Tag: SOMALIA

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Somalia president hails lifting of arms embargo

Somalia's security forces are seen near the the Afrik Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Jan. 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Hassan Elmi/IANS)

In a statement, Information Minister Daud Aweis said the embargo lift will help modernize the country’s armed forces…reports Asian Lite News

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed Saturday the U.N. Security Council vote to lift an arms embargo imposed on the Horn of Africa nation more than 30 years ago.

The 15-member council unanimously voted Friday night in favor of the British-drafted resolution to lift the weapons ban. However, France was the only member to abstain when voting on another resolution to reimpose an arms embargo on al Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab militants, saying the resolution lacked references to the territorial disputes between Djibouti and Eritrea.

In a statement, Information Minister Daud Aweis said the embargo lift will help modernize the country’s armed forces. “Somalia has been grappling with significant security challenges, including the presence of extremist groups such as al-Shabab. The Somali government needs access to modern arms and equipment to effectively combat these threats and maintain security within its borders,” the statement read.

The Somali president, in a televised statement soon after the adoption of the resolution, said the embargo lift “means that we are now free to purchase any weapons needed,” adding that “friendly nations and allies” can now “provide us with the necessary weapons without any limitations or restrictions.”

Somalia was placed under the embargo in 1992 to stop the sale of weapons to warlords who toppled former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. The ouster led to decades of civil war and instability in the country as the warlords fought against each other.

Last month, Mohamud pledged to wipe out the Islamist group, al-Shabaab, by Dec. 2024. The militant group has lost swaths of territory since the government backed by local militias, African Union troops and Western powers, launched an extensive offensive against it in May.

Somalia has been plagued by years of conflict and has for decades heavily depended on the support of African Union forces, as well as Western powers such as the United States and Turkey, to maintain security and counter the threat posed by Islamic militant groups operating within the country.

ALSO READ-Somalian Army killed 1,650 al-Shabab militants in 2 months

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Somalian Army killed 1,650 al-Shabab militants in 2 months

The government troops have intensified offensive against the terrorists since last year, when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared an “all-out war” on the terrorist group…reports Asian News

The Somali National Army (SNA) has killed 1,650 al-Shabab militants and injured more than 550 others during military offensives in Galmudug and Hirshabelle states in central Somalia in the last two months, the government said.

The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism said on Wednesday that the troops, in partnership with local forces and international partners, destroyed the militants’ strongholds, forcing many to surrender to the authorities.

“The Somali Army, with the support of international partners, made military achievements against terrorists in areas under Galmudug and Hirshabelle states. Senior al-Shabab commanders were among those killed, injured, or surrendered during the operations in the past two months,” the Ministry said in a statement issued in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

The government troops have intensified offensive against the terrorists since last year, when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared an “all-out war” on the terrorist group.

Meanwhile, More than 100 al-Shabab terrorists were killed in the deadly clashes between the Somali National Army (SNA) backed by regional Galmudug forces and the militants, a government official confirmed.

Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Daud Aweis Jama told a media briefing in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Thursday that the number of al-Shabab fighters who sustained injuries is more than those killed during clashes in the Mudug region.

Aweis said the allied forces also destroyed weapons, military equipment, and the group’s hideout base in the forest, which they used to launch attacks in the region, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The militants had sought refuge in the dense forests of the Mudug region, where they wanted to establish a stronghold. However, the combined forces launched a relentless offensive, successfully dislodging the militants from their intended sanctuary,” he added.

The Minister said another military operation is underway at a forest in the Mahaday district to flush out the terrorists who have been hiding in the jungle.

He added the government forces backed by the local forces and international partners have sustained an onslaught against the militant in the past two months, killing more than 1,650 al-Shabab fighters and injuring more than 550 others during military offensive in Galmudug and Hirshabelle.

Somalia has been beset by terror incidents for many years with the main threats originating from al-Shabab militants who have engaged government forces in near-daily attacks.

The Somali army, backed by local militias and international partners, has been engaged in a sustained offensive against al-Shabab since last year when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared “all-out war” on the terrorist group.

ALSO READ-EU holds back food aid in Somalia

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‘Lack of aid funding, violence threaten people in need in Somalia’

Food insecurity in Somalia to worsen by May 2022: UN.(photo: twitter.com/OCHASom)

The office added that halfway through the year, the Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia received just 33 per cent of the $2.6 billion needed, heavily impacting the work of the UN…reports Asian Lite News

The risk of famine still lingers in Somalia among displaced people despite increased humanitarian assistance and rains bringing some relief from the devastating drought, UN humanitarians said.

However, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Tuesday warned of a funding shortfall and continuing violence affecting the delivery of relief.

According to OCHA, the Unicef reported the lack of financing could affect its provision of water and sanitation services, emergency education and nutrition services. The World Food Programme (WFP) had to cut food assistance from more than four million people assisted in March to 1.8 million people in July.

The office said more partners would be forced to suspend, scale back or shut down programmes if additional funding is not received immediately. In addition to the lack of resources, violence continues to hamper the humanitarian response, OCHA said, noting that on July 25, Medecins Sans Frontieres announced its withdrawal of support to the General Hospital in Laas Caanood due to insecurity.

Despite the threat of violence, the humanitarian office added that relief assistance continues to be delivered. “As of June, our partners have reached some 5.7 million people,” OCHA said.

“A polio vaccination campaign has just been completed, reaching 2.4 million children under the age of five years across the country.” The office added that halfway through the year, the Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia received just 33 per cent of the $2.6 billion needed, heavily impacting the work of the UN.

Humanitarian assistance must be sustained to avoid a slide into the worst outcomes in Somalia, OCHA said.

ALSO READ-UN says Somalia faces a ‘dire hunger emergency’

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UN says Somalia faces a ‘dire hunger emergency’

Somalia has faced numerous attacks from al-Shabab and recently the government embarked on what has been described as the most significant offensive against the extremist group in more than a decade…reports Asian Lite News

Somalia’s “dire hunger emergency” is spiraling upward with one-third of the population expected to face crisis or worse levels of food needs, but the U.N. has been forced to drastically cut food assistance because of a lack of funding, the head of the World Food Program said Thursday.

Cindy McCain told the U.N. Security Council the latest food security data show that over 6.6 million Somalis desperately need assistance including 40,000 “fighting for survival in famine-like conditions.”

But she said WFP was forced to cut monthly food assistance, which had reached a record 4.7 million people in December, to just 3 million people at the end of April – “and without an immediate cash injection, we’ll have to cut our distribution lists again in July to just 1.8 million per month.”

McCain, who visited Somalia last month, said she saw “how conflict and climate change are conspiring to destroy the lives and livelihoods of millions of Somalis.” She said the country’s longest drought on record, which killed millions of livestock and decimated crops, recently gave way to disastrous flash floods in the south.

Urging donors to be as generous as they were and hauling Somalia “back from the abyss of famine in 2022,” McCain warned that the survival of millions of Somalis is at stake.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Somalia in April “to ring the alarm” and appealed for “massive international support” for Somalia.

But the results of a high-level donors’ conference for three Horn of Africa countries – Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya – on May 24 were very disappointing. It raised less than $1 billion of the more than $5 billion organizers were hoping for to help over 30 million people.

Only in the past few years has Somalia begun to find its footing after three decades of chaos from warlords to the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group and the emergence of Islamic State-linked extremist groups. Last May, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who served as Somalia’s president between 2012 and 2017, was returned to the top office by legislators after a protracted contest.

Somalia has faced numerous attacks from al-Shabab and recently the government embarked on what has been described as the most significant offensive against the extremist group in more than a decade.

Catriona Laing, the new U.N. special representative for Somalia, told the council that the government’s operations have degraded al-Shabab militarily and dislodged its fighters from a number of areas which is “a notable achievement.”

But Laing said al-Shabab remains a significant threat,” pointing to “a recent resurgence in the scale, tempo and geographic distribution” of its attacks including a June 9 attack on the Pearl Beach Hotel in the capital Mogadishu that killed nine people.

The African Union has a force in Somalia providing support to government forces battling al-Shabab. Last year, the Security Council unanimously approved a new AU transition mission known as ATMIS, to support the Somalis until their forces take full responsibility for the country’s security at the end of 2024.

Laing said the drawdown of ATMIS and handover are proceeding, but her initial assessment “is that the complexity, the constraints, and pace of the transition process presents risks, (and) this will be challenging.”

ALSO READ-Somalia wants to strengthen ties with India

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Somalia wants to strengthen ties with India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the event ‘Advantage Healthcare India 2023’, a G20 co-branded event on Wednesday…reports Asian Lite News

The Health ministers and delegates from various countries are in the national capital to participate in the 6th edition of the ‘Advantage Healthcare India’ event, which aims to promote ‘Medical Value Travel’ in the country.

During a visit to one of the private hospitals in Delhi, Somalia Health Minister, Dr Ali Haji Adan, told ANI, “We have historical relations between Somalia and the Indian govt. A large number of Somali people come to India for medical purposes. We want to strengthen collaboration with India.” The Deputy Health Minister of Egypt, Dr Ahmed Hussein Shehata Elsobky on his visit to Apollo Hospital said that his meeting was fruitful and will pave the way for cooperation between India and Egypt.

“We saw the latest technology, and a lot of advancements have been made. Technology is at the heart of the hospital, we would like to have MoUs with the hospital to train our people from Egypt. The meeting was quite fruitful, it will pave the way for cooperation between India and Egypt,” he told ANI.

Sugiyanto, the Director of the Health Ministry, in Indonesia, also visited Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Thursday.

During his visit, he said, “I will recommend to my friends in Indonesia that India has sophisticated hospitals and talented doctors.”

He further said, “I saw sophisticated equipment. In India, there are a lot of specialities. for transplant, patients can come here and experts from India can go to Indonesia for training purposes in order to improve the specialities of both the countries.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the event ‘Advantage Healthcare India 2023’, a G20 co-branded event on Wednesday.

“India’s ancient vision of Health was Universal. Today, when we say ‘One Earth, One Health’, it is the same thought in action,” Prime Minister said while inaugurating the event.

PM Modi also highlighted India’s strength of ‘Talent, Technology, Track Record and Tradition’.

“When it comes to talent, the world has seen the impact of Indian doctors. Both in India and outside, our doctors are widely respected for their competence and commitment,” PM Modi added.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also addressed the event saying, “As the ‘Voice of the global south’, we aspire for a better future – a future where healthcare is service and not commerce.”

“A 3-day seminar on the theme ‘Medical Value Travel’ was organized today. Representatives from 73 countries have arrived to attend it. Country-to-country, country-to-company, hospital-to-hospital MoUs are being done and I am hopeful that in coming days India will be the most favorable destination for medical value travel,” Mansukh Mandaviya said.

The health ministers from countries like Bangladesh, Armenia, Bhutan, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Maldives, Nigeria, Russia and Somalia participated in the summit.

The health ministers were accompanied by dignities and delegates from government and private hospitals and medical facilitators. (By Shalini Bhardwaj/ANI)

ALSO READ-ATMIS kicks off mental health training for troops in Somalia

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ATMIS kicks off mental health training for troops in Somalia

During the training, ATMIS personnel will learn about how violent conflict affects mental health, families, communities and the impact of trauma and post-traumatic stress on peacekeepers and the mission, and how to manage stress while serving in the mission…reports Asian Lite News

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said it has kicked off a five-day training to equip its personnel with skills and knowledge to respond to their mental health and psychological needs while serving with the mission.

The training on mental health and psychosocial support in peace support operations brought together the military and police officers who are exposed to violence, death, and destruction.

“As military and police personnel, exposure to trauma may not be avoidable in a stressful operational environment such as Somalia,” Mohammed El-Amine Souef, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and head of ATMIS said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Souef who opened the meeting outlined the risks and mental health challenges faced by personnel in peacekeeping missions. “We are exposed to violence, death, and destruction, which can negatively affect our mental well-being and lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”

During the training, ATMIS personnel will learn about how violent conflict affects mental health, families, communities and the impact of trauma and post-traumatic stress on peacekeepers and the mission, and how to manage stress while serving in the mission.

The training was organized by the United Nations in collaboration with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC).

Emmanuel Gyadu, the Course Director at the KAIPTC noted that personnel serving in African Union peace support operations such as ATMIS are often exposed to traumatic events that affect their mental health.

“This mission is one of the toughest across the globe. The negative impact, mentally, socially and psychologically on the citizenry and the participants in this operation cannot be overemphasized. It is for this reason that the center has deemed it necessary to bring this course to the doorstep of the mission,” Gyadu said.

Souef said soldiers who have been exposed to stress and trauma on the battlefield are more likely to develop mental health challenges upon returning home, yet they lack the financial ability to get medical assistance.

He noted that whereas pre-deployment training prepares soldiers for the physical and mental rigors of serving in the mission, post-deployment psycho-social support after serving in the mission will help address the troops’ mental health needs.

Souef said there is a need for the African Union to formulate guidelines that will ensure the setting up of structures within African Union-led peace support operations like ATMIS to provide post-deployment psycho-social support and treatment services to the military and police personnel.

ALSO READ-India is reaching out to Somalia

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India is reaching out to Somalia

India’s Permanent Mission to the UN stated further that New Delhi was a “steadfast supporter” of AMISOM and involved in peacekeeping in Somalia for more than 30 years….reports Asian Lite News

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj on Friday handed over the contribution of USD 2 million to the United Nations Trust Fund in support of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), reiterating New Delhi’s commitment to peace and stability in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.

Earlier, India had contributed USD 4 million to African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). India’s Permanent Mission to the UN noted in a press release, “India recognizes the important role being played by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in providing an enabling security environment in Somalia, and in containing the terrorism perpetrated by Al-Shabaab.”


Permanent Mission of India to the UN in a tweet stated, “Today, on behalf of the Government of #India, Ambassador @ruchirakamboj handed over a cheque of US$ 2 million in favour of the @_AfricanUnion Mission in Somalia. India stands committed to building peace and stability in Africa.”

According to the release, India as an elected member of the UN Security Council has engaged constructively to ensure the smooth transition from African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to ATMIS in line with the security requirements of Somalia.

Pic credits WAM

India stressed that the timely and phased handover of security responsibilities from ATMIS to the Somali Security forces will be important and will need to be calibrated to avert security gaps. India also lauded the ATMIS troops and police contributing countries for their sustained commitment and the sacrifices they have made over the years.

India’s Permanent Mission to the UN stated further that New Delhi was a “steadfast supporter” of AMISOM and involved in peacekeeping in Somalia for more than 30 years. Furthermore, it said, India continues to support African Union and the UN in responding to terrorism and building peace and stability in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.

Also, in the release, India’s Permanent Mission to the UN said, “ATMIS was established on 1 April 2022 pursuant to the Security Council resolution 2628 (2022) and African Union Peace and Security Council Communique 1068th of 8 March 2022 to support the implementation of the Somali Transitional Plan towards a full handover of security responsibility to the Somali security forces and institutions by the end 2024.” It further said that the primary role of ATMIS is to reduce the threat posed by the terrorist group Al-Shabaad. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India vows to work with African nations

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UN says 8.3 mn people require humanitarian aid in Somalia

Food insecurity in Somalia to worsen by May 2022: UN.(photo: twitter.com/OCHASom)

OCHA said the current drought is the longest and most severe in recent history and has surpassed the 2010/2011 and 2016/2017 droughts in terms of duration and severity…reports Asian Lite News

More than 8.3 million people require humanitarian assistance in Somalia where significant segments of the population are on the brink of famine, the United Nations relief agency said on Wednesday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that in the absence of adequate funding and enhanced capacity, famine is projected between April and June in the three population groups including Baidoa and Burhakaba rural districts as well as internally displaced people (IDPs) in Baidoa and Mogadishu.

“Somalis are hungrier, sicker, and more vulnerable than a year ago, pushing an ever greater number of people into reliance on humanitarian assistance for survival,” OCHA said in its latest update on the humanitarian situation in Somalia.

It said even if no famine emerges, the humanitarian situation is extremely alarming since more than 6.3 million Somalis are expected to face high levels of food insecurity between January and March, including 322,000 in catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

“The cumulative levels of excess mortality could be as high as in 2011 when almost 260,000 people lost their lives, at least half of them children. In 2022 alone, 1,049 children died in nutrition centers and many more without even accessing the centers,” OCHA said.

The crisis is caused by the historic failure of four consecutive rainy seasons, persistent conflict, displacement, and high food prices that have left millions of people at risk and are pushing people in Somalia to the brink of famine.

OCHA said the current drought is the longest and most severe in recent history and has surpassed the 2010/2011 and 2016/2017 droughts in terms of duration and severity.

It also said the recent escalation of the military offensive against al-Shabab, in addition to ongoing political and inter-clan tensions, has resulted in significant humanitarian impacts including increased displacement and reprisal attacks.

“Overall, it is expected that up to 450,000 additional civilians will be displaced due to conflict in 2023,” it warned, noting that protection concerns include widespread forced family separation, indiscriminate attacks against civilians, freedom of movement restrictions, forced recruitment, abductions and destruction of civilian infrastructure.

OCHA believed the ongoing military operations offer both an opportunity for expanded access into areas previously under al-Shabab control as well as the increased likelihood of widespread insecurity and acute deterioration of humanitarian access.

“This uncertainty will require partners to exercise flexibility in programming to adapt to shifting insecurity, to assess and provide assistance in newly recovered areas as well as to engage in coordinated advocacy for the protection of civilians,” OCHA said.

ALSO READ-Somalia hails UAE relief to those affected by drought

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Somalia hails UAE relief to those affected by drought

Pic credits WAM

Special Envoy of the Somali President commended the UAE’s continuous provision of supplies to various Somali states…reports Asian Lite News

Abdul Rahman Abdul Shakour, Special Envoy of the Somali President for Humanitarian Affairs and Drought, praised the support provided by the UAE under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,  to those affected by the drought in Somalia.

He commended the UAE’s continuous provision of supplies to various Somali states, including those most affected by drought, since the beginning of the crisis.

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Abdul Shakour said, “The UAE is a pioneer in providing the necessary support to Somalia in this crisis, as it was the first country to respond to the appeal launched by the Somali government to provide urgent relief to those affected by drought.”

He noted that the UAE established an air bridge to transport supplies and sent a ship carrying more than 1,000 tonnes of food and relief items to meet the needs of approximately 2.5 million people.

This came on the sidelines of the conference held today at the Arab League headquarters, which was jointly sponsored by the Arab League and United Nations.

The conference included the participation of senior officials from Arab relief organisations and UN humanitarian bodies and aimed to coordinate action plans to address the worsening food situation in Somalia.

For his part, Elias Sheikh Omar Abu Bakr, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the Arab Republic of Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, expressed his appreciation for the UAE’s efforts to support those in need.

He thanked the UAE for providing critical supplies to Somalia through its relief and humanitarian institutions.

Abu Bakr stressed that the UAE’s commitment to providing food and medical assistance to those in need is an extension of the values that have distinguished the UAE since its formation as a country under the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

He also thanked the UAE’s leadership and people for this assistance, expressing his wishes for the UAE to experience continued security, safety, progress, and prosperity.

ALSO READ: UAE, Malaysia sign M-E’s first unconventional oil concession

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UK announces urgent support to Somali people facing famine

The humanitarian crisis in Somalia continues to worsen, with 300,000 people projected to be in famine by the end of the year and 1.8 million children at risk of malnutrition….reports Asian Lite News

The UK is providing vital aid to Somalia in response to its growing risk of famine – as climate change threatens to make such crises more frequent.

Andrew Mitchell, the UK Minister for Development, announced the new support on a visit to Somalia – his first overseas visit since his appointment.

The funding will tackle drought, food insecurity, gender-based violence and boost climate resilience, reaching over 480,000 of the country’s most vulnerable people. New funding will also help Somali troops in their fight against al-Shabaab.

The humanitarian crisis in Somalia continues to worsen, with 300,000 people projected to be in famine by the end of the year and 1.8 million children at risk of malnutrition.

The UK is working with the UN and NGO partners to address this humanitarian crisis, providing life-saving health and nutrition support, cash transfers to buy food, safe drinking water, and ensuring those displaced by drought will receive emergency assistance shelter.

The funding will also protect children from violence and exploitation and provide women subject to gender-based violence with mental health support.

The Minister for Development, Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP said, “Somalia faces one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with millions of people in desperate need of aid, including over half a million children under 5 years old who are at risk of death. I visited Somalia in 2011 at the height of famine and I was appalled by the loss of life. The UK is committed to providing urgent support to the most vulnerable who are in the most desperate need. But we cannot act alone. The international community needs to do all it can to stop famine, and also to help the country be better prepared for such disasters in the future.”

During the 2-day visit to Somalia, Minister Mitchell met Somalia’s President and other government figures, as well as partners, to discuss how to meet immediate humanitarian needs, and better prepare for future crises such as extreme weather.

He also witnessed first-hand the impact of the drought on vulnerable populations.

Working with international partners and NGOs, the UK is stepping up humanitarian efforts to meet the most immediate needs while better equipping Somalia for future crises.

The UK has deepened its relationship with Saudi Arabia to meet urgent humanitarian need. This new partnership with Saudi Arabia has seen £1.7 million of the UK’s humanitarian funding package matched by Saudi Arabia’s KSRelief. This will provide a boost to the World Food Programme and will go towards food security and famine prevention programming.

The UK is also expanding this work with partners including Germany and the World Bank to put in place innovative disaster risk finance and insurance arrangements, particularly towards agriculture investments and drought response. This is part of the World Bank’s Horn of Africa DRIVE project and will deliver long-term financial protection for Somali communities and help them be better prepared to deal with the impact of climate change.

ALSO READ: UK, South Africa to tackle climate change