Weekly Statament – Progress of the Somali Government

The Minister of Information, Mustafa Sheikh Ali 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: Good Governance; developments as part of Operation Indian Ocean; the progress made on implementing Federalism; advances in education; consultations on the New Deal; the humanitarian situation in the country and the Eidul Adha Celebrations.

The Minister of Information began by speaking on Good Governance: “On 1st October the Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, met with the Director Generals of various ministries. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the implementation of good governance and the re-doubling of all efforts towards transparency and accountability so that we can provide basic services for the people. After discussion of the key issues it was agreed to continue these meetings of this type, to coordinate better between ministries, to work as partners and to establish a committee to review the progress of each institution. As the country is preparing elections by 2016, it is imperative for each institution to fulfill their mandated tasks without delay. The Prime Minister re-iterated the importance of action and delivery and for the urgent need to implement good governance at every level.”

The Minister of Information spoke on Operation Indian Ocean: “Operation Indian Ocean continues to progress very well and the Somali National Army (SNA) and AMISOM forces on 1st October recaptured Adale district in Middle Shabelle region from the hands of Al-Shabaab. They also recaptured Raage Ceelle, also in Middle Shabelle region. General Mohamed Mohamud Hassan (Qafow), announced that SNA and AMISOM are now fully in control of Raage Ceelle and Adale and are conducting security operations to ensure that these areas are safe for people to return to their homes. General Qafow also mentioned that the military operation will continue until Al-Shabaab militiamen have been driven from all the towns and villages that they currently occupy, and until the threat from extremists is effectively ended.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the development of Federalism: “On 1st October 2014, members of the technical committee and Abdulkadir Ali Omar MP visited Adaado town. The delegation was welcomed by representatives of all sectors of society as well as members of the Himin and Heeb Administration. The aim of the delegation’s visit was to consult with communities in Central Region with a view to forming a new Federal Unit in the area. The Hon Abdulkadir Ali Omar, who was leading the delegation, appealed to all key stakeholders in the area, both inside Somalia and abroad, to ensure that the process is successful.

The Leader of Himin and Heeb zone in Galgadud region, Abdullahi Ali Mohamed (Barleh) praised the committee and the MP for their commitment and promised that his administration will facilitate their work while respecting the independence of the committee. It is expected that a conference will start in the area soon so that people in the area will be able to start discussing the best ways to establish the governance structure of the new Federal Unit in Central Region.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the progress being made in education in Somalia: “On 1st October the Ministry of Culture & Higher Education, Duale Adam held a consultative meeting for the Higher Education Legislation in Mogadishu. Participants of the meeting included representatives of the Universities in Mogadishu and the aim was to listen to their views and provide feedback on new legislation so that, once implemented, it can improve the quality of education in the country. The legislation will be modern and all of the contributions will be represented so that the legislation will be easier to implement.

Duale Adam stated that the legislation will develop the education sector and will unify all the curriculums that currently exist, which in turn will improve the quality of education in Somalia so that our students will be able to compete with their counterparts around the globe. Additionally the Ministry of Education this week conducted an examination for new teachers. The Ministry will then select the best 200 teachers to staff 28 new schools that the government plans to open in the regions including 14 in Banadir region. Other developments in the education sector include 26 medical students from the Somali International University (SIU), an independent university in Mogadishu, went to Uganda to study one year at Makerere University, as part of student exchange agreement between the two universities. This is a golden opportunity for medical students in Somalia to study and practice one of best international universities in Africa.”

The Minister of Information spoke on a consultative event about the New Deal: “The Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, on 30th September 2014 officially closed a three day consultation meeting in Mogadishu to discuss the progress of the New Deal.

Participants included 180 people from the regions, civil society and various offices within the Federal Government of Somalia. The aim of the consultation meetings was to discuss strategies for implementing the New Deal in every district and region of Somalia. It was agreed that the New Deal process should be taken to all the districts and regions and that the Federal Government should coordinate it better so that each district is fully aware of the progress. It was also agreed that public awareness of the New Deal should be enhanced through a bottom up approach.

The Prime Minister said that these consultation meetings are vital to the process as the New Deal is for all and the implementation process should reach to all areas so that it can be implemented along with good governance, transparency and accountability.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the Humanitarian situation: “The ministerial committee on the current humanitarian crisis has been reaching out to those people in affected areas in order to identify the requirement for humanitarian assistance. On 30th September 2014 the Minister of Interior and Federal Affairs, Abdullahi Godah Barre, received humanitarian assistance from Turkish Red Crescent. The aid included 10,000 metric tons of food. Mustaf Yilmaz, the head of the delegation from Turkish Red Crescent, stated that this food aid is part of the plan of the Turkish Red Crescent to support the Somali people and this is a way to show the strong relationship between the two nations, Somalia and Turkey.

The Minister of Interior and Federal Affairs stated that this food aid comes at a right time as there is a severe drought in the country and he promised that the food aid will be taken to affected areas in order to stop people dying for hunger and lack of water.”

The Minister of Information finally sends Eidul Adha congratulations: “Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the President of Somalia is currently performing Hajj duties and prayed for his people and wished them a happy Eidul Adha. As the Minister of Information I send my congratulations to the people of Somalia for the occasion on Eidul Adha. This morning I had the opportunity to pray with Somali community in Minneapolis. I wish all Somalis a happy Eidul Adha and I pray so that our people can overcome all the challenges that exist in order to prosper and live with peace and stability. On the occasion of Eidul Adha I appeal to all Somalis to support one another, in particular those who have no means to celebrate or to eat food and our children who really deserve to enjoy the celebrations of the Eidul Adha.”