October 21, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Government troops die in road accident

20 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan/Radio Goobjoog/Radio Muqdisho – 102 Words

Today, seven government soldiers died in a road accident at Taree Dishe (KM13) on Mogadishu-Afgoye Highway.

Eyewitnesses told Dalsan that the soldiers died after a vehicle they were travelling which was over speeding suddenly overturned after the driver lost control of it. The vehicle deviated from the highway before it rolled. Five other passengers including a cameraman from HORN CABLE TV and another civilian survived with injuries.

The bodies of the deceased soldiers and the injured ones were brought to Mogadishu’s Madina Hospital. Most of the drivers of the military vehicles in the country over speed and consequently cause fatal accidents.

Key Headlines

Government troops die in road accident (Radio Dalsan/Radio Goobjoog/Radio Muqdisho)
UN Special Representative for Somalia condemns attack on AMISOM troops in Hiiraan region (Radio Goobjoog/Mareeg Media)
The executive manager of CWC: the summit will be a fruitful one for Somalis (Radio Goobjoog)
Oil companies say they don’t think there will be outbreak of Ebola in Somalia (Radio Goobjoog)
Puntland President Attends Global African Investment Summit( Horseed media )
Somali Culture and Higher Education ministry examines hundreds of Somali students for Iraqi scholarship (Alshahid.net )
Parliament holds discussion on the country’s upcoming political parties (Radio RBC)
Somalia: Ethio-Somalia relations growing – Ambassador (Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency)
Somalia to get oil flowing by 2020 (The Africa Report)
Gunning down the taxmen of Somalia (Al-Jazeer.com)
EU notes decrease in piracy near Somalian Coast (RIA.RU – 304 Words)
Somali pirate kingpin Mohamed Garfanji arrested: security sources (DNA India)

SOMALI MEDIA

Government troops die in road accident

20 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan/Radio Goobjoog/Radio Muqdisho – 102 Words

Today, seven government soldiers died in a road accident at Taree Dishe (KM13) on Mogadishu-Afgoye Highway.

UN Special Representative for Somalia condemns attack on AMISOM troops in Hiiraan region

20 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Mareeg Media – 196 Words

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, condemned an attack on African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces in Hiiraan region and called for calm as rival clans caused insecurity in the area.

Armed men and rioters blocked and attacked AMISOM troops yesterday morning while they were on a mission to help restore peace near the village of Deefow.

“I condemn yesterday’s attack on AMISOM troops near the village of Deefow in Hiiraan region. They were in the area to calm the situation and promote reconciliation. The situation will not be resolved by further violence. Local leaders and traditional elders must work together to de-escalate the situation and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue in full co-operation with the federal and regional governments. The Somali people have suffered enough and know that no good can come from further violence and insecurity. We remain committed to supporting the Somali people, the Federal Government and AMISOM as they work together to restore peace.” said SRSG Kay.

SRSG Kay extended his sincere condolences to the family and friends of those who were killed or injured as a result of the conflict in Hiiraan region.

The executive manager of CWC: the summit will be a fruitful one for Somalis

20 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 189 Words

The executive manager of CWC, the group organizing the summit of Somalia oil and Gas alongside with the ministry of natural resources in London Mostafa Al-Bali in an exclusive interview to Goobjoog FM stated that the conference will have special importance to Somali people as the participants will focus on strengthening and enhancing Somalia oil and Gas industry.

“The summit will be a fruitful one for Somalis” Mostafa Al-Bali said.

He added that the delegates will listen to the ministry’s remarks on the summit, the minister for natural resource of federal government Mr. Daud Omar speaking at the conference explained what is happening in the industry and updating all the international oil companies interested in investing the country.

Mr. Bali underlined that ninety percent of the delegates at the summit are international oil companies interested in knowing exactly what is happening in the industry. The international companies that attended the conference include TOTAL, SHEL, PP and Look Oil among others. Shell has signed contract with the ministry and companies from United Arab Emirates Mubadaras world.

Oil companies say they don’t think there will be outbreak of Ebola in Somalia

20 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 139 Words

The executive director of Soma Oil and Gas, Robert Sheppard said he doesn’t think there will be an Ebola outbreak in Somalia.

He said this today while a conference on oil exploration in Somalia is due to start in London. He told media that his firm is going to accelerate the oil exploration efforts inside Somalia. Mr. Robert Sheppard said oil and gas will have an impact in the future of Somalia. He pointed out that there are a lot of oil deposits off the Somali coast. He also pointed out that one of the oil well is being dug near the coastline.

Mr.Robert Sheppard said the oil exploration companies are not worried about any outbreak of Ebola inside Somalia. He said what matters now is a political stability which can enable the exploration efforts in Somalia.

Puntland President attends Global African Investment Summit

20 Oct – Source: Horseed media – 209 Words

The Global African Investment Summit (TGAIS) kicked off in London on Monday. It was attended by a number of African leaders and world’s largest institutional investors.
Representing Somalia, Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali alongside his counterparts, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and Prime Minister of Tanzania were present in the summit.

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo who is chairing the meeting, said that it is the right time and opportunity to invest in Africa.

In an exclusive Interview, Puntland leader said that his government is looking for investors to finance projects in key industries including infrastructure, agriculture and natural resources. “We have a number of important projects that will help the Puntland economy grow substantially…Finding the best investors for the projects and knowing that the projects will be undertaken in a way that creates shared value and promotes long-term sustainability is crucial,” he said.

According to analysts, the stable environment enjoyed by Puntland is a key attraction to investors. Puntland delegation is expected to hold meetings during the Summit with officials representatives from a range of investors. Africa is being recognized as a profitable market opportunity in the global economy today. It is home to six of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies.

Somali Culture and Higher Education ministry examines hundreds of Somali students for Iraqi scholarship

20 Oct – Source: Alshahid.net – 264 Words

Somali Ministry of Culture and Higher Education, examined on Monday three hundred and sixteen students for postgraduate study in Iraqi universities.

Duale Adan Mohamed, Somali Minister of Culture and Higher Education accompanied by his deputy minister, general director of the ministry, Isma’il Yusuf Osman, members of social affairs commission of Somali parliament visited the examination center in Mahamud Mire secondary school at Waberi district in Mogadishu.

The students who participated the examination came from many parts of the country and hoped to win for their goal of traveling to Iraq for full scholarship purpose. The director promised that every scholarship will end with fair competition so Somali citizens to get their rights of education.

Duale Adan Mohamed held a press conference inside Mahmud Mire secondary school after evaluated the examination process and thanked to Iraqi government for its role of supporting Somali government and people while there is political instability in Iraqi territory.

“Three hundred and sixteen students are sitting for post graduate scholarship studies in Iraq. I am thanked to Iraqi government. It recognized that Somalia still needs educational support. This exam will be fair. There are also postgraduate scholarships which we gained from Iraq”, Duale Adan Mohamed, Somali Minister of Culture and Higher Education said

Monday’s examination is the second during this year as Isma’il Yusuf Osman, Somali Minister of Culture and Higher Education confirmed while briefing the students. The first examination was July 5, when Somali students examined for scholarships from Yemen and Sudan.

Parliament holds discussion on the country’s upcoming political parties

20 Oct – Source: Radio RBC – 186 Words

Somali Federal Parliament today hold a special session at the House of People in Mogadishu to discuss the country’s upcoming political parties and drafting a new law on political parties.

Members of the parliament started to discuss the agenda as a parliamentary sub-committee on political parties and elections presented a well documented presentation on the structure of the political parties and the elections on 2016.

The presentation of the parliamentary sub-committee highlighted the need for a new law to govern and direct the number of the political parties, conditions for registration as well as time frame. The country currently has no recognized political party, despite that, clan-based parties are running to gain recognition within 2016 elections.

The move came as the country prepares to face its first democratic election for more than 40 years. In 2016, which is marked as the end of the current government, Somalis are supposed to vote for a new president and a new parliament with the help of peace and stability returning back to the nation following the ousting of Al Shabab militants from the most urban areas.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia: Ethio-Somalia relations growing – Ambassador

20 Oct – Source: Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency – 486 Words

The relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia is growing in all aspects, said the Ethiopian ambassador to Somalia. According to Ambassador Wondimu Asmamaw, the two countries’ relationship is not only limited to regional peace and security, but also includes education, transport, trade and investment cooperation.

“The relations between the two countries are deepening and going beyond the regional peace and security cooperation which we usually focus on,” he said in an exclusive interview with WIC.

Asked about Ethiopia’s role in Somalia, he said, the country has been playing a crucial role not only in its capacity as the current Chair of IGAD, but also as a country that has a stake in the peace and security of Somalia.

Somalia to get oil flowing by 2020

20 Oct – Source: The Africa Report – 517

Somalia aims to produce oil within six years, Petroleum Minister Daud Mohamed Omar said today, as he announced plans to reassert control over a sector which has foundered since the outbreak of civil war in 1991.

Hopes that the impoverished East African nation could emulate neighbouring Kenya by discovering and bringing to market offshore resources have been kept on ice by long-running territorial disputes between regional authorities.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has drafted bills for revenue sharing and downstream development, and submitted them to state governments for approval, Omar said in a statement read by an interpreter at the second annual Somalia Oil and Gas summit in London. He added that the ministry, created less than a year ago, was the only legitimate authority in the sector and that deals signed with regional governments were illegal.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Gunning down the taxmen of Somalia

20 Oct – Source: Al-Jazeer.com – 1, 048 Words

At least 25 tax collectors have been killed since 2012 in Mogadishu, a city awash in weapons and abject poverty.

Feysal Mohamed Ahmed is a man living in fear. He is tasked with the unenviable job of collecting taxes in a city awash with small arms and where people aren’t accustomed to paying government taxes. Ahmed works for the local government in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. He is one of six tax collectors in the district of Dharkanley. Every morning before Ahmed leaves the house, he offers a silent prayer, then says goodbye to his two young sons.

Every prayer, every hug and each goodbye could be his last, and so Ahmed takes his time before he starts walking the short distance to work. For Ahmed, every passer-by on his journey is a potential hitman ready to take him out. “Many of my colleagues have been killed. Others escaped with injuries and cannot work anymore,” said the clean-shaved, baby-faced 23-year-old. He has been collecting municipal taxes for the past two years.

EU notes decrease in piracy near Somalian Coast

20 Oct – Source: RIA.RU – 304 Words

The European Union noted a decline in piracy activity off the coast of Somalia, the EU Foreign Affairs Council said in a Monday press release following a meeting in Luxembourg.

“The EU welcomes the significant decline in piracy activity in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean and encourages the Federal Government to further increase its contribution to this success. However, networks supporting piracy are still operating and the threat of piracy remains,” the statement said.

The Council also expressed concern with regard to the reports on the recent release of a pirate leader in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu and underscored the need for the authorities to “end impunity of piracy network leaders and strengthen the rule of law.”

Somali pirate kingpin Mohamed Garfanji arrested: security sources

20 Oct – Source: DNA India – 339 Words

Somali security forces have arrested one of the country’s most powerful pirate chiefs, who once hijacked giant vessels earning him multi-million dollar ransoms, security sources said today.

Mohamed Garfanji was seized late Sunday in the capital Mogadishu along with several of his well-armed bodyguards, according to foreign and Somali security sources. There was no official confirmation from the internationally-backed government, and sources could not confirm if he was still being held.

Both the United States and the Seychelles reportedly want to question him for his alleged kidnapping of citizens from both nations. However, last year President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud offered an amnesty to junior pirates in a bid to end attacks off the Horn of Africa nation’s coast, but said it was not open to their leaders.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Like many her age here, life did not look that promising. No, not at all. All around her she could see people barely surviving, young and old beaten by the vagaries of a refugee camp, fathers unable to fend for their families, and mothers watching helplessly as disease wasted their children.”

From dusty Hagadera to swanky Toronto, dreams have come true for Somali refugee

20 Oct – Source: The Nation – 1, 445 Words

On September 15, a young, towering Somali girl landed in Toronto, Canada. Looking at the 20-year-old, everything seemed just fine.

She did not look like she would be a befitting image on a booklet about squalor and abject want, especially if the narratives in mainstream media are used as yardsticks. Just a few hours earlier, she had been driven hundreds of kilometres from Dadaab, home to the world’s largest refugee camp, to Nairobi, from where she would take the flight to Toronto.

She was heading there, not to tour the land or visit a friend, but to study chemical engineering at the prestigious University of Toronto, which is ranked at position 24 in the latest Academic Ranking of World Universities.

To make it to such an institution of higher learning from the dusty Dadaab is a great achievement, but it is much more extraordinary for a girl to leap that far in a society that still favours boys.