Chimera Posted May 29, 2013 Best news in years, please keep an eye out for any China related news, and responses, we've got to unleash the Red Dragon through a visit to the Land of the Rising Sun. The fledgling Somali government plans to restore security by eradicating militias in two years time as it embarks on a political and economic renewal after 22 years of civil strife and political turmoil. "The government is focusing on economic recovery to create employment to make young people less attracted to joining militant group Al-shabaab," Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in a recent interview with Kyodo News in the Ethiopian capital. But to bring peace and stability, the government has to address the root causes of conflict such as poverty, lack of opportunities, hopelessness, access to arms and the spiral of revenge among clans. Although ridding extremism is a long term issue, the Somali government hopes that with support from the international community, it can strengthen its security forces, expand the economy and change people's ideology. The government now wants foreign jihadists to leave and it wants to rehabilitate the local fighters. Japan has been supporting the Somali Police Force, helping improve the security situation over the last six or seven months after the launch of the new government under President Mohamud. In the early 1990s, Japan was involved in Somalia through various sectors like telecommunications and fishery, but after the intensification of the civil war, it only engaged through the U.N. and other international programs. Somalia lost everything in the civil war and had to start again from the scratch, Mohamud said, adding the country was fragmented into various semi-autonomous regions including Somaliland, Puntland and Jubaland. But now a political process to reunite these areas back into a single unitary state is under way. "We are using dialogue to bring back one Somalia. I personally visited Puntland and now we have a delegation in Kismayu to open dialogue with people in that region," Mohamud said. This week, a forum on Somalia's recovery and reconstruction is to be held in Japan ahead of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), which will start in Yokohama on Saturday for a three-day run. "One of the areas we want Japan to support us in is development of human capital like technical training" as well as equipment assistance in telecommunications, Mohamud said. He said he will visit Japan for the first time to attend the international meetings. Somalia's attendance at the TICAD will be a first for the African nation that is striving to recover from the aftermath of the civil war that started in 1991. Sixty percent of Somalia's population are uneducated youths, and the country needs international assistance in such areas as fishery, agriculture, food production and telecommunications. "So these are some of the plans and priorities that Somalia is going to present to the government and people of Japan to support," Mohamud said. Kyodo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chimera Posted May 29, 2013 Madaxweynaha Somalia oo u Dhoofay dalka Japan oo uu kaga Qayb-galayo shir looga Hadlayo Arrimaha Soomaaliya Arbaco, May 29, 2013 (HOL) — Madaxweynaha Soomaaliya, Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud iyo wafdi uu hoggaaminayo ayaa maanta u dhoofay dalka Jabaan halkaasoo uu kaga qaybgalayo shir looga hadlayo arrimaha Soomaaliya iyo shir looga hadlayo horumarinta Qaaradda Afrika. Afhayeenka madaxtooyada Soomaaliya, Inj. Cabdiraxmaan Cumar Cismaan (Yariisow) oo la hadlay warbaahinta intii uusan wafdigu ka dhoofin garoonka diyaaradaha ee Muqdisho, isagoo sheegay in madaxweynuhu uu shirar kala duwan uga qaybgalayo dalka Jabaan. “Madaxweynuhu wuxuu caasimadda dalka Jabaan uga qaybgalayaan 31-ka bishan shir looga hadlayo arrimaha Soomaaliya, kaasoo ay shir-guddoomin doonaan isaga iyo ra’iisul wasaaraha Jabaan,” ayuu yiri Inj. Yariisow. Sidoo kale, afhayeenku wuxuu sheegay in madaxweynuhu uu bisha Juun billowgeeda uga qaybgalayo Tokiyo shir looga hadlayo horumarinta guud ee Qaaradda Afrika oo ay Soomaaliya ku jirto. Inj. Yariisow ayaa hadalkiisa ku daray in madaxweynaha laga sugayo 15-ka bisha Juun ee soo socota magaalada London oo uu kaga qaybgalayo shirka dalalka ugu dhaqaalaha badan adduunka ee G8, shirkaasoo looga hadli doono horumarinta Soomaaliya. “Caalamku wuxuu xilligan u soo jeestay ka shaqeynta horumarinta Somalia, madaxda dowladda Soomaaliya oo uu ugu horreeyo madaxweynahana waxaaa ka go’an inuu xoogga saaro sidii Soomaaliya dib loogu dhisi lahaa,” ayuu afhayeenku hadalkiisa ku daray. Wafdiga madaxweynaha ee maanta u dhoofay dalka Jabaan waxaa ka mid ah, ra’iisul wasaare ku xigeenka ahna wasiirka arrimaha dibadda Soomaaliya, Fowziyo Yuusuf Xaaji Aadan iyo xubno ka tirsan madaxtooyada. Madaxweyne Xasan Sheekh ayaa tan iyo markii xilka loo doortay wuxuu ku jiray safarro uu ku aadayo dalalka dibadda, kuwaasoo lagu sheegay inay ka mid yihiin qorshaha dowladda ay ku doonayso inay kusoo celiso xiriirkii ay Soomaaliya la lahayd caalamka intiisa kale. LINK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chimera Posted May 30, 2013 Japan’s Energy Needs to Top Agenda at Africa Meeting By Mitsuru Obe TOKYO—Japan is set to announce a series of agreements with African countries to facilitate better access to their fuel and minerals amid intensifying competition with China to tap into the continent’s natural resources. The agreements will be reached during this weekend’s African development conference, an event Japan hosts with heads of state from the continent every five years. The focus of the event will be business and energy, as Japan looks, in particular, for new fuel sources to keep its economy running following a widespread nuclear-power shutdown following the 2011 Fukushima accident. But Japan finds itself behind China in terms of building cooperative ties with African nations, as corporate Japan takes a hesitant stance on entry into the African market due to its sometimes harsh environment, political instability and risks of war and terrorism. The Tokyo International Conference on African Development, the fifth meeting since its launch 20 years ago, will take place in Yokohama June 1-3, attended by 51 of the continent’s 54 nations, including 40 heads of state. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will stay for the duration of the event and intends to meet all the visiting leaders as he tries to drive home the message that African leaders can count on his administration for developing long-term partnerships in contrast to the last six years of constantly changing prime ministers. In 2011, Japanese direct investments in Africa stood at $460 million against China’s $3.1 billion, while Japan’s trade with Africa totaled only $30 billion, less than a fifth of China’s $166 billion, according to the Japan External Trade Organization, a government-backed trade promotion body. The number of Japanese living in Africa, meanwhile, totals only about 8,000, compared with China’s 150,000. Rather than try to compete with Beijing, several senior government officials said Tokyo may find it more advantageous to work with China on gaining access to resources and building cooperation with African nations. “Working with China in Africa is very much a possibility in the future,” said Katsumi Hirano, an expert of Africa for the government-affiliated Institute of Developing Economies. Mr. Hirano believes such cooperation is especially likely in resource development, as natural gas has been discovered off the coasts of Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya, all located on the continent’s eastern seaboard, an area convenient for shipments to Asia. But Japanese businesses remain cautious about investing in Africa. “We do not think we have to have an office in Africa,” said Takashi Suzuki, who is responsible for overseas business development at Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp., a major buyer of coal from Mozambique. Mr. Suzuki said his company is still looking into whether it actually needs a comprehensive African strategy. A terrorist attack in Algeria in January, in which 10 Japanese were killed, including employees of plant engineer JGC Corp., has only added to the cautious mood. Africa itself doesn’t wish to be torn between some kind of resource competition between Japan and China, two of its largest aid donors. “There’s no point in Japan competing with China,” said Stuart Comberbach, Zimbabwean ambassador to Japan. “Africa was a victim once before of big power rivalry, between the West and the East. We paid a heavy price for that in terms of proxy wars fought on our continent. We have no willingness at all to get involved in any kind of geo-strategic rivalry.” During the coming meeting, Japan will sign an investment accord with Mozambique and will likely agree to launch negotiations for such an accord with Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana, Japanese trade officials said. The agreement is aimed at preventing appropriations of assets and arbitrary changes in business rules. To ease concerns about piracy along key shipping lanes connecting Japan and Africa, Tokyo will agree to train coast guard officials, and provide patrol boats, for east coast countries including Somalia, Djibouti and Kenya, they said . The Wall Street Journal 3 of those Hayabusa class patrol ships would do the trick, Mr President, bring them home! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mintid Farayar Posted May 30, 2013 Chimera;956521 wrote: Inj. Yariisow ayaa hadalkiisa ku daray in madaxweynaha laga sugayo 15-ka bisha Juun ee soo socota magaalada London oo uu kaga qaybgalayo shirka dalalka ugu dhaqaalaha badan adduunka ee G8, shirkaasoo looga hadli doono horumarinta Soomaaliya. [/img] If Hassan Sheikh attends the G8 Summit this year, some SOL members might commit suicide Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uchi Posted May 30, 2013 Great News. This is wonderful. Good work Mr President. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uchi Posted May 31, 2013 Somalia and Japan leaders agree to strengthen bi-lateral relations Yokohama, 31 May 2013 – The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud meets the Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Shinzo Abe in Yokohama ahead of the Special Conference on Somalia later today in Yokohama. The President and his delegation arrived yesterday in order to attend the Special Conference on Somalia in Yokohama on 31 May 2013 and the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) which will take place 1st June to 3rd June in Yokohama, Japan. The President of Somalia thanked the Prime Minister of Japan’s leadership to host the Special Conference on Somalia and Japan’s unwavering support to the people of Somalia. Both leaders discussed bi-lateral relations between the two countries, the security and political progress in Somalia and more importantly the development of Somalia. The Prime Minister of Japan stated that Japan will continue to provide support to contribute the development, stability and prosperous of Somalia which he described is indispensable. Both leaders agreed to strengthen bi-lateral relations. The President of Somalia highlighted the urgency of the institutional development in Somalia and said “We have made progress in Somalia, however, the challenges are enormous. Since my country is moving to recovery and development our young people urgently need vocational training in agriculture, livestock, fishing, health and education services and I would like Japan’s assistance on these areas as well as infrustructrual support such as roads, ports, airports, irrigational infrastructural and more importantly support in security.” The President of Somalia said “Somalia is now entering into a new era which requires new approaches from the international community to help our human development which is pre-requisite to recovery and development. There is a hope to rebuild Somalia, however, we Somalis alone cannot do it.” The President thanked H.E. Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan for the revival of the two countries bi-lateral relations after two decades and Japan’s bi-lateral development assistance to Somalia. The President of Somalia and the Prime Minister of Japan will later today co-chair Special Conference on Somalia. The President of Somalia and his delegation will attend the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) in Yokohama on 1st June to 3rd June 2013. - END – Abdirahman Omar Osman (Eng. Yarisow) Senior Advisor & Spokesperson to the Office of the President Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Somalia Posted May 31, 2013 Mintid Farayar;957165 wrote: If Hassan Sheikh attends the G8 Summit this year, some SOL members might commit suicide Why? :confused: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nuune Posted May 31, 2013 Excellent thread yaa Chimera, you and I we were saying the other day in our vision for Somalia that the likes of Japan & South Korea can support Somalia in many ways, agriculture being one, and the provision of coast guide equipments, the latter already being discussed which is good news. I would be glad if the president also makes a short visit to South Korea Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daqane Posted May 31, 2013 Japan renews commitment to Somalia by resuming direct aid Kyodo News International Friday, May 31, 2013 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe renewed Japan's commitment to supporting Somalia's nation-building efforts Friday, saying Tokyo will resume direct aid to the East African nation which is seeking to revive its economy and government following 22 years of civil strife and political turmoil. At a special meeting in Yokohama dedicated to discussing issues confronting Somalia, Abe said Japan's new assistance to the country will focus on enhancing its socio-economic conditions, maintaining law and order there, and invigorating the country's fragile industries. "The stability of Somalia is important for the stability and prosperity of East Africa and indispensible for solving Somalia's piracy problem fundamentally and ensuring the safety of one of the world's major maritime arteries, which connects the Indian Ocean with the Red and Mediterranean seas," Abe told participants. The one-day meeting, which was held on the sidelines of a summit-level meeting of leaders mostly from Africa on the continent's development from Saturday through Monday, also drew such dignitaries as Somali President Hassan Sheik Mohamud and Helen Clark, head of the U.N. Development Program. Noting that Japan has already pledged the disbursement of $55.4 million in aid to Somalia through various international organizations, Abe said his country has also decided to resume direct aid to the country in a bid to "contribute to Somalia's nation- building in earnest." Japan will also help create employment for young Somalis by nurturing fisheries and other industries in Somalia, with the hope of invigorating bilateral trade and investment in the future, he added. Earlier Friday, Abe also held talks with Mohamud in the Japanese port city. In Somalia, which descended into civil war in 1991, a new government was finally established when Mohamud was installed as the country's president in September last year. He is the first Somali leader to attend the Africa development meeting, known as the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, which began 20 years ago and is co-hosted by Japan and international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chimera Posted May 31, 2013 Nice update Daqane! nuune;957218 wrote: Excellent thread yaa Chimera , you and I we were saying the other day in our vision for Somalia that the likes of Japan & South Korea can support Somalia in many ways, agriculture being one, and the provision of coast guide equipments, the latter already being discussed which is good news. Exactly, this is why its important to have a superstructure in the form of a country to advance your interests. Japan will assist us in the maritime sector, both military and economic, and they are doing it directly, not through other channels. I would be glad if the president also makes a short visit to South Korea In good time, sxb, in good time. I am more interested in the policies of their biggest neighbour; the Celestial Kingdom. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chimera Posted May 31, 2013 Turkey puts another $10 million in the pot for the Somali Armed Forces at the Yokohama conference. They do this at every conference, a good method indeed. Its much more productive and transparent to do it in phases, because it will prevent corruption, and doesn't scare our neighbours in the process. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carafaat Posted May 31, 2013 Mintid Farayar;957165 wrote: If Hassan Sheikh attends the G8 Summit this year, some SOL members might commit suicide Hasan Sheick is on fire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nuune Posted May 31, 2013 Chimera;957255 wrote: In good time, sxb, in good time. I am more interested in the policies of their biggest neighbour; the Celestial Kingdom. Don't worry about the North, sxb, they are harmless, they only like to provoke the Americans. President Hassan needs to re-open the Somali embassy in Japan. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chimera Posted May 31, 2013 ^I meant China sxb, once Chinese-Somali relations are firmly re-established directly, then the Federal Government's capacity to deliver services and greenlit large scale construction projects will quadruple in no time. You're right about reopening the embassy in Japan, there are Somalis living there as students and entrepreneurs, whom the President met: Somali leader In Japan To Participate International Conference On Somalia Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohmaud and his delegation have arrived in Tokyo, Japan capital on Thursday ahead of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) on Somalia’s recovery and reconstruction which is set to start in Yokohama on Saturday for a three-day run. Mohamud said during a visit Japan on Thursday that he also wants the renew the relationship between two counters Another conference which is also expected to be featured a number of key issues including economic growth, education and stabilization, among others will be held a day before the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). Japan is among many countries that have restored their diplomatic tie with the war-torn horn of Africa nation which is emerging from town decades of chaos and lawlessness, Japan ambassador to Somalia Toshihisa Takata was named earlier this year. Tokyo conference follows the London conference which was hosted by the Britain government on May 7 as another conference on Somali is set to be hosted by the European Union in September. The Somali president is also expected to attend the G8 summit in London on 15 June as this will be the first ever time a Somali president to be invited in this summit. Mohamud office said he also met with Japan businessmen and Somali businessmen and students living in Japan on Monday , the start of the four-day trip, to encourage investment in his struggling country. -- LINK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
