November 22, 2013| Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali prime minister to face confidence vote in parliament

21 Nov- Source: Kismaayo Online/Jowhar Online/Dhanaan Online/Radio Dalsan/Garowe Online- 148 words

Somali Prime Minister is expected to face a new confidence vote in Parliament on Saturdayas a power-struggle between the leader of the government and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud comes to a head. Reports say that 168 Somali members of parliament have on Thursday filed a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon and his cabinet. The filed motion was said to have been submitted to deputy speaker of the 275-seat chamber, Mahad Awad, and is expected to be debated on a Saturday session. Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon who leads a cabinet that has been in place since the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud last year, has come under intense pressure to step down in recent weeks, with Hassan Sheikh leading calls for him to go. Shirdon refused to resign and has instead called for parliament intervention, terming president’s attempt to oust him unconstitutional.

Key Headlines

  • Somali Speaker  says Somalia is ready to host foreign investors (Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan/SNTV)
  • Somali prime minister to face confidence vote in parliament (Kismaayo Online/Jowhar Online)
  • Somali government responds to self declared Somaliland claims (Radio Dalsan)
  • 200 arrested in security crackdown in Beledweyne (Radio Bar-kulan)
  • Somaliland Minister of Industry signs deal with Afro China Commerce Industry Group (Somaliland Informer)
  • Kenya: Terror suspects to wait longer for bail appeal (Standard Media)
  • Authorities arrest journalist keep hounding radio Shabelle (Reporters without Borders)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali Speaker  says Somalia is ready to host foreign investors

21 Nov- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan/SNTV-140 words

Somali Parliament Speaker, Prof. Mohamed Osman Jawari has told international investors in the African-Arab Summit in Kuwait that his country is stable and ready for investment. Speaking in Kuwait, Jawari said that Somalia has turned a new page of hope, peace and good governance while adding that the federal government has improved human rights record and democratic values in the country. He said that Somalia could be a vital link between Africa and Arab countries in their attempt to improve the  trading ties between the two blocks given his country’s strategic location. Jawari emphasized that both Somali people and government are ready to establish trading ties with Africa and Arab countries, citing the rich mineral and marine resources of his country. Speaker Jawari is representing Somalia in the Africa-Arab Summit in Kuwait in the absence of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Somali prime minister to face confidence vote in parliament

21 Nov- Source: Kismaayo Online/Jowhar Online/Dhanaan Online/Radio Dalsan/Garowe Online- 148 words

Somali Prime Minister is expected to face a new confidence vote in Parliament on Saturday as a power-struggle between the leader of the government and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud comes to a head. Reports say that 168 Somali members of parliament have on Thursday filed a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon and his cabinet. The filed motion was said to have been submitted to deputy speaker of the 275-seat chamber, Mahad Awad, and is expected to be debated on a Saturdaysession. Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon who leads a cabinet that has been in place since the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud last year, has come under intense pressure to step down in recent weeks, with Hassan Sheikh leading calls for him to go. Shirdon refused to resign and has instead called for parliament intervention, terming president’s attempt to oust him unconstitutional.

Somali government responds to self declared Somaliland claims

21 Nov- Source: Radio Dalsan- 103 words

The federal government of Somalia has dismissed its northern self declared state neighbor of Somaliland claims of trying to destabilize its territory. Minister for interior and national security Abdikarim Hussein termed the Somali Land claims as baseless. Mr. Abdikarim in his press conference said the federal government is mandated to protect its citizens and not destabilize it as put by his Somaliland counterpart. Somaliland earlier blamed the policy of President Sheikh Mohamud as threat to its internal security. Somaliland declared its independence from the entire country in 1991 after the collapse of the central government of Somalia and is lobbying for recognition.

200 arrested in security crackdown in Beledweyne

21 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 134 words

At least 200 people have been arrested in a security crackdown conducted by Somali forces in Beledweyne town in central Somalia. Government forces deputy commander in Hiran region, Col Mohamed Aden Aney Amin told Bar-kulan that the crackdown was meant to beef up the security in the area following Tuesday’s deadly attack on a police station in the town. He said that security officials will carry out investigations and anyone found of creating mayhem and insecurity in the town will face severe consequences. He promised that the security forces will continue carrying out the crackdown in order to bring the security situation in the region under control. At least 28 people were killed after gunmen stormed a police station and opened fire on police officers in Beledweyne. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility of the assault.

Somaliland Minister of Industry signs deal with Afro China Commerce Industry Group

21 Nov- Source: Somaliland Informer- 139 words

Mr. Abiid Diriye Nur, Somaliland Minister of Industry has signed an international deal with a delegation of Afro China Commerce Industry Group on Thursday who came to Somaliland to explore investment opportunities. The signing in ceremony has been held in the ministry of industry and the agreement says that the will establish at least 20 manufacturing plants across the nation. The wealthiest Chinese entrepreneurs will create plants that will produce cars, bikes and one where children beverages and foods are processed. It is also signed by both parties that China homemade products to be sold domestically in Somaliland.Chinese entrepreneurs said that the reason why they decided to invest Somaliland is that it is an oasis of peace and stability in hostile region. They also said that China is now seeking to invest many countries in the African continent.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya: Terror suspects to wait longer for bail appeal

21 Nov- Source: Standard Media – 194 words

Four suspected terrorists, alleged to be behind the Westgate Mall siege will know next week if they will be granted bail. By Wednesday, only one of the suspects had filed a replying affidavit as requested by the prosecutor. During the mention of the case, State Counsel Mungai Warui told Nairobi Chief Magistrate the defence filed replying affidavits late, and the prosecution needed time to respond. He requested for two days to get in touch with the investigation officer in the case.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Authorities arrest journalist, keep hounding radio Shabelle

21 Nov- Source: Reporters without Borders-  346 words

Reporters Without Borders deplores Radio Shabelle journalist Mohamed Bashir Hashi’s arrest yesterday and the government’s continuing harassment of this radio station and other independent media. Hashi had posted a video on the Radio Shabelle website in which he interviewed a young female reporter describing her alleged rape by two male journalists. Hashi and the woman were later arrested after one of the two incriminated journalists filed a complaint against them.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“The failure of Nairobi’s security and intelligence forces to interdict the Westgate attack is rooted in the wider counter-insurgency policy against al Shabaab and their increasingly numerous Kenya-based franchises.”

What pushed Kenya into Somalia?

21 Nov- Source: The Africa Report-1590 Words

On a sweltering afternoon nearly a month after the Westgate attack, a lone policeman at the Ngaremara barrier five kilometres away from Isiolo town barely glanced as a vehicle slalomed through the security check. Shimmering in the sun, Isiolo is a dusty trading town three streets deep on both sides of the new highway. Tour vans stop there for supplies before entering the wildlife parks. In the centre of the country, Isiolo is a Kenyan crossroads: Muslims come down from the north; Christians arrive from the south; then from all angles come the pastoralists, highland farmers, refugees and immigrants. In the car, the conversation had turned to the price of guns and mbuzis. In Kiswahili, mbuzi means goat, but it is also slang for illegal immigrants – Ethiopian and Somali nationals looking for a way into southern Kenya and beyond.  Mbuzi is the word shared by human traffickers and the policemen they bribe to get them past the security checks.

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