02 Dec -2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- African Union must double force to secure Somalia Burundi says (Source:bloomberg)
- Galmudug state parliament sacks the president ( Source: Shabelle)
- Trucks with Explosives Intercepted ( Source: Somalia Report)
- Somali refugee in San Diego admits in plea deal to providing money to al-Qaida-linked group (Source: AP)
- Lack of pay likely to rob Kenya of TFG ally (Source: the Star)
- Mogadishu marks world AIDS Day (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
- EAC backs Kenya’s war against al Shabaab (Source: KBC)
SOMALI MEDIA
Trucks with explosives intercepted
01 Dec- Source: Somalia Report- 75 words
The TFG forces have seized two lorries carrying explosive materials and five al Shabaab fighters from Afmadow to Dholey, where they were to attack pro-government forces officials. “We captured two lorries filled explosives devices from Afmadow district, near Tabta village” Ahmed Deeq, a TFG official in Lower Juba, told Somalia Report.
Galmudug state parliament sacks the president
01 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 134 words
The Parliament of Somali’s Galmudug State in Somalia sacked the president of the semi-autonomous Mohamed Ahmed Alin, as tensions and instability run high in the region. After an hour of special session held by 17 members of the parliament in Galka’yo town sxteen of them voted to sack Mr. Mohamed from his presidency, one lawmaker abstained from voting. The parliament accused the former president of Galmudug of failing to put in place strict measures to deal with the region’s current deteriorating situation.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Mogadishu marks world AIDS Day
01 Dec- Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA, SNTV-158 words
Mogadishu residents were not left behind in marking world Aids day as numerous people took to the streets to demonstrate to the public that it was indeed a memorable day. Numerous Medical students from various institutions reportedly made a walk through the streets Mogadishu. The students were seen on streets of K4 and areas near Banadir region.
Tribal clashes in central Somalia kill four, wound five
01 Dec – Source: Radio Shabelle – 146 words
Armed clashes between two clan militias in central regions of Somalia killed four and wounded others, local residents said yesterday. “Four of both warring sides were killed and five wounded, many of them seriously and have been taken to the hospitals in Balanbal district in Galgadud region,” said a resident in the city. The fighting erupted early in the day as fighters loyal to a clan in Galgadud region tried to storm and take over the town of Balanbal, but met a stiff resistance.
Somaliland calls for its people to stop inter-clan fighting
01 Dec- Source: Hadhwanaag Times, BBC Somali service- 104 words
The government of Somaliland has called for the people to stop inter-clan fighting and take peace. A spokesman for Somaliland presidency Abdullahi Mohamed Dahir said that they welcome the two warring clans to end their conflict and battle in peaceful manner. The spokesman said they will give support to those clans if any is needed, urging the local elders in those areas to stand up to settle the clan-related conflicts.
REGIONAL MEDIA
EAC backs Kenya’s war against al Shabaab
01 Dec- Source: KBC- 394 words
The East African Community (EAC) has expressed support for Kenya’s intervention in Somalia to safeguard the peace, security and stability of not only Kenyans but also the whole region. In a communiqu� released at the end of the 13th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State in Bujumbura, Burundi, the regional leaders also expressed support to the Kampala Accord regarding regional peace initiatives in Somalia.
http://www.kbc.co.ke/news.asp?
Lack of pay likely to rob Kenya of TFG ally
01 Dec- Source: the Star- 411 words
Kenyan operation Linda Nchi Kenya Defence Forces may lose an important ally because of non-payment of salaries to TFG troops. The TFG pro-government Ras Kamboni troops are helping the Kenyan forces to dislodge the al Shabaab militia from its stronghold in southern Somalia. The fighters who have fought alongside Kenya military since October 16 have not been paid for the last four months. Their counterparts in Mogadishu, Gedo and Dhobley received their salaries in September, mid-October and November respectively.
http://www.the-star.co.ke/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
African Union must double force to secure Somalia, Burundi says
01 Dec – Source:bloomberg – 281 words
The African Union Mission in Somalia must double the size of its peacekeeping force in order to hold on to territory secured in Mogadishu and move into al Shabaab areas outside the capital, a Burundian defense official said. Burundi is preparing to send a sixth battalion of 1,000 soldiers to Somalia, said Colonel Gaspard Baratuza, spokesman for the Defense Ministry. The French and U.S.-trained forces will be deployed once Burundi receives equipment including armoured vehicles and bullet-proof vests, he said.
UK navy apprehends 7 suspected pirates
01 Dec- Source: AP- 182 words
Britain’s navy has arrested seven suspected pirates in the Indian Ocean, the defense ministry said Thursday. The ministry said the RFA Fort Victoria responded to a distress call from a Spanish fishing vessel on Monday and that further details about the operation would be released soon. The same ship, RFA Fort Victoria, in October was involved in a dramatic rescue of an Italian cargo ship that had been hijacked by Somali pirates. The ship and U.S. forces responded and helped bring 23 crew members to safety.
Somali refugee in San Diego admits in plea deal to providing money to al-Qaida-linked group
02 Dec – Source: AP – 422 words
A Somali refugee living in San Diego pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to aiding four men who left Minnesota to join a Somali terror group, including one man who is suspected of carrying out a suicide bombing in the African nation in October. Prosecutors have said Nima Yusuf conspired in Southern California and elsewhere to aid al Shabaab. As part of her plea, the 25-year-old permanent resident of the U.S. acknowledged that she agreed to help the men with money and personnel.