October 28, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
UN mediating between President, PM after reshuffle row
28 Oct – Source: Garowe Online – 302 Words
Amidst bitter feud over cabinet reshuffle, United Nations envoy to Somalia Ambassador Nicholas Kay is exploring all avenues to settle the standing political dispute between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, Garowe Online reports.
As part of concerted efforts, on Sunday Kay met with Mohamud and Mohamed at the heavily fortified compound of Villa Somalia but the two men stuck to their positions, credible insiders tell Garowe Online. Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari is also said to have held talks with UN envoy about the political dispute which emerged after the Prime Minister replaced presidential aide on Saturday.
Somalia’s northeastern state of Puntland has expressed dismay over the new infighting, calling on international community members to intervene during a press conference by Information Minister Abdiweli Hirsi Abdulle (Indhoguran) in the capital, Garowe. “The political dispute between Somalia leaders should be resolved through constitutional means,” said Indhoguran, adding that Puntland is ready to mediate between the President and the Prime Minister. On Sunday afternoon, Parliament Speaker Jawari called for calm by asking the public and international partners not to further stoke the infighting.
Abdishakur Mire Adan, a writer with special focus on national politics-tells Garowe Online that the root cause of such disputes lies in the constitution which he said doesn’t clearly define the powers of the President and the Prime Minister. Somalia has had nine Prime Ministers under the incumbency of three interim presidents.
Key Headlines
- UN mediating between President PM after reshuffle row (Garowe Online)
- Nutrition partners addressing supply chain gaps for timely response (RBC.com)
- President Hassan to Visit Baydhabo Town (Radio Danan/Radio Muqdisho/Radio Goobjoog)
- Somali cabinet discuss 2015 budget (Radio GoobJoog/Radio Muqdisho)
- Shabaab losses 8 Somali towns since September (Dillapress.com)
- Ahlu Suna urges Somali President and PM to end the political tension ( Radio Bar-kulan)
- Ugandan soldier falls to death at Entebbe Airbase (New Vision)
- Risking Life to Run for Presidency in Somalia (Newsrecord.co)
- For the first time since 1991 the World Bank Group is back at work in Mogadishu (Worldbank.org)
SOMALI MEDIA
UN mediating between President, PM after reshuffle row
28 Oct – Source: Garowe – 302 Words
Amidst bitter feud over cabinet reshuffle, United Nations envoy to Somalia Ambassador Nicholas Kay is exploring all avenues to settle the standing political dispute between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, Garowe Online reports.
As part of concerted efforts, on Sunday Kay met with Mohamud and Mohamed at the heavily fortified compound of Villa Somalia but the two men stuck to their positions, credible insiders tell Garowe Online. Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari is also said to have held talks with UN envoy about the political dispute which emerged after the Prime Minister replaced presidential aide on Saturday.
Somalia’s northeastern state of Puntland has expressed dismay over the new infighting, calling on international community members to intervene during a press conference by Information Minister Abdiweli Hirsi Abdulle (Indhoguran) in the capital, Garowe. “The political dispute between Somalia leaders should be resolved through constitutional means,” said Indhoguran, adding that Puntland is ready to mediate between the President and the Prime Minister. On Sunday afternoon, Parliament Speaker Jawari called for calm by asking the public and international partners not to further stoke the infighting.
Abdishakur Mire Adan, a writer with special focus on national politics-tells Garowe Online that the root cause of such disputes lies in the constitution which he said doesn’t clearly define the powers of the President and the Prime Minister. Somalia has had nine Prime Ministers under the incumbency of three interim presidents.
Nutrition partners addressing supply chain gaps for timely response
28 Oct – Source: RBC.com – 236 Words
An estimated 218,000 children under five are acutely malnourished in Somalia – a 7 per cent increase since January, according to a humanitarian report released by UNOCHA.
Assessments by food security partners have found that the situation is critical among displaced communities, with global acute malnutrition rates up to 18.9 per cent in seven urban displacement settlements, well above the 15 per cent global emergency threshold.
The high levels were associated with disease outbreaks caused by lack of adequate water and sanitation. In response, the Nutrition Cluster has been working with partners to address supply chain gaps and to ensure timely and continuous availability of essential supplies for treating and preventing acute malnutrition, specifically in treatment sites hosting displaced people.
The cluster has also strengthened coordination among nutrition partners, including the essential package of health services programme and the Somalia Nutrition Consortium improving the response in Banadir, Bay, Bakool and the Shabelle regions.
Malnutrition in Galgaduud and among displaced communities in Juba will be addressed through the recent allocations from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund and CHF reserve. However, if the acute food insecurity situation is not well addressed there may be an additional increase in children suffering from acute malnutrition among displaced people. The risks of exposure to diseases and measles are high due to poor sanitary conditions in the sites where displaced people reside and low vaccination coverages.
President Hassan to visit Baydhabo Town
28 Oct – Source: Radio Danan/Radio Muqdisho/Goobjoog Radio – 139 Words
Somalia president Hassan Shekh Mahamud and other top Somali government officials are heading to Baydhabo town today, the provincial capital of Bay region officials in the area say.
Somalia national assembly speaker Prof Osman Jawaari received warm welcome from senior state officials yesterday ahead of the scheduled conference on the South West regional state declaration.
Baydhabo police forces with AMISOM troops have tightened the security and blocked the main roads entering Baydhabo airport to avert any Al-shabaab attack during the conference. Recently appointed officials concluded the region’s draft constitution and Baydhabo elders are expected to approve it during the summit.
President Mohamed will have talks with the region stakeholders on recent political crises in the region .The conference will take one week and the region representatives will vote for the upcoming leader for the new regional state.
After touching down at Shati Gaduud Airport, president Hassan and his delegates were warmly received by the speaker of federal parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari, members of federal parliament, the administration of Bay region, traditional elders and civils society from all walks.
The road linking Baidoa airport and ADC hall where preparation of the conference is going on was filled to capacity by thousands of Baidoa resident with the flag of Somalia and photos of president Hassan.
President Hassan was immediately moved to ADC hall to officially open the conference of south West Somalia – to elect the leader of three regional state.
Somali cabinet discuss 2015 budget
28 Oct – Source: Radio GoobJoog/Radio Muqdisho – 182 Words
The cabinet ministers of Federal government of Somalia have taken meeting focusing on the developments of the ministry finance and 2015 budget. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed, first the ministers listened to a detailed report from the ministry of finance based on the developments and the plans of the ministry to promote government’s income and 2015 budget.
After the meeting, government’s spokesman Ridwan Haji Abdiweli briefing the media said that the ministers discussed important issues including security,2015 budget and listened reports from the general auditor.
The spokesman also stated that the federal government expressed hope that the ongoing anti al-shabab operations dubbed Operation Indian Ocean will lead to restoration of law and order and strengthening of the overall security. Finally Ridwan confirmed that through operations in Mogadishu the security forces have managed to arrest Al-shabab members and seized vehicles fitted with explosive devices.
This is the first cabinet meeting held since PM Abdiweli’s cabinet reshuffle that has led to the rift between the leaders came out, it was attended by all the ministers.
Ahlu Suna urges Somali President and PM to end the political tension
27 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 109 Words
Somali moderate Islamic group Ahlu Suna Wal Jama has urged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his PM Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed to end their political dreadlock through negotiations.
Ahlu Suna senior official Sheikh Abdirizack Mohamed Mire has told Bar-Kulan that the two leaders need to urgently end the misunderstanding to avoid the rising political tension in the war torn country.
He said the two principals should focus on the interest of the Somali citizens rather than their own and immediately end their political differences without any preconditions.
Political tension has gripped Somali government after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed PM Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed cabinet reshuffle terming it as unconstitutional.
Shabaab losses 8 Somali towns since September
27 Oct – Source: Dillapress.com – 318 Words
AMISOM head Maman Sidikou said that Al-Shabaab militants now only control Jamaame, Jilib, Buale and Sakow in Middle Juba Region, Diinsor in Bay region and Bardere in Gedo region.
Eight militants-held towns have fallen into the hands of Somali forces and African peacekeepers since the start of a major security operation against the Al-Shabaab group in September, the African peacekeeping mission has said.
In a Monday statement, AMISOM head Maman Sidikou said that Al-Shabaab militants now only control Jamaame, Jilib, Buale and Sakow in Middle Juba Region, Diinsor in Bay region and Bardere in Gedo region. “There are also a few other smaller towns like El-Dere in Middle Shabelle,” he added.
Sidikou earlier met with Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, senior army officers and AMISOM before giving a briefing on “Operation Indian Ocean”.The AMISOM head, meanwhile, said that security in Somali capital Mogadishu has improved.
“Let me assure our Somali brothers and sisters that…we will not leave any stone unturned in the fight against Al-Shabaab,” Sidikou said.”We are confident that, working together, we will overcome the Al-Shabaab menace.”
The Somali president, for his part, said that Al-Shabaab militants have been battered.”Al-Shabaab has been battered relentlessly and has lost much in terms of men, equipment, weapons and criminal funding opportunities,” Mohamud, who last week visited the recently captured Barawe port, said. “But it has not been annihilated. It has scuttled off and is now hiding in dark areas, out of sight for the moment, but desperate to reassert itself,” he added.
“The fall of Barawe marks a turning point in the fight against Al-Shabaab. Barawe was Al-Shabaab’s last major stronghold,” he noted. For years, the Al-Shabaab group has been fighting the central government in Mogadishu and African Union-led peacekeeping forces.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Ugandan soldier falls to death at Entebbe Airbase
28 Oct – Source: New Vision – 258 Words
A UPDF soldier returning home from Somalia died and another sustained serious injuries following an accident involving a DAS Handling Services baggage cart (dolly) at Entebbe Airbase. Sgt. Fred Opio, who hails from Lira and Livingstone Wagwabi from Butaleja had secured passes from their commanders in Somalia to temporarily return home.
The accident happened on Saturday evening. Sources revealed that Opio had returned to attend to his sick wife. A witness who preferred anonymity said: “They returned home with some merchandise. At the airbase, they climbed onto the cart where the goods had been loaded, but somehow fell off as the truck was moving
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Risking life to run for presidency in Somalia
27 Oct – Source: Newsrecord.co – 369 Words
She is quite, warm and usually carries herself with a smile. From her looks, one’s first guess would be that she is a model. Well she was once a model as a young woman, but has spent most of her adult life working with the United Nations in various countries. And now, Fadumo Dayib, 42, a Master in Public Administration student at Harvard Kennedy School is eying Somalia’s presidency.
It is hard to tell from afar that this sweet spoken lady is built for what would obviously be a tough battle for presidency in the insecure Somalia. But sitting down with her for an interview, it is clear not even the possibility of assassination would stop her from running.
“I understand the challenges that are attached to this. Wherever you are in the world if you are aspiring to run for political office, as a woman, you will face the same challenges. “In Somalia, because of the instability, those challenges could be a bit harsher which means that you could actually lose your life. But I am not worried about that,” explained Dayib.
For the first time since 1991, the World Bank Group is back at work in Mogadishu
27 Oct – Source: World Bank.org – 660 Words
A new World Bank-administered Multi-Partner Fund for Somalia has recently opened a facility to finance emergency expenditures in Somalia’s budget and several weeks ago, Mogadishu’s federal institutions began receiving salaries and operating support from the Recurrent Cost and Reform Financing project (RCRF).
The RCRF project is at the heart of a New Deal for Somalia, an international commitment to support Somalia’s peace and state-building agenda. A two-year compact maps out essential milestones for stepped engagement for both national and international stakeholders. Most significantly, the agreement signals a shift in the international engagement from aid to a development partnership based on mutual accountability, starting with the RCRF.
International reengagement in the country is an uplifting sign of better times ahead for young Somalis such as 27-year-old Hassan Ahmed, an IT expert who runs the payroll software at the Central Bank of Somalia in Mogadishu, which is directly responsible for paying civil servant salaries.
“We’ve had a really thorough appraisal process to ensure that our funds can use the country systems and be accounted for,” said Bella Bird, the WBG’s country director for Somalia. “But this is not just about providing short-term emergency support for the budget. This brings us into a close dialogue with the authorities on how best to put in place the basic building blocks of macro-fiscal management and public financial management.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“No matter which political party people affiliate with, it’s important for everyone to get to know those running for office so that you can make an educated choice at the polls…Coming from a country where those freedoms are rare, I find it particularly vital to do all we can to protect our right to democracy.”
Globe University-Minneapolis Student Active in Local Politics
27 Oct – Source: Globe University-Minneapolis – 309 Words
The image of political campaign activity for most of us is one of door knocking, candidate brochure hanging, and planting election signs on front lawns. Of course, that is part of what Abdikadir Hassan does for the Minnesota DFL party, but he also gets involved in the “fun” side of election campaigns.
Abdikadir, a paralegal student at Globe University-Minneapolis, who goes by the nickname AK, was elected chair of the Minnesota DFL Somali-American Caucus last May and serves the Ventura Village Neighborhood as a member of the organization’s board of directors and chairs the Community Engagement Committee.
Currently, AK is involved in Senator Al Franken’s re-election campaign and volunteered in the city’s third ward election campaign for Jacob Frey, who won the ward’s city council position. Hassan also volunteered for the Obama presidential campaign, completing fundraising, planning, and organizing work.
As Somalia’s President and PM Battle, the constitution gives way again to realpolitik
27 Oct – Source: Somalianewsroom.com – 1345 Words
The ongoing power struggle between Somalia’s President and Prime Minister has intensified as PM Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed announced a re-shuffle of key ministers in his cabinet.
In a 25 October 2014 statement, the PM removed the Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s right-hand man — from the position of Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and re-assigned him as Minister of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, among other changes.
The man seen as the incubator of the President’s administration and controversial federalism process is set to familiarize himself with the scientific equivalent of his political exploits. Lucky (or unlucky) for Farah Sheikh, many ministries exist solely for the purpose of representing the allocation of clan representation rather than competent policymaking bodies.
Top tweets
@SomaliaNewsroomA constitutional court and stronger parliament are two ways to address constant rifts b/w #Somalia‘s President and PM http://somalianewsroom.com/
@BeilehMofa Most problems in Somalia now based on poverty& no opportunities for youth. Need to address this urgently @UNSomalia
@awccsomalia @FAOKnowledge @WFP Women make more 2/3 in entire livelihoods and food production in #Somalia,they are predominantly exploited in agriculture
@Khaliiif #Breaking Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud just arrived Baydhabo-Baay region South-west#Somalia“
@Hakiimov Despite @TheVillaSomalia & @SomaliPM are on collision course over their powers, #Somalia is making security progress
@TheCostOfHunger #Stories How WFP is Responding to Acute Needs in the… http://www.wfp.org/stories/
Image of the day
Joint military update on Operation Indian Ocean at the Ministry of Defence attended by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud together with Head of AMISOM Mission Amb. Maman Sidikou and senior AMISOM & SNA military commanders.
Photo Credit: AMISOM