NATIONAL MEDIA
4 September – Source: Goobjoog – 113 World
Galmudug Reconciliation Conference, which was scheduled to open today, was delayed for its fourth time. According to the Galmudug reconciliation committee, the conference was delayed for technical reasons and was set to open tomorrow. Meanwhile, most of the delegates from the different parts of the region have arrived in Dhusamreb town to attend the forum. The conference was delayed three previous times, due to concerns and conditions from the clans that were to attend, which were later solved. Somali Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Khaire is in Galmudug state capital, Dhusamareb, to launch the Galmudug Reconciliation Conference. The conference is expected to be discussed in the formation of an inclusive government in the state.
3 September – Source: Halbeeg – 170 Words
Fifty-seven students have been awarded scholarship opportunities by the Chinese government. Students who secured free learning opportunities will pursue medicine and engineering in top Chinese universities. Education officials from the Somali government led by the Minister, Abdullahi Godah Barre presided over an event organized by the Chinese embassy for the students and their parents in Mogadishu on Monday. Chinese Ambassador, Qin Jian advised the students to focus on their studies while in China by taking advantage of the scholarship opportunity while urging them to learn more about the Chinese culture while in the country and act as good ambassadors for the historic relations between the two countries. “You are friendly civil envoys of the relationship between China and Somalia.” Ambassador Qin Jian said. Somali government officials thanked the Chinese government for its efforts to strengthen and improve the education system in the country. On their part, the parents of the students who won the scholarship appreciated the opportunities provided to their children while urging them to utilize the golden chance.
3 September – Source: Somali Affairs – 318 Word
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) calls on the Puntland authorities to rescind the blocking of a news website (puntlandtimes.com) that the internet service providers in semi-autonomous regional State implemented today. On Monday, 2 September 2019, the Puntland information minister, Ali Hassan Ahmed Sabarey who held a press conference in Garowe, has officially requested all telecommunication companies that provide internet services to effectively block or shut down the website due to critical news items that irritated the top leadership of the administration. The authorities gave no reason and did not refer the matter to the courts before acting.
The editor of Puntlandtimes.com, Farah Abdulkadir Geylan, who spoke to NUSOJ, said that he has not been informed officially about the move which has come into effect from today, but Golis Telecom confirmed to him that they’ve received the Minister’s instructions. He added that he is not aware of the reason the Puntland government has decided to block his website. It is widely believed that Minister Sabarey and the top leadership of Puntland are not tolerating critical news about the relationship between Puntland and United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the recent visit of Puntland President Said Deni to the Emirates. Puntlandtimes.com has also written about complaints from workers at the ministry of information about lack of regular payment of salaries…..
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
3 September – Source: Business Ghana – 538 Words
Building a prosperous and free Somalia through the Rule of Law As Dwight D. Eisenhower said: “The clearest way to show what the rule of law means to us in everyday life is to recall what has happened when there is no rule of law.” Over the past few years, several African states have emerged from a devasting civil war and the breakdown of civil institutions. Like Somalia, they have embarked on a programme of rebuilding, fully conscious that the freedom and prosperity of their citizens rest ultimately on success in embedding the rule of law.
The long and brutal tragedy of Somalia’s history over recent decades makes us particularly conscious that this will play a crucial role in the success or otherwise of our continued reconstruction. Fundamentally, I see investing in the rule of law as meaning drafting good constitutions, reforming laws and courts to embed an independent judiciary, empowering citizens, ensuring equality and access and justice for all, regulating for fair access to markets and services and promoting fiscal regimes that encourage foreign direct investment. Of course, we have a long way to go with many challenges to surmount. But we are making progress. After 30 years of civil war, Somalia is committed to embedding a democratically elected government that is inclusive, both politically and geographically. Moreover, we are proud that of our parliament’s 275 MPs, 67 are women, and we seek to increase this representation.
However, this commitment to democracy needs to be supported by rebuilding the economy in a way that will allow every citizen to share the benefits of economic success. To this end, the Somali Government has embarked on a series of legislative reforms as part of its commitment to sharing its wealth with every citizen. In 2018 the government announced a landmark revenue sharing agreement ensuring a fair and equitable sharing of Somalia’s existing and potential mineral and natural resources amongst all Somali citizens. This Act is the first step in establishing Somalia as a country committed to judicial, legal and financial reforms whereby it is seen by the international community as aspiring to best practice in all its institutions. This goal extends to abiding by both the spirit and terms of international law to help attract foreign direct investment and broader support…..
4 September – Source: Standard Media – 435 Words
A human rights group and families of two men shot dead last week in Mombasa and Kwale have denied police claims that the two were terrorists. On Thursday last week, officers from the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) shot and killed 45-year-old Hamza Mohamed in Bombolulu, Mombasa. They claimed Mohamed was a terrorist. In Kwale, police killed 26-year-old Mohamed Rashid Mwanyiro, who they claimed was involved in the murder of a naval officer.
But the two men’s relatives and Muslim for Human Rights (Muhuri) have refuted the officers’ claims. They now want the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to probe the two incidents, saying the men were victims of extrajudicial killings. “This was extrajudicial killing. We want an independent probe because the police account of the two incidents do not add up,” said Muhuri in a report. According to Muhuri, up to 30 people have been killed by police since 2017. Police have denied extrajudicial killing claims, saying the suspects were dangerous criminals who disobeyed an order to surrender. Nyali Sub-county Police Commander Simon Thirikwa said Mohammed alias Modi, hurled a grenade at the police before he was gunned down.
But Muhuri has refuted these claims, saying Mohamed was executed. “Witnesses said police removed him from his room, already dead and did not confiscate any weapon or explosives,” states a report by Muhuri. According to Muhuri’s Rapid Response Officer Francis Auma, key witnesses interviewed said five police officers flashed out Mohamed’s neighbours before they stormed his house. “When we visited the crime scene, the ferocity of the murder was all over. There were bloodstains on the corridor, door, walls and water jerricans,” said Mr Auma………
3 September – Source: Intelligence Brief – 108 Words
Latest military report from Somalia shows that an Al-Shabaab would-be bomber was the only person killed in own rickshaw-borne IED explosion in northern Mogadishu on Monday afternoon. Information received indicate that the terror operative was possibly going to target a nearby security checkpoint manned by Somali government forces when the IED exploded prematurely and killing him. The Al-Qaeda linked terror militants in Somalia prefer the use of IEDs as the weapon of choice to target the security forces and government officials. In a number of such attacks, the ordinary Somali civilians are killed while in some cases the militants themselves are blown up in these premature IED explosions.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“Moulid praised the university teaching staff and his 86 classmates for giving him an equal chance and helping him to overcome the challenges he faced. “I was helped a lot. I studied for a four-year course in a room with wheelchair access. My fellow students helped me with everything I needed,” he said.”
3 September – Source: Radio Ergo – 314 Words
Moulid Ali Dukow, 25, a paraplegic, is looking forward to changing the world after graduating in public administration from Mogadishu’s Somali International University (SIU) last week. The optimistic young man from Mahasin Hiran region has poured his energy into his education since losing the use of his legs as a boy. After falling sick with an undiagnosed illness, he was taken to Mogadishu for treatment but was told by the doctors that they could not do anything to alleviate his condition. “I started off using crutches when my arms were strong, but later on my arms started getting weak, making it very hard for me to use crutches, so I opted for a wheelchair,” Moulid told Radio Ergo.
He completed primary and secondary school in Mogadishu, coming to the top in his secondary exams. From a poor family, he applied for scholarships and accepted an offer from SIU. “I chose this course as the faculty looks at solving problems. The course teaches you how to bring change,” Moulid said. “In Somalia, public administrators use power and money but I believe I will not use power and money. Instead, I will conduct my work as someone who loves his people and loves to serve his people.”
Moulid praised the university teaching staff and his 86 classmates for giving him an equal chance and helping him to overcome the challenges he faced. “I was helped a lot. I studied for a four-year course in a room with wheelchair access. My fellow students helped me with everything I needed,” he said. Moulid used to drive several kilometres from his home in Daynile district to the university in Taleh on his three-wheeler motorbike. Once he had a narrow escape in a collision with a speeding khat vehicle. He remembers the rainy seasons as the worst time when he had to avoid puddles and potholes on the roads. |
