EUTM-S PIO – PRESS REVIEW March, 21st 2018

AfCFTA: What you need to know AFRICAN HEADS of states and governments will Tuesday append their signatures to the protocol establishing a continental trade area aimed at boosting intra-African trade by 52% through cutting off tariff barriers for imports and exports within the continent. President Mohamed Farmaajo is expected to attend the event which kicked on Saturday

as trade ministers fine-tuned components of the agreement following a two year negotiation by countries in the continent. African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat told Trade Ministers gathering in Rwanda’s capital Kigali Monday the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) portends immense opportunities for the continent. “Everything has been said about the African Continental Free Trade Area, its crucial function in African integration, its economic spillover effect, the solidarity, of which it is the symbol against other blocs in a world where competition is fierce, its positive impact on the well-being of our peoples, the expected opening up of

immense sources of jobs and the encouraging development prospects it offers to our youths,” said Mahamat. What does AfCTA mean? African heads of states and governments agreed in 2015 to establish a continental trade community amid concerns that the continent was holding the tail end of the stick in global trade, a feature characterized by very margi nal intra-trade and negligible returns from the continent’s raw materials. According to the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Africa’s intra-trade share is only 16% while the continent’s share in global trade in services stood at 2.2 between 2010. Africa’s manufacturing exports only account for less than 1% of global share, UNECA says. AfCTA is a trade instrument which seeks to cut initial tariffs for 90% of goods boosting trade among African countries and creating opportunities for regional value chain. The AfCFTA will cover a market of 1.2 billion people and a gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.5 trillion, across all 55 member States of the African Union. It will be the world’s largest free trade area since the formation of the World Trade Organization in terms of the number of countries participating. The average continental tariffs rate stands 6.1% but with the elimination of these barrier, intra-trade in Africa is expected to grow up to 52.3%. ’s trade deficit Somalia experiences a serious deficit in the region barely exporting any products to any African countries. According to records from Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics, the East African country exported goods worth $150 million to Somalia in 2015 while exports from Somali a to Kenya, ‘were not high enough to be registered in the 2016 Economic Survey’. Somalia however exports live animals to Gulf countries with 2015 records indicating the country earned $384 million exporting 5.3 live animals in that period. Intra trade with African countries could mean Somalia can benefit from the regional value chain involve larger industries sourcing their supplies from smaller industries across borders. This would for example mean Somalia can export hides and skins to leather products manufacturing plants in Africa instead of exporting both meat and skins to the Gulf. The implementation of the agreement is however a long road to travel owing to fears and protectionist tendencies by members states. Nigeria is reported to have requested more time to study the terms of the agreement. Heads of states and governments will also tomorrow elect the country to host the AfCFTA secretariat which will function as an autonomous body within the African Union.

http://goobjoog.com/english/afcfta-what-you-need-to-know/

East and Horn of Africa slowly splitting away from Africa – Geologists

Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Tanzania are slowly splitting away from Africa, forming a new continent

referred to as the Somali Plate within a period of 50 million years, geologists have said. The revelations came following massive earth movements that left deep fissures in Narok County, IN southern Kenya. The movements interrupted traffic along the Mai Mahiu – Narok highway after a deep tear – as deep as 50 meters and about 20 meters wide appeared at the middle of the road. Geologists who visited the site said that the site was one of the hundreds of

weak spots on the Great Rift Valley – which runs through African from the Horn of Africa to Mozambique. According to Geologist David Adeded, geological activity is most active at the base of the valley, where a dormant volcanic mount Longonot lies. The recent activity happened at an area called Suswa, a few kilometers from the Mountain. “Whereas the rift has remained tectonically inactive in the recent past, there could be movements deep within the Earth’s cru st that have resulted in zones of weakness extending all the way to the surface,” geologist David Adede said. Scientists said that the area has zones of weakness that forms fault lines which are filled with volcanic ash – most likely from the nearby Mt Longonot. The recent heavy rains experienced in Kenya according to the scientists triggered the earth movement by washing away the ash – hence exposing the cracks. Scientists have now advised that countries within the Horn of Africa should fast track geological studies so as to understand and map fault lines and avert a possible disaster. Kenya’s ambitious standard gauge railway project, which started from the coastal town of Mombasa passes through the area and the recent activity has raised questions over the safety of the project. Past geological activity saw Saudi Arabia being torn away from the African continent form ing the Red Sea. The actively splitting African plate and the Arabian plate meet at what geologists call a triple junction, where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aden. http://goobjoog.com/english/east-and-horn-of-africa-slowly-splitting-away-from-africa-geologists/

NLF Jailed Leader Qalbi Dagah Undergoing “Torture” To “Confess”, Rebel Group Says The Ethiopian separatist rebel group ONLF has claimed that its leader Abdikarin Sheikh Muse “Qalbi Dagah” has been undergoing torture and forced confessions. ONLF spokesman Abdikadir Hirmoge told Radio Dalsan that that “Qalbi Dagah” was being mistreated in an Ethiopian detention camp. “Abdikarim Sheikh Muse was detained in Ethiopia’s intelligence camp in one of the neighbourhoods in Addis Ababa. For the last two weeks, he was being pressured to go to Jigjiga, speak at TVs, praise the Ethiopian administration and call for support to the Ethiopian government” Hirmoge claimed. “They severely tortured him. He was tortured three times. Since he was taken to Ethiopia, he was subjected to mental pressure, isolation and mistreatments that are against the rights of political prisoners and the international law but he stood up. So it’s expected that he will be faced with a problem” Hirmoge said. “The Ethiopian government showed the world that they released prisoners and sold to the world that they will make a change. Up to now, several thousands of people among them nine Somalis are detained in the central jail that is called Qaliti located at the outskirt of Addis Ababa. 80% of those held in other detention camps in other regions of Ethiopia are Somalis. Also, there detent camps that are full in the Somali region especially those ones in Jigjiga and Gothey. So it’s only Abdikarim. There are many ONLF politicians and fighters and innocent Somalis mostly migrants detained” he said. Qalbi Dagah was arrested by the Somali government and later handed over to the Ethiopian government on August 28, 2017.

http://radiodalsan.com/en/onlf-jailed-leader-qalbi-dagah-undergoing-torture-to-confess-rebel-group-says/

Somaliland Protests “Biased” Coverage Of Berbera Port Deal By VOA

The breakaway region of Somaliland has officially protested Voice of America (VOA) Somali Service coverage of the Berbera port deal saying it was biased. Somaliland Minister for Information submitted a complaint letter to the acting VOA Africa Executive Director and Chief of Staff of the Somali Service Abdirahman Yabarow, according to Somaliland’s SOLNA news agency. Last week, Somaliland issued a similar protest to BBC’s Somali Service over coverage of the tripartite port deal that has raised tension with Somalia. http://radiodalsan.com/en/somaliland-protests-biased-coverage-of-berbera-port-deal-by-voa/

Military Intelligence and Information Sharing Conference opens in Mogadishu

The third intelligence and information sharing conference, aimed at forging closer working ties between various intelligence actors in Somalia, opened in the capital Mogadishu today. The Deputy Force Commander of the AU Mission in Somalia, Maj-Gen Charles Tai Gituai is rooting for more efficient intelligence sharing modalities among the actors, in order to maximize results. “Intelligence must be collected and used in a way that ensures operational efficiency without threatening the legitimacy and impartiality necessary for the peace mission to carry out its work effectively,” Maj. Gen. Gituai said in his opening remarks. The conference will explore access to non-traditional information sources, discuss enhancement of intelligence sharing and dissemination, and emerging threats from terror group Al-Shabaab, even as the militants find themselves extremely weakened from the onslaught from the Federal Government, AU and partner forces. “Intelligence is fundamentally important to the peace mission, to give decision makers multi-dimensional situational awareness through coordinated analysis of information by the different components of a mission”, Maj-Gen Gituai told participants attending the third information sharing conference. They include intelligence officers drawn from AMISOM’s sectors, Somali security forces and key international security partners. He stressed the importance of “effective processes and structures”, that would ensure information gathered is shared and stored securely, for the benefit of all stakeholders. The Deputy Force Commander cautioned part icipants on over-reliance on the sheer quantity of information, arguing that information overload may sometimes undermine accurate interpretation of data. “The situation we are in now, is that the question is no longer whether intelligence should be shared , but rather how, when, and to what effect”, he told the conference. “Part of the primary emphasis of intelligence/information sharing is to facilitate, identify, deter and respond to emerging terrorism-related threats and risks in a more streamlined system of which also benefits the agencies, in theatre, and local entities in supporting ongoing efforts to address security and threats.” The conference is being held with the support of the United Kingdom Mission Support Team (UKMST), and aims to improve the mechanisms and coordination of information sharing among diverse groups, with emphasis on intelligence sharing, which has been vital in preventing terror attacks in the past. AMISOM’s Chief Military Intelligence Officer Col. Naboth Mwesigwa said the conference would “strengthen intelligence gathering”, while at the same time, help in the modification of defenses and offensive capabilities, while building confidence and ties with both partners and the Federal Government of Somalia.

Gov’t Soldier, Civilian Shot Dead In Mogadishu

A government security agent and a civilian were killed on Monday night after men armed with pistols shot at them in Mogadishu’s . An eyewitness told Radio Dalsan that the unidentified security agent was on duty manning a checkpoint near Towfiq Hotel junction in the area. The witness further said that they heard gunshots and found the security and

a civilian who was with him lying on the ground. http://radiodalsan.com/en/govt-soldier-civilian-shot-dead-in-mogadishu/

Somali, Kenyan officials discuss security in region

Somali and Kenyan officials held a meeting in El Wak town on Sunday night discussing the security situation of Gedo region following series of Al Shabaab cross-border attacks. The two sides talked about the worsening security situation in the region and on ways to prevent Al Shabaab raids during the hour-long meeting, according to the sources. The Kenyan officials participated in the conference recommended establishing a joint approach to enforce the security and fight against the Al Qaeda- linked Al Shabaab militants. In the past few days, Al Shabaab has intensified ambush attacks against the military convoys of Somali military and the Kenyan Defense Force [KDF] in Gedo province. Kenya has suffered deadly attacks since it sent troops to neighboring Somalia in mid-2011, to pursue Al Shabaab fighters after a string of kidnappings and raids in its soil. http://radioshabelle.com/somali -kenyan-officials-discuss-security-gedo-region/ Farmajo meets with Parliament speaker amid political tension

The President of Somalia’s Federal Government, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has met with the speaker of the Lower House chamber of Parliament, Mohamed Osman Jawari in Mogadishu. The meeting between the two leaders focused on ways to seek a lasting solution to the current political tension and the standoff over the no-confidence motion against Jawari. On Sunday, speaker Jawari has held a press conference in Mogadishu and called on opposition

lawmakers for a vote on the no-confidence motion against him within 10 days. “The motion is now accepted and it should be tabled before the parliament within ten as per the House Standing Orders, or else it will expire and be nullified,” he noted. http://radioshabelle.com/farmajo-meets-parliament-speaker-amid-political-tension/ The sentiment of the speaker contradicts the

outcome of the Parliamentary Standing Committee which declared on Wednesday that motion against Jawari was dropped after it failed secure threshold

Al-Shabaab militants withdraw from town

The Al-Qaeda-aligned Al Shabaab militants have

withdrawn from Burdhubo district in Gedo region in Southern Somalia hours after it capturing it from Somali troops on Monday night. The residents in the town have told Radio Shabelle region that al-Shabab battle- wagons loaded with their weapons had been leaving since the morning. Ethiopian troops serving under African Union mission in Somalia, known as [AMISOM] and Somali government forces retook control of the town shortly after Al-Shabaab pull out. The situation has returned to normal as the allied forces secured the town and carried out a mine clearing operation following their comeback, according to the locals. Al- Shabab has lost control of several small towns, including Mogadishu in the past years but still controls large swathes of territory in rural areas. http://radioshabelle.com/al-shabaab-militants-withdraw-burdhubo-town/

Hirshabelle government refutes naming underage boy as Deputy DC of Gambole

Interior Ministry of Hirshabelle administration on Monday dismissed allegations that it appointed underage boy as deputy district commissioner. A 16 year old, Feysal Abdullahi Omar recently claimed to have been appointed as Deputy District Commissioner of Gambole in . Mohamed Ali Aadle, Hirshabelle Interior Minister refuted the claims saying his ministry had not named any underage individual to that post. " We have named an adult person for that post. There is no way that we can appointed a 16 year old student, when we have several adult applicants for this position," said Aadle. Aadle assumed the boy might have confused with the names of the appointed officials. "The boy may have misunderstood or confused with the names of the appointed individual. Maybe they have same names but he should confirm first before going to public," the Minister noted. Gambole town which lies 50km west of the administrative capital of Jowhar was liberated early this month by Somali forces in collaborating with AMISOM troops. https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2018/Mar/157255/hirshabelle_government_refutes_naming_underage_boy_as_deputy_dc_ of_gambole.aspx Jawari ouster not sanctioned by government but a defense strategy- Dalha The motion against Lower House Speaker Mohamed Jawari is not government sanctioned, an MP supporting the Speaker’s ouster has said but noted it was in ‘defense of an impending motion from our opponents’. Outspoken and long serving MP Mohamed Dalha told Goobjoog News the government is not officially behind the motion despite major support from government ministers. “This motion is not sanctioned at official level by the government,” Dalha said. “It came up because we had prior information the other side was preparing a motion against the Prime Minister.” The lawmaker said major presence of ministers did not necessarily indicate the motion which failed to take off last week after suffering a quorum hitch has the blessings of the

government noting, ‘ministers are also MPs and can act in that capacity’. A lawmaker told Goobjoog News Monday Jawari had put President Mohamed Farmaajo on the defense Sunday demanding whether the motion had the nod of the government. Prime Minister Hassan Khaire has not publicly spoken about the motion but Jawari on the other hand has held three media conferences since the motion emerged last week. http://goobjoog.com/english/jawari-ouster-not-sanctioned-by-government-but-a-defense-strategy-dalha/