November 5, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali Speaker asks PM to bring new cabinet before parliament for endorsement
05 Nov – Source: Bar-kulan/Radio Mustaqbal/Kulmiye – 112 words
The Speaker of the National Assembly Mohamed Osman Jawari has urged the Prime Minister to bring his newly appointed cabinet before the parliament for approval on or before 17th this month.
Speaking in Mogadishu shortly after the announcement of the new cabinet on Sunday, Jawari said parliament awaits Prime Minister Shirdon to seek parliamentary approval for his new cabinet as soon as possible as stipulated in the new constitution.
Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon on Sunday named his cabinet and appointed the first foreign affairs woman minister in the history of the country. The ten member cabinet is expected to stare the country out of the two decades old conflict in the horn of African country.
Key Headlines
- Somali Speaker asks PM to bring new cabinet before parliament for endorsement (Bar-kulan/Radio Mustaqbal/Kulmiye)
- EU welcomes Somali premier’s new cabinet line-up (Xinhua)
- Kismayo port comes under al Shabaab mortar attack (Shabelle)
- Uganda keen on regional peace says Museveni (New Vision)
- Minister for Africa welcomes Somalia’s new Council of Ministers (UK in Somalia)
- Somali pirates free Seychelles fishermen after year’s captivity (Reuters)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali Speaker asks PM to bring new cabinet before parliament for endorsement
05 Nov – Source: Bar-kulan/Radio Mustaqbal/Kulmiye – 112 words
The Speaker of the National Assembly Mohamed Osman Jawari has urged the Prime Minister to bring his newly appointed cabinet before the parliament for approval on or before 17th this month.
Speaking in Mogadishu shortly after the announcement of the new cabinet on Sunday, Jawari said parliament awaits Prime Minister Shirdon to seek parliamentary approval for his new cabinet as soon as possible as stipulated in the new constitution.
Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon on Sunday named his cabinet and appointed the first foreign affairs woman minister in the history of the country. The ten member cabinet is expected to stare the country out of the two decades old conflict in the horn of African country.
Kismayo port comes under al Shabaab mortar attack
05 Nov – Source: Shabelle – 104 words
Residents say al Shabaab fighters launched a mortar attack on Sunday night against ships that docked at the port of Kismayo city, which is controlled by Somali and Kenya forces along with the pro-government Raskamboni fighters.
The attack happened late last night as ships reportedly carrying weapons for the Kenyan AMISOM army in Kismayo docked at the harbor, with some reports saying the attack caused unconfirmed loss of life and property in the port.
Al Shabaab was forced out of Kismayo last month following two months of heavy offensives by the allied forces from Somalia and the African Union mission in Somalia known as (AMISOM).
Disarmament operation underway in Mogadishu
04 Nov – Source: Radio Risaala/Radio Dalsan – 82 words
This operation being undertaken by the government of Somali forces is targeting soldiers dressed in civilian clothing. Government troops are conducting an operation to disarm officers dressed in civilian attire
The police are searching the entire Banadir province to make sure no one roams in the streets of Mogadishu with guns except security forces.
The areas that were severely cleansed include Makka Al-Mukarama road where several officers were arrested. This operation is being conducted by Somalia’s military.
Meanwhile, Somali military commander General Ali Araye Osobleh said the operations will continue till the security of capital city is ensured, blaming that the rampant insecurity in the city on illegal armed men roaming on the streets.. The general noted that the operation will soon expand to outside Mogadishu.
Ten killed as allied forces clash with al Shabaab in southern Somali town
04 Nov – Source: Radio Galkacyo/Gedo Online/Kulmiye/Radio Mustaqbal – 175 words
At least ten people have been killed and several others injured when al Shabaab militants attacked a base of government forces and AMISOM (African Union’s Mission in Somalia) in a small village near Badhaadhe district in Lower Jubba Region, southern Somalia.
A local residents in the town who sought anonymity said that al Shabaab fighters attacked a base of government and AU troops, prompting an exchange of gunfire. He added that many pastoralists fled the area for fear of further confrontation. A Somali government official said that 10 people were killed in the fighting, adding that most of those killed were militants who carried out the attack.
Meanwhile, al Shabaab militants have claimed victory, saying they killed a number of government troops in the clash. The allied forces of Somalia and Kenyan forces seized the strategic port town of Kismayo from al Shabaab last month and since then, sporadic fighting between the two sides have been occurring in the parts of Lower Jubba Region, southern Somalia.
EU gives €50 million aid to Puntland
04 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/ Radio Garowe – 116 words
The European Union has given €50 million to semi-autonomous Somali region of Puntland to help it support its developmental projects in the region. Speaking in Garowe on Sunday, EU’s special envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso, said the aid will be used in improving security and education sector in the region in the next five years.
Area regional president Abdirahman Farole thanked the EU for the aid and praised the role of the European Union in supporting Somalia as a whole. The aid is part of the €158m EU grant to Somalia to improve education, the legal system and security as the Horn of Africa nation tries to recover from more than two decades of conflict.
UN agencies to reopen offices in southern Somali port city
03 Nov – Source: Puntland Post – 84 words
The United Nations World Food Programme and the World Health Organization say they will reopen offices in the southern Somali port city of Kismayo to “meet the humanitarian needs of its residents. The organizations said “there was reliable security in Kismayo”, the website added.
“Residents, who have not received any help from UN agencies for a long time, welcomed the announcement”, said the website. A United Nations delegation had earlier in the week visited the city to assess the humanitarian situation of its residents.
In Somaliland EU Approves $64Million Aid Package
03 Nov – Source: Somaliland Press – 111 words
European Union Delegation currently visiting the country have meet with members of Somaliland cabinet led by the Minister of National Planning Dr. Sacad Ali Shire. In the meeting which took place at the Ministry of National Planning, it was revealed that the European Union had promised they will grant $ 64 million Somaliland to finance sectors such as Education, fisheries, mining, water and Agriculture.
During a joint press conference the visiting EU representative and Ambassador D’Urso revealed that this funding shall be submitted directly to the government of Somaliland after proposals by the minister National Planning Dr. Sacad Ali and minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdilahi Omar.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Uganda keen on regional peace, says Museveni
05 Nov – Source: New Vision – 247 words
Uganda is committed to supporting the restoration of peace and stability in the region despite the ongoing negative stance portrayed in some sections of the media, President Yoweri Museveni has said. The President gave the assurance while meeting the American Under-Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, at State House, Entebbe on Saturday.
US ambassador Scott De Lisi and the deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Cynthia Akuetteh, attended the meeting. Sherman was in Uganda as part of her tour of the African continent that took her to South Africa, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Ethiopia.
Museveni and Sherman discussed issues concerning the Great Lakes region, according to a statement issued by State House. The meeting came a day after the Government announced its decision to withdraw from Somalia and other regional security missions in protest against a leaked report of UN experts that accuses Uganda of supporting M23 rebels in eastern Congo.
Sherman commended Museveni for his efforts in establishing security, stability, peace and development in Uganda as well as his participation in the peace process in Somalia, South Sudan and Congo in addition to flushing the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels out of Uganda.
Confessions of an ex-al Shabaab fighter
05 Nov – Source: New Vision – 906 words
Isa Ali Senkumbi, 19, was recruited into al-Shabaab group and trained as a suicide bomber. Born to Abdullah Muyingo and Khadija Nakayiza of Mengo, Senkumbi studied at Nakivubo Blue Primary School till P.6. He told Petride Mudoola his story.
What led you into terrorism?
It was my childhood friend, Hassan Hussein. We regularly converged at Makindye mosque for prayers. One afternoon, in 2007, he requested me to accompany him to Nairobi for Islamic training but asked me not to inform my parents about it. We left Kampala aboard a Kampala coach bus, on a wednesday at about 3.00pm.
Little did I know Hassan was recruiting me into al Shabaab. We reached Nairobi at about midnight and spent two hours in Isiri, a Somali-dominated town, before heading to Mombasa. There, we stayed at Sakina Mosque for a month attending Jihad Hafsi (spiritual training). Later we headed to Somalia.
Police hold suspect over grenade attack on Garissa church
05 Nov – Source: Xinhua/Coast week – 711 words
One person has been arrested by police officers in Garissa town of northern Kenya in connection to the church grenade attack earlier on Sunday that led to the death of one policeman and left 14 others seriously injured.
Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim while confirming the arrest of the middle aged man said that he would assist with crucial information that would help apprehend the suspects. “This man told us that he saw a gentleman walking around the church a few minutes before the explosion.
Somali elders add new wrinkle to political process
04 Nov – Source: Al Jazeera – 2:42 words
Somalia has unveiled a new Cabinet including a female foreign minister, Fozia Yusuf Haji Aden. She’s the first woman to hold such a senior position. But the Government is also looking to Somalia’s traditional elders to help underpin the political transition.
Somalia prime minister unveils leaner cabinet
04 Nov – Source: Al Jazeera – 184 words
Somalia has unveiled a new leaner cabinet in which a woman has been appointed as foreign minister for the first time in the country’s history. Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan, the new minister, hails from the self-declared independent state of Somaliland and lived in Britain for a long time.
Another woman named to the new government, Maryan Qasim Ahmed, will take the portfolio of development and social affairs. She had previously served as women’s minister. “After long discussions and consultations, I have named my cabinet which consists of only 10 members,” Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid, the prime minister, said on Sunday.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
EU welcomes Somali premier’s new cabinet line-up
05 Nov – Source: Xinhua – 272 words
The European Union has welcomed a move by the Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon to form a lean cabinet which will for the first time comprise a woman. In a statement issued in Nairobi on Monday, EU Ambassador to Somalia Michele Cervone d’Urso termed the appointment of the 10- member cabinet which has Fowsiya Adan, as the Horn of African nation’s foreign minister as the right step to consolidate the federal institutions.
“This is a further step in the consolidation of the new Federal Institutions. The EU looks forward to the forthcoming submission of the Government work program to the Parliament for its vote of confidence,” d’Urso said in the statement.
The ambassador reiterated the EU unequivocal commitment to the Federal Institutions, adding that he was looking forward to the work program and Parliamentary vote. Shirdon on Sunday announced much-anticipated 10-member cabinet with security as a priority.
Minister for Africa welcomes Somalia’s new Council of Ministers
04 Nov – Source: UK in Somalia – 193 words
Responding to the appointment of a Council of Ministers by the Prime Minister of Somalia’s Federal Government, the Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds gave a statement. “The UK welcomes the appointment of a Council of Ministers by the Prime Minister of Somalia’s Federal Government on 4 November. This is another important milestone in the political process. I congratulate the Prime Minister on achieving this milestone in line with the 30 day time limit set out in the Provisional Constitution.
I also welcome the historic inclusion of two women in senior positions in the Council; this is important recognition that women have a key role to play in the reconstruction of Somalia. I hope the Federal Parliament of Somalia can approve these appointments quickly, so that the Council of Ministers can start work on rebuilding their country.
“Over the coming months, I look forward to working closely with the new Council of Ministers as they address the significant challenges ahead such as strengthening security and justice, taking forward political reconciliation, stimulating the economy and strengthening public financial management. The Somali Government will have the continued support of the British Government as it does so.”
Somali pirates free Seychelles fishermen after year’s captivity
04 Nov – Source: Reuters – 162 words
Somali pirates have released two Seychellois hostages they had in captivity for a year, officials from both countries said. The two fishermen were hijacked last November in their boat, the Aride, some 65 miles west of Mahe in Seychelles and taken to the Somali port of Hobyo, a base for many pirates, before being moved inland to the central town of Adado, where they were held.
“The Office of the President has confirmed that – following extensive efforts by President James Michel – Rolly Tambara and Marc Songoire have been freed in Somalia, where they had been held hostage for the past year,” the Seychelles president’s office said in a statement.
“The two Seychellois fishermen are now in a safe area and arrangements are being made to convey them to Seychelles by the speediest means.” A pirate known as Mohamed from Adado said late on Saturday the captors had been given a $3 million ransom, but this could not be independently verified.
Ugandan Officials to Meet U.N. Security Council Monday
04 Nov – Source: VOA – 413 words
A Ugandan government spokesman says officials from Kampala plan to meet members of the U.N. Security Council Monday. This follows a recent UN report which accused the East African nation of supporting the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fred Opolot, who is also the executive director for Uganda’s Media Center, says the administration will decide its next line of action after the meeting with the Security Council.
“Uganda is extremely cautious that it gets a consensus on the views [of Security Council members] as regards the outrageous allegations made by the group of experts that Uganda was involved in the DRC conflict,” said Opolot.
“After the meeting with the Security Council, the minister of ICT [Information Communication and Technology] Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda will return to Uganda [while] other meetings will take place before a decision will be arrived at.”
Earlier this month, a leaked U.N. report accuses both Uganda and Rwanda of giving military support to DRC rebels. Both countries have denied the allegation. Opolot said officials have delivered Uganda’s denial to the Security Council. He said the government will reevaluate its commitment to provide troops to peacekeeping efforts in Africa.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Anxious to cover up its illicit involvement in neighbouring DRC’s on-going rebellion, Uganda has played its trump card: threatening to pull its troops from Somalia and derail that country’s slight but fragile progress.”
Analysis: Uganda holds Somalia hostage in high-stakes diplomacy
05 Nov – Source: Daily Marverick – 891 Words
It’s fair to say that the Ugandan government was not particularly happy with the contents of a United Nations report that unequivocally implicated it in the ongoing rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The report, compiled by a “group of experts” appointed to look into the issue, found that Uganda was assisting the M23 rebel movement “in the form of direct troop reinforcements in DRC territory, weapons deliveries, technical assistance, joint planning, political advice and facilitation of external relations”.
It was a damning conclusion, and caused diplomatic shockwaves throughout the region; with Rwanda also blamed for assisting the rebels, the conflict in North Kivu started to look less like a rebellion and more like a regional war.
Uganda denied wrongdoing in no uncertain terms, and Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi castigated what he described as a baseless, unfair and malicious report; one that was compiled without following due process and with minimal input from concerned stakeholders. This was two weeks ago.
Since then, the Ugandan government has got even angrier, until on Saturday it decided to play its trump card. Fine, they said; if the international community insists on propagating these baseless accusations about Uganda, then they shouldn’t expect Ugandan troops to keep on keeping the fragile peace in a country where the international community fears to tread: Somalia.
“To cut the long story short, the officer was accusing me of being a suspected al Shabaab member, of being in Kenya illegally and worse of planning to bomb and kill people in Kenya. These and many other serious accusations he made against me are of course untrue but nonetheless are major crimes which any trigger-happy police officer would not hesitate to shoot you point blank without any committee of inquiry or inquest…”
Victimised In The Name Of Security
03 Nov – Source: The Star -1557 Words
Nearly a year ago on November 2, 2011, I wrote an opinion piece published by The Star newspaper under the title, “Hounding of Somalis hurts terror fight” in which I was trying to inform the public and more importantly warn government security machinery from arbitrarily arresting or victimising innocent Somalis in the pretext of fighting terror.
What goes around comes around, on Tuesday October 30, 2012, I came face to face with such victimisation when a drunken male police officer from Central Police Station in Nairobi decided to use his powers to unnecessarily victimise me and to cause me undue distress and delay for a flimsy crime that does not even exist in our books or anywhere else.
These are tricks or side shows which unscrupulous police officer like him use against innocent Kenyans to legally rob them off their hard earned money.
“…Uganda’s threat of withdrawal from AMISOM–whether an empty threat or mere distraction from its alleged support to DRC rebels–is still very relevant to the future of security in Somalia, and this should not go unrecognized.”
Uganda Withdrawal Threat A Reality Check for Somali Security
04 Nov – Source: Somalia News Room – 761 Words
Uganda’s Security Minister Muruli Mukasa has stated that the country intends to withdraw its troops from Somalia and other conflict hotspots in response to the UN’s allegation that Uganda is supporting M23 rebels in DRC. Ugandan forces in Somalia—estimated to be at 6,860 troops—make up 1/3 of the approximately 18,000 AMISOM troops in Somalia.
Some analysts simply view this as an empty threat from Uganda that will be settled in diplomatic backchannels. However, the threat of a major foreign troop withdrawal is a stern wake-up call for the need of a long-term domestic security plan.
Top tweets
@BBCAfrica Somalia’s first female foreign minister says she is confident in changing Somalia for the better. #somalia http://bit.ly/TEMwHg.
@toaf Mogadishu: Bringing tribal elders on board lends legitimacy to new Somali parliament: http://bit.ly/PxdUqk #Somalia (from @AJEnglish).
@MarkC_Anderson #Uganda officials meet #UNSC in NYC as Kampala threatens to withdrawal troops from #Somalia in response to @UN claims of gov support to #M23.
@jkanam Talk about being held back by the past: #Somalia considering giving a more permanent political position to traditional leaders.
@7omalia If charcoal bags in #Kismayo, #Jubbaland were spread over, they would cover a distance of 4,470km. http://bit.ly/R7hdmq #Somalia.
Image of the day
