September 14, 2017 | Morning Headlines
Puntland DP Fires State minister Over Interview About Transfer Of ONLF Official To Ethiopia
13 September – Source: RBC Radio – 146 Words
Puntland Deputy President Abdihakin Abdullahi has fired the state minister for regional coordination of Puntland State. In a decree signed by the deputy president who is also acting president accuses the state minister Bashir Abdirahman Gurhan of irresponsibility. “Having seen the Constitution of Puntland, and having seen the irresponsibility of the state minister, the deputy president has ruled to fire the state minister of regional coordination of Puntland Mr. Bashir Abdirahman Gurhan.” read part of the decree seen by Raxanreeb Online.
The minister’s firing came hours after he gave an interview to a local media in which the state minister supported the decision by the Federal Government of Somalia to transfer senior ONLF officer to Ethiopia late last month. The decision has attracted public outrage and forced lawmakers of Somalia Federal Parliament to call for urgent meeting to discuss the case and opposed the government decision.
Key Headlines
- Puntland DP Fires State minister Over Interview About Transfer Of ONLF Official To Ethiopia (RBC Radio)
- Somali Journalist Succumbs To Injuries In Mogadishu Hospital (Shabelle News)
- Mogadishu Residents Rally In Support of FGS Decision To Extradite ONLF Rebel Commander (Horn Observer)
- AFRICOM: US Airstrikes Kill 6 Al-Shabaab Members in Somalia (VOA)
- UAE Ambassador Meets With Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs And International Cooperation (WAM News Agency)
- Somalia Facing Complex Immediate And Long-term Challenges UN Security Council Told (UN News Centre)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somali Journalist Succumbs To Injuries In Mogadishu Hospital
13 September – Source: Shabelle News – 118 Words
A young journalist, Abdullahi Osman Moalim has succumbed to a shrapnel wounds sustained in suicide bomb blast in Beledweyne last Sunday, his family has confirmed. Moalim, who was a young and rising star has passed away on Wednesday in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Mogadishu, where he has been receiving treatment.
He was working with Jubaland TV, a local regional state-run TV based in the southern port town of Kismayo, as a reporter covering the situation on the ground. National Union of Somalia Journalists (NUSOJ) sent its heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased journalist. Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to work in as a journalist.
Mogadishu Residents Rally In Support of FGS Decision To Extradite ONLF Rebel Commander
13 September – Source: Horn Observer – 153 Words
Thousands of residents on Wednesday took to the street in the Somali capital Mogadishu in support of the Federal Government of Somalia recent decision to handover the ONLF rebel commander to Ethiopia. The protesters who were chanting marched through the streets of Mogadishu and finally gathered the monument of the unknown soldier. However, the protesters who were in support of the government were dispersed by the Somali security forces.
“We came out to show our support to the government,” Ms. Nimco Ali, one of the protesters said, “But we are being intimidated” The protests coincides with parliament’s session debating if the extradition of Qalbi was inline with the Federal constitution. Somali cabinet recently decided in an emergency meeting that the ONLF rebel leader Abdihakim Sheikh Muse aka Qalbi Dhagah, extradited to Ethiopia, was a terrorist and member of a terrorist organization. Thus, labeling the ONLF as a terrorist organization
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
AFRICOM: US Airstrikes Kill 6 Al-Shabaab Members in Somalia
13 September – Source: Voice of America – 415 Words
The U.S. military says six Al-Shabaab militants were killed in fresh airstrikes in southern Somalia Wednesday, the fourth U.S. attack against the militant group this month alone. In a statement, the U.S. Africa Command says it conducted three “precision strikes” against Al-Shabaab at around 2:15 am in an area 260 kilometers south of the capital, Mogadishu.The mayor of the town of Barawe, Aden Omar Madobe says the airstrike occurred in Kunyo Barrow village and hit an Al-Shabaab militia site.There was no immediate word on the identity of those killed. Previous U.S. airstrikes in Somalia have killed many Al-Shabaab leaders, including the group’s emir, Ahmed Godane, in 2014. Wednesday’s airstrikes were conducted in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, AFRICOM said.
“The U.S. conducted this operation within the parameters of the authorities granted by the president in March which allows U.S. forces to conduct lethal action against Al-Shabaab within a geographically-defined area in support of partner forces in Somalia,” the statement read. In a follow up note, AFRICOM says its assessment is that “there were no civilians anywhere near the site.” Madobe told VOA Somali that Al-Shabaab fighters disconnected the communications network of the area after the attack. “What we know of them is that they disconnect communication whenever anti-peace elements suffer many casualties,” he said. It’s the third U.S. air-strike this month alone in and around Kunyo Barrow, in the Middle Jubba region. The fourth attack took place on September 5 in Dodale, in the Bay region, where the U.S. says three militants were killed.Wednesday’s U.S. airstrike comes against the backdrop of increased Al-Shabaab attacks against Somali government this month, with at least seven deadly attacks so far.
One of three Somali journalists wounded in a suicide bombing Sunday in Beledweyne succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. Abdullahi Osman Moallim, 24, who was a reporter for a local TV and radio station, suffered head injuries when the bomber detonated an explosive vest in a crowded teashop. The United States sent condolences for the death of the journalist and condemned Al-Shabaab’s “indiscriminate attacks.” “We salute and encourage Somali journalists to continue their work despite the daily struggles and risks, in defense of the inalienable right of freedom of expression on behalf of the Somali people,” read a statement issued by the United States mission to Somalia. Al-Shabaab has been trying since 2006 to overthrow the government and impose a strict form of Sharia in Somalia.
UAE Ambassador Meets With Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs And International Cooperation
13 September – Source: WAM News Agency – 134 Words
Mohammed Ahmed Othman Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to Somalia, has met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Yusuf Garad Omar. During the meeting the two sides discussed bilateral relations between the UAE and the Federal Republic of Somalia, and means of developing them in various fields. Minister Omar thanked the UAE’s efforts in supporting Somalia in its various development projects.
He also praised the strong relations between the two friendly nations, highlighting the depth of the historical relations between the UAE and Somalia, and emphasised his keenness to strengthen cooperation across various sectors. Al Hammadi expressed his appreciation of the minister’s efforts to consolidate relations between the two nations, stressing the importance behind continuing cooperation efforts strengthening foreign relations between the two sides and their Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“Concluding his briefing, he informed that the UN is working with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union, the European Union (EU) and other partners to strengthen national conflict resolution capacities as well as to facilitate agreements in specific locations,”
Somalia Facing Complex Immediate And Long-term Challenges, UN Security Council Told
13 September- Source: UN News Centre – 599 Words
Highlighting complex immediate and long-term challenges in Somalia, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNSOM) called for practical support, as well as political encouragement to the Somali leadership, both at the Federal and the state levels. “The worst of the famine threat has been averted [but] damage to lives and livelihoods, particularly women, children and marginalised groups, has been extensive,” said Michael Keating, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, briefing the Security Council. “An imperative for Somalis is to escape the vicious cycle of recurring weather-related shocks,” he added. Another pressing issue before the country, Mr. Keating said, is of political problems becoming complicated by ill-defined relationships between various branches of the State, and in such a situation, the Federal Government’s management of the situation to prevent them from threatening progress on core objectives and the stability of the state was crucial.
In that context, he highlighted that the working relationship between the President and the Prime Minister as well as the determination of the federal Government to deliver “tangible economic and security benefits” for the population is very encouraging. He also highlighted progress on preparing and passing important laws, such as the Telecommunications Bill and the Human Rights Commission Act, and said that completing the constitutional review was a critical task for the successful holding of elections in 2020-2021.“The legislative framework and agreement on the electoral model are urgently needed,” he said, adding that these would help dispel scepticism on whether Somalia can move away from the so-called “4.5 model” to universal suffrage.Realizing vast economic potential depends on addressing political issues. Highlighting the country’s economic potential in sectors ranging from agribusiness, livestock, fisheries, trade to renewable and other energy sources, Mr. Keating stressed that realizing the potential is contingent upon success in reaching a political settlement between the Government and the private sector, as well as on Government policies and capacities to implement them.
“A critical requirement will be raising revenues, whether from domestic sources or by accessing concessional finance,” he said, noting the Prime Minister’s appeal for immediate budget support to allow the Government to deliver on jobs and security, and to strengthen relations with Federal Member States by means of fiscal transfers.
The UN envoy also informed the Security Council of the UN-World Bank collaboration to devise a “surge support” package for public works, and urged partners to follow the European Union (EU), Norway and Sweden’s lead to use Recurrent Cost and Reform Financing Facility to that end. Further in his briefing, Mr. Keating noted security improvements in the capital, Mogadishu, but added that the Al-Shabaab terrorist groups continues remains a potent threat that the overall security situation in Somalia remains volatile.“Addressing insecurity and the continuing threat from Al-Shabaab requires vigorous implementation of the National Security Architecture Agreement and of the Comprehensive Approach to Security,” he said, noting that international partners have started working on its components.