Somali Federal Government

Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism

Federal Government Activities in the Past Week

HE the Minister detailed activities that took place in the past week including:HirShabelle to be the name of new regional state; heavy casualties inflicted on al-Shabaab forces near Km 50; President visits Baidao to accelerate the election process; three young criminals detained in Karan Police Station in Mogadishu; HE the Deputy Prime Minister held a reconciliation meeting in Beletweyne, Hiiraan; a Good Governance workshop was held in Adado in Galgaduud; the SNA seized al-Shabaab weapons in Bay; and medical equipment was donated to the Forlanini (Lazareti) Hospital in Mogadishu.

HirShabelle to be Name of New Regional State

On October 4th 2016, following a vote by constituency assembly member, Jowhar was nominated as the capital for the forthcoming regional state combining Hiiraan & Middle Shabelle. The process was overseen and reviewed by the Ministry of the Interior & Federalism. A new process was conducted offering 30 names as well as indicative symbols, prompting hundreds of responses on social media. As a result, the name for the new state was agreed to be HirShabelle and Jowhar was confirmed as the state capital.

Heavy Casualties Inflicted on al-Shabaab Forces near Km 50

On October 4th 2016, HE the Deputy Minister of Defence, Abdalla Hussein Ali, confirmed that Somali security forces killed 14 al-Shabaab fighters, including a senior commander, and also seized a haul of weapons in what he described as a ‘bush operation’ in the vicinity of Km 50, to the south of Mogadishu.

President Visits Baidao to Accelerate Election Process

On October 4th 2016, HE the President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, led a delegation to Baidoa, the capital of Southwest State, and met with various community representatives.
HE the President of Southwest State, Sharif Hassan, and other regional officials welcomed HE the President and his delegation to Southwest State. The focus of the visit was to accelerate the election process and to seek the community’s views of the contentious issue of the female quota in both the Upper and Lower Houses as well as gauging public support for the process.
HE the President also met SNA personnel as well as delegates from universities, academics and students, women’s groups, youths, local politicians, traditional elders, religious leaders and the governing Southwest State Authorities.
HE the President also met with the Electoral Committee of Southwest State and acknowledged their efforts, encouraging them to ensure transparency in the process.
The visit came while Somalia prepared for parliamentary and presidential elections that will run from October to the end of November, while many candidates are already on the campaign trail.

Three Young Criminals Detained in Karan Police Station in Mogadishu

On October 3rd 2016, detectives from the Somali Police Force’s Karan Station in Mogadishu detained 3 criminals on a variety of charges related to public disorder and theft.
The local police commander, Abdifitah Sabriye Hassan, explained that one of the victims, with the support of the local community, had contacted Karan Station, resulting in the immediate arrest of the suspects.

Deputy Prime Minister Held Reconciliation Meeting in Beletweyne, Hiiraan

Between October 1st – 2nd 2016, HE the Deputy Prime Minister, Mohamed Omar Arte, led a delegation to Beletweyne in support of the peace and reconciliation process.
The resultant meeting was brought together traditional elders led by Ugaas Hassan Ugaas Khal, the local authorities, and politicians from across Hiiraan Region. All sides agreed on the preliminary principles put forward by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and, after a lengthly discussion, the following articels were agreed:
• It was agreed by all particicpants that an immediate and comprehensive Peace & Reconcialiation programme be set up to address difference viewpoints of the of the various groups involved
• It was agreed by all participants that the process of state formation between Hiraan & Middle Shabelle , as outlined by the Deputy Prime Minister, should be fully supported

HE the Deputy Prime Minister, along with the rest of the delegation, concluded the visit with atour of the streets Beletweyne.

Good Governance Workshop Held in Adaado, Galgaduud

On October 2nd 2016, a three day workshop on good governance that was organised by the Galmudug State Ministry of the Interior began in Adaado, Galmudug.
About 100 participants including ministry personnel and District level employees from Adado, Galkayo, Abudwak, Balanballe, Hobyo and Heraale attended the workshop, which focused on developing good governance and leadership. The opening ceremony was attended by officials from the various District administrations, Mudug Authority and senior representatives from Galmudug State .
HE the Vice President of Galmudug, Mohamed Hashi Abdi, who spoke at the opening of the workshop, urged the participants to focus on improvement and maintaining their commitment to serving the citizens of Galmudug.

Somali National Army (SNA) Seizes al-Shabaab Weapons in Bay

The District Commissioner of Dinsor in Bay region, Ibrahim Mohamed Adan, confirmed that a joint operation was mounted on October 2nd 2016 by forces drawn from the SNA and Southwest State forces, resulting in the seizure of an assortment of al-Shabaab weapons and ammunition.

Medical Equipment Donated to Forlanini (Lazareti) Hospital in Mogadishu

On October 5th 2016, the International relief Foundation (IRF) handed over a quanitity of medical equipment to the Forlanini Hospital (Lazareeti) in Mogadishu. Equipment handed over included beds, mattresses and a number of pieces of vital specialist medical equipment.
The Hon. Sharif Mohamed Sidi MP and the head of the Intarnational Relief Foundation both agrred that the equipment would provide a significant enhancement to the services offered by the hospital.
The Director of the Forlanini Hospital, Drs. Fadumo Abdi Ma’ow, warmly welcomed the donation receiwhile also highlighting the need for yet more equipment to meet the needs of the local population.

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The Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism, media@moi.gov.so
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