Independent media houses who endeavor to be free from federal government control and subjugation are more frustrated by double standard of certain foreign NGOs such as International Media Support – IMS, a Denmark stationed NGO and Swedish Media Institute –FOJO who were entrusted with millions of Swedish funding to aid human rights, democracy, media freedom and professionalism of media.
Frustration is not only coming from lack of support to Somalia’s beleaguered independent media, but it is more frustrating as Scandinavian NGOs are sponsoring individuals who are favored and recommended by representatives of federal government.
These IMS/FOJO supported persons who one time call themselves as media owners and one time call them editors and another time as journalists set up their own outfits with endorsement letters from federal government.
These persons who also silently work as government agents against interest of free media are known to be used by government to cover up its attacks on media and cover up its human rights abuses against journalists. Nevertheless, IMS and FOJO have nerve to subsidize this ridiculous approach that breastfeeds government agents.
Most recent is so-called training on safety of journalists and elections reporting by fictional media owners’ association which is in fact owned by two small FM stations by excluding wider media owners’ community.
The oddest thing was when they called in their training more than 5 journalists who publish love/romantic stories, and flopped even to train reporters/journalists working in politically sensitive reports and journalists who are sent to hazardous assignments.
Shabelle Media Network – the most endangered independent media house – and other prominent radio stations were sacrificed and excluded from benefiting from these badly needed trainings because IMS/FOJO do not want to support any media which is not preferred by federal government authorities and its instruments in the media.
Government’s benefit by using IMS/FOJO project in this manner is dual: to cover up its abuses of media rights, and to use IMS/FOJO project as political weapons to control the independent media, punish critical media, and undermine media freedom advocates.
Independent journalists’ community widely understand that IMS/FOJO succumbed to government’s intimidatory tactics and demands, because IMS/FOJO wanted to be darling of government while sacrificing those championing for media freedom, independent media and journalists against government domination.
This current attitude of the NGOs from Denmark and Sweden are contributing to a broader climate of fear within the media freedom community, sending a potent message that support from such a project and basic survival/recommendations depends on loyalty to the federal government. The wider Somalia’s independent media fraternity pays a heavy price for this approach to media development.
FOJO, IMS are aware of discrimination against foremost independent media and journalists as well as their involvement with government endorsed individuals, but have done little to address the problem or tackle their own role in underwriting government suppression of media rights and basic freedoms.
Donors, including Sweden the funder of this controversial FOJO and IMS program, acknowledge that aid is most effective when defined by accountability and transparency, and when programs are participatory.
But IMS/FOJO have turned a blind eye to the Federal government’s repression of journalists and independent media houses, even though they recognize human rights and basic freedoms which are denied by Somali government are central to democratic Somalia and socioeconomic development.
Source: Radio Shabelle
President HSM's Proclamation to Defeat Al-Shabab by Force in Somalia To overcome the complex problems of civil war, state fragility, and underdevelopment, the Somali people supported risky political changes for a government that promotes freedom, justice, peace, and prosperity in Somalia. For example, the Islamic movements enjoyed popular support to end the brutal reigns of warlords and the military occupation of Ethiopia and establish new government. Full Article
Waagacusub.net -Auditor General Mohamed Ali alias Afgoi has exposed missing millions of dollars from key departments within the Federal Government of Somalia [FGS], in what could raise questions about government expenditures. In his report, Afgoi said 25 entities and three embassies have been audited. Unsupported expenditure amounts to $9M; contracts worth $31M not registered with auditor general's office, the existence of unauthorized bank accounts outside the Treasury Single Account. Full Article
ASOJ.ORG - Associated Somali Journalists (ASOJ) is deeply concerned about the escalating violence against Somali journalists in the Gedo region, particularly in Beled Hawo district on the Somali-Kenyan border where a journalist was injured by security forces and another was arbitrarily imprisoned by the local authority. Full Article
Allow Peaceful Protests, Protect Media Freedom Djibouti's authorities should impartially investigate alleged mistreatment of a detained former air force pilot and ensure that his due process rights are respected, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities have repressed peaceful protests that broke out in response to the pilot's detention. Full Article
ASOJ.ORG - Associated Somali Journalists has today published New guidance (advices) setting out how journalists and media houses in Somalia can meet their media duties as they navigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Full Article
Responding to reports that Somalia's education minister has announced that social media may be shut down for five days from 27 to 31 May as one of the ways to stop cheating in the national secondary school exams, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes Seif Magango said: Full Article
Waagacusub.com - Huge explosions have rocket the Somali capital. They became incontrollable, as they occur at least twice, while targeting government officials and their offices. Al Shabab terrorists seem to be recapturing the control of Mogadishu after the government troops and police vacated their bases in the front lines in lower and middle Shabelle regions. Full Article
Somalia: Two people hurt in bomb attack in Baidoa Full Article
Trump: I told Saudi king he wouldn't last without U.S. support Full Article
Somalia: Roadside blast hits AU troops in Janaale town Full Article
President HSM's Proclamation to Defeat Al-Shabab by Force in Somalia To overcome the complex problems of civil war, state fragility, and underdevelopment, the Somali people supported risky political changes for a government that promotes freedom, justice, peace, and prosperity in Somalia. For example, the Islamic movements enjoyed popular support to end the brutal reigns of warlords and the military occupation of Ethiopia and establish new government.
Waagacusub.net -Auditor General Mohamed Ali alias Afgoi has exposed missing millions of dollars from key departments within the Federal Government of Somalia [FGS], in what could raise questions about government expenditures. In his report, Afgoi said 25 entities and three embassies have been audited. Unsupported expenditure amounts to $9M; contracts worth $31M not registered with auditor general's office, the existence of unauthorized bank accounts outside the Treasury Single Account.
Waagacusub.net - IBS Bank Somalia, which is believed to have the largest amount of money, Al-Qaeda Finance Secretary Fazul Abdallah from Comoros has started issuing Visa Card Payments for the first time. Al-Shabaab's finance secretary confirmed that Mohamed Ali Warsame had $ 157 million in cash, according to Khalif Ereg, who was later bribed with $ 2 million.
I hereby inform the country that By virtue of the Authority given to the President of Uganda by Articles: 108(2), 108A(1), 113(1) and 114(1) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, I hereby appoint H.E. the Vice President, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Honourable Cabinet Ministers and other Ministers as indicated below:
The Associated Somali Journalists is deeply concerned that journalists were today barred from covering the meeting of the leaders of the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States (FMSs) as well as the Governor and Mayor of Mogadishu.
Waagacusub.net - Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday mourned the death of Namibia President Hage G. Geingob and sent condolences to the government of the African country. Full Article
Waagacusub.net - Somalia's former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on Monday warned of the risk of political crisis over plans by the incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to overhaul the constitution. Full Article
Waagacusub.net - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said his country will protect Somalia against any threat in what can be described as an indirect response to recent Ethiopia's move to access the seaport of Somaliland. Full Article
Egypt on Tuesday condemned a suicide bomber attack in Somalia that killed at least 20 soldiers. The attack took place at a training camp in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Monday. The al-Shabab terrorist group claimed responsibility. Full Article
President HSM's Proclamation to Defeat Al-Shabab by Force in Somalia To overcome the complex problems of civil war, state fragility, and underdevelopment, the Somali people supported risky political changes for a government that promotes freedom, justice, peace, and prosperity in Somalia. For example, the Islamic movements enjoyed popular support to end the brutal reigns of warlords and the military occupation of Ethiopia and establish new government. Full Article
Hormuud's Assault on African Peacekeepers Figure 14: African Peace Keepers Hormuud launched a scorching public campaign against the Kenyan military forces in AMISOM in late August 2019. Full Article
Former Intel official stripped from NISA membership Full Article
PM KHEYRE USELESS AND COSTY OVERSEAS TRIPS. Full Article
Abiy says 'New Year' will be celebrated in Eritrea, Ethiopian Airlines to resume flights Full Article
Massive rise in Islamist militant attacks in Africa Full Article
Somalia: IMS & FOJO: Media Development without Media Rights and Freedoms
Somalia is one of the countries in the world where press freedom is curbed, yet free media is striving to demonstrate resilience and continues to service the general public despite all dangers. The resilience and the repression of the independent med