Weekly Press Briefing on the Progress of the Government Somalia
Mogadishu, 27 September 2014 – The Minister of Information, 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 opening of the 5th session of the Parliament; Media Sector Development in Somalia; the progress on the Amnesty offered to disaffected members of Al-Shabaab; the humanitarian situation; the development of the Somali Telecommunications sector; the announcement of the Anti Corruption Campaign; and the High Level meeting for Somalia at the UN headquarters in New York.
The Minister of Information began by speaking on the opening of the 5th Session of the Parliament: “On 20 September 2014, H.E. the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, formally opened the 5th Session of the Parliament. The Speaker of the Parliament, Hon Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawaari provided a brief progress update covering the four previous sessions of the Parliament and at the same time highlighted the importance of prioritizing the key items of legislation for this session that are necessary for the implementation of Vision 2016 such as Federalism and border commission, electoral laws, political parties, and the Public Finance Management among others. The Speaker stressed the importance of complying with the Provisional Constitution in terms of power separation and the urgent need to improve communications and coordination between institutions so that the FGS can implement a culture of accountability in the interests of the people. In his speech, the President praised the role of the parliament during the last four sessions and the way the parliament solved most of the challenges it faced. The President stated that the government had made huge progress in many areas over the last two years and emphasized the need to re-double their efforts so that the remaining two years more can be productive done and ensure that elections to take place in the country in 2016.”
The Minister of Information spoke on Media Development in Somalia: “On 24 September I attended the opening of a programme of media training for 25 media practitioners in order to build their capacity and knowledge. The training focused on safety and security for journalists and was organized by an organization of independent media houses, SIMHA, with the support of UNESCO. On 23 September 2014 the Deputy Minister of Information opened another 3 day seminar for 40 media practitioners to enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of news reporting. This training was organized by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) with the support of the Somalia Unit of the US Embassy in Nairobi. The Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Media and other officials were present at the seminar. The Secretary General of NUSOJ, Mohamed Ibrahim, stated that the objective of the seminar was to improve the way media practitioners conduct their duties in terms of their personal safety and the safety of society while reporting. The Deputy Minister of Information stated that the Federal Government is committed to encouraging media workers to assist in the development of the Somali media and provide the necessary facilitations for those providing support to the sector such as NUSOJ and Relief International.”
The Minister of Information spoke on the recent amnesty that was offered to disaffected Al-Shabaab members: “Since the Federal Government announced the amnesty towards Al-Shabaab militia members who wished to renounce violence and join the peace process there has been an increase of the number of young people coming across from the ranks of Al-Shabaab. It is no coincidence that this has occurred while Operation Indian Ocean is proceeding. On 23 September 2014 the Governor of Lower Shabele Region spoke to media and stated that, within a week, 41 young militiamen came over to the government in the Lower Shabelle region. The Government is now providing the necessary rehabilitation process so that these young people may take part in the peace process and assist in the rebuilding of the nation. On the other hand, government efforts to reach out to traditional elders and religious leaders in rural areas continue, so that they too can play their part in convincing these young people to renounce al-Shabaab. They will get all the support they require to make a difference to their daily lives, such as education, skills training and other incentives, as these young people deserve the opportunity of a better future. Since the leader of Al-Shabaab was killed the military operation against Al-Shabaab has been progressing well while the divisions and infighting within Al-Shabaab grows. This provides an opportunity for young people in Al-Shabaab to stop fighting and join the peace process. The Federal Government appeals to the International Community to assist in the provision of the necessary resources to help these young former fighters which in turn could help us to bring peace and stability back to Somalia.”
The Minister of Information spoke on the humanitarian situation in Somalia: “On 22 September 2014 the Ministerial Committee for Humanitarian Affairs met Mr Philippe Lazzarini, the Head of Humanitarian Affairs for the UN in Somalia. The main topic for the discussion was the best way to transport desperately needed food aid to rural areas and the need to do more to fundraise so that affected people will get the necessary assistance in time. The Chair of the ministerial committee, H.E. the Minister of Agriculture, Abdi Ahmed Baafo, and Mr Lazzarini held a joint press conference in Mogadishu and highlighted their efforts to work together as partners in order to overcome the looming humanitarian crisis in the country. The FGS and the UN once again called on the international community to provide urgent assistance to those people in rural areas in order to contain the current situation. So far there are reports that children and women are dying for lack of water and food, which is a desperate situation.”
The Minister of Information praised the speed of development in the Somali Telecommunications sector: “On 22 and 23 September, the development of the Somali telecommunications sector was discussed at a seminar in Nairobi. H.E. Mohamed Adan Ibrahim, the Minister of Posts & Telecommunications, along with officials from the World Bank, the African Development Bank and representatives of various telecommunications companies in Somalia were present at the seminar. The Minister noted that this was the second conference of its kind and that the aim was to further develop the partnership working between the telecom companies and the FGS in order to provide efficient and value for money services to the population. The World Bank and the African Development Bank have been supporting the Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications in building up the capacity of the ministry while the FGS has been consulted widely with all stakeholders in the sector with a view to improving the telecom industry.”
The Minister of Information spoke on the Campaign against Corruption: “The government announced the launch of a Public Awareness Campaign to combat corruption in Somalia. The FGS will provide the legislation and all the necessary support but it is the Somali people who can actually stop the corruption. The campaign will consist of a series of programmes on Somali media outlets including TV, Radio, newspapers, websites (online) and social media, and will include information announcements on what to do when a citizen encounters corruption, along with debates, discussions, call-in programs and public events, all aimed at informing and engaging the population in the battle. There would be an accompanying civic education programme and we must ensure that tomorrow’s citizens of Somalia as well today’s are fully aware of corruption in all its hideous forms and know what they can do to help stamp it out: the laws, the ways to report it and the punishments.”
The Minister of Information concluded by speaking on on the High Level Meeting for Somalia at the UN headquarters: “On 24 September the Secretary General of the UN organized a High Level Meeting on Somalia to discuss the progress made so far in the country and to plan for the next two years so that elections can take place to schedule. The Meeting was co-chaired by the President of Somalia, the Secretary General of the UN and the Chairperson of the African Union. H.E. the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, updated participants on the progress made over the last two years in terms of politics, reconciliation, the implementation of Federalism, security improvements and the plans for the elections in 2016. The Secretary General of the UN, the Chairperson of the AU and other dignitaries praised the progress Somalia has made and encouraged all parties to support the FGS so that they may accomplish the remaining tasks that will lead the nation to peace, stability and prosperity.”