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Somali President urges for investments in agricultural sector

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation organized the two-day conference to promote partnerships, investment, and sustainable growth in Somalia’s agriculture industry…reports Asian Lite News

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud opened the First International Conference on Agri-Value Chain Investments in the country to help boost the agricultural sector, the backbone of the economy.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation organized the two-day conference to promote partnerships, investment, and sustainable growth in Somalia’s agriculture industry. The conference brought together international investors, the business community, donors, and agricultural experts who are exploring sustainable agri-investment opportunities and fostering robust partnerships.

In the opening remarks, President Mohamud underscored the opportunities within Somalia’s agricultural sector, noting that the country is strategically positioned for growth and is ready to welcome global partnerships that will drive prosperity.

“Somalia is open for business, and our agricultural sector is ripe for investment. With over 3,300 km of coastline and a strategic location on major global shipping routes, we offer unparalleled access to international markets,” he told participants in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. “Our young, dynamic population, with over 70 percent under the age of 30, is eager to embrace innovation. Together, we can transform this potential into prosperity, benefiting both our nation and the world.”

The president also highlighted Somalia’s commitment to improving agricultural infrastructure, promoting private sector engagement, and fostering innovation across the entire value chain. He invited investors to be part of Somalia’s agricultural revolution, emphasizing the country’s fertile lands, diverse climate, and potential for crops such as sesame, bananas, and mangoes.

Mohamud told participants of the government’s plans to ensure Somalia is suitable for investments, which he said is the basis of the eradication of terrorists, the development of laws and governance, the building of economic infrastructure, and being part of the markets and international business associations.

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Uganda launches probe into Somalia military chopper crash

Kulayigye said the chopper was flying from Mogadishu to Belidoogle airfield, about 90 km northwest of the Somali capital, with four people on board…reports Asian Lite News

The Ugandan military on Friday announced investigations into a military helicopter crash in Somalia where four peacekeepers survived the accident, a spokesperson said here.

Felix Kulayigye, Uganda’s military spokesperson, told Xinhua over the telephone that investigations will establish the cause of the crash of the Ugandan military transport chopper that went down shortly after leaving Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Kulayigye said the chopper was flying from Mogadishu to Belidoogle airfield, about 90 km northwest of the Somali capital, with four people on board.

“The aircraft [chopper] crash landed and all on board are safe [survived]. Whenever there is an air accident there must be an investigation,” said Kulayigye.

Uganda is one of the troop-contributing countries to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.

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Somalia to expel Ethiopian troops  

At least 3,000 Ethiopian soldiers are stationed in the Horn of Africa country…reports Asian Lite News

Somalia will expel thousands of Ethiopian troops stationed in the country to help with security by the end of the year unless Addis Ababa scraps a disputed port deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland, a senior Somali official said.

Security experts and foreign diplomats said the move risks further destabilizing Somalia as local forces would be unable to fill the security vacuum, which would likely be exploited by fighters from Al-Shabab — an affiliate of Al-Qaeda.

At least 3,000 Ethiopian soldiers are stationed in the Horn of Africa country as part of an African Union peacekeeping mission fighting Al-Shabab, which controls large portions of Somalia, while an estimated 5,000-7,000 are stationed in several regions under a bilateral agreement.

Relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa nosedived earlier this year after landlocked Ethiopia agreed to lease 20 km of coastline from Somaliland — a part of Somalia which claims independence and has had effective autonomy since 1991, but has failed to win international recognition.

Ethiopia offered Somaliland possible recognition in exchange for being allowed to set up a naval base and commercial port — a move Mogadishu has called illegal.

“If they do not repeal the (agreement) before the end of June, or when the new mandate of the mission is decided, all Ethiopian troops, ATMIS and bilateral, will have to go,” Somalia’s National Security Adviser Hussein Sheikh-Ali told Reuters by phone.

“Ethiopia cannot be an ally and at the same time an aggressor.”

Spokespeople for the Ethiopian government and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces did not respond to requests for comment.

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, which is mandated by the UN Security Council, is due to fully withdraw and hand over security responsibilities to the Somali state by the end of 2024.

But the Somali government has requested several times for the withdrawal of troops to be slowed down, citing setbacks on the battlefield.

The troops come from Burundi, Djibouti, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia.

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Kenya proposes treaty to defuse Ethiopia-Somalia tensions


Ethiopia, landlocked, agreed on January 1st to lease 20 km (12 miles) of Somaliland’s coastline, an autonomous region within Somalia, possibly signaling recognition in exchange….reports Asian Lite News

Kenya has proposed a regional maritime treaty to defuse tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia over a deal allowing Ethiopia to set up a naval base and giving it port access in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, a top Kenyan official said on Thursday.

Landlocked Ethiopia agreed on Jan. 1 to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastline in Somaliland, a part of Somalia which claims independence and has had effective autonomy since 1991, offering possible recognition of Somaliland in exchange.

That prompted a defiant response from Somalia and fueled concern the deal could further destabilize the Horn of Africa region.

The treaty Kenya is proposing in consultation with Djibouti and regional bloc IGAD would govern how landlocked states in the region can access ports on commercial terms, Korir Sing’oei, Kenya’s principal secretary for foreign affairs, told Reuters.

“IGAD can be able to formulate a treaty for sharing maritime resources,” he said, referring to the bloc which brings together countries in the region.

On Thursday Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a meeting with his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in the Kenyan capital as part of efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the dispute.

“We continue to engage with all the parties with a view to ensuring that at the end of the day the region is left all stable,” Sing’oei said.

If accepted, Nairobi’s solution would offer Ethiopia “stable and predictable access to maritime resources” so it can carry out its business unhindered, while also respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity, he added.

Somalia and Ethiopia are considering the proposal, he said, and their leaders have been asked to consider meeting to take the process forward.

Sing’oei said time was of the essence since Al-Shabab militants in Somalia were using the dispute to portray the government in Mogadishu as being unable to protect Somalia’s sovereignty.

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Somalia’s parliament gives nod to historic amendments

Speaker of the Lower House, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, announced a substantial majority in favour of amending the constitution….reports Asian Lite News

Somalia’s constitution underwent historical changes following a parliamentary vote on Saturday. Among the notable adjustments is the empowerment of the country’s president with the authority to appoint and dismiss a prime minister, Voice of Africa reported.

After weeks of intense deliberation, the bicameral federal parliament of Somalia ratified amendments to the initial four chapters of the nation’s provisional constitution.

During a joint session held in Mogadishu, legislators deliberated on each chapter individually before casting their votes on the comprehensive amendments proposed by the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission (ICRIC), according to Voice of Africa.

Speaker of the Lower House, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, announced a substantial majority in favour of amending the constitution.

“A total of 212 members of the Lower House and 42 members of the Upper House supported the amendments, with no abstentions or rejections. Therefore, the amendment has been approved with a unanimous vote,” declared Madobe.

Hussein Idow, chairperson of the Constitutional Review Committee, elucidated that three provisions concerning religion in the draft would undergo further scrutiny.

“The decision to postpone the religion provisions aims to ensure their alignment with the principles and values cherished by the Somali people,” Idow remarked.

“The provisional constitution has been under review for nearly a decade. Since 2012, three parliaments have attempted to amend it, but significant progress in finalising the review was made in late 2023. We extend our gratitude to the 11th parliament of Somalia for boldly undertaking these amendments,” added Idow.

A pivotal amendment in the ratified draft delineates the establishment of a president and a prime minister for Somalia. Under this provision, the president is granted the authority to appoint and remove the prime minister from office, thus replacing the previous requirement for the prime minister to secure a vote of confidence from parliament, thereby introducing more flexibility in the executive branch.

Somalia’s political landscape has been marked by discord between presidents and prime ministers, stemming from a complex interplay of historical, regional, clan-based, and ideological factors.

Since the inception of the presidential office in 1960, Somalia has witnessed nine official presidents. The recent four presidents, including the incumbent in his first term, have exercised the prerogative to dismiss a prime minister with parliamentary support.

Central to these disputes is the distribution of power and resources among various clans and regions within Somalia.

Constitutional experts assert that the perennial power struggles between the top offices are fundamentally rooted in the constitutional delineation of their roles.

Among the proposed amendments was a provision advocating for a presidential system where the president assumes both the roles of head of state and head of government, with ceremonial duties delegated to a vice president. However, this provision was omitted during parliamentary review.

The amended constitution stipulates a five-year term of office for government constitutional bodies and refers to regional state presidents as leaders. Additionally, it envisions the presence of three political parties, fostering a multi-party system.

Nevertheless, some political stakeholders, including former Somali Presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, along with leaders from the Puntland state, vehemently opposed this amendment, citing concerns regarding the lack of consensus among political actors.

In a separate statement issued on Saturday, a coalition of influential politicians, including former prime ministers Hassan Ali Khaire and Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, criticised President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for his role in steering the approval of the amendment.

“The president has led the nation down a perilous path, plunging it into turmoil and political uncertainty, jeopardising state-building efforts by pushing for the parliament’s approval of controversial provisions in the constitution,” the statement lamented, as reported by Voice of Africa.

In February, the ICRIC submitted proposed amendments to parliament, focusing on the initial four chapters. These amendments encompassed the age of maturity for girls and the criminalisation of female genital mutilation. The ratified amendments establish the age of maturity at 15 and the age of responsibility at 18, advocating for juvenile justice standards to safeguard individuals under 18.

However, rights groups caution that such provisions risk perpetuating existing traditional norms, potentially subjecting girls to marriage at the age of 15.

Human Rights Watch, in a statement issued on Friday, warned that the current constitutional proposal poses a threat to children, particularly girls.

“It would place girls, in particular, at a greater risk of child marriage, impacting their health, including reproductive health, access to education, and protection from other forms of abuse,” the organisation asserted.

“Somalia’s parliament must resist efforts to dilute constitutional protections for children, especially girls,” urged Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Donors to Somalia should exert pressure on the government to fulfill its commitments to uphold international human rights standards,” Voice of Africa reported. (ANI)

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Indian Navy Thwarts Hijack Bid by Somali Pirates

In a daring operation to safeguard maritime security, the Indian Navy successfully thwarted Somali pirates from using a ex-merchant vessel Ruen to hijack ships traversing the region, the Indian Navy spokesperson said.

The ex-MV Ruen, which had been commandeered by Somali pirates on December 14, 2023, was reported to have reappeared as a pirate vessel, threatening merchant shipping in the high seas. Responding swiftly to the threat, an Indian Navy warship engaged the pirate vessel on March 15.

According to a statement issued by the Indian Navy, it was revealed that upon interception, the Ruen when intercepted opened fire on the Naval warship, prompting a response from naval officials.

Acting in strict accordance with international law and protocols governing maritime security, the Indian Navy retaliated with minimal force necessary to neutralize the pirate threat and ensure the safety of seafarers and shipping lanes.

“#IndianNavy thwarts designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen. The ex-MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on #14Dec 23, was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship towards conducting acts of #piracy on high seas,” the Navy said in a post on social media platform X.

“The vessel was intercepted by the #IndianNavy warship on #15Mar. The vessel opened fire on the warship, which is taking actions iaw international law, in self-defence & to counter piracy, with minimal force necessary to neutralise the pirates’ threat to shipping and seafarers. The pirates onboard the vessel have been called upon to surrender & release the vessel & any civilians they may be holding against their will,” it said.

The pirates aboard the vessel have been called upon by the Indian Navy to surrender immediately and release any civilians they may be holding against their will. The Indian Navy reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining maritime security and ensuring the safety of seafarers navigating through these perilous waters. (ANI)

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Over 3.45 Million Internally Displaced in Somalia

According to the IOM, as of January, some 155,710 returnees and 9.05 million residents in 17 regions and 10,999 assessed locations had also been mapped…reports Asian Lite News

More than 3.45 million people had been internally displaced in Somalia as of January 2024 due to multiple shocks, including drought, floods, and conflict, the UN migration agency said.

According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the vast majority (88 per cent) of internally displaced persons (IDPs) were living in IDP sites, and only 12 per cent were residing among host communities, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Of the 3.5 million IDPs identified in 2023, 84 per cent were in urban areas, settled in nearly 4,000 IDP sites,” the IOM said on Wednesday in its latest assessment report released in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

IDP sites in Somalia are informal settlements, mostly on privately owned land, and as a result, land tenure security issues are a major challenge, and IDPs are often at risk of forced eviction.

According to the IOM, as of January, some 155,710 returnees and 9.05 million residents in 17 regions and 10,999 assessed locations had also been mapped.

“The majority of returnees (81 per cent) were residing in rural areas, and 19 per cent were living in urban settlements. Returnees were mainly concentrated in the Bay and Bakool regions (44 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively),” the IOM added.

Somalia has experienced countless conflicts, episodes of violence, and natural disasters since the outbreak of the civil war in 1991.

This, the IOM said, has led to large recurring waves of forced displacement both within Somalia and to neighbouring countries and beyond.

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Somalia Faces Escalating Cholera Crisis

The ministry also said 23 deaths (0.9 per cent case fatality rate) were recorded during the period, emphasizing the severity of the outbreak…reports Asian Lite News

Somalia said a cholera outbreak is rapidly spreading across the country following intense flooding caused by El Nino rains in late 2023.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services said in its latest update released on Saturday evening that a total of 2,567 new cholera cases and 23 deaths have been reported since January, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Among these cases, 1,527 (59 per cent) were classified as severe, indicating the gravity of the illness. Of the reported cases, 1,276 (50 per cent) were female, highlighting the vulnerability of women to cholera infection,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, some 1,581 cases (62 per cent) were children under five years of age, underscoring the heightened risk faced by this age group.

The ministry also said 23 deaths (0.9 per cent case fatality rate) were recorded during the period, emphasizing the severity of the outbreak.

Somalia has had uninterrupted AWD/cholera transmission since 2022 and in the Banadir region since the drought of 2017, according to the World Health Organization.

In 2023, more than 18,304 cumulative cases and 46 deaths were reported in Somalia, including over 10,000 children aged below five years (55 percent), the ministry said.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through food and water contaminated with bacteria, often from feces.

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3 Emirati armed forces members killed in Somalia

Authorities initially said three Emirati officers were killed and two military personnel injured on Saturday….reports Asian Lite News

The bodies of four members of the UAE armed forces killed in a terrorist attack in Somalia were repatriated on Sunday, the Ministry of Defence announced.

An officer from the Bahrain Defence Force also died in the attack, the ministry said. President Sheikh Mohamed received a call offering condolences from Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim. During the call, the Emir conveyed his deepest sympathies over the deaths

Authorities initially said three Emirati officers were killed and two military personnel injured on Saturday. On Sunday, the ministry confirmed a fourth UAE Armed Forces member had died on return to the Emirates from injuries sustained in the incident.

It said the bodies of the four men were repatriated to Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning. They were identified as staff warrant officers Mohamed Al Shamsi and Khalifa Al Balushi, Cpl Suleiman Al Shehh and Brig Mohamed Al Mansouri.

The ministry extended condolences to the families of the victims. It said the military personnel, who were in Somalia to train Somali armed forces, were killed while undertaking their duties as part of an agreement between the two countries.

The ministry said that the UAE continues to co-ordinate and co-operate with the Somali government to investigate the terrorist act. A gunman was also shot dead in the Gordon military base, Reuters reported.

“The soldier opened fire on the UAE trainers and Somali military officials when they started praying. Four UAE officers were injured while four Somali soldiers died,” an officer told Reuters.

Al Shabab has claimed responsibility on its Radio Al Andalus. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, performed funeral prayers for Al Balushi at the emirate’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque on Sunday. Sheikhs, government officials and members of the community also paid their respects.

The military officer was laid to rest at Ajman Cemetery Jurf, state news agency Wam reported.

The Ajman Ruler and Crown Prince extended their deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of the officer.

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Son of Somalia president flees Turkey after crash

Police released Mohamud without any bail conditions after preliminary investigations into the accident, said daily newspaper Cumhuriyet…reports Asian Lite News

The Somali president’s son allegedly killed a motorcycle courier in a traffic accident in Istanbul’s Fatih district, according to Turkish media reports, which said he fled the country after the incident.

Mohammed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the son of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, crashed into Yunus Emre Gocer with the car he was driving on November 30, the reports said on Saturday, quoting the official police report.

National daily Hurriyet reported that Gocer was thrown into the air by the impact and was seriously injured. Paramedics who arrived at the scene took him to hospital. But Gocer, a father of two, died on December 6.

The police report on the accident stipulated that the motorcycle rider did not violate any traffic rules. The car driver was found to be primarily at fault.

Police released Mohamud without any bail conditions after preliminary investigations into the accident, said daily newspaper Cumhuriyet.

The prosecution issued an international arrest warrant for the president’s son on Friday, days after he left the country, the reports said, adding that the suspect’s exit from Turkey was on record and he could not be reached by the authorities.

Police went to the suspect’s home only to find “he had been gone since December 2”, broadcaster A Haber reported. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu criticised the authorities for allowing the suspect to leave the country.

“He [Gocer] was taken from this life due to an accident caused by the son of the President of Somalia,” Imamoglu posted on X.

“We said we would follow the legal process, but the suspect left Turkey with his hands free. The pain of the victim’s family increased even more,” the mayor said.

“The mentality that turns a blind eye and allows this escape, unfortunately, is too weak to defend the rights of its own citizens in its own country,” he added. There was no immediate response from either the Somali president or his office.

Turkey has steadily increased its footprint in Somalia in the past decade and is the Horn of Africa nation’s leading economic partner, notably in the construction, education and health sectors.

Ankara has been a significant source of aid to Somalia following a famine in 2011. Turkish engineers have helped to build infrastructure in Somalia, businesses have invested in the country and Turkish officers have trained Somali soldiers as part of efforts to build up the country’s army.

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