13 Dec 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- Somali President Jets back in Mogadishu (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
- President Kibaki calls Somalis to restore peace (Source: Radio Bar-Kulan)
- ASWJ boosts its “military” presence in Hiiraan region (Source: Radio Bar-Kulan )
- Somalia: MPs summon Ministers on FGM motion (Source: Garowe Online )
- US defense chief in Djibouti for counter-terrorism talks(Source: Tribune )
- Turkey Shelters Nearly 10000 Somali People in Mogadishu (Source: Turkish Weekly)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali President Jets back in Mogadishu
13 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 68 words
Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is back in the capital, Mogadishu after an official trip to Doha, Qatar. The president and his high level TFG delegation arrived at Adan Adde airport Mogadishu on Monday afternoon. The president held meetings with his Qatar counterpart and discussed many issues concerning both countries. Some TFG ministers and members of parliament welcomed the president at the Airport.
President Kibaki calls Somalis to restore peace
13 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 143 words
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki asked the Somali community to restore peace and tranquillity in their war-torn nation by means of taking advantage of Kenya’s collaboration with TFG to wipeout al Shabaab militias who are threat to their national security.
Speaking at Nyayo stadium on the celebration of the 48th year since Kenyan independence, Kibaki urged the Somali people to oppose terrorist groups who are toppling their horn of African nation. Moreover, the Kenyan president promised to continuously support the search for peace and stability in Somalia.
President Kibaki also extolled Kenya’s commitment to work with TFG, UN, AU and IGAD in their bid to bring a lasting peace to the war-torn Somali nation.
Former Somali National team member becomes sports coordinator for prime minister’s office
12 Dec – Source: Somaliweyn – 316 words
The Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia Dr. Abdi weli Mohamed Ali has officially appointed former national basketball team member Bashir Yusuf Mohamed as the Somali National Sports and Youth coordinator in the office of Prime minister.
The basketball veteran was appointed in an official statement from Somali Prime minister’s office which was issued on December 1st, but the news of the appointment was officially released by the Somali sports press association on Friday.
“Having considered the knowledge and the experience of Mr. Bashiir in the field of Youth and Sports and having seen the 1960 constitution and the federal charter, Somali Prime minister has issued this decree to appoint Mr. Bashiir Yusuf Mohamed in the capacity of Somali National sports and youth coordinator in the office of Somali Prime minister” the statement noted.
http://www.somaliweyn.org/
Aid agencies leave Mandera town
12 Dec – Source: Radio Shabelle – 137 words
Some of the aid agencies including UNICEF have reportedly stopped their operations in Mandera town of Kenya due to the insecurity situation in the region in the recent days.
Sources in Mandera town said that Kokok, Islamic Relief and UNICEF which continued humanitarian assistance to the devastated people living there had halted their activities and left as blasts rock the town in the past days.
On the other hand, Kenya celebrates its independence day and tightened the security of the border it shares with Somalia for fears of al Shabaab extremists to carry out blasts in and around the country. Mandera, one of the Kenyan cities in the north has experienced insecurity over the past week where grenades and other explosions took place. No one claimed the responsibility of the explosions so far.
Former Puntland speaker calls on TFG to support people who lost properties in fire
12 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 150 words
The former parliament speaker of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland Mr. Ahmed Gure Aden has called on the transitional government of Somalia to support the Somali people who lost their properties in big inferno that razed down market in Bosaso, the centre of Bari region in Puntland.
Huge fire that engulfed the big market of Bosaso town recently has caused the loss of the properties of the businessmen and the people in the town.
Mr. Gure said that the transitional government of Somalia is responsible for all the Somali people, urging the agencies of the Somali government for the emergency help to assist those who properties in the fire.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somalia: al Shabaab sentences 2 youths to have right hands cut
12 Dec – Source: Mareeg Online – 115 words
Somali rebel group of al Shabaab has on Monday afternoon sentenced two young boys to have right hands cut in front of large people in Alamada Area in lower Shabelle region after they were accused of theft, reports said.
Abdi Moahmed Abdulahi was accused of robbery case with an estimated amount 550 U.S dollar at a village in Lafole and thus his right hand has been amputated as al Shabaab officials told the crowd who witnessed, reports said. Farah Abdi Yusuf, the second boy lost equal hand and was accused of stealing a handbag and Somali Sh 2880 million, reports said. Mr. Farah paid some of the money he stole as ordered, officials added.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Al Shabaab seize 20 trucks in Jowhar, Middle Shabelle
12 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 112 words
Al Shabaab rebel fighters in Jowhar town on Sunday seized 20 heavy trucks ferrying alleged humanitarian food meant for the needy people in central Somalia region, reports say. The trucks, popularly known as TM in the area were reportedly ferrying rice destined for needy people in parts of Ahlu Sunna-held central Somalia region. One of the truck drivers who identified himself as Hassan told Bar-kulan that they have no idea of why they are being held in Jowhar.
al Shabaab suspects the food is destined for Ahlu Sunna militias in central Somalia, he added. Reports say trucks transporting relief foods to the central Somalia regions usually avoid the route and take alternative routes, fearing rebel interception.
Somalia: Supreme Court of TFG rule 18 months for port official
12 Dec – Source: Garowe Online – 189 words
The Supreme Court of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia found two port officials guilty of theft in Mogadishu, Garowe reports.
The Attorney General for the TFG Aidid Hanaf who spoke to reporters said both officials were found guilty of stealing important materials from Mogadishu, the country’s capital.
The offenders Abdirazak Abdullahi Guhaad who was an official at the tax office in Mogadishu’s port and Adan Mohamed Hasan who was the general supervisor of the port were both charged, convicted and sentenced to 18 months in a federal prison.
ASWJ boosts its “military” presence in Hiran region
12 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 136 words
Over 260 Ahlu Sunna militias have been moved from Guri’el district to their native region, Hiran, to re-enforce other pro-government militias fighting al Shabaab rebel group, officials say. The ASWJ militias were moved to Bergadid village of Mataban district, where they pitched tents.
The leader of the ASWJ militias, Hashi Hussein, told Bar-kulan that they were moved to their native region in order to fight alongside pro-government militias battling al Shabaab rebel group in areas between El-gal and Kalabeyr.
The al Shabaab group is reportedly facing stiff resistance from pro-government allied forces in the region. The group has also removed its militias from Beledweyne town in fear of fresh attacks.
Somaliland: Foreign Minister meets with delegation from Holland
12 Dec – Source: Somaliland Press – 178 words
Somaliland Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Mohamed Abdilahi Omar met with Delegates from Holland who paid short visit to the country today. The delegation consists of several officials headed by the Ambassador of Holland to Kenya Mr. Joost Reintjes.
The minister held meeting with the delegation at his office for few hours and after concluding the meeting spoke with the local press. Foreign Minister Dr. Mohamed told the press today’s meeting is a follow up to June’s visit of the Dutch Minister for EU Affairs and International Cooperation Mr. Ben Knapen.
Mr. Ben Knapen commended Somaliland’s democracy on his visit in June and said his government will work with Somaliland government in the advancement of democracy.
http://somalilandpress.com/
Somalia: MPs summon Ministers on FGM motion
13 Dec – Source: Garowe Online – 227 words
Some Members of Parliament agreed to summon four Ministers of the state of Puntland due to a motion that recently has been regarded as controversial that banned Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Puntland, Garowe reports.
The 14 MPs met in Garowe today to discuss summoning four Puntland Ministers that they felt broke certain religious rights of Muslims when they had passed a motion to ban FGM in Puntland.
The four Ministers included the Minister of Women Asho Gelle, Minister of Education Abdi Farah Juuha, Minister of Ports, and deputy Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdiqadir Haashi.
The parliament summoned the four ministers because the motion to ban FGM in Puntland also bans Sunni circumcision which is a common practice in Somalia and neighbouring countries. Sunni circumcision of women is not an obligation and is not encouraged by scholars.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.”
REGIONAL MEDIA
Why Kenya is not making any strides in the war against Al Shabaab two months into incursion
12 Dec – Source: East African – 793 words
The Kenyan Defence Forces in Somalia have not made any significant territorial progress over the past one month, but the military publicity department is not ready to reveal that they have stalled because of factors beyond their control — a situation that has left Nairobi rethinking its approach to the incursion against the al Shabaab militia.
The force on the southern front that entered Somalia through Kiunga is stuck in Burgabo, 60km from the Kenyan border, where they will have to cross a deep creek. The only advance being realised is on the central front that recently took Bilis Qooqaani and is preparing to take Afmadow. The two teams are eventually meant to meet in Kismayu.
Investigations by The East-African have revealed that a number of logistical and political issues have forced the KDF to go slow contrary to the initial plan for a swift operation.
There are four major factors that have bogged down the military campaign. They are: Lack of finances to run a long-drawn war; the differences between interested parties over whether to divide Somalia into autonomous regions or maintain one united country; differences over the option to engage al Shabaab in a political dialogue, and the ambivalence of Somalia’s President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed.
Already, the Kenya public and the politicians have started questioning whether the Kenyan involvement in Somalia is likely to last longer than was initially intended.
However, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) spokesperson Maj Emmanuel Chirchir maintained that the reason the Kenyan advance has slowed down is because they are combining the offensive angle with humanitarian operations.
“When we started the operation we had the offensive, defensive and humanitarian operations components. At the strategic level, the long term goal still remains but at the tactical level, things have to change every now and then because you are dealing with human beings,” he said.
http://www.theeastafrican.co.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
US defence chief in Djibouti for counter-terrorism talks
13 Dec – Source: Tribune – 3003 words
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta arrived in Djibouti on Tuesday for an hour-long visit during which he was to meet with President Ismael Omar Guelleh for talks on counter-terrorism measures.
“We’ll be looking at what has developed into a very important partnership in dealing with counter-terrorism, with counter-piracy and with dealing with outreach into Africa,” Panetta said shortly before arriving in this small Horn of Africa nation, home to Washington’s only military base in Africa.
“You all know the significant efforts that have been made against al Qaeda in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata),” he said, referring to a semi-autonomous tribal region in Pakistan.
Now the challenges had “moved to key nodes, like Yemen and Somalia, and the efforts to go after them require important partnerships in that part of the world and Djibouti helps provide that partnership for operations that continue, not only against al Qaeda but al Shabaab as well”.
Panetta arrived at US Camp Lemonier base early Tuesday, where more than 3,000 troops are stationed.
“Without getting into operational details, it’s pretty clear that since (US-Yemeni cleric and terror suspect Anwar al Awlaki) was taken down, that has impacted on AQAP (al Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula) and their capability but just like taking bin Laden in Pakistan, the fact is AQAP, al Qaeda still remain dangerous,” he added.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/
Turkey Shelters Nearly 10,000 Somali People in Mogadishu
13 Dec – Source: Turkish Weekly – 145 words
A Turkish tent site shelters nearly 10,000 Somali people in the country’s capital, the head of Turkish Red Crescent’s delegation to Somalia Şafak Lostar said today. Lostar said 1,700 tents were set up in Mogadishu and they were planning to increase that number to 2,000.
The tent site was complete with food and water distribution points and lavatories, Lostar said, adding that a mobile bakery was producing 16,000 loaves of bread daily and a cookhouse supplied hot meal to 10,000 people every day.
Somalia is facing one of the worst droughts in the past 60 years, with the epicenter of the drought lying on the three-way border shared by Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, a nomadic region where families heavily depend on their livestock for survival. Uganda and Djibouti have also been hit by the disaster, which displaced tens of thousands of people.