November 20, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report
Somalia’s Finance Ministry Under Scrutiny As $42 Million “Is Unaccounted”
20 November – Source: Radio Dalsan – 303 Words
Somalia Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Budget has released a new report alleging mismanagement of funds at the Finance Ministry. In the report, seen by Radio Dalsan, the oversight committee alleges that more than $42 million is unaccounted for, raising the red flag on a probable major scandal at the ministry, headed by Abdirahman Beilleh.
Of the funds unaccounted for is $20 million, which is part of $50 million budgetary support from Saudi Arabia that was granted to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in 2017. According to the report, the funds have not been reflected in the 2018 budget. Separately, a sum of $6 million is reported to have been withdrawn from the Somalia Central Bank by a local government committee, with no clarification report by the ministry on how the amount was spent.
The report further claims local government employees are illegally subjected to a 30 percent deduction of their salaries. The Banaadir Region Administration (BRA) has further been put on notice to explain how $16.5 million it received, between January and June 2018, was spent. The committee reports there is no documentation on the expenditure of the funds by BRA. In the report BRA is accused of misappropriation of funds and lack of an annual expenditure plan. The Committee further accuses the Finance Ministry of failing to collect taxes from banks and the hawala remittance companies.
The report also alleges that $1.5m allocated for humanitarian emergencies, including floods and drought, was diverted to cater for foreign and local trips and hotel accommodations. The committee has ordered the Finance Ministry to give a full report about the whereabouts of the funds. Technically, details of the report remain allegations at this stage since Finance minister, Mr Beilleh, and his ministry officials are yet to be accorded opportunity for official reaction
Key Headlines
- Somalia’s Finance Ministry Under Scrutiny As $42 Million “Is Unaccounted” (Radio Dalsan)
- Vocal MP Escapes Car Bomb Assassination Attempt (Kismaayo.com)
- Insurance Demands By Somalia Delays KQ’s Flights To Mogadishu (Goobjoog News)
- Kenya Beefs Up Security Along Border With Somali After Foiled Attack (Xinhua)
- Somalia: EU training Mission Extended Budget Agreed And Mandate Amended (Council of European Union)
- The Changing Face Of Somalia (Sun News)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Vocal MP Escapes Car Bomb Assassination Attempt
20 November – Source: Kismayoo.com – 123 Words
An outspoken Member of the Federal Parliament, Dahir Amin Jeesow, has survived an assassination attempt on his life today afternoon, when an explosive device fitted into his bullet-proof pickup vehicle exploded in the capital, Mogadishu.
Two people – the legislator’s driver and a passerby — were injured in the Tuesday afternoon incident, which occurred at Maka Al-Mukarrama road. The MP, who escaped unhurt, was reportedly shopping at a nearby shop when the explosive device fitted on his car went off.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack on the MP. But, the Al-Shabaab militant group frequently carries out such attacks targeting government officials. The MP, who is elected from HirShabelle region, has yet to comment on the attempt on his life.
Insurance Demands By Somalia Delays KQ’s Flights To Mogadishu
20 November – Source: Goobjoog News – 273 Words
The inaugural direct flight by Kenya airways (KQ) from Nairobi to Mogadishu failed to take off as planned after Somalia demanded additional insurance from the Kenyan national carrier. According to KQ Chief Executive Officer Sebastian Mikosz, the Somalia flight will not take off until the airline “meets Somalia Aviation Authority’s insurance requirements.”
The official said that the new requirements has now forced the Kenyan carrier to postpone to December 5 the inaugural journey from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport. Initially, the flight was supposed to take off last Thursday, November 14th, a move that was expected to boost commercial ties with the Horn of Africa nation.
Mr Mikosz however did not disclose the additional insurance requirements or how different they are to what is already needed to fly to Somalia: “The additional requirements relate to insurances that the airline has to get for aircraft flying on this route. Approval process is what has delayed a bit and we expect to finalise this process within the shortest time possible,” he said.
Tickets for the Nairobi-Mogadishu route are priced at Sh42,000 ($403) for a round trip and Sh22,000 ($218) one way. The postponement of the Mogadishu flight comes a few days after the national carrier cut back the number of flights on the recently launched Nairobi-New York route citing low demand during the winter season.
The airline said it had already cancelled 10 scheduled flights on the New York route for the period beginning November 5 to December 5, adding that more flights are likely to be affected before the end of the winter season in March 2019.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya Beefs Up Security Along Border With Somali After Foiled Attack
20 November – Source: Xinhua – 332 Words
Kenya has beefed up security along its porous border with Somalia after the police foiled an attack by suspected al-Shabab militants in northeast region on Monday. Joseph Boinnet, inspector-general of police said security had been enhanced in the area with more personnel being deployed along the border to tame the terrorists.
“We have enhanced security at large as part of efforts to stop their activities near there,” he said, confirming four suspected terrorists were killed and several others injured during botched attack on a police camp in Ijara in Boni enclave.
Boinnet said unknown number of terrorists was targeting a camp occupied by the Administration Police’s Border Patrol Unit when they were repulsed in the dawn incident. Boinnet said the terrorists were also targeting a communication mast for destruction. The team of border patrol repulsed them fatally injuring four while several ran with serious wounds.
Boinnet said security had been enhanced in the area with more personnel being deployed along the border area to tame the terror activities. “We have enhanced security at large as part of efforts to stop their activities near there,” he said. Witnesses said the officers were still patrolling the expansive forest in search for more bodies.
According to police officer based in the area, the militants wanted to carry out a simultaneous attack on the police camp and the near by Safaricom mast. The militants usually destroy telecommunication mast to disrupt police response and communication in the area before they could inflict harm on the locals.
The incident comes barely two weeks after local government officials held a security meeting with the locals in the area which is near the Somali border to enhance security. Ijara region has bore the brunt of al-Shabab militants due to its proximity to Boni forest and Somalia where the militants carry out attacks before escaping back. A number of security personnel have died as a result of the attacks some that include improvised explosive devices placed on roadsides by al-Shabab militants.
Somalia: EU training Mission Extended, Budget Agreed And Mandate Amended
19 November – Source: Council of European Union – 266 Words
The Council extended the mandate of EU military training mission EUTM Somalia until 31 December 2020 and agreed on a budget of €22.9 million for the period 1 January 2019 until 31 December 2020.
The Council also slightly adapted the mission’s existing mandate of providing political and strategic level military advice to the Somali authorities and contributing to the development of the Somali National Army’s (SNA) own training capacity with a view to handing over training activities for tactical units once conditions are met. The mission continues to support Somali-owned and Somali-provided training. It also supports other actors in carrying out their respective mandates in the security and defence area in Somalia.
EUTM Somalia was launched in December 2010 to provide political and strategic level military advice and mentoring to Somali defence institutions. The mission focuses on specific mentoring, advice, tailored training and capacity-building in order to contribute to the development of the Somali National Army, with the focus on delivering effective and sustainable security in the country.
EUTM Somalia has been based in Mogadishu since 2014. It has a team of more than 200 staff and is led on the ground by Brigadier General Matteo Spreafico (Italy). EUTM Somalia is part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to Somalia, which comprises diplomatic efforts, development support, humanitarian aid as well as security engagement. It includes two complementary missions under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy: EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA contributing to fighting piracy off the Somali coast and EUCAP Somalia for maritime security capacity development in the Horn of Africa and the Western Indian Ocean.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“AMISOM has undertaken extensive capacity building for the Somali national army and police force. In addition to training, joint operations have been conducted, as well as hands-on mentoring for officers.”
The Changing Face Of Somalia
20 November – Source: Sun News – 1,822 Words
Last week, two bomb blasts were experienced in Somalia. Despite pockets of explosions being perpetrated by Al Shabaab group, peace is gradually returning to the one time war-torn country, especially in the capital city, Mogadishu. Commercial activities, including nightlife, schools and government agencies have resumed.
African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) confirmed that it was no longer business as usual for Al Shabaab as it has totally reclaimed Mogadishu from the group. Head of the African mission in Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, said serious progress had been made by the African mission comprising Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Sierra Leone, which contributed a total number of 189 policemen to train and retrain Somalia police.
He said: “You have come at the time when the focus of the mission is on the transition. Our mandate in Somalia was renewed by the United Nations Security Council until May 2019, in its resolution 2431 of 2018. This same resolution agreed with the position of the African Union that the withdrawal of AMISOM from Somalia should be conducted in gradual and pushed manner, to ensure that the security gains made so far are not lost.
“The drawdown from Somalia began in December 2017, with 1000 troops withdrawn. And it will continue with the withdrawal of another 1000 at the end of February 2019. In line with the transition plan, our current priorities include the capture of the territory that remains under the control of Al Shabaab, specifically the Jubba Valley. This will be through joint operations with the Somali National Army and Somali Police Force.
“We have to clear the major roads linking cities. Even though the major towns are liberated from Al Shabaab control, the terrorists continue to hide in remote areas. We need to clear those routes to allow free movement of people and goods. The training and mentorship for the Somali National Army and Somali Police Force continues as a key priority. This has been ongoing, but will be intensified. All these are undertaken in addition to the continued support for the Federal Government of Somalia as well as the federal and state governments jointly working towards a safer and more secured Somalia.”
Madeira stated that Somalia has experienced economic boom, adding that Somalis are returning home, as the real estate sector booms. The country’s economy, he said, is being assessed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is supporting effort towards the implementation of key reforms, including introduction of a new currency. He also said that the war-torn country, with decades of no education, is finding its feet as 23,000 students sat for this year’s secondary school examination.
“In terms of social services, key sectors such as education are showing signs of hope for the first time in decades. In June 2016, an estimated 7,000 took part in the national exams for secondary schools for the first time in 25 years. This year, the number of students more than doubled with 23,000 students sitting for the exams.
TOP TWEETS
@Magdashi3: BREAKING: At least two people have injured after a bomb fitted into their vehicle exploded near Kuwait Plaza Hotel in Makka Al Mukarama road in the downtown of #Somalia‘s capital #Mogadishu. Not clear the identity of the two people who was targeted them.
@RadioErgo: #SOMALILAND: Abdirahman Farah Ali is another parent whose life has been taken over by the financial and emotional pressures of trying to save a child. His son, Zakariye, 17, left Burao in March 2017, planning to travel onwards to Europe. @IOM_Somalia https://www.radioergo.org/
@DalsanFM: BREAKING: Somalia government declares Tuesday a public holiday to mark the Milad-Un-Nabi celebrations#Mogadishu #Somalia.
@Tuuryare_Africa: 700,000 people flee conflict to seek safety in#Somali region of #Ethiopia | NRC.
@Goobjoognews: INSURANCE DEMANDS by Somalia delays KQ’s flights to Mogadishu via @goobjoognews.
@engyarisow: I had a great meeting with George Conway@gconway_UNDP and discussed strengthening our partnership working to deliver services to Somali people.
@DalsanFM: Somalia’s Finance Ministry Under Scope As $42 M Is Unaccounted https://www.radiodalsan.com/
@Cantoobo: Visited Haile Bariise Vocational Education Centre in Yaqshid District this morning, with Federal Gov Ministers including Ministers of Planning, Labour and Education for the launch of Haile Barise Solar Excellence Centre. Supported by@NorwayInSomalia.
@Halbeeg_News: EU training mission in Somalia extended with new budget https://en.halbeeg.com/2018/
@A_Nur: Shelter projects in Kismayo were very encouraging and is going on smoothly. Thanks Jubaland authority for allocating permeant land to displaced persons. Appreciated JRIA for their coordination. Thanks partners: UNHCR, IOM, ARC, NRC, GIZ, Care Int., Mercy Corp, Safe the Children.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire during a meeting in Mogadishu with a delegation led by the Finland State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuli Virtanen.
Photo: @SomaliPM