Security Council Establishes United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia

to Be Operational by 3 June for Initial Period of 12 Months

UN Security Council

 Unanimously Adopts Resolution 2102 (2013)

Acting on the recommendations of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Security Council today decided to establish the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) by 3 June for an initial period of 12 months, providing the United Nations “good offices” functions — and a range of strategic policy advice — in support of the Federal Government’s peace and reconciliation process.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2102 (2013), the Council decided that the mandate of UNSOM — which it intended to renew as appropriate — would include the provision of policy advice to the Federal Government and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on peacebuilding and state-building in the areas of:  governance, security sector reform and rule of law (including the disengagement of combatants), development of a federal system (including preparations for elections in 2016), and coordination of international donor support.

Among its other mandated functions, UMSOM would help build the Federal Government’s capacity to promote respect for human rights and women’s empowerment, promote child protection, prevent conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, and strengthen justice institutions.  Further, it would monitor, help investigate and report to the Council on any abuses or violations of human rights or of international humanitarian law committed in Somalia, or any abuses committed against children or women.

In such work, the Council underlined the importance of Somali ownership, requesting the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Kay, to align closely United Nations country team activities with the priorities of UNSOM and the Federal Government, as well as AMISOM, the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), the European Union and other regional, bilateral and multilateral partners.

By other terms, the Council decided that UNSOM would be based in Mogadishu and deployed across Somalia, as requested by the Federal Government and as conditions permitted, in line with arrangements set out by the Secretary-General in his 19 April letter to the Council (document S/2013/239).  Further, it recalled provisions in resolution 2093 (2013) in relation to UNSOM as a structurally integrated United Nations mission, welcoming the proposed leadership and coordination structures, with a clear delineation of duties.

For his part, the Secretary-General was requested to keep the Council regularly informed of the implementation of UNSOM’s mandate, including steps he was taking to ensure the presence of a structurally integrated mission by 1 January 2014, as well as an assessment on the political and security implications of wider United Nations deployments across Somalia, with a first report to be delivered no later than 2 September 2013 and every 90 days thereafter.

In his 19 April letter, the Secretary-General transmitted the results of a technical assessment mission to Somalia, deployed from 17 to 29 March.  He notes that the team conducted its work on the basis of resolution 2093 (2013), adopted on 6 March, by which the Council defined a new United Nations presence in Somalia, guided by the Secretary-General’s Strategic Review of the situation.  It agreed that the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) should be replaced by a new special political mission as soon as possible.

Throughout its encounters, the mission had heard strong support for a United Nations mandate in all areas identified by resolution 2093 (2013), according to the letter.  The team found the political environment to be extremely complex, but with “impressive” capacities for peace and dialogue, thanks to the strong political will of the Federal Government to rebuild the country.  International commitment was critical to ensuring an enabling security environment.

Those findings depicted an environment in which a new United Nations mission could “do much good”, the letter states.  The team’s “mission concept” outlined an approach for providing mandated activities, guided by the principles of Somali national ownership, flexibility, and collaboration and partnerships.  The letter outlines the core substantive functions of the new mission in the areas of:  political affairs and mediation; rule of law and security institutions; and human rights and protection, as well as a role for multidisciplinary task teams to ensure coherence between the United Nations country team and the mission.

After action, Elmi Ahmed Duale ( Somalia) expressed his full appreciation for the adoption of an “important” resolution, which would support and facilitate his Government in achieving its development, governance and security goals.  The resolution also ensured that there was only “one door” to knock on, as opposed to fragmented approaches, in coordinating assistance.  Indeed, today’s action was a “first step” towards more effective Council support.

Against that backdrop, he called on all partners to abide by the principles of Somali sovereignty and ownership when extending support for the development of a Somali future, adding that regional authorities should also be consulted.  Welcoming the emphasis on coordination and urgent action, he underlined the need for human and financial resources to help Somalia implement its mandate, drawing attention to the 7 May donor conference in London.  “This year will be an opening of opportunities for Somalia’s development,” he declared.

The meeting began at 11:35 a.m. and adjourned at 11:42 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of Security Council resolution 2102 (2013) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions on the situation in Somalia, in particular resolution 2093 (2013),

“Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia,

“Recognising the significant progress in Somalia over the past year, and recognising the importance of the Federal Government of Somalia, with the support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the United Nations and international partners, to consolidate security and establish the rule of law in areas secured by AMISOM and the Security Forces of the Federal Government of Somalia,

“Underlining the importance of supporting the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts towards peace and reconciliation in Somalia, including through effective regional cooperation, and in this regard commending the role of the African Union (including AMISOM), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and other international partners for their important contributions towards peace and stability in Somalia,

“Welcoming recent progress and positive dialogue between the Federal Government of Somalia and regional administrations, and stressing the importance of these administrations cooperating with the Federal Government of Somalia on peace, provision of basic services, reconciliation and the rule of law and to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Somalia,

“Emphasising the importance of international support to Somalia’s security and justice institutions, as well as capacity building in maritime security and public financial management, and looking forward to the 7th May 2013 Conference on Somalia in London to support progress on these issues,

“Expressing concern at the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Somalia and its impact on the people of Somalia, commending the efforts of the United Nations humanitarian agencies and other humanitarian actors to deliver life-saving assistance to vulnerable populations, condemning any misuse or obstruction of humanitarian assistance, underlining the importance of the full, safe, independent, timely and unimpeded access of all humanitarian actors to all those in need of assistance, and underlining further the importance of proper accounting in international humanitarian support,

“Condemning the recent terrorist attacks which have undermined peace and security in Somalia, and reiterating its willingness to take action against those whose behaviour threatens the peace, stability, or security of Somalia,

“Welcoming the Federal Government of Somalia’s commitment to improving human rights in Somalia, expressing its concern at the reports of violations of human rights, including extrajudicial killings, violence against women, children and journalists, arbitrary detention and pervasive sexual and gender-based violence, particularly in camps for internally displaced persons, and underscoring the need to end impunity, uphold human rights and to hold accountable those who commit any such related crimes,

“Underlining the importance of effectively-coordinated international support to the Federal Government of Somalia in line with the President’s Six Pillar Policy priorities, and in this regard looking forward to the Conference on Somalia in Brussels scheduled for September 2013,

“Taking note of the Federal Government of Somalia’s intention to implement the “New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States” in Somalia,

“Welcoming the appointment of Mr Nicholas Kay as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Somalia (SRSG), and underlining its appreciation for the outgoing SRSG, Dr Augustine Mahiga for all his efforts towards greater peace and stability in Somalia,

“Considering the recommendations of the Secretary-General in his letter of 19 April 2013 to the Security Council,

“1.   Decides to establish the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) by 3 June 2013, under the leadership of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), for an initial period of twelve months with the intention to renew for further periods as appropriate, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Secretary-General;

“2.   Decides that the mandate of UNSOM shall be as follows:

(a)   To provide United Nations “good offices” functions, supporting the Federal Government of Somalia’s peace and reconciliation process;

(b)   To support the Federal Government of Somalia, and AMISOM as appropriate, by providing strategic policy advice on peacebuilding and statebuilding, including on:

(i)   Governance;

(ii)  security sector reform, rule of law (including police, justice and corrections within the framework of the United Nations Global Focal Point), disengagement of combatants, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, maritime security and mine action;

(iii)the development of a federal system; the constitutional review process and subsequent referendum on the constitution; and preparations for elections in 2016;

(c)   To assist the Federal Government of Somalia in coordinating international donor support, in particular on security sector assistance and maritime security, working with bilateral and multilateral partners, and in full respect of the sovereignty of Somalia;

(d)   To help build the capacity of the Federal Government of Somalia to:

(i)   promote respect for human rights and women’s empowerment, including through the provision of Gender Advisers and Human Rights Advisers;

(ii)  promote child protection and to implement the relevant Somali Government action plans on children and armed conflict, including through the provision of Child Protection Advisers;

(iii)prevent conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, including through the provision of Women’s Protection Advisers;

(iv)  strengthen Somalia’s justice institutions and to help ensure accountability in particular with respect to crimes against women and children;

(e)   To monitor, help investigate and report to the Council on, and help prevent:

(i)   any abuses or violations of human rights or violations of international humanitarian law committed in Somalia, including through the deployment of human rights observers;

(ii)  any violations or abuses committed against children in Somalia;

(iii)any violations or abuses committed against women, including all forms of sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict;

“3.   Underlines the importance of Somali ownership in the context of United Nations support, and in this regard requests the SRSG to align closely United Nations Country Team activities in Somalia with the priorities of UNSOM and to coordinate United Nations activities with the Federal Government of Somalia, as well as the African Union (including AMISOM), IGAD, the European Union and other regional, bilateral and multilateral partners in Somalia;

“4.   Decides that UNSOM shall be based in Mogadishu and deployed further across Somalia, as requested by the Federal Government of Somalia and as conditions permit, in line with the arrangements set out by the Secretary-General in his letter of 19 April 2013 to the Council;

“5.   Recalls paragraphs 20 and 21 of resolution 2093 (2013) in relation to UNSOM as a structurally integrated United Nations Mission, welcomes the proposed leadership and coordination structures, with a clear delineation of duties as outlined in the Secretary General’s letter of 19 April 2013;

“6.   Emphasises in particular the need to ensure an integrated United Nations effort under the strategic direction of the SRSG and for the United Nations to work in a coordinated manner with AMISOM;

“7.   Reiterates that with immediate effect, all appropriate activities of the United Nations Country Team should be fully coordinated with the SRSG, including through establishing joint teams and joint strategies, while ensuring the humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence of humanitarian assistance;

“8.   Stresses the need for the Federal Government of Somalia to ensure that all perpetrators of serious violations and abuses of human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law are held accountable, and emphasises the importance of UNSOM supporting the Government of Somalia in developing and implementing a national strategy for preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence;

“9.   Encourages the implementation of the Somali Maritime Security Strategy, developed through the Kampala Process, which will assist the international community in coordinating with the Somali authorities on Somali maritime challenges, including capacity-building and development, for the benefit of the Somali people and in full respect of Somali sovereignty;

“10.  Recognises the security constraints outlined by the Secretary-General, underlines the importance of the safety of United Nations staff, and in this regard welcomes AMISOM’s commitment to provide a guard force of 311 troops as requested in paragraph 2 of resolution 2093 (2013);

“11.  Emphasises the importance of UNSOM adhering to the Secretary-General’s Human Rights and Due Diligence Policy and the United Nations Zero-Tolerance Policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse;

“12.  Underlines the importance of UNSOM cooperating with the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group in the relevant areas of their respective mandates;

“13.  Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Security Council regularly informed of the implementation of UNSOM’s mandate, including the steps he is taking to ensure the presence of a structurally integrated mission by 1 January 2014, as well as an assessment on the political and security implications of wider United Nations deployments across Somalia, with a first report no later than 2 September 2013 and every 90 days thereafter;

“14.  Decides to review the mandate of UNSOM no later than 30 April 2014;

“15.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

London : ANOTHER SOMALILANDER KILLED IN UK - Khadar Hussein shot dead in Peng

Two teenagers have been murdered in London in a 24 hour cycle of violence.

In the latest incident a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death in a fight with another youth in Forest Gate, east London at around 2pm yesterday.

Champion Ganda, 17, died at the scene and another 16-year-old was treated for stab wounds in hospital.
Hours earlier a 19-year-old died in his hospital bed from a gunshot wound to the head.

Khadar Hussein (right) and champion Ganda

The teenager, named by police as Khadar Hussein of Beckenham, was shot in a dispute in the street in Penge just before 8pm on Wednesday.


The killings take the number of teenage murders in the capital to seven so far this year. Eight teenagers were murdered in the streets of London in the whole of 2012.

Today Champion’s older sister Jennifer paid tribute to the “best brother in the world”.

The 20-year-old mother-of-one, from Canning Town in east London, told the Standard: “He always looked after me, always provided for us when I couldn’t provide for my two-year-old child.

“He always acted like my older brother, so protective of me.

“I bought him cupcakes because I thought he would be injured and I could just say to him, ‘Don’t get yourself into any more trouble’. But they (his attackers) took my life away. My mum is heartbroken.”

Police were called at around 2pm to Sandringham Road following reports of a fight near Sandringham Nursery School.

Champion, who is believed to have been visiting a family member in the area, was pronounced dead at the scene and another teenager was taken to hospital where he is described as being in a “stable” condition.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and remains in custody in an east London police station.

In a separate incident on Wednesday Khadar was shot in the head in Kenilworth Road at 7.57pm. The 19-year-old was rushed to hospital but died yesterday at 7.55am.

Friends took to social networking sites to pay tribute to the teenager.

Switchkid94 tweeted “Can’t belive it what a madness! Rest in peace Kadar. thoughts out to his family :( xxx”

Friend Jade Holloway said: “On a day like today all you can do is reminisce on the good times & hold onto the memories. Rip Kada”

Detectives are investigating.
No arrests have been made.
Police are appealing for information in both murder inquires.

Anyone with information on the killings should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Standard.co.uk

Grant Guidelines for the Innovative Libraries in Developing Countries Program

Call for Proposals  Deadline: June 24th

The Innovative Libraries online grant application system is now accepting Phase I applications. Please note, this is a brief 1 page application. Shortlisted applications will be invited to submit a full proposal.
The Elsevier Foundation supports the efforts of libraries to enhance the quality of life in developing countries by advancing knowledge in science, the social sciences technology and medicine. The Foundation provides one, two and three year grants to libraries in the developing countries and supporting organizations:

• Programs to enhance library infrastructure, technology or information services in ways that significantly expand their ability to make STM (scientific/social sciences, technical and medical) information available to those who need it — researchers, clinicians, students, policymakers and the wider public.
• Programs that expand library information resources in the developing world through digitization or preservation of information that advances science, health, the environment, and indigenous knowledge.
• Training and education programs for library staff, students or researchers, contributing to sustainable improvements in the library’s capacity to provide STM information in the developing world.
• Partnerships between libraries in the developing countries and institutions in the developed countries to provide technical assistance or training. Developed country partner organizations include libraries, learned societies, universities, intergovernmental organizations and other non-profit organizations.

Preference will be given to proposals that clearly demonstrate the following;

• Professional training enabling librarians to serve as pivotal advocates in their research ecosystem and in prevention of brain drain.
• Projects with a strong outcomes evaluation focus demonstrating the link between research access, training, usage and health impact.
• Projects which offer innovative global health partnership models
• Projects with Research4Life training embedded as appropriate
• Innovation in improving the use of STM information
• A high degree of potential impact on society in the developing world
• Programs that will serve as models for other institutions and countries
• Programs that enhance international partnerships or exchange between individuals and institutions
• Realistic budgets tied to measurable outcomes
• Sustained financial and programmatic viability
• Programs that have institutional supports and matching funds
• Small-scale programs requesting a smaller amount of funding
• Programs leaders or institutes with record of past success
• Create and promote collaborative networks across institutions and/or disciplines
• A willingness to draw from the expertise and experience of previous grantees
• Have specific plans for sustainability beyond the funding period
• Embody plans for dissemination beyond the awardee organization of policies, procedures, and “lessons learned” that are developed during the funding period

Please Note: Requests for hardware will only be considered if they are part of a comprehensive project approach integrating diverse elements such as training or research. Grants are awarded for specific projects rather than operating support and are only awarded to organizations and institutions rather than individuals.

Additional Guidelines

Proposals are welcome for single-year grants in amounts between US$5,000 to US$50,000. Proposals will be accepted for multi-year programs (up to three years) for a total of $100,000.
Please note that in 2013,  the Foundation uses a two step application process to streamline the submission and review process. First round applications will be accepted through June 24th through the Foundation’s online application system. In early July shortlisted candidates will be announced and invited to submit a full proposal by September 3rd. Grant recipients will be announced in December 2013.
Round 1 Applications: Deadline:  June 24th
Preliminary, Round 1 submissions should be focused and well-defined, and address the following elements through the online application.

• 1. Objectives: Provide a description of the objectives and key activities of the program.
• 2. Goals and plan: A clear description of the program goals and implementation plan, including timeframe.
• 3. Organization and partnership: A description of the organization requesting the grant, confirmation of its status as a non-profit entity, and a listing of key officers and staff who will direct the implementation of the program. Description of key program partners, if any.

Round 2 Full Proposals: July 3rd  — September 3th
Shortlisted applicants invited to submit a full proposal will be notified in early July and asked to submit full proposals. Proposals should demonstrate the following elements:

• Innovation: How will the program introduce new ideas, capabilities and/or capacity for the institution or country. How the program would serve as a model for others.
• Impact: The significance of the program’s intended impact on science, health and society in that country or globally.
• Sustainability: How will the benefits of the program be sustained after the grant has been expended.
• Budget: The total amount of the grant requested and justification for the requested amount, including a clear budget overview spreadsheet that indicates in as much detail as possible intended expenditures and other sources of funding, if any.
• Evaluation: How the program will be measured and evaluated and how its results will be reported.

All first round applications must be submitted via The Elsevier Foundation’s online grant application proposal system by June 24th 2013. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Elsevier Foundation with any questions concerning the development of your proposal.

Contact: Ylann Schemm

Phone: +31-20-485-2025
Email: foundation@elsevier.com

The Elsevier Foundation, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010, USA

Qaramadda Midoobay Oo Shaacisay Tiradda Askarta AMISOM Ee Ka Dhintay Ilaa Bilawgii Hawlgalka Somalia

3000 oo askari ayaa lagu dilay Somalia afartii sanadood ee la soo dhaafay howlgalka nabad ilaalinta Soomaaliya halka Ciidamada Nabad Ilaalinta Qaramada Midoobay ee lagaga dilay hawlgalada nabad ilaalinta dunida 65-kii sandood (1948 ilaa 2013) askar tiradoodu dhan tahay3,096

Muuqaal ka mid ah Askarta lagaga dilay AMISOM gudaha Somalia oo ay Al Shabaab soo bandhigtay

New York - May 10, 2013. Qaramada Midoobay ayaa sheegtay in 3,000 oo askari oo ka tirasn ciidamada AMISOM lagu dilay gudaha Soomaaliya tan iyo sannadkii 2007 oo uu howlgalkan billowday, iyadoo sheegtay in askarta ugu badan ee la dilay ay ka socdeen dalalka Uganda iyo Burundi.

Ku xigeenka xoghayaha guud ee Qaramada Midoobay, Jan Eliasson ayaa u sheegay Reuters in dalalka ka tirsan AMISOM ay naftooda qaaliga u hureen sidii ay Soomaaliya nabad uga dhalin lahaayeen, isagoo sheegay in tirada ay tahay mid aad u badan.

“Waad ka argagaxaysaa markii aad ogaato in 3,000 oo askari oo nabad ilaaliyayaal Afrikaan ah oo ka tirsan AMISOM  lagu dilay howgalka nabad ilaalinta Soomaaliya, askartan oo dhan waxaa la dilay intii uu howlgalku socday,” ayuu Eliasson yidhi.

Ciidamada AMISOM ee ku sugan gudaha Soomaaliya ayaa waxay tiradoodu dhamayd 17,700 oo askari, kuwaaso ka kala socda dalalka Uganda, Burundi, Jabuuti, Kenya iyo Sierra Leone.

Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

“Dalalka Uganda iyo Burundi ayay askarta badankood ka dhinteen,” ayuu ku daray hadalkiisa. “Ciidamada Kenya ayaa iyaguna qayb ballaaran ka ah AMISOM kuwaasi oo ay soo gaartay soo dhimashodu.”

Afartii sanadood ee la soo dhaafay tirada ciidamada AMISOM ee lagu dilay howlgalka nabad ilaalinta Soomaaliya ayaa waxay la mid tahay tirada ciidamada Nabad Ilaalinta Qaramada Midoobay ee lagu dilay hawlgalada nabad ilaalinta ee ka socday daafaha dunida 65-kii sandood (1948 ilaa 2013) oo lagaga dilay askar tiradoodu dhan tahay3,096 askari.

Howlgalka AMISOM ayaa wuxuu ka caawiyaa dowaldda Soomaaliy a sidii ay isaga difaaci lahayd Al-shabaab, iyadoo labadii sano ee lasoo dhaafay ay ka qabsadeen ciidamadan isbahaysanaya Al-shabaab dhul ballaaran oo ku yaalla Koonfurta Soomaaliya.

Cadadka ciidamada AMISOM ee ku dhintay dagaallada lagula jiro Al-shabaab ayaa noqonaya kuwii ugu badnaa ee la shaaciyo, iyadoo dalalka ay AMISOM ka socdaan sida Uganda iyo Burundi ay dhowr jeer beeniyeen tiro la sheegay in looga dilay dagaallada Soomaaliya ka socda.

Hadalkan ayuu Eliasson ka sheegay shirkii London lagu qabtay ee yabooha loogu raadinayya Soomaaliya, iyadoo kooxda ay AMISOM dagaalka kula jirto ee Al-shabaab ay weli awood u leeyihiin inay fuliyaan qaraxyo iyo weerarrro toos ah.

Somalia: Al-Shabaab Strikes Back

Al-Shabaab is targeting government officials, AMISOM peacekeepers, Turkish and now Qatari nationals in suicide attacks.

Bakara market in Mogadishu, Somalia used to be a former al-Shabaab stronghold and is now a protected area. Photo by UN/Tobin Jones.

By Exclusive Analysis

 

On 5 May 2013, at KM4 junction near Mogadishu's airport, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) targeted a government convoy escorting Qatari delegates, eight civilians were killed and 20 were injured.

While al-Shabaab had claimed to have withdrawn from Mogadishu in August 2011, the jihadi group has since focused on targeting government officials, AU peacekeepers (AMISOM), Turkish interests and now Qatari nationals in suicide IED attacks. Despite efforts to establish a secured area around the capital's key sites - such Bakara market and federal government buildings - al-Shabaab has demonstrated its capability to infiltrate and stage high casualty attacks in a bid to destabilise President Mohamud's government.

Turkey and Qatar are seen to be allies of President Mohamud, with the latter allegedly supporting Mohamud's Damul Jadid, a splinter faction of al-Islah, the Somali equivalent to the Muslim Brotherhood. Since Mohamud's election in August 2012, his regime has faced mounting criticism of undermining devolution and instead concentrating power within his Abgal Hawiye clan and Damul Jadid. Reports indicate that owing to these grievances al-Shabaab has exploited rising inter-clan rivalries to win support in rural areas, but also to gain access to Somali National Army uniforms and key sites within major cities such as Mogadishu and Kismayo.

Over the past two months, al-Shabaab attacks have become increasingly bold but restricted to the government and its allies. On 10 April, simultaneous attacks targeted Mogadishu's High Court and a Turkish Red Crescent convoy travelling near KM4 junction. However, AMISOM security will mitigate risks of the group attacking prime targets like the presidential compound (Villa Somalia) and Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport. Within the central Benadir region, government, Western, Turkish and Qatari personnel and assets will be vulnerable to IED attack and abduction whilst in transit.

In Kismayo, Somalia's second largest port, al-Shabaab has already been successful in breaching AMISOM-secured areas to attack high-profile targets. On 29 April, al-Shabaab raided Kismayo airport and launched mortars at Kenyan AMISOM forces, claiming to have killed at least eight soldiers. With greater mobility in Kismayo and the southern Jubba provinces, the group poses risks of attack on parked and low-flying aircraft, particularly those transporting military supplies. Cargo movement in Somalia's central and southern regions (Kismayo, Marka) will be at high risk of extortion and theft by al-Shabaab militants. In the northern Puntland and Somaliland regions, despite al-Shabab being newer to these areas, oil related operations will be at risk of ambush and abduction.

Think Africa Press welcomes inquiries regarding the republication of its articles. If you would like to republish this or any other article for re-print, syndication or educational purposes, please contact: editor@thinkafricapress.com
 

Fund for Environmental Journalism

SEJ's Fund for Environmental Journalism accepts applications for grants of up to $3,500 to help underwrite environmental reporting projects and entrepreneurial ventures. The deadline for the Summer 2013 cycle is July 15th. Contact Jeanne Scanlon with questions.

The purpose of the FEJ is to provide incentives and support to qualified journalists and news organizations to enhance the quantity and quality of environmental journalism. Read about the origin of the Fund for Environmental Journalism.

PAST GRANTEES, WITH LINKS TO COMPLETED PROJECTS

2012: Summer; Winter

2011: Summer; Winter

2010: Summer; Winter

WHO MAY APPLY?
Any qualified journalist working independently or on the staff of either a for-profit or non-profit news organization worldwide is eligible to apply for a FEJ grant. SEJ membership is not required, but all applicants must meet SEJ’s eligibility requirements: your work must be in journalism or closely related to journalism, and your responsibilities must not include public relations work on environmental issues or lobbying on environmental issues. If you're not sure, please review SEJ's eligibility requirements.

HOW ARE THE FUNDS TO BE USED?
Grant funds can be used for expenses of a project, but not for time spent doing the project. Examples of eligible expenses include project-related travel, training, research materials, database analysis, environmental testing, and other direct non-personnel costs required for success of the reporting project or entrepreneurial venture. Equipment will not be considered for funding. Funds may not be used to reimburse expenses on a project; only expenses projected to be incurred after receipt of a grant will be considered. A budget showing FEJ's investment in the context of ALL projected income and expenses for the ENTIRE project is required. A project timeline is strongly suggested. In addition, distribution prospects, especially firm commitments for airing or publishing funded work, are heavily weighted in the review process. 

MORE DETAILS ABOUT APPLICANT AND PROJECT ELIGIBILITY
Please read the FEJ Program Guidelines.

2013 APPLICATION DEADLINES
Summer Cycle: July 15; winners announced mid-September
Winter Cycle: November 15; winners announced mid-January

APPLICATION FEES
SEJ Members: Fee waived
Non-members: $40 (Please see below)*

APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE FUND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM
SEJ Member Grant Application Form (free for SEJ members)
Non-member Grant Application Form ($40 application fee applies. See instructions below.)

* The cost of first-year membership is only $40. Membership includes a year's subscription to SEJ's quarterly magazine, SEJournal, access to the online directory of members, subscription to members-only discussion lists, discounts to SEJ's annual conferences, and more. To join:
1. Apply to be a registered user of SEJ's website. Go to www.sej.org, then click the "Need help?" link in the burgundy bar at the right near the top of the page. Once your user profile has been activated, you can access the online membership application. (New user accounts are usually activated the same day.)
2. Access the online membership application, complete, and click submit. SEJ staff will fast-track your application and, if you are accepted for membership in SEJ, send you the payment link for new members.
You do not have to be a member to apply for a grant from the Fund for Environmental Journalism. The fee for non-members to apply is $40. If you decide not to join SEJ, click on the Non-member Grant Application Form above.


Support environmental reporting projects!
Give to the Fund for Environmental Journalism today!

2013 grants are made possible by the following generous supporters:

Isabel Abrams

Tina Adler

Frank Allen

Hal Bernton

Kari Birdseye

Madeline Bodin

Jane Braxton Little

Rachel Clark

Jon Cooksey

Hilary Corrigan

Beth Daley

John Daley

Anthony Davis

Daniel Ferber

David Funkhouser

Daniel Glick

Rachael Gleason

Polita Glynn

Gloria Gonzalez

Michael Grunwald

Michael Hans

Steve Hansen

Greg Harman

Thomas Hayden

Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe

Joy Horowitz

Anthony Ingraffea

Bennie Ivory

Ian James

Michael Kodas

Lindsey Konkel

Leia Larsen

Olivier Milhomme

Susan Moran

Bernardo Motta

Katherine Murray

Judy Ostrow

Greg Pasztor

Alison Perkins

Nancy Reist

John Ryan

Molly Samuel

Ron Seely

Susan Sharon

Kate Sheppard

Kelly Slivka

Jeffrey Stoub

Dawn Stover

Muriel Strand

Sarah Terry-Cobo

Jonathan Thompson

Tomasz Ulanowski

Lee van der Voo

Christopher Weber

Clint Wilder

David Williams

Florence Williams

and The Grantham Foundation
 

Somalia can't afford weapons – minister

London - Somalia's armed forces have not received "a single bullet" despite the partial lifting of a United Nations arms embargo because the East African country lacks funds, its defence minister said on Wednesday.

 

Somalia's new leaders aim to train and equip a professional army of around 28 000 soldiers within three years but are hamstrung by a lack of cash, Abdihakim Fiqi said during a trip to London to drum up donor support.

"The arms embargo was lifted almost two months ago and we haven't received a single bullet or one single AK-47 or gun. Nothing. Because of lack of resources," Fiqi told the Royal United Services Institute defence think tank in London.

The Horn of Africa nation is only just emerging from two decades of civil war, and is struggling to rebuild a country riven by clan divisions and whose infrastructure and institutions are in tatters.

A newly appointed parliament last year elected a new president, the first vote of its kind since the toppling of former military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

In recognition of the legitimacy of Somalia's new leadership, the United Nations in March partially lifted an arms embargo on Somalia, allowing it to buy light weapons.

Somali forces currently number in the low thousands, and are a poorly equipped and fragmented mixture of state troops and militias struggling to battle al Shabaab Islamist militants, who want to impose their brand of Islamic law on Somalia.

Security stabilisation plan 

"For the last four months our soldiers are just sitting back not doing anything. Al-Shabaab are fighting them, engaging them, attacking them. They are just in the defence position ... due to a lack of weapons and ammunition," Fiqi said.

African Union peacekeepers have been largely responsible for pushing al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab out of the capital Mogadishu and other urban centres in the past two years, but the group is still able to launch major attacks, including a suicide bombing on Sunday that killed at least eight people.

Fiqi declined to give an estimate for the number al-Shabaab fighters remaining, but said due to a lack of funding the group was mired in "leadership wrangling", and was "increasingly weakening, contained and losing ground every day".

However, al-Shabaab is highly mobile, a reason why Somalia aims to build an army made up of agile light infantry units.

"Our national security stabilisation plan indicates up to 28 000 soldiers within three years," Fiqi said, putting the cost of raising such an army at about $160m.

The minister is part of a Somali delegation that includes President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, that attended a conference on Somalia in London on Tuesday to drum up donor funding.

- Reuters