Source: Hiiraan Online, Source: Hiiraan ÖSunday November 10, 2019

MOGADISHU (HOL) – Former Presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sheikh Sharif Ahmed were held back from traveling to Beletweyne for a couple of hours in Mogadishu Sunday.

The leaders and MPs allied to the newly formed Forum for National Parties who were scheduled to travel to Beletweyne to deliver humanitarian supplies at about 9am left the airport two hours later.MPs who spoke to the media said the opposition group was barred from travelling since Prime Minister Hassan Khaire was also scheduled to head to the floods ravaged town in central Somalia.

The Prime Minister was in Bardale town in Bay region Saturday where he met with families displaced by the current floods.

Former President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed was blocked in September 22 from traveling to Kismayu to attend then inauguration of Jubbaland president Ahmed Madobe.

Relations between the opposition groups and the government has been rocky in recent months amid accusations by the opposition against the federal government of suppressing freedom of expression and movement.

Source: Hiiraan, Thursday November 7, 2019

MOGADISHU (HOL) – The US has called for dialogue in resolving political disputes in Somalia in apparent reference to the developments in Puntland which saw the state parliament speaker kicked out in a vote Thursday.

A statement from the US embassy in Somalia noted there was need to resolve political difference in a peaceful manner.“The United States calls on the Federal Government of Somalia, all Federal Member States, and citizens of Somalia to work towards political reconciliation, cooperation, and unity through peaceful dialogue,” the statement read in part.

Noting that Somalia had made ‘impressive progress in key area’, the US ambassador to Somalia Donald Yamamoto said he encouraged ‘all actors to come together and remain focused on working with Somalia’s international partners to bring peace, stability, and prosperity to Somalia.’

Though he did not make reference to the developments in Puntland Wednesday and today, the remarks pointed to concerns over what happened in Puntland.

Speaker Abdihakim Dhoobo Daared was ousted out in a vote Thursday by MPs in Puntland state parliament. Majority of the MPs-49 out of 53 voted in favour of the impeachment motion.

Source: BBC, Saturday November 9, 2019

Water flows through Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam as it undergoes construction work on the river Nile in Guba Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia on September 26, 2019. PHOTO | REUTERS 

US President Donald Trump has told ministers from Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan that he will “cut the ribbon” at the inauguration of the controversial Grand Renaissance Dam when it is completed, an Ethiopian minister says.

Sileshi Bekele, Ethiopia’s minister for water and irrigation, said Mr Trump made the comments during US-mediated talks aimed at solving a diplomatic row between the three countries over the sharing of the River Nile’s waters.

During the meeting, the three sides agreed to hold further talks in the US, and to reach a final settlement by 15 January.

Speaking to reporters (in Amharic) on Thursday, Mr Sileshi said:”President Trump sat with six people [two from each country] and tried to understand the situation. At the end of the discussion, he said he’d want to cut the ribbon with us on the inauguration.”
“But he stressed that we should avoid differences and work in cooperation. He’s given direction to the treasury secretary to lead discussions for smooth, quick and careful completion of the project.”

A joint statement issued on behalf of the three countries by the US Treasury Department did not mention any plans by the US president to open the dam.

The $4bn dam, the structure of which is expected to be finished next year, is at the heart of Ethiopia’s manufacturing and industrial dreams.

When fully operational, it is expected to be able to generate a massive 6,000 megawatts of electricity.

But Egypt fears the project will allow Ethiopia to control the flow of Africa’s longest river.

Source: Hiiraan Online, Saturday November 9, 2019

MOGADISHU (HOL) – Former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Dr Workneh Gebeyehu ascended to the helm of leadership at the regional bloc IGAD Thursday effectively sealing off hopes of long alienated members top on the list-Somalia.

Ethiopian Prime Minister who is the current chairman of the eight-member bloc appointed Dr. Gebeyehu late last month to take over from Ambassador Mahboub Maalim, a Kenyan who had hitherto been in the post since 2008.Maalim was appointed in June 2008 and later reappointed for another two four year term in 2012.
Somalia is the only member which has never held the position of Executive Secretary since the regional bloc was formed in 1986 and later reformed in 1996.

Both Somali and Djibouti had been eyeing the position of the Executive Secretary and chairman but reports indicated Kenya and Ethiopia which are also major financial contributors to the regional bloc planned to swap the positions.

Ethiopia has held the position of chairman since 2010 when then Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki handed over to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who later bequeathed his successor Desalegn Hailemariam. Current Premier Ahmed Abiy is the holder of the same position.

The ordinary heads of state summit will formally endorse Dr. Gebeyeh’s appointment. The same summit will also decide on who will take over the chairmanship of the regional bloc.

Should the supposed pact between Kenya and Ethiopia prevail, then most likely President Uhuru Kenyatta will become the new chair of the bloc.

There have been calls for reforms in the regional bloc to make it more robust and democratic in its functioning to allow chances for the rest of the members who include Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda. Sudan held the position of Executive Secretary between 2000 and 2008.

Source: Hiiraan Online, Tuesday November 5, 2019

MOGADISHU (HOL) – Five Horn Africa countries are exploring a joint economic cooperation with a required capital of $15 billion to spur economic growth and boost trade and human development in the region.

The initiative bringing together Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea was formalized last month in the sidelines of World Bank Group/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington DC.According to a statement from the African Development Bank, the Horn initiative is based on four priority areas notably improving regional infrastructure connectivity, promoting trade and economic integration; and building resilience. The fourth thematic area is strengthening human capital development.

To jumpstart the initiative, these countries will require $15 billion.

ADB Vice President Khaled Sherif described the region as strategic and with potential.

“The Horn of Africa’s geo-strategic position with regard to the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, has important regional and international significance.

“These can be harnessed to spur integration, resilience and usher in a new era of prosperity, enabling the countries to reap significant dividends from the current peace initiatives.”

Most of the Horn of Africa countries easily outpaced the continent’s average growth rate in 2018. Africa’s gross domestic product expanded by an estimated 3.5% last year, while Ethiopia reached 7.7%, Djibouti 5.6%, Kenya 5.9% and Eritrea 4.2%. Somalia was the exception at 2.9%.

Source: XINHUANET, Friday November 1, 2019

MOGADISHU, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) — Somalia has signed a roadmap detailing measures and practical actions to prevent violations against children, release children associated with armed forces, and reintegrate them into communities.

The deal which was witnessed by visiting UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, saw Mogadishu recommit to ending the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

This comes as the recruitment and use of child soldiers as combatants in armed conflict by terrorist groups such as al-Shabab remains a key concern in Somalia.

“The whole United Nations body and the civil society of good faith will support this plan so that across Somalia in all regions, all law enforcement officials, all members of any armed forces will be the first to protect children from violations,” Gamba said in a statement issued by the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) on Wednesday evening.She said the roadmap is in line with action plans signed by Somalia and the UN in 2012 to protect children from recruitment and use by the army.

“We will support the possibility of vetting, of screening, of capacity building and of ensuring that children that are captured, or that escape, or children that are in any way released, will also receive the rehabilitation and reintegration needs that they deserve,” Gamba added.

According to the UN Report on Children and Armed Conflict, released in June, armed groups forcefully recruited and used in conflict 2,228 boys and 72 girls in 2018 in Somalia.

Hassan Ali Mohamed, minister of defense emphasized the government’s commitment to ending children’s rights violations, including forceful recruitment.

“The government does not accept the recruitment of under 18 years old. Although there are other elements like al-Shabab and Daesh that are using children under 18 years old. We thank the United Nations Security Council, as well as the UN Secretary-General who has assisted us through the Peace Building Fund,” said Mohamed.

Gamba also visited Baidoa where she announced the launch of a 2 million U.S. dollar Peace Building Fund project supporting the prevention of child recruitment and reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces and groups.

Source: Hii8raan Online, Friday November 1, 2019

MOGADISHU (HOL) – The UK is reaching out to up to 80,000 people through its existing programme to provide humanitarian supplies to communities affected by floods across Somalia, the UK ambassador Ben Fender has said.

In an exclusive interview with HOL, the UK ambassador said through its network of partners on the ground, it has been able to contribute significantly to alleviate suffering among communities affected by the recent floods which the UN estimates has displaced 182,000 people.“We are doing everything we can to support emergency response. We are currently supporting between 70,000 to 80,000 people with water supply, emergency food and shelter through our existing programme,” ambassador Fender said.

Noting that the UK makes its contributions through the Somali Humanitarian Fund, the UK diplomat noted his country is also committed to long term programmes to address the perennial climate challenges facing Somalia.

As well as responding to the immediate relief efforts, ambassador Fender said, “We must invest in ensuring such problems do not recur.

The UK has a programme of about $75 million over the few years, the Building Resilience in Community (BRiCS) that works with over 200 communities to help make sure they are better equipped to deal with climate shocks as the kind we are seen now.”

The target communities include those in Beletwyene, Bardhere and other affected areas, the UK ambassador said.

Noting that the accelerating impact of climate change plays a significant role in the weather changes witnessed in the country, ambassador Fender said his country is championing for Somalia’s debt relief to enable the country access much needed credit from the World Bank to rebuild infrastructure.

“One of the areas the World Bank wants to look at is the provision of water infrastructure and that will make a while difference in communities in Jubba and Shabelle,” said ambassador Fender.

As of Tuesday, 182,000 people had been displaced countrywide with a majority of these (164,000) in Beletweyne according to the UN humanitarian agency OCHA. The UN body also noted 85% of Beletweyne town had been submerged in water.

Source: Gulf Times, Friday November 1, 2019

On the sidelines of the ongoing Qatar IT Conference & Exhibition (Qitcom 2019), HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti witnessed the signing of a preliminary agreement between Qatar and Somalia.

The agreement for the ‘Mutual Inclusion of Each Other’s Territories in the Service Areas of their Satellite Network’ was signed by Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority president Mohamed Ali al-Mannai and Somalia’s Minister of Post, Telecom and Technology Abdi Ashur Hassan.

Afterwards, both ministers discussed how to strengthen co-operation in postal and ICT services, along with addressing a number of other issues of mutual concern. The meeting was attended by Somali ambassador to Qatar, Abdul Razak Fara

Erdogan Cagatay Zontur
Source: AA, Tuesday October 29, 2019

Ankara – Turkey on Tuesday offered condolences to Somalia after heavy flood capsized a boat in Shabelle River city of Beledweyne, killing 15 people on Monday.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and extensive damage caused by the heavy flooding in the city of Beledweyne in Somalia,” Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.“We share the grief of the friendly and brotherly Somali people, wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and extend our condolences to their families,” the statement added.

Some 72,000 families became homeless due to the flood caused by heavy rains in the Hiran region for 5 days.

During the rainy season in Somalia, occasional boat disasters occur in the rivers.

Source: Hiiraan, Tuesday October 29, 2019

MOGADISHU (HOL) – The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned of impending cyclone this week expected to hit parts of Puntland Somaliland.

The UN agency said Tuesday the cyclone named KYARR is expected to affect most parts of Puntland and Somaliland in the next 4 to 5 days.“The storm is expected to affect the coastal areas of Puntland in the next 96 hours and spread inland towards Somaliland and the central areas within 24 hours,” the alert read in part.

The cyclone, the alert indicates with come with strong winds accompanied with light to moderate rains adding it will affect Puntland shipping line this disrupting water transport in the area.

The cyclone’s arrival is likely to add another burden to the Somali government and relief agencies who are struggling to support thousands displaced and affected by floods in southern and central parts of the country.