Somalia News Gazette

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud officially took office in the Horn of Africa country after a handover ceremony in Mogadishu.

A week ago, Mohamud won the presidency after an intense election, defeating Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, known as Farmajo, in a third round of voting. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud becomes the first ex-president in Somalia to be reelected.

In a joint speech at the brief but colorfully prepared handover ceremony, former President Farmajo called on the country’s population to support the new leader.

He said, “… I want to advise them to work with the new president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, because the election has been completed and he will start the work and everything he does will be for the people of Somalia … .”

The former president also, for the first time, confirmed the presence in Eritrea of Somali troops.

Although they were sent to Eritrea for training, there were accusations that the troops were involved in northern Ethiopia, where the central government was involved in a conflict with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. The TPLF is a former member of the coalition that ruled Ethiopia for three decades. Ethiopia’s government has branded the group a terrorist organization.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mohamud addressed the issue of Somali troops in Eritrea.

He said, “Today is a historic day,” adding, “I was handed power smoothly as well as the government files.” Mohamud also said, “We will work so that the Somali trainees in Eritrea are brought back to Somalia.”

The number of soldiers in Eritrea was kept secret until now. Officials say 5,000 soldiers were deployed there. Parents of some of the soldiers staged several protests, demanding to know the whereabouts of their sons.

Mohamud, who served as president between 2012 and 2017, is inheriting a much divided Somalia and a prolonged drought that displaced over half a million Somalis.

Source: Voice of America

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivered his message during the opening of the annual World Health Assembly – the decision-making body of WHO comprised of representatives of 194 countries.

Noting that it was the first time since 2019 that the Assembly could take place in-person, he asked ministers where the world stood, two years into the most severe health crisis in a century.

“So, is it COVID-19 over? No, it’s most certainly not over. I know that’s not the message you want to hear, and it’s definitely not the message I want to deliver”, he highlighted.

He added that although in many countries all restrictions have been lifted and life looks much like it did before the pandemic, reported cases are increasing in almost 70 countries in all regions.

“And this in a world in which testing rates have plummeted”, he added.

Tedros warned that reported deaths are also rising in Africa, the continent with the lowest vaccination coverage.

“This virus has surprised us at every turn – a storm that has torn through communities again and again, and we still can’t predict its path, or its intensity”, he emphasised.

Global gaps in COVID-19 response

While agreeing that progress has been made, with 60% of the world’s population already vaccinated, Tedros reminded that almost one billion people in lower-income countries remain unvaccinated.

“It’s not over anywhere until it’s over everywhere…Only 57 countries have vaccinated 70% of their population – almost all of them high-income countries”, he noted.

The WHO chief also warned that increasing transmission means more deaths and more risk of a new variant emerging, and the current decline of testing and sequencing means “we are blinding ourselves to the evolution of the virus”.

He pointed out as well that in some countries there is still insufficient political commitment to roll out vaccines, and there are still gaps in operational and financial capacity.

“And in all, we see vaccine hesitancy driven by misinformation and disinformation”, he added.

It is possible to end the pandemic

Tedros said that WHO’s primary focus now is to support countries to turn vaccines into vaccinations as fast as possible, but they are still seeing supply-side problems for tests and therapeutics with insufficient funds and access.

“The pandemic will not magically disappear. But we can end it. We have the knowledge. We have the tools. Science has given us the upper hand”, he said, calling on countries to work together to reach 70% of vaccination coverage.

Other priorities

The Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly is being held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 22-28 May 2022. It is the first in-person Health Assembly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the meeting, country delegates make decisions on health goals and strategies that will guide public health work and the work of the WHO Secretariat to move the world towards better health and well-being for all.

The theme of this year’s Assembly is Health for peace, peace for health.

“As we speak, our colleagues around the world are responding to outbreaks of Ebola in DRC, monkeypox and hepatitis of unknown cause, and complex humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Ukraine and Yemen.

We face a formidable convergence of disease, drought, famine and war, fuelled by climate change, inequity and geopolitical rivalry”, Tedros told Ministers.

Global Health Leaders Awards

The WHO Director-General also announced on Sunday six awards to recognize outstanding contribution to advancing global health, demonstrated leadership and commitment to regional health issues.

The winners include British-Lebanese psychiatrist Dr Ahmed Hankir, youth sports advocate Ms Ludmila Sofia Oliveira Varela, and polio workers in Afghanistan.

Source: EMM

Introduction

1. The present report, submitted pursuant to paragraph 17 of Security Council resolution 2592 (2021) and paragraph 54 of resolution 2628 (2022), provides updates on the implementation of those resolutions, including on the mandates of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). The report covers significant developments from 1 February to 6 May 2022.

II. Political and security overview

A. Political and electoral developments and United Nations activities

2. During the reporting period, considerable progress was made towards the completion of the electoral process, with all 275 House of the People seats elected as at 6 May. A total of 54 women, or 20 per cent, of the 275 were elected, falling short of the 30 per cent target and representing a decrease from the 24 per cent achieved in 2016. On 14 April, the inauguration ceremony for the eleventh Parliament took place in Mogadishu, with 290 newly elected members of the Upper House and the House of the People sworn in. On 26 April, Abdi Hashi Abdullahi was re-elected as Speaker and Ali Shaban Ibrahim and Abdullahi Ali Hirsi were re-elected as Deputy Speakers of the Upper House. On 27 and 28 April, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur “Adan Madobe” was elected as Speaker of the House of the People, while Sadia Yasin Haji Samatar was elected as First Deputy Speaker and Abdullahi Omar Abshir “Abshirow” as Second Deputy Speaker. Sadia Yasin Haji Samatar is the first ever female Deputy Speaker in the history of Somalia. The parliamentary Committee tasked with organizing the presidential elections announced that the elections would be held on 15 May.

3. The elections saw delays in February and March. The timeline announced by the National Consultative Council in January, whereby the House of the People elections were expected to conclude by 25 February, was met only for the Banaadir and Somaliland seats. On 24 February, the Prime Minister, Mohamed Hussein Roble, extended the deadline to 15 March. Galmudug and South-West States completed their respective electoral processes by 15 March, while Puntland completed the process on 18 March. On 15 March, the Federal Electoral Implementation Team published an updated timetable, announcing that parliament would be sworn in on 14 April but did not indicate a timeline for the completion of the House of the People or presidential elections.

4. Hirshabelle and Jubbaland States faced challenges in completing the House of the People elections, in particular in the second voting locations of Beledweyne and Garbahaarrey. In Hirshabelle, the President, Ali Abdullahi Hussein “Gudlawe” engaged with various clan elders, militia leaders and politicians in Beledweyne to defuse tensions between his administration and the Hawadle clan on the elections and broader power-sharing disputes. President Gudlawe and Hawadle leaders reportedly reached an informal understanding on 8 February to focus on the elections, which subsequently started on 20 February. Following complaints from clan elders and opposition candidates over the lack of transparency of the electoral process, President Gudlawe replaced the Chairperson of the Hirshabelle State Election Implementation Team on 20 March. Contestation over one House of the People seat continued to delay the finalization of the House of the People elections in Hirshabelle.

5. The organization of elections in Garbahaarrey, Gedo Region, the second designated polling location for Jubbaland State according to the agreement of 17 September 2020, remained a source of contention between the President, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo”, and the President of Jubbaland, Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madobe”. In accordance with the outcome document of the meeting of the National Consultative Council, held on 24 February, the Prime Minister appointed a fact-finding committee on 28 February to assess the conditions for conducting the electoral process in Garbahaarrey. On 2 March, the committee met with Jubbaland officials and other election stakeholders based in Kismaayo. However, the Gedo regional administration barred the fact-finding committee from visiting Garbahaarrey, questioning the neutrality of its chairperson. Efforts to reach an agreement on the process have been unsuccessful. On 14 April, the Federal Electoral Implementation Team announced that the 16 Garbahaarrey seats would be moved to Ceel Waaq, Gedo Region. In a separate statement, also issued on 14 April, the Governor of Gedo Region invited elders, candidates and electoral bodies to Garbahaarrey to hold elections there. Consequently, parallel elections for the 16 Gedo seats were held on 22 and 23 April in El Wak and on 23 April in Garbahaarrey, with both groups of Members of Parliament claiming to represent the seats from Gedo.

6. On 31 March, the Federal Electoral Implementation Team published a list of the elected Members of Parliament for both the Upper House and the House of the People. The list excluded four House of the People seats, three for South-West State and one for Hirshabelle State. On 6 April, the Federal Electoral Implementation Team cited irregularities in the processes as the reason. As a result, South-West State recalled its newly elected parliamentarians for consultations and suspended cooperation with the Prime Minister on election matters. Following discussions betwe en the Chair of the Federal Electoral Implementation Team and the State President, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Laftagareen”, aimed at resolving the issue before the swearing-in of Parliament, two of the South-West State seats initially excluded by the Federal Electoral Implementation Team were recognized on 13 April and the third was re-run.

The Hirshabelle seat decision was appealed to the Supreme Court, which declined to adjudicate on the matter. The seat remains pending.

7. On 4 April, the Prime Minister dismissed the former Chair and SecretaryGeneral of the Federal Electoral Implementation Team, accusing him of involvement in attempts to disrupt the process of swearing in newly elected parliamentarians. Five other members of the body received warnings.

8. Reports of electoral irregularities continued to circulate during the reporting period. In a press release issued on 29 March, the Election Dispute Resolution Committee stated that it had adjudicated six complaints relating to House of the People seats. The Committee stated that 25 complaints would be referred to the National Consultative Council as they involved “violations of multiple rights”, but no meeting of the Council took place on the issue.

9. Following the convening of the Eleventh Parliament, the Interim Speaker, Abdisalam Haji “Dhabancad”, swore in the 16 Members of Parliament elected from El Wak on 25 April. Not recognizing his decision, the 16 Members from Garbahaarrey demanded to be recognized as the legitimate Members of Parliament from Gedo. This controversy delayed the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speakers of the House of the People on 27 April. However, the vote went ahead after a compromise was reached which prevented both groups of 16 Members from voting in the election, while remaining in the election venue. After his election as Speaker, on 8 May, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur, after consultations, formally recognized the 16 Members from Gedo as the legitimate representatives from that region.

10. My Special Representative and his team, jointly with international partners, continued to engage with all key stakeholders, including Mr. Farmajo, the Prime Minister, leaders of federal member states, opposition leaders and the election management bodies, to accelerate the completion of the elections, urge fulfilment of the women quota, de-escalate tensions and resolve outstanding electoral issues through dialogue and compromise. They also shared the view of the international partners that the delays in the electoral process were drawing attention away from key national priorities, including the security transition, the completion of the constitutional review and addressing the dire humanitarian situation. In an effort to encourage completion of a credible electoral process, the United Nations coordinated joint statements with international partners, which were issued on 18 February, 18 March and 14, 27 and 28 April.

Source: UN Security Council

The International Monetary Fund has agreed to extend the duration of a crucial aid package to Somalia, following a long-overdue presidential election last weekend.

The three-year $400m aid package from the IMF had been set to automatically expire on May 17 if a new administration was not in place by then, with multiple election delays adding to the heavily indebted country’s turmoil.

But last week the IMF Executive Board accepted the Somali government’s request for a three-month extension until August 17, giving newly-elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud‘s government time to examine and endorse planned reforms.

“The extension will provide the time needed to confirm policy understandings with the new government and confirm financing assurances with development partners,” Laura Jaramillo Mayor, the IMF’s mission chief for Somalia, said.

Somalia’s international partners have welcomed the election of President Mohamud, with many hoping it will draw a line under a long-running political crisis that has distracted the government from other threats, including a violent armed uprising and a devastating drought.

Under the terms of the IMF program, Somalia’s debt could fall to $557m as early as 2023, Jaramillo told AFP in an interview in February.

That in turn would allow Mogadishu to attract more funding from international partners and help develop its private sector.

One of the poorest countries in the world, more than 70 percent of Somalia’s population lived on less than $1.90 a day. The country is also struggling to recover from decades of civil war and has been battling the al-Qaeda-linked armed group al-Shabab for years.

Every month, the federal government runs short of $10m to cover crucial expenses such as staff salaries.

Meanwhile, a severe drought threatens to drive millions into famine, and UN agencies have warned of a humanitarian catastrophe unless early action is taken.

Mohamud – who served as president between 2012 and 2017 and is the first Somali leader to win a second term – has promised to transform the troubled Horn of Africa nation into “a peaceful country that is at peace with the world”.

Source: Nam News Network (NNN)

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA —

Somalia’s new president is starting his four-year term facing familiar top issues such as the country’s political divide and rising attacks by al-Qaida-linked insurgent group al-Shabab.

As he settles into office, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud faces a politically divided nation, high public expectations and the specter of al-Shabab, which has remained a potent threat since it emerged in 2007.

Fawzia Yusuf, a former deputy prime minister who ran for president in the just concluded elections, said the new president has the uphill task of constituting a competent government given the many competing interests.

“Since our system is currently based on tribal 4.5, people are expecting him to choose people from different tribes,” she said. “So, one of the challenges is putting together a very strong Cabinet, which are technocrats which are not based on tribal but on meritocracy.”

The distribution of power in Somalia is on a clan-based system locally known as the 4.5 system, where majority clans are allocated majority seats in parliament while the smaller clans, grouped together, get the remainder.

In the coming days, the president is expected to name a new prime minister who will need parliamentary approval before proceeding to name a Cabinet.

Besides tackling the political question, Mohamud must contend with the security threats posed by militant group al-Shabab.

According to Abdurahman Sheikh Azhari, the director of the Mogadishu-based Center for Analysis and Strategic Studies, the new president, like his predecessor, doesn’t have much leeway in dealing with al-Shabab.

“Of course, al-Shabab’s fighting, and attacks will continue as long as they are able or capable of carrying out attacks,” he said. Azhari added he thinks the opportunities for the president are slim because al-Shabab is a terrorist organization, an international organization, and a regional organization, and this means they will not surrender easily.

Azhari argued that despite the lack of incentive from al-Shabab to negotiate due to its successful attacks in recent months, dialogue is still a possible option.

“I think the government, with the help of international and regional partners, can negotiate indirectly with sections of the al-Shabab leadership who may want to surrender or oppose the organization,” he said.

Yusuf, too, shares a similar view that the new president may need to consider taking a different approach by opening lines of communication with the militant group.

“Another challenge, as I said, is the security,” he said. “The security is a major problem. Al-Shabab is a major problem, and their demand is to get rid of the foreign forces, in other words, the ATMIS or troops coming from the contributing countries. So, dealing with them is not an easy matter. Never in the world has a rebellion or terrorist groups won, but they still weaken any administration. So, I think the best thing he can do is to start negotiating with them and deal with the hard-core groups.”

By ATMIS, Yusuf was referring to the U.N.-authorized African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. Its mandate includes reducing the threat posed by al-Shabab and conducting a phased handover of security responsibilities to Somalia. ATMIS is expected to end its mission in 2024.

Having had the backing of most opposition candidates during the May 15 vote, Mohamud now has to avoid a fallout while ensuring he puts in place a competent team to deliver his election promises.

Analysts say the new leader could take advantage of the planned return of U.S. forces to the country to bolster the war against al-Shabab and strengthen the national army. For now, the country is waiting to see who Mohamud will pick as prime minister.

Source: Voice of America

NAIROBI, Provision of quality and affordable healthcare services to women, children and adolescents in Africa’s conflict hotspots will be a priority, to avert a humanitarian crisis, senior officials said at a virtual forum.

Margaret Agama-Anyetei, acting director for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union (AU), said, the bloc and its multilateral partners intend to scale up maternal, infant and adolescent health services in fragile settings, as part of efforts to build the resilience of communities.

“Responding to the health needs of women, children and youth in humanitarian settings is critical, to save lives and build resilience in the face of fragilities connected to the climate crisis, conflicts and the pandemic,” said Agama-Anyetei.

She disclosed that, the establishment of a home-grown agency, to deal with the humanitarian crisis in the continent had gathered steam, and priority will be accorded to vulnerable groups like women, children, the elderly and youth.

While acknowledging that the climate crisis, COVID-19 pandemic and internal strife had taken a heavier toll on women, girls, children and the adolescents in Africa, Agama-Anyetei said, providing them with nutritional support, clean water, sanitation and reproductive health services was paramount.

Early preparedness and response, improved accountability and partnership are key to boosting response to the health and nutrition needs of women and children in fragile settings, said Agama-Anyetei.

Convened by global health lobbies, the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) and CORE Group, the virtual forum sought to rekindle conversation on effective delivery of health services to women, children and adolescents in humanitarian and fragile settings.

Chipo Chimamise, deputy director of Maternal and Reproductive Health of the Ministry of Health and Childcare of Zimbabwe, said that, investing in women, child centered healthcare programmes was crucial, given their vulnerability to diseases, malnutrition occasioned by conflicts and natural disasters.

Chimamise suggested that, African governments should prioritise investing in mental health and psychosocial support, to help heal trauma among women, children and youth in humanitarian settings.

Source: Nam News Network

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations continued its 2022 session today, recommending 34 organizations for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and deferring action on 96 others.

It also took note of the request by Goal to withdraw its consultative status.

The 19-member Committee considers applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification submitted by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Once an application has been reviewed and approved by the Committee it is considered recommended for consultative status. Organizations which were granted general and special status can attend meetings of the Council and issue statements, while those with general status can also speak during meetings and propose agenda items. Organizations with roster status can only attend meetings.

Action on several applications was postponed because Committee members requested further information from the candidates about, among other items, details of their organizations’ activities, partners, expenditures and sources of funding.

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations will meet again at 10 a.m. on Friday, 20 May, to continue its session.

Special Consultative Status

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations recommended that the Economic and Social Council grant special consultative status to the following entities:

Fundación para el Desarrollo de Políticas Sustentables (Argentina);

Generations For Peace (Jordan);

Jaaniv Foundation (India);

Janmitra Nyas (India);

Le conseil promotionnel pour l’action des jeunes en Afrique (Congo);

Mulabi Association Latin American Work Group for Sexual Rights Civil Association (Costa Rica);

News Network (Bangladesh);

Nikan Mammut Charity Foundation (Iran);

Parker Peace Foundation (Ghana);

Peaceland Foundation (China);

Protection for Legal & Human Rights Foundation (Bangladesh);

Public Organization “Institute for the Study of Dependencies, Drug Policy Issues and Monitoring the Drug Situation” (Ukraine);

Réveil communautaire d’assistance aux victims (Burundi);

SFLC.in- Software Freedom Law Center (India);

Social Services Trust (India);

The Emmanuel Ivorgba Foundation (Nigeria);

Agence Mondiale pour la Bonne Gouvernance (France);

Association Sphere (Switzerland);

Bell Global Justice Institute (United States);

Congregation Pirchei Shoshanim, a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation (United States);

For All Moonkind, Inc. (United States);

Foreningen Tryggere Ruspolitikk (Norway);

Global Rights for Women (United States);

Hope Worldwide Pakistan (New Zealand);

Human Rights for Kids (United States);

Humanitarian Tracker (United States);

Instituto RIA (Mexico);

Inštitut za raziskave in razvoj “Utrip” (Slovenia);

Islamic Medical Association of North America Inc. (United States);

Organisation Suisse d’aide aux réfugiés (Switzerland);

Peace Direct (United Kingdom);

People for Equality and Relief in Lanka Inc. (United States);

Rise International Inc. (United States); and

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Inc. (United States).

The Committee postponed action on the application of the following 96 organizations:

Forum for Development and Human Rights Dialogue (Egypt) — as Pakistan’s representative requested audited financial statements for 2021;

Fundación Género con Clase (Venezuela) — as the representative of the United States requested details on the sources of in-kind goods and services, and their fair market value;

Fundación Venezolana por el Derecho a la Vivienda (Venezuela) — as the representative of the United States requested information on the right to housing guarantee;

General Union of Arab Experts (Morocco) — as China’s representative asked the organization why it closed its application in 2018;

Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (China) — as the representative of the United States requested a list of its business members who pay member fees;

Global Village Forum Chakwal c/o Shaheen Degree College Chappar Bazar Chakwal (Pakistan) — as Pakistan’s representative requested details on the roles and contributions of its organizational members;

Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (India) — as Pakistan’s representative requested details on its projects aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 (peace, justice, strong institutions);

Gulshan-e-John (Pakistan) — as Pakistan’s representative requested the locations of its eight offices outside the country and asked about the work being carried out by them;

Human Rights Protection Group and MFP Federation (India) — as India’s representative requested details on its involvement in a United Nations event;

Human Welfare Charitable Trust (India) — as India’s representative asked for clarification on the number of members;

Humanitarian Aid International (India) — as Pakistan’s representative requested details on its advocacy work outside the country;

Incentive Care Foundation (Pakistan) — as Pakistan’s representative requested details on its social activities;

Instance démocratique pour la citoyenneté et les droits de l’homme (Morocco) — as China’s representative requested information about its non-profit status, noting that it also derives income from the sale of goods and services;

Institute for Integrated Rural Development (India) — as Pakistan’s representative requested information on its organizational members, and whether they are based outside the country;

Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (Pakistan) — as Pakistan’s representative noted that the organization has no members yet does have a membership fee, and requested clarification on this matter;

International Non-Olympic Committee (India) — as Pakistan’s representative requested details on its organizational members and the activities carried out in 100 countries;

Kafka Welfare Organization (Pakistan) — as Pakistan’s representative requested audited financial statements for 2020 and 2021;

Kolkata Society for Cultural Heritage (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked about the independence of the organization;

Lahore Educational and Welfare Society (Pakistan) — as India’s representative asked about measures for school security;

Mentor Amiable Professional Society (Pakistan) — as India’s representative sought details about its meetings at the United Nations and about its contributions to those discussions;

Mukti (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked whether the organization has any employees;

Mumbai Smiles Foundation (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked how the organization is able to operate without any individual or organizational members;

ONG L’Ange Gardien (Benin) — as the Russian Federation’s representative asked about the various types of members;

Organisation Tamaynut (Morocco) — as China’s representative requested a list of its cultural activities and asked about the nature of its partnerships with Government entities;

Organization of female conscience renewal (Morocco) — as India’s representative asked how it maintains its independence when most of its funding is from Government sources. He also requested a list of projects undertaken and outcomes achieved;

Pak Special Persons Welfare Society (Pakistan) — as Pakistan’s representative requested clarity on whether the membership fees are remitted from outside the country and from whom;

Pakistan Press Foundation (Pakistan) — as Pakistan’s representative asked about efforts to procure local funding;

Piramal Swasthya Management and Research Institute (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked about water-related projects and the regions in which they are carried out;

Populous Education Foundation (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked whether it is an international organization;

Pouya Institute for Communications and Social Development (Iran) — as the representative of the United States asked for detailed information on the research it intends to conduct;

Prayas Juvenile Aid Centre (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked about the juvenile justice projects undertaken over the last two years;

Public Association “Regional Consumer Protection Society” (PA “Regional Consumer Protection Society”) (Belarus) — as Estonia’s representative requested full financial reports from 2019 and 2020, especially as related to question 16, the collection of membership fees;

Research Society of International Law (Pakistan) — as India’s representative asked the organization to clarify its response to question 15 on its application, related to its members and membership framework;

Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation (China) — as the representative of the United States sought an update on its projects carried out in 2021 and a detailed update on those planned for the remainder of 2022;

Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (China) — as the representative of the United States requested an update on the organization’s planned projects for 2022, as well as on its income and expenditures;

Somali Green Crescent Society (Somalia) — as the representative of the United States asked whether the organization has a relationship with Somalia’s Government, whether it received any money from that Government in the last five years or whether it plans to receive any such funds;

Syrian Youth Council (Syria) — as the representative of the United States asked why its total expenditure exceeds its total income;

The New Woman Foundation (Egypt) — as Pakistan’s representative asked about its projects for independent trade unions, their outcomes and costs incurred;

The Voice Society (Pakistan) — as Pakistan’s representative requested clarity on the criteria used for taking up legal aid cases;

Transnational Anti-Organized Crime Intelligence Group Inc. (Philippines) — as Cuba’s representative requested a project breakdown;

United Global Organization of Development (Pakistan) — as India’s representative asked about the number of beneficiaries and funding source of its vocational training centre for rural women, and requested a list of projects undertaken in 2021;

Welfare Association Jared (Pakistan) — as Pakistan’s representative requested details on its advocacy efforts;

West Papua Interest Association (Indonesia) — as China’s representative asked for details on the dates, locations, beneficiaries and participants in its training activities;

World Historic and Cultural Canal Cities Cooperation Organization (China) — as the representative of the United States asked for detailed information about the group’s autonomy and about related decisions made by China’s Government;

Y4D Foundation (India) — as Pakistan’s representative requested project documents for a project listed under question 5 on the application, along with the expenditures incurred on that project;

Young League Pakistan (Pakistan) — as Pakistan’s representative requested that the organization submit audited financial statements;

de Centre Idriss El Fakhouri des Etudes et de Recherches en Sciences Juridiques Oujda (Morocco) — as the Russian Federation’s representative asked about its selection and application criteria for its leaders;

vishwa manavadhikar parishad (India) — as Pakistan’s representative requested projects to provide free education and medical assistance to handicapped people;

ARCS Arci Culture Solidali APS (Italy) — as Turkey’s representative asked about the mechanisms in place to ensure the organization’s independence, and about the reporting it must carry out on the public funds it receives;

Arab-European Center of Human Rights and International Law (Norway) — as Bahrain’s representative asked about its education and training sessions, as well as about annual conference, including dates, locations, participants, partners and sponsors;

Arabian Rights Watch Association (United States) — as China’s representative asked about a relationship with certain Iraqi development organizations;

Asociatia Romanian Women’s Lobby (Romania) — as Turkey’s representative requested information about its initiatives related to the effects of migration on transnational families and their outcomes;

Association of Lawyers of Russia (Russian Federation) — as the representative of the United States asked about its $2.6 million funding from the Government;

Association of Non-for-Profit Organizations to Facilitate the Drug Prevention and Socially Dangerous Behaviour “National Anti-Drug Union” (Russian Federation) — as the representative of the United States asked whether its addiction treatments, rehabilitation and resocialization programmes adhere to international best practices, and if so, requested the entity to indicate the authorities of those best practices;

Autonomous Non-Profit Organization of promotion the development of international relations in the framework of the BRICS group “International Alliance of BRICS Strategic Projects” (Russian Federation) — as Estonia’s representative asked about its financial arrears for 2019 and 2020;

Autonomous Nonprofit Organization “International Centre Save the Children from Cybercrimes” (Russian Federation) — as Estonia’s representative is interested in how the group will be managed with such a small budget and requested that it provide a list of its sponsors, donors or other funding sources;

Autonomous non-profit organization humanitarian programs organization “Russian Humanitarian Mission” (Russian Federation) — as the representative of the United States asked the group to describe how much humanitarian support it provided to the Palestinian people between 2016 and 2019;

Brussels International Center for Research and Human Rights (Belgium) — as the Russian Federation’s representative requested the organization to provide a list of all countries in which it works;

Center for Military Human Rights Korea (Republic of Korea) — as the Russian Federation’s representative asked the organization to explain its election process in more depth;

Centre international pour la paix et les droits de l’homme (Switzerland) — as China’s representative requested it provide details about the conferences it attended;

Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (Republic of Korea) — as China’s representative asked whether the foreign Government funding is dedicated to specific projects;

Committee for Justice (Switzerland) — as China’s representative asked about its relationship with donors in relation to decision-making;

Congres mondial Amazigh (France) — as Libya’s representative, noting that the organization is working in the Nafusa and Zuwarah mountains, requested a list of local partners, as well as the procedures followed in relation to the upcoming issuance of work permits in Libya;

Coppieters Foundation (Belgium) — as Turkey’s representative sought clarification about the organization’s election campaign spending;

Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (Republic of Korea) — as China’s representative asked how it maintains its independence;

De Regenboog Groep (Netherlands) — as the Russian Federation’s representative asked about the distribution of its grants;

Earth Focus Foundation (Switzerland) — as China’s representative, citing an article on the organization’s website, requested that it use the correct terminology, “Taiwan, province of China”;

Eiropas demokratijas attistibas centrs (Latvia) — as Estonia’s representative asked the group to explain whether it is an international or regional organization, to provide a list of its activities aimed at promoting democracy and whether it cooperates with any State institutions in Latvia or within the European Union;

Eri-Platform (Belgium) — as China’s representative requested its 2021 financial statement;

Ethiopian Genocide Committee 1935-1941, Inc. (United States) — as Turkey’s representative requested information on how the organization takes decisions, as well as on the functions of its administrative bodies and the election/nomination process for its executive bodies;

European network on cultural management and policy (Belgium) — as China’s representative requested a list of the organization’s associated members and supporting members;

Global Action for Trans* Equality Inc. (United States) — as the Russian Federation’s representative requested a full list of its partner organizations;

Global Alumni Alliance (Russian Federation) — as Estonia’s representative asked the organization to explain who is a member and whether there are members from the Russian Federation, among other questions;

Global Detention Project (Switzerland) — as China’s representative asked for information on its members;

Global Minorities Alliance (United Kingdom) — as Turkey’s representative asked how the organization carries out it activities, given its budget;

Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, Inc. (United States) — as Pakistan’s representative requested further information about its projects in Afghanistan, notably related to expenses and outcomes achieved;

Health and Environment Justice Support e.V. (Germany) — as the Russian Federation’s representative asked how members participate in decision-making if they do not have the right to vote;

Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (Georgia) — as the Russian Federation’s representative asked whether it cooperates on a financial level with a certain organization;

InterPride (United States) — as the Russian Federation’s representative, noting that the organization’s income is twice that of its expenses, asked how it uses its surplus income;

International Association for the Development of the Abaza-Abkhaz Ethnos “Alashara” (Russian Federation) — as the representative of the United States requested the names and nationalities of those on its executive bodies and for an explanation of how they are nominated, and Estonia’s representative made a point about using United Nations terminology, notably in relation to Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Russian Federation’s representative said the organization’s name is not aligned with the Committee’s view regarding the republic of Abkhazia nor the Russian Federation’s acknowledgement of Abkhazia as a sovereign nation;

International Association of Genocide Scholars, Inc., The (Australia) — as India’s representative asked for a list of activities for 2022 and audited statement for 2021;

International Funders for Indigenous Peoples Inc. (United States) — as the Russian Federation’s representative requested detailed information about the organization’s financing sources;

International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations (Switzerland) — as the Russian Federation’s representative requested further clarification around its organizational members;

International Society of Criminology (United States) — as China’s representative asked for another update about its workshop, specifically whether it is supported by any Government;

International Youth Federation (United Kingdom) — as Pakistan’s representative asked about its member organizations and about any related project details;

Inti Raymi Fund, Inc. (United States) — as the Russian Federation’s representative requested further information about its activities in the Russian Federation, the amount of money spent on those projects and about its partner organizations in the country;

Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (United States) — as Cuba’s representative asked about the countries in which it operates, as well as a list of activities over the last two years and its funding for them, and the representative of the United States said members of this community have experienced harassment and attacks;

Mangfoldhuset (Norway) — as Turkey’s representative requested information on the scope of funding objectives and outcomes of its projects carried out since 2019;

NAUH (Now Action & Unity for Human rights) (Republic of Korea) — as the Russian Federation’s representative requested financial reports from 2018-2021;

Natan – International Humanitarian Aid (R.A.) (Israel) — as Pakistan’s representative requested details on projects to help victims of national disasters, including the countries in which the projects are carried out and the funding sources for them;

National Committee on BRICS Research (Russian Federation) — as the representative of the United States asked about the nature of its cooperation, notably in the economic and humanitarian spheres;

Nobel Women’s Initiative (Canada) — as Bahrain’s representative requested the organization to elaborate on what it means by “some work” with women human rights defenders in the Middle East, per its 13 July 2021 response;

Peace Without Limits (PWL) International Organization, Inc. (Switzerland) — as Turkey’s representative asked about the aim, scope, funding, participants and outcomes of its projects;

PeaceCorea (Republic of Korea) — as China’s representative asked about its registration in China;

Razom Inc. (United States) — as the Russian Federation’s representative asked for a list of projects carried out in 2020 and 2021, their costs and sources of financing; and

Regional Public Organization for the Protection of Citizens’ Rights “Zolochevsky Team” (Russian Federation) — as Estonia’s representative requested an updated financial overview that includes membership fees and other income in 2020, and the representative of the United States, referring to the group’s advocacy activities, asked specifically about public hearings and legislative initiatives.

Interactive Discussion

A speaker from Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam of Columbus said that since 2007, the volunteer-run organization has served everyone, irrespective of age, sex, ethnicity, religion, economic or any other status. Participants and donors are mainly from the north-east region of the United States and from Canada. Since 2007, more than 24,000 meals were freely distributed to anyone visiting the complex, contributing to the goals of zero poverty and hunger. It also offered 100 yoga and meditation sessions at the largest women’s prison in Ohio, aimed at achieving good health and well-being. It organizes classes on the ancient scriptures, online and in person, and provides 250 life skills classes for children.

The representative of the United States said the organization had previously been asked about its current relationship with Swami Nithyananda, who has faced charges in India of kidnapping and other abuse, to which the speaker replied that Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam of Columbus is a Hindu religious organization, registered as a 501 (c) and is independent. It has no legal relationship with any other entity. Swami Nithyananda is the spiritual head of Hinduism; he is not a director, officer or volunteer of the organization, and hence, not involved in any of its operations or decision-making. He is only a spiritual guide, and the organization is aligned with his spiritual teachings. He said the kidnapping charge relates to a 2019 case in Gujarat, where the alleged victims — who are adults — provided their oral and written confirmation to police that no such crime had taken place and stated the same in an affidavit notarized by the Indian High Commission.

The representative of the United States asked the organization to provide documentation about when and how these ties were severed from the spiritual leader, if there is no affiliation with him.

The speaker from the Brussels International Center for Research and Human Rights said the organization is a think tank that promotes the Sustainable Development Goals, notably through high-level dialogues with ambassadors and other stakeholders. Its recent work includes events to promote Sustainable Development Goal 16, aimed at mitigating the crises in Afghanistan and Yemen. It also launched a podcast, and among others, welcomed an official from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Afghanistan. It also increased its focus on fulfilling Goal 3 to improve Africa’s health sovereignty. On Goal 5, it will continue to advance the women, peace and security agenda, following a flagship event “extremely important to prioritize in the near future” given the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women and girls.

The Russian Federation’s representative said the website page could not be opened and asked for the new website address if the current one is no longer operating, to which the speaker replied that the website listed on the application has not changed. The Russian Federation’s representative, noting that the link still does not open, asked more broadly how the organization carries out its projects, to which the speaker replied that the majority of its expenses are for staff and personnel; projects have low budget implications, especially as many of them are organized online. The Russian Federation’s representative requested more detail about projects in countries where it has a physical presence, and if it can provide financial reporting.

Estonia’s representative said the organization’s website does indeed open.

The speaker from the organization added that in Afghanistan, researchers are on the ground to understand the drivers of conflict and promote goals around women’s empowerment. The costs of that research are around €1,000-2,000. In turn, that work has directed events organized on the crisis.

Source: EMM

Cameron’s National Day on May 20 has been marked by running battles between government troops and separatists who imposed a lockdown, crippling business in English-speaking western regions. The military says at least 28 separatists who vowed to disrupt celebrations in English-speaking regions of the majority francophone nation were killed in violent battles. President Paul Biya is attending commemorations.

Cameroon’s military sings at a ceremony to commemorate May 20 in the capital, Yaounde, pledging loyalty to state institutions and expressing the readiness of troops to defend the country’s territorial integrity.

The government said the parade marking Cameroon’s 50th National Day was attended by at least 30,000 civilians, led by President Paul Biya. The government said it reduced the time for the military parade to 45 minutes for strategic reasons.

However, opposition political parties, including the Social Democratic Front, said the ailing 89-year-old Biya could not stand up for two hours to honor the military during its parade, as has been the tradition in Cameroon.

The government said the National Day celebration was successful in Cameroon’s French-speaking regions. Separatists said they imposed a lockdown in English-speaking western regions to protest May 20 celebrations, also known as the day of National Unity between the English-speaking minority and the majority French-speaking nation.

Capo Daniel is deputy defense chief of the Ambazonia Defense Forces, which Cameroon officials call a leading separatist group. He says fighters stopped government troops from transporting French speakers to English-speaking western regions to give the impression that English speakers are happy with the central government in Yaounde. Capo says in the process many government troops were killed.

“Previously, we have seen the Cameroon government drive into our territory her own citizens to stage public celebrations of the 20th May,” said Daniel. “For this year, 2022, we have targeted the Cameroon forces, killing 24 of them. Across Ambazonia, our forces have signaled their presence to our populations by firing shots in the air to send a message that today [May 20] everyone should stay at home and observe a rejection of the Cameroon union with Ambazonia.”

Ambazonia is what separatists call the state they say they are fighting to create.

The government has denied its troops were transporting French speakers to English-speaking regions. The military says it lost six troops in battles within the past week and that 28 separatists who tried to disrupt May 20 activities were killed in several northwestern towns, including Oku, Kumbo, Bamenda and Nkambe.

Colonel Samuel Tabot Orock is a commander of government troops fighting separatists in Bamenda, the capital of Cameroon’s English speaking North-West region. Orock says the military made sure everyone who came out for celebrations was protected.

“Let the world, and Cameroon in particular, understand that the military in Bamenda know that the secessionist fighters will be doing everything in their powers to disrupt a successful 20th May celebration, that is why we are taking every single measure as far as security is concerned to make sure there is a hitch-free 20th May celebration in Bamenda,” Orock said.

Orock said running battles between government troops and separatists crippled activity in many northwestern towns and villages.

The government said prior to the day at least 35 people separatists suspected of preparing to commemorate the day were abducted by separatists in several towns of the South-West region including Mutengene and Tiko.

Bernard Okalia Bilai, the governor of the South-West region, spoke by telephone from Buea, capital of the region.

Bilai says local administrative authorities and civilians report separatists who abduct and threaten to kill people accused of disrespecting lockdown calls to the military. He says civilians have understood that separatist claims that fighters can create an independent English-speaking state in Cameroon are unfounded.

On May 20, 1972, Cameroon organized what it called a constitutional referendum, during which a majority of its citizens voted to abolish the federal system of government that had existed since 1961 in favor of a unitary state. Separatists say there has been an overbearing influence of French in English-speaking western regions since the 1972 referendum.

Source: Voice of America