HE the Hon Mohamed Abdi Hayir (Mareye) briefed the media on security and development activities undertaken by the Federal Government of Somalia in past week.
HE the Minister noted the main achievements in this period, which included: the Somali National Army seizing El-Hareri and Goof-Gaduud villages; the launch of the National Development Strategy; HE the President receiving the credentials of the Belgian Ambassador; the Ministry of the Interior distribution of food Aid to six hospitals; and Somalia and Kenya reaching an agreement on a plan for the repatriation of Somali refugees currently residing in Kenya. HE the Minister also noted the achievements made in Prison Factories and the skills training being offered to detainees, the laying of the foundation stone of the War-Sheikh Hospital, on the job training offered to the journalists by the Ministry of information and HE the President’s opening of a newly renovated girls orphanage.
The Somali National Army Seized El-Hareri & Goof-Gaduud villages
On June 27th, 2016, the Somali National Army (SNA) in cooperation with South West Administration seized control of Goof-Gaduud village, 30KM from Baidoa, the capital city of Bay.
The commander of the SNA’s 60th Division, General Ibrahim Yarow, confirmed that government forces were now in full control of that area and at the same time no clashes had taken place in the course of the reoccupation.
General Ibrahim noted that Al-Shabaab forces had fled in the face of the SNA advance.
Additionally, on June 29th, 2016 the SNA with the support of AMISOM retook full control of El-Hareri village in Galgadud Region, previously under the control of Al-Shabaab militants.
At least 10 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed and 10 others captured in the battleground, senior SNA officers noted.
The injuries combatants were transferred to Galcad neighbourhood in Galgadud for treatment.
The Launch of the National Development Plan
On June 29th, 2016 HE the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, presided over the launch of the National Development Plan, the first of its kind in Somalia in 30 years.
The President stated the aim of this document is to boost the awareness of the country’s potential for current and coming generations. It is, therefore, very important that the wisdom within the document be implemented with vigour.
HE the President noted his view that this program could succeed if a well-developed evaluation framework was realised in the within the plan from the very start and, at the same time, that a fully accountable rectification process be included.
The National Development Plan, which will run for three years under the supervision of the Ministry of Planning, is focused on poverty reduction, the rehabilitation of infrastructure, enlightened government institutions, the implementation of political inclusiveness, and effective law enforcement, judiciary and security forces.
Other speakers included HE the Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke, HE the Speaker of the Somali Federal Parliament, Mohamed Osman Jawari, and HE the Minister of Planning, HE Abdirahman Aynte.
HE the President Received the Credentials of the Belgian Ambassador
HE the President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, received the credentials of the Belgian Ambassador, Ms Roxane De Bilderling, as the new Ambassador from Belgium to Somalia.
HE the President and HE the Ambassador talked about strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and how Belgium will be able to support the Somali Government in the fight against terrorism, and the development of the security institutions of the country.
The Ministry of the interior Distributed Food Aid to Six Hospitals
On June 29th, 2016, the FGS Ministry of the Interior & Federalism has distributed food aid to six hospitals in Mogadishu including Medina Hospital and National Army Hospital (Xoogga).
Turkish brothers donated the food aid itself for the Somali people.
Dr. Mohamed Yusuf, the Director of Medina Hospital noted that they are very happy to have received this useful food support and would ensure that the donations were distributed fairly amongst the patients in the hospital. The food donations included wheat floor and sugar.
Doctors in the hospitals said they were extremely happy and were thankful to the Turkish Government and the Ministry of Interior who jointly delivered the useful aid to people in need.
Somalia & Kenya Signed Refugee Repatriation Plan
On June 26th, 2016, the Somali and Kenyan governments reached an agreement on a repatriation plan for Somali refugees residing in Kenya.
The agreement detailed the repatriation process for Somali Refugees residing in Dadaab in Kenya through the tripartite implementation mechanism consisting of the Somali and Kenyan governments and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
The meeting was held in Nairobi between HE the FGS Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdisalam Omar Hadliye, and his Kenyan counterpart, HE Amina Mohamed and the head of UNHCR, Filippo Grandi.
In a communiqué released at the conclusion of the meeting, guarantees were given that, by the end of 2016 it was planned that 150,000 Somali Refugees would have been relocated to Somalia.
UNHCR has affirmed that by the end of May this year the number of the refugees’ population in Dadaab has been reduced to 326,000 persons.
Prison Factory Skills Training Drive
HE the Minister of Information also noted the solid achievement made by the Prison Factory Skills Training programme.
The Commandant of the Custodian Corps, General Bashir Mohamed Jama along with senior officers of the Somali security forces, including the Deputy Commandant, Brigadier General Elmi Wasuge Olow, observed the activities of the programme during a tour of the factory.
The Commandant praised the vocational training offered to the detainees in the Central Prison of Mogadishu and promised to enhance the technology available as part of the programme to increase the capacity of the factory including office furniture, universities equipment, cannon for use in military salutes and other useful products.
Cornerstone of War-Sheikh Hospital Laid by District Commissioner
The Minister of Information noted the laying of the foundation stone of the War-Sheikh Hospital by the District Commissioner Ahmed Hussein Ahmed on June 28th, 2016.
Representatives of the Mogadishu district administrations and members of different community groups in the War-Sheikh District attended the event at the War-Sheikh Hospital.
The funds for the construction of the hospital were raised by the communities in the district under the District Commissioner, Ahmed Hussein Ahmed, and the Grand Sheikh of the District, Sh. Qasim Sh. Abdi Ow-Omar and the Benadir Women’s Organisation Chairperson, Ms Jawahir Barqab.
The speakers at the event commended the community’s initiative in establishing vital hospital as a matter of urgency, especially to relieve the enormous challenges previously experienced by mothers and children in the district.
Media Training Offered to Journalists by the Ministry of Information
HE the Minister also highlighted on the job training offered to journalists operating in the Ministry of Information. The training was organised by the Training & Personnel Department of the Ministry.
Journalists were trained in the professional and practical aspects of photography and camera work, the skills required to report on news stories. The course also focused on production quality.
Participants came from different departments of the national broadcasters including Somali News Agency (SONNA), Somali National TV and Radio Mogadishu.
The Director General of the Ministry and the Director of the Training and Personnel department, Abdirizak Ali Yusuf (Bahlawi) and Abdirahim Isse Addow highlighted the importance of such training packages for professional journalists and enhancing their professionalism in the field of information gathering and wishing the participants well on implementing the lessons learned on the course.
HE the President Opens Renovated Girls Orphanage
On June 30th, 2016, HE the President, accompanied by the First Lady, Qamar Ali Omar, officially opened a renovated girls orphanage centre in Bondhere District in Mogadishu. The centre provides many services including boarding, education and rehabilitation for more than 300 students.
The Embassy of Djibouti in Mogadishu covered all renovation costs. HE the President praised the generous support and exemplary action shown by the Djiboutian Government and also noted the manner in which the Orphanage signifies how the killing of innocents inevitably creates orphans and such tragedies must to be made a thing of the past.
Other distinguished speakers included the Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of the Benadir Region, Yusuf Hussein Jimale, the Djiboutian Ambassador to Somalia, Dayib Doubad Roble and Nurto Mohamed Jama, the manager of the Girls’ Orphanage in Bondhere District.
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Activities in the Past Week
HE the Hon Mohamed Abdi Hayir (Mareye) briefed the media on security and development activities undertaken by the Federal Government of Somalia in past week.