Quarterly Progress Performance Report FY 2016, Quarter 2: Transition Initiatives for Stabilization (TIS)

The project works closely with local government entities, including Somaliland, Puntland, Jubbaland State of Somalia (JSS), Interim South West Administration (ISWA), and Galmudug Interim Administration (GIA). In the past quarter, TIS responded to community priorities throughout Somalia to strengthen the overall stability of the country. TIS focused on countering violence extremism (CVE) by engaging at-risk youth and investing in arts and culture programs. In Kismayo, a five-day arts and culture festival was organized, attracting 3,500 attendees, mostly at-risk youth. TIS also facilitated an arts and culture activity that engaged over 1,000 students and out-of-school youth from four districts of Puntland. The project empowered young women through the promotion of girls' sports and providing livelihood training. Basketball camps were facilitated in Kismayo and Garowe, where 71 girls participated, and 20 women were trained and provided with sewing machines in Xudur, Bakool Region. To strengthen citizens' trust in government and improve public service delivery, TIS facilitated sanitation awareness campaigns and delivered three shovel tractors in Garowe, Bossaso, and Qardo. The project recognized the importance of capacity building in strengthening local governments and supporting the peace-building process in Somalia. Multiple capacity building workshops were conducted, including good governance, information technology (IT), and communication skills training. In Somaliland, the newly-appointed Head of the UN Assistance Mission to Somalia, Michael Keating, made his first official visit to Hargeisa on March 13, 2016. Somaliland's Foreign Minister, Saad Ali Shire, received the delegation and addressed pressing issues facing citizens, including the drought, which threatens the lives of up to 200,000 residents. In Puntland, the President of the Puntland State, Abdiwali Ali Gas, continued to challenge the Federal Government of Somalia (FGoS) regarding the process of the upcoming 2016 elections. In South Central Somalia, the Interim South West Administration (ISWA) successfully completed the selection of regional parliamentarians, with 30 women (20% of the assembly) sworn in as legislators. ISWA also experienced significant Al-Shabaab attacks this quarter, with the capital city of Baidoa suffering two deadly attacks caused by improvised explosive devices (IED). Security in the Jubbaland State of Somalia (JSS) continues to be a challenge, with Al-Shabaab militants attacking a Kenyan army base in the town of El Adde, located in the southern Gedo Region. The Galmudug Interim Administration (GIA) continued to struggle in gaining full control of its jurisdiction, with both Al-Shabaab and Al Sunna Wal Jamaa (ASWJ) remaining a threat. In the Elbur District of the Galgaduud Region, the Somalia National Army (SNA), backed by peacekeepers from the African Union (AU), battled with Al-Shabaab insurgents, killing at least nine militants and wounding ten. ASWJ continue to control the strategic town of Dhuusamarreeb, with the Sufi-inspired militias fighting with the GIA for control of the strategic towns in the region. TIS works closely with local government entities to address community priorities and strengthen stability in Somalia. The project's focus on CVE, arts and culture programs, and capacity building aims to promote stability and community cohesion. TIS also facilitates sanitation awareness campaigns and delivers equipment to support public service delivery. The project's efforts are critical in addressing the complex crisis in Somalia and promoting stability in the region.