General Assembly of Somali journalist umbrella concluded in Mogadishu, new leadership elected with announcement of name rebranding
Somali journalist union formerly has known NUSOJ held between 27-30 June 2019 in Mogadishu’s Royal Palace Hotel elected new office bearers.
The theme of the National Congress was “free press, access to information is crucial for the development of Somalia” to encourage all stakeholders to guarantee the freedom of speech and freedom of media.
77 delegates from all parts of Somalia who convened in Mogadishu addressed key challenges facing the Somali media industry including numerous violations aimed at journalists documented during the ended term, including killings, attacks, arbitrary arrests and detention, intimidation, harassment, closure of media outlets, confiscation of equipment and blocking of websites.
The member’s journalists were drawn from across countrywide, based on the union’s existing branches; mainly from Puntland, Southwest, Jubbaland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle Benadir , to review the constitution, discuss and approve the union’s budget for the next three years and a three-year work plan and elect new leadership.
During the three days General Assembly journalist delegates officially adopted the 20th articles of the new Somali Journalist Code of Conduct after much discussion and exchange ideas between journalist participants. It is the first time that Somali journalists officially approve in their General Assembly for Somali Journalist Code of Conduct which members of the federation will sign when taking membership cards.
Three candidates who showed their interest to the post President of Federation of Somali Journalist (FESOJ) contested the election which took place the third day of the General Assembly on 29 June ,2019 and were outgoing President Mahir Jama Aden ,Abdair Abdulakdir Elmi and Ali Qobey,
After the election papers count, Abadir Abdulkadir Elmi won overwhelmingly to become the new President of t Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) formerly known NUSOJ. Mr. Elmi is a prominent journalist who is now the elected new President of FESOJ stated that he will do all he can to promote press freedom in Somalia to create an environment in which journalists can operate freely.
The position of the Secretary General was contested by two journalists; Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu and Amin Yusuf Khasaare. However, Amin did withdrew his candidacy for the position during voting. The election committee declared winner Mohamed Ibrahim Nur aka Moalimuu as the Secretary General of Federation of Somali Journalist (FESOJ).
The re-elected Secretary General, Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu who spoke to the delegates thanked for the dedication in re-electing him for this position. He said he will keep on advocating for media freedom since journalism and the media are essential to peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights for Somalis.
The new leadership of FESOJ requested the local and the international media organizations, internal trade unions and donor community to work closely with the elected leadership to ensure that the dream of the Somali journalists to work the public freely.
Elected Officials
One of the main agendas in the of the General Assembly was to elect officials of the union who will lead it in the next three years. Following members of the Executive Committee and Supreme council leaders were elected.
- President: Abdadir Abdulkadir Elmi
- Vice President: Muhidin Hassan Mohamed
- Second Vice President. Abdifatah Hassan Farah
- Secretary General: Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu.
See below Minutes of FESOJ General Assembly
Minutes Report on FESOJ General Assembly Meeting – June 27th – 29th, 2019
Introduction
In support of our international partners, the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has conducted 3 – day General Assembly meeting for its members from the various media outlets in Mogadishu, Banadir region and other regional areas including Garowe, Bosaso, Galkacyo, Abdudwaq, Adado, Kismayo, Guriel, Beletweyne, Jowhar, Baidoa. The members were from all the regional states of Somalia: Puntland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West and Jubbaland.
The General Assembly Meeting was part of main events that the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has planned to be implemented for its members in 2019.
The three- day event was held at different locations; the first – day official opening event was conducted at SYL hotel on June 27th, 2019, the following days events were held at Royal Hotel on June 28th,29, 2019
Seventy-seven delegate’ members from FESOJ were the main participants in the General Assembly Meeting.
Furthermore, other invited guests of media stakeholders from the Finnish Foundation for Media and Development (VIKES), Members of Parliament, Somali Independent Media House (SIMHA) , the Speaker of Banadir Regional Authority,journalists and Media Directors were the main participants of the FESOJ GA meeting.
1. The FESOJ General Assembly Meeting
In partnership with our patners, the Federation of Somalia Journalists (FESOJ) has conducted three-day General Assembly meeting from 27th to 29th June 2019.
The GA organized for the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) members from the diverse regional areas across Somalia was mainly intended to share information on the main achievements, challenges, financial reports since the last GA meeting of the organization, discuss other significant issues as per planned agenda for the meeting, meeting which was the 2nd gathering for the members of the federation.
The meeting was also intending to elect new governing team of the Federation of Somali Journalists for the next three years term.
The main theme of the GA was: Free Press, access to information is crucial for development of Somalia.
1.1 The main topics the Annual General Assembly
The main issues to be covered during the 3- day General Assembly include: –
Opening remarks
The Chairman, Deputy Chairman and the Executive Committee members report on the achievements and challenges since the last meeting and the expected future activities
Presentation of financial report
Session on code of conduct
Session on labor rights
Session of name change of the organization
Special session on the election procedure
Election of New FESOJ governing team
Change and distribution of FESOJ membership ID cards
Closing Remarks and Conclusion
1.2 The proceedings of the FESOJ General Assembly Meeting – Day One – June 27, 2019
The first day of the General Assembly meeting has been conducted at SYL hotel in Mogadishu.
Ali Adan Mumin, delegate member from Goobjoog Media Group in Mogadishu facilitating the meeting has made opening remarks and made brief introduction of the main topics for the 3 –day for the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) GA meeting.
Thereafter, the participants were invited to watch brief video less than 7 minutes long presenting and covering on the achievements the media organization has made in the past three years and the planned of activities in 2019.
Subsequently, Mahir Jama Adan , the outgoing Chairman in his opening remarks thanked the GA participants and explained the achievements made, the current status of the media freedom and the challenges experienced by the journalists mentioning there is need for much efforts to be done by all the stakeholders to achieve a safe environment conducive for the journalists to work in.
The outgoing Secretary General Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu speaking at the opening sessions lauded the efforts of the member journalists and their contribution to the union and appreciated the efforts of journalists from the regions who made possible convening the GA meeting in Mogadishu for the interest of Somali journalists. Moalimuu also thanked the civil society organizations and human rights defenders and youth organizations of championing for the course of journalists.
Abdi Muse Moalim, representative from the Finnish Foundation for the media and development (VIKES) speaking at the opening session of the General Assembly meeting
Abdi Muse Moalim, representative from the Finnish Foundation for the media and development (VIKES) speaking at the event said “I expect the General Meeting to specifically focus on discussing the interest of the union, and support press freedom and transmit more programs strengthening peace participation.”
Farhiya Muraad, a female journalist representative speaking on behalf of the delegates from Banadir region said ‘We have high expectation the beginning General Assembly and we hope it shall be the appropriate period to review the union’s policy and constitution and make the necessary reforms” She said.
Furthermore, Adan Geesey from South West State, Mohamed Kaafi – UK from Jubbland State, Yusuf M.Mohamed from Puntland State and Deputy Chairman of MAP and Muse Mumin Hagar from Hirshabelle State speaking on behalf of their respective regional state delegates pointed out they are all pleased to attend in the General Assembly meeting, elect new management team through justice, free and fair election and suggested the need to strengthen the unity of the media and upgrade the professional skills of the journalists with university education level.
Mohamud Abuukaate , Member of Media and Telecommunication Committee from Somali Parliament speaking at the opening session pointed out “ We are prepared to support the outcome of the General Assembly Meeting and the election of management team. We are continuing the necessary review on the media law before its approval.”
Osman Tahlil Shaatah, Chairman of Somali Non-State Actors (SONSA) the biggest civil society umbrella in South and Central Somalia indicated in his opening remarks the journalist organization is member of SONSA and is platform defending the rights of the journalists and upgrading their professional skills. “He urged the media organization to further strengthen their unity and expected for successful General Assembly meeting.
Osman Tahlil Shaatah, Chairman of Somali Non-State Actors (SONSA) speaking at the opening session of the General Assembly Meeting
At that stage, the FESOJ General Assembly official opening event for day- one was concluded.
1.3 The proceedings of the FESOJ General Assembly Meetings – Day Two – June 28, 2019
The second day of the GA meeting has been held at Wardhere Hotel in Mogadishu.
Following the opening remarks, the second day of the Federation of the Somali Journalist’s General Assembly meeting has been started with brief review of the main official opening event in the previous day. Subsequently, a brief session for presenting the financial report has been conducted. As result, the participating delegate members have been updated accordingly. .
Subsequently, the GA meeting proceeded ahead to present the code of conduct.
Mr.Abdi Muse Mohamed from Finish Foundation for Media Development (VIKES) has facilitated presentation of the Somali Journalists code of conduct.
During the session, copies of the draft code of conduct were distributed for review by the participating member journalists, then, the delegates attending the conference has profoundly discussed and debated about the 20 articles draft Somali Journalist Code of Conduct.
The delegates approving the code of conduct after general review and discussions
Thereafter, the delegates unanimously approved the code of conduct to be adopted as its professional principles.
Consequently, the outgoing Secretary General NUSOJ Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu suggested it’s high time to make necessary modification in the identification name of NUSOJ to get along with the ongoing changing circumstances, and requested the members attending the General Assembly meeting to consider the issue and vote for adopting the name of federation instead of National.
After discussion and exchange of ideas, the delegates have approved to modify the logo name of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) to the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) with 45 votes out of the 56 delegates present in the meeting, while 11 members voted for no name change at this stage.
Afterwards, time was given for the delegates to attend a brief special session by the established 7 – member Election Committee, then, the election committee has detailed and presented the procedures for the election process that will be held on the following day Saturday June 29, 2019 for the election of new management team that is expected to lead the organization for the coming three years.
The Election Committee also presented the required set out criteria for the candidates seeking the positions of the Chairman, the first Deputy Chairman, the second Deputy Chairperson and the Secretary General of the media organization.
Also, the election committee mentioned that each candidate is required to make brief speech to the GA delegates detailing his/her plan of action if elected.
At that stage, the second day of the General Assembly meeting for the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has been successfully wrapped up.
1.4 The proceedings of the FESOJ General Assembly Meetings – Day Three – June 29, 2019
The third day of the General Assembly meeting has been convened at the Royal Palace Hotel.
In his opening remarks, Abdirisak Ibrahim Ok , the Chairman of the set up election committee said: : Today we are intending to conduct historic free and f air process of electing new FESOJ governing team for the coming three year.”
Abdirashid Sharmarke Suley, the Deputy Chairman of the election committee explained the procedure for implementing the election process.
Abdirahman Said Ahmed, Judge from Banadir regional court observing the FESOJ election process in his opening remarks hailed and described the procedure as impartial process of electing new management team.
Furthermore, the election committee explained there are three candidates competing for the chairman, two candidates for the first Deputy Chairman and one sole candidate for the second Deputy Chairman. It was also mentioned that there were two candidates seeking the Secretary General Position.
Mr.Abdi Muse Mohamed from Finish Foundation for Media Development (VIKES) attending the opening session said that he is very pleased and honored to see this election process take place, urged FESOJ to continue its activities and pledged that VIKES will continue to work with the newly elected team.
Mohamed Deeq Abdalle , Director of Radio SBC speaking on behalf of the delegates electing the new governing team said: “It’s better to make independent change, avoid corruption ,favoritism and elect good and effective team.”
All the candidates were given time to briefly present their agenda for the enhancement of the federation if elected for the 77 member delegates present to casting their votes for the election of new management.
Free and fair election process under way under the guidance of the Election Committee
Subsequently, the established election committee proceeded ahead to conduct the election process for the new governing team for the organization. The election process is the second of its type to be conducted for the media organization.
As result, Abaadir Abdulkadir Elmi has been elected as Chairman. Muhudin Husni has been elected as the First Deputy Chairman, while Abdifatah Hassan Farah was elected as the second Chairman.
Also, Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu has been elected as the Secretary-General
All the candidates that have not managed to win have made speeches accepting the outcome of the election, congratulated for the winners and pledged cooperation with the newly elected team and the organization.
In conclusion, , Abdirahman Said Ahmed, Judge from Banadir regional court observing the procedure said in his closing remarks that he could confirm to have witnessed FESOJ to have conducted free and fair election process for choosing its Chairman or President, Deputy chairpersons and Secretary General to lead the federation.
He congratulated all the elected management team and expected success in their role and responsibilities.
Representatives from VIKES, SONSA, SIMHA and the media outlets have been key observers of the free and fair election process for the new leaders of FESOJ.
The Federation of Somali journalists (FESOJ) GA meeting has been concluded with distribution of FESOJ ID membership cards.
In conclusion, closing remarks were made.
All the newly elected team has been congratulated and the task to manage the media organization for the next three years was handed over to them.
Each of the newly elected team has expressed pleasure to be elected to lead the organization and requested for full assistance and cooperation from all the members to succeed in their efforts to deliver service programs improving FESOJ members journalists rights and protection.
At that stage, the three –day General Assembly meeting for the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has been successfully concluded.
End
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