November 16, 2017 | Morning Headlines.

Somali Minister Resigns Citing Government Disorder

15 November – Source: Xinhuanet – 186 Words

Somalia’s Humanitarian Affairs Minister resigned on Wednesday citing disorder in the government, adding to two the number of ministers who have resigned in the past month. Ms. Maryam Qasim, considered a close ally of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, told journalists that she could no longer work as minister over what she termed as “confusion and disorder” in the government. Ms. Qasim who has been instrumental in the country’s drought relief efforts and response to the recent deadly terror attack said she was also quitting politics but not opposed to the government. “I am not against the government. It’s only that the system of disorder can not allow me to work. I have decided to go back to a private job and stay clear from politics,” she said.

Considered a close ally of the president and also chairperson of the ruling (Tayo Party), Ms. Qasim’s exit is a major blow to the new administration’s ongoing efforts against a severe drought. She is the second minister to resign following former Defense Minister Abdirashid Abdulahi Mohamed, whose resignation on October 12 had left a post yet to be filled.

Key Headlines

• Somali Minister Resigns Citing Government Disorder (Xinhuanet)
• Underage Voting Recorded But Process Largely Above board – Somaliland Polls Observers (Goobjoog News)
• Somali Prime Minister Visits Barawe Town In Lower Shabelle Region (SONNA)
• US Conducts Missile Strike In Somalia Against Al-Qaeda Linked Terror Group (Thehill.com)
• AU To Deploy An Extra 500 Police Officers To Somalia (Radio Shabelle)

NATIONAL  MEDIA

Underage Voting Recorded But Process Largely Above board – Somaliland Polls Observers

15 November- Source: Goobjoog News – 275 Words

International observers in Somaliland presidential elections have raised concerns over electoral malpractices including underage voting but noted the exercise generally met the minimum threshold. The observers under the UK funded electoral observation team said it documented cases of underage voting, interference by security personnel and compromise of voter secrecy in cases requiring assistance. It however gave the process a plus in terms of opening of polling centres, voting and participation of the party agents. “On election day, we are pleased to have observed a poll that in the main seems to have preserved the integrity of the electoral process,” chief observer Dr. Michael Walls said. “While we are aware of some key concerns, these do not seem to be substantive and systematic enough to have undermined the election itself, and we congratulate Somaliland on a largely peaceful process; another progressive step in the electoral evolution.”

The observer team noted it dispatched observers to 350 polling stations across all the six regions in Somaliland as well as the tallying process. “Observers noted that polls opened and closed on time, in a generally calm environment, with peaceful voting, and no major violence or intimidation observed.” Eligible and domestic observers conducted their work without restrictions, the team said but noted there were occasions when observers were denied entry or asked to leave. Meanwhile Wadani party interim chairperson Abdikadir Jirde complained Tuesday that some of his party officials were arrested and injured during the electoral process. Jirde said party officials, Faadumo Sai’d Hamse and Khaire were among those arrested. District commissioners also interfered with the tallying process by making entry into the tallying centres contrary to the law, said Jirde.

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Somali Prime Minister Visits Barawe Town In Lower Shabelle Region

15 November- Source: SONNA – 93 Words

Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia,  Hassan Ali Khaire  on Wednesday paid a visit to Barawe town in Lower Shabelle region southern Somalia, Somali National News Agency (SONNA) reported.

President of the Southwest State, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and regional officials welcomed the Prime Minister, Khaire and his delegation who are in the town for talks with local elders, army official, and officials of the southwest State administration. Other officials including UN Special Envoy for Somalia, Michael Keating is in the town for the talks with the officials in the region.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

US Conducts Missile Strike In Somalia Against Al-Qaeda Linked Terror Group

15 November – Source: Thehill.com – 205 Words

The United States military has targeted al Qaeda-linked militants in Somalia in an airstrike aimed to push back the insurgency group seeking to topple the state’s government. The U.S. jointly coordinated and launched the attack with the Somali government that killed “several” al Shabaab militants in a strike about 60 miles outside the capital of Mogadishu, U.S. Africa Command said Wednesday. “Al-Shabaab has publicly committed to planning and conducting attacks against the U.S. and our partners in the region,” the command said in a statement.

The air strikes comes after another airstrike in Somalia on Saturday that killed “one enemy combatant” about 250 miles outside of Mogadishu.  Earlier this month, the U.S. warned its diplomatic staff stationed in Mogadishu to leave the capital, Reuters reported. Forces have steadily driven the Islamist terrorist group out of Somalia’s cities and towns over the years. In 2011, the group was pushed out of Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab is believed to be behind last month’s deadly bombings in Mogadishu that killed over 350 people. The militant group wants to institute a harsh interpretation of Islamic law in the state, which would mean overthrowing Somalia’s United Nations-backed government and expelling African Union peacekeeping troops stationed there.
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OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE

“However, AMISOM exit is also pegged on the ability of the Somali National Security Forces, particularly the SNA to ably take over the security of the country. The AU envoy’s remarks came a day after AMISOM launched a massive security operation to flush out Al-Shabaab militants in Middle Shabelle region in southern region. The major offensive comes barely a month after the country’s Oct. 14 deadly attack killed 358 people and left several others injured.”

AU To Deploy An Extra 500 Police Officers To Somalia

15 November – Source: Radio Shabelle – 520 Words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) announced on Tuesday that some 1,000 soldiers will be withdrawn from Somalia by Dec. 31, in line with the African Union and UN Security Council resolutions. The Special Representative of the African Union Chairperson for Somalia, Francisco Madeira, stressed that the withdrawal of AMISOM troops from Somalia will be “gradual” and “conditions-based.” “AMISOM has begun its drawdown from Somalia and will have its troop numbers reduced by 1,000 on Dec. 31. Our withdrawal and transition must be gradual, conditions-based, responsible, and done in a manner that does not compromise the safety and security of the Somali people,” Madeira told journalists in Mogadishu.

As result of this, he said, troop movements have started in different parts of the Horn of Africa nation and will continue so that security responsibilities start to shift to the local military. “This is a process of re-alignment to effect the reduction in numbers and begin, the handover of security responsibilities to Somali forces. I want to assure all that this exercises being conducted with caution to ensure the security of the Somali people is not compromised,” he said. Madeira said as part of the military withdrawal, the pan African body will deploy an extra 500 police officers who will strengthen training and mentoring for Somali Police “The deployment of additional police officers will help extend law and order in Somalia, hence further securing the country,” the AU envoy said.

AMISOM will reduce its troops by 1,000 by December, followed by further cuts next year, an exercise expected to end by 2020 as part of its exit strategy. However, AMISOM exit is also pegged on the ability of the Somali National Security Forces, particularly the SNA to ably take over the security of the country. The AU envoy’s remarks came a day after AMISOM launched a massive security operation to flush out Al-Shabaab militants in Middle Shabelle region in southern region.  The major offensive comes barely a month after the country’s Oct. 14deadly attack killed 358 people and left several others injured.Madeira said the ongoing troop movements should not cause alarm, but the withdrawal has begun earlier than expected. “The re-alignment of AMISOM troops is a process that must be implemented as part African Union and UN Security Council resolutions.

We are proud and envisioned a time when we could hand over responsibility to the Somali National Security Forces,” Madeira said. He said the Somali forces urgently need to be equipped with necessary weapons and key logistical support including timely payment of stipend to enable them to flush out the militants out of the country. “Other urgent support includes provision of quality medical care and establishment of key infrastructure – barracks and training centers,” he said. Some Western countries including the United States have expressed concern that Somalia’s security forces will not be ready by then. AMISOM is comprised of troops drawn from Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Burundi who are deployed in six sectors covering south and central Somalia. Ugandan troops are deployed in Sector 1 which comprises the regions of Banadir and Lower Shabelle.