November 8, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Prime Minister opens first National Health Conference encouraging Somali health professionals to “help transform Somalia’s health service”

Key Headlines

AMISOM signs Memorandum of Understanding with Somali contractors to launch a quick impact project through AMISOM Trust Fund.( AMISOM)
Landmine explosion kills two in Galgadud( Radio Bar-Kulan)
Over dozen dead after clans clash over farmland in Middle Shabelle(Garowe Online)Radio Ergo)
Mothers giving birth with no doctor at Las Anod hospital(Radio Ergo)
Two warring factions agree to truce in Beledweyne(Radio Bar-Kulan))
Ethiopian FM says Ethiopia will continue to support peace stability in Somalia(Walta Information Centre)
Kenya tells Somalis to avoid rebel sites hints at new strikes(Reuters)

PRESS STATEMENT

Prime Minister opens first National Health Conference encouraging Somali health professionals to “help transform Somalia’s health service”

07 Nov- Source: Office of the Prime Minister- 352 words
His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon today opened the first National Health Conference, encouraging Somali health professionals practicing abroad and in Somalia to “help transform Somalia’s health service”.
Somalia’s first National Health Conference organised by the Ministry of Human Development and Public Services opened today in Mogadishu. Over three days 400 health professionals, delegates from across Somalia and international partners will discuss how to transform Somalia’s health sector. Participants will produce recommendations and operational guidelines on strengthening the Somali health system, improving health service delivery and health financing and regulation.
“Two decades of unrest left our people with having no national healthcare to be able to turn to when in need, resulting in Somalia having some of the worst health indices in the world, in particular maternal and child mortality rates.
“The first steps towards rebuilding our national health service have begun, the Essential Package of Health Services and Joint Health and Nutrition Program, have begun to be rolled out and are providing basic health services in several regions of Somalia,” the Prime Minister said.
Somali health professionals working abroad have a key role to play, the Prime Minister, said: “We have lost a large number of trained health professionals overseas but now when we are rebuilding our health service is when we need those skills and expertise the most. I call out to the large number of Somali nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals practicing abroad and encourage them to come home to help rebuild and transform our health service.”
The Minister of Human Development and Public Services, Dr. Maryan Qasim, said: “the current stability gives us the opportunity to rebuild our health service.”
“There is no politics in providing healthcare and I am pleased to welcome here today representatives from every region of Somalia.
“Looking at where the health service was just a year ago and where it is today gives us hope for the future. We aim to expand the health services and programs we have launched across the whole of Somalia so that every Somali has access to basic health services regardless of where they live,” she said.

AMISOM signs Memorandum of Understanding with Somali contractors to launch a quick impact project through AMISOM Trust Fund.

07 Nov- Source: AMISOM- 389 words
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Somali contractors to launch three Quick Impact Projects in the country.
AMISOM will be working in partnership with the contractors, Brothers Relief and Development Organisation (BRADO) and United Development Housing in Somalia (UDHIS ) to start three projects which include Construction of classrooms for 600 children at the Saabir Primary School in Wardigley District of Mogadishu, Repair of Warmaham Bridge and Refurbishment of old Leego Primary School building for 300 children both in Wanleweyn District in Bay Region. The project will be funded through the AMISOM Trust Fund provided by partners.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on behalf of the AU Special Representative, Ambassador Epiphanie Ntamwana Kabushemeye expressed her satisfaction for the initiative saying it is a concrete example to enhance good coordination and collaboration to find solutions to issues at the community level.
“I trust that the results of these types of quick impact projects will pave the way for long- term and more sustainable projects that will benefit the communities in Somalia,” she said adding that the initiative also complements the efforts of the military in providing a safe space in which such initiatives can take place.
Dr. Opiyo Ododa, Civil Affairs officer for AMISOM said this initiative comes at a time when there is an increase interaction with civilians and this is crucial to consolidate peace dividends gained in Somalia.
“AMISOM has good relationship with the civilians and the identified projects will go a long way to help the Somali people and I hope we will continue to do more of the projects,” said Dr. Opiyo
Qasim Yaye Ibrahim, the Executive Director of BRADO expressed his gratitude to AMISOM and UNSOA for the support saying that this will go a long way in helping the Somali people. “I can assure you that contractors, the local leaders and organizations will work hand in hand with AMISOM to continue better the lives of the Somalis and I thank AMISOM who have always supported the Somali people.”
The signing ceremony which took place at AMISOM base camp was attended by the two directors of the two organisations, Civilian Chief of Staff, Ambassador Epiphanie Ntamwana Kabushemeye, Head of Somalia Support Mike Hanrahan, AMISOM Civil Affairs officer Dr. Opiyo Ododa and a representative of Civil Military Coordination unit (CIMIC).

SOMALI MEDIA

Landmine explosion kills two in Galgadud

07 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Allgalgaduud Online- 90 words

A landmine explosion in Galgadud region in central Somalia has killed two people while injuring several others. The landmine hit a truck transporting goods from Hananbule to Marergur in Galgadud according to local administration officials. Aydid Mohamud Osoble, a local officer from the area confirmed the incident to Bar-kulan on the phone, adding that a number of people were on board the truck. He called on the demining agencies to tackle the landmine issues in which he said has claimed the lives of so many ordinary people in the region.

Over dozen dead after clans clash over farmland in Middle Shabelle

07 Nov- Source: Garowe Online/Jowhar Online/Hiiraan Online- 73 words

Heavy fighting between two fraternal clans in Geeda-Barkan vicinity, about 8 km east of Middle Shabelle regional capital of Jowhar left at least 18 people dead and 20 others wounded according to witnesses. Local reports say that an argument over the ownership of farmland Wednesday degenerated into deadly battle, forcing hundreds of pastoralists to flee. On Thursday, the clashes restarted with residents reporting that armed militiamen set agricultural land and houses on fire.

Mothers giving birth with no doctor at Las Anod hospital

07 Nov- Source: Radio Erg- 171 words
Nurses at Las Anod’s mother and child hospital say there is no qualified doctor available to assist in complicated childbirth cases or for surgery. Maryam Haji Diriye, a nurse at the hospital,said the last surgeon left the hospital three months ago and has not been replaced. Since then the nurses and midwives have not been able to help women experiencing difficulty during labour and delivery. As a result, many pregnant women who have fund the money to travel have gone to neighbouring towns including Burao, Garowe and Galkayo to give birth safely, said Diriye. Diriye said that many women have experienced suffering due to the lack of professional medical care they can offer in Las Anod. One mother, Farhiya, said she could not afford to travel to another town for treatment so decided to remain in Lasanod, knowing there was no doctor. “I was in labour for two days and have experienced a lot of complications and problems,”Farhiya said. She said her baby was refusing to breastfeed and she was worried about its health and wellbeing.

Two warring factions agree to truce in Beledweyne

07 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 109 words
Clan elders and politicians from Beledweyne town in central Somalia have brought together two warring factions to peacefully resolve their differences. Elder Ahmed Abdi Alin who was a member of the elders and politicians that convened the talks said that all parties agreed to cease all hostilities and resume normal relations between the sides. He added that both sides have also agreed to allow the displaced people to return to their homes and ease the tensions between the two clans. The two clan militias fought over agricultural land disputes in Defow and Kabhanley areas in central Somalia.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Ethiopian FM says Ethiopia will continue to support peace, stability in Somalia

07 Nov- Source: Walta Information Centre- 361 words

Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Tedros attended a dinner hosted by the Federal Government of Somalia at Villa Somalia on November,5 2013. The dinner was attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, the Speaker of the Parliament Osman Jawari the Leader of Juba Interim Administration Ahmed Mohammed “Madobe” and over hundred of the participants of the Reconciliation and Peace Building Conference. Dr. Tedros noted that the success of the negotiations and of the implementation of the Addis Ababa Agreements heralded a new chapter in Ethiopia and Somalia’s history. He said “We had a dark history which happened for the wrong reasons, “adding that this was now behind us and it was time to start anew. He said that as Ethiopia and Somalia’s destinies were intertwined, the only option was “to live in harmony and prosper together.” A prosperous peaceful Ethiopia, he said, was good for Somalia and a prosperous peaceful Somalia was good for Ethiopia. Dr. Tedros called for the two people and governments to work closely to build a better future, emphasizing that as close neighbors their similarities defined them rather than their differences.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Kenya tells Somalis to avoid rebel sites, hints at new strikes

07 Nov- Source: Reuters- 224 words

The Kenyan army warned residents in Somalia’s southern regions to stay clear of rebel militant camps and roadblocks, hinting that new attacks against Islamist militants were imminent. Last week, Kenya launched air strikes and a drone attack against al Shabaab rebels after the group claimed responsibility for a raid by gunmen on a Nairobi shopping mall in September that killed at least 67 people. “We ask good people of Somalia in areas of Gedo, Middle Juba and Lower Juba to stay far from al Shabaab bases/camps/roadblocks,” army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said on social media.

Terror suspect Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed ‘fled after cutting off tag’

07 Nov- Source: The Guardian-313 words

The Home Office is facing more embarrassment over the monitoring of terror suspects as new details emerge of the apparent ease with which a Somali-born suspect was able to escape surveillance last Friday. Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed, who is believed to have links with the Somali terrorist group al Shabaab, disappeared after disguising himself in a burqa. Before vanishing he used a sharp instrument to remove his G4S-supplied electronic tag, according to the BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Opinions differ on whether the rise of al Shabaab has caused a decline in piracy or it has paved the way for insidious cooperation between two dangerous forces. In a worst case scenario for the maritime trade, al Shabaab may even try and take control of all the pirate gangs, even if fighting off their criminal bosses may cause a short-term disruption to the piracy efforts.”

Is Somali piracy off the radar?

07 Nov- Source: Allvoices-393 Words

The recent release of the Tom Hanks starrer Captain Phillips,was a timely reminder about the plague of piracy off the Horn of Africa that has plagued maritime trade in a headline-making way in the last few years, but seems to have receded from our minds of late. According to figures made public by the UN, the first nine months of 2013 have seen only 17 pirate attacks compared to 99 in the same period in 2012. An increase in armed guards on merchant vessels (around 60% of ships) and robust policing of waters by international navies has had the desired effect. However, 71 crewmembers are still held hostage from previous hijackings, and an estimated $413 million in ransom has been paid to pirates between 2005 and 2012. The pirates who did all the dirty work are estimated to have received only 2.5% of this amount, with the network of criminal gangs and financiers that control these foot soldiers keeping the rest.