08 Dec 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- Acting PM of Somalia received new ambassador of Italy to Somalia (Source: Office of the Prime Minister)
- Kenya military join Amisom (Source: The Standard)
- Fighting rages in Lower Jubba (Source: Somalia Report)
- Al Shabaab recruit students teachers in Kismayo to join their fighters (Source: RBK)
PRESS STATEMENT
Acting PM of Somalia received new ambassador of Italy to Somalia
07 Dec- Source: Office of the Prime Minister- 253 words
The acting Somali Prime Minister and minister for defence of TFG Hussein Arab Isse has today received the new ambassador of Italy to Somalia Ambassador Andrea Mazella who arrived Mogadishu today. The ambassador first met with President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed before meeting the acting PM where the ambassador handed over his documents regarding the embassy and they also exchanged reports. In a press conference held jointly by the Somali acting PM and the new Italy ambassador, the two leaders voiced the importance of Italy government reopening its embassy in Somalia after massive developments on security issues of the capital were made. The TFG along with Italy government are set to prioritize on their relations and also that of the publics in bid to boost and build on the security developments of Mogadishu.
Minister for defence Hussein Arab Isse thanked the government and the people of Italy for their relentless help. The Minister contratulated the new Prime Minister of Italy and urged Italy government double its efforts in helping Somalia. “We ask the rest of the European govrnments and other world countries to follow suit and think of reopening their embassies in Somalia so that we work together and attain good relations”, said Mr Arab. On his part, Ambassador Mazella expressed his happiness in this post of ambassadorship to Somalia where he said Italy shares a long history with Somalia. Mr. Andrea confirmed that come January next year, the Italy embassy will officially be opened inside the Aden Ade International Airport in Mogadishu.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali gov’t vows to avert bomb attacks in Mogadishu
07 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 153 words
The TFG vowed on Wednesday to prevent deadly explosions and suicide attacks by al Shabaab from happening in Mogadishu. Somali defense minister, Hussein Arab Issa said, while speaking to a government controlled state radio station, that they have set up new strategic plans to thwart blasts and car bombs from al Shabaab in the Somali capital, especially TFG buildings and its military bases.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Ahlu Sunna administration denounces UN Somali envoy
07 Dec – Source: Radio Shabelle – 154 words
The administration of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (AWJ) in central war-torn Horn of Africa Somalia has strongly denounced the UN Somali special envoy Augustine Mahiga for degrading and dividing Somali politicians. The chairman of the decision-making council for Ahlu Sunna Sheik Mohamed Yusuf Hefow said the UN envoy for Somalia is personally making large sums of money for the sake of Somali consultative meeting -Roadmap facilitated by United Nations.
Al Shabaab flog a girl for allegedly being involved in an “illegal engagement” in Afgoye
07 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 139 words
Al Shabaab in Afgoye town, Lower Shabelle, on Tuesday publicly flogged a teenage girl after a rebel court found her guilty of allegedly being involved in an “illegal engagement” with a man, reports say. Amina Osman Hassan, 15, received 100 lashes in public for allegedly eloping with a man, Mohamed Farah and getting engaged with him without the consent of her parents. She was also accused of sleeping with the man after the engagement.
Fighting rages in Lower Jubba
07 Dec- Source: Somalia Report- 52 words
At least eight al Shabaab fighters were confirmed dead and more than 10 others wounded after fierce fighting broke out between TFG forces backed by Kenyan troops and the hard-line insurgent group of al Shabaab in Taabta and Qoqani villages of Lower Jubba regions, according to TFG officials and residents.
Al Shabaab recruit students, teachers in Kismayo to join their fighters
07 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 160 words
Al Shabaab rebel group in the port city of Kismayo is reportedly recruiting students and teachers from all schools in the city. The rebel group has compelled all schools in the city to bring students and teachers who will join its militias and take part in the fight against the Somali government troops in the region. The group issued the order in a meeting with students and teachers from all schools in the city while registering new recruits.
REGIONAL MEDIA
MPs approve Amisom plan for Kenyan forces
07 Dec- Source: Capital FM- 633 words
Parliament on Wednesday unanimously endorsed a move for Kenyan forces fighting the Al Shabaab militia in Somalia serve under the African Union Mission in Somalia – Amisom. MPs supported the move saying it will provide Kenya a safe exit strategy from the military operation which may prove costly and overburden the tax payer in light of the rising inflation being experienced in the country. They said under Amisom, Kenya will secure regional backing and ensure the war is well managed under the African Union.
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/
Kenya military join Amisom
07 Dec- Source: the Standard, Daily Nation, The Star – 190 words
Kenyan defence Minister Yusuf Haji is seeking approval of parliament to have Kenya Defence Forces join the African Union Mission in Somalia. Issuing a notice of motion, Haji told parliament on Wednesday that following a recent extra ordinary session of IGAD and the African Union, Kenya has been requested to have her soldiers integrated to Amison. “This has been done at the request of the African Union to enhance a combined strategy for the operation against Al-Shabaab,” Haji said.
http://www.standardmedia.co.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya troops to ‘join Somalia’s African Union force’
07 Dec – Source: BBC News – 1,045 words
Kenya’s parliament has approved the integration of government troops in Somalia into the African Union (AU) force fighting militant Islamists. The decision comes after the AU last week asked Kenyan troops to join its 9,000-strong force in Somalia to battle al-Qaeda-linked group, al Shabaab.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
MSF establishes local contacts for release of its workers in Somalia
07 Dec- Source: Xinhua- 382 words
International medical charity Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said on Wednesday it was directing all efforts towards safe release of Spanish workers who were kidnapped in Kenya 56 days ago. The charity which started providing medical assistance in Dadaab in 2009 said it has received several reports from local sources and media that two foreign women, fitting the description of its colleagues, abducted in Kenya on Oct. 13, were spotted in the streets of Afgoye (Benadir, Somalia) on Sunday afternoon.