Category: General

Qatar has renewed its commitment to peace in Somalia during a six-party meeting held in the United States to tackle counterterrorism in the African country, confirming a follow-up meeting in Doha in the coming months.

Parties at the Washington meeting have agreed to reconvene in Doha “within the next three months for ongoing discussions and to take stock of progress.”

In a statement, the US State Department said the meeting on Tuesday dealt with “Somalia’s security, state-building, development, and humanitarian priorities.”

The participants at the meeting included Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

“They discussed how to better support Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab and prepare for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia drawdown, and agreed to strengthen coordination of international security assistance,” the State Department statement read.

Translating to ‘The Youth’ in Arabic, Al Shabaab first emerged as the extremist youth wing of the now-defunct Union of Islamic Courts in Somalia, which ruled Mogadishu in 2006 before Ethiopian forces drove them out.

Currently, the embargo is set to last until 17 November this year.Representatives at the Washington meeting also voiced backing for political reconciliation in Somalia as well as steps to finalise the constitution.

“The partners encourage and support Somalia’s National Consultative Council (NCC) process in promoting political reconciliation and to delineate the roles and responsibilities of levels of government in Somalia, including by finalising the constitution,” the statement read.

Officials also tapped into the ongoing conflict between forces from Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Somaliland and Dhulbahante militia in the Somali city of Lascaanood.

“The partners expressed concern about the ongoing conflict in and around Lascanood and called on all parties to adhere to the ceasefire, de-escalate, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and engage in constructive and peaceful dialogue,” the joint communique read.

Meanwhile, the worsening drought in Somalia has been a key issue of concern and has driven out thousands to neighbouring areas.

“They welcomed support along with international actors to meet the immediate needs of the Somali people, while also strengthening Somalia’s ability to withstand future climate shocks,” the parties said.

Last year, the UN said that more than 755,000 people have been internally displaced in Somalia because of the country’s severe drought, raising the total to one million since January 2021.

The dry season is the worst in 40 years, with more fears over a rise in famine and displacement.

In April last year, Qatar announced plans to invest $1.5 million as part of an emergency response and “resilience-building” in Somalia.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The Governor of Banadir region and the mayor of Mogadishu, and the Somali Police Commander have addressed the recent incidents in Mogadishu in an official media briefing.

The Governor issued a stern warning to officers who harm civilians, stating that it is unacceptable for those who are meant to protect citizens to inflict harm on them.

The police commander emphasized that action will be taken against officers involved in harming civilians and those responsible for breaching peace will be brought to justice.

The Governor also stressed the need for officials to act maturely and honestly in resolving the crisis and prioritize maintaining peace. He made it clear that he would take action against those who break the law and that everyone is accountable. The security officers were also warned not to quickly escalate situations and not to resort to armed conflict unless necessary.

Source: Somali National News Agency

For the past decade, Somalia has been plagued by the presence of the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, which has unleashed a reign of terror and violence across the country, killing thousands of innocent people and hindering the country’s progress toward stability and development. However, since his election to power, the President of Somalia, His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has made it his mission to end the Al-Shabaab menace once and for all. To achieve this, he announced a multi-faceted approach that included psychological, financial, and military warfare against the group. The first phase of this campaign was launched in Hirshabeelle and Galmudug States, and was a resounding success, as Al-Shabaab was driven out of most parts of these States, resulting in the elimination of thousands of their fighters, including senior leaders. Now, the government and local forces are gearing up for the second and final phase of the campaign in Southwest and Jubbaland states

The people of Southwest State in Somalia have been living under the oppressive rule of the terrorist group Al-Shabaab. The group has controlled many towns and roads within the state, making it difficult for locals to move freely and carry out their daily activities. However, with the recent announcement by the President of Somalia, His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, of the commencement of the second phase of the campaign to end the Al-Shabaab menace, there is renewed hope for the people of this region.

The second phase of the campaign against Al-Shabaab in Southwest State and Jubbaland State is set to be a multi-faceted approach that includes psychological, financial, and military measures. The success of the first phase of the campaign in Hirshabelle and Galmudug states, where Al-Shabaab was driven out of most parts, gives hope that the same can be achieved in Southwest State and Jubbaland State, the remaining states yet to be liberated.

One of the key components of the campaign is the mobilization of a large number of soldiers from the federal government and the state of Southwest. The soldiers are being massed up in Bakool region in Southwest State before their deployment. The soldiers will work alongside the locals who have mobilized themselves and are ready to join the fight to end the oppressive rule of Al-Shabaab.

The mobilization of the locals is a clear indication of their resilience and their willingness to cooperate with the government to bring lasting peace to the region. The locals have suffered greatly under the rule of Al-Shabaab, with many losing their loved ones and being forced to flee their homes. The liberation of Southwest State and Jubbaland State will not only bring an end to the insecurity and oppression faced by the people but also open up opportunities for development and growth.

Roads linking towns within the state have been inaccessible due to the insecurity posed by Al-Shabaab. This has had a significant impact on businesses and education, with many schools being forced to close down. However, with the liberation of the state, roads will become accessible, businesses will thrive, and education will be more accessible, leading to an improvement in the living standards of the people.

In addition to the military approach, the campaign against Al-Shabaab in Southwest State will also include psychological and financial measures. The government plans to counter the propaganda and messaging of Al-Shabaab and to promote positive messages of peace and unity. Financial measures will be put in place to choke off the group’s funding sources, making it harder for them to carry out their activities.

The commencement of the second phase of the campaign against Al-Shabaab in Southwest State gives hope for a brighter future for the people of the region. With the determination of the government and the support of the locals, it is expected that the region will soon be liberated from the grip of the terrorist group, leading to lasting peace and development. The liberation of Southwest State and Jubbaland State will not only benefit the people of the region but will also have a positive impact on the country as a whole, paving the way for progress and development

Source: Somali National News Agency

Somalia’s Attorney General, Dr. Sulayman Mohamed Mohamoud, attended the 10th annual meeting of the East African Prosecutors Association (EAAP) in Uganda, where Somalia became the newest member of the regional body. The EAAP aims to foster better cooperation in criminal justice among member countries.

Somalia’s membership in the EAAP also paves the way for its efforts to join the East African Community (EAC), a regional intergovernmental organization.

In a Facebook post, Dr. Suleyman Mohamed shared his experience of attending the 10th meeting of the East African Regional Prosecutor’s Association in Uganda. He expressed his honor in being part of this esteemed group that Somalia recently joined and how they exchanged ideas and strategies for five days to combat cross-border crimes that victimize women and children who deserve protection and justice.

“My office’s request to join the East African Prosecutors Association has been approved. I am very happy that Somalia is now an official member of this regional organization. This will open up many opportunities for our country at the regional level,” he says.

He also highlighted his efforts to prevent crimes against children and youth in Somalia and prosecute gender-based violence cases such as rape, murder, exploitation, and trafficking which threaten the country’s security and stability.

The EAAP is an organization of national prosecution authorities established in 2010 by the founding members of EAC (East African Community), namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The annual meeting provides an opportunity for members to learn from each other’s experiences and share best practices in criminal justice. It also explores ways to improve the criminal justice system, ensuring that it is fair and efficient for all citizens and that countries in the region can cooperate and collaborate effectively in combating crime. The EAC officially launched its verification mission on January 25, 2023, to assess the readiness of the Federal Republic of Somalia to join the Community. The conference, which lasted ten days, included meetings between Somali leaders and government officials, along with representatives from the EAC.

On October 26, 2022, President H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, called for the EAC to expedite the country’s admission into the Community, stating, “Somalia belongs to the East African Community.” During the EAC Secretary-General’s visit to Mogadishu, Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki formally delivered the directive to fast-track the verification exercise for Somalia according to the EAC’s admission procedures.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Abshir Omar Jama (Haruse), expressed eagerness to join the EAC on the first day of the meeting, stating, “We are confident that Somalia’s membership in the EAC will bring mutual benefits to all parties involved.” Similarly, Abdisalan Hadliye Omar, the Special Envoy of the President of Somalia to the EAC, expressed optimism about Somalia’s integration into the EAC, saying, “Somalia is ready to join the EAC family and contribute to its vision and objectives.”

It is noteworthy that Somali people have major businesses in the countries of the East African Community, such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dr. Mohamed Osman Mohamoud, the National Economic Advisor to the President of Somalia and a member of the National Economic Council, with whom I spoke on a WhatsApp call, advocates for joining the EAC as a way to improve regional cooperation and integration. He says, “It would enhance trade, services, human capital development, and mobility across borders.”

He highlighted Somalia’s long coastline and its entrepreneurial spirit as assets for peace and tourism.

Somalia is the Horn’s easternmost country. Somalis and East Africans benefit from EAC membership. Cooperation, growth, and prosperity resulted.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The death toll climbed to 38 from a train crash in northern Greece with at least 15 people still missing, media reports said Wednesday.

At least 72 injured passengers were hospitalized, according to the state-run news agency, AMNA.

Fifty-seven, including six in intensive care units, are under treatment at nearby hospitals, it said.

It noted that the victims include nine railway employees and university students returning to school in the northern port city of Thessaloniki from Larissa and Athens.

Search and rescue teams are working to pull survivors from the wreckage with the aid of at least two cranes, which are being used to remove passenger carriages.

Ambulances and fire engines are also on-site and psychologists were sent to the Larissa General Hospital to provide support to the families of the victims and passengers.

Nikos Sguris, one of the rescuers, told Anadolu that there are two major reasons behind the high death toll.

First, both trains were moving at a fast speed, and second, the fire was further fueled by cooking oil stored in the restaurant area.

Another volunteer rescuer, Vasilis Iliopoulos, maintained that it is unlikely anyone will come out alive from the wreckage.

Türkiye offers condolences

Neighboring Türkiye offered condolences, expressing sorrow for the loss of life.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended condolences to Greece for the fatal crash.

“Stating that he is deeply saddened by the train crash, President Erdogan extended his condolences for those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured,” said a statement by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, following a message from the Turkish leader to Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said: “We have learned with sorrow that many people lost their lives and were injured last night as a result of a train crash in our neighbor Greece.”

“We extend our condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident as well as to the people and government of Greece and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”

Additionally, in a telephone call, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu conveyed his condolences to his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The Speaker of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E Sheikh Adan Mohamed Noor (Madobe) and his delegation arrived in Cairo, the capital of Egypt for an official visit, late Wednesday.

The Speaker was welcomed at the Cairo airport by the Somali ambassador to Egypt Amb. Ilyas Sheikh Omar and officials from the Parliament of Egypt.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The Minister of Defense of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E Abdikadir Mohamed Nur and the Commander of the Somali National Army, General Odowaa Yusuf Rage reached the Abdalla Janay village in the Lower Juba region.

“This area, which was very important for the Khawarij to move and collect extortion from the poor people, was defeated by the heroes of the armed forces at both levels in January of this year,” said the Minister of Defense.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E Hamza Abdi Barre chaired the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers today and issued important decisions to prevent the problems faced by citizens who work in Bajaj.

The Council of Ministers approved the appointment of the Independent Commission for the Review and Implementation of the Transitional Constitution consisting of 5 members, which was proposed by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

The Council also approved the Medicine and Food Safety Bill, and two other agreements reached by the Somali government with the Qatari government, which are about cooperation in the fields of media, heritage and knowledge.

Source: Somali National News Agency