October 31, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

President, Speaker of Parliament extend condolences to the family of deceased Police Chief

31 Oct – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio RBC – 214 words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari have both extended condolences to the nation and the family of the late General Mohamed Hassan Ismail who died in Mogadishu hospital this afternoon.

“I express my condolences as the head of the state to the family of General Mohamed Hassan Ismail and the nation as whole. He was a nationalist figure who showed his commitment during his limited time as the boss of the country’s chief.” President Mohamud said in a statement released from Dubai where he is in official visit.

He said the government will arrange a national funeral service for General Ismail in Mogadishu. Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari said that he was shocked to hear the news of the death of Late Ismail as he described as a very statesman the country lost. “He was a man we have lost all as a nation. May he rest in Jannah and mercy of Allah’s.” the speaker added.

Late General Mohamed Hassan Ismail has died in a hospital in Mogadishu on Thursdayafternoon following a sudden heart attack. He died in the age of 50s and left two children.

Key Headlines

AMISOM mourns passing of Somali Police Commissioner Brig. General Mohamed Hassan Ismail(AMISOM)
Several people arrested in connection with the mysterious death of the Somali police chief (Radio Dalsan/Garowe Online)
President Speaker of Parliament extend condolences to the family of deceased Police Chief (Radio Mogadishu/Radio RBC)
Amputee graduates from university in Hargeisa (Radio Ergo)
Uganda: US Commander of Africa Forces visits (New Vision)
Somalia pirates release Indian sailors (Horseed Media)
US warns of al-Shabaab attacks in Burundi (Horseed Media)
UN Secretary General visits Dadaab refugee camp (Radio Bar-kulan)
Terror suspects released on Sh300000 bond duo charged with recruiting people into the al Shabaab terror group (Star-Kenya)
Somali government co-ordinates aid distribution in former al-Shabaab-held areas (Sabahi Online)
U.A.E. concludes 4th Counter Piracy Conference (Emirates News Agency WAM)
Adan ‘isolates’ fevered Somali (Arab Times)
Somali community desperate for Westpac money transfer reprieve (Heraldsun.com)
Refugee Act creating problems for citizens (Battle Creek Enquirer)
Panel discusses Turkey’s state building experience in Somalia (Daily Sabah)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM mourns passing of Somali Police Commissioner Brig. General Mohamed Hassan Ismail

30 Oct – Source: AMISOM – 186 words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou has learnt with sadness the passing of the Somali Police Commissioner Brigadier General Mohamed Hassan Ismail.

The Somali Police Force is one of the institutions that AMISOM works with and supports strongly, in close partnership with its leadership.
“This is very sad news for us as AMISOM and for the people of Somalia. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the Somali Police Force and generally, the Federal Government of Somalia,” he said.

Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou also appealed to the SPF to uphold and sustain the dream of a stronger and more professional force, which the late Brig. General Mohamed Hassan Ismail widely advocated for.

“Let us work together to keep that dream of having a very professional Somali Police Force alive. Let us all build on the foundation he has left behind, to have an institution that will ensure that law and order prevail across Somalia” he added. Brigadier General Mohamed Hassan Ismail was appointed to the office in July this year.

SOMALI MEDIA

Several people arrested in Connection with the mysterious death of the Somali police chief

31 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan/Garowe Online – 180 words

Somali police arrested several people in connection with the mysterious death of the Somali police chief Gen. Mohamed Hassan in pursuit of the causes of the death, after Somali government announced investigations into the incident, Somali officials said.

The police have arrested Hasan Abukar Ali, deputy commissioner of Abdulasis district and a businessman identified as Gurey who is the owner of Banaadir beach restaurant where the late General visited before the sudden death. Both were staying with him at the restaurant took him to the Ummah hospital, where he was pronounced dead. However, Somali police suspect “he might have been poisoned.”

“Both of them have been arrested at the CID and are being questioned,” a Somali government official who spoke on condition of anonymity told Dalsan Radio.

Somali president Hassan Sheik Mohamoud, Speaker of the Parliament, Mohamed Sheik Osman and the Somali prime minister, Abdiweli Sheik Ahmed sent condolence message to the Somali people on the death of the Somali Police chief Gen. Mohamed Hassan. Somali government appointed a committee to investigate the mysterious death of the General.

President, Speaker of Parliament extend condolences to the family of deceased Police Chief

31 Oct – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio RBC – 214 words

Late General Mohamed Hassan Ismail has died in a hospital in Mogadishu on Thursday afternoon following a sudden heart attack. He died in the age of 50s and left two children.

Amputee graduates from university in Hargeisa

31 Oct – Source: Radio Ergo – 259 words

Abdullahi Mohamed Duale, 25, is a very energetic young man with high aspirations now that he has his degree in accounting and management from Alpha University.

Duale’s achievement is particularly notable, as he lost both his hands as a child while playing with unexploded ordnance. He was nine years old when the incident happened in his rural village near Ainaba in Somaliland. He lost five fingers on his left hand, and his right arm was amputated below the elbow.

A year after recovering, Duale set about teaching himself how to write. “I was not demoralized by my disabilities … I wanted something in this life though I knew it would not be easy for a person like me,” he told Radio Ergo.

After moving to Hargeisa in 2011, he completed primary and secondary school. He was proud of having the best handwriting in his primary class.

Duale approached Alpha University seeking a scholarship and was called for an interview.
Abdirzak Hajji Hussein, vice chairman of the university, recalled being impressed after listening to Duale’s story of determination, and offered him a full scholarship after reviewing his certificates.

“I now see myself as a person with high ambition after graduating from the university. I am willing to contribute to the social development efforts. I am also planning to get married soon,” Duale said.

He hoped to be offered a job in the interior ministry after impressing the minister, Ali Mohamed Waran-adde, at his graduation ceremony.Hundreds of Somali children are killed or maimed every year by explosive remnants of war.

Somalia pirates release Indian sailors

31 Oct – Source: Horseed Media – 132 words

Somali pirates released seven Indian hostages after more than four years of captivity, a government official confirmed. The seven sailors were freed in Dhuusamareeb town, located in Central Somalia on Thursday and were flown to the capital. The details that led to their release are not clear.

Some reports said that local elders played a role in their release, but it is not confirmed whether the pirates received ransom. Pirates rarely release ships and hostages without ransom, and usually raise their demands the longer they hold a vessel, because they charge for their expenses.

More than 40 hostages are believed to be still held by the gangs. The number of attacks by Somali pirates has fallen in recent years because of increased naval patrols and the presence of armed guards on ships.

US warns of al-Shabaab attacks in Burundi

31 Oct- Source: Horseed Media – 171 words

The US state of department has warned that the Somali terror group al-Shabaab may be planning to carry out attacks in Burundi, which has troops in war-ravaged Somalia. A statement from the ministry called for the Burundi authorities to be on alert on possible terror attacks.

The statement also advised US citizens not to travel to the East African nation and warned the Embassy officials in Bujumbura not to go out during night hours. It is believed that al-Shabaab wish to attack the country because Burundian troops are part of a coalition of African Union (AU) forces which are battling the group’s insurgency in Somalia.

The al-Qaida linked al-Shabab insurgents have claimed recent attacks in Kenya,Uganda and Djibouti, who also sent peacekeepers to Somalia. The group have lost a string of key towns and ports in recent months to 22,000-strong AU force, which fights alongside government troops. Earlier this month, US officials also warned of potential terror attacks to be carried by the groups in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian capital.

UN Secretary General visits Dadaab refugee camp

30 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 97 words

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon who is on a tour in horn of Africa region has visited Dadaab which is one of the largest refugee camps in the world.

Mr.Moon toured UNHCR facilities in the camp and said he was delighted by the operation of the amenities. He said the UN will be committed to improve the conditions of refugees living in the camp while praising the government of Kenya and UNHCR role.

Kenyan foreign minister Ambassador Amina Mohamed has called upon the United Nations to improve the education sector within the refugee camps.

Somali Premier appoints new acting Somalia police chief

31 Oct- Source:Radio Danan/Radio Muqdisho- 102 words

The Prime Minister of the Somali Federal Republic, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, has appointed Osman Omar Wehliye (Gas-gas ) as the new acting Somalia police Chief to replace former boss Gen. Mohamed Sheikh who died in Mogadishu on Thursday.

“We are shocked by the sudden death of Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Ismail,” said in a press statement. Somali federal government has chosen ministerial commission to investigate the Chief’s death.

The newly appointed acting Chief was the deputy Chief of the Somalia police. President Hassan Shekh, PM Abdi Wali and the national assembly speaker Jawari have jointly extended their condolences to the deceased General.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Uganda: US Commander of Africa Forces visits

31 Oct- Source: New Vision – 308 words

President Yoweri Museveni has said that the main challenge in Somalia today was clan-related issues.

The President made the remarks at State House Entebbe in a meeting with the United States of America Commander of Africa Forces, General David Rodriguez. “Discrimination over clans is wrong. In modern prospects, prosperity comes through cooperation. There is need to have trade as a prerequisite to prosperity,” he said.

Museveni observed the need to address the youth of Somalia in patriotism and Pan-Africanism adding that the Somali youth in Uganda and in the US need to be sensitized over the dangers of sectarianism premised on clans.

Terror suspects released on Sh300,000 bond, duo charged with recruiting people into the al Shabaab terror group

31 Oct – Source: Star-Kenya – 300 words

Two terror suspects were Thursday released on a surety bond of Sh300,000 after the prosecution failed to give compelling reasons to deny them bail.

Chief magistrate Maxwell Gicheru ordered the release of Mkauma Ali and Ibrahim Dunda pending the hearing and determination of the case.

“Presumption of innocence till proven guilty is in favor of the accused persons and there is no compelling reason given to deny them bond,” Gicheru stated.

Gicheru also said there was a contradiction between the charge sheet and an affidavit sworn by the investigating officer on the area where the two were arrested.

Somali government co-ordinates aid distribution in former al-Shabaab-held areas

30 Oct – Source: Sabahi – 750 Words

Amid warnings of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Somalia and the dire need for assistance in areas liberated from al-Shabaab, the Somali government and international aid agencies are reaching out to residents in southern and central Somalia.

So far, the federal government has provided food aid to more than 10,000 families in Lower and Middle Shabelle regions who lived under the control of al-Shabaab militants for years, said Mukhtar Sheikh Hussein, director of the Ministry of Interior and Federalism’s department of co-ordination of humanitarian agencies.

“We intend to give the food, which was donated by the Turkish Red Crescent, to all the districts that the government regains control of,” he told Sabahi. “We began this work October 6th and we are still going.” Hussein said.

U.A.E. concludes 4th Counter Piracy Conference

30 Oct – Source: Emirates News Agency WAM – 924 words

The U.A.E. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and DP World have concluded the highly successful U.A.E. Counter-Piracy Conference, held on 29-30 October in Dubai.
“Building on the accomplishments of the last three U.A.E. Counter-Piracy Conferences, this meeting of public and private sector stakeholders has surpassed expectations in setting up a framework at a national, regional and international level to foster coordinated efforts to effectively combat maritime piracy at sea and regional threats on land.

Memorable outcomes were achieved with all discussions steered towards constructive solutions that will have a profound effect on Africa and the world’s collective long-term future,” said the communique of the fourth edition of the two-day counter-piracy conference.

Adan ‘isolates’ fevered Somali

30 Oct – Source: Arab Times – 247 Words

The management of Adan Hospital decided to put a Somali patient in isolation to ensure he is free from Ebola Virus Disease. This step was taken when the patient exhibited some symptoms of the disease like high temperature; hence, the need to put him away from other patients.

The Ministry of Health had previously confirmed that Kuwait has been taking precautionary measures and other necessary steps to prevent Ebola outbreak.

Meanwhile, a consignment of medical equipment and accessories to aid Liberia’s fight against the deadly Ebola virus has arrived in the country from the State of Kuwait. A dispatch from the Liberian Embassy near Kuwait City put the value of the medical supplies at about $45,000.

UK Minister visits Somalia to promote the rights of women and girls

30 Oct- Source: Walta Information Centre- 174 words

The UK’s International Development Minister, Lynne Featherstone, on a visit to Mogadishu met with the Somali Minister of Women and Human Rights Development, Khadija Diriye, and the Vice Minister of Health, Ahmed Adan Ahmed.

Featherstone was on a visit to re-affirm the UK’s partnership with Somalia and reinforce the importance of making sure women and girls were placed at the heart of the country’s development.

She welcomed the Federal Government of Somalia’s increased activity to protect the rights of women and girls, in particular plans for a national gender policy and a legal framework to address FGM gender inequality and a Sexual Offences Bill.

Featherstone also discussed Somalia’s progress in implementing the New Deal, the development agreement that governs Somalia’s relationship with donor countries, with Minister of Finance, Hussein Halane.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali community desperate for Westpac money transfer reprieve

31 Oct – Source: Heraldsun.com – 720 Words

MELBOURNE’S Somali community is warning innocent people will suffer if the last Australian bank to allow money transfers to the war-torn country follows through with its plan to stop the practice.

The community is desperate for a last minute reprieve after Westpac announced it was cutting links with money transfer agencies that send cash to the fragile country. Westpac plans to follow other major banks and shut remittance accounts on November 24 over fears money will flow to terrorists or enable money laundering.

About 10,000 Somalis across the country will no longer be able to send money back to their families if Westpac becomes the last of the big four banks to shut down their accounts. Somali Australian Council of Victoria president Hussein Haraco, also chair of the Somali Remittance Action Group, said the remittance agency account closures would stop a vital lifeline of money to households across Somalia.

Refugee Act creating problems for citizens

Oct 30 – Source: Battle Creek Enquirer – 170 Words

The Refugee Act of 1980 was sponsored by former Sens. Joe Biden and the late Ted Kennedy.
It sponsors refugees to become citizens in five years and to bring family members here.
Somalia had a civil war at the time and refugees from that nation came her at a yearly average of 2,000 a year. The war goes on, and they keep coming.

Rep. Michele Bachmann says there could now be up to 50,000 in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in Minnesota. This area was chosen because of their generous welfare programs, housing, education and Medicaid. Social services, Catholic charities and world relief are given taxpayer grants from the federal government.

Panel discusses Turkey’s state building experience in Somalia

31 Oct- Source: Dailysabah.com – 494 words

The Ankara-based think tank organization Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) has organized a panel on Thursday with the participation of Somali Ambassador for Turkey Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirahman, Turkish Ex-Ambassador of Turkey to Somali Federal Republic (2011-2014) C. Kani Torun and SETA Researcher and the author of the report “Turkey’s Involvement in Somalia: A State-Building Progress” Dr. Mehmet Özkan. The panel aimed to evaluate and analyze Ankara’s policy in Somalia as well as providing a chance to discuss the report written by Dr. Mehmet Özkan.

Turkey’s policy on Somalia has strengthened especially after 2011 when President ErdoÄŸan, who was Prime Minister of Turkey at the time, made a visit to Somalia. The panel provided further discussion on Turkey’s policy in Somalia where the participants asked questions to both consulates of Turkey and Somalia. It is evident that the foreign policy which Turkey displays in Somalia is a true novelty in its history. Dr. Mehmet Özkan, the author of the report “Turkey’s Involvement in Somalia: A State-Building Progress,” stated during the panel that Turkey has gained great experience in Somalia in terms of academics and also in foreign policy.

“Turkey follows an integrated policy in Somalia, and following 2011 Turkey’s interest in aiding Somalia has brought Somalia back into the interest of the media. Although Turkey’s first experience in state-building was Northern Cyprus, it is fair to say that Turkey has also aided Somalia in the state-building process. However, Turkey must use the Northern Cyprus experience as an example in its Somali policy.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“There are 17,000 people from a Somali background in Denmark, and many are intending to attend from neighbouring countries – I would expect at least 1,000 people to be there,”

Somali official accuses Foreign Ministry of hijacking diaspora event

31 Oct – Source: The Copenhagen Post – 591 Words

An executive at the Somali Peace and Development organisation has raised concerns about the Foreign Ministry “hijacking” an event organised by the Somali diaspora when the country’s president visits Denmark from November 18-20.

“The Foreign Ministry, and especially its African department, prefers to polarise the active Somali diaspora rather than working with them positively as relevant stakeholders,” contended Abdulkhadir Ga’al, one of the organisers of the event who is a member of the Danish Refugee Council’s Diaspora Programme.

Ga’al, who is also the contact person for the Nomadic Somali Peace and Development organisation, explains it is an important opportunity for members of the diaspora to meet the president and talk to him about Somalia’s current situation.
However, he has growing concerns about the way the Foreign Ministry is handling November’s event. Its role was supposed to be limited to security and facilitation, but Ga’al argues it has taken too much control.

“The prime minister is a political paradox — an unelected official, who, upon being appointed by the president, becomes more powerful than the head of state.”

Everything you need to know about the bickering between the Somali president and prime minister

Oct 31 – Source: Sahan Journal – 1, 139 – Words

It all starts with a rumor on Somali media. The president is at odds with his prime minister over a cabinet reshuffle. And before you know it, the political honeymoon is over and the prime minister is ousted.

That is what happened to former Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon last year. Now, barely a year later, his successor, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, is facing off with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud – yet again.

However, the genesis of the political feud between Somalia’s leaders lies in the pages of the provisional constitution, which was approved in August 2012 by 600 delegates from various Somali tribes, who formed the Somali National Constituent Assembly.

“Somalis are very enterprising people and they find ways of getting around…They have used modern technology in a very original way to be able to be in touch with people.”

Somalia has first postal service in more than two decades

Oct 30 – Source: MPR News – Audio – 13:21

Mary Harper: Africa editor for the BBC World Service and author of “Getting Somalia Wrong? Faith, War and Hope in a Shattered State”. The Somali government recently announced that the nation’s postal service will be up and running again for the first time in over two decades.

This news comes after the first ATM was installed in Mogadishu earlier in October. Mary Harper, Africa editor for the BBC World Service, joins The Daily Circuit to talk about these developments in Somalia.

Top tweets

@Dahirkulane .#AMISOM mourns passing of Somali Police Commissioner Brig.Gen Mohamed Hassan Ismailhttp://bit.ly/1q596q7 #Somalia

@BBCAfrica Oct 29UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned that Somalia could slide back into famine unless urgent aid is provided. (1/2

@eneaagolli2 @UN Somalia is making a significant progress forward for a better future,now she have to move forward for other achievements.

@busuri2020 #Somalia team convene in Djibouti to prepare for the National Baseline Studies on #IGAD priority sectors validation.

@Keishamaza People & Power – Rebuilding #Somalia:http://youtu.be/ZCD8HTZoEyY via @AJEnglish

@Puntland_State #Somalia: Puntland State President H.E. Dr. Abdiweli Ali Gas representing Somali Anti-Piracy Conference in Dubai.

@Abdikhakim This folks @SahanJournal sums up everything you need to know the rift btwn Som president & his PMhttp://sahanjournal.com/everything-need- #Somalia

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Image of the day

International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone has visited Mogadishu with Minister of Women and Human Rights Development Khadija Diriye, and Vice Minister of Health Ahmed Adan.
Photo :Mareeg Online