01 Dec 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- Somali PM condemns recent bombings in Mogadishu (Source: Radio Mogadishu SONNA and Hiiraan Online)
- AMISOM seek civilians support against bombings (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
- Mogadishu Mayor condemned al Shabaab bomb attack at janitorial workers ( Source: Radio Mogadishu Risaala Somalia Report)
- Kenya urges UN security council to seek ways of stabilizing Somalia(Source: Xinhua)
- TFG denounces yesterday’s deadly blasts in Mogadishu(Source: Shabelle)
- Somali cleric says al Shabaab’s bomb attacks “have no basis” in Islam (Source: Shabelle)
- TFG forces seize two cars laden with explosives (Source: Radio Mogadishu SONNA)
- Somali PM asks Qatar to play role in achieving Reconciliation Reconstruction in Somalia (Source: Qatar News Agency)
- Somali pirates release Singapore palm oil tanker keep 4 South Korean hostages (Source: AP Washington Post)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali PM condemns recent bombings in Mogadishu
01 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA and Hiiraan Online – 130 words
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has formally condemned the recent bombings in Mogadishu in the past few days.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Doha, Qatar, where he is currently on an official trip, the prime minister stated that the TFG government will not tolerate the recent attacks that rocked Mogadishu. The prime minister said that the government is working extremely hard to foil any possible attack caused by the al Qaeda-linked insurgents in Somalia.
He also lamented a recent case where ten innocent women were killed in a bomb blast in Mogadishu, accusing al Shabaab of targeting the innocent citizens of Somalia. The prime minister said that the government will not hesitate in preventing any bombings or suicide attacks that happen in Somalia.
AMISOM seek civilians support against bombings
01 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 152 words
AMISOM seek the support of civilians in Mogadishu in the fight against the al-Qaeda linked insurgents of al Shabaab. AMISOM said that public cooperation against bombings will wipe out al Shabaab from all over Mogadishu.
Speaking at a press conference held in Mogadishu recently, commander of AMISOM Major Fred Mugisha urged the Mogadishu residents to report any terrorism activities to AMISOM as soon as possible to help tackle the al Shabaab insurgents. AMISOM troops have foiled many terrorism attacks in Mogadishu in the past.
The AU troops say the civilians’ cooperation will help in the possibility of enhancing the operations of AMISOM to foil any bombings and suicide attacks carried out by al Shabaab.
The 7,000-strong African Union force, composed mainly of Ugandan and Burundian troops, is locked in an intense battle with al Shabaab in Mogadishu and seeks to extend the authority of the Transitional Federal Government throughout Somalia.
Mogadishu Mayor condemned al Shabaab bomb attack at janitorial workers
01 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Risaala, Somalia Report – 118 words
Mogadishu mayor Mohamed Ahmed Noor Tarsan has strongly condemned a bomb blast targeted at sanitation women workers in Darkeynley district of Mogadishu on Wednesday. A press statement issued by the office of the mayor declared that the bombing was a savage act and that those behind it are against life and don’t want to see Somali people earning a living for their families.
The statement comes after a deadly bomb blast claimed the lives of ten women and several others were seriously injured in Suqh Lif in Darkenley district yesterday morning. The women were cleaning streets of Suqh Lif in Darkenley district of Mogadishu.
Somali cleric says al Shabaab’s bomb attacks “have no basis” in Islam
01 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 142 words
The Somali Religious Leaders’ council has said that a united approach is required to counter blasts being carried out by al Shabaab, as well as fighting the Islamist group.
The Chairman of the Council, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Salad, spoke about the recent series of explosions that have rocked the Somali capital.
He said carrying out explosions has no basis in Islam, adding that Mogadishu residents need to join hands in fighting those behind them. He stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to protect civilians against such attacks. The chairman said that anyone who has shouldered some responsibilities needs to implement them. He stressed that the government should ensure the safety of its people.
Two blasts, including one targeting women cleaning streets, rocked Mogadishu yesterday. There were other plots to bomb the city which were foiled by security apparatus.
Suspects of recent bombings arrested by TFG forces
01 Dec – Source: Somali National News Agency – 102 words
TFG forces in Banadir region have arrested several men suspected of organizing the bombings and attacks that rocked Mogadishu on Wednesday.
Banadir administration told various media houses that the men are being held in police custody for further questioning and investigation.
Deputy Governor of Banadir region Warsame Mohamed said that the suspects were arrested after the Wednesday bombings that took place in Mogadishu, especially the one at villa Baidoa which targeted TFG forces. The suspected were arrested next to where te bombings took place on Wednesday. The suspects are believed to be in connection with a series of fatal bombings that rocked Mogadishu on Wednesday.
Ten reportedly killed as rival clans battle in central Somalia
01 Dec – Source: Radio Shabelle – 133 words
Fighting that caused casualties and involving rival clan militias from Galmudug and Himan and Heeb administration broke out in localities under Camara and Bacadweyne districts, central Somalia, where the two sides have been facing each other. Reports say that the majority of the fighting took place this afternoon in which both sides used different kinds of arms. The confrontation started following land dispute in Bacadweyne District.
There are conflicting reports regarding the casualties resulting from the battle. Some reports say five people were killed while others say up to 10 people were killed and many others injured. Those wounded were taken to Galkacyo and Cadado towns where they hail from. According to local residents, tension is still high in areas where the fighting took place.
Al Shabaab threaten more explosions against Somali government
01 Dec – Source: Shabelle, Mareeg Online – 150 words
Somali militant group of al Shabaab threatened on Thursday to widen their attacks and explosions against Somali government compounds in Mogadishu to defeat the ‘enemy’s as it put it.
A spokesperson for al Shabaab fighters Abdi Aziz Abu Mu’ab, has vowed to carry out that their secret and unveiled fighters will make abundant devastating suicide attacks against the bases of Somali government and African Union soldiers in Mogadishu.
Abdi Aziz Abu Mu’ab, also underlined that their Islamist fighters will step up what he called ‘guerrilla attacks” against the government installations in the capital until they introduce Sharia law in Somalia. He warned civilians to flee from Somali government positions in Mogadishu.
On Monday, a string of blasts killed at least twenty people, including Somali government soldiers and women in Mogadishu.
http://www.shabelle.net/
TFG forces seize two cars laden with explosives
01 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 133 words
Somali TFG forces on Wednesday afternoon seized two four-wheeled cars which were laden with explosives and bombs in lower Jubba. The two cars were ambushed and captured by the TFG forces between Dhobley and Taabto in lower Jubba of Somalia.
The were travelling from the district of Dhobley and heading to Taabto District when TFG police forces stopped them at a road checkpoint for a security inspection.
One of the TFG forces present at the scene of the incident said that they discovered a sack full of bombs and other life-threatening materials from the car. TFG forces in lower Jubba have since vowed to foil any attacks by the al Qaeda linked insurgents.
Four killed as al Shabaab attacks Somali, Kenyan forces
30 Nov – Source: Somalia Report, Radio Kulmiye – 137 words
At least four people were killed and more than ten injured as TFG troops and Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) fought al Shabaab in Dhamse Village of Gedo Region on Tuesday night, an official and resident said.
The fierce fighting erupted when al Shabaab fighters launched a hit-and-run attack on bases. The fighting continued more for more than one hour and both sides used heavy gunfire.
“It was the heaviest fighting that we have seen in recent days: the Somali government and Kenyans were in control of the village and al Shabaab attacked them,” a resident in Dhamse told Somalia Report. Al Shabaab chairman in Gedo Region, Abbas Abdullahi, confirmed the attack to Somalia Report and claimed that they killed dozens of TFG forces. TFG officials refused to comment, but local residents said they saw only four unidentified bodies.
Somali drought hit families complain of living hardships
01 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 180 words
More than hundred newly drought-displaced Somali families, who are currently living in the IDP camps in Mogadishu protested about problems related to their living conditions, after they were displaced from Middle Shabelle region in south of the country.
“Now we are in the district of Mogadishu’s Karan district with no shelter, health care and food, so we request kindly to the Somali government and International aid agencies to help us soon, because we are dying for hunger and starvation,” said some of the newly displaced people living in Karan district in north of Mogadishu.
IDP’s are facing more living problems in Karan district, which have been in the district in the past three months with no help. Their situation remains critical.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somaliland: Council of elders hears a committee assigned to solve conflict in Eri Gabo town
01 Dec – Source: Hadhwanaag Times – 119 words
Somaliland’s council of elders yesterday heard a committee assigned to resolve conflict in Eri Gabo town after session in Hargeisa. Yesterday’s session was chaired by Sheikh Ahmed Nuh Fure, the deputy speaker of the council of elders.
A member of the committee which was assigned to resolve the fighting and conflict in Eri Gabo told the council of elders that they played a key role in pacifying the fighting and put an end the conflict. The conflict-related issue erupted after two clan militias clashed in the town of Eri Gabo in Sanaag region.
TFG denounces yesterday’s deadly blasts in Mogadishu
01 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 210 words
The administration of Mogadishu’s Dharkenley district for TFG today strongly condemned yesterday’s deadly attacks in the capital. The officials of the district urged local people to endure problems and the daily occurrences until they completely put in place the security measures to avert future bombings.
Yusuf Ahmed kabala, the district commissioner of Dharkenlay district for the Somali government made more comments about the latest blasts in his district.
Mr. Ahmed said, he is “extremely concerned” about the blasts which killed the innocent civilians in his district, accusing al Shabaab of being behind that blast.
‘It is the most awful tragedy I have ever seen,” I was nearby at the scene devastated by the landmine explosions that left at least five women dead, said Yusuf Ahmed kabala, the district commissioner of Dharkenlay district.
http://www.shabelle.net/
World Aids Day marked in several Somalia cities
01 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 233 words
As the world marks the World Aids Day today, Somalia is never left behind despite being in political disarray. The day has been marked in several cities in the war-torn country, including the capital Mogadishu, Garowe and Galkayo as well as Hargeisa on the far north.
In Garowe, the capital of Puntland State of Somalia, the area’s vice president Abdisamed Ali Shire attended a colourful ceremony aimed at marking the day. The ceremony was organised by Puntland’s HIV/Aids prevention agency in order to create awareness among the locals.
Guest speakers of the event emphasised much on the need to create awareness among the local communities in the area on the danger HIV/AIDS pose on human health. Medical students have reportedly made a walk through the streets of Garowe town as part of their awareness campaign.
This year’s World AIDS day theme is ‘Getting to Zero’; meaning that the world has to get a record of Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths.
Elsewhere, similar events were held in Somalia’s central city of Galkayo, with the authorities in the north and the south holding separate events to mark the day. Aids prevention and the risk it posed to the youth dominated both ceremonies.
Locals were issued with leaflets that bore HIV/AIDS related messages. The day was earmarked on 1st of December 1988 to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somalia agrees to resettle its IDPs
01 Dec – Source: the Standard – 307 words
Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government has agreed to the resettlement of up to 4,000 internally displaced persons in liberated areas in the south.
The Somalis will be moved on a voluntary basis to areas now controlled by the Government and the Kenya Defence Forces.
Supporting the exercise is the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Society in Somalia, whose director, Mohamed Abdullahi, says the plan is to have the resettled IDPs take advantage of what is left of the rainy season to plant.
The heavy rains have delayed the advance of TFG and KDF on Afmadow and Kismayu for several weeks. President Kibaki visited UAE recently and discussed, among other matters, increased aid for Somali refugees and IDPs.
Those who agree to move will receive between Sh9, 000 ($100) and S14,000 ($150) per household. Most of the IDPs targeted for resettlement are in Bakol, Lower Shabelle and Bay regions of southern Somalia.
Kenya had also hinted that it intends to reduce its burden of hosting hundreds of Somali refugees in Dadaab by repatriating them to camping areas under control of TFG and KDF forces in Somalia. On Tuesday, Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia said the presence of the refugees in Dadaab is a threat to security.
“It is a major issue to us and that is why we have been appealing to the international community to come in and look for a way of relocating them to safer areas inside Somalia,” said Kimemia.
Somali PM asks Qatar to play role in achieving reconciliation, reconstruction in Somalia
01 Dec – Source: Qatar News Agency – 223 words
Somali Prime Minister Dr Abdul Wali Muhammad Ali Gass said that he asked during his current visit to the State of Qatar and his meetings with senior officials here a Qatari role in achieving reconciliation between the Somali factions as well as in the reconstruction. While hailing the results of his talks in Doha, he also praised Qatar’s positions at Arab, African, Islamic and international levels.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr Gass said that the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had told him that Qatar attaches due attention to the stability of and support for Somalia, adding that the Emir and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani promised to do all that they can do for Somalia, and that Qatar will not abandon Somalia, stressing that he was confident about this noble promise.
While explaining that his visit to Qatar was to discuss ways of boosting bilateral ties, he said it was not a surprise for him to visit this country, with which Somalia has long-term relationships.
He added that he came here to seek Qatar’s help in the reconstruction, reconciliation and development of his country in all fields, stressing that Qatar is one of key Arab states that can play a leading role in this regard.
Al Shabaab accused of targeting civilians
30 Nov – Source: Daily Nation – 321 words
Al-Shabaab was on Wednesday accused of targeting civilians after eight people were killed in two attacks in Mogadishu. The Transitional Federal Government accused the militants of targeting the “weak and defenceless”.
Media reports in Mogadishu indicated that at least four soldiers were killed and 12 wounded when a suicide bomber attacked the army headquarters in the Somali capital. Eyewitnesses said the bomber, in government military fatigues, blew him up in the compound.
In the second attack, at least four people died and six others were wounded in an explosion near a police station. The blast, suspected to have been caused by a landmine, occurred as a group of women were cleaning up the area, district Commissioner Abdulle Ali Hilowle said. At least a dozen containers with explosive devices have been spotted in the city and defused.
“Al-Shabaab has intensified its bombings,” said National Security Agency director Ahmed Moalim Fiqi. The bombs are hidden in all sorts of containers. “The Al-Shabaab is hiding bombs in the city in milk containers, tomato paste containers and shopping bags,” he said.
On Tuesday, children found a bag in central Mogadishu and were playing with it when it exploded, killing one and wounding three others.
Somalia’s Information minister Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed described the bombings as the “cowardly actions of desperate and anti-Islamic criminals targeting the weak and defenceless, like ill people in hospitals and children”.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somali pirates release Singapore palm oil tanker, keep 4 South Korean hostages
01 Dec – Source: AP, Washington Post – 199 words
Somali pirates released a hijacked palm oil tanker and 21 crew members, but kept four South Koreans as hostages, the ship’s Singapore-based operator said Thursday. The pirates promised to release all 25 crew members Wednesday but instead took the four South Koreans ashore and are believed to be in Somalia, Glory Ship Management Pte. Ltd. said. “We are expending all efforts to secure the release of the four South Koreans still held as hostage,” Glory said. Pirates had seized the Singapore-registered MT Gemini and its more than 28,000 tons of crude palm oil off the coast of Kenya on April 16 while it was en route from Indonesia, it said.
Glory said the released crew members — 13 Indonesians, five Chinese and three people from Myanmar — were in good health.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said it was cooperating closely with Glory to seek the four crew members’ release. It reiterated South Korea’s position not to negotiate with pirates.
In January, the South Korean military killed eight Somali pirates and captured five others in a raid on a hijacked South Korean-operated cargo ship in the Arabian Sea. The five captured pirates were taken to South Korea and received long prison terms.
Kenya urges UN security council to seek ways of stabilizing Somalia
01 Dec – Source: Xinhua – 267 words
Kenyan President and Chairperson of East African Community (EAC) heads of state summit Mwai Kibaki on Wednesday called on the United Nations (UN) Security Council to “quickly” seek ways of stabilizing Somalia.
Kibaki made the call at the 13th ordinary summit of the EAC in the Burundian capital Bujumbura, saying the solution to the stabilization of Somalia is urgent.
Participants include African Union (AU) Commission Chairman Jean Ping, diplomats, development partners, officials from EAC partner states, officials at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and officials of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“Instability in Somalia continues to spill over inside Somalia and to neighbouring countries. Insecurity in Somalia is an international issue. The UN Security Council should do all its best to stabilize Somalia,” said President Kibaki.
Kibaki also called on the AU and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) states in the region “to involve them to restore security and stability in Somalia.”
The Kenyan president and chairperson of the summit commended member states for backing the support of Kenya to Somalia’s transitional government in the combat against Al-Shabaab insurgents.
Kibaki said, “We (Kenya) highly appreciate the EAC member states’ support for our pursuit of Al-Shabaab insurgents who make incursions in Kenya.”
Since Oct. 16, Kenya has been pursuing Al-Shabaab insurgents who are held responsible for a string of kidnapping inside Kenya, undermining its pillar industry tourism.
During the summit, the Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza and outgoing chairperson of the EAC summit handed over the chairmanship to Kenyan President Kibaki.
http://english.peopledaily.
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS
What Kenya’s foray into Somalia tells us about power, war and peace?
30 Nov – Source: Daily Nation – 695 words
Question: Why is the Kenya army (KDF) in Somalia? Answer: To fight Al-Shabaab terrorist group. Question: What crime has Al-Shabaab committed? Answer: First, they are suspected of having kidnapped European aid workers from the Dadaab refugee camp in northeast Kenya. They abducted a disabled French woman from her house on Lamu beach. She died in their hands inside Somalia.
Earlier, suspected Al-Shabaab gunmen attacked a British couple and killed the man at the exclusive Kiwayu resort. Kenya took the war to Al-Shabaab to protect itself and its economy.
All that might be true, but they are what you would call “retail” reasons why the KDF went into Somalia. It is the “wholesale” reasons that interest us today.
There are many structural reasons why Kenya is battling inside Somalia, but the most important, probably, has to do with the passing of the new Constitution in 2010. By most accounts, the new Constitution is one of the most progressive in the world, because it accommodated many competing interests.
There is still public discontent over things like corruption, but one of the most striking shifts in Kenya, to me as an outsider, is that, compared to just three or so years ago, there is a near-total acceptance of what the Kenya Project is.
You don’t find the question of what the national project is that you do in countries like Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, or even South Africa.
The extent to which Kenyans accept and rally behind the political system established by the new Constitution is nearly as high as they rally behind their world-beating athletes. That level of consensus means that unless things go terribly wrong, it will be a long time before the public mood swings against the Somalia campaign.
This brings us to a very uncomfortable conclusion: An African country is more likely to go to war when it is united and at peace with itself than when it is uneasy.
It is true that war can help unite a troubled country. For example, when the recent history of Ethiopia is written more calmly in the future, it will probably be told that the turning point for Prime Minister Meles Zenawi came when he seemed to be in the worst political trouble – in 1998 when the war with Eritrea broke out.
Ethiopians are diehard nationalists, and so when that war broke out, many of Meles’s enemies decided that Eritrea was worse than him, and backed Ethiopia. However, successful cases where a country goes to war due to the political class uniting the people behind it are fewer than the popular imagination has it.
In fact, Uganda proves this well. There was a time when Museveni and his government were being referred to as regional imperialists. He was seen as the hand behind the invasion of Rwanda by the Rwanda Patriotic Front.