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Tough Foreign Policy Challenges for Somalia’s “Iron Lady”

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As little-known politician Fauzia Yusuf Haji Adan was sworn in as Somalia’s first female foreign minister and deputy prime minister on Monday Nov. 19, the stateswoman who hails from the unrecognised, self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland is tipped to become the country’s “Iron Lady”.

This is according to Adan´s political ally Mohamed Daahir Omar, who used to work closely with her in local Somaliland politics, in which he is currently active.

“We know Fauzia as a person with strong determination and as an approachable individual who likes to form consensus. But when she has to make a decision, she just goes for it and works to convince others of her way. She was mostly successful, and for that she can be considered Somalia’s Iron Lady,” Omar told IPS from Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, referring to Adan’s strong will.

Adan, who returned from her first state visit to neighbouring Djibouti on Nov. 18 and missed the official swearing-in ceremony of the cabinet on Nov. 15, takes on the mantle of leadership in a country with a number of tough foreign policy challenges.

While details of Adan and her background are sketchy, and she has been reluctant to grant interviews to the press, Omar said that because of her skill as a consensus-builder, the new foreign minister could play a role in bridging the divide between this Horn of Africa nation and Somaliland.

One of her first tasks will be to advance tentative and delicate talks between the Somali government and politicians in the northern state. Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from the rest of Somalia following the collapse of the country’s government in 1991.

“The talks between Somalia and Somaliland will be an acid test for Adan because as a northerner she will have to show her people that she does not want to force them into a union (with Somalia) that they don’t want.

“But at the same time as a key minister in the federal government she has to represent the views of the government – the sanctity of national unity and sovereignty,” Garaad Jama, an analyst from the Centre for Peace and Democracy, a think tank in Somalia, told IPS.

Adan, who is only one of two women in the 10-member cabinet appointed by Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, will also have to deal with the growing friction between Kenya and Somalia over the formation of local administration areas in southern Somalia.

The Kenyan military captured the Al-Shabaab-controlled southern Somali port city of Kismayo in late September. The port was one of the key strongholds of the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist radical group.

But Kenya has reportedly been pushing for the region in southern Somalia known as Azania or Jubaland – where Kismayo is the main city – to be given the status of an autonomous state, to serve as a buffer zone between Kenya and the chaos in Somalia.

The Somali government has repeatedly voiced its opposition to the creation of such a state, which it fears would become a Kenyan satellite rather than a local administration that would fall under its control.

Although Kenya vehemently denied the charges, its soldiers in control of Kismayo’s airport prevented a Somali government delegation from entering the city on Nov. 7, after a local militia leader objected to their arrival.

“The signs are already not good, with deteriorating relations between Kenya and the new Somali government and other tough and pressing challenges,” Maryan Muumin, a women’s rights activist from the Somalia National Women’s Organisation (SNWO) in Mogadishu, told IPS.

“It seems that the daunting task for the new foreign minister is clear cut and it’s for Adan to deal with the challenges facing her, not only as Somalia’s foreign minister, but as the first woman to hold that post,” she said.

Adan will also have to deal with Al-Shabaab, which still poses a threat to the government in many parts of southern and central Somalia.

Al-Shabaab, which is opposed to women taking up roles outside the home and has imposed strict Sharia law in parts of the country that it controls, has threatened to target Somalia’s United Nations-backed government leaders. The militant group led a failed attempt to assassinate the country’s new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sep. 12, his second day in office.

“Although Al-Shabaab is now on the back foot, the group is the greatest threat to any government in Somalia,” Jama said “How this new government deals with the militant group, which has assassinated several ministers and other top government officials, will be a major test for the ministers, including the first female foreign minister.”

Adan described her appointment as a precedent that will open doors for Somali women.

“This is a historic day not only for Somali women but for all Somalia,” Adan said after the announcement of her appointment on Nov. 4.

Haliam Elmi from SNWO told IPS that Adan’s appointment was “a gift not only for Somali women but also for Africa and the world at large because women’s situations are similar in many parts of the world.”

She said she hoped that it would result in the acceptance of women’s participation in politics in this conservative Muslim country.

“This is a step in the right direction and we hope that society will finally accept women’s ascent on the political ladder,” she told IPS.

But Adan will have a tough road ahead of her. Not everyone has welcomed her appointment. Somalia’s Islamic clergy, for example, said that Adan’s appointment was against the teachings of Islam.

“In Muslim society women are given the highest role a human being can take, which is rearing children and being head of a Muslim home. What we hear from the government is in contradiction to our way of life as a Muslim society, and nothing but calamity will come from giving such political leadership roles to Fauzia, not only for her, but for her family and society in general,” said Sheikh Ali Mohamoud, a Muslim cleric in Mogadishu.

By Abdurrahman Warsameh

– IPS

Iran to open Somali embassy, Turkey rebuilds parliament

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Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (R) and Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi pose for photographs before addressing a joint news conference in Mogadishu November 14, 2012.
REUTERS/Omar Faruk

Iran said it would set up an embassy in Mogadishu and Turkey promised to rebuild Somalia’s parliament building, as the two neighbors, at odds over Syria, vied for influence in the Horn of Africa country.

Somalia has been mired in violence, Islamist militancy and grinding poverty since warlords toppled military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, leaving the country with no effective central government for two decades.

But security has improved in the last 18 months with al Qaeda-linked militants losing more territory under their control under pressure from African Union and Somali forces.

The country is looking to foreign donors to help rebuild its ravaged economy after decades of conflict.

Tehran’s move to open an embassy followed Turkey’s decision to set up its embassy in Mogadishu last year.

The two states are at odds over the conflict in Syria, and it was not immediately clear if the two foreign ministers had met on the sidelines in Mogadishu.

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (R) and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu attend a joint news conference in Mogadishu November 14, 2012.
REUTERS/Omar Faruk

Sunni Muslim Turkey backs the largely Sunni rebels who are mired in a civil war against President Bashar al Assad’s forces, who are mostly Alawite, an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam, the dominant religion in Iran.

Shi’ite Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said his country was keen to stand by the Somali people, but Tehran is also seeking to counter the influence of Western countries and its Sunni neighbors by extending its reach to parts of majority Muslim African countries.

Salehi told reporters after meeting Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud that apart from the embassy, his country would also open a new clinic.

“(Iran) will do its best so that Somalia will make up for the past 20 years of crisis that it has gone through,” he said.

It was not immediately clear when the embassy would open.

Previously, Somalia had only five functioning embassies operating in the country: Djibouti, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Ethiopia. Most other countries tend to handle Somali operations from neighboring Nairobi.

While security has improved in Mogadishu, the militants have been launching guerrilla-style attacks.

The four-year insurgency waged by al Shabaab left Mogadishu in ruins. Turkey has taken a leading role in the redevelopment of the city, as it seeks to boost its profile in Africa and promote itself as a model Muslim democracy.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu said his country would rebuild the parliament building after which, he said, “We shall construct streets in Mogadishu and other government buildings.”

Turkish Airlines has operated regular flights to Mogadishu since March.

(Writing by Yara Bayoumy; Editing by James Macharia and Michael Roddy)

– REUTERS

Somali Parliament approves cabinet

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Veteran Somali politician Mohamed Osman Jawari looks on August 26, 2012 in Mogadishu during his candidacy, before being elected as the speaker of Somalia’s new parliament.

Somalia’s new parliament endorsed on Tuesday all 10 ministers appointed by the prime minister, approving one of the smallest ever cabinets for the war-ravaged nation.

Two women are among the 10, including Somalia’s first female foreign minister, Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan, who hails from the self-declared independent state of Somaliland.

“Lawmakers have endorsed the new cabinet with a majority vote, 219 members out of the 225 who attended the session gave the ‘yes’ vote to the new cabinet,” said parliament speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari.

Three others rejected the cabinet, and three abstained.

“The lawmakers have endorsed the new cabinet, and now they have to face the difficult tasks ahead,” lawmaker Aweys Al-Qarni told AFP.

The new government faces tough challenges as it seeks to install order in a country racked by decades of war, and with al-Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents vowing to overthrow the Western-backed administration.

Somalia has been in political chaos and deprived of an effective central government since the fall of President Siad Barre in 1991.

The new administration led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud – who took office in September – ended eight years of transitional rule by the corruption-riddled government.

– Sapa-AFP

Business in Mogadishu comes to life

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Mogadishu international port is returning to life, as Somalia emerges from decades of civil war that brought this once thriving port to its knees. Today, business has picked up with trucks arriving to offload tons of cargo from ships that are lining up at its harbor. African union peacekeepers recently took control of various Al Shabaab strongholds paving way for entrepreneurs to launch their ventures once more.

– THE STANDARD

Somalis Underpin Fozia Yusuf Haji Adan, the Deputy Premier and the Foreign Minister

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By Abdirahman M. Dirye

Imagine this: you are trapped in Mogadishu, a ruined ghost capital, the most dangerous zone on earth, your safe sister or brother, Hussien Arab Isse, ex-defense minister who much like Robert Gate of the US deserved to be retained for another four years , for instance, came to your rescue but so called unionists yelled at them out of ethnic hostility and prejudice, and you found out that they were with you in theory but allied with your enem in practice, the same applies to opponents of Ms Fozia. In fact, her envy opponents have very little influence on political realities back home as they chat in distant places.  They are incredibly marginalized to extent where they have no say in who will be their next town mayor like Kismayo; they are simply entertaining the past dreams. They don’t know a Man can be castrated in more than one way. There is no physical presence of such people.

At the least 6 days, before Fozia’s nomination as foreign minister and deputy premier was speculated by the Somali press once she disappeared from Hargiesa. Nomination, however, came as shock to many prejudiced writers including Yabarag and his ilk who wants to harm Somalis in proper Somalia though he belongs to Wardheer village, Ethiopia, and nothing to do with Mogadishu or Hargiesa. The recognition of Somaliland will result in the permanent loss of land by certain clans and people of the same family divided on different territories, bitter reality hardly to accept but that was not what intended to achieve.

Her nomination marks big leap in women’s rights as Somalia’s Taboo Breaker First Woman Foreign Minister  by Bashir Goth’s  analysis  reveals  “History is writing itself…despite the inherent dangers of…, she stated in her inaugural speech, gala affair in Mogadishu. “ If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough” Ellen Johnson Sirleaf wisely stated.  Her father, Adan Qabile, educator and co-founder of Somalia’s modern education with Mohamoud Ahmed Ali, Somalia’s Father of Education; her father’s passion to enlighten youth along with her life’s experience and insight inspired her to establish Hargiesa University which benefited  many generations who were not lucky enough to have access to higher education.  She is Benazir Bhutto of Somalia next to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Africa in terms of power.  “there are too few women in the top jobs around the world…,” EU’ Foreign Minister Catherine Ashton stated, so Fozia Yusuf will be the third most powerful figure in the government; she will remake her country much as Ellen from the ground up. And she is very optimistic.

A graduate of Johns Hopkins and American University in Paris; she worked with Somalia’s foreign ministry in various professional capacities as career diplomat. She was diplomat, too, in Berlin, Germany before Somalia’s central government’s collapse.

Immediately, after her return from UK, she involved in Somaliland politics and formed what she called Independent Party alongside the three national parties, but the late president Ibrahim Egal’s administration refused to recognize her newly formed party referring constitutional law. But she insisted to stay the course and unsuccessfully formed again National Democratic Party (NDP), but when her application was unfairly turned down twice, but she soon broke away disenchanted.

Somali women in Abudwaq, a village in Southern Somalia, and many other places including overseas held a big rally in support of her nomination as deputy premier and foreign minister of the country. Having worked as key diplomat in many western countries, she has a reputation for dutifulness and finesse and thus she will change notorious embassies which sell medical and engineering scholarships for illiterate aged woman who wants to aimlessly travel to EU or North America.

Despite the fact Somaliland has peace-building knowledge, the new Somali president recognized her that she can contribute her wide range experiences to the government but her nomination won’t has any impact on Somaliland independence, nonetheless; one thing is quite worrying: Somaliland is losing cream of its people including Fozia and Ismail Buba, Abdilahi Omaar , Hussien Arab Isse to rival country, Somalia. But politically, she is not much different from the governor of Djibouti’s Central Bank who was originally came from Somaliland. If talks between Somaliland and Somalia resumes, Fozia’s role as foreign minister of Somalia will be the most uncomfortable political realities facing the little minister of Somaliland who is ill-equipped and poorly-spirited because she know his cheap argumentative skills in advance.

Many Somalis who lobbied for certain individuals to get good positions in the current government but utterly failed are asking themselves: how did Ms Fosia get the post? Maybe “money” “ethnicity” or “unique skill and experience”, not gender balance as the president can get a woman from Mogadishu or elsewhere, but the latter most people agreed on. The inclusion of Fozia into Somalia’s cabinet minister and the repetition of Somalia’s unity is not compulsory by the new president to create a scenario whereby tribal activist sites in disguise of dead cause of unity hits a  brick wall   is enormous concession and a step in the right direction. But will Somaliland take avail of the opportunity instead of talking about Somalia building its own house? I doubt it. Creating unnecessary tensions between Hargiesa and Mogadishu is huge gift to for those want to keep Somalia at the violence.

Her opponents are basically saying “ Fozia is automatically unqualified for her position by regional association, her home region no matter whether she believes in Somaliland’s right for independence ”  next decades, we should know people born in Nebraska will be ministers , nonetheless;  that cannot be a rational reason to lose her job as General Perves  Musharraf born in Delhi on August 11, 1943 in Delhi and became president of Pakistan, so birthplaces do not affect loyalties. Adan Gabyow, Kenyan-born, was Somalia’s defense minister and finally  his decomposed body was found in Kenyan hotel last but not least, Somalia’s current ambassador to Cairo is from Jigjiga of Ethiopia and he represents Somalia’s mission.

Fozia has being working hard behind the scene to better the lives of Somalis for the sake of God for  so long in and out of the country, and her efforts was somehow appreciated by the new government but this coincided when  she realized Somaliland democracy is about to fail because of multiple bureaucracies from Parties Registration Committee to bypass the National Election Commission (NEC)  and to approve certain individuals’ interest by continuous ad hoc tasks of change-resistant  which only designed to marginalize the functioning institutions in Somaliland , therefore; injustice has compelled her to build her future on her own.

 

Dirye is Somaliland Activist and Volunteer. mrdirye@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Somalia’s al Shabaab, squeezed in south, move to Puntland

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Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked militants are moving north into the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, long regarded as a relatively peaceful area, after having been squeezed out of their strongholds further south, the president of Puntland said.

Until now, Puntland has largely escaped the worst of the upheaval in Somalia, which has been deprived of an effective central government for the past two decades.

The region is rich in energy resources and oil exploration companies are sizing it up. If the militants were able to establish a permanent presence in the area, it might discourage such exploration efforts.

Although militant numbers are still limited, the authorities fear al Shabaab could gain better access to weapons coming across the Gulf of Aden if it successfully regrouped in the area.

“Their presence has intensified since international forces pushed them in the south. The fighters are coming from the south,” Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamud Farole told Reuters at the weekend.

“We believe that there are … more than 400 (fighters) in those areas,” he said in Garowe, Puntland’s administrative capital, on the sidelines of a visit by the European Union ambassador to Somalia during which a $200 million aid package was announced.

Under pressure from African Union (AMISOM) peacekeeping troops and Somali government forces, al Shabaab has lost many of its major urban strongholds in south-central Somalia since it launched a rebellion against the Western-backed government in 2007.

The rebels, who want to impose their strict interpretation of sharia Islamic law across the Horn of Africa state, withdrew from the capital Mogadishu in August last year and lost their last major bastion of Kismayu six weeks ago.

Farole said most of the fighters have taken up positions in the mountains west of Bossaso, an area that is hard to reach because of its difficult terrain.

WEAPONS SHIPMENTS

Farole said the authorities had captured two shipments of explosives from Yemen in the past few months. In the most recent seizure, the boat had been laden with rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank mines and other munitions.

The incident raised concern about possible cooperation between Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and al Shabaab, which formally merged with al Qaeda earlier this year.

“It was enough to destroy Puntland,” Farole told Reuters in the courtyard of the main government house where Somalia and Puntland’s flags were displayed.

“It is easy to ship arms and ammunition and explosives (from) that area,” said Farole, who believes AQAP and al Shabaab share links.

Farole said he needed international help to train and equip his security forces, lamenting how such support was focused solely on the Mogadishu government to help it fight al Shabaab.

The EU’s special envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso, said he was worried about the security situation in Puntland.

“While AMISOM is advancing in the south, al Shabaab has not been defeated … they have been moving to other areas, including the mountainous areas of Puntland,” he said.

“There are significant areas of Puntland which are difficult to control for these security forces, that’s the main challenge there and hence they’re able to find specific areas (that are) potential safe havens,” he said.

Since withdrawing from most of the territory they used to control, al Shabaab has resorted to asymmetrical warfare tactics, and has launched deadly suicide and car bomb attacks across Somalia. (Writing by Yara Bayoumy; Editing by James Macharia and Andrew Osborn).

– REUTERS

SOMALIA: Former Somali Prime Minister calls Puntland authority ‘oppressive’

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This week, the former Prime minister of Somalia, Abdiweli Ali Gaas has called on the Puntland authorities not oppress the people and the media, reports Horseed Media.

Abdiweli also called the regime of Abdirahman Farole not to delay the Presidential elections in January 2013.

“…During my visit to the major towns and cities in Puntland, I had the opportunity to meet with the people of Puntland, including elders, politicians, the civil society and the youth… the people that I have met with, have informed me and I have also witnessed myself, that there are many social and political challenges in Puntland…” says Prof,Abdiweli during a press conference in Galkacyo, yesterday.

He added “…Today there is no freedom of expression in Puntland, in every democracy there must be a freedom of expression that is the basic rights of the people…”

The former Prime minister, who hails from Puntland, has called on the people of Puntland to safeguard their security and stability.

He says the civil society in Puntland are not allowed to voice their concerns or organize political gatherings, while the media is routinely harassed and can’t freely report about the facts on the ground.

Last month the Puntland government shutdown Horseed FM an independent radio station in Bosaso.

In his press statement the former Prime minister called on the Puntland elders to convene in a national conference in order to protect and restore the unity of Puntland State of Somalia.

The statement of the former Prime minister comes just weeks after major clans in Puntland refused the government’s plans to postpone the Presidential election in January 2013.

The people want the democratization process in Puntland, but the current political environment in Puntland is everything but democratic, says Prof. Abdiweli, he advised the Puntland government to serve their remaining term of two months peacefully.

Abdiweli Ali Gaas, has warned the government of Abdirahman Farole (an Australian citizen) not to create instability in the region.

Abdiweli Ali Gaas who is now a MP of the Somalia’s Federal Parliament, refused to comment on the reports that the Puntland President’s son Mohamed Farole has sent forces trained by Saracen to surround his residence, during his visit in Bosaso the commercial capital of Puntland.

Last week, hundreds of the Puntland’s Maritime Police Force surrounded the villa Mr.Gaas was staying in Bosaso city, completely blocking all the roads leading to the residence. These forces are trained by a company called Sterling Corporate Services also known as Saracen.

The forces later abandoned their positions after local residents and armed militias supporting the former Prime minister gathered near his home in Bosaso.

Recently, the Controversial South African private military operator Sterling Corporate Services, aka Saracen International, has lost its anti-piracy contract in the semi-autonomous Somali region of Puntland.

The termination comes in the midst of strenuous criticism by the UN’s Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group (SEMG) of SCS’s handling of its United Arab Emirates-funded contract to train a paramilitary Puntland Maritime Police Force.

In July, the SEMG published a 350-page report on the security situation in Somalia, sharply critical of the actions of Sterling and the maritime police under its control.

The report highlighted several incidents where Sterling operators – whose nominal brief was confined to training and advising the maritime police force – were involved in military actions against Faroole’s enemies.

Also noted were documented tortures and other incidents of human rights abuse allegedly perpetrated under the command of the mainly South African Sterling corps.

On this basis, the monitoring group called for strong action by the UN Security Council.

Notably, it wanted Sterling/Saracen “designated” along with other companies and individuals in the opaque network connected to the Puntland operation, and subjected to “targeted measures”.

Yet, Saracen continues to operate in Puntland, the company’s assets which includes light airplanes, helicopters and armored vehicles are still stationed at their military camp near Bosaso Airport.

Khalid Yusuf

– HORSEED MEDIA, BOSASO

Somalis welcome formation of new cabinet

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Many Somalis expressed optimism after Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon announced his cabinet nominees on Sunday (November 4th) and called on members of parliament to give their vote of confidence to the new administration.

Parliament is expected to confirm the new cabinet in the coming days.

“After many long years of chaos and destruction in this country, the Somali people have high hopes for this new government to improve the security, political and economic situation in the country,” said Mogadishu-based political analyst Hassan Mohamed.

“I hope the new government will be more efficient and capable than its predecessors because Shirdon has chosen people based on qualifications and expertise,” Mohamed told Sabahi. “They are highly educated, as they hold high degrees and most were expatriates who studied and lived abroad. We hope they can apply what they have learned to lift the country out of its current situation.”

The new cabinet is the first to distribute ministerial posts equally among Somalia’s five main tribal groupings, marking an expansion of the 4.5 quota system that was used to select the current parliament. Under that system, for every seat allotted to the four major clans, a coalition of minority clans received half.

“This is the first government that achieves social justice among the Somali tribes,” said Mohamed Omar Dalha, former minister and member of parliament. It is the first time in 20 years Somalia’s minority clans receive equal representation in governance, he said.

The new cabinet has two ministers from each of the four major clans — Hawiye, Darod, Dir and Rahanweyn — and two from the minority coalition.

Dalha said Shirdon’s cabinet is different in another aspect as well. “First of all, it is the leanest Somali government ever, as it is comprises only ten ministries,” he told Sabahi. “Secondly, the most independent ministry — the Foreign Ministry — is headed by a woman for the first time in the country’s history.”

Political analyst Ahmed Hashi said he hopes the new government will succeed in improving the security situation and bringing back stability to the country.

“Other important issues include holding a national referendum on the new constitution, dealing with refugees who are stranded in nearby countries, moving ahead with political reconciliation with Somaliland and reviving the national economy,” he told Sabahi.

“As for foreign affairs, the most important issues awaiting this new government are winning donor confidence and restoring Somalia’s position as an effective actor in regional and international forums, from which it has been absent for many years,” Hashi said.

Hundreds of Somalis demonstrated Monday in the main streets of Mogadishu to show their support for the cabinet, Somalia’s Shabelle Media Network reported. The demonstrators, including women and children, gathered in the Hamar Weyne district, chanting slogans and holding pictures of the prime minister.

A political victory for women

Maryan Aweys, former minister and current member of parliament, said the appointment of two women to prominent positions represents a huge political victory for Somali women who have struggled to obtain political rights.

Shirdon nominated Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Aadan as deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, and Maryan Qasim Ahmed as minister of development and social affairs.

“This is a positive sign and a nod to the important role played by Somali women in all areas of life as well as rebuilding their nation,” Aweys told Sabahi.

Zahra Abdullahi, a women’s rights activist, said Somali women have regained some of the political rights they had prior to the civil war, adding that she could see women heading other important ministries in the future such as the Ministries of Finance and Interior.

“Although the participation of women in the new government is less than 30%, women have been able to reach the highest positions. This is a positive step forward and they should never, at any time, give up their rights,” she said.

Aadan described her nomination as “historic” for Somalia and a victory for Somali women. During a speech after her nomination, Aadan thanked Shirdon and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for the appointment.

“This is a step that shows that the political situation in our country has turned a new page that will lead to success and prosperity,” she said.

– SABAHI

Congratulatory messages pour in for Somali women ministers

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Congratulatory messages have began pouring in for Somalia’s first ever appointed woman deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister.

Women groups across east Africa have welcomed the naming of Fowziya Yusuf Haji Adan as the new deputy prime minister and foreign minister in Somalia’s new permanent government.

Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Said announced his cabinet on Sunday in the Somali capital Mogadishu, citing that this was the smallest cabinet in Somalia’s history — half of the previous transitional administration.

“After long discussions and consultations, I have named my cabinet which consists of only 10 members. Among them is a female foreign affairs minister for the first time in Somali history,” the prime minister said.

In her first press conference at the Somali Villa, Ms Fowziya acknowledged her historical nomination and hailed it as a “glory day” for Somali women.

“My nomination as the Foreign minister is historic for the Somalia and particularly for the women of Somalia, it turns a new page for the political situation of our country and will lead to success and prosperity,” she said.

Mr. Shirdon also named another female to a ministerial position in an effort to improve women representations. Maryan Qasim Ahmed, who previously held the now-gone women’s minister, takes the role of minister of development and social affairs. Many women organizations across the East Africa community, who have large Somali populations, have praised his appointees.

Amina Hersi Mogeh, a prominent entrepreneur and millionaire Somali woman based in Uganda, was among the first persons to send congratulatory message to newly appointed foreign minister. Amina, who runs one of the largest cement and hardware distributors in Kampala, as well as chains of shopping malls and supermarkets, happens to originally hail from Somaliland like the minister.

In her message, the award winning business woman stressed that appointing Fowziya for the foreign job was a smart move. She reiterated that along with her academia background and life long experiences, Fowziya, possessed the right attitude, dedication and skills to deliver fruitful results. She described her as an educated and forward looking woman.

Amina extended her an invitation to both Nairobi and Kampala, where she runs her successful and award winning business chains.

She finally called on the Somali people to embrace and extend an arm of support for the first female Somali foreign minister and deputy prime minister. She equally congratulated Ms Maryan, the Somali government and its people.

Fowziya formed her own political party in Somaliland before she was barred and did not advance to the next stage of the process. The Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a long-time friend is believed to have played a role in her appointment.

Photo: Award-winning entrepreneur Amina Hersi Moge congratulates Fowziya Yusuf Haji Adan (Hadhwanaagnews)

Somalilandpress

Somalia picks cabinet, balances old guard with newcomers

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Somalia unveiled a new cabinet on Sunday, keeping a delicate balance among rival clans as it tries to shake off years of conflict that still plagues the country despite a recent push against al-Qaeda-linked militants.

The formation of the government is the culmination of a regionally brokered, U.N.-backed effort to restore central control and end close to two decades of fighting that has killed tens of thousands of people.

In September, Somalia inaugurated President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud – elected in the first vote of its kind since warlords toppled military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, leaving the African nation without an effective central government.

Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid, chosen by Mohamud because he is untainted by clan rivalry, will have to tackle corruption, the Islamist insurgency and piracy off the coast along strategic Indian Ocean shipping lanes.

“Taking into account the current situation, I have appointed a lean, effective cabinet that can lead the government in this difficult situation and that can bring full, reliable peace,” Saaid told reporters and officials at the presidential palace as he unveiled his 10-minister cabinet line-up.

He appointed Fozia Yusuf Haji Aden as foreign minister, the first woman to hold such a senior position. “It is a victory for Somali women,” she said.

Somali, Ethiopian and African Union peacekeeping troops have pushed the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents out of the main areas they took over in their five-year-old revolt, encouraging many Somalis to return to rebuild their country. But the militants are still capable of launching attacks in Mogadishu.

Saaid retained three ministers who had served in former President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed’s transitional government, among them Abdihakim Haji Mohamud Fiqi as the minister for defence.

“What we are trying to do is address the demands, the concerns and the expectations of all the different components and players in Somalia,” Saaid told Reuters on Saturday after meeting the EU’s special envoy for Somalia.

Mohamud said not all sub-clans could be included in cabinet. “We made the cabinet 10 to save Somalia – those (sub)clans who missed themselves in the list should know that they are not hated,” he said.

Parliament speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari said the cabinet line-up would go before parliament as soon as possible for approval. (Additional reporting by Yara Bayoumy in Nairobi; Writing by George Obulutsa; editing by Philippa Fletcher)

By Abdi Sheikh and Omar Faruq

– REUTERS

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