November 29, 2013 | Morning Headlines.
Federal Govt, AMISOM forces clash with al Shabaab near Beledweyne
28 Nov- Radio Garowe/ Hiiraan Online- 158 words
Somali Government forces aided by AMISOM Wednesday launched a clean-up operation in the outskirts of Beledweyne, the provincial capital of Hiiraan following deadly assault on Police station by al Shabaab. Local reports say Somali-AMISOM forces moved into Luuq-Jeelow, Shabelley, El-Bar and Buq-Gosar villages, located a few kilometers from Beledweyne where heavy battle occurred.
Federal Government of Somalia’s Defence Minister Abdihakin Haji Mohamud FiqiWednesday said that they seized four areas from Al Shabaab militants “Our brave forces took over four vicinities near Beledweyne”. “Al Shabaab is languishing in their final days and apart from anti-al Shabaab offensives those people are in fear and suspicion,”noted Fiqi. The Defence Minister said that the morale of Somali government soldiers has been boosted as the government regularly pays their salaries and support services. Al Shabaab military operations spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Muscab said they have inflicted heavy losses on Djiboutian forces after their fighters ambushed AMISOM convoy between Beledweyne and Luuq-Jeelow.
Key Headlines
- “We have high expectation from those who are graduating from universities”(Office of the President)
- Defence Minister applauds gains of allied forces in Hiiraan (Radio Mogadishu)
- Somalia’s 2014 Budget doubles (Office of the Prime Minister)
- Somaliland President signs landmark agreement with British and Danish ambassadors(Somaliland Informer)
- President Hassan vows to improve education sector (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Universal TV)
- 75000 children receive Polio vaccination in Bay region(Radio Ergo)
- Medical charity MSF warns over Kenya plan on Somali refugees(Daily Nation)
- Terror suspects’ bail bid to be decided on December 4 (Star (Kenya)
- Somali police struggle to stop deadly attacks(AP)
PRESS STATEMENT
“We have high expectation from those who are graduating from universities”
28 Nov- Source: Office of the President- 127 words
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia addressing a graduation ceremony The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia addressing a graduation ceremony “We have high expectation from those who are graduating from universities”
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E. Hassan Sh. Mohamud participated SIMAD university’s graduation ceremony as the guest speaker making an encouraging speech to the graduates.
In his speech the President said.” I am very pleased today to witness the progress made on the education front. As a government we are committed to supporting education in Somalia, including higher education.”
Addressing the graduates President Hassan, said“ My fellows, countries prosper because of their commitment and the advancement of their education sector. Somali students graduating from domestic universities highlights the achievement of a new cohort of Somali professionals and I am certain that you will fill much needed gaps in both public and the private sector.”
The President concluded by congratulating the graduating students and their families, and wished them a successful future in Somalia.
Somalia’s 2014 Budget doubles
28 Nov- Source: Office of the Prime Minister- 199 words
The Somali Federal Government is committed to increasing the annual Budget, His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said today after Cabinet unanimously endorsed the Budget for 2014.
The 2014 Budget is more than double that of 2013 rising from $114.3 million in 2013 to $221 million next year. Only 11 months ago the government used to raise just $2.2 million in tax income, the total raised through local taxes has increased to $130m in next year’s Budget. The remaining $91m comes through donor projects on health, education, infrastructure and economic development.
The Budget will now go forward to be approved by Parliament.
The Prime Minister, said: “Cabinet has today endorsed the Budget for 2014, which sees a significant increase in the total budget. All of Somalia will benefit from increased government spending on security, justice, education and health.
“The Government of Somalia is committed to the continuing reform of our financial institutions and tax systems to increase the income of the state. The Ministry of Finance have proposed a number of reforms to land taxes to ensure businesses are contributing their fair share to society and the rebuilding of our country.
“The future prosperity of Somalia is directly linked to peace and stability and we must continue to work to create an environment which is attractive to investors and businesses which will benefit all Somali people.”
SOMALI MEDIA
Defence Minister applauds gains of allied forces in Hiiraan
28 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu- 166 words
Officials from Somalia’s Defence Ministry have applauded the recent gains of Somali forces and their African allies in the fight against al Shabaab in parts of Hiiran region. The Defence Minister of Somalia, Abdihakim Haji Mohamud Fiqi said that the Djiboutian contingent of AMISOM along with Somali forces have made huge gains in the battle against al Shabaab in Hiran over the past few days. He congratulated the African forces and the Somali troops for their recent advancements to al Shabaab bases in Hiran region as he promised that the forces will continue to carry on the battle to al Shabaab territories in the region. He emphasized that al Shabaab has been weakened by the advancing African and Somali forces in large swathes of the country and believes the end of the group is on the horizon. Fiqi finally stated that the allied forces have the support of the Somali people and will eventually drive the remnants of al Shabaab militant group out of the country.
Federal Govt, AMISOM forces clash with al Shabaab near Beledweyne
28 Nov- Radio Garowe/ Hiiraan Online- 158 words
Somali Government forces aided by AMISOM Wednesday launched a clean-up operation in the outskirts of Beledweyne, the provincial capital of Hiiraan following deadly assault on Police station by al Shabaab. Local reports say Somali-AMISOM forces moved into Luuq-Jeelow, Shabelley, El-Bar and Buq-Gosar villages, located a few kilometers from Beledweyne where heavy battle occurred.
Federal Government of Somalia’s Defence Minister Abdihakin Haji Mohamud Fiqi Wednesday said that they seized four areas from Al Shabaab militants “Our brave forces took over four vicinities near Beledweyne”. “Al Shabaab is languishing in their final days and apart from anti-al Shabaab offensives those people are in fear and suspicion,”noted Fiqi. The Defence Minister said that the morale of Somali government soldiers has been boosted as the government regularly pays their salaries and support services. Al Shabaab military operations spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Muscab said they have inflicted heavy losses on Djiboutian forces after their fighters ambushed AMISOM convoy between Beledweyne and Luuq-Jeelow.
Somaliland President signs landmark agreement with British and Danish ambassadors
29 Nov- Source: Somaliland Informer- 322 words
Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo has received a large delegation from Britain and Denmark on Thursday at his office in the presidential palace. the delegation is headed by British and Danish ambassador to Kenya and Ethiopia. The president of Somaliland has put the pen to paper and signed an agreement where Britain and Denmark will provide aid to Somaliland. The aid pledged by Britain and Denmark will be channeled directly to Somaliland account and will be managed by the Finance ministry. The meeting between Somaliland president and the ambassadors, Somaliland Foreign Minister Mr. Mohamed Biihi Yoonis, Planning minister Dr. sa’ad Ali Shire, Finance minister Mr. Abdi Asis Mohamed Samaale, Presidency minister Mr. Hirsi Haji Ali were in attendance. Somaliland president speaking at the signing ceremony thanked both governments for their commitment to held Somaliland. Mr. Silanyo said that both Denmark and Britain are close allies with Somaliland. Dr. Sa’ad, Somaliland Planning Minister spelled out the agreement and said that the aid provided by both countries will be deposited into Somaliland development Fund account and it has been established with the help of Britain and Denmark. The Fund was initiated with $ 52 Million and the British government pledged with $ 5 million. The Minister hoped that governments that are friends with Somaliland will follow suit and contribute aid to the Fund. The minister further said that Somaliland will decide about the Fund but the aid is decided by donor countries. The Development Committee will decide what to do with the fund alongwith Somaliland ministry of planning. Most of the money will be implemented on projects with Agriculture, Livestock, environment, water and roads. Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Mohamed Biihi Yoonis said that Both Britain and Denmark pledged large sum of money to Somaliland and thanked for their commitment to help Somaliland. Both ambassadors urged the government of president Silanyo to have accountability and transparency when it comes to where the money is injected.
President Hassan vows to improve education sector
28 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-ulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Universal TV- 177 words
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has once again reiterated his government’s commitment to reforming the education sector in Somalia. Speaking at a graduation ceremony at Simad University where 700 graduates received their honors said that the government will start the implementation of education reforms. He urges the graduates to serve their country and contribute to the rebuilding process of the nation. The President of Simad University, Abdirahman Odawa who also spoke at the graduation ceremony praised the graduates for their hard work during the turbulent times in Somalia. The graduates completed degree courses in the fields of Commerce, Accounting and Information Technology and some of them who spoke to Bar-kulan said that they will serve their county.
75,000 children receive Polio vaccination in Bay region
28 Nov- Source: Radio Ergo- 181 words
At least 75,000 children in Somalia’s south-central Bay region were vaccinated against Polio last week, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). A WHO officer told Radio Ergo’s local reporter that the vaccination campaign had been carried out over five days last week in four of the five districts in Bay region. These districts are the regional capital district of Baidoa, Qansahdhere, Burhakuba and Bardale districts. The residents were reported to have been largely receptive to the vaccination programme and parents brought their children to be vaccinated. The vaccination of children under 10 in Bay is part of the larger national polio eradication campaign. According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, at least 108 polio cases have been reported from Somalia since April – equivalent to almost half the number of cases around the world in 2012. However, the district of Dinsor was left out, as it is controlled by al-Shabab and the vaccination programme has been banned. Health officers said several rural areas were not accessible because of recent rains that have damaged the infrastructure, as well as because of insecurity.
Somaliland Vice President tours Burco
28 Nov- Source: Somaliland Informer- 148 words
A large delegation headed by Somaliland vice president Abdirahman Abdilahi Ismail “Zaylici’ has reached Burco, Togdheer regional capital city where he is expected to officially open development projects implemented in the region. The delegation led by the VP has been greeted by the regional governor Mr. Hamarji along with the mayor and other regional officials. Mr. Hamarji, the regional governor said that the trip of the vice president to Buroa is to know the real situation on the ground and that he is about to open development projects in the province. The governor added that he will hold meetings with regional officials in the province. Somaliland’s vice president is supposed to open the largest and modernized slaughterhouse implemented by the ministry of livestock and assisted by FAO.
The vice president is accompanied by the Agriculture, Livestock and state ministers of education and presidency.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Medical charity MSF warns over Kenya plan on Somali refugees
28 Nov- Source: Daily Nation- 594 words
An international medical charity has warned that an agreement to begin the voluntary repatriation of Somalis from Kenya must not happen at the expense of providing aid to refugees. The Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders (MSF), however, said the repatriation could potentially be a positive step. The agreement, signed on November 10 by the UN, Kenya and Somalia, outlines the practical and legal procedures for the voluntary return of hundreds of thousands of refugees to Somalia, many of whom were born in Kenya’s vast refugee camps or have lived there for up to 22 years.
Terror suspects’ bail bid to be decided on December 4
28 Nov- Source: Star (Kenya)- 163 words
The High Court will deliver its ruling on a bail application by four suspected terrorists linked to the Westgate Shopping Mall attack on December 4. Chief magistrate Kiarie Waweru Kiarie of today adjourned a hearing on whether to release the accused persons on bond after parties completed their final submissions. The accused persons urged the court to release them on bond pending the trial of the case. The suspects, Adan Mohamed Ibrahim alias Adan Mohamed Ibrahim Adan Abdikadir Adan alias Adan Dheq, Mohamed Ahmed Abdi, Omar Liban Abdulle and Hussein Hassan Mustafa are charged of being involved in the attack in the Westgate mall in September in which 67 people died and over 100 other were injured.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somali police struggle to stop deadly attacks
28 Nov- Source: AP- 903 words
A Somali police officer is warned on his walkie-talkie that a suspicious car is approaching in the pitch darkness. Alerted, police at the partially-lit checkpoint immediately stop incoming cars, frisk passengers and search for explosives. However, some cars had already passed through unrestricted and tension spreads among the jittery soldiers, who are chewing khat, leaves that are stimulants. They say they don’t want a bomb-laden vehicle to pass through their check-point and then explode in Mogadishu. The KM4 junction is the seaside capital’s busiest intersection and a hub that links key government centers. It’s one of the most strategic checkpoints for the city, yet the police at KM4 say they lack essential equipment to check the hundreds of cars that cross there each hour.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Refugee and human rights organizations have expressed concern about the safety of Somalia for returnees. A recent assessment by Amnesty International described security improvements in the capital as “extremely limited in scope”, noting that the situation had actually deteriorated since the beginning of 2013.”
How safe is going home to Somalia?
28 Nov-Source: IRIN-1205 Words
Not so long ago, Somali asylum seekers were arriving in South Africa at a rate of about 1,500 a month. Even a year ago, about 100 a week were still trickling in, according to the Somali Association of South Africa. These days, many more are departing than arriving, and most of them are leaving on flights bound for Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital. “Life is difficult for them in South Africa,” said Reys Ofman, general secretary of the Somali Association. “But mainly… [they are going] because of the changes in Somalia.” Out of an estimated 50,000 Somalis living in South Africa, about 2,000 have applied to the Somali Embassy in Pretoria for travel documents to return home since the beginning of 2013, according to Mohamed Ali Mire, head of mission at the embassy. “Others don’t need to come through us if they have documents,” he told IRIN. Based on interviews with would-be returnees, Mire said the majority are going back “because Somalia is improving in terms of security and they believe they can make a difference; they want to participate in the re-building of Somalia.” How much the security situation has improved in the Horn of Africa country is debatable, but after over 20 years of conflict, signs that some areas are becoming more stable appear to be enough for many Somalis eager to be reunited with families.