Day: May 23, 2023

Mogadishu – Fifteen Somalia Navy and Coast Guard (SNCG) officers have completed specialised training on maritime security in a joint initiative conducted by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia).

The two-week course, which included theory and practicals, was aimed at helping Somalia secure the longest coastline in Africa ahead of the drawdown of 2,000 ATMIS troops by 30 June 2023.

‘This refresher training is in line with the goals espoused in the Somalia Transition Plan and ATMIS mandate, specifically with regard to mentorship and capacity building of Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) institutions across all domains,’ said Major General Peter Muteti, the ATMIS Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and Logistics.

Speaking on Sunday at a ceremony marking the end of the training, Muteti said it had been a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to build robust Somali institutions in preparation for the gradual handover of security responsibilities to Somali Security Forces (SSF) in line the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 2628 and 2670.

‘Capacity building of the SNCG is therefore critical to enable the conduct of Maritime Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue (SAR), and Somalia Coastal Defense while securing sea-lanes of communication and protecting against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, dumping of hazardous waste among other crimes,’ Maj. Gen. Muteti told the closing event.

Somalia boasts the longest coastline in Africa, measuring about 3,300 kilometres, rich in sea-based resources. It has often been exploited by illegal fishing and smugglers and will need a well-trained and equipped navy to ensure the country can fully benefit from the ‘blue economy’.

Over the years, ATMIS, EUCAP and the United Nations (UN) in Somalia have aided the country’s maritime security sector through mentoring, capacity development, training, logistics and strategic level advice, based on coast guard functions, among others.

Dr. Fabian Loewenberg, Deputy Head of Mission of EUCAP Somalia, stated that training is essential to assisting Somalia in dealing with maritime concerns and that EUCAP will continue to support future training.

‘Reflecting on the subject of training, I take the interest and determination of many to advance and develop a well-functioning Somalia Navy and Coast Guard,’ he said. Maj. Abdiwaahid Ali Afrah, SNCG Deputy Force Commander urged the trainees to ’embrace and share knowledge and skills gained from the training to other colleagues.’

The trainees were taken through a wide range of courses including maritime safety, marine mechanics, coast guard duties, maritime law, first aid, and communication procedures, among others.

Ahmed Abdulrashid Omar, a Somali National Army (SNA) planning officer with five years of experience, expressed great confidence in the training.

‘I have gained a lot of knowledge mainly launching, patrolling, boat checking in all conditions, navigation, and many other practical and theoretical sessions,’ he said, referring to skills essential for the Navy and Coast Guard officers.

Maj. Matthew Achiga, ATMIS Maritime Commander, noted that ‘the training has served its purpose because the trainees can demonstrate understanding of maritime domain awareness, boat handling and a basic understanding of boat troubleshooting.’

Source: Somali National News Agency

Senior Al-Shabaab militant leader, Osman Mohamed Abdi was injured in a joint operation in Jilib district in middle Juba region, SONNA reported Tuesday.

Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia said in a statement that the Somali National Army’s elite forces (Danab) and U.S forces’ AFRICOM targeted the militant who was hiding in a house in Jilib on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

The Statement added that he was in charge of foreign issues for the terrorist militants.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Bukayo Saka is eager for more success at Arsenal after signing a new long-term contract extension.

Saka, 21, has played a key role in the Gunners’ title tilt this term, scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists in 37 Premier League outings.

Having previously won the FA Cup and Community Shield with his boyhood club, he believes bigger prizes will come his way.

Saka said: ‘I’m just really happy. There has been a lot of talking and it’s been a while, but I’m here now.

‘I think this is the right club, the right place to make the next step.

‘It’s a beautiful club. For me, it’s about achieving my personal ambitions – how much I push myself and demand from myself each game, week in, week out.

‘Then I have all the right people around me in terms of family, and when I come to the training ground, my team-mates, the coaching staff.

‘I think I have everything I need to become the best player I can be. That’s why I’m happy to stay here and be here for the future, because I really believe we can achieve big things.’

Source: Somali National News Agency

Seychelles’ participation at the Seafood Expo Global 2023 provided more exposure to the island nation’s tuna products and gave a good example of a public-private partnership, said the interim chief executive of the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) on Monday.

Philippe Michaud told SNA that participating in the event was a success as it permitted Seychelles to expose and advertise its products.

Held in Barcelona, Spain, during the last week of April, the Seafood Expo Global 2023 attracted over 33,000 seafood professionals, setting a record in the level of attendance. The Expo saw the participation of 2,078 companies.

“Attendees got the chance to taste our products. Our stand focused on raw tuna. Fresh tuna was prepared by a sushi chef, and presented to the visitors to our stand,” said Michaud.

He added that “Seychelles exports a lot of its tuna to Europe and present were a lot of large European companies that buy tuna to distribute to restaurants, supermarkets among others.”

The Seafood Expo Global is seen as the world’s leading and largest seafood trade event and it brings together buyers, suppliers, and other players in the seafood industry from more than 160 countries.

Participating alongside SFA, was the Association of Fish Processors and Exporters Seychelles (AFPES). AFPES’ presence at the Expo was made possible by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the SFA.

Under the MoU, both parties agreed to co-participate in the Seafood Expo Global where the SFA allocated a budget of €33,000 directly towards Seychelles and AFPES exhibiting at this event. The contribution came from the EU Sectoral Support Fund, which is devoted to the development of the Seychelles fishing industry.

“The only drawback was that there was a problem with supply. There were a lot of clients who came for the tuna, but there were not enough. There is a lot of demand but the supply is limited,” said Michaud.

In a previous article, the chairman of AFPES, Louis Bossy, shared that being sustainable can also be economically unsustainable because of the volume being caught.

“It is high time that we, as the local processors, make the most out of the small volume that we have,” said Bossy.

“The theme of sustainability was one that resonated across all the stands. Evidently, this is a challenge in itself. We need to give more value to the product and focus on quality,” said Michaud.

The next Seafood Expo Global will take place from April 23-25 next year.

Michaud outlined that depending on the country’s means, Seychelles will continue to participate in the Seafood Expo Global.

Source: Seychelles News Agency