September 2, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
President Mohamud addresses diplomatic corps in Mogadishu
02 Sept – Source: Horseed Media/Radio Kulmiye – 192 words
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Ambassadors of EU, Arab League, UK, Sweden, Representatives of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, IGAD and the African Union among others on 1 September 2013 in his office in Mogadishu, Somalia.
President Mohamud thanked the diplomatic corps for their attendance of the meeting and reiterated the full commitment of the Somalia Federal Government to work closely with the International Community.
The President briefed diplomats on the current situation in Somalia, progress in the New Deal process and the positive developments on security, justice reform, public finance management and recent agreement in Addis Ababa, between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Interim Jubba Administration on 28 August 2013.
The President said “The agreement in Addis Ababa was a huge achievement and both delegations showed a spirit of compromise and search for consensus. The Somali people have welcomed this agreement which will pave the way for further reconciliation efforts. I would like to express the Federal Government’s commitment and intention to launch the reconciliation conferences in Mogadishu and Kismayo with a view to complete the formation of the Interim Jubba Administration.
Key Headlines
- President Mohamud addresses diplomatic corps in Mogadishu (Horseed Media/Radio Kulmiye)
- Puntland Welcomes Agreement Between Federal Gov’t and Jubaland (Garowe Online/Hiiraan Online/Bar-kulan)
- Ahlu Sunna fires its senior executive official (Radio Dalsan/Bar-kulan)
- Shabaab deploys ‘new batch of Mujahideen fighters’ (Long War Journal/AP)
- Sheikh Aboud Rogo kin unhappy with ‘terror family’ tag by security (Standard Media)
- A senior immigration officer killed in Mogadishu (Bar-kulan/Somaliweyn)
- For some Somalis a new threat after war (Al Jazeera)
- Gov’t troops backed by AMISOM clash with al Shabaab in lower Shabelle region (Radio Shabelle)
- Police commissioner visits Mogadishu’s main sports facility (Raxanreeb)
SOMALI MEDIA
President Mohamud addresses diplomatic corps in Mogadishu
02 Sept – Source: Horseed Media/Radio Kulmiye – 192 words
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Ambassadors of EU, Arab League, UK, Sweden, Representatives of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, IGAD and the African Union among others on 1 September 2013 in his office in Mogadishu, Somalia.
President Mohamud thanked the diplomatic corps for their attendance of the meeting and reiterated the full commitment of the Somalia Federal Government to work closely with the International Community.
The President briefed diplomats on the current situation in Somalia, progress in the New Deal process and the positive developments on security, justice reform, public finance management and recent agreement in Addis Ababa, between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Interim Jubba Administration on 28 August 2013.
The President said “The agreement in Addis Ababa was a huge achievement and both delegations showed a spirit of compromise and search for consensus. The Somali people have welcomed this agreement which will pave the way for further reconciliation efforts. I would like to express the Federal Government’s commitment and intention to launch the reconciliation conferences in Mogadishu and Kismayo with a view to complete the formation of the Interim Jubba Administration.
Puntland Welcomes Agreement Between Federal Gov’t and Jubaland
02 Sept – Source: Garowe Online/Hiiraan Online/Bar-kulan – 128 words
The Puntland Government welcomes the Agreement signed in Addis Ababa on August 27 between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Jubaland Administration, establishing the modalities of administration and governance in accordance with the agreed-upon Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC) of Somalia.
Puntland commends both Somali delegations for engaging in a constructive dialogue with the common purpose of building a federal, united and democratic Somalia.
Ahlu Sunna fires its senior executive official
02 Sept – Source: Radio Dalsan/Bar-kulan – 136 words
Ahlu Sunna has fired on Sunday its senior executive official. The group announced they have sacked Abdi Ali Fidow who was an Ahlu Sunna executive officer after a meeting in Dhusamareb, Galgadud region.
Abdi Ali Fidow was blamed for several allegations including taking unilateral decisions with the federal government and accepting the newly appointed regional administration for Galgadud, according to a statement from Ahlu Sunna top commander Sheikh Omar Abdukadir. “Mr Fidow failed to do all his tasks and we have voted against him today.” Sheikh Omar Abdukadir said.
The announcement from Ahlu Sunna administration came a day after Ahlu Sunna’s sacked executive official declared that they have officially merged into the federal government. The announcement also came as Ahlusuna senior officials have been opposing the recently announced regional administration by the federal government.
A senior immigration officer killed in Mogadishu
02 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan/Somaliweyn – 74 words
Reports from Mogadishu suggest that Qasim Ahmed Takow, a senior immigration officer, was killed in an explosion that took place in Somalia’s bullet-ridden capital on Sunday evening. According to residents, Qassim was killed near his home in Mogadishu’s Yaqshid district after leaving work.
The explosion was planted in his vehicle, said reports. The motive of this explosion is unknown as no arrests have yet been made by the government security forces.
Gov’t troops backed by AMISOM clash with al Shabaab in lower Shabelle region
01 Sept – Source: Radio Shabelle – 87 words
Fighting between government troops aided by AMISOM troops and al Shabaab fighters took place in Yaqbarweyne district in the lower Shabelle region of Somalia. It is reported that heavy fighting occurred last night. However, the number of casualties caused by the fighting is not yet known.
Police commissioner visits Mogadishu’s main sports facility
01 Sept – Source: Raxanreeb – 121 words
Somalia police Chief Gen. Abdihakim Dahir Said has paid a visit to the biggest sports facility in Mogadishu which has not been used for sports for the past two decades of civil wars. Gen. Said has paid a door-to-door visit to the Mogadishu stadium which is now used as military base by the African Union Forces in Somalia.
Speaking to the media after a closed door meeting with AMISOM police unit, the Somalia police chief praised the role of the AMISOM police in securing the capital of Somalia. He said AMISOM and Somali Police Forces will work jointly in tackling terrorist activities in Mogadishu.
Somaliland: Parliament Approves Newly Appointed Ministers
01 Sept – Source: Somaliland Press – 68 words
The Somaliland parliament has approved eight new officials named by President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (Silanyo) during a recent reshuffle to his cabinet portfolio which includes a new Minister and Assistant Ministers.
The house of parliament approved some of those appointed by President Silanyo during a motion tabled and chaired by the speaker of the house Hon. Abdirahaman Mohamed Abdillahi.
Mogadishu security operation nets 27 Al Shabaab members
31 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 97 words
The Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency has declared that a security operation conducted inside Mogadishu’s Bakara market netted 27 al Shabaab members lodging in hotels on Friday, Garowe Online reports.
A spokesman for the Intelligence Agency told the media that they launched the operation after reports disclosing that al Shabaab members were hiding out in Bakara hotels.
According to the head of Federal Government’s Banadir Intelligence Mohamed Adan Kofi, among the captured members was a foreigner but he declined to mention his nationality. “The operation was really successful, we captured 27 al Shabaab members including a foreigner,” said Kofi.
Somali government to launch ‘Go to School’ campaign
31 Aug – Source: Radio Ergo – 330 words
The Somali government is planning to introduce free public school education for one million children at primary and intermediate levels.
The Minister for Human Development and Public Services, Dr Maryam Qasim, told Radio Ergo in an interview that the government will launch the first phase of the ‘Go to School’ initiative on 8 September. The campaign aims to enroll one million school-age children over the next three years. The first phase of the programme will provide free education to 100,000 children living in nine regions in the country’s central and southern part. These regions include Lower and Middle Shabelle and Gedo, where the militant group al-Shabaab still controls some areas.
“This brings hope to the desperate Somalis that governance and stability is back,” said Dr Qasim, speaking to Radio Ergo’s local reporter in Mogadishu. However, school age children in Bakool and Middle Juba regions will not be able to be enrolled “because of their inaccessibility,” Dr Qasim said, vowing however that “the minute they become accessible, we will expand the programme to these regions.”
The civil war in the past two decades has forced the majority of Somali children to lose opportunities for their socio-economic development including education. Public school buildings have often been turned into militia bases or IDP camps. Private schools have helped fill the education vacuum, but relatively few families can afford the fees.
“Here are the government schools offering high quality education for free. It’s the parents’ responsibility to send their children to school now,” Dr Qasim said. She added that 1,500 teachers were being recruited for the programme.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Sheikh Aboud Rogo kin unhappy with ‘terror family’ tag by security
02 Sept – Source: Standard Media – 990 words
A strong feeling of despair and distress hangs heavily around the compound. This is the home of the late fierce Muslim cleric, Sheikh Aboud Rogo. Wrecked chairs, rusting metallic beds discarded and an old Pajero car are noticeable. The door to a chicken coop often opens mysteriously. The main house is thatched with palm leaves. Waving palm trees give the place some air of comfort. Chicken and ducks walk freely.
They seem to be the only ones enjoying. The rest, who include the wife and children, are not. There is nothing particularly unusual about this household. Being termed as a terrorist or militant is a standard procedure for investigative agencies. What is somewhat peculiar is when all members of a family are branded as terrorists.
Rogo preached against Operation Linda Nchi, the Kenyan military invasion of Somalia, saying that Somalis should be left alone to manage their country the way they want. The US said Rogo was not only ideologically opposed to the war on terror, but was also actively participating in destabilising Somalia when he called on youths to travel to Somalia and join arms with the Al-Shabaab militants.
For some Somalis, a new threat after war
01 Sept – Source: Aljazeera – 1205 words
It’s just after 11am when a group of more than thirty current and former students of the University of Somalia in Mogadishu gather in one of the student halls on the leafy campus, to discuss what they see as a fresh threat to their futures in the new Somalia – returning Somali diaspora.
The mood in the mural-covered hall is solemn. One by one they take to the podium to share their experiences and ways to overcome this new challenge..
“I believe they have taken our jobs. If it wasn’t for them, I would have a job by now,” said jobseeker Sadia Mohamed Abdirahman, a 22-year-old who graduated two years ago with a degree in social sciences.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Shabaab deploys ‘new batch of Mujahideen fighters’
01 Sept – Source: Long War Journal/AP – 210 words
Shabaab, al Qaeda’s affiliate in Somalia, released two photographs of what it claimed are newly trained “Mujahideen fighters” who are to be deployed to Hiiran and Galgaduud in central Somalia and are to serve with the “Ali bin Abu Talib” battalion. Shabaab released brief statements, which are reproduced below, and two photographs on its Twitter accounts:
A new batch of Mujahideen fighters recently graduated from the training camps. The Mujahideen will join the battalion of Ali bin Abu Talib that operates throughout Galgaduud and Hiiraan regions
In the photos, Shabaab is seen flying al Qaeda’s flag (this is no surprise as Shabaab officially merged with al Qaeda in early 2012). In one of the photographs, a long line of fighters is seen marching; at least 100 fighters are shown in the picture.
Somalia Polio Cases Rise By 20, Brings Total To 128
02 Sept – Source: Global Dispatch – 160 words
The polio outbreak on the Horn of Africa continues to rise with 21 new cases being reported in the area during the past week, according to the latest Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) data.
The public-private polio eradication initiative reports 20 new wild poliovirus 1 (WPV1) cases in the past week in Somaliaand one in Kenya. The total number of WPV1 cases on the Horn of Africa for 2013 is 142 (128 from Somalia, 13 from Kenya, 1 from Ethiopia). The most recent WPV1 case in the region had onset of paralysis on30 July (from Somalia).
The outbreak is spreading geographically in Somalia, with two new states reporting cases: Galgadud and Gedo. Anticipation of this spread has driven intense vaccinationactivities across the country, in an effort to raise immunity.
Somalia says ties with China growing
31 Aug – Source: CCTV – 145 words
Somalia says its relations with China is growing following a week-long official visit by the country’s foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf as she returned to the capital Mogadishu on Friday. Fawzia, who is also deputy prime minister, said she met with top Chinese officials to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
“We share historic relations with China and that relationship is growing for the benefit of both of our nations,” said Fawzia after she arrived at the International Airport in Mogadishu.
Somalia said it wanted China to assist in its reconstruction as the horn of Africa nation is reeling from more than two decades of civil conflict which left the country’s state infrastructure in ruins.
Speaking to Xinhua earlier this week, Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohamed Nur Gaal said the Somali government attaches great importance to its relations with China.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“In the art of mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution, the best outcome is when all sides feel winners and the parties have something to take back to their constituents. If this agreement is implemented the Somali people are the sole winners.”
Addis talks: wax and gold (Ethiopian) style
31 Aug – Source: Wardheer News – 2178 words
Since the talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between delegates from the Federal Government of Somalia and the administration of Jubbaland concluded, both my email and my telephone message racks have been flooded with requests to give my take on the meaning of the talks and the agreement produced.
On August 27, 2013, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Jubba, formerly Jubbaland, delegations signed a binding agreement, comprising of four major articles and 23 Sections. These articles and all their respective Section are organized into the following general categories:
1. Establishment of an interim government
2. Management of Institutions
3: Management of Security Forces and Militias Integration
4. Reconciliation and Confidence-Building
Top tweets
@SOPresident #Somalia: President H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamed, Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Fowsia and Ministers opened Mogadishu Conference now live!
@UNSomalia #UN Envoy for #Somalia Kay talks at #Vision2016of a Somali-owned & -led process @TheVillaSomaliapic.twitter.com/EN20mLEfbQ.
@SOPresident #Somalia Today’s Conference Video in Mogadishu City is welcome to the reality of multicultural Somalia! Fact! http://www.youtube.com/watch?
@ferigom UNSOM to establish regional office in Kismayo via@sabahionline http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/
@UNSomalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud delivers keynote speech at opening of #Vision2016 conference#Somalia pic.twitter.com/knixlHWSB2.
Image of the day
UN Envoy for Somalia Nicholas Kay talks at Vision 2016 of a Somali-owned & -led process. Photo:@UNSomalia.