November 4, 2013| Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Jubba reconciliation conference opens in Mogadishu

03 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/ RBC- 126 words

The reconciliation conference for jubba communities is officially underway in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The conference has officially been opened by Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdoon expressing his optimism of achieving a lasting solution for Gedo and Jubba crisis. Ethiopian ambassador to Somalia as well and United Nations representatives hailed the opening of the summit urging all parties to implement the accord signed by the Federal Government of Somalia and the Interim Jubba Administration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Organized by the Federal Government of Somalia, the meeting brings together the Federal Government of Somalia, Interim Jubba Administration and international community representatives. Delegates are expected to discuss about reconciling Somali clans in Gedo and Jubba regions, federalization process and completing the formation of inclusive Jubba Administration.

Key Headlines

Prime Minister calls on Jubba to be “the symbol of federal success in Somalia” (OPM)
Jubba reconciliation conference opens in Mogadishu (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
Somali PM: The new cabinet ministers will be 23 (Radio Mustaqbal/Universal TV/ Hiiraan Online)
Somali forces arrest 16 people in security crackdown in Beledweyne (Radio Bar-kulan/RBC)
Gunbattle kills 10 al Shabaab fighters near Kulbiyow Lower Jubba (Kismaayo News/ Radio Dalsan)
Somali army attacks al Shabaab base (Aljazeera)
Somali deputy PM: UN will support us training and enforcement of the national army (Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Mogadishu)
Police shot dead man for hitting car on checkpoint in Mogadishu (Radio Dalsan)
Jubba interim leader meets delegates in Mogadishu (Radio Mustaqbal)
Security forces thwart explosion attempt in Beled Hawo (Radio Bar-kulan)
Southern IDPs in Burao “forgotten” (Radio Ergo)
African Union forces destroy al Shabaab camp in S. Somalia (Walta/VOA)
Qatar’s influence in Somalia edges out traditional Arab power-house Egypt (East African)
Ghana Police in Somalia (ghanaweb)
Somalia central bank governor resigns after seven weeks (Financial Times)
‘Pirate Trails’ Tracks Dirty Money Resulting From Piracy Off the Horn of Africa (worldbank)

PRESS STATEMENT

Prime Minister calls on Jubba to be “the symbol of federal success in Somalia”

03 Nov- Source: Office of the Prime Minister- 236 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon called on the Jubba region to be “the symbol of federal success in Somalia.”

Opening the three day Reconciliation Conference for Jubba Communities on Sunday in Mogadishu, which brought together all the clans and communities from the Jubba regions, the Prime Minister said:

“We are all Somalis, whatever region or clan we come from. The government’s constitutional mandate is to establish a federal state as the end goal and that is what we are working towards. It is a complex and difficult process but something this government will not shy away from, as is evident through the Addis Ababa agreement and today’s conference. But it will not happen overnight”.

The Prime Minister committed the government to meeting the Addis Ababa agreement in full which was also supported by all delegates participating in the reconciliation conference.

Strong federal states are the future of a stable and united Somalia, the Prime Minister said:

“Peace is the most potent weapon, the brave thing to do is to go for an inclusive, peaceful and stable region. I want the Interim Jubba Administration to be the stepping stone to a full-fledged Jubbaland federal state and the symbol of federal success in Somalia.

“The future new Somalia will be built on strong federalist states under the banner of a united Somalia.”

PM appeals for urgent assistance for those affected by devastating floods in Middle Shabelle region

03 Nov- Source: Office of the Prime Minster- 164 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon today appealed to Somalis and international aid organisations to provide urgent assistance and essential services to the thousands of people affected by flooding in Jowhar district of Middle Shabelle region.

The flooding has already claimed the lives of 11 people, while a further 11 thousand people and 31 villages have been badly affected.
The Prime Minister, said:

“Thousands of people have lost their homes and livelihoods, crops have been destroyed and whole villages badly affected. The government alone does not yet have the capabilities or resources to come to the aid of so many affected people.”

“I appeal to Somalis, both here and abroad, and international aid agencies on behalf of the Federal Government and the Somalis caught up in these devastating floods to provide any assistance they can to the thousands of people affected by floods in and around Jowhar district.”

Somali President Visits Port City of Kismayo

01 Nov- Source: Office of the President- 134 words

The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud concluded a two days visit to the Port City of Kismayo.

During his visit, the President was well received by the people of Kismayo and the Interim Jubba Administration.

The President of the Federal Republic met with the elders, the interim Jubba Administration, members of the civil society and the business community.

Addressing a large audience at the University hall, the President pledged an unequivocal commitment from his administration to restoring peace and unity across Somalia.

While meeting with the Jubba Interim administration, an inclusive reconciliation conference to be held in Mogadishu was agreed on.

After an inspection tour of the Port of Kismayo by the President and his delegation, the successful trip was concluded by a return to Mogadishu City.

SOMALI MEDIA

Jubba reconciliation conference opens in Mogadishu

03 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/ RBC- 126 words

Somali PM: The new cabinet ministers will be 23

03 Oct- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Universal TV/ Hiiraan Online- 85 words

The Prime minister of Somali federal government H.E Abdi Farah Shirdon hinted plans to reshuffle cabinet and number of the ministries. The PM said the new coming cabinet will consist of 23 ministries, adding that it is very important to make changes in the executive branch of the government. Abdi didn’t specify the exact time the new ministers will be announced, but stressed and further explained that the coming ministries will only be 23 ministries. No prediction yet on the individuals that will appear in cabinet.

Somali forces arrest 16 people in security crackdown in Beledweyne

03 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/RBC- 149 words

Somali government forces have arrested 16 people suspected of being al Shabaab members in central Somali town of Beledweyne during a major security crackdown. Colonel Tawane Ahmed, the chief commander of the region, said that the operation is part of a major government clamp down against the militant group in the area. Ahmed stated that some of the suspects are believed to be genuine al Shabaab fighters after his forces confiscated six assault rifles, adding that the suspects are under police custody. Mohamed Ibrahim Tusbahle, the deputy security chief in Hiran region, promised that tougher actions will be taken to improve the security in the region. He adds that the alleged al Shabaab members will be taken to court in due course. He, however, urges the residents in the town of Beledweyne to establish regular contacts with the security personnel to maintain the fragile security situation in the region.

Gunbattle kills 10 al Shabaab fighters near Kulbiyow, Lower Jubba

03 Oct- Source: Kismaayo News/ Radio Dalsan/Radio Star- 112 words

Somali officials said that at least 10 al Shabaab fighters were killed after a joint assault on al Shabaab base near the town of Kulbiyow, Somalia’s Lower Jubba region on Saturday. The gun battle between al Shabaab fighters and the Somali National Army backed by the AMISOM forces begun on Saturday after the joint forces attacked bases believed to be al Shabaab hideouts. Badhaadhe district commissioner Farah Haybe has confirmed the death of one of the Somali soldiers. Haybe added that the government soldiers killed 10 of al Shabaab fighters in the attack. The area is reportedly calm on Sunday despite reports of possible hit and run attacks that may occur in the coming days.

Somali deputy PM: UN will support us training and enforcement of the national army

03 Nov- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Mogadishu- 132 words

The foreign minister and deputy prime minister of Somali federal government who has returned on Sunday, further detailed the meetings she participated in overseas. Speaking to the journalists at Adden Adde International airport, Fowsia Yusuf Haji Aden said that United Nations will support Somalia on training and enforcement of national army so as to improve the security of the war-ravaged nation. The deputy prime minister held meetings with leaders in security council in New York and discussed with them how those nations will help in supporting and training Somalia’s army. Fowsiya added that she had made great efforts to persuade the security council to back up Somalia’s troops support program.

Police shot dead man for hitting car on checkpoint in Mogadishu

02 Nov- Source: Radio Dalsan- 169 words

Police at the Criminal Investigation Department [CID] in Mogadishu have shot and killed a man after hitting his TOYOTA NOAH vehicle against a security checkpoint at the CID headquarters near the busy K4 junction. According to eyewitnesses, the man drove towards the security checkpoint at the main entrance of the CID headquarters where the police regularly investigate the alleged people before sending them to jail or court of law. “The police on duty who were very vigilant ordered the man to stop but unfortunately he failed and he was shot and killed, the eyewitness said. The eyewitnesses accounts claim that the victim was a young diaspora man who has recently returned from Europe. The police arrested a woman who was also on the car. Initial reports say that the police suspected the speeding car as there were many suicide car bombers in the capital recently, but up-to now the police found no evidence showing that the car may have been a suicide bomber.

Security forces thwart explosion attempt in Beled Hawo

01 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 113 words

The administration officials in Beled Hawo town have thwarted an explosion attempt aimed at causing harm to the civilians in the border town between Kenya and Somalia, according to the officials. Deputy Chief of Beled Hawo town in Gedo region, Addow Noor Hassan told Bar-kulan that security personnel thwarted the attack after they were informed of a landmine planted at the livestock market in the town. Hassan said that the security in the town is now under the control of the administration, meanwhile, he urges the residents in the area to work closely with the security personnel to maintain the security in the town.

Jubba interim leader meets delegates in Mogadishu

03 Nov- Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 113 words

The leader of Jubba interim administration Sheik Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) has met with some of delegates participating in the reconciliation conference on Saturday night in Mogadishu. The meeting comes ahead of the conference that opened in Mogadishu on Sunday. Imam Rashid Abdi Ahmed who was one of the elders that met with Ahmed Madobe in Mogadishu, said they discussed a range of issues including the agenda of the conference and other matters relating to the regions. Delegates from the clans in Jubba regions have gathered at Al-Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu where the conference was officially opened by Somali prime minister Abdi Farah Shirdon.

Southern IDPs in Burao “forgotten”

01 Nov- Source: Radio Ergo- 236 words

Hundreds of displaced families living in Somaliland’s Burao town complain that they are being forgotten by aid agencies. Ibrahim Somaw Daryel, the chairman of 15 May Camp, said more than 600 families, who fled from their original homes in southern Somalia, have been living in Burao for the past 10 years, with no support. “We don’t have enough food or shelters,” Daryel told Radio Ergo’s local reporter, who was travelling with a visiting delegation from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(OCHA) on Sunday. Maryam Aden Abdi, a displaced mother with several children, said they had no skills and had not received any technical or vocational training, so found it hard to get jobs. “I go out begging from others in order to feed my family, it’s the only way I can get food,” said Abdi. Most of the displaced in Burao came from Mogadishu, Bay, and Bakool regions. They said aid agencies often came to the camps with promises but no one came back to fulfil their pledges. However, Daryel said that they were lucky as at least they had peace in the camps, describing this as “a privilege that many displaced families in the country don’t have.” The IDP camps are located on privately owned land. OCHA spokesman Abdi Yusuf Nur said they were trying to relocate them to land provided by the government, where schools and clinics could be provided.

REGIONAL MEDIA

African Union forces destroy al Shabaab camp in S. Somalia

02 Nov- Source: Walta Information Centre/VOA- 201 words

An al Shabaab training camp in Somalia has been destroyed as part of an effort to weaken the militant group, an official with African Union forces said. An official with the AU force said its armed operations against al Shabaab safe havens had resumed, targeting the group’s camps and senior commanders, Voice of America reported Thursday. The Kenyan Defense Ministry said its forces within the African Union mission conducted the attack, describing it as an airstrike that “completely destroyed” the training camp.

Somali army attacks al Shabaab base

02 Nov- Source: Aljazeera- 266 words

Somali government soldiers, backed by African Union peacekeepers, have clashed with al Shabaab fighters on the outskirts of Kolbiyo, a town in lower Jubba province near the Kenya-Somalia border. About 80 government soldiers on pick-up trucks attacked the group’s bases 10km from the town on Saturday, an al Shabaab spokesman told Al Jazeera. The early-morning attack lasted for more than an hour, he said. The Kenyan military said dozens of fighters from the anti-government group was killed in the ensuing clashes.

Qatar’s influence in Somalia edges out traditional Arab power-house Egypt

01 Nov- Source: the East African- 538 words

The tiny Gulf state of Qatar is shaping up to be the “most important Arab actor” in Somalia, even edging out the traditional Arab powerhouse Egypt, says a new report by Mohamed Hussein Gaas, a Norwegian scholar, adding that this is part of a bigger push to expand the rich state’s influence in the Horn of Africa. Although Qatar has been carrying out humanitarian efforts in Somalia since the late 1990s, Mr Gaas, argues that such aid — some of it given to politicians who use it to buy political support — intensified after the Islamic Courts Union took power in Mogadishu in 2006.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Ghana Police in Somalia

03 Nov- ghanaweb-405 words

Not long ago, the Ghana Police Service denied a report on the website of the Kofi Annan International Training Centre that a group of 90 police officers were undergoing training to be deployed in Somalia. In the denial the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Cephas Tetteh, added that there are no plans for Ghanaian security officers to be sent to Somalia for peacekeeping missions and urged the public to disregard the report. His denial created the impression that there are currently no Ghanaian Police officers in Somalia.

Somalia central bank governor resigns after seven weeks

01 Nov- Source: Financial Times- 588 words

The central bank governor of Somalia has unexpectedly resigned after seven weeks in the job, citing corruption concerns, in a blow to donors who have promised to pour billions of dollars of aid into the failed state. Yussur Abrar, who was one of the world’s few female central bank governors, was unavailable for comment on Friday. Donors who support her were frantically trying to reach her on Thursday night. They believe that she sent her resignation letter, dated October 30, from Dubai, before travelling to an unknown destination.

‘Pirate Trails’ Tracks Dirty Money Resulting From Piracy Off the Horn of Africa

01 Nov- Source: worldbank-1084 words

Between US$339 million and US$413 million was taken in ransom from the hijacking of ships off the coast of Somalia and the Horn of Africa between 2005 and 2012, according to a report released today. The study – carried out by the World Bank, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL – reveals that much of the ransom money was used to fuel a wide range of criminal activities on a global scale. “Pirate Trails” – using data and evidence from interviews with former pirates, government officials, bankers and others involved in countering piracy – investigates the flow of ransom money paid out to Somali pirates operating in the Indian Ocean. The study examines the reach of the pirates into the stimulant “khat” trade, human trafficking and other illegal activities that hinder development.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“I had come to Somalia to try to understand what impact two years on such a catastrophe has had on ordinary people like Mano and Ulumo. It had been some years since I was last in Somalia. It is hard to think of any other city in the world so comprehensively damaged as Mogadishu.”

Somalia: after the hunger

03 Nov- Source: Herald Scotland-1616 Words

‘I remember his blood, dark on the earth, the look on our children’s faces as he lay there.’ Mano, a young woman sitting beside me in Mogadishu, is telling me about the tragic death of her husband, lost in the bitter conflict in Somalia. Her family were already struggling to survive on their land affected by prolonged and agonising drought, when her husband became one of the many victims of the violence associated with the conflict that has lasted here for more than two decades. ‘I had no husband and my children no father; everywhere around us there was hunger, so we decided to leave our land for Mogadishu.’ Mano recalled. That journey was over 100 kilometres long, all on foot in the stifling heat. Hungry, thirsty and afraid, her four traumatised children – the youngest was only seven years old – struggled beside her.

“My take is that both the AU and the UN are wrong in pursuing expansion of Amisom troops at the expense of building the capacity of Somalia’s defence forces. Its Army, estimated at just about 10,000 men converted from local militias, is so ill-equipped that it lacks the capacity to secure towns freed from al Shabaab.”

Don’t send more AMISOM troops, build Somali Army

02 Nov- Source: Standard Media-585 Words

The UN Security Council is set to approve an additional 4,000 troops for AMISOM in Somalia to help the fledgling government maintain security in that nation. This follows the African Union request to send in more soldiers to fight al Shabaab due to its threats to nations in the region. If this additional force is deployed, it will bring the total number of the Amisom troops from several African nations to 22,000. AMISOM controls Mogadishu, Kismayo and other major towns in the south of the country. According to the UN, al Shabaab controls about a third of the territory. Recent UK media reports suggest that the organisation, which UN says has about 5,000 men, is regrouping, recruiting and training daily contrary to perceptions that they are finished.