According to a Uganda government statement released this morning the Summit is being convened within the framework of conclusions of the September 2017 meeting hosted in New York by Museveni on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.

The New York Summit was called to exchange views on the situation in Somalia and the future of AMISOM following the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 2372 (2017), whose main thrust was the phased reduction and draw-down of AMISOM troops; and the gradual handover of security responsibilities to Somali National Security Forces(SNSF).

The March 2nd Summit in Kampala, will therefore provide an opportunity to further discuss the current situation in Somalia; the continued role of the TCCs/AMISOM in Somalia; a mechanism for sustainable and predictable funding for AMISOM; and inputs to the AMISOM transition plan.

The AMISOM TCCs including Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti and the Federal Republic of Somalia are expected to participate at the highest level.

Invitations to attend have also been extended to representatives of the African Union Commission, UN Secretariat, the European Union Commission, Regional & Sub-Regional organizations, and representatives of the Five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council.

The Summit will take place on the morning of March 2nd 2017, and will be preceded by a Meeting of Experts and Senior Officials on Tuesday 27th February 2018, a meeting of Chiefs of Defense Forces on Wednesday 28th February 2018, a Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence on 1st March 2018 .

The United States has sanctioned ISIS number two in command in Somalia’s Puntland, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said in a statement on Tuesday.

In the statement, the U.S. said it had added Mahad Moalim of Somalia to its sanctions list for his involvement in global terrorism.

According to Puntland intelligence official, Moalim held several positions in the ISIS faction in Puntland such as head of ISIS court.

Moalim is believed to be now deputy of Abdikadir Mumin, the leader of ISIS militants faction in Puntland state.

The U.S State Department designated the head of ISIS in East Africa, particularly in Somalia, AbdiKadir Mumin, to the global terrorist list in September 2016.

Mumin, a former Al-Shabaab recruiter and spokesman, pledged allegiance to ISIS, along with around 20 of his followers, in October 2015, and has set up a base in Puntland, Somalia.

Since then, Mumin has expanded his cell of ISIS supporters by kidnapping young boys aged 10 to 15, indoctrinating them, and forcing them to take up militant activities.

Somali women parliamentarians are attending a three-day workshop to discuss their legislative roles in relation to women and child rights.

The workshop, organized by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) with the support of the British Embassy in Mogadishu, is being attended by women parliamentarians from both the Upper and Lower Houses of the Federal Parliament.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, yesterday, the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, Simon Mulongo, lauded the MPs for attending the training noting that the legislators from both chambers of parliament have a crucial role to play in promoting human rights, gender equality and child protection.

“What you have come to do here is fundamental in ensuring that you anchor issues of governance in our good country of Somalia on the issues of gender equality, observance of human rights and observance of child protection,” Mr. Mulongo stated.

The DSRCC said understanding of human rights will also ensure that young people are protected from exploitation and raised in a manner that will guarantee a peaceful and stable Somalia that respects equality.

Mr. Mulongo urged the MPs not be complacent but instead join hands in the fight for the protection of the rights of the vulnerable.

“These tenets that we are talking about on issues of gender, child protection and ensuring that the government integrates them into their policies and development plans, will not come on a silver plate. You will have to stand up and fight for them and ensure that they are integrated,” the DSRCC noted.

The workshop is taking place a year after the conclusion of the electoral process that increased the number of women federal MPs from 14 percent in the 2012-2016 parliament to 24 per cent in the current parliament.

The Deputy Speaker of the Upper House, Abshir Mohamed Ahmed, hailed AMISOM for organizing the workshop, noting that women can play an important role in the advancement and observance of human rights.

“When you want to expand the enjoyment of human rights, women are best placed to do this. The Somali woman can play a very important role. We all know the critical role the Somali woman played during the civil war,” Mr. Ahmed explained.

His remarks were echoed by the Chairperson of the Women Caucus of the Lower House, Dr. Mina Mohamed, who noted that though a lot has been achieved with regard to the political representation of women in Somalia, a lot still remains to be done.

“We still need support, like this training so that we can achieve our goals. This will help us discharge our duties. When you empower women politically, the country develops fast and people live in peace,” Ms. Mohamed explained.

For her part, the Chairperson of the Women Caucus of the Upper House, Shukri Aden Mohamed, urged the women MPs to harness their skills and expertise to achieve greater representation of women in politics and enhance their role in decision making.

“We have different skills. There are some of us who are educated while others are experienced but we are law makers and we need to know our job description, what it means, how to execute it and who will help us achieve our goals,” Ms. Mohamed stated.

Ms. Shipra Bose, a Senior Gender Advisor with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), urged the women MPs to fully grasp the parliamentary rules to enable them better advocate for the rights of women and children.

Source: AMISOM

The Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson, SRCC, for Somalia Ambassador Francisco Madeira has commended the United States for its continued support to the African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, in its fight against terrorism.Ambassador Madeira made the remarks on Monday during the unveiling of a new U.S. government-funded Aerial Surveillance System at the Baledogle Military Airfield, in Lower Shabelle region.

The system, which will serve as a force multiplier, is expected to enhance the effectiveness of field operations conducted by AMISOM troops in various parts of the country.AMISOM has on numerous occasions appealed for force enablers to enable it launch successful military operations against Al -Shabaab and liberate areas under the control of the militants.

The Mission plans to intensify operations to secure the country as the gradual transfer of   national security responsibilities to Somali national security forces continues as planned.Ambassador Madeira, who was accompanied by senior AMISOM officials, noted that the platform will provide troops with much needed real time intelligence, which will help detect and monitor armed groups.He appealed to other development partners to emulate the U.S., which not only supports AMISOM troops but also the Somali National Army (SNA). The SRCC said strengthening Somali security forces was critical in achieving long term peace and security in the country.The Charge d’Affairs of the U.S. Mission to Somalia, Martin Dale, reiterated the commitment of the U.S. government to aiding the African Union, the AMISOM Troop Contributing Countries and the cause for peace in Somalia.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the two terrorist attacks of 23 February 2018 in Mogadishu that killed and injured innocent Somalis.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Somalia.  The members of the Security Council wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The members of the Security Council commended the swift response of Somalia’s security forces, AMISOM and other first responders. They thanked the African Union and the Government of Somalia for opening an investigation into an incident between AMISOM’s Quick Reaction Force and NISA near the KM4 checkpoint.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Somalia and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council paid tribute to all Somali and international actors working to bring peace and stability in Somalia.  The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to support peace, stability and development in Somalia.  They underlined that neither this nor any other terrorist attack would weaken that determination.

Source: UNSOM