07 Jul 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- President Sharif orders immediate assistance for IDPs
- Humanitarian community welcomes resumption of operations in southern Somalia
- Govt: New plans to get rid of al Shabaab are underway
- TFG warns aid agencies to heed words of al Shabaab
- Media join food campaign to save starving Somalia
- AMISOM seeks solutions to protect human rights in Somalia
SOMALI MEDIA
AMISOM seeks solutions to protect human rights in Somalia
07 Jul – Source: Hiiraan Online – 309 words
The African Union peace keeping mission to Somalia (AMISOM) on Monday opened a caucus in Rwanda’s capital Kigali discussing on how to enhance and respect humanitarian law on the implementation of its peace mission in the Horn of Africa nation. The three day event was attended by participants from AMISOM troop contributing countries, the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG), Somali civil society, human rights organizations, professionals, training institutions, research and policy advocacy organizations and the media.
“The theme of the discussion revolves around enhancing the respect of international humanitarian law on the implementation of AMISOM mandate” said one Hiiraan Online Manager who attended the function. The gathering was graced by Rwandese foreign affairs minister Louise Mushikiwabo, AU representative to Somalia ambassador Abubakar Diarra and IGAD representative Kipruto Arab Kirwa. TFG officials also attended the high profile discussion including Somalia’s Minister of State and office of Prime Minister Sahra Samatar and Somalia’s chief of general staff Abdikadir Sheikh Ali among others.
http://www.hiiraan.com/news2/2011/July/amisom_seeks_solutions_to_protect_human_rights_in_ somalia.aspx
President Sharif orders immediate assistance for IDPs
07 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 224 words
President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has ordered for the immediate distribution of aid to droughtdisplaced people who are reported to be flocking to Mogadishu from the regions of Bay, Bakol and Lower Shebelle.
As confirmed to Bar-Kulan by the Minister for Health Dr Adan Haji Ibrahim, who is a member of the drought committee, the president asked for aid to be urgently distributed to internally displaced persons in Mogadishu who are arriving into Mogadishu at an alarming rate. Dr. Adan said some of the displaced people are dying of hunger. The food to be distributed to the people will be cooked food. The government is also setting up camps for the people who have fled the drought but long term plans are yet to be implemented for internally displaced persons.
Govt: New plans to get rid of al Shabaab are underway
07 Jul – Source: Shabelle – 149 words
The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia on Thursday said that final preparations and plans to purge al Shabaab from the regions they control are underway. The Deputy Minister of Defense, Abdirashid Mohamed Hidig said in an interview with Shabelle Media Network that newly trained government forces are in Garbaharey town, the regional capital of Gedo region in southern Somalia. Mr. Hidig said the government forces of the government will put into action new strategies to get rid of al Shabaab in southern Somalia. The statement of the government comes as it battles al Shabaab in parts of Gedo and Lower Jubba regions as well as Mogadishu.
http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=8434
Air strikes hit Lower Juba again
07 Jul – Source: Radio Shabelle – 65 words
US drone air strikes have reportedly hit three al Shabaab training camps in the outskirt of Afmadow district, 100 kilometres southwest of Kismayo. Resident in Afmadow told the media that they could hear blasts and shortly thereafter insurgent’s restricted movements by residents, particularly in the area of the incident, as al Shabaab vehicles raced throughout of Afadow.
Police capture 10 young men suspected of having links with al Shabaab
07 Jul – Source: Mareeg Online – 173 words
Government forces on Thursday said that they had captured more than 10 young men suspected of having links with al Shabaab in Mogadishu. Ali Hersi Barre (Ali Gab), the Commander of government soldiers in Mogadishu said that police forces in Hamar Weyne district detained 16 teenagers who were traveling with drought affected people from the regions of Somalia into Mogadishu.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=20307&tirsan=3
Mudug journalists call for the immediate release of jailed journalist
07 Jul – Source: Raxanreeb – 156 words
Journalists in Mudug journalists have expressed concern over the arrest and sentencing of Feisal Mohamed Hassan, an online journalist by the Puntland court in Bosasso last week. “On behalf of Puntland journalists, we greatly condemn the arrest and conviction of Feisal Mohamed Hassan and we ask the administration to pardon the journalist” a statement issued by the group said on Wednesday.
The group, which comprises of radio and TV journalists and editors of various websites, also called for the authorities to keep the journalist’s rights during his arrest. “The government should take its responsibility of building close and friendly relation between the government and the media,” they also suggested. The call from Mudug journalists came days after Bosasso court sentenced one year jail term on Feisal Mohamed Hassan, correspondent of Hiiraan news website. He was accused of publishing false reports.
http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=102613
EU Commissioner Andris Piebalgs announces more support for Somaliland
06 Jul – Source: Somaliland Press – 166 words
A visit to Somaliland, the EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, announced that the European Union is considering an additional €175 million in EU support to Somalia, including to Somaliland. In his speech before the Somaliland Parliament, Mr Piebalgs said: “The European Union welcomes the contribution that Somaliland is making to peace and good governance in the region. It is an encouraging example of peace, democracy and stability. This is why we will invest additional development funds as security and the socio-political conditions favor sustainable development.”
Additional EU support in Somaliland will focus on areas to foster economic development, education and governance. During his visit, Commissioner Piebalgs met President Silanyo and delivered a speech to the House of Representatives in Hargeisa.
http://somalilandpress.com/eu-commissioner-andris-piebalgs-announces-more-support-forsomaliland- 22907
TFG warns aid agencies to heed words of al Shabaab
07 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 166 words
The TFG has cautioned aid agencies over al Shabaab’s decision to let humanitarian agencies assist those affected in areas under its control. The assistant minister for the defense, Abdirashid Mohamed Hidig in an interview with radio Bar-kulan said it is perilous to jump at the offer of al Shabaab. The assistant minister said the senior leaders lack food to feed their militias. Hidig said any NGO that is keen on alleviating the catastrophic drought should work through the government in order to realize fair distribution of the aid to the intended people. Hiddig also said that al Shabaab is intending to forcefully take the food for the displaced people.
Puntland parliament approves new electoral committee members
06 Jul – Source: Allpuntalnd – 199 words
Puntland parliament has today debated the appointment of new members into the election committee and unanimously voted in favor of the four new members. During the debate, some of the MPs in Puntland Parliament accused the Speaker of not consulting them in the appointment of these four members into the election committee. The Speaker meanwhile said although he did not consult the MPs, members of the respective parliamentary committee concerned with the elections were involved in their appointment.
Bay traditional elders welcome al Shabaab’s move to lift ban on aid agencies
07 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 152 words
The traditional elders of Bay region have welcomed al Shabaab’s decision to lift the ban on aid agencies to operate in areas they control. Yussuf Malaq Yerow, a clan elder in Bay and Bakol, who was speaking on behalf of the traditional elders, told Bar-kulan that they welcomed the decision by al Shabaab to allow foreign humanitarian aid agencies to start operating in Somalia.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Media join food campaign to save starving Somalia
07 Jul – Source: Africa Review – 155 words
Two Mogadishu-based radio broadcasters; Kulmiye and Risala radios, have initiated a campaign for food donations to save the thousands of Somalis threatened by famine. The exercise; dubbed donate $1 to save a life, has so far attracted a number of Mogadishu residents, including students who have volunteered to collect foodstuff and other items for the affected families. Currently, the entire Horn of Africa region is in dire need of food aid. On July 3, Prime Minister of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, announced a national-level council to tackle famine that has resulted from a drought affecting many parts of the country.
“This is probably the biggest self-help scheme in Mogadishu,” Mr Hassan Mohamoud Omar, a media analyst, said. “With over dozen FM radios in Mogadishu, further mobilisation is possible, provided the media in the area controlled by al-Shabaab is allowed to take part,” added Mr Omar.
Qatar Charity finishes 40 projects in Somalia
07 Jul – Source: the Peninsula Qatar – 240 words
Qatar Charity has implemented 40 different projects including education programmes in Somalia in the first six months of this year. Around 20,000 people benefit from these projects, which enhance education, culture and economic standards of the people.
Dran Ahmeth Farha, Director of QC in Somalia said, “Qatar Charity concentrated on the first half of 2011 in constructional and development projects to help the needy people in Somalia and it has made a concrete impact on their community.” These programmes worth of more than QR1m included primary schools, 10 mosques projects and making wells to support farming. There were also projects to support t he poor families to increase their income. These programmes were mostly designed to support orphans and widows in Somalia. “Through these projects Qatar Charity aims to bring sustainable economical development among the Somali families,” Farha said.
While, the Qatar Charity also helps Niger in partnership with the UN’s Food and Agriculture programme. The two organisations have two programmes to ensure food security in Niger. The first programme has built 10 model farm schools with a fund granted by the European Union. This also includes providing equipment and fertilizers for farming and training for farmers. The projects aim at supporting 4,000 families of 38,045 people in around 54 villages in Niger. This is an ongoing project between the Qatar Charity and the UN’s Food and Agriculture programme in Niger to ensure food security and support to farmers in Niger.
http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/158177-qatar-charity-finishes-40-projects-in-somalia.html
Yemeni coastguards free Saudi oil tanker from Somali pirates
06 Jul – Source: Yemen News Agency – 87 words
Yemeni coastguard forces managed on Wednesday to free a Saudi oil tanker after armed clashes with Somali pirates. Director General of the Aden Coastguard Sector Abdul-Rahman Musa said that Somali pirates have attempted to seize the Saudi oil supertanker “Brlenti Velots” off the Gulf of Aden. Musa said that the Somali pirates have been killed in the rescue operation of the tanker that was heading for Britain. The tanker captain commended the efforts of the Yemeni security forces that have freed the tanker with no human casualties.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news243451.htm
Humanitarian community welcomes resumption of operations in southern Somalia
07 Jul- Source: Kuwait News Agency- 186 words
The Humanitarian Community welcomes on Thursday Al Shabaab’s announcement to allow resumption of operations in southern Somalia, but needs guarantees. In a press release of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) the humanitarian community calls for guarantees that aid workers will be able to safely reach those most in need.
In January 2010, Al Shabaab expelled some humanitarian agencies working in southern Somalia, severely curtailing aid efforts in areas currently hardest hit by drought. The current situation in southern Somalia is the worst it has been in the last decade and if humanitarian interventions do not occur immediately, thousands of people will die.
The Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, said “Millions of Somalis, particularly in the south, are facing acute levels of hunger and need. I welcome the suspension of restrictions on aid agencies and I am happy to cooperate with anybody who can help to alleviate the current crisis and save hundreds of Somali lives.”
Bowden welcomes immediate discussions with all parties in control of areas where there are people in crisis to resume and scale up humanitarian interventions. “We stand ready to scale up assistance in southern Somalia but need guarantees that humanitarian workers can operate safely in the area and will not be targeted or agencies taxed” Bowden adds. The suspension of some humanitarian activities in southern areas has affected millions of people in southern Somalia for the last two years.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2178731&Language=e n
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
United Nations welcomes al Shabaab’s move to lift ban on aid food
06 Jul – Source: BBC – 540 words
Al Shabaab imposed the ban in 2009, accusing them of being anti-Muslim. It now says all charities, whether “Muslims or non-Muslims”, can give emergency aid as long as they have “no hidden agenda”. The UN told the BBC it welcomed al Shabaab’s announcement, but it would need security guarantees for its staff.
“I welcome all efforts to ensure the people of Somalia can access the assistance which they have a right to,” the UN humanitarian co-coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme. About a quarter of Somalis have been displaced by the drought, with many fleeing to neighboring countries.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14046267
Starving Somalis seek help
07 Jul – ABC – 732 words
As millions of people in East Africa face famine, Islamist militants in Somalia have decided to allow international agencies in to help. Al Shabaab ordered relief workers out in 2009 accusing them of undermining local farmers and being anti-Muslim. But International aid groups are now mobilizing to get in time to help save the lives of the many vulnerable children.
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2011/s3263193.htm
CULTURE/BLOGS/EDITORIAL
Obama plays hide the Somali
06 Jul – Source: Washington Times – 540 words
President Obama is extending full constitutional due-process rights to a Somali terrorist. This sets a troubling precedent. Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame was captured sometime in April on a boat traveling betweenYemen and Somalia. He was detained on board a U.S. warship for two months and interrogated by intelligence officials. He reportedly revealed a great deal of valuable information regarding his connections to the Somalia-based al-Shabaab militant group and the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. So far, so good.
The world first heard of Mr. Warsame when he appeared on U.S. soil facing a nine-count federal indictment in the Southern District of New York. After his first series of shipboard interrogations, he was handed over to FBI agents who read him a Miranda warning and commenced a fresh round of questioning, seeking to build a federal criminal case. There is no evident compelling reason for Mr. Warsame to be given a civil trial. He is not a major terrorist leader, and he did not conduct operations on U.S. soil or against U.S. citizens. He is accused of “providing support” to al-Shabab and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which could describe any other member of those organizations. The Obama administration seems to have taken this step only to establish a precedent for more such trials.
The Warsame indictment is an end run around Congress, which last year voted to bar the transfer of terrorist detainees to the United States for trial or any other purpose. The 2011 National Defense Authorization Act stipulated that no Department of Defense funds “may be used to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions” any detainee who “is not a United States citizen or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States” and was held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In his Jan. 7 signing statement, Mr. Obama called the restrictions “a dangerous and unprecedented challenge to critical executive branch authority to determine when and where to prosecute Guantanamo detainees, based on the facts and the circumstances of each case and our national security interests” and maintained that the “prosecution of terrorists in Federal court is a powerful tool in our efforts to protect the Nation and must be among the options available to us.” He pledged that his administration would “work with the Congress to seek repeal of these restrictions” and “seek to mitigate their effects.”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/6/obama-plays-hide-the-somali/