October 26, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report
King, Somali President To Discuss Ways To Defeat Terrorism
26 October – Source: Arab News – 321 Words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is to pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday to discuss ways of solving political, economic and security related issues in the region with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.The two leaders will also explore avenues of fighting terrorism and strengthening mutual work across the Arab world.
The Somali ambassador to the Kingdom, Taher Mahmoud Jaili, told local media that this visit is very important, especially since it comes at a critical period in Arab history. He noted that the situation in the region today calls for greater consultation to strengthen Arab actions and face the challenges and external dangers that afflict the area. The visit is expected to further reinforce relations between the two countries across all fields.
The ambassador commended Saudi solidarity with the Somali people during the various crises they have faced in recent times. “The visit will provide an opportunity to discuss emerging events in Yemen and will stress the efforts of the Arab alliance, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to support legitimacy in Yemen against the Houthi rebel forces,” he added. The Somali diplomat said that the country supports all of the Kingdom’s efforts to defeat the Houthis and Yemeni governmental legitimacy, in addition to its efforts to maintain the safety and security of Saudi borders.
Key Headlines
- King Somali President To Discuss Ways To Defeat Terrorism (Arab News)
- Minister Leads High Powered Security Delegation In Visit To Bali-Doogle Base.(Wacaal Media)
- Rain Floods Damage Roads In Lower Shabelle (Goobjoog News)
- Somali FA Launches Special Assistance Program For Blind People (Goobjoog News)
- Joseph Nkaissery Wants International Community To Honour Financial Pledge For Somali Refugees’ Programmes (The Standard)
- Glam Mogadishu Suburb Showing Face Of Resurgence In Somalia (Xinhua)
- The Night Life Of Mogadishu (AMISOM)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Minister Leads High Powered Security Delegation In Visit To Bali-Doogle Base.
26 October – Source: Wacaal Media – 161 Words
The federal government’s defense minister Abdikadir Sheikh Ali Diini and a high powered delegation he was heading yesterday visited AMISOM and government forces in their Bali-doogle airstrip base. Accompanied by the Chief of General Staff and the commander of the air force among other officials, Minister Diini was briefed on the security situation and ongoing activities of the joint forces. Speaking to the media after the visit, Minister Diini said the trip was a fact finding mission that sought to assess the preparedness of the forces and what they needed to successfully carry out their duties. “I commend you for your bravery in dealing with the enemies. You are offering a selfless services to your country and we thank you for that. Both the government and the citizens of this country appreciate the good work you are doing for the country that seeks to re-establish its honor and dignity” said the minister. The minister assured the forces of the government’s support.
Rain, Floods Damage Roads In Lower Shabelle
26 October – Source: Goobjoog News – 229 Words
The skies opened in parts of Lower shabelle overnight, rendering many roads leading to Qoryooley and other towns in the region impassable and in a damaged state. The flood water in Qoryooley town has ruined many roads, cut off communications between the town and several towns in the region over the last few days.Many roads have been severely damaged in downpours, causing travel disruptions due to road closures.Heavy rainfall is to blame for the rising water levels in the Shabelle and Juba rivers, which have burst their banks, destroying farmlands in the regions of Lower Shabele, Middle Shabelle, Lower Juba.The administration of Qoryooley has stated that the condition of the residents in the town is getting worse day after day since last week.
Qoryooley district commissioner, Mohamed Hajji Osman, speaking to Goobjoog News said that it is still impossible to get in or out of the town.“It is about two weeks since floods of torrential rains cut off and badly damaged roads leading to the town, the price of basic items have shot up dramatically” he said. He pointed out that the town has suffered as a result of increasing number of roadblocks mounted by armed gun men who impose levies on vehicles transporting foodstuff to the market.“More than 10 roadblocks have been set up on the roads leading to the town” he said.
Somali FA Launches Special Assistance Program For Blind People
26 October – Source: Goobjoog News – 331 Words
Somali Football Federation (SFF) has launched a special humanitarian program which is aimed at helping the blind people in the country.The iconic program started with a football match during which gate collections were made to raise funds as part of the plans to assists the blind people in the country.The Somali Football Federation also provided the Somali Blind people’s association with symbol canes, as part of the SFF’s humanitarian program for the disabled people within the community.The president of Somali Football Federation, Abdiqani Said Arab, said that the fundraising and other support programs will continue. “Every year during the country’s Nation Link Telecom Championship, the gate collections from the two most-watched matches will be donated to the Somali blind people’s association” Somali Football federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab, said in a press statement on Sunday.“We must show the disabled people that they were not forgotten and they should have the right to live in a better life and get what other people are receiving” said the president who urged local business companies and the entire people of Somalia to generously help the people with disabilities.
At the launch of the humanitarian program, Somali Football Federation organized a football match during which a fundraising was made for the blind people. The match was competed by two of the strongest clubs in the National league, Banadir Sports Club and Heegan FC.The match ended in 2-2 draw, but Banadir Sports Club won the trophy by 4-3 in penalties. The chairman of Somali Blind People’s Association, Bashir Mohamed Jimaale, who talked to the media after the launch of the special assistance program, thanked Somali FA authorities for their understanding to help the blinds.“The gate collections made for us today will help us a lot. We are also very grateful to the Somali Football Federation for providing us with symbol canes.This is a very huge moral boost for us” said Bashir Mohamed Jimaale, chairman of Somali Blind People’s Association.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Joseph Nkaissery Wants International Community To Honour Financial Pledge For Somali Refugees’ Programmes
25 October – Source: The Standard – 488 Words
Kenya’s Interior Security CS Joseph Nkaissery has urged the international community to fulfil their pledges in support of the Somali refugee programmes in Kenya. Addressing the Ministerial Pledging Conference on Somali Refugees held in the European Union headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Nkaissery also blamed the refugee problem for the increased terrorism in Kenya, saying not all refugees are genuine.”Kenya has done a lot in terms of support for Somali refugees in Kenya. However, international pledges to support the programmes have not been forthcoming,” Nkaissery said during the conference that brought together European, African leaders and the UNHCR to discuss one of the most protracted refugee issues facing the world.”Hosting refugees also has challenges. Some of the refugees are not genuine. Some come pretending to be refugees when they are terrorists.” He also lamented that a tripartite agreement to repatriate Somali refugees is yet to take off. The tripartite Agreement between Kenya, Somali, and UNHCR comes to an end in 2016.
It is unfortunate not a single refugee has been repatriated back to Somali,” Nkaissery said. The Brussels financial pledging conference discussed the situation of the Somali refugees in Northern Kenya and was also attended by Garissa Governor Nadhif Jama and other leaders from the region. Ahead of the conference, EU Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini and the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, announced Euros 60 million to support Somali refugees in Somalia and Kenya.
Glam Mogadishu Suburb Showing Face Of Resurgence In Somalia
26 October – Source: Xinhua News – 414 Words
A multimillion U.S. dollar residential area located seven km outside the Somali capital of Mogadishu is currently the embodiment of resurgence in a country that has grappled with two decades of turmoil. The area called Daru-salam boasts 500 residential houses, football pitches, schools, a university, hospital and a glitzy shopping mall.
Daru-salam opened its gates to the public and potential ho me owners two months ago and is currently a prized suburb for Mogadishu residents looking for ambience and security: “The initial phase of this project cost 20 million dollars and Somalia Bank provided financing. Development of the second phase will commence soon,” Daru-salam marketing director Fuad Ahmed Warsameh told Xinhua on Thursday.He said the decision to invest in Daru-salam city on the outskirts of Mogadishu was triggered by huge demand for suburban homes by wealthy Somali people in Diaspora. He noted that Somalia Diaspora in Europe, North America and Middle East prefers staying in gated residential premises whenever they return back to the motherland.
“We were inspired by the need to bring new housing designs to Somalia and hope this concept will be replicated in other parts of the country by investors,” Warsameh said. He revealed that an estimated 50 families had already bought residential houses in Daru-salam city. The city relies on solar energy to light homes and business premises unlike other suburbs in Mogadishu that rely heavily on carbon emitting sources of energy.
The availability of sunlight throughout the year in Somalia has fuelled investments in solar energy. “I have bought one of the units for my family because I find this place quiet and clean. It is a respite to commotion and pollution in the city,” Mohamed Iman told Xinhua.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Love will flourish in peace. If there is peace, everything else will be alright. If there is no peace, there is no life. The lives of the human beings depend on peace and what we are working on is peace.”
The Night Life Of Mogadishu
25 October – Source: AMISOM – 429 Words
The city of Mogadishu, known for enduring years of conflict is fast taking on a new charm with entertainment spots emerging as the city savors relative peace. When the sun sets, the town takes on another life – one of serenity, recreation, with entertainment in the hotels, at the array of beach hotels and tea houses.
In the suburbs, donkey carts and cattle herds roam the streets, grocery shops and hair salons are open late into the night, while youths play street soccer under solar-powered lights. Musicians and bands are also re-emerging here, entertaining patrons at night. Among these is Aweeys Fanaan, who strums the kaban, a six-stringed Somali instrument akin to a guitar but shaped like a calabash. Every Thursday and Friday, he entertains patrons cozied up at the Beach View Hotel in Mogadishu, singing about love in sonorous tunes, sings renditions of Somali music icons.
“The collapse and the destruction of the country forced some of musicians to flee the country, some are ageing, and others have died. God willing, we are hoping to revive the music industry by recruiting young singers and also reconstituting Heesaha Hirgalay (a Somali music and talent competition). We are hoping to reconstruct the theatre by ourselves as Somalis,” he says. At the newly reopened Peace Gardens, children play on seesaws under the neon lights, as the shrill of their voices breaks the still starry night.
During the evenings, the residents gather to share food and drink, an act they say fosters unity in their communities. In Bondere district, Faria Ali Noor talks about the importance of food in uniting people: “This plate can be eaten by four people. When we are eating even if we don’t understand each other, we are supposed to say, ‘asalaam aleikum,’ how are you these days? I am good,” Faria says.
TOP TWEETS
@HarunMaruf #Somalia: President HSM urges MPs to pass new anti-terrorism bill as parliament returns from its recess. #AlShabab
@HarrietLMathews:Pleased to hear ISWA committed to#Somalia 2016 elections and upcoming regional consultations #NCFSomalia
@SomaliaNewsroom:Interesting: Four reasons to reject the#Somalia’s 4.5 clan-based system of election in 2016http://www.jowhar.com/four-
@Adan_Seed:#Somalia:Hundreds of #Bajaj Motorcycle Drivers protesting against the killing of their colleagues, Public transportation activities limited
@UNSomalia:#UN Security Council Resolution 2244 extending Mandate of Group Monitoring #Somaliahttp://www.un.org/en/ga/
IMAGE OF THE DAY
The AMISOM Deputy Chief of Staff , Col. Dahir Abrar , hands a certificate to one of the gender focal point officers belonging to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Photo: AMISOM.