May 9, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
UN Envoy to Somalia urges increased funding for “serious” humanitarian situation
09 May- Source: UNSOM-186 Words
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has highlighted the need for urgent funding to relieve the serious humanitarian situation in the country, noting that without additional support, many vulnerable Somalis risked falling deeper into crisis.
“There is a very serious, continuing humanitarian crisis in Somalia and there is an urgent need for extra funding for supporting humanitarian work,” Mr. Kay said at a press conference in Mogadishu on 8 May. “Without additional funding, I am afraid that women, children and vulnerable people will begin to suffer from lack of health care and food. This is an urgent and serious situation.”
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, humanitarian funding for Somalia is just 15 percent funded, with a shortfall of some US$790 million for the year.
Key Headlines
- Prime Minister pledges support to Qoryole residents (Radio Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu)
- UN announces $7 M Peacebuilding support to Somalia (SNTV)
- President Hassan receives letter requesting him to step down (Radio Goobjoog)
- Al Shabaab AMISOM fighters clash in Marka (Radio Shabelle)
- Two al Shabaab militants killed in Puntland forces Raid (Horseed Media)
- Floods force 1500 families to flee from their homes in Bardere (Radio Ergo)
- Malaysia investigates suspected Somali militant activity (Daily Nation/AFP)
- President Guelleh calls on Somali Diaspora to invest in Djibouti (Somalicurrent)
- Somaliland Information Minister: “President Silanyo to contest in the 2015 elections” (Somaliland Informer)
- Somaliland Government Sharing Country’s Perspectives at the World Economic Forum 2014(Somaliland Sun)
- Officer injured in attack on Kulan AP camp (Daily Nation)
- UN Envoy to Somalia urges increased funding for “serious” humanitarian situation (UNSOM)
- Police nab member of Somalia terror group (Star Online)
- Somali MPs demand president quit threaten impeachment (Reuters)
PRESS STATEMENT
The President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud commented that the correct channels should be followed as the provisional Federal Constitution stipulates.
08 May- Source: Office of the President- 185 words
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, received a delegation of Members of Parliament at the State House. They presented to him a statement made earlier this week.
The President acknowledged the written statement and confirmed his respect for the right of every citizen to freely express their opinion: from politicians to the general public. He added that he is ready to sit and listen to anyone who has a constructive opinion.
He reminded the delegation that they among those who wholeheartedly elected him and gave him the Presidential mandate and urged them to follow correct procedural channels, as per those provided for in the provisional Constitution.
“It is good that a person in Somalia is free to express his opinion. I’m pleased that this indicates how far we have come in establishing and protecting people’s rights through our state-building processes,” the President said.
Concluding the meeting, the President called for all to observe and respect the laws of the land and the culture of statehood. He urged that the culture of statehood be protected in state circles.
SOMALI MEDIA
Prime Minister pledges support to Qoryole residents
09 May- Source: Radio Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu- 118 words
The Prime Minister of the Somalia, reached Qoryole district in Lower Shabelle region Thursday and said that the government will take immediate action against the poor conditions in the town.
Speaking to hundreds of citizens in Qoryole before returning to Mogadishu, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed claimed that the town still has a security problem and that the government is reviewing possible ways to do something about it.
“You people need medical care and emergency food supplies, you need the roads in the district to be opened,” said Mr. Ahmed
At last, the Prime Minister reiterated that the government is committed to support the community and society so that they can overcome the obstacles in life.
UN announces $7 M Peacebuilding support to Somalia
09 May- Source: SNTV/ Radio Goobjoog/Bar-kulan/Hiiraan Online/Kulmiye-175 words
The Assistant Secretary-General for Peace building Support Judy Cheng-Hopkins announced this pledge after concluding her five days visit to Southern Somalia where she met the country’s top leaders as well as the local elders and civil society members.
The new pledge brings the full amount of peace building support to $10 million. The UN Special Envoy for Somalia Nicholas Kay had earlier promised a $3 million fund support.
“We are committed to spending $10 million very fast under the UN Peace building Fund’s (PBF) Immediate Response Facility,” ASG Cheng-Hopkins said. “Somalia still has internal problems, and still has a problem with Al Shabaab and with other groups, but there are sufficient windows of opportunity in certain parts of the country where we should invest now in peace building so that peace sustainability can be preserved.”
The fund is estimated to improve the capacity of local government, facilitate reconciliation efforts at the grassroots level and fund public works projects for youth and other vulnerable groups, as it was described in a UNSOM statement.
President Hassan receives letter requesting him to step down
09 May- Source: Radio Goobjoog-130 words
The president of the federal government of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday received a communiqué submitted to him by some members of the parliament. The communiqué which is signed by around 41 members is composed of the 14 points that the members issued on Monday requesting president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to step down. The lawmakers are criticizing the president in failing to fulfill the six pillars his government promised to stabilize the country and his campaign manifesto.Meanwhile, Mr: Hassan took the letter and pledged to study and make further discussions on matters raised by the MPs, and call them to inform over the decision he makes. This comes after an earlier meeting today between the MPs and the speaker of the federal parliament where they delivered the same communiqué.
Al Shabaab, AMISOM fighters clash in Marka
09 May- Source: Radio Shabelle- 81 words
Violent clashes erupted late Thursday night between al Shabaab and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops in Marka district of Lower Shabelle region. The al Qaeda linked insurgents attacked a military base belonging to AMISOM troops in the district, resulting in casualties and losses.
Somali Federal Government officials in Marka were unable to give a statement regarding the clashes although the town has seen a surge in planned attacks in the last few days.
Two al Shabaab militants killed in Puntland forces Raid
09 May- Source: Horseed Media- 149 words
Puntland Security forces launched an overnight attack on al Shabaab militants hiding in Galgala mountain ranges, killing at least two militants, officials have confirmed.
A commander of Puntland forces told journalists that the operation took place in the outskirts of the coastal town of Bosaso.
At the moment of the attack, it was reported the militants had crossed to the highway to collect supplies from a vehicle that arrived from Southern Somalia, as claimed by the security officials.
Two other suspected militants were captured and were taken for interrogation to Bosaso town.
Puntland Commander Abdirahman Hussein added that other several militants fled back to the mountain ranges. Since 2010, Puntland forces have been fighting al-Shabab militants in Galgala Mountains.
Last month, the group claimed to have killed the Commander of Puntland forces stationed in that area after a highway ambush.
Floods force 1,500 families to flee from their homes in Bardere
09 May- Source: Radio Ergo- 144 words
Floods have forced hundreds of residents in Gedo region’s Bardere district to flee their houses on Mondayfollowing heavy rains in the district. About 1,500 families have fled from the eastern parts of Bardere to other parts of the district, according to Radio Ergo’s local reporter, who is among those displaced from their homes. The residents are worried that their town will be underwater if the rains continue.
“The food prices are dramatically rising as there are no vehicles transporting commodities and goods from Mogadishu to the district due to the floods,” said Mohamed Sheikh Ali Nor, a resident of Bardere. He added that the floods had cut off all the roads connecting the town to other parts of the country.
At least two people have so far been confirmed dead in the floods, while eight others have been injured and 18 homes destroyed.
President Guelleh calls on Somali Diaspora to invest in Djibouti
09 May- Source: Somalicurrent- 167 words
Djibouti President, Ismail Omar Guelleh, has called on the Somali Diaspora in the US to invest his country. President Guelleh met leaders from the Somali and the Djiboutian community in Washington DC and discussed with them about issues related to business.
President Guelleh met US president Barack Obama in the White House this week, where they announced a long term lease on a military base in Djibouti that the US uses to launch counter-terrorism missions, including drone strikes, in Yemen and the Horn of Africa.
“We met the president and he told us that Djibouti is open for business and also asked us to invest in it,” Mohamud Abdirahman Benebene, chairman of Minnesota Somali Chamber told Somalicurrent.
“We welcomed the request of the president and we invited him to come to Minnesota in order to meet the Somali community in Minnesota,” Added Benebene.
Several prominent Somali entrepreneurs established businesses in Djibouti and opened banks and money remittance companies, which created employment opportunities and development projects in the country.
Somaliland Information Minister: “President Silanyo to contest in the 2015 elections”
08 May – Source: Somaliland Informer – 106 words
The Minister of Information and National Heritage Mr. Abdilahi Mohamed Dahir alias Ukuse who is also the chief government spokesperson has confirmed that President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud alias Silanyo is to contest for 2015 elections.
Mr. Abdilahi stated that the head of state has the backing of the nation’s citizens despite the announcement made by the former SNM freedom fighter and chairman of the ruling party Kulmiye Mr. Musa Bihi Abdi.
“Every Somalilander has the right to vie for post of the presidency and I do not see anything strange if Mr. Musa or any other person campaign for the hot seat.”
Somaliland Government Sharing Country’s Perspectives at the World Economic Forum 2014
08 May – Source: Somaliland Sun – 105 words
The Minister of Trade and Investment Dr Mohamed Abdilahi Omar and minister of foreign affairs Mohamed Behi Yonis of Somaliland are attending the World Economic Forum-WEF in Abuja in Nigeria.
Delegations from more than 35 countries including presidents, prime ministers, ministers and economic as well trade leaders from all over the world are attending.
This year, the conference is about the economic growth in Africa as pertains to Problems of trade, tariff, export and finance are being debated with and among world economic leaders.
The Two Somaliland ministers shall rub shoulders with 7 African presidents and the Chinese prime minister who are leading the conference.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Officer injured in attack on Kulan AP camp
09 May – Source: Daily Nation – 89 words
An attack on the Kulan Administration Police camp on Thursday evening by heavily armed militia left one officer injured. Confirming the incident, head of investigation in the region Musa Yego said the militia, suspected to be members of al Shabaab, attacked the camp at around 6:45 pm.
He said heavy gunfire ensued and the officers were able to repel the attackers. “Our officers were alert… It seems they were a target at this time because of the darkness,” he said. Kulan is 20 kilometres from the border with Somalia.
Malaysia investigates suspected Somali militant activity
09 May- Source: Daily Nation/AFP- 313 words
Malaysian police are investigating whether Al-Qaeda linked Somali rebels were seeking to set up a base in the Southeast Asian country after a suspected insurgent was arrested, a source with knowledge of the investigation said Friday.
Police said on Thursday they detained a 34-year-old Somali man in Kuala Lumpur who was wanted by Interpol for alleged links to Shabaab rebels blamed for a string of violent attacks in East Africa.
Police have also been tracking five others, most of whom entered Malaysia on student visas, said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Some of those five have since left the country, the source said, adding that an investigation was ongoing and more arrests could be announced.
Police deputy inspector general Bakri Zinin first announced the arrest of the Somali man late Thursday.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UN Envoy to Somalia urges increased funding for “serious” humanitarian situation
09 May- Source: UNSOM-186 Words
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has highlighted the need for urgent funding to relieve the serious humanitarian situation in the country, noting that without additional support, many vulnerable Somalis risked falling deeper into crisis.
“There is a very serious, continuing humanitarian crisis in Somalia and there is an urgent need for extra funding for supporting humanitarian work,” Mr. Kay said at a press conference in Mogadishu on 8 May. “Without additional funding, I am afraid that women, children and vulnerable people will begin to suffer from lack of health care and food. This is an urgent and serious situation.”
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, humanitarian funding for Somalia is just 15 percent funded, with a shortfall of some US$790 million for the year.
Police nab member of Somalia terror group
09 May – Source: Star Online – 145 words
Members of a Somalian terrorist group known as al Shabaab have been entering Malaysia pretending to be private college students and tourists. The Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Unit has been tracking six al Shabaab members who entered the country in the past few weeks, according to sources.
They said the group planned to set up a base in Malaysia to hide their members from the authorities. Some of the members had left the country but police were monitoring those still here, the sources said. They added that al Shabaab had no links with the militants arrested in Selangor and Kedah recently.
Police achieved a breakthrough when they arrested a 34-year-old Somalian man, wanted by Interpol for alleged terror links, in Selangor yesterday. “More arrests are expected soon. The police have to act fast before this terrorist group gains a foothold in the country,” one source said.
Somali MPs demand president quit, threaten impeachment
08 May – Source: Reuters – 130 words
More than 100 Somali lawmakers have signed a letter demanding the president resign for failing to improve security and meet other promises, threatening to impeach him if he does not quit. The petition, the first of its kind against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has enough signatures to force an impeachment debate in parliament. But such a move could be blocked by the high court, which would have to approve it, and more backers would be needed to vote Mohamud out.
The initiative highlights the growing frustration in Somalia at the government’s failure to deliver more tangible change in a nation struggling to rebuild after two decades of war. The president has also faced criticism from Western donors over financial management. Two central bank governors left in quick succession last year.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“There are two options. The first is to throw in the towel, conclude that the Kenya’s mission in Somalia — whose objective was to stabilise that country for the benefit of its people, to prevent the mushrooming of jihadism in that country and to stop terrorists from crossing over — has failed. In this scenario, we will retreat to our cocoon and mind our own business and also ensure that Al-Shabaab does not mind ours. This is the containment option. The second is the engagement option, under which we basically stay the course, remain in the African Union mission, continue to fight Al-Shabaab and generally take a benign interest in the welfare of the people of Somalia. To do this, we will need to retool.”
In the war against terrorism, we’ve options; to give up or bite the bullet
09 May- Source: Daily Nation-716 Words
Al Shabaab terrorism in Kenya, if America’s top spook is to be believed, will get worse.
James Clapper, the US Director of National Intelligence, has said that the terrorist group is planning more attacks in Kenya to revenge the killing of more than 50 militants in recent airstrikes. Plans are also afoot to attack Djibouti, Uganda, Burundi and Ethiopia for sending peacekeeping troops to Somalia.
Now, you would have thought it couldn’t get worse. The idea of more bloodshed is frightening to many Kenyans, but an even bigger problem is that we can’t have a sombre, civilised debate about terrorism, Islamic fanaticism and the illegal, mass importation of population and what is the sensible thing to do about it.
There are those who see terrorism as the work of fanatical invaders, supported by a network of treasonous Kenyans acting out of misguided tribalism or religious kinship. This group has gone into a protective crouch and has been accused of xenophobia and fascism.
Then there is the other group, mainly made of up Muslims and liberals, which is opposed to profiling of communities or religions and argues for the rights of terror suspects, mainly on the reasonable grounds that they too are innocent until their guilt is proven.
“In the past two years, Somalia’s capital has been booming, both as business takes off and bombs explode. For me traffic jams are not a tiresome consequence of a new economy — they’re terrifying. This is when the IEDs go off, the suicide jacketeers attach themselves to your window like exploding limpets. And as a Westerner you don’t get out and walk to your appointment.”
Tick-tock of being followed in Somalia
09 May- Source: Deccan Chronicle-897 Words
From a way off, as he entered the café, he looked young and handsome but when he sat down there was something wrong in that face. He moved like a man with a terminal illness. For no particular reason I decided he was carrying a bomb in his briefcase. I felt the urge to run, to escape this crowded place. Instead we ordered tea.
We met because I was looking for certain contacts in Mogadishu and I had been told he could help. I introduced the subject in a roundabout way, but I could see he knew exactly what I was after. He was obliging, breezily described his network of friends and connections, and told me he would set up the introductions. I kept my eyes on that briefcase placed next to him on his seat and when he reached for it I wanted to shout out. I wondered if he had noticed as he picked the case up and shambled out of the café.
After that he wouldn’t leave me alone in Mogadishu. I tried to shake him off but I kept hearing he was looking for me. He arrived in a place five minutes after I had left. The missed calls and messages piled up. At some point he was joined by a figure in a jilbab. I imagined them traipsing after me, a sick man and a black gown tick-tocking like Captain Hook’s crocodile.
Top tweets
@Abdisalan_Ahmed Encouraging times for Somalia. If the@SomaliPM can move between towns outside Mogadishu. (Photo : MarkaStars) pic.twitter.com/cXSmX3W6Og
@NGOConsortium Polio should be eradicated, but still exists in#Somalia – 193 cases in past year #SomaliaAlertpic.twitter.com/LRSLffCU0S
@OCHASom 1.1 million people in #Somalia are displaced in their own country. Don’t let the world forget about Somalia’s crisis pic.twitter.com/iLFvvRhLs1
@LaetitiaBader With the focus on Nigeria, @ZamaHRW writes that abducting girls from school is not uncommon, including in#Somalia, http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
@tobinbjones Somali security services round up suspected al Shabab militants on a night operation in #Mogadishu, #Somaliapic.twitter.com/Iqx1YmHerT
Image of the day
#Somali PM waves to local residents following his 1st visit in #Qoryooley district,on Thursday, pledges help. Photo: @Omaar_nor