Saturday 7,Dec 2024 {HMC} The Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala on Saturday opened two days of the Somali Communication Forum, focusing on unifying messages of government institutions and significance of disseminating an accurate news to the public.

The Minister underscored the challenges of the new age of media as rumor and fake news spreads faster than expected, urging media practitioners and politicians to use the media professionally and wisely.

“When it comes to disseminating news, there must be an accurate information reaching out to the public, if we don’t unite our strength and good voices are not unified, then bad voices would spread and cause negative impacts”, Al-Adala said.

The forum gathered representatives from relevant Ministries of the Federal Member States, Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Southwest States and Benadir region as well as international stakeholders who are expected to join it tomorrow.

Media experts and directors from the Ministry of Information and FMS are participating panel debates which are going on at the venue at moment, discussing challenges and opportunities of the media, in particular, the social media and strengthening coordinated collaboration of messages among government communications departments.

Source SONNA

Saturday 7,Dec 2024 {HMC}  A Chinese-owned fishing vessel with 18 crew members aboard was hijacked last week off the northeastern coast of Somalia, local authorities said Friday.

An official in Xaafuun district in the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, where the vessel is being held, told journalists that the hijackers include the ship’s security guards, who later joined forces with armed men from the coastal region.

The European Union’s anti-piracy naval force, Eunavfor Atalanta, brought global attention to the incident after issuing a statement on Thursday that confirmed the local maritime authorities had notified it and investigations revealed that armed men were in control.

“Regarding the crewmembers, there are up to 18 people. None has been injured. After investigation, the event has been classified as armed robbery at sea,” the statement read in part.

A local businessman familiar with the incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal by the government, told The Associated Press that at the time of hijacking, the ship had two guards aboard.

“The ship is one of 10 vessels licensed by the Puntland administration to operate in Somali waters, with its license valid for the past three years. The hijackers initially took the ship to Jiifle, a coastal area in Godobjiraan district of Nugaal region. Since then, the vessel has reportedly been moved between several locations and is currently believed to be in Maraya, a village along the coast under the jurisdiction of Eyl district,” the businessman said.

The vessel, registered under Taiwan’s flag, is represented locally by a businessman from the Puntland region.

Unverified reports from the area suggest that the hijackers initially demanded a $5 million ransom but were offered $1 million, which they allegedly refused. Somali authorities have not confirmed these claims.

The incident underscores the persistent challenges of maritime security in Somalia’s waters. Authorities say an investigation is underway.

Somalia was for years blighted by piracy, which peaked in 2011, when the U.N. says more than 160 attacks were recorded off the Somali coast.

Incidents have declined drastically since then, however, largely due to the presence of American and allied navies in international waters.

Saturday 7,Dec 2024 {HMC} Somalia on Thursday announced that it successfully brought back 161 of its citizens stranded in Libya through the United Nations-backed Voluntary Humanitarian Return program.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said 74 of those nationals returned to Hargeisa in northwestern Somalia, while 87 others were welcomed back to Mogadishu, the country’s capital, as part of a broader effort to support reintegration and recovery.

The official described their return as a significant milestone in addressing the challenges of irregular migration and protecting Somali nationals abroad.

“This operation highlights Somalia’s unwavering commitment to its citizens and to addressing migration challenges through cooperation with our international partners,” the minister said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The repatriation was funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN migration agency. Most of the migrants aboard Thursday’s charter flight were young men and women under the age of 30, who had been stranded in Libya for several months.

IOM Chief of Mission in Somalia Manuel Marques Pereira said the UN migration agency is committed to the safety and well-being of all migrants moving through voluntary humanitarian returns.

“Our partnership with Somalia and the EU has already allowed us to assist 600 Somali migrants stranded in Libya. In the coming months, we will assist hundreds more returning from Libya through this partnership,” Pereira added.

Each year, hundreds of Somali migrants embark on irregular journeys along what is known as the Northern Mediterranean Route, passing through multiple countries in the hope of reaching Europe.

According to the IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix report published in July, more than 1,500 Somali migrants were stranded in Libya, many living in dangerous and precarious conditions.

Source Hiiraan online

Saturday 7, Dec 2024 {HMC} Egypt and Somalia are set to formalize a critical memorandum of understanding (MoU) on water resource management, marking a pivotal step in their bilateral relations. The agreement, which addresses climate resilience, technical cooperation, and capacity building, reflects both nations’ efforts to tackle water insecurity and environmental challenges head-on.

In a meeting on Friday, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, and Somalia’s Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Abdullahi Bidan, outlined the MoU’s ambitions. Sewilam described the Initiative as a “blueprint for cooperation,” emphasizing Egypt’s commitment to bolstering ties with African nations through shared expertise and mutual benefits.

The MoU will target key areas of water management:

• Technical Support: Conducting water resource assessments and rehabilitating irrigation facilities.
• Climate Adaptation: Developing early warning systems and rainwater harvesting strategies using advanced forecasting tools.
• Capacity Building: Providing training for Somali professionals on modern irrigation systems and water management practices.

Somalia has already reaped the benefits of Egypt’s African Training Center for Water and Climate Adaptation (PACWA). The center, established under the AWARe Initiative, has trained Somali professionals in addressing the twin crises of climate change and water scarcity. “This partnership is not just symbolic but practical, equipping our teams with the skills to secure our future,” Bidan remarked.

The bilateral deal’s significance extends beyond Egypt and Somalia. The Horn of Africa faces severe water challenges exacerbated by erratic rainfall and climate shifts. Sewilam highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation, urging Somalia to submit funding proposals under the AWARe Initiative. “Collective action is the only way forward in addressing our shared environmental challenges,” he said.

This agreement signals Egypt’s wider strategy to assert leadership in African environmental policy, particularly as it grapples with its own Nile water management issues. The MoU represents a lifeline for Somalia as it rebuilds infrastructure and governance following decades of instability.

While the MoU signals progress, its success will depend on execution. Both nations face significant hurdles, from funding constraints to political instability. Critics have noted that similar regional agreements have floundered due to a lack of follow-through, raising questions about whether this pact will translate into tangible results.

Source Hiiraan online

Saturday 7, Dec 2024 {HMC}  Somalia has inaugurated a new Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) at the Coast Guard’s headquarters in Mogadishu. The center, launched with support from EUCAP Somalia, represents a significant boost to maritime safety and security in the region.

Equipped with advanced surveillance technology provided by EUCAP, the MRCC will operate 24/7, coordinating search-and-rescue missions across Somalia’s extensive coastline. Officials hailed the center as a vital step toward safeguarding lives and livelihoods in a country where millions rely on the sea for trade and sustenance.

“This center demonstrates Somalia’s commitment to reclaiming its maritime sovereignty and ensuring the safety of those who depend on the ocean,” said Kęstutis Lančinskas, head of EUCAP Somalia. “By strengthening maritime capabilities, Somalia is not only protecting its waters but also building a foundation for economic resilience.”

Under the minister’s authority of ports and marine transport, the MRCC will serve as a hub, working closely with the Somali Police Force’s Coast Guard units to respond swiftly to emergencies. EUCAP’s role extended beyond equipment provision; it delivered intensive training to ensure Somali personnel were fully prepared to manage the facility.

The MRCC is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, with installation work nearing completion. Once active, it will also support the Federal Government of Somalia’s Information Sharing Network, offering a clearer maritime picture and reinforcing regional and international cooperation. This aligns with efforts such as the EU’s Red Sea Programme and the Djibouti Code of Conduct to strengthen governance and combat maritime crime.

High-ranking officials, including State Minister Hirsi Jama Ganni, the ministers of internal security and ports, and the deputy police commissioner attended the opening ceremony. The international community joined Somali leaders in celebrating the milestone. Their presence underscored a shared commitment to improving safety and security in Somalia’s waters.

Source Hiiraan online

Saturday 7, Dec 2024 {HMC}  A tense standoff unfolded Saturday in Somalia’s Gedo region as Somali forces and local residents blocked Ethiopian troops from advancing into the border town of Buulo Hawo, a hotspot in the ongoing struggle for regional control and sovereignty.

The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Ethiopia of orchestrating an “illegal incursion” after its troops departed the nearby town of Doolow and attempted to enter Buulo Hawo. The ministry described the move as part of Addis Ababa’s broader strategy to destabilize the region and undermine Somalia’s sovereignty.

“This action represents yet another violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity, stoking divisions among clans in Gedo,” the ministry said in a statement published by the Somali National News Agency (SONNA). Ethiopian officials have yet to respond to these allegations.

The incident underscores the fragile dynamics in Gedo, where Somalia’s federal government and the semi-autonomous Jubaland administration have been vying for control. Jubaland’s President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, better known as Ahmed Madobe, maintains strong ties with Ethiopia, adding a layer of complexity to the crisis.

Reports from the ground indicate that Jubaland Security Minister Yusuf Hussein Osman (known as Dhuumaal) was a key figure in Saturday’s events. Federal forces had reportedly been negotiating with Dhuumaal to defect from Ahmed Madobe’s administration. However, tensions escalated when federal troops learned Dhuumaal had moved towards Doolow with his forces.

Dhuumaal, aware of federal troops pursuing his convoy, sought assistance from Doolow’s District Commissioner Mohamed Hussein Abdi (Lafeey), who enlisted Ethiopian troops to secure the minister’s safety. The Ethiopian reinforcements, accompanied by Jubaland fighters, moved swiftly to intercept federal forces, forcing them to retreat.

Ethiopian forces operating in Gedo are a mix of troops under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and others directly commanded by Addis Ababa. Their dual role has fueled speculation about Ethiopia’s intentions, with Somali officials accusing the neighbouring country of exploiting local divisions to assert influence.

Residents in Buulo Hawo reported a growing Ethiopian military presence, with reinforcements arriving in the region to bolster Jubaland-aligned troops. Observers note that this buildup risks escalating tensions in an already fragile area.

The standoff in Gedo is emblematic of the strained relations between Somalia and Ethiopia. Earlier this year, diplomatic ties were tested when Ethiopia signed a contentious MoU with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region unrecognized by Mogadishu. Somali officials viewed this move as an affront to their sovereignty.

Gedo’s strategic significance has made it a focal point in Somalia’s internal power struggles. While many local officials in Buulo Hawo now align with the federal government, others remain loyal to Ahmed Madobe, underscoring the region’s deep political fractures.

Somali authorities have reiterated their demand for all Ethiopian troops not aligned with ATMIS to leave the country by the end of this month as part of a transition to a new African Union-led mission. Whether Addis Ababa will comply remains uncertain.

Saturday 7, Dec 2024 {HMC} Somalia on Friday accused Ethiopia of interfering in its southern Jubaland region, the latest upset in a nearly year-long bitter dispute between the two nations.

The neighbours have been at loggerheads since landlocked Ethiopia in January struck a deal with Somalia’s breakaway region Somaliland to lease a stretch of coastline for a port and military base in exchange for recognition, although this has not been confirmed by Addis Ababa.

Conflict-weary Somalia is a federation of five semi-autonomous member states — Puntland, Jubaland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle and South West — and a central government in Mogadishu.

The Somali accusation also comes shortly after Jubaland re-election of former warlord Ahmed Madobe, much to the chagrin of central government which had hoped to align the polls with future nationwide elections.

A statement from Somalia’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism claimed that Ethiopian forces were moved towards Bulohawo district in southern Gedo on Friday, before being “confronted by local communities and the armed forces” who stopped the advance.

“The Somali government strongly condemns the damning acts the Ethiopian government is carrying in the Gedo region to start conflict among the clans in the area,” the ministry said.

“This is part of the interference of the Addis-Ababa administration against the sovereignty and unity of Somalia,” it added.

It said while the country was open to “peaceful co-existence”, the Ethiopian moves would “create fresh conflicts in the region”.

Somalia was prepared “to defend its independence and sovereignty,” it said, urging the international community to condemn the alleged movements.

Addis Ababa has made no comment on the allegations.