Weekly Press Conference on the Progress of the Somali Government
Mogadishu, 07 February 2015 – The Interim Minister of Information, H.E. Mustafa Duhulow, today addressed the media, providing an update on the progress of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) over the last week. The Minister discussed various issues: the presentation of the new cabinet; a consultation meeting between the Federal Government and Federal States; the killing of Al-Shabaab members and the sentencing of others; progress in security and the implementation of development projects; and the laying of an asphalt road in Mogadishu.
The Presentation of the New Cabinet
The Interim Minister of Information spoke on the presentation of the new cabinet: “HE the Prime Minister of Somalia, Omar Sharmarke, on January 31st, 2015 asked the parliament for an extension of 10 days in order to review and complete the list of cabinet members. The parliament has approved the PM’s request. As a result on February 5th, 2015, the PM announced the new cabinet list which consists of one Deputy PM, 25 ministers, 14 state ministers, and 26 deputy ministers. The Prime Minister will soon present the political program of the cabinet and the list for approval by the parliament. If the parliament approves it, then the new cabinet will immediately start implementing Vision 2016.”
Consultation Meeting between the Federal Government and Federal States
The Interim Minister of Information spoke on the consultation between the Federal Government and the Federal Regions of Somalia: “HE Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arranged a consultative meeting with Presidents of Federal States, and as a result HE Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, the President of Puntland, HE Ahmed Mohamed Islaan (Madobe), the President of Jubbaland and HE Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, the President of South West region, arrived in Mogadishu on February 4th, 2015 for a three day consultation meeting with the FGS. The aim of the consultative meeting was to consult on ways to implement a unified national agenda and an approach on the implementation of vision 2016. On February 6th leaders agreed to establish a high level consultative forum that will meet regularly, with the next meeting to take place in Garowe in April 2015. Other issues discussed include the establishment of a technical committee to speed up the process of completing the establishment of the remaining federal states and also constitutional committees in order to complete the process of federalism, to unite the efforts to fight against terrorist groups, and to work together in order to build the confidence and the unity of Somali people. ”
The Killing of Senior Al-Shabaab Members
The Interim Minister of Information spoke on the killing of Senior Al-Shabaab member: “On January 31st, 2015, a coordinated FGS and US operation killed a senior member of al-Shabaab. U.S. forces conducted a strike, using unmanned aircraft and several Hellfire missiles. This operation was a direct strike against the al-Shabaab network, and the terrorist group’s chief of external operations and planning for intelligence and security, Abdi Nur Mahdi aka Yusuf Dheeg. The FGS believes that the killing of terrorist leaders will provide huge opportunities to bring peace and stability in Somalia. Somalia and US have been cooperating for some time, which has resulted the elimination of a number of senior leaders within the terror group, something that is to the benefit of all peace loving Somalis. The FGS will continue to working with our friends and allies in order to completely eliminate the threats posed by al-Shabaab and other illegal armed groups. HE the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has on a number of occasions offered amnesty to those within al-Shabaab who are willing to renounce violence and join the peace process. Therefore, the killing of hardcore fanatical leaders of al-Shabaab is an opportunity to those others who are trapped within al-Shabaab and who want to join the peace process. The Federal Government of Somalia strongly believes that in order to rebuild Somali nation, every citizen, including genuinely repentant former members of al-Shabaab, have a role to play and reconciliation and peace process is the only way out of the current chaos in the country.”
Military Court Sentenced Al-Shabaab Members
The Interim Minister of Information spoke on the sentencing of Al-Shabaab members by the Military Court: “On February 4th, 2015, the Military Court sentenced a number of a,l-Shabaab members. Masud Khalif Dahir was sentenced 8 years in military prison; Nur Isgow Mad Isak who was part of al-Shabaab’s policing component, was sentenced to 3 years in military prison; Abdi Qafar Dahir Turyare who was responsible for buying arms for al-Shabaab, was sentenced 10 years in military prison; Abdulkadir Mohamed Jama, who was an al-Shabaab intelligence officer, was also sentenced to 10 years in military prison. These sentences can be the subject of appeals to the Military High Court and show that due process of the law is applied equally and decisively.”
Progress in Security
The Interim Minister of Information spoke on the progress in security: “Somali security forces, with the support of AMISOM police, conducted security operations in Yakshid district in Mogadishu on February 4th, 2015. Security forces searched houses, vehicles and people transiting the area as part of the stabilization process in the capital, Mogadishu. At the commencement of the operation, security forces detained a number of pre-identified suspects, some of whom were then arrested for further questioning including 7 individuals suspected of being members of al-Shabaab. Col Mohamed Yusuf Nur, Chief of Police in Yakshid district, spoke to media after the operation and said these operations were part of the Stabilization Plan that was bringing peace and stability in Somalia. He further stated that security forces will continue these kinds of operations until the threat from Al-Shabaab is eliminated.”
Implementation of Development Projects
The Interim Minister of Information spoke on the implementation of development projects: “The FGS welcomes contributions by members of the Somali Diaspora in Australia for the rebuilding of roads in Beledweyn, the capital of Hiiraan region. On February 4th, 2015, the rehabilitation of the main roads in Beledweyn began. The Somali Diaspora in Australia responded positively to the call from the Governor of Hiiraan region as part of the campaign, “Somalia is for Somalis”. The rehabilitation began on the main road leading to Yoobsan market in Beledweyn. The FGS once again appeals to the business community and Somalis in the Diaspora to play an active part the rebuilding of the nation, as critical infrastructure such as roads are vital to the development of our economy and can, in turn, provide job opportunities for young people.”
Building on an asphalt road in Mogadishu
The Interim Minister of Information spoke on the building of an asphalt road in Mogadishu: “Hassan Mohamed Hussein (Mungab), the Governor of Banadir and Mayor of Mogadishu, on February 1st, 2015, oversaw the start of the laying of a new asphalt road in Mogadishu between Sayidka and Bar Ubah junctions. Banadir Regional Administration and the local business community are partners in the implementation of this project, which aims to bring out the beauty of the city and to provide a much needed boost to the traders of Bakara Market, as the road connects from Makka Al-Makurama to Bakara Market. Banadir Administration also conducted an operation to remove all illegal buildings from the streets. Mayor Mungab stated that these kind of projects will boost the economy of the capital city and appealed to the business community to take and active part in the rebuilding of the capital city, in order to bring out the former glory of the city and to provide basic services to the people. HE the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has previously highlighted on the importance of this kind of activity in the rebuilding of the nation.”