President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called on the House of the Peope to expedite legislation once they are formulated and ratified by the cabinet.

This is aimed at bolstering the government’s response in targeting the militant group Al-Shabaab which has besieged governments in Mogadishu.

Speaking during a meeting with the speaker of the Lower House and House Standing Committees, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the assembly was the most critical institution in the development of Somalia.

Mr. Hassan Sheikh said the highest levels of cooperation and coordination among multi-government agencies will relinquish the financial muscle of the group.

The President said his government will provide the necessary tools to detect and disrupt patterns of financing associated with Al Qaeda and global terrorist networks.

The Somali cabinet through the leadership of the head of state has promised to strengthening regulations on anti-terrorism financing and money laundering to degrade the militants.

Somalia passed the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Terrorism Financing (AMLCF) law in 2016 but analysts say the law is not watertight enough to cut off terrorism financing.

Somalia’s militant Islamist group al-Shabab spent $24m (£18m) in 2021 on purchasing weapons, according to a report by a Mogadishu-based research group, the Hiraal Institute.

The report,  “Al-Shabaab Weapons”, further alleges that al-Shabab, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, has an annual revenue collection of about $180m.

Previous UN reports have indicated that the group generates millions of dollars through the extortion of businesses and illicit taxes on vehicles, livestock and commercial and residential buildings in the country.

The government said last month it has frozen several bank accounts operated by the militant group but did not indicate where the accounts were located.

Commercial banks are required to notify the Financial Reporting Centre of any transactions of over $10,000.

However, a recent UN Panel of Experts report said Al-Shabaab manages to circumvent this mechanism but transferring funds in small tranches of a maximum of $9,500 thus evading the threshold for reporting.

The strengthening of institutions like the Financial Reporting Center (FRC) in Somalia which regulates and is set to report on any suspicious money circulating will play a significant role in degrading the insurgents, the government believes.

The centre was established through the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, 2016 to operate as a National Central Agency that is responsible for the receipt, analysis and appropriate dissemination of all information relating to money-laundering and terrorism financing.

Somalia is currently conducting operations against the militants in parts of central and southern Somalia where the Somali National Army declared successful battles leading to the liberation of strategic villages and towns.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni is scheduled to travel to Mogadishu.

According to reliable sources Deni has received an invitation from the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Deni’s trip came after he criticized the policy of President Hassan Sheikh at the Thursday meeting of the Puntland Cabinet of Ministers. He also slammed Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre.

Deni instructed his cabinet that there will be no cooperation with the federal government, since he is in place with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

This conflict is based on the appointment of officers who will lead the security of the federal government forces from Puntland, and Deni argues that those who recommend him should be taken, instead of the federal government choosing whoever it wants from Puntland.

It is not clear what President Deni is getting from security chiefs who are not in politics.

On the other hand, President Hassan Sheikh has recently missed a trip to Bosaso, a military base that the United Arab Emirates is advancing, and it is not clear whether the delay is related to the conflict between the two sides.

Mogadishu, 19 November- Over 30 Somali Journalists and some selected Editors have begun a three-day training on Humanitarian and Climate Change reporting in Mogadishu today. Somali Independent Media Houses Association (SIMHA) organized the Media Training.

The training aims to equip the Journalists and the Editors with skills and knowledge on how best to report on the unfolding humanitarian crisis and the impact of Climate Change in Somalia.

Speaking at the training kick-off in Mogadishu, SIMHA’s Chairman Hassan Ali Geesey said the training would help the Journalist identify and report on Humanitarian stories.

“The media is the vehicle that delivers crucial information to the public. We feel there is a need to train the Journalists and Editors on how to report on the humanitarian crisis the country is witnessing now. It is timely, and we hope this will help shape the opinion and views of Somali people and their international supporters through accurate reporting,” said SIMHA Chairman.

Hassan Ali Geesey, Somali Independent Media Houses organization (SIMHA)

 The media training which is planned to be held in major cities in the regional states in the coming weeks is supported by UNSOM and the office of the Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs, Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame.

 “Without the support of UNSOM and the Office of the Special Envoy, it would not have been possible to implement this training”, Added Mr Hassan Geesay.

While officially opening the training, the Special Envoy on Humanitarian Affairs, Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, emphasized on the media’s role in positively highlighting the challenges caused by Climate Change and its impact.

“As Journalists and Editor, today you can support your people suffering from the continuous impact of climate-induced tragedies. You need to take the front seat in highlighting the challenges our people are facing daily, “ said the special envoy.

Abdirahman Abdishakur, Presidential special envoy on drought and humanitarian affairs

“You are the vehicle we need to deliver the message, and without you, we will never know the extent of the damage and how much help we need”, added the special envoy. The envoy also warned the Journalists against fake news and its terrible impact.

“As Journalists, you must always strive to get the truth. The responsibility of informing the public by offering accurate information rests on your shoulders. The target is to train over 200. Journalists in the five regional states” said the special envoy.

The group of editors and Journalists who were lucky to have been selected for the training welcomed the opportunity.

“I hope I will have a clear understanding of how to report on Humanitarian issues and the impact of Climate change after the training. I am passionate about Humanitarian affairs and keen to play my role as a Journalist,” said Shukri Mohamed Abdi, a reporter at Bilan Media

Shukri Mohamed Abdi, Reporter at Bilan Media

 Somalia is currently facing the worst humanitarian crisis following failed rainy seasons. More than 50% of the population needs food aid as the country also inches closer to the declaration of famine.

With this critical step of training media managers and Journalists, the media will have an opportunity to accurately and objectively report on the situation by highlighting the voices of those who are suffering from the impact of the climate-induced tragedies.

Journalist and editors in session during the training on Humanitarian and Climate Change Reporting

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