the bravery and commitment of Somali and AMISOM forces, and those fighting alongside them. We expressed appreciation to countries contributing troops and police. We applauded the forces’ successes in freeing towns and routes from al Shabaab. We reiterated the need for adequate and sustained funding for AMISOM, welcomed partners’ support to date, and called upon new donors to contribute.

We welcomed the Federal Government’s determination to take responsibility for providing Somalia’s security. We welcomed the Government’s plans for national security architecture and for developing its armed forces, including the integration of militias, and police. We welcomed the commitment to ensure that these security structures are accountable, inclusive, proportionate and sustainable; and respect a civilian chain of command, the rule of law, and human rights. We recognised the need for support to help the Government manage disengaged fighters.

We agreed to support implementation of the Federal Government’s security plans including through existing structures. We also agreed to provide assistance which should be coordinated by the Federal Government. We welcomed the extension of AMISOM’s mandate for a further year in UN Security Council Resolution 2093.

We noted the partial suspension of the arms embargo as recognition of political progress, and urged the Federal Government to fulfil its obligations to provide safeguards to protect Somalia’s citizens and neighbours. We commended the Somalis and international partners for progress made in combating piracy over the last year including the efforts of Puntland and other regional or local governments and welcomed the Federal Government’s Maritime Resource and Security Strategy.

We reiterated our determination to work with Somalia to eradicate piracy and other maritime crimes, and expressed our support for the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to establish internationally recognised Somali waters, which will help it protect its abundant maritime resources and revitalise economic activities, as well as end toxic dumping and illegal fishing.

We welcomed international support to develop Somali maritime security capacities and looked forward to the UAE conference in Dubai on 11-12 September. We welcomed partners’ continued efforts to bring to justice to those behind piracy and positive, ongoing initiatives in Somalia and the region. We recognized the need for these efforts to be complemented by work on land to generate alternative livelihoods and support communities affected by piracy.

Justice and Policing

We welcomed the Federal Government’s vision for equal access for all to a robust, impartial and effective justice system. We commended its justice action plan setting out immediate priorities for assistance, developed at the National Dialogue on Justice in Mogadishu, and applauded this inclusive dialogue with stakeholders.

We welcomed the Government’s four-year action plan to create an accountable, effective and responsive police service for Somalis. We agreed to align our assistance for both justice and police behind Federal Government plans. We looked forward to the establishment of a Rule of Law Fund, under the leadership of the Federal Government, and invited UNDP and the Federal Government to present the agreed governance and technical arrangements for the fund at the Brussels Conference in September. We committed to support the Government’s efforts to combat terrorism. An effective and secure criminal justice system, including the establishment and maintenance of prisons administered with respect for human dignity, will be central to Somalia’s ability to tackle terrorism in a human rights-compliant manner and reduce the threat from al Shabaab in the long-term.

Public Financial Management

The Federal Government set out its determination to tackle corruption, and fund public services. We welcomed the Government’s four-year plan to establish transparent and effective public financial management systems. We encouraged the Federal Government to establish more robust controls through the Ministry of Finance’s operations including public reporting of budgets, expenditure and audits. We committed to coordinate assistance using the structure set out by the Government.

We acknowledged the Government’s financing gap and urgent need for short-term support to pay for salaries and operations while public financial management reforms are underway and until sufficient domestic revenues can be collected. In this context we welcomed the Federal Government’s creation of a Special Financing Facility as an early opportunity for the Federal Government to demonstrate its commitment to financial accountability and transparency.

In line with the outcomes of the G8 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, we welcomed the re-engagement of the International Financial Institutions (the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund), including IMF recognition of the Federal Government and progress made at the Spring Meetings. We recognised the importance of investment and economic growth to increase domestic revenue. We encouraged investment into Somalia, recognising the important role the diaspora could play.

Rationalisation of Funding

The Federal Government appealed to its international partners to provide funding for Somali national plans. The Federal Government expressed its appreciation for continued bilateral support and asked partners to channel funding through mechanisms agreed with the Federal Government, such as the Special Financing Facility and the Rule of Law Fund, wherever possible. We looked forward to development of a longer term sustainable financing architecture for Somalia including a World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund which will be important on the path to normalisation of Somalia’s financial relationship with the International Financial Institutions.

Stabilisation

We welcomed the Federal Government’s efforts to develop major initiatives on stabilization, including a comprehensive strategy on disengaged fighters, alternative dispute resolution and at-risk youth. The Federal Government appealed for immediate support for stabilisation projects, to enable local administrations to provide services for their people.

Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons:

We recognised the importance of scaling up efforts to create the conditions for the voluntary return and reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees, in accordance with international law. We praised neighbouring countries for providing protection and assistance for refugees, and agreed to continue supporting them in shouldering this burden.

We recognised that the return of refugees and IDPs should take place within a context of increased security conditions and livelihoods opportunities. We endorsed the tripartite dialogue initiated by the Somali and Kenyan governments alongside UNHCR to develop modalities and a framework for safe, orderly, sustainable return and resettlement of Somali refugees on a voluntary basis, and looked forward to the forthcoming conference in Nairobi.
Role of Multilateral Organisations and International Support

We recognised the role of the United Nations and the African Union in Somalia and welcomed their commitment to a strengthened strategic partnership. We underlined the importance of close coordination by both organisations with the Federal Government, other international and regional organisations, and Member States.

We welcomed the creation of a new UN Assistance Mission (UNSOM) in Somalia and urged the UN to deploy the mission by the target date of 3 June. We recognised the important role of Somalia’s neighbours in promoting long-term stability in the region, and encouraged IGAD to continue to work to promote dialogue and mutual understanding.

We underlined the importance of EU action through its commitments in the fields of security, development and humanitarian aid. We also recognised the role of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Conference. We recognised the valuable support provided by bilateral partners, and encouraged them to continue their efforts in coordination with others.

We acknowledged that the Somalia Conference was one of a series of events in 2013 aimed at providing international support to Somalia. We looked forward to the planned Special Conference on Somalia on the socio-economic development agenda in the margins of the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) in late May.

Taking note of the Federal Government’s commitment to implement the New Deal engagement in fragile states in the form of a Compact, we welcomed Somalia’s efforts to develop an overarching reconstruction plan encompassing Somali priorities on inclusive politics, security, justice, economic foundations, revenue and services. We looked forward to the EU/Somalia Conference in Brussels in September.

Conclusion

The Conference agreed that Somalia had made significant progress. We congratulated all who had made that possible, notably the Somali people, Federal Government, Members of Parliament, civil society and diaspora. We commended the sustained commitment of Somalia’s international partners, and urged continued results-orientated support. We recognised the need to consolidate progress quickly and reiterated our determination to support Somalia over the long-term.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali Parliamentarians hold meeting to discuss security of Mogadishu

07 May – Source: Shabelle – 59 words

Somaliland President: We have not yet attained full recognition

07 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 123 words

The president of the breakaway region of Somaliland Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo has stated that his administration which has declared that it’s a separate government from the rest of Somali in 1991 has not yet received a full recognition from the international community. Addressing the journalists on Sunday at Igal airport in Hargeisa, Silanyo told the welcoming crowd that the his administration has not yet fully received recognition from the international community despite the massive efforts made by his ruling administration apart from cooperation relationships with the rest of the world. Silanyo has been in to various countries including Turkey where he attended the conference hosted by the Turkish government for Somali Federal government and Somaliland administration, Britain, USA and Ethiopia as well.

Federal government troops freeze charcoal export at the port of Kismayo

07 May – Source: Mareeg Online – 133 words

Reports from Kismayo, the port city of the lower Juba region confirm that government troops stopped charcoal that was to be exported from the port. The city’s administration allowed the export but the federal troops seized thousands of sacks as it arrived at the port. Charcoal export was banned by the government as it caused large destruction of forest in the region. Colonel Iftin Hassan Basto who is one of the government top officials in the region said that they have seized thousands of sacks containing charcoal that was to be exported at the port. Colonel Iftin added that his troops stopped the coal business because of destruction of forests in the region and the large sum of money generated from the business may also be involved in anti government projects.

Five soldiers injured in Galkayo explosion

07 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 84 words

Five soldiers are reported to have injured in a grenade attack targeted to Puntland police post in Horumar neighborhood of Galkayo’s northern side. Confirming the incident, Mudug region police commander of Puntland administration Jama Mohamed said that the injured is among the deputy police commander in the region Abdillahi Bihi Matan. The attack which occurred on Monday evening comes days a hand grenade was killed a Puntland administration soldier while another was injured. Horumar neighborhood residents told Bar-kulan that they heard series of explosions.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Museveni addresses London Conference on Somalia

07 May – Source: New Vision – 129 words

Ugnadan President Yoweri Museveni has asked the United Nations to replace Uganda’s gun-ships that were destroyed in an accident in Kenya en route to Somalia. He made the remarks as he addressed the International Conference on Somalia at Lancaster House. Museveni outlined the steps Uganda has taken to defeat al Shabaab and said it was now time for the national army of Somalia to be trained in Somalia. ” Now that basic training at Bihanga in Uganda was ended, let us send the trainers inside Somalia so that we do the training there.” “If these steps are taken, security will be restored in the whole of Somalia. That is the responsibility of the Mogadishu Government. Piracy will also end because the pirates come from land. They are not aquatic animals.” Museveni concluded.

Somalia asks for international support

07 May- Source: Al Jazeera English-513 Words

Fifty countries and organisations have gathered in London for an international conference aimed at preventing Somalia from slipping back into lawlessness. David Cameron, UK prime minister, and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Somali president, are co-hosting Tuesday’s meeting, which hopes to bolster political stability in the Horn of Africa country. Britain has pledged $15m to help train Somali security forces and judges.

Talks on Somalia vital for Kenya’s security

07 May – Source: Daily Nation – 108 words

Kenyan President Kenyatta has joined leaders of many other countries in London at the Somalia Conference 2013 hosted jointly by British Prime Minister David Cameron and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Altogether, about out 50 countries are represented at the conference aimed at salvaging Somalia from the depths of lawlessness, collapsed government, civil strife and terrorist influence. The British Government had to beat a considerable retreat in inviting the Kenyan President to London after openly declaring disapproval of his election victory while facing charges at the International Criminal Court. However, it was obvious that discussing peace and security in Somalia without Kenya playing a powerful role would be futile.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia Seeks Support at London Conference

07 May – Source: VOA/Al Jazeera – 129 words

British Prime Minister David Cameron and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud began a conference on the reconstruction of Somalia Monday, seeking international support for the country as it emerges from two decades of civil war. Back in Mogadishu, residents are rebuilding their city, amid lingering insecurity. At the port in Mogadishu, a constant stream of ships arrives carrying the cargo to rebuild Somalia. Ismail Abukar Hussein, a 32-year-old truck driver, said, “A year ago, we could make one delivery a month. Now we can make between three to five deliveries. Business is booming because of the peace.” The roads in Mogadishu have been cleared of roadblocks set up by the militant group al-Shabab for nearly two years, allowing Hussein to freely deliver food and construction materials around the city.

Somali conflict: Mohamud and Cameron hail ‘new era’

07 May- Source: BBC-771 Words

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says Somalia has entered a new era that will herald the end of more than two decades of conflict. He was speaking at a major international conference in London to help Somalia rebuild itself. The UK and other donors pledged some $130m (£84m) in aid for Somalia. UK Prime Minister David Cameron said huge progress was being made in curbing piracy and tackling an Islamist insurgency in Somalia. Somalia is widely regarded as a failed state, hit by numerous conflicts since the overthrow of long-serving ruler Siad Barre in 1991.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Somalis do not deserve a return to all-out civil war, and the international community cannot afford the country sliding back and dragging the Horn of Africa region with it. If donor countries are reluctant to meet the cost of rebuilding, or if the Somali government is unable or unwilling to make the decisions needed to use aid effectively, they must answer the question: what risks are they willing to accept?”

Somalia seeks lasting support from London conference

07 May- Source: African Arguments-955 Words

Over 40 delegates from many nations and organisations are meeting in London to discuss the future of Somalia’s post transition government. The Somali-led conference, hosted by Britain, will address the reconstruction of the governance system – namely security, Justice and Public finance management. The conference— held six months after the first post-transition government in 20 years—offers an opportunity for Somalia and international partners to identify existing problems and map out actionable steps leading to a successful post-transition life. However, its effectiveness will likely be undermined by international hesitation to offer financial commitments and the decision by the autonomous regions of Puntland and Somaliland to boycott the conference.