05 Dec 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- African Union renews calls for no-fly zone over Somalia wants 3 ports (Source: Shabelle.net)
- United Nations Political Office for Somalia (Source: UNPOS)
- Somali president Sharif Ahmed travels to Tanzania meets president Jakaya (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
- Kenya ‘not necessarily’ aiming for Kismayo: minister (Source: AFP)
- Mogadishu residents protest over endless explosions (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
- Uganda sends more troops to Somalia (Source: New Vision)
- Mogadishu residents protest over endless explosions (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
- Four Kenyans killed in action by Somalia rebels (Source: CapitalFM)
PRESS STATEMENT
Letter to the Somali People
Dec 4 – Source: UNPOS – UN Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga – 1151 words
Dear friends,
My most sincere greetings to you all both inside Somalia and in the Diaspora abroad. Once again, as the year draws to a close, I am writing to you all to update you on the fast moving developments in the region since I last spoke with you nearly two months ago.
I am pleased to report that aid is reaching some of those most affected by the dire humanitarian situation. Conditions have eased in three of the six districts that were declared to be in famine, but the crisis is not over. The lives of some 250,000 people are still at immediate risk if they are not helped urgently. The international community must continue and expand its efforts, even as images of suffering fade from the front pages.
In this regard, I must commend the excellent work that new partners such as Turkey, the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the League of Arab States are doing – not only in providing humanitarian assistance but also in sending its own people to Mogadishu to work on the ground. I relayed this message and thanked the Turkish Government and people when I visited Ankara in early November.
As you know I have been visiting Mogadishu regularly and I am impressed by the bustling, busy streets and the resilience of those of you in the city who have re-opened your shops and cafes. Your capital city is now a place of freshly painted walls and builders’ scaffolding supporting ongoing repairs to homes and businesses. But of course very serious risks remain. We always knew that once the extremists were driven out of their strongholds in the city, they would resort to terror tactics. The Transitional Federal Government forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is doing what it can to help stabilize and consolidate but almost every day we hear tragic reports of explosions killing innocent civilians including women who were clearing the rubbish to make the city a better place to live.
On the security side, since my last letter, Kenya launched an operation into Somali territory after a series of kidnappings in Kenya. I have noted the Joint Communiqu� signed by Kenya and the Somali Transitional Federal Government which stated that Al-Shabaab is a common enemy to be fought jointly. I have also seen the communiqu�s of both IGAD and the Extraordinary Summit of East African States supporting the joint operation, suggesting that Kenya consider integrating its forces to AMISOM and requesting that Ethiopia consider assisting in the efforts against Al-Shabaab.
At the same time, progress on the security front must go hand in hand with tangible gains on the political side, and we must move slowly and carefully on the question of local and regional administrations and encourage them to joint the Roadmap process.
Our main focus at the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) remains on implementing the Roadmap on ending the transitional period. The Roadmap itself is divided into four benchmarks – security, constitution and elections, outreach and reconciliation and good governance. We have made steady progress towards meeting deadlines – the National Security and Stabilization Plan has been approved by the Council of Ministers and referred to Parliament, the Joint Security Committee met and many of the key committees are now in place and working. UNPOS facilitated the holding of a Civil Society Meeting in Mogadishu which brought together more than 60 participants, including representatives of the principal signatories of the Roadmap who endorsed the Roadmap and called for a principle role in its implementation. But there are also areas where progress has stalled and we must all redouble our efforts to move forward for the sake of the country, even when it means making painful compromises.
As the process continues, it is inevitable that not everyone will agree with every decision. This is a healthy part of a democratic process—lively debate should be encouraged and Somalis should make their voices heard, especially in the ongoing process of finalizing the Constitution. However, there are those who are so afraid of change that they would undermine the entire process for their own purposes. You may remember that the Roadmap was first mentioned in the Kampala Accord which ended the impasse between the President and Speaker. The Accord stated that Government and Parliament shall work together with the international community to establish a roadmap with benchmarks, timelines and compliance mechanisms for the implementation of the priority tasks. The Accord was signed on 9 June 2011 by President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed for the executive and the Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and witnessed by President Museveni of Uganda and myself. The Accord, and therefore the Roadmap which makes up a major part of the agreement, was subsequently ratified overwhelmingly by the Somali Parliament soon afterwards. The Roadmap was discussed in the Parliament at an extraordinary session and signed by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Transitional Federal Institutions—including Parliament —at the conclusion of the Mogadishu Consultative Meeting from 4 – 6 September. The process has been inclusive and broadly consultative.
To ensure political stability and cooperation between the Government and the Parliament, the Kampala Accord refers to a Political Bureau, now called the Regional Political Initiative which oversees and monitor compliance of the TFIs. This Initiative, comprising the Heads of State and Government of the regional groupings IGAD and the East African Community with the participation of UNPOS and the AU, is empowered to evoke appropriate measures to ensure compliance. I will also shortly be convening a meeting of the International Coordination and Monitoring Group which will look at progress made so far on the Roadmap and make recommendations. The UN Security Council has also made it clear that future assistance will be contingent on compliance and that action will be taken against those who are working against the process. Likewise, the mandate of the Eritrea-Somalia Sanctions Committee UN Sanctions Monitoring Group now includes a provision authorizing the body to consider further consequences for non-compliance with and obstruction of the Roadmap. The message is clear: the Roadmap is the way forward and spoilers seeking to derail the process will not be tolerated.
While the UN and the international community is offering whatever assistance it can, it is ultimately up to you the Somalis to determine whether or not the Roadmap succeeds. While I believe we have the buy-in of a large number of Somalis and their leadership—I was particularly encouraged by the uniform support we received from the Civil Society a the recent consultative meeting in Mogadishu. There will always be some those who believe that they will benefit more from keeping the status quo. On this point, let me be clear and speak frankly to you: political participation and engaged, constructive dissent is welcomed by UNPOS and by the International Community as a whole. But there is no place for those who work to unravel years of work advancing the cause of peace in Somalia.
I believe we are all working towards the same ends – to make Somalia a safe, secure and prosperous country once more. The Roadmap will not solve all of the problems but it is a central part of the solution and I look to all of you to help make it work.
Thank you for your continuing help and support.
Warm regards,
Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali president, Sharif Ahmed travels to Tanzania, meets president Jakaya
03 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Mareeg Online and Hiiraan Online – 92 words
Somali president, Sheikh Sharif Sh. Ahmed, together with a delegation has left from Mogadishu and reached Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania where he was highly welcomed this afternoon. President Sharif met with president Jakaya Kikwete to discss the ties between the two states, Somali Ambassador to Tanzania, Abdihakin Ali Yasin said to the press. http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
African Union renews calls for no-fly zone over Somalia, wants 3 ports
04 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 401 words
The AU has renewed its earlier calls for a no-fly zone over Somalia and additional sanctions to blockade three ports in Southern Somalia with a view to cut off supplies to Islamic militants in Somalia. They also welcomed the decision of Ethiopia to support AMISOM, the TFG and Kenya’s operation in Somalia.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somali PM departs for Kuwait
04 dec- Source: Radio Mogadishu, Kulmiye, Risaala, SONNA- 88 words
Somali Prime Minister H.E Abdiweli Mohamed Ali is in Kuwait on an official invitation from the Kuwait Government. The PM is being accompanied by a high level TFG delegation including ministers. The PM will hold a series of meetings with his Kuwait counterpart to discuss issues concerning the Republic of Somalia.
Mogadishu residents protest over endless explosions
03 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SNTV, SONNA – 154 words
Thousands of protesters took to the streets on Saturday morning in Daynile region of Mogadishu to protest over the endless explosions that rocked Mogadishu in the recent days. The protesters walked in groups into various Mogadishu streets while carrying the Somali Flag, with some of the elders taking part in the protest condemning the al Shabaab insurgents for targetting civilians.
President Farole said: UN consultative talks would take place mid December in Garowe city
04 Dec – Source: Garowe – 120 words
Abdirahman Sheikh Mohamud Farole, President of Puntland State said that a UN-consultative meeting for Somalis political groups would be held in Garowe in between 15-18 December as he had talks with UN-Ambassador, Augustine Mahiga yesterday, reports said. Both officials discussed the Roadmap and holding the third phase of the talks that is supposed to take place in Garowe.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Somali finance ministry to print new Somali coins and Shillings
03 Dec- Source: Radio Mogadishu- 134 words
The minister of Finance and Currency said in press conference held in Djibouti that the TFG government will soon be printing and publishing new currency so as to recover the basic needs of poor Somalia people and ordinary citizens. He said that the government is working to complete plans to print the currency in support of several governments, including the United Arab Emirates and Djibouti.
Mogadishu residents protest over endless explosions 03 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Radio Raisaala – 97 words One person has been killed and four others were seriously injured on Saturday morning when a bomb blast occurred near Digfer hospital situated at Banadir region in Mogadishu. The incident transpired in a place where humanitarian organizations from Turkey and Iran were distributing medicine to needy people, including IDPs in the area.
Al Shabaab defeated by drone strikes in Somalia: governor
03 Dec – Source: Radio Shabelle – 207 words
The TFG administration of Gedo region in southern Somalia disclosed that al Shabaab fighters in the region have been hugely defeated by air strikes in El Adde Township, which is some 65km south of Garbaharey town. The TFG’s governor of Gedo region Mohamed Abdi Kalil said that nine al Shabaab fighters were seriously injured by Friday’s air raids on the Islamist militant training camps in El Adde Township in his region.
Galmudug state ministers oppose sacking of the president
03 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 137 words
A number of ministers and lawmakers have strongly opposed on Saturday the recent Galmudug state parliament decision’s of sacking President Mohamed Ahmed Alin from office. After hours of a special meeting held in Mogadishu by ministers, legislators and intellectuals from the central Somali Galmudug state condemned the parliament’s pronouncement and the dismissal of president Alin from his office.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Allied forces clash with rebel fighters in parts of Lower Jubba
02 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 132 words
Fierce fighting between TFG forces backed by the allied Raskamboni militias and al Shabaab rebel group has been reported in parts of Lower Juba early on Friday. The clashes erupted after al Shabaab rebel fighters reportedly attacked the government and Raskamboni group-controlled Hayo settlement of Afmadow district.
Fighter jets strike al Shabaab training camps in Somalia
02 Dec – Source: Mareeg Online – 157 words
Suspected Kenyan fighter jets on Friday raided al Shabaab training camps in El Adde location nearby Bardhere town of border Gedo region, as they intensified their crackdown on the militant group in southern Somalia, reports and witnesses said. Locals confirmed to the media that warplanes carried out a number of air strikes in al Shabaab hideouts in Al Adde Township of southern Somali region of Gedo.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Al Shabaab closes down medical offices in Somalia
03 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 112 words
Al Shabaab have closed down several medical offices used to help the drought-hit families in Afgoye town, some 30 km from Mogadishu, residents said on Saturday. Local residents confirmed that militants stormed the aid offices and shut them down.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Explosion kills 2, injures 4 in Mogadishu, Somalia
03 Dec – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 100 words
At least 2 people were killed and 4 others wounded in Mogadishu after a land mine explosion occurred at a main Junction named Banadir, close to a military base. Reports say that it was a remote control blast targeting an armed vehicle of the TFG on its way to Villa-Baidoa, killing two soldiers and injuring 4 others, including civilians.
Huge fire destroys major of Bosaso market in Puntland state
03 Dec – Source: Mareeg Online , Shabelle – 114 words
Fire sparks started last night at the biggest market of Bosaso city, northeast Somalia until this morning, destroying all properties and buildings known in the market, reports said. It is not unknown how the fire began.v“The security forces only tried to secure and not allow robbers or looters to get into the market and when they went out the fire had gone out of control,” a businessman who lost two stores told reports.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Somali parents ask for the release of their children in Tanzanian jail
04 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 157 words
Somali Fathers and Mothers asked on Sunday for the release of hundreds of their children currently being held in various jails in Tanzania for more than eight months. The parents raised concern over the terrible living conditions of the teenagers in the prisons of Tanzania and called for the TFG and the international community to help them for the release of their children.
http://www.shabelle.net/
REGIONAL MEDIA
Four Kenyans killed in action by Somalia rebels
04 Dec-Source: CapitalFM, AFP- 293 words
The Kenyan army said Saturday it had lost four troops killed in action against Somalia’s Al Shabaab Islamist rebels while 10 had been hospitalised with wounds since it launched its incursion in mid-October. Another four troops were killed in the crash of a helicopter on the first day of the intervention, military spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna told a press conference.
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/
Kenya praises Somalia role in fight against Al-Shabaab
04 Dec-Source: Coastweek,Xinhua-749 words
Kenya Defence Forces on Saturday praised local inhabitants in southern Somalia for playing key role to the success of ongoing crackdown on Al-Shabaab. Colonel Cyrus Oguna of the KDF told journalists that the dual military operation has been registering success against Al-Shabaab as a result of winning the hearts and minds of the local Somali populace who have been giving information to the troops about the operations of the insurgents.
http://www.coastweek.com/3448_
Uganda sends more troops to Somalia
02 Dec – Source: New Vision – 136 words
Another group of UPDF troops has been passed out and will join the African union peace keeping mission in Somalia replacing one of the battle groups at the war-torn Mogadishu. A total of 2,369 soldiers were passed out on Friday at Singo training camp after undergoing four months of intensive training at international peace support training center in Nairobi and Karama armored warfare training school in Mubende.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/
KDF warns the Al Shabaab that they risk annihilation
03 Dec – Source: Capital FM – 518 words
Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) have warned elements of the Al Shabaab in Somalia to defect; surrender or leave Somalia as they have limited options. Colonel Cyrus Oguna in charge of information and operation at the Department of Defense said during a weekly briefing on the operation that the KDF together with the TFG forces had destroyed many of the camps and weapons used by Al Shabaab. http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/
KDF says it’s achieving objectives in Somalia
03 Dec- Source: NTV- 2:32min
Its been seven weeks since Kenyan Defense Forces commenced Operation Linda Nchi and according to them, the objective is being achieved. The Kenya Defence Forces says it has the Al Shabaab militants on the run in areas it is currently operating and as Brenda Wanga reports, the government is reiterating that it will only leave Somalia when Kenyans feel safer from the Al Shabaab threat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya ‘not necessarily’ aiming for Kismayo: minister
02 Dec – Source: AFP – 364 words
The Kenyan army, which entered Somalia in mid-October to fight Somalia’s Shebab Islamist rebels, is not necessarily headed for the key port of Kismayo, Kenyan Defence Minister Yusuf Haji said Friday. “I don’t know where this objective came from. We have never stated at any time that Kenya was going to Kismayo,” he told journalists when asked how long it would take the troops to reach the port.
Ethiopia opens additional camp for Somali refugees – UN agency
02 Dec – Source: UN News Centre – 268 words
Hundreds of refugees in southern Ethiopia have been relocated from an overcrowded transit centre to a new camp, the fifth one in the area for Somalis fleeing conflict and drought in their homeland, the United Nations refugee agency reported. The Bur Amino camp in Ethiopia’s Dollo Ado region was opened on Wednesday and has received the first group of some 400 Somali refugees so far, Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson for the UNHCR, told reporters in Geneva.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/
Warplanes hit Somalia militant bases: residents
02 Dec – Source: Reuters – 294 words
Fighter jets bombed an Islamist militant base in southern Somalia on Friday, residents and soldiers said, as neighbouring Kenya continued its offensive against the rebels. Kenya, which has carried out air strikes in the past, did not immediately acknowledge responsibility. Its troops entered Somalia almost two months ago vowing to wipe out the al Shabaab rebel group it accuses of being behind attacks on tourists, aid workers and security forces on its soil.
http://af.reuters.com/article/
Iranian TV station ‘faked’ 1,370 Somali deaths by US drones
02 Dec – Source: thebureauinvestigates – 692 words
An Iranian TV station appears to have faked dozens of accounts of US drone strikes in Somalia which it says have killed hundreds of civilians. Press TV, which was fined £100,000 by Ofcom on Thursday after the station hid the fact that a 2009 ‘interviewee’ was being forcibly detained in Iran, has reported the deaths of more than 1,370 people in drone strikes in Somalia since September this year, of which 383 are categorised as civilians.
Soccer-Qatar World Cup organisers help Somalia famine victims
03 Dec- Source: Reuters- 202 words
Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organising committee has donated $400,000 to famine victims in Somalia from the match proceeds collected at the Nov. 14 international friendly between Brazil and Egypt which was staged before a 25,000 strong crowd in Doha.
http://af.reuters.com/article/