13 Dec 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- UN Secretary-General’s remarks to the press (Source: UNPOS)
- A send-off party for outgoing AU peacekeepers held in Mogadishu (Source: Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somali PM urges forces to tighten Mogadishu’s security(Source: Radio Mogadishu Shabelle)
- Somalia: Cabinet ministers held talks in Mogadishu(Source: Radio Mogadishu)
- ASWJ arrests ten of its militias for robbery and extortion( Source: Radio Bar-kulan )
- Iraq offers 6 million dollar Aid to TFG( Source: Bar-Kulan)
- Kibaki: Our mission in Somalia relentless(Source: Capital FM)
- Aid center bombed in Somalia ICRC says(Source: UPI )
- Somali president jets to Qatar meets officials (Source: Radio Mogadishu Mareeg Online)
PRESS STATEMENT
UN Secretary-General’s remarks to the press
09 Dec – Source: UNPOS – 975 words
we are honoured to visit Somalia at this time. We would like to thank you for your warm welcome and hospitality. We are here to convey our strong solidarity to the people of Somalia.
This morning, upon arrival, we had a series of very constructive discussions with the President and other leadership on the future and on how the international community could help the Somali Government and people.
A few years ago people tended to think of Somalia only as “famine” or “bloodshed”.
Often when I spoke about Somalia, people wanted to change the subject. I didn’t want to change the subject. Rather, I wanted to change the way we see Somalia.
I believe we are now at a critical juncture – a moment of fresh opportunities for the future of Somali people.
On the political front, to bring a new measure of stability and possibilities to people’s lives. On the military front, to consolidate gains. These gains should be sustainable.
On the recovery front, to help break the cycle of famine, poverty once and for all.
This is the first time ever that the President of the United Nations General Assembly and the Secretary-General of the United Nations are visiting Somalia. The last time [one of] my predecessors was in Somalia was 18 years ago – in 1993.
We have come here to see for ourselves the changes underway and show the strong solidarity of the United Nations and the broader international community.
In my discussions with Transitional Federal Government leaders, I stressed the importance of seizing this moment. We have a very limited window of opportunity.
This must be done on three dimensions. This seems to be separate but they are all connected levels – political, military and humanitarian.
On the political front, we have a Roadmap. It has been widely endorsed. We must move ahead, quickly. It must be done in an inclusive and transparent way. The deadline is August next year. Further extension of this Roadmap will be untenable.
Now is the time to advance on the Constitution and Parliamentary reform. We must push for progress as we prepare for the upcoming London summit meeting on Somalia.
To further these efforts, I am announcing today that the United Nations Political Office for Somalia, UNPOS, will re-locate to Mogadishu, January next year.
On the military front, AMISOM has done a tremendous job in very difficult circumstances. I commend all those soldiers and particularly those who have paid the ultimate price, sacrificing their lives for peace and stability and a better life for the people of Somalia.
Working with AMISOM and the TFG, we must make sure that the gains on the ground are not reversed.
That requires AMISOM to deploy at its full strength of 12,000 troops. It also means helicopters and military engineering capabilities. In this regard, I welcome the recent endorsement by the Kenyan Parliament to dispatch soldiers to AMISOM and I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Governments of Burundi and Uganda for their soldiers working hard, courageously as AMISOM soldiers.
The TFG must establish local administrations in newly liberated areas in Mogadishu and south-central Somalia.
On the humanitarian front, UN agencies and NGOs have done outstanding work. Their collective efforts have saved thousands of lives since famine was declared in July.
But the situation – particularly in central and southern Somalia – remains dire. Four million people are in crisis; 250,000 people face famine.
Meanwhile, there are new threats to humanitarians. I condemn the recent attacks and actions of Al-Shabaab. Humanitarian organizations in Somalia remain strictly neutral. Their mission is only to save lives, to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance. Any attack on them is an attack on the most vulnerable people in the country.
On all of these challenges, the African Union and other regional organizations like IGAD, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, can play a critical role together with the United Nations. Being here is the most visible way for us to send a clear message to the people of Somalia: You are not alone.
The United Nations and the broader international community stand with you and will stay with you as you shape and build your own future.
This is my commitment as Secretary-general of the United Nations. This is the United Nations priority. And it is why we are together with you. Thank you very much.
Q: [Inaudible question on the Secretary-General’s message to other groups and to the people of Somalia]
SG: The message to all other groups in Somalia, including, al Shabaab, is that peace and security and human rights, they have regional implications. Somalia has been suffering too long and too much. This is the time to reconcile [with] each other and bring forth peace and security and deliver so that the Transitional Federal Government can deliver basic needs and services to many people.
That is why we are here. I am urging all stakeholders and particularly people, whatever differences there may be among the groups—they have to reconcile. And I am urging again the TFG leadership -President Sheikh Ahmed, the Parliament Speaker, the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers — they should do all their efforts to implement this Roadmap.
And take decisive, bold political reforms including parliamentary reform and strengthening the capacities of national institutions, including security forces and national police forces, and provide basic services, basic [inaudible] humanitarian systems. Of course, I know that you lack all these capacity and resources.
That is why the United Nations are mobilizing all the international community’s support. But this support should not be taken for granted. While we are very much sympathetic to such challenges and plights in your country, you must also have a clear vision for your future. This future should be shaped by the Somali people. Remember: the United Nations will always be with you. Thank you.
SOMALI MEDIA
A send-off party for outgoing AU peacekeepers held in Mogadishu
12 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 162 words
A farewell party for a battalion of outgoing African Union peacekeepers, AMISOM, was on Sunday held in the former Somali National University in the capital, Mogadishu. The soldiers from Burundi serving in the AU Mission in Somalia are set to go back home after completing their tour of duty in the war-torn Hon of African country. They will be replaced by fresh officers from the same country.
Somali president jets to Qatar, meets officials
10 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Mareeg Online – 127 words
The president of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, late on Friday flew to Qatar’s capital Doha, for talks with senior officials. Source at the Somali presidential palace said that the president got an invitation from Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani and both officials are likely to discuss the drought and instability situation of Somalia.
Somali PM urges forces to tighten Mogadishu’s security
10 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Shabelle – 175 words
The Prime Minister for Somalia’s Transitional Federal government Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, has urged the security forces to tighten Mogadishu’s overall security. While addressing at a ceremony held in a military academy in the capital, Mogadishu, where around a thousand armed forces for TFG completed their long running train, Somali premier said the troops should secure and prevent the country’s lawless city from the repeated roadside bombs and car suicides by al Shabaab, which claimed many innocent lives of Somali people.
Somalia: Cabinet ministers held talks in Mogadishu
11 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 115 words
Executive council of Somali transitional federal government on Sunday held meeting in the capital Mogadishu aimed at security improvement, Premier’s return home and arrangements of UN consultative talks in Garowe, official said. Spokesman of Somali transitional federal government, Eng. Abdirahman Omar Yarisow held press conference after the meeting of the cabinet ministers chaired by Somali Premier, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali saying that it was to analyzed security in Mogadishu, the trip of Dr. Abdiweli in which he paid visit to Qatar, Doha, Kuwait and Kenya.
A send-off party for outgoing AU peacekeepers held in Mogadishu
12 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 162 words
A farewell party for a battalion of outgoing African Union peacekeepers, AMISOM, was on Sunday held in the former Somali National University in the capital, Mogadishu. The soldiers from Burundi serving in the AU Mission in Somalia are set to go back home after completing their tour of duty in the war-torn Hon of African country. They will be replaced by fresh officers from the same country.
Landmine kills 6 government soldiers in the southern Somalia
10 Dec – Source: Mareeg Online – 89 words
At least 6 soldiers of Somali transitional federal government were killed and others wounded by landmine explosion targeted on an armed vehicle passing in between Dhobley and Tabta resident south Somalia this afternoon, reports said.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
ASWJ arrests ten of its militias for robbery and extortion
12 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 122 words
Ahlu Sunna administration in Dhusamareb town on Friday paraded ten of its militias who were allegedly arrested while engaged in criminal activities, officials say. ASWJ officials told Bar-kulan that some of the accused were caught manning illegal roadblocks inside the town while others ambushed and robbed a pick-up truck ferrying Khat.
Somalia’s Galmudug state parliament denies president statement
11 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 157 words
The parliament of Galmudug state in central Somalia on Sunday denied statement from President Mohamed Ahmed Alin, in which he said the decision to sack him few weeks ago was organized by outside figures who are against him.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somali rebel group calls Kenya to withdraw
11 Dec – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 69 words
Somali rebel group, al Shabaab has called on neighbouring country, Kenya to withdraw its forces inside Somali territory and claimed victory over past wars they had with Kenyan army. Spokesman of al Shabaab, Shiekh Ali Dhere told reporters that Kenyan’s membership to the African union peacekeeping forces would not see threat against them and said they would fight.
Somalia: International Women’s Day celebrated in Puntland
11 Dec – Source: Garowe Online – 161 words
There was a huge turnout for International Women’s day in Garowe the capital city of Puntland, Garowe reports. The event which was held in downtown Garowe included many civil society members and officials from the Puntland government. The event included a parade and a fleet of vehicles with banners that said, “We say no more Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Puntland.”
Iraq offers 6 million dollar Aid to TFG
12 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 99 words
Reports from Cairo indicate that the transitional federal government of Somalia has been offered a 6 million dollar aid channeled through the Arab league by Iraq. TFG ambassador in Cairo Abdulahi Hassan Mohamud confirmed to Bar-kulan that Somali finance minister has recently received the financial aid from Iraq in Cairo following a visit he paid there.
Tensions run high in southern Somalia; telecommunication cut
10 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 133 words
Reports from the lower jubba region in southern Somalia say on Saturday that military movement and tensions of fighting run high in that region, amid the telecommunications in the area went off air in the past 24-hours.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somalia: Puntland executes two Al Shabaab convicted terrorists
11 Dec – Source: Garowe Online – 291 words
Government officials in Somalia’s Puntland State say they have executed two men convicted of committing terrorism crimes in Puntland, Garowe reports. Puntland’s Attorney-General Mohamud Hassan Aw’Osman told the media during a Saturday press conference in the Puntland capital of Garowe that the two men were executed by firing squad.
Kuwait Red Crescent delivers food aid in Kismayo
12 Dec – Source:: Radio Bar-kulan – 103 words
Kuwait Red Crescent has taken relief food to the port-city of Kismayo, al Shabaab militia stronghold in the lower jubba of Somalia. The food aid that was docked in Kismayo port is said to be reaching 300 tones composing of rice, flour and cooking oil.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kibaki: Our mission in Somalia relentless
12 Dec – Source: Capital FM – 266 words
President Mwai Kibaki on Monday vowed that Kenya will not relent in its fight against the al Shabaab. Speaking during celebrations to mark the 48th Jamhuri Day, President Kibaki said Kenya would remain committed to ensure the joint operation by Kenyan Defence Forces and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia forces wins peace and security in the region.
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/
Kenya to host refugees longer
12 Dec – Source: Daily Nation – 222 words
Kenya might continue to carry the burden of hosting Somali refugees next year even though the Dadaab camp is crowded. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) says it is still difficult to work in Somalia because of security fears for aid workers. (READ: Al Shabaab orders aid agencies to leave)
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya army, Somali militia swap Twitter insults
12 Dec – Source: AP – 717 words
Kenyan soldiers and members of an extremist Islamist militant group have been fighting each other in Somalia since Kenya invaded two months ago. Now, their spokesmen are taking the battle onto Twitter, with taunts, accusations and insults being directly traded in a rare engagement on the Internet.
The propaganda war on the micro blogging website shows the increasingly sophisticated use of media by both sides and underscores that there is often little reliable information about the conflict in Somalia that now directly or indirectly involves a half-dozen nations, analysts say.
Aid center bombed in Somalia, ICRC says
12 Dec – Source: UPI – 194 words
The International Community of the Red Cross said it was “alarmed” about the situation in Somalia after a nutritional center was bombed. The ICRC said a nutritional center run by the Somali Red Crescent Society was hit by an airstrike last weekend. The facility, in the southern Somali city of Bardera, was empty but suffered material damage during the strike.
Somalia militants publish slain peacekeeper IDs
12 Dec – Source: Reuters – 246 words
Islamist militant group al Shabaab released what it says are ID card scans of eight slain Burundian peacekeepers on Monday, the latest salvo in a growing propaganda campaign around the war in Somalia.