Elections 2021
Jan 15
The Federal Election Implementation Team (FEIT) elected Mr. Muse Gelle Yusuf as its new Chairman following a secret ballot eclipsed by political pressure and vote buying. Gelle, the former Puntland’s Bari region governor, was supported by Said Abdullahi Deni and Prime minister Mohamed Hussein Roble. He is expected to sway FEIT decisions on the opposition side. The choice also confirmed speculation that Deni and Roble, both vying for UAE financial support, are ganging up to form the next Somali government as president and prime minister.
Jan 12
As part of its campaign to interfere in Somali politics, the United States has again threatened Somali leaders with sanctions if they fail to meet a recently agreed timetable for holding elections.
Jan 10
In a televised speech, President Farmajo summarized his government achievements including rebuilding of the security forces, return of Somalia to international forums, fight against corruption and relief debt. He also praised youth civic awakening and welcomed yesterday agreement finalizing the elections.
Jan 9
The National Consultative Council (NCC) bringing together Prime Minister Roble and six regional leaders announced that they had reached an agreement to conclude the legislative elections by February 25 after repeated delays which threatened the stability of the country. The latest deal was reached after several days of talks to defuse a bitter political crisis over the election.
Somali youth trapped in Libya are welcomed at the Aden Adde Airport. Mogadishu, Jan 2022.
Foreign Affairs
Jan 15
Following Simon Mulongo expulsion, James Swan and Kate Foster machinations to get rid of Francisco Madeira, the AMISOM chief, take shape. Prime Minister Roble is working on his removal from Somalia. He accuses him of supporting President Farmajo and weakening the Halane-based anti-Farmajo foreign diplomats efforts.
Former Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi said it was regrettable that some politicians tarnish the reputation of Somalia as it struggles to recover from the civil war devastation. Gedi was referring to Abdirahman Abdishakur, an opposition member, who was spreading false news on social media that Somalia is not paying its UN dues and would lose it’s voting rights. Ali Gedi also criticized those who argue that Somalia should relinquish its sovereignty because it receives international aid.
Jan 12
Around 100 Somali youth trapped in Libya for years were repatriated and welcomed by the Foreign Minister Abdisaid Muse Ali at the Aden Adde Airport in Mogadishu. Some of them burst into tears upon their arrival in the Somali capital and highlighted their joy of being back home. Their repatriation came two months after, on the sidelines of the Turkey-Africa Summit, President Farmajo spoke with his Libyan counterpart on the plight of these young migrants and their release. Most of the youth are from the northern regions and their message of being united angered Somaliland proponents in Hargeisa.
Security
Jan 15
Ali Yare Ali, Benadir region Deputy Governor, said his region is independent in terms of security, politics and decision-making. He added that since Internal Security Minister Abdullahi Mohamed Nur has no authority over other cities security decisions, his letter authorizing a protest in Mogadishu is null and void.
Ali Yare speaking to the media about escaping unscathed a suicide attack – Mogadishu, Jan 2022.
Troops from the 3rd Battalion of the 27th Division of the Somali National Army (SNA) carried out operations against Al-Shabab between the towns of Jowhar and Bal’ad in the Middle Shabelle region, particularly on the road between the two towns. Officials of the operation said they cleared the road of al-Shabab insurgents who often carry out attacks in the area.
Jan 12
A suicide bomber blew himself up in front of a UN convoy near the entrance to Mogadishu airport. The explosion caused the death of 8 people and injured 9. All the victims were students and civilians. The explosion caused extensive damage to buildings located near the site of the explosion. Ali Yare Ali, the Benadir deputy governor, was also in the vicinity behind the UN convoy but escaped unscathed from the attack claimed by Al-Shabab. This incident occurred a day before the demonstration planned by the opposition and which Ali Yare opposed. The opposition distanced himself from the attack.
Jan 11
Benadir Region Governor Omar Mohamed (Filish) said no protests could take place in Mogadishu without the knowledge of the regional administration stressing that a huge number of protestors would pose a huge challenge for the city’s security system at this time.
Jan 8
PM Roble received aid packages from the UAE at Mogadishu airport. The packages would be food aid for the drought affected population in Somalia. Roble took the opportunity to apologize to the UAE for the April 2018 incident in which $10 million smuggled from the UAE was confiscated. Later that day, President Farmajo reiterated the illegality of the money held in a vault at Central Bank of Somalia and ordered the Bank Governor not to release the money held for security reasons.
Somaliland
Jan 15
Somaliland parliament passed without much debate the 2022 Budget. During the time allocated for the debate, MP Mohamed Abib was attacked by another MP as he refuses to stop his presentation on the extent of the Muse Bihi administration’s misappropriation of funds and the mismanagement that penalizes the most vulnerable.
Puntland elders discuss to resolve dispute between government and the PSF. Bosaso, Jan 2022.
Jan 13
The Somaliland National Drought Committee, headed by Vice-President Abdirahman Saylici, officially declared a severe drought situation in the North West Somali region, affecting 810,000 people. A relief campaign for the areas affected by this natural disaster is underway. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), up to 8 million Somalis would need of humanitarian assistance and protection by the end of this year.
Puntland
Jan 13
Mediation talks to resolve the dispute over the control of PSF Forces in Bosaso broke down without any resolution as Abdiweli Gas and Abdirahman Farole are scheduled to have talks with Puntland president Said Deni in Garowe town.
Jan 11
Puntland’s elders, led by Boqor Burhan Boqor Muse, issued a resolution resolving the dispute between the government and the PSF Forces. In a 6-point statement, it was decided that General Mahamoud Osman Diyano should keep his post and be reconciled with Said Deni. The elders also recommended the Puntland gov’t to withdraw from the unproductive Bosaso Port Agreement with DP World and that 17% of the port’s revenue be reinvested in the city and administered by the elders.
Corruption
Jan 12
Somalia’s Office of the Auditor General has issued a statement on an ongoing investigation into 4 ministries “engaged in actions contrary to the rule of law and good governance”. The ministries are the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs. In the case of the Auditor General has terminated a contract by Khalif Abdi Omar with MARU Port
The Somali Bureau of Standards is at loggerheads with Trade Minister Khalif Abdi Omar who tried to fire its chief executive who declared his contract with Maru Port Services invalid. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also flagged the minister’s action for circumventing established anti-graft rules.
Jan 10
The Trade Minister Khalif Abdi Omar signed a new contract with Maru Port Services Ltd., a private quality control company. The minister argues that the deal with the company is based on the Quality Control Law passed in March 2020, even though the deal comes at a time when the caretaker government cannot make deals.
Illegal Charcoal bags stranded in Kismayo. 2021
Deforestation
Jan 8
A Comoros-flagged boat docked in the port city of Kismayo in Jubaland loaded 250 thousands bags of illegal charcoal. The origin and destination of the boat are unknown, but many experts in this type of shady businesses believe that the United Arab Emirates is the most likely destination. During the loading, there was a curfew in Kismayo and the port was closed to local residents for fear that the movement of the trucks and the loading would be documented by passers-by. This latest development came just days after Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe met the Emirati ambassador in Mogadishu on the sidelines of the NCC meeting.
Diaspora
Jan 10
Hamse Warfa, Minnesota DEED deputy commissioner, will be joining the Biden administration as a senior advisor to the US State Department at the end of January. He will be the highest-ranking Somali presidential appointee in Washington.
