08 Dec 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- Acting PM of Somalia heads meeting for maintaining peace of Mogadishu (Source: Office of the Prime Minister)
- Somali PM meets his Kenyan counterpart (Source: Radio Mogadishu SONNA Somaliweyn SNTV)
- Heavy fighting flares up in Somali capital(Source: Shabelle Bar-kulan and Radio Mogadishu)
- Somali PM arrives back in Mogadishu(Source: Radio Mogadishu SONNA)
- Somali govt participates in the Arab Trade and Industry Summit in Istanbul (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
- Abducted Spanish aid workers spotted in Somalia (Source: Standard)
- Somalia: AU Panel of the Wise urges speedy peace process in Somalia (Source: Afrique jet)
- Kenyan Premier calls for regional efforts on security (Source: Times (Rwanda)
- Somalia’s al Shabaab militia takes to Twitter (Source: dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur)
PRESS STATEMENTS
Acting PM of Somalia heads meeting for maintaining peace of Mogadishu
08 Dec – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 299 words
The acting Somali Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Hussein Arab Isse headed a meeting which focused on security issues of the capital Mogadishu and how to combat terrorism acts which have dramatically increased in the recent past targeting high value destinations of civilians and government centres. The ministries concerned, security officers from the military and police and also the administration of Banadir were in attendance at the meeting.
The meeting was aimed at planning strategies on how to ward off actions that can jeopardize security and how to attain public support regarding measures to foil the terrorist attacks. A number of courses of actions were outlined from the meeting which all points towards maintaining peace. Minister Arab, minister for Foreign Affairs, Mayor of Mogadishu, Military Commander and Police Commissioner all spoke to the media after the meeting.
“As you are aware for the last two weeks, attacks on vital government installations and civilians have been on the rise carried out by the those opposing peace. We thank our security officials for repulsing their cowardly attacks” said Mr Arab adding that two other attacks were foiled which were targeted at Jaziira training camp and a position of the government soldiers in Gubadley in Kaaraan.
On the other hand, the meeting emphasised and directed the police and public to join hands in thwarting actions that disturb the peace in Mogadishu. The public were asked to report any action that they deem suspicious and injurious.
“I congratulate the public, 97% of them, for working with the security personnel’s and aiding in foiling attacks” the minister said. Lastly, one of the decisions made in the meeting gave stern warning to anyone found helping the peace opposes, renting house or vehicle to them and will be targeted by the government and his property confiscated.
British Office for Somalia
07 Dec – Source: Office of The UK in Somalia – 193 words
The British Office for Somalia today formally launched its official website, UKinSomalia. Speaking during the launch the UK Senior Representative for Somalia, Matt Baugh said:
“The UKinSomalia website is part of our efforts to engage the Somali public in dialogue. By visiting the website Somalis in the Diaspora and inside Somalia will access up to date information on UK policy and efforts in Somalia”.
Apart from the website, the British Office for Somalia will post regular blogs by the UK Senior Representative for Somalia. Face book users can find the office via UKinSomalia while Twitter followers can follow @UKinsomalia
“Through our online dialogue we urge the people of Somalia to give us feedback on our efforts and in general UK engagements in Somalia,” said Matt Baugh.
The launch of the UKinSomalia website, Face book, and Twitter pages all come at a time the UK is planning to host an international conference on Somalia in London on February 23rd next year to discuss ways of pulling together international efforts.
In May, Foreign Secretary William Hague announced that the UK will reopen its embassy in Somalia as soon as local condition in Somalia allow.
The report of the Somali clerics group regarding the killing of Dr. Ahmed Haji Abdirahman
08 Dec – Source: Somali Clerics Group – 421 words
The Somali clerics group, giving a close look at the current state of the country, the changes happening and new developments like the killing of Dr. Ahmed Haji Abdirahman, have issued a statement with the following points:
1-The group sends its heartfelt condolences to the Muslim population, particularly Somali people and to the families, relatives and friends of Dr Sh. Ahmed Haji Abdirahman who was killed by elements who are enemies to the religion and people. They pray to Allah to grant him martyrdom and put him in His paradise. We say:
Oh God, forgive him , have mercy on him, honour his stay, expand his paradise, elevate his status to those who were guided, give patience to those he left and forgive him and us, o Lord of the worlds. We all pray for patience and faith. Amen
2-We also generally give our condolences to the Somali people for the killings and constant evacuation they are enduring posed by the haywire group who find pleasure in the problems of the Somali people. We also show sorrow and resentment towards the fire tragedy that happened in Bosaso which wiped out a lot of property. We ask Allah for a better alternative for them.
3-We see the killing of the Sheikh as a sign of the escalation of the problems aimed at crippling the Somali people which was ongoing for some time carried out by Al-Shabaab. This was agreed upon at the latest Baidoa meeting which was clearly understood as a go-ahead to target prominent Somali clerics.
4-The Al-Shabaab understands that the clerics are the eyes of the people and their importance amongst the Somali community, that is why they are targeting them. We ask Allah for sincerity of deeds and to protect the Ummah.
5-The religion of Islam forbids disturbing Muslim community, putting stones and filth on the road. The prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “There will be a curse upon anyone who disturbs people on the road”. What do you think of someone who plants explosives on the road and in markets to evict the Muslim community?
6-We urge the Somali people to work together to preserve peace and to prevent anyone who is against peace. Allah said in the Qur’an: Help one another in virtues, righteousness and piety and not in sin and aggression. The prophet (peace be upon him) said: May God curse one who gives shelter to those who add new ideas to the religion. May Allah guide us?
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali PM meets his Kenyan counterpart
08 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA, Somaliweyn, and SNTV – 133 words
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali met his Kenyan counterpart Raila Odinga in Nairobi on Wednesday. The two leaders held a meeting which lasted for hours. The two leaders have resolved to continue working together against al Shabaab.
The two leaders said that the diplomacy campaign will also seek support from the international community for humanitarian assistance in liberated areas and establish and provide funding for other urgently needed services such as food, health, education and roads.
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on his part pledged his government’s commitment in working jointly with the Kenyan forces to root out the al Shabaab threat. The Somali prime minister arrived in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday morning from Kuwait where he also held a meeting with the King of Kuwait.
Heavy fighting flares up in Somali capital
08 Dec – Source: Shabelle, Bar-kulan, and Radio Mogadishu – 183 words
Heavy battle between Somalia’s TFG backed by African Union peace keeping troops and al Shabaab militants flared up parts of capital Mogadishu, residents and reports said on Thursday.
The fighting erupted in the early hours on Thursday in Mogadishu’s Karan and Hilwa districts and neighbouring outskirts between Islamist insurgents and pro-government forces aided by AMISOM soldiers in the area, causing unidentified damages and casualties, since the combat is still going on.
Residents said that many al Shabaab fighters have launched an offensive on bases of Somalia government troops and AMISOM in Karan and Hilwa towns but the government forces and African Union troops resisted and later counter attacked the militants.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somali PM arrives back in Mogadishu
08 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 87 words
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Thursday morning arrived in Mogadishu. The PM jetted back at Adan Adde international airport after attending high profile meetings outside Somalia.
He received a warm reception at the airport from various TFG high-level officials. The PM was on an official trip to several countries including Qatar, Kuwait and Kenya. The PM said that during his trip abroad, he managed to meet with international leaders to discuss several issues concerning the state of Somalia.
Lifesaving mine action in Central Somalia on hold due to kidnapping
07 Dec – Source: Garowe Online – 322 words
Humanitarian mine action activities in Galmudug State in Somalia have been put on hold until further notice. Danish Demining Group (DDG) has decided to close down its office in South Galkayo following the kidnapping of two aid workers in late October.
Hundreds of unexploded devices have been removed and safely disposed of since the Danish Demining Group (DDG) opened its office in South Galkayo in 2009. The lifesaving mine action activities have been suspended until further notice.
Since 25 October 2011, the work of DDG in and around Galkayo has taken a dramatic turn. On that day the two aid workers Poul Hagen Thisted and Jessica Buchanan were abducted by a group of armed criminals in South Galkayo. Poul Hagen Thisted is a 60 year-old man who, along with 32-year-old Jessica Buchanan, has been working in support of the Somali people as employees of DDG.
Al Shabaab lose bases in Lower Jubba region
08 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 178 words
Top TFG military commanders stationed in the Lower Juba regions say that Kenyan fighter jets launched assaults in key al Shabaab bases. The commanders added that al Shabaab as a group suffered massive losses in the ongoing Kenyan offensive against the Al Qaeda-linked extremists group.
General Yusuf Hussein Dumal, a key Somali army commander in a visit to Mogadishu told SONNA that the ongoing offensive against al Shabaab was a complete success and in accordance with the military objectives.
“The locals have welcomed the military offensive and we have not seen any retaliatory attacks from the group after we overpowered them in their strongholds” said Yusuf.
Yusuf also told SONNA that al Shabaab had resulted to media propaganda in the event of an air strike. “They (al Shabaab) suffer heavy losses and they later claim that the area shelled were civilian populated” added General Yusuf.
The Somali national army and the Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) have stepped up efforts in the Lower Juba regions since October after the Kenyan troops launched an all-out assault on the al Shabaab extremists group.
Ahlu Sunna forces launch search operations in central Somalia
08 Dec – Source: Radio Shabelle – 135 words
Heavily armed security personnel, loyal to Ahlu Sunna Waljama, were reported to have launched in early Thursday morning widespread security operations across the central Somalia town of Guri’el to tighten security in the district.
Residents told Shabelle media that the fighters of Ahlu Sunna Waljama, a moderate islamist group allied with the Somali government, have been giving more attention to the local teenagers during their crackdown in the town of Guri’el in central Somalia, where its control few weeks ago briefly took over al Shabaab militants.
The operation was said to have halted and hindered the movement of the local people and public transport in the town of Guri’el of Galgudud region.
It was not immediately clear the reason behind these security operations. The Ahlu Sunna Waljama administration in Guri’el could not be reached for comment.
Somali gov’t participates in the Arab Trade and Industry Summit in Istanbul
08 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 154 words
The Istanbul Industry and Business Summit of Arab country’s has concluded in Istanbul, Turkey with delegates pledging to assist in reviving Somali industries.
The Somali delegation led by the Somali Deputy Premier, who is also the Trade and Industry Minister Abdiwahab Ugas Hussen, told Radio Mogadishu that the summit was a total success.
Somali Trade Minister said that he presented to the participants the state of industries in Somalia which, after more than two decades of civil war, has led to a high rate of unemployment.
“The Arab League Trade Ministers promised to assist in the revival of Somali industries as a part of the ongoing Muslim countries support towards Somalia” said Abdiwahab.
“It’s a great honour for Somalia to participate in the Arab League Trade Summit” added the Somali Trade Minister. Somali business sector has suffered greatly in the endless civil strife that has paralyzed all sectors of the Somali economy.
Puntland forces conduct security operations in Bosaso
07 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 174 words
The security forces of Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland have conducted widespread crackdowns and operations in the coastal and commercial town of Bosaso in Bari region, arresting a number of people.
Local residents said that the security forces of Puntland have seized at least ten people during the operations, which they suspected to be behind the assassination of a well-known cleric killed on Tuesday morning as he was leaving a local mosque in Bosaso.
Witnesses told the media that the forces have taken the suspected people to the detention centres of Bosaso to investigate the killing of the cleric on Tuesday and others acts against the security.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Al Shabaab opens official Twitter
07 Dec – Source: Somalia Report – 339 words
Harakat Al Shabaab Al Mujahideen’s Press Office today announced that they have established a Twitter account and can be followed @HSMPRess but not to be confused with another self-proclaimed al Shabaab twitter account @ShabaabReport.
With only five tweets posted so far, followers can already get a feeling for what is to be an ongoing propaganda campaign, “Sheikh Abu Mus’ab (Military Spokesman): The Jihad being waged here in Somali shall continue until the country is purified of all invaders.”
The Kenyan Army has been twittering random threats, warnings and messages via Major Emmanuel Chirchir who inspired a hilarious imposter who then confused a number of Kenyans. Within a few hours of the official tweet site launching al Shabaab had an impostor site sending funny pronouncements.
Although none of the official spokesmen can be entirely trusted to tell the truth, their appearance on Twitter adds to the potential for backlash. Al Shabaab may have a spokesman, but they have a disgraceful record of abusing the local population and extorting them.
Readers can also follow the latest al Shabaab media releases here. For example, the recent al Shabaab banning of aid groups was a press release from the curiously named “Office for Supervising the Affairs of Foreign Agencies (OSAFA).”
Soldier kills two IDPs during food aid handout in Mogadishu
07 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 178 words
A soldier loyal to the TFG on Wednesday shot and killed at least two people and wounded many other, all civilians, at a food aid distribution centre in Mogadishu, witnesses said.
Witnesses said the incident occurred at Tarabunka area in Hodan district, where a government soldier opened fire on hundreds of drought-hit Somali families, who were waiting at the food distribution point in Mogadishu.
The soldier reportedly opened fire as he tried to loot the aid food intended for the hungry people lined to receive it, shooting dead two IDPs in the area of the food distribution centre in Mogadishu’s Hodan district.
http://www.shabelle.net/
36 al Shabaab fighters injured in fighting were brought to Afmadow for treatment
07 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Somalia Report – 58 words
Reports from Afmadow district of Lower Juba region indicated that 36 injured al Shabaab militias were brought to a hospital in the town for treatment after they were injured in a recent fighting in Hayo. Sources told Radio Bar-Kulan that some of the seriously injured fighters were transferred to a hospital in Mareray district of Middle Juba region for immediate medical attention.
Somaliland court fines Yemeni fishermen with cash
08 Dec – Source: Somaliland Times – 93 words
A court in Somaliland on Tuesday sentenced and fined Yemeni fishermen with cash. The Yemeni fishermen were found guilty of illegally fishing coastal areas of Somaliland’s El Darod region, according to Sahil regional court.
The fishermen were fined to pay cash between 1000 USD and 7000 USD, according a statement from Sahil court. Two boats which were part of 14 boats belonging to the Yemeni fishermen were also handed over to the court. The statement noted that some of owners of those boats have escaped from the Somaliland navy.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya shifts cost of Somalia war to the United Nations
07 Dec – Source: Business Daily – 484 words
The high cost of keeping troops in an open-ended war is behind Kenya’s latest decision to put its forces in neighbouring Somalia under the command of the African Union. People familiar with the thinking in Kenya’s top security apparatus said the slow pace at which the troops have been moving and the high cost of keeping them in the battlefield is the reason behind the big shift for which Nairobi is also seeking the UN’s backing.
Putting the troops under the African Union command means Treasury will not bear the full cost of the war, but will benefit from the pool of finances available to the peace-keeping mission.
Parliament on Wednesday backed the Cabinet’s Tuesday decision to accept the Africa Union (AU) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) request for Kenya “to integrate its forces with the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom)”.
Concern has been rising over Kenya’s ability to finance war in the year of election winning the latest change in strategy easy support. Kenyan forces invaded Somalia in late October after Al Shabaab militants staged a series of abductions targeting tourists and aid workers in Lamu and Dadaab Refugee Camp.
Abducted Spanish aid workers spotted in Somalia
08 Dec – Source: Standard – 463 words
Two Medicines’ Sans Frontiers (MSF) staffs who was abducted from Dadaab refugee camp has been spotted in a town inside Somalia.
According to MSF spokesperson Judith Akelle Waguma, two foreign women, fitting the description of Montserrat Serra and Blanca Thiebaut were spotted in the streets of Afgoye (Benadir, Somalia) on Sunday afternoon.
The two were abducted on October 13 while providing humanitarian assistance to Somali refugees by gunmen who also shot and injured their driver in the attack. It is now two months since their abduction and efforts to locate the Spaniards are ongoing.
According to a statement, MSF has established contact with local representatives and is requesting local support to ensure that, if true, the MSF staff members are safe, well-treated, and that their forthcoming release might be arranged soon.
Kenyan Premier calls for regional efforts on security
08 Dec – Source: Times (Rwanda) – 334 words
The Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has called upon EAC member states to share intelligence and collectively fight pirates and terrorist groups in the Indian Ocean, in order to foster regional peace and economic growth.
Odinga was yesterday addressing the East Africa Summit that brought together investors, economists and government officials from the region and beyond to debate the future of the region.
“We are getting our act together and want to benefit from the synergies of integration. Other countries like South Sudan, North Sudan, Somalia and the DRC have expressed desire to join the EAC; but they have been politically unstable for a while,” Odinga said. “Somalia hasn’t had a stable government for the last 20 years and as a result, their people have suffered extensively. As the EAC, we must continue contributing to a peaceful end to the instabilities in these countries because they are a threat to regional security”.
http://www.newtimes.co.rw/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia: AU Panel of the Wise urges speedy peace process in Somalia
08 Dec – Source: Afrique jet – 428
The Panel of the Wise of the African Union (AU) Wednesday welcomed the progress made on the ground by the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the forces of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). In a communiqu� issued at the end of its two-day meeting in Zanzibar, the panel paid tribute to the troop-contributing countries – Uganda and Burundi — for their unwavering commitment to the cause of peace in Somalia and for the sacrifices made.
Chaired by Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, former Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the meeting commended member states of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the AU Commission for the efforts being made to strengthen AMISOM, including the planned re-hitting of the Kenyan troops currently conducting joint operations with the TFG forces in south central Somalia.
The panel emphasised the need to expedite the implementation of the political process and urged Somali stakeholders to fully honour the commitments made in a timely manner, in order to complete the pending transitional tasks by August 2012.
http://www.afriquejet.com/
Somalia fighting: New clashes in capital Mogadishu
08 Dec – Source: BBC – 306 words
The Somali capital, Mogadishu, has been hit by some of the fiercest fighting in the city in months, in a major setback for the government.
The clashes began shortly after dawn between Islamist Al Shabaab militants and government troops, backed by African Union (AU) peacekeepers.
The AU forces are reported to have used tanks and heavy artillery. Al Shabaab withdrew from Mogadishu in August and the government then declared that the city was under its control.
The fighting occurred in the northern districts of Karan and Huriwa on Thursday. There are reports of casualties but the details are not yet known.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
Somalia’s al Shabaab militia takes to Twitter
08 Dec – Source: dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur – 227 words
The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab militia has opened a Twitter account and was using it on Thursday to claim responsibility for attacks on Somali government troops and peacekeepers from the African Union mission AMISOM.
“Ugandan soldiers killed in a raid on Amisom base in Huriwaa District, Mogadishu, early morning; Ugandan soldiers desert their posts!” the Somalia-based Islamist group tweeted. The claim could not be independently confirmed.
The predominantly English Twitter account was opened late Wednesday with a first tweet in Arabic: “In the name of God the most merciful,” a common Islamic invocation made before starting something new.
Al-Shabaab has for years been waging a war in Somalia, where Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is in place, supported by some 9,000 AMISOM peacekeepers, most of them from Uganda and Burundi.
“By time the intoxicated TFG militia sober up from their excessive Qaat sessions, the scales of war would have turned rather significantly!” said one tweet. Qaat, or khat, is a plant with an intoxicating effect.
Other tweets were directed at mujahedin, or holy warriors: “Despite the tragedy and loss of life & wealth, a Mujahid does not desert the dignity to defend what he holds dearest: His Faith!”
The move by the militia comes after the military in neighbouring Kenya began using social media to communicate developments related to its troop rollout into southern Somalia to fight al-Shabaab since October.