October 10, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Ambassador Kamara wants Sierra Leonean peacekeepers to be rotated in Somalia
10 Oct – Source: Sierra Express Media – 287 Words
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia His Excellency Mr. Osman Keh Kamara, on Wednesday 8th October 2014 met with the African Union Commission for Peace and Security and expressed the urgent need for the rotation of the Sierra Leonean peacekeepers serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
The Ambassador stated that His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone is following the issue with keen interest. He pointed out that the battalion that is supposed to replace those in Somalia has been screened and cleared from Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the African Union medical team. He stressed that the troops are currently isolated at their pre-deployment camp for the past four months.
According to Ambassador Kamara, Sierra Leone’s peace mission in Somalia was designed principally in support of African solidarity and above all to bring about normalcy to Somalia after decades of internal armed conflict and political instability. He called on the African Union and the Government of Somalia to expedite modalities for the rotation of the troops.
Key Headlines
- Ugandan troops in Somalia to change strategy (Somalicurrent.com)
- FIFA invites Puntland to Zurich Conference (Garowe Online)
- UNHCR Requests Aid for Somali and Syrian Refugees in Greece (Dalsan Radio)
- Allied forces advance towards Jilib (Sabahi)
- Ambassador Kamara wants Sierra Leonean peacekeepers to be rotated in Somalia(Sierra Express Media/Radiobar-kulan)
- EU local statement: EU reiterates its strong opposition to the use of capital punishment (EU)
SOMALI MEDIA
Ugandan troops in Somalia to change strategy
09 Oct – Source: Somalicurrent.com – 283 Words
Uganda peoples defense spokesman, Lt Colonel Paddy Ankuda has said that with the capture coastal town of Barawe, which has been a stronghold of Al-Shabaab’s, the Ugandan troops are now going to embark on stability operations.
Paddy Ankunda said, after the capture of Barawe and total liberation of sector one,which is under the control of Uganda peacekeepers,Uganda people’s defense force in Somalia will now focus on stability operations to consolidate their gains to ensure that Al-Shabaab does not regain territory.”
Amisom and Somali forces reportedly also captured from Al-Shabaab the port of Kadale up north of the Indian Ocean and Adale town in middle Shebelle region. The recent operations aim at wresting control of the towns from Al-Shabaab fighters in order to weaken their territory and widen the Somali government’s control of the country.
FIFA invites Puntland to Zurich Conference
09 Oct – Source: Garowe Online – 183 Words
Amidst immense comeback by football games in war-torn Somalia, FIFA has invited Puntland Government in northern Somalia to Zurich Conference that will be held under the theme ‘Football and Finance’ by December, Garowe Online reports. The Director-General of Puntland’s Ministry of Sport and Youth Ahmed Abdulle Tigana revealed at media briefing in the state capital of Garowe on Thursday that FIFA responded to complaint being lodged with the international body and invited Puntland Government to attend Zurich Conference.
Tigaana added that Mogadishu-based Somali Football Federation kept Puntland and other Federal states isolated over the last two decades and mishandled football projects. “Mega projects regarding football are only being executed in Mogadishu by Somali Football Federation,” he noted. In late August, Puntland refused to recognize the newly elected Somali Football Federation officials, regarding the process as ‘illegitimate and exclusive’. President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali re-suspended cooperation with Mogadishu in a dispute over the formation of new state in central Somalia on July 31. FIFA has installed artificial turf pitch in Mogadishu and sent experts to help Somali youth recover from the country’s bloodiest internal strife.
UNHCR requests aid for Somali and Syrian Refugees in Greece
09 Oct – Source: Dalsan Radio – 110 Words
UNHCR officials in Greece called for the European Union countries to support Greece as many refugees are in that country.
Joorjoos Tasabobulos is UNHCR official in Greece. He said the number of fleeing refugees coming to the Greek islands of Agenee K/bari, Agen and Dodeshense is on the increase. He said in the first eight months of this year, 22,089 refugees of which 65% are Syrians have arrived there whereas other refugees included Somalis, Eritreans and Afghans.
Elsewhere refugees numbering 140,000 from Somalia, Eritrea, Syria and Sudan arrived in Italy but Italy lacks resources to manage them.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Allied forces advance towards Jilib
09 Oct – Source: Sabahi – 143 Words
Interim Jubbaland Administration (IJA) and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops on Wednesday(October 8th) took control of Muganbow, Bangeni and Bar Sangani areas in Lower Jubba region and are advancing toward Jilib, Somalia’s Garowe Online reported.
The allied forces are approaching Kabsuma, 90 kilometres from Jilib, IJA Commander Adan Mohamed Ibrahim said.
About 20 families from Jilib have started to leave the area in anticipation of a military operation, resident Mohamed Aden Abdi told the African Press Agency.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Ambassador Kamara wants Sierra Leonean peacekeepers to be rotated in Somalia
10 Oct – Source: Sierra Express Media – 287 Words
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia His Excellency Mr. Osman Keh Kamara, on Wednesday 8th October 2014 met with the African Union Commission for Peace and Security and expressed the urgent need for the rotation of the Sierra Leonean peacekeepers serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
The Ambassador stated that His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone is following the issue with keen interest. He pointed out that the battalion that is supposed to replace those in Somalia has been screened and cleared from Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the African Union medical team. He stressed that the troops are currently isolated at their pre-deployment camp for the past four months.
According to Ambassador Kamara, Sierra Leone’s peace mission in Somalia was designed principally in support of African solidarity and above all to bring about normalcy to Somalia after decades of internal armed conflict and political instability. He called on the African Union and the Government of Somalia to expedite modalities for the rotation of the troops.
EU local statement: EU reiterates its strong opposition to the use of capital punishment
9 October – Source: EU – 256 words
On the occasion of the European and World Day against the Death Penalty, the EU Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso, and EU Member States reiterate their strong opposition to the use of capital punishment.
The EU considers capital punishment to be a cruel and inhuman practice, which fails to provide deterrence to criminal behaviour and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity. Any miscarriage of justice – which can occur in any legal system – is irreversible.
The EU welcomes the abolitionist trend worldwide, and note the ever decreasing number
of countries applying capital punishment in Africa. However, there are a few countries which still apply and implement the death penalty, including Somalia. The Somali military courts still carry out rapid executions and try defendants for a broad range of crimes outside of their jurisdiction, notably common crimes against civilians.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Those eager to gain an insight into the spirit of transformation would do well to look closely at what is happening with regards to the development of the airports at Garowe and Bossaso. After years of neglect by the Federal Government, the airports are finally about to be given a new lease of life with the construction of modern runways, proper perimeter fencing and security measures and many of the attendant facilities that will enable the respective airports to raise their game.”
Puntland Prepares to Soar
09 Oct – Source: Horseed Media – 1, 134 Words
Connectivity has become something of a buzz word in Puntland State, Somalia. For a strategically located region the importance of improving infrastructure along with land, sea and air corridors has become a national priority.
Puntland’s President Abdiweli Ali Gas is leading the campaign, one readily supported by diverse stakeholders ranging from the Public Sector, the Puntland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, members of the Diaspora as well as potential foreign investors. With such unanimity it is heartening to see that funders are beginning to recognise that the dynamic is changing.
The false hopes and regional insecurity of the past are beginning to dissipate and a grounded optimism is finally becoming apparent. For those in the know there is a realisation that the hard work is about to begin.
“The President remarks still echoes our ears” Mohamed Osman, chairman of Somali Trade Union Congress said in a conference to mark the World Day for Decent Work held in Mogadishu’s Hayat Hotel recently vowing that they will not compromise their rights at any cost, no matter how long it takes.”
Naïve in Politics, Somali Minister runs into Crisis over Power Abuse
10 Oct – Source: Dalsan Radio/RBC Radio – 789 Words
After years of anarchy and disarray, Somali workers are trying to revive from their past ordeals and fight for decent work and contribute to the peace in Somalia, but corrupt practices by the ministry of labor and other senior officials within the government, gaining support from the International Labor Organization (ILO) are hindering such efforts, amid fears of possible crackdown….”The Workers Unions defend the rights of its members and to develop the common good of the country.” President Hassan Sheik Mohamoud said in his May Day remarks, “hundreds of cheerful participants at the May Day, “where would you defend such rights, if there is no functional government that controls the country.” Reminding the importance of having a government within which rights are defended.
“Al Shabaab threatened us the day they abandoned the town,” said Halima Osman, refusing to sell her drinks to government troops marching into town. “If you buy my tea, al Shabaab fighters will behead me or kill me immediately you leave.”
Somalia’s Islamist rebels down but not out after military setbacks
10 Oct – Source: Reuters 949 Words
Military strikes that drove al Shabaab rebels from a strategic Somali port this week and killed their leader last month have dealt the group a hefty blow, but it is far too soon to declare victory say Somalis, Western diplomats and military commanders.
Youths celebrated the routing of al Shabaab from Barawe by playing street soccer for the first time in six years, one of many activities banned by the austere Islamists alongside chewing the stimulant khat and watching satellite television.
But the shadow of al Shabaab, even after its weekend defeat at the hands of African peacekeepers and Somali troops, still looms over residents, all too aware of the group’s ability to melt away and return with devastating guerrilla-style raids.
Top tweets
EU and Member States reiterate strong opposition to use of capital punishment, #Somalia http://bit.ly/1vSPQiY
@Abdi_AlSheikh SOMALIA: Incoming AU envoy for Somalia to fight against Sexual Explotation by … – Raxanreeb Onlinehttp://dlvr.it/78vD25 #Somalia
@Agabasolomon Somalia’s capital gets first ATM machine, its a significant sign of peace and stability #AMISOM
@omabha SOMALIA: Information Minister praises the role of Somali Diaspora to the … – Raxanreeb Onlinehttp://dlvr.it/78w1Nq #Somalia
Ayesha_Hale #Somalia: Hassan Sheikh, #Somali president expects to fly #Cadalle in middle #Shabelle region run by #SNAand #AU forces from #Al Shabaab
@alijira #somalia road to the democracy, peace & federalism 2016, one vote one person,@USAforSOMALIA,@
@worldstories Somalia’s Islamist rebels down but not out after military setbacks http://bsun.md/1w9xg61
Image of the day
UNOPS Executive director and members of her delegates heading to villa Somalia to meet with Somalia’s PM. Source: United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia – UNSOM.