04 Nov 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- Kenya summons Eritrean envoy over arming of Somali Islamists (NTV)
- Somali Government receives aid from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Radio Bar-kulan Universal TV Radio Risaala)
- Mass displacement after Kenya threatens to strike Somalia towns (Radio Kulmiye)
- Al Shabaab arrests 10 people in southern Somalia town (Radio Shabelle Radio Mogadishu)
- Somali soldiers clash in Mogadishu one killed (Radio Shabelle)
- Mogadishu IDPs receive Djiboutian relief aid (Radio Bar-Kulan)
- 18 Shabaab killed as Kenya sinks boat (Capital FM)
- Somalis fleeing Kenyan army are trapped by al-Shabaab (the Telegraph)
- Somali disaster agency warns Kenya air assault in famine hit regions (Shabelle)
SOMALI MEDIA
Mogadishu IDPs receive Djiboutian Relief Aid
04 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Universal TV, and Radio Risala – 119 words
The recently received Djiboutian aid has been distributed to the needy people in parts of Mogadishu yesterday. The Djiboutian aid comprising of rice, flour and sugar arrived in the country mid last month.
Djibouti said it was delivering the much needed humanitarian aid to support the drought and famine-struck Somalia, where millions of people are said to be in need of assistance. The needy families in Mogadishu’s Howlwadag district benefited from the aid.
Djibouti’s ambassador to Somalia Dayib Dubad Roble who was present at the distribution centre said his government has allocated the relief aid for the needy people in Somalia. He said Djibouti has for several times delivered such desperately needed humanitarian aid to the Somali people.
Al Shabaab disapprove Kenyan report about weapons received at Baidoa airport
04 Nov – Source: Mareeg Online, Jowhar Online and Hiiraan Online – 120 words
Al Shabaab have on Thursday denied report from Kenyan government officials saying that al Shabaab received a large number of weapons from a plane coming from Eritrea and which landed in Baidoa airports, reports said.
In a statement written in print media ran by al Shabaab, it is said that there were no plane transporting weapons had landed in Baidoa airport.
“It is cheap propaganda and Kenya is going to kill civilians living in peace in areas ran by al Shabaab,” the statement was said. This statement comes as a day before Kenyan military spokesman threatened that their warplanes would wage ten towns with airstrikes and called residents to flee.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Al Shabaab arrest 10 people in southern Somalia town
04 Nov – Source: Radio Shabelle, Mogadishu – 95 words
Al Shabaab on Thursday apprehended 10 people accused of spreading reports stating that two Eritrean planes carrying weapons had landed in Baidoa town, Bay region of southern Somalia.
Reports about the arrests came following search operations throughout the town of Baidoa. The arrested people were taken to a detention centre the group has inside the town, local residents said. Al Shabaab has not released any comments about the arrests of those people.
Somali government receives aid from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
03 Nov – Source: Somali National news Agency, SNTV – 394 words
An official and public reception was held at the Mogadishu port for the first aid shipment from the “Saudi national campaign for Somali people relief”. The ceremony was attended by Somali government ministers, members of the Somali parliament, elders and directors of Islamic, Arab and local NGOs.
The high profile delegates led by The Deputy of Prime Minister and Trade Minister Abdul-Wahab Ugas Hussein, the Interior Minister of Somalia Abdisamd Moalim Mahmoud Sheikh Hassan, Head of the National Disaster prevention Agency Abdullah Mohammed, Director of the International Islamic Relief Organization(IIRO) in Somalia Karam Mohammed Karam, Director of Manhal charity Engineer Abdullah Arab and some elders.
Dr. Mohamed Nor, the deputy director of the Humanitarian Coordination Office (Somalia) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation visited the ship carrying Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian aid.
“This Humanitarian aid is just the beginning of a large aid campaign called ‘the Saudi national campaign for the relief of the Somali people’, and it is the result of humanitarian call of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz,” Dr. Mohamed Nor, deputy director of the Humanitarian Coordination Office (Somalia) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, said during the press conference.
He added that the ship carrying aid such as rice, sugar, dates, milk, medicines and tents for displaced and affected people by drought and famine in Somalia had docked at Mogadishu.
The aid of the Saudi Arabia Kingdom and its people arrived in Somalia early in the crisis through charitable organizations such as the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO), the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY).
In his speech, the deputy prime minister said “this aid shipment from Saudi Arabia brought to our people the goodness and love of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On behalf of the Somali government allow me on this occasion to thank King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and his people for their generosity. I would also like to send the condolences of Somali government and Somali people for the demise of the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz and really it was a great loss for the Arab and Muslim world.”
MDI provides health assistance to 21 thousand displaced people
04 Nov – Radio Mogadishu, SNTV, and SONNA – 148 words
The Somalia Office of the Munazzamat al-Da’wa al-Islamia MDI has provided health assistance, nutrition and immunization for 21,100 persons, displaced by drought and famine at 17 health centers in Mogadishu the capital of Somalia.
This is within the framework of a campaign by the organization to alleviate the suffering of the displaced and drought-affected people in Somalia.
According to data released, the organization provided medical examination and gave drugs to 6472 sick people, in addition to providing supplementary feeding for 4338 children, pregnant and lactating women, in the framework of the national immunization campaign taking place these days in parts of Somalia. Also the Munazzama has immunized 10,290 children and pregnant women during the past few days.
It is worth mentioning that the Munazzamat al-Da’wa al-Islamia (Somalia Office) co-implemented this huge project with the Sudanese High Committee for the Somalia relief and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Somali official calls for Bay region to be stricken
04 Nov – Source: Shabelle – 96 words
The governor of Somalia’s Bay region on Friday called for an air strike on al Shabaab bases in that region. In an interview with Shabelle Media Network, Abdifatah Mohamed Ibrahim Gesey, the governor of Bay region said it needs to be shelled. He said that it is the only way al Shabaab can be flushed out from the region completely. Mr. Gesey said that al Shabaab has links with Al Qaeda network and poses a great risk to the overall Horn of Africa region.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somali soldiers clash in Mogadishu, one killed
04 Nov – Source: Radio Shabelle – 93 words
Soldiers loyal to the Somali government yesterday clashed in Mogadishu’s Bondhere district. At least one person has been confirmed dead and two others injured in the armed confrontation, witnesses told Shabelle.
The clash came after a dispute over food aid being distributed among poor famine hit people in Bondhere district. During the fire fight, the distribution activities were halted. The movement of the people and the cars were also stopped. No comments about the clash in the government soldiers were so far available from government officials.
Somaliland: Vice President officially opened an orphanage centre for needy children
03 Nov – Source: Somaliland Press – 411 words
Somaliland Vice President Mr. Abdirahman Abdilahi Ismail ‘Saylici’ cut the ribbon off at newly established orphanage centre that will house street and orphaned children in the capital Hargeisa. This new location is located in the Mohamed Mooge district of Hargeisa. The project was reported to have a price tag of $97000.00 dollars, with the majority of funds contributed by Dahabshiil Group.
The well-organized ceremony was attended by Somaliland Vice President, members of Somaliland cabinet ministers including interior, labor and social affairs as well as top officials from the business community. The new facility consists of several buildings that will accommodate orphans and street children who are vulnerable in Hargeisa streets.
The housing units are furnished with beds and decors and will house separate dorms for girls and boys. Speaking first at the ceremony was the head of public relations for Dahabshiil Group Mr. Hassan Mohamed Jama ‘Hasan Hiis’ who acknowledged the contribution that Dahabshiil Group made to the creation of this orphanage.
http://somalilandpress.com/
Mass displacement after Kenya threatens to strike Somalia towns
03 Nov – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 196 words
Hundreds of people have begun to leave their neighbourhoods since the threat emerged from the Kenyan ministry of defence yesterday. There are truck loads coming to Mogadishu which cries the bulk of new people who want to escape from the possible imminent air strikes by the Kenyan military forces.
Al Shabaab, who control much of these swathes is trying to prevent the people to reach Mogadishu and were ordered to stay in their homes.
In another development, Somali government leaders tell the press that the Kenyan military action is in response to the al Shabaab rebels who created economic shortages in Kenya’s main tourism revenue.
Somali disaster agency warns Kenya of air assault in famine hit regions
04 Nov – Source: Shabelle – 116 words
Somalia’s National Disaster management agency yesterday warned Kenya of the possible consequences of the air assaults in southern Somalia where the United Nations declared a state of famine.
Abdullahi Mohamed Shirwa, the Chairman of National Disaster management agency said the famine-displaced people started returning back to their home regions after rains started.
Mr. Shirwa spelled out that Kenya’s imminent air strikes in southern regions may further escalate the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of African nation. He said that as a result of Kenya’s threatening message claiming that it will strike 10 al Shabaab controlled towns, ordinary people started to flee from their regions and villages. He called for the government and international community to stop Kenya from launching an air raid in Somalia.
http://www.shabelle.net/
REGIONAL MEDIA
18 al Shabaab killed as Kenya sinks boat
03 Nov – Source: Capital FM – 610 words
Kenya Navy forces on Wednesday sunk a skiff transporting fuel to al Shabaab fighters in Somalia, killing 18 insurgents.
Military Spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir said the skiff was sunk in the Indian Ocean at about 5pm on Wednesday as it headed to Kuday inside Somalia.
“A skiff laden with 18 al Shabaab fighters was transporting fuel to Kuday. The Kenya Navy intercepted the skiff and sunk it killing all the militants,” the military spokesman said in a statement late on Thursday.
Chirchir also announced that they had learnt that al Shabaab fighters had resorted to using alternative means of transporting their weapons, but assured that security had been intensified in all targeted regions.
“Information reaching us confirms that al Shabaab has resorted to using donkeys to transport their weapons,” he said, adding that “The locals use donkeys to fetch water for domestic use. However, due to the heavy rains water fetching is not feasible.” He said any large concentration and movement of loaded donkeys would be considered as al Shabaab activity.
The Kenyan defence forces have also warned aircraft owners to avoid landing them in Baidoa “because they will be considered a security threat.” He said an aircraft had been over flying their troops in all the three sectors secured in Somalia and warned that it will not be tolerated.
“Further unauthorised over flying on the said region will be considered a threat. In addition, all aircrafts are hereby warned not to land in Baidoa,” he warned. He added; “Anyone violating this will be doing so at their peril.”
Since Al Shabaab started using donkeys to transport weapons, Chirchir said the cost of donkeys even on the Kenyan side of the border had shot up, raising fears they were sold across to Somalia.
He said donkeys had been trading at Sh22, 500 but their cost had shot up to Sh30, 000. “Kenyans dealing in donkey trade along the Kenya-Somali border are advised not to sell their animals to Al Shabaab as it would undermine our efforts in Somalia,” he warned.
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/
Kenya summons Eritrean envoy over arming of Somali Islamists
04 Nov – Source: NTV – 149 words
The Kenyan Foreign Affairs Ministry has summoned the Eritrean ambassador over reports that Asmara was rearming the Somali Islamist group al Shabaab.
According to the channel, Ambassador Salim Omar Abdu arrived at the office of Minister Moses Wetang’ula in central Nairobi at 05:00 gmt, and proceeded to “hold a closed-door meeting”. NTV said the meeting was “a tense one” during which Kenya “tabled overwhelming evidence” from its intelligence over the rearming claims.
The ambassador said the Eritrean foreign minister will visit Nairobi “next week” so that the issue “is settled amicably”. Wetangula said that Kenya wants to maintain “friendly ties” with Eritrea and called for “a full hearing” within regional forums for Asmara to explain its case.
The meeting comes days after Eritrea denied claims that it had sent two plane loads of arms to the Islamists. The Kenyan military is currently involved in an offensive in Somalia against al Shabaab.
Pain of being a Kenyan Somali
04 Nov – Source: Africa Review – 349 words
Ethnic stereotypes are not necessarily a bad thing — it is one thing to be stereotyped as liking the good life, dressing well, wearing the latest Armani suit and scent, driving the latest BMW, having a penchant for speaking the Queen’s English, or indulging in kuku porno. This is the stuff of bar-room banter, oiling the wheels of social discourse. I have no quarrel with that. I can see the coy smile on my friend Oti’s lips.
I doubt Shtan would take offence at the ingokho joke as well (I will stop it, I swear). The message is usually “come on, don’t take yourself too seriously. Lighten up”. But it is different to be stereotyped as being guilty of all manner of ills, from spitting on the side walk, being “Osama’s buddy”, speaking in a harsh incomprehensible language (a silly hand-me-down from that colonialist Richard Burton), sitting around all day eating miraa with a kikoi tied around your torso, and having huge amounts of “unexplained” money.
I would rather be guilty of eating too much ingokho any time. The gurgling noises Marete makes as he imitates my Somali speech, then asking me “what did I say in Somali? and my witty rejoinder “my aunt is a cow” — that also I can take. It is good fun, we all laugh and that is it. However, there is nothing to lighten up about being “Osama’s buddy”. At the height of the hunt for Osama bin Laden, a lecturer in an oral examination had the cheek to ask me if I knew the Al-Qaeda leader.
For those who have been through the University of Nairobi’s medical school, oral examinations are traumatic. There are usually three categories of students; those whose performance is outstanding and the examiners are trying to make up their minds whether to give them a distinction or not; those who are in the middle and the oral examination is just a confirmation that you are indeed C material — a middling; the third, and most-dreaded category and every med-schooler’s nightmare is those who are borderline and are a whisker away from failure.
Kenyan military imposes no-fly zone over Somali town
04 Nov – Source: Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation KBC – 118 words
The Kenya Defence Forces have banned any aircraft from landing at Baidoa in south western Somalia. The ban comes after it emerged that the al Shaabab militants had received three consignments of weapons to boost their defence as the Kenyan troops intensify their pursuit for the militia.
In a statement military spokesman Maj Emmanuel Chirchir said that owners of any unauthorized aircraft flying over the region will be considered a threat. Maj Chirchir further warned that any large movement of loaded donkeys will be considered as al Shabaab activity.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Navy on Wednesday evening intercepted and sunk a vessel carrying 18 al Shabaab fighters killing all on board. The vessel is said to have been transporting fuel to Kuday area.
Kenyan army warns of al Shabaab donkey threat
03 Nov – Source: Daily Nation – 256 words
The Kenyan army said Thursday that Somali Islamist rebels were using donkeys to transport weapons, and warned any large herd would be considered a sign of the Al-Qaeda linked al Shabaab.
“Information reaching us confirms that al Shabaab has resorted to using donkeys to transport their weapons,” Kenyan army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said in a statement. “Thus, any large concentration and movement of loaded donkeys will be considered as al Shabaab activity.”
Kenyan soldiers and tanks pushed into al Shabaab-controlled southern Somalia last month to fight the insurgents and curtail their ability to launch cross-border attacks.
However, both sides have been bogged down with “heavy rainfall making the roads impassable,” Chirchir said, warning Kenyans not to sell donkeys in case the animals aided the militants.
“Kenyans dealing in donkey trade along the Kenya-Somali border are advised not to sell their animals to Al-Shabaab as it would undermine our efforts in Somalia,” he added.
Kenya’s army claims that al Shabaab fighters received three air deliveries of arms and ammunition this week, and have warned residents in 10 southern Somali towns to leave al Shabaab-held areas ahead of an imminent attack.
“We are glad that peace-loving Somali locals heeded our warning to avoid al Shabaab camps due to an imminent attack in the target areas,” Chirchir said.
Ras Kamboni is still no-go zone – police
03 Nov – Source: Nairobi Star – 447 words
Security personnel will maintain strict surveillance at the buffer zone along the Somali border although the situation is now calm since the Kenyan military began attacking al Shabaab, police has said. Police said Kiunga to Ras Kamboni along the border zone are still a no-gone zone and anyone spotted there shall be regarded as an enemy from the militia group.
Lamu East police chief Samuel Obara said security personnel will conduct operations in the areas until the ongoing military attacks are over. Speaking by phone from Kiunga, the OCPD said there is a risk of confusing the militia with the locals if the buffer zone is opened “We established a buffer zone along the border and will still remain a no go zone for the public to avoid any attack by the militia group,” he said.The Police Chief said they had enough security personnel in the area who were on high alert to counter any attack by the al Shabaab.
Currently he said the Kenyan military which is in Somalia fighting the Al Shabaab was succeeding in their mission to end the awful attacks that were being undertaken in the country. “The situation is now calm but we cannot tackle any chances or relax because of the success by the military we will keep monitoring the border until we are assured that things are completely in order,” said the OCPD.
Kenyan forces comprising of the regular Administration police, General Service Unit (GSU), Kenya Army air force, Kenya navy were deployed to the ground, on air and in the sea to search the Somali militia gang. Bara said even the fishermen who were this week allowed to resume fishing activities after the government lifted the ban would not be allowed to fish near the border.
http://www.the-star.co.ke/
UAE Red Crescent grants 90 hospital beds to Medina Hospital in Somalia
04 Nov – Source: Emirates News Agency – 72 words
The Red Crescent Authority of UAE announced that it will equip the Medina Hospital in Mogadishu with 90 hospital beds as part of its continuing humanitarian operations in Somalia.
RCA Secretary General Mohammed Khalifa Al Qamzi, who led the UAE humanitarian delegation to Somalia, said that the UAE Red Crescent will intensify its development aid to Somalia by setting up healthcare facilities and digging fresh water wells in the draught hit country.
Al-Shabaab, Kenya set for major Kismayu clash as Freetown pledges troops
04 Nov – Source: Africa Review – 290 words
Al Shabaab militants have retreated to their Kismayu stronghold and are arming residents forcibly as Kenyan forces close in on the port town. This came as Somalia’s defence minister warned residents in ten towns in al Shabaab held regions of impending strikes.
Sierra Leone also said that it was ready to send troops to support the AU Mission in Somalia which is also engaged in the offensive against the fundamentalist group which Kenya has blamed for endangering its economic interests.
Media reports quoting distraught Somalia residents said the militants had armed students, mounted weapons on buildings and dug trenches around the town in readiness for battle with Kenyan forces.
“They have put their weapons over us. Every high house in the city is a defence for al Shabaab. “Since Kenya mentioned the 10 towns it was targeting, al Shabaab have been readying all their weapons and small arms,” Ms Fatuma Ali was quoted as saying by a local paper.
Another resident, Ms Amina Mahmoud, said: “They gave arms to people and they’re telling them to stay and defend the country from foreigners. They said yesterday evening ‘Everyone of you who dies here is a mujahid and will enter paradise.” The Kenyan troops plan to capture Afmadow before advancing to Kismayu, al Shabaab’s nerve centre.
Somali defence minister Hussein Arab Issa Thursday said that Somali government forces and the Kenyan troops were set to attack key al Shabaab targets and asked residents in the ten towns to support the offensive.
“The residents in al Shabaab controlled areas are alerted to looming joint actions by TFG and Kenyan forces,” said Mr Issa. “When the militants are chased away, the government will implement its plans to restore public services,” he added as he sought to bolster support for the action.
US cautious over Kismayu blockade
03 Nov – Source: Daily Nation, AFP – 241 words
The United States reacted cautiously to an appeal from Kenya and Somalia for international support to blockade the rebel-held port of Kismayu.
“Blockades are generally difficult to enforce and may have unintended consequences in the midst of a humanitarian crisis,” the State Department said in a statement on Wednesday.
“This proposal must be discussed particularly with the African Union and UN Security Council and carefully considered in the context of the overall strategy for restoring peace and stability in Somalia.”
Kenya and Somalia made the proposal after Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his Somalia counterpart Abdiweli Mohamed Ali of the Transitional Federal Government met in Nairobi on Monday.
The two governments said the al Shabaab group of Somali rebels linked to Al-Qaeda was a common enemy. Kenya is pursuing a two-week offensive against the rebels across the border inside southern Somalia.
“The Somalia Government supports the activities of the Kenyan forces, which are being fully coordinated with the transitional government of Somalia and being carried out in the spirit of good neighbourliness and African unity,” they said.
“This threat must be fought jointly by the two nations with support from the international community,” they added, calling for international “logistical and financial support” to blockade Kismayu, a strategic rebel-held port.
Kenya contends that al Shabaab receives much of its funding and supplies through Kismayu. The US has said it is playing no direct military role in support of Kenya’s move into southern Somalia.
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
No ransom paid to Somali pirates for the liberation of Algerian sailors: official
04 Nov – Source: China Daily, Xinhua – 181 words
A senior official of the International Bulk Carriers (IBC) said Thursday that no ransom has been paid to Somali pirates for the liberation of Algerian sailors.
“The position of Algeria in this regard is firm and unequivocal, ” said Nacereddine Mansouri,executive manager of the IBC, owner of Algerian bulk carrier MV Blida. He was quoted by the Algerian official news agency APS as saying that no ransom has beenpaid for the liberation of hostages.
Somali pirates Thursday morning released 25 of the crew members of the MV Blida, hijackedon the high seas in January, Algerian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Amar Belani saidin a statement, APS reported.
Mansouri expressed thanks to the Algerian authorities, saying that they made remarkableefforts to set free the hostages, who are due to return home by next week.
The MV Blida, an Algerian-flagged bulk carrier with a crew of 27, including 17 from Algeria, wascaptured in January 2011 by Somali pirates around 150 miles southeast of Salalah in southernOman when heading to the port of Mombasa, in Kenya. One Algerian and an Ukrainian werealready released on October 12.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/
Somalis fleeing Kenyan army are trapped by al-Shabaab
03 Nov – Source: The Telegraph – 369 words
In the southern Somali port of Kismayo, which Kenya has declared its prime target, the al-Qaeda linked group mounted weapons on rooftops, dug trenches and armed students in defence.
“Al Shabaab has been readying all their weapons and small arms. They’ve refused to let us out, and we don’t have any money to leave,” said resident Fatuma Ali.
“They have put their weapons over us. Every high house in the city is a defence for al Shabaab.” The Islamist insurgents are preparing for “imminent” attacks on Kismayo and nine other towns, announced by Kenya’s military on Tuesday. They say they are ready for an “endless war” with their enemy.
Kenya has sent ground troop reinforcements and military vehicle convoys to set up forward positions close to Afmadow, 50 miles north of the seaport.
“We are set for the mother of all the battles. It’s no longer jet fighters alone that will fight them, we are all moving to hit al Shabaab,” said a Kenyan military officer who declined to be named.
In preparation for the major offensive, which will see Kenyan troops fight alongside their counterparts from the Somalia transitional government and allied militia, al Shabaab is bolstering its numbers by conscripting local residents.