September 2, 2016 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

IGAD Calls For Conclusion Of Hiiraan-Middle Shabelle State Formation Process

01 September – Source: Garowe Online – 194 Words

Regional body IGAD which was mandated by the Somali Federal Government to facilitate the formation of state for Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, has called stakeholders to support the state formation process ahead of election polls scheduled at the end of the year 2016, Garowe online reports.

During a press conference, IGAD Special Envoy to Somalia Mohamed Abdi Affey asked the Somali Federal Government Leaders to finalize the Federal process of the country. “We have reached the time to conclude state formation for Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, I urge to speed up the process as it’s lagging behind compared to the rest of the country, the state formation will help to install order and relations between the two regions.” said the Envoy.

Somalia’s Federal Government announced that state formation conference for Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle will kick start on 03 September to resume dialogue on outstanding issues related to the state formation, following previous failed talks due to differences and mistrust between Federal Government and regional Elders. Regional Elders have accused the Federal Government in interfering in the formation process and selection of delegates a matter led to the collapse of previous talks.

Key Headlines

IGAD Calls For Conclusion Of Hiiraan-Middle Shabelle State Formation Process (Garowe Online)
Gunmen Attack SNA Army Base Near Afgoye District (Shabelle News)
Kenya Hopes Polls In Somalia To Improve Security (Xinhua)
AU Calls For Joint Efforts To Fight Youth Radicalization In Somalia (Xinhua)
As Somalia’s Capital Tries To Relax Security Force Weakens (Associated Press)
U.N. Worried La Nina Will Worsen “Dire” Drought In Somalia (Reuters)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Gunmen Attack SNA Army Base Near Afgoye District

01 September – Source: Shabelle News – 125 Words

Suspected Al-Shabaab assailants have staged an overnight attack on a Somali National Army (SNA) base near the southern agriculture-rich town of Afgoye. Reports said the gunmen who are believed to be Al-Shabaab members fired RPGs on the SNA outpost at Addow Dibille area in the outskirts of Afgoye town controlled by allied troops.

There was no immediate information on the casualties, but local residents said they could hear heavy gunfire used in the fight between the gunmen and SNA soldiers. Al-Shabaab has in the past carried out similar hit and run attacks on SNA and AMISOM bases in Lower Shabelle region, as the militants still control swathes of land in south and central Somalia.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Kenya Hopes Polls In Somalia To Improve Security

01 September – Source: Xinhua News – 171 Words

Kenyan authorities said on Thursday that the forthcoming elections slated for neighboring Somalia in September and October will help enhance security in the region. Mandera County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia said that after the elections, the new government will put in place new administrative and military units that will allow for structured collaboration between Kenya and Somalia’s Jubaland.

Shisia said the lack of proper structures had given Al-Shabaab militia group a field day to carry out and execute attacks on both sides. “Initially the structures were very weak and Al-Shabaab took advantage to carry out attacks at will. But it will not be easy with a stable government,” the county commissioner said by telephone.

He also said the new restored security from Jubaland will promote business between the two governments. The presidential election will be held on Oct. 30 while parliamentary will be held in September. The current president Hassan Sheikh Mohamed is expected to defend his seat against a host of other candidates who have shown interest in the same seat.

AU Calls For Joint Efforts To Fight Youth Radicalization In Somalia

01 September – Source: Xinhua News – 207 Words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has called on community members and youth to cooperate with police to fight radicalization and enhance peace and stability in the Horn of Africa nation. AMISOM Chief Inspector John Marete told a community sensitization meeting on countering violent extremism in Beletweyne town that terrorism is the greatest threat to the Somali government’s efforts toward peace and stability, and keeping communities safe is the responsibility of both security agencies and the local residents.

The meeting, held Wednesday by AMISOM Police, is part of a series of meetings aimed at raising awareness of the importance of countering violent extremism ahead of an upcoming electoral process, which begins this month. The meeting was attended by representatives of the business community, youth and women groups and the civil society. Plans are also underway to hold similar meetings in other parts of the country.

AMISOM Assistant Superintended of Police Cecilia Appiah Ampofo said the meeting would also give youth a clearer understanding of the negative impact of radicalization and violent extremism. “Our aim is to interact and encourage community members to share information with the police and encourage collaboration in fighting crime,” Ampofo said.

OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE

“The city has made impressive progress, unlike the usual narratives of bombings and bloody scenes,” said one returnee from the United States, 40-year-old Deqa Ali, who fled Mogadishu with her family in 1993.”

As Somalia’s Capital Tries To Relax, Security Force Weakens

01 September – Source: Associated Press – 764 Words

On a recent afternoon, the lobby of one of Mogadishu’s most popular hotels was nearly empty, a stark contrast to the days when one could hardly find a seat. “We have lost over 60 percent of our customers in the past three months because of the attacks on hotels,” said manager Ali Hassan. Elsewhere in town, Mohamed Timir smoked a shisha pipe at his apartment, missing his favorite hangout but saying, “I would rather stay at home.”

War-weary Somalis are trying to relax and rebuild their country after decades of violence, but the homegrown Islamic extremists al-Shabab keep striking at the heart of its seaside capital, killing scores of people so far this year. On Tuesday, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden truck near the gate of the presidential palace, killing at least 12 people.

Now the 22,000-strong African Union force protecting the country faces funding cuts and troop shortages, which experts say could further destabilize this Horn of Africa nation. Somalia largely relies on the African peacekeeping force to maintain security, especially as the country prepares for a presidential election in October, a significant step toward normal life.

In another sign of confidence, Mogadishu next month will host a summit for heads of state with the regional bloc Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, the first such gathering here in over two decades. Optimism can be found around the city, even as attacks continue. The Mogadishu Mall, billed as the city’s first international-standard shopping center, is under construction. The second annual Mogadishu Book Fair just ended. Somalis return from overseas with investment in mind. Flowers were even planted along some streets.

“The August harvest is likely to be 30 percent to 50 percent below average in southern and central Somalia due to poor Gu rains between April and July, the United Nations said.”

U.N. Worried La Nina Will Worsen “Dire” Drought In Somalia

01 September – Source: Reuters – 361 Words

The La Nina weather phenomenon is likely to worsen drought and hunger in Somalia, especially in the north where many people and their animals are migrating in search of water after four failed rainy seasons, the United Nations said on Thursday. La Nina, characterised by unusually cold temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, is predicted to bring further hardship to swathes of east and southern Africa already hit by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

El Nino, a warming of the Pacific Ocean, brought severe drought to northern parts of Somalia, like Puntland and Somaliland, and floods to southern and central areas. “The situation could further worsen in the likelihood of a La Niña event,” the United Nations (U.N.) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in its latest bulletin.

“The outlook for Puntland compounds an already dire situation with the food security situation for southern and central Somalia also increasingly worrying.” Somalia’s 2011 famine, in which 260,000 people died, was partly the result of a significant La Nina following El Nino. Four out of 10 Somalis — some 4.7 million people — already need humanitarian aid, the United Nations said, amid conflict between the Islamist militant group al Shabaab and the African Union-backed government.

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) predicts La Nina will last throughout Somalia’s October to January short rainy season, known as the Deyr. This could increase hunger and migration, the United Nations said, as poor rains have already destroyed crops and reduced the opportunity for people to earn money as farm labourers.