13 Jul 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- WFP considers returning to rebel-held Somali regions
- CIA using secret Somalia facility prison: report
- Al Shabaab kidnaps ICRC UNICEF workers
- Al-Qaeda-backed thugs hamper Somali refugee aid efforts
- Somalia’s national drought committee appeals for urgent international aid
- African Union deeply concerned by the drought situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa and its humanitarian consequences
- Shabelle donates cash to drought displaced Somalis
- World Food Program appeals for funds to help drought-hit Horn
- UN chief in Ban Ki-moon in Africa drought aid plea
PRESS STATEMENT
African Union deeply concerned by the drought situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa and its humanitarian consequences
12 Jul – Source: African Union – 1821 words
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping, reiterates AU’s deep concern at the prevailing humanitarian situation in Somalia, caused notably by the current drought affecting the country and the Horn of Africa, in general, which is one of the worst in recent memory. Close to 3 million people, that is 1 in 3 Somalis, are in need of humanitarian assistance. This has led to major displacements into urban areas, in particular Mogadishu, as well as in neighboring countries.
The Chairperson of the Commission notes with concern that the number of children suffering from malnutrition was estimated at about 600,000 in the first half of 2011, and is, unfortunately, expected to increase in the coming months. Against this background, the Chairperson of the Commission strongly calls on all AU member states to contribute in whatever way they can to the alleviation of the suffering of the affected populations. He calls on African humanitarian NGOs to contribute to the ongoing efforts.
The Chairperson of the Commission appeals to AU partners and international humanitarian organizations to provide the much needed financial and logistical support for the relief efforts in Somalia. He stresses the responsibility and obligation of the international community to assist the Somali people, who, for the past two decades, have experienced untold suffering as a result of the conflict tearing their country apart and the resulting collapse of state institutions. The Chairperson of the Commission expresses AU’s profound appreciation to all United Nations agencies and other humanitarian organizations that are already providing, in very challenging security conditions, assistance to the affected populations in a number of areas, in particular food, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter and non‐food items, and health. He encourages them to persevere in their efforts and assures them of AU’s continued support.
In this respect, the Chairperson of the Commission has directed the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to continue doing everything in its powers to provide security for humanitarian personnel in Mogadishu, in order to facilitate access to those in need of food and other relief items. AMISOM is already providing limited humanitarian assistance (medical care and water) to local communities in Mogadishu, as well as securing both the seaport and the airport, thus making possible the delivery of humanitarian relief.
The Chairperson of the Commission has requested the AU High Representative for Somalia, former President of Ghana Jerry John Rawlings, to pursue and intensify his efforts aimed at sensitizing African countries and mobilizing both financial and in‐kind support. The High- Representative will shortly travel to Mogadishu to assess the situation on the ground and make further recommendations on the best way forward.
Today, the Commission and the AU Sub‐Committee on Refugees and Displaced Persons meet to review the situation and identify additional steps in support of the relief efforts in Somalia, in particular, and the Horn of Africa, in general. Over the past few days, the Chairperson of the Commission held consultations with a number of stakeholders on the humanitarian situation in Somalia and East Africa and how best to enhance the response of the international community. In this respect, he met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Mr. Antonio Guterres, and Baroness Valerie Amos, Under‐Secretary‐General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (OCHA), on 8 and 9 July 2011, respectively. (…)
Due to this situation, thousands of Somalis are moving into major urban areas, in particular Mogadishu, as well as to neighbouring countries. According to the UNHCR, 5,200 people moved into Mogadishu in the month of June 2011. Between the end of June and early July, 4,800 Somalis were registered at the Dadaab refugee camps in eastern Kenya, while an average of 1,000 people were daily received at the Doolow Ado camp in Ethiopia. In the month of June alone, a total of 54,000 Somalis crossed into Ethiopia and Kenya, a three‐fold increase compared to the month of May. The drought is affecting a number of other countries in East Africa. The affected population increased from about 6.3 million in 2010 to more than 10 million in July 2011.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somalia’s national drought committee appeals for urgent international aid
13 Jul – Source: Shabelle, Mareeg – 153 words
The Somali national drought committee has issued an urgent appeal humanitarian assistance. The Chairman of the drought committee and the Minister of Defence, Abdihakim Hajji Mohamoud Fiqi said Somalia has been experiencing severe drought, and a lot of people are dying of hunger pointing almost every day in Mogadishu and other regions. The minister added that the Bay, Gedo, Lower Shabelle and Middle Shabelle regions are the most affected by the drought.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Al Shabaab kidnaps ICRC, UNICEF workers
13 Jul – Source: Mareeg Online, Shabelle, Raxanreeb, Xinhua – 130 words
Two Somali staff working for UNICEF and ICRC has been kidnapped by al Shabaab in Baidoa, Bay region, 250 KM south Mogadishu, reports said. Ali Mo’allim Black an employee of UNICEF was reportedly kidnapped from the head office in Baidoa while Abdirisak Mohamed an employee of ICRC was abducted on his way from his house in Baidoa, according to reports.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Minister for information: We will continue to donate aid to the drought-hit people
13 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 179 words
The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia has announced it will continue its effort to donate and assist the internally displaced person. The government also sent emissaries to border and other regions to get a clear picture and assess the situation of the people The Minister for Information of the TFG Hon. Abdikarim Hassan Jama who spoke with Radio Mogadishu gave detailed account of what the government did in order to assist the droughtdisplaced people who flocked to Mogadishu. He said the government formed committees to assist the people with aid. He said the program of assisting the people have been embarked on by the drought committee at national level, the army and community.
Mr. Abdikarim Hassan Jama also said the president has formed an office which will primary look and tackle issue of drought where he said 500 thousand dollars was catered for the drought by the government whereas the soldiers donated 10 thousand dollars and dates. The minister reiterated that the government will not tire from helping the people and that they will continue with the emergency programs.
Ahlu Sunna warns Himan and Heb, Gal-Mudug administrations
13 Jul – Source: Shabelle – 116 words
Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa (ASWJ) on Wednesday sent a warning message to the local administrations of Himan and Heb and Gal-Mudug about the ongoing clan related skirmishes in central Somalia. The security head of Ahlu Sunna, Sheikh Ali Dhere said they are cautioning the two administrations against instigating clannish hostilities in ASWJ controlled areas, which are relatively stable.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Shabelle donates cash to drought displaced Somalis
12 Jul – Source: Radio Shabelle – 266 words
The Aid Committee of Shabelle Media Network on Tuesday delivered cash donations to hundreds of drought displaced people who recently arrived in Mogadishu seeking humanitarian assistance. Shabelle’s aid committee has distributed over 28 millions of Somali Shillings about ($ 920) in cash to more than three hundred destitute families in Mogadishu’s Hodan district. According to Committee, each family was given 200,000 Somali Shillings (USD 6), while some received 100,000 Somali Shillings (USD 3) each.
Al Shabaab apprehends 10 people in central Somalia
13 Jul – Source: Radio Shabelle – 177 words
Al Shabaab militants have detained 10 people after search operations in Eldher district, Galgudud region in central Somalia. The suspects are reportedly being detained at a centre in the area for punishment, according to the witnesses.
5 killed, 9 hurt in central Somalia clan fighting
13 Jul – Source: Radio Shabelle, Kulmiye – 111 words
Five people have been killed and 9 others injured in renewed clan fighting in Central Somalia. On Tuesday, fighting between two fraternal clans flared in parts of Mudug region, according to witnesses. The wounded were taken to the towns of Adado and Galka’yo for treatments.
Puntland president holds talks with new Somali premier, UN, Italian officials
12 Jul Source: Radio Garowe- 250 words
A government delegation led by the President of Puntland State of Somalia, Abdirahman Muhammad Mahmud (Farole), has held important talks with key officials from Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG), the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) and senior officials from the Government of the Republic of Italy.
The president’s delegation flew from the Puntland capital of Garoowe on 8 July and arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, where President Farole had a private dinner with Somalia’s new Prime Minister, H.E. Abdiweli Muhammad Gas. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including new TFG cabinet appointments, the expected Somalia National Consultation Conference, completion of the Draft Federal Constitution, and improving TFG-Puntland relations.
On Sunday, President Farole met with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG), H.E. Amb Augustine Mahiga. During this meeting, the president was accompanied by the minister of ports, Hon. Si’id Muhammad Rage, minister of education, Hon Abdi Farah Si’id (Juha), the state minister for international relations, Hon Abdulkadir Abdi Hashi, and Puntland’s Liaison Officer in Nairobi, Mr Muhammad Hasan Barre.
Discussions covered a range of issues, including the Somalia National Consultation Conference, completion of the transitional process, as well as strengthening relations between the Puntland government and UN agencies.
Also on Sunday, the President of Puntland held extensive talks with a senior delegation from the Government of the Republic of Italy, led by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Alfredo Mantica. The meeting was a follow-up to President Farole’s visit to Italy in March 2011.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Civilian protection key to AMISOM operations
12 Jul – Source: New Vision – 968 words
Since 2003, the African Union (AU) has deployed several peace support operations to help resolve conflicts in various countries across the continent. These include Burundi, Sudan, Somalia, the Comoros, and a hybrid operation jointly with the UN in Darfur. Of these, only those in Sudan and Darfur hold an explicit mandate for the protection of civilians in their areas of operation.
However, all the missions, have, to a greater or lesser degree, faced protection challenges throughout the course of their deployment, and utilized varying strategies to address these. In line with the commitment to respect the sanctity of human life, as articulated in its Constitutive Act, the AU has been developing guidelines for the protection of civilians in the Peace Support Operations PSOs.
To help in this Endeavour, from July 6-8, 2011 its mission in Somalia, AMISOM, will be holding an international conference in Kigali, Rwanda, which will seek to draw lessons from the experience in the Horn of Africa to enhance respect for International Humanitarian Law in the execution of all its mandated tasks. This Conference is just the latest step in which key stakeholders, including international human rights organizations, will come together for a frank and open exchange as part of a continuing process of consultation and deliberation to generate concrete recommendations on how the peace operations can better reflect the high priority the AU attaches to international law and civilian protection.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8
World Food Program appeals for funds to help drought-hit Horn
13 Jul – Source: Coastwek, Xinhua – 496 words
The United Nations (UN) World Food Program (WFP) on Tuesday appealed for urgent funding to cover a 40- percent shortfall in the agency’s 477 million-U.S. dollar budget amounting to 189.35 million dollars for operations in the Horn of Africa, including vital food for growing numbers of refugees in Kenya and Ethiopia.
In a statement received in Nairobi, WFP said it is urgently scaling up the delivery of highly fortified, supplementary food products especially targeting the first 1,000 days of life. “We also urge the continued support for the longer term initiatives that will help communities living in the Horn of Africa to break out of the vicious cycle of drought and disaster,” WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran said in the statement. Such efforts in Karamoja, in eastern Uganda, in advance of this full-scale emergency, have helped to build resiliency there and require less emergency action now, she said.
http://www.coastweek.com/3427_
Kenya overwhelmed by Somali refugees – minister
12 Jul – Source: Daily Nation – 425 words
The government wants new refugees settled outside Kenya to ease congestion in existing camps. Internal Security assistant minister Orwa Ojode said Kenya is overwhelmed by the number of people fleeing Somalia which has escalated in recent months. “It’s a very heavy burden which we did not budget for. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) can feed them in Somalia since the latest arrivals are not fleeing due to insecurity but lack of food,” he said.
The minister said 16,398 refugees entered Kenya in June compared to 9,958 who arrived in March. Another 9,569 and 8,627 entered Kenya in April and May respectively. The increased number, he said, was causing insecurity and environmental degradation. The refugees at the Dadaab camp in Northern Kenya have however vowed not to go back to Somalia even if the drought ends today, rather be exposed to gunfire in Somalia. “We have had challenges here, but at least we get constant supply of food rations and our children get medical attention.” said Mahmoud Gulled, a refugee who is in charge of about 400 families at the camp.
Rukiah Ali, 60, says drought and war make it very dangerous to live in Somalia. “Al-Shabaab would force us to donate food to them as Zakat (alms), and those who failed were killed.” The declaration by the refugees came as a top emergency aid official of the United Nations (UN) expressed her disappointment over Kenya’s refusal to open the Ifo II camp to decongest Dadaab camps which were built to hold 90,000 refugees rather than the current 400,000. (READ: Kenya told to open up new refugee camp)
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/
Mandera dwellers insecurity protest
13 Jul- Source: Nairobi Star- 77 words
Residents of Mandera are holding street demonstrations in the town to protest against raising insecurity. The protest comes days after three cars loaded with Miraa valued at over three million shilling were carjacked by Somali militia. One of the vehicles was commandeered into Somalia on Friday and has not been recovered. They are accusing the government of failing to deal with the Al Shabaab militia who are crossing into the town to commit crimes and leave at will.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
CIA using secret Somalia facility, prison: report
12 Jul – Source: AFP, Nation, Raxanreeb, Press TV, CNN, Garowe – 480 words
The US Central Intelligence Agency is using a secret facility in Somalia for counterterrorism purposes as well as a secret prison in the Somali capital, the magazine The Nation reported Tuesday. The report said the CIA has “a sprawling walled compound” in a corner of the Mogadishu airport on the coast of the Indian Ocean that looks like a small gated community, with more than a dozen buildings behind large protective walls. According to the magazine, the site is guarded by Somali soldiers, but the Americans control access.
A US official familiar with intelligence matters denied the report. “The CIA does not run or maintain or have any prison detention facilities in Somalia,” nor does it “interrogate detainees there,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity. She also said that only “in very rare instances” does the spy agency participate in debriefings led by Somali agents in the country.
The Nation said the effort is part of a focus on the Shabaab, the Al Qaeda-linked group in the region blamed for a number of plots against the United States. It said the CIA seeks to build “an indigenous strike force capable of snatch operations and targeted ‘combat’ operations” against the Shabaab. The report said the CIA also uses a secret prison buried in the basement of Somalia’s National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters, where prisoners suspected of being Shabaab members or of having links to the group are held.
WFP considers returning to rebel-held Somali regions
13 Jul – Source: AFP, Daily Nation, and VOA – 187 words
The World Food Programme said Wednesday it was mulling a return to Somali regions controlled by the radical Shabaab rebels, who last week appealed for help for thousands of drought-ravaged civilians. The Al-Qaeda-inspired insurgents expelled foreign aid groups from their fiefdoms in southern and central Somalia two years ago.
“With needs so great in southern Somalia, WFP is working with the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator to explore every possibility to return if conditions allow and if the necessary security clearance from the United Nations is granted,” it said in a statement. “WFP will also consult with donor governments to ensure that they are comfortable with the complexities and risk associated with any resumption of humanitarian operations.” Around three million of Somalia’s 10 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance due to a searing drought that has hit the Horn of Africa region.
Horn of Africa drought: UK charities boost Somalia aid
13 Jul – Source: BBC – 419 words
British aid agencies are preparing to expand their activities in Somalia to help some of the 10 million people at risk of starvation in East Africa. Relief operations have been constrained by the security situation in Somalia. But Islamist militant group al-Shabaab last week announced it was lifting a ban on foreign aid organizations because of the severity of the drought. The UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee has launched an appeal after severe drought in the Horn of Africa.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said Somalia, where there has been no national government for 20 years, was one of the hardest places in the world to deliver aid. Most international aid agencies in the country have been banned from working in areas under the control of al Shabaab, which is thought to have links to al-Qaeda. DEC charities are preparing to increase their work in southern Somalia as thousands of people continue to flee to Kenya, Ethiopia and even Somalia’s war-torn capital Mogadishu. BBC world affairs correspondent Peter Biles says the agencies are now looking at every opportunity to help people in Somalia, although the new arrangements with al Shabaab are still to be tested.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-
Al-Qaeda-backed thugs hamper Somali refugee aid efforts
13 Jul – Source: Mirror – 245 words
Armed Somali gangsters are hampering the efforts of aid workers keeping thousands of drought refugees alive. Three men were arrested yesterday after a local doctor treating starving children at a camp in Dadaab, Kenya, suffered head injuries following an attack. He was hit with a machete and medical equipment taken.
Police in Dadaab, home to 400,000 mostly Somali refugees, say the bandits are backed by al- Qaeda affiliated terror group al Shabaab. The source said: “They come over the border in gangs and use weapons to terrorize the poor people who are just trying to stay alive. “It is almost impossible for us to stop them because there are so many places for them to cross into Kenya.” Women are increasingly at risk of sex attacks in the camps and there has been a surge in reports of rape.
Our nine-hour journey from the capital Nairobi to Dadaab was fraught with challenges. We were stopped at a police checkpoint and warned we would not be able to continue without armed guards. We were then offered two men carrying AK47 rifles for the day – for a fee.
Somalia famine ‘not far off’
13 Jul – Source: BBC – 1807 words
Desperate government officials in drought-stricken areas of Somalia are telling people to survive by eating leaves, as the drought situation worsens, hardy camels die and the announcement of a state of famine draws closer. This is the season of the Gu’ in Somalia, the time of the life-giving rainy season that lasts from April to the end of July. But the rains have not come for the second successive time and in its place have come a severe drought, which is threatening at least four million lives in Somalia alone. Aid agencies are now talking about an inevitable declaration of a famine in Somalia for the first time since 1992.
Then, at the height of a vicious civil war, more than 200,000 people died but many more could be threatened this time round. The main reason for the severity of this drought – as compared to the droughts of previous years – is the catastrophic and extensive death of livestock. Somalis are mainly nomadic herders and more than 65% of people depend on their animals to survive. The BBC has discovered that in some regions of Somalia, approximately 80% of livestock has been wiped out. Most of the remaining animals are too emaciated to produce milk or fetch any money at the market.
The rich herders, those with more than 400 head, are becoming poor; the poor herders are becoming utterly destitute and dependent on camps for internally displaced people (IDP).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/
UN chief in Ban Ki-moon in Africa drought aid plea
13 Jul – Source: BBC – 76 words
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appealed to member states to dig deep in order to prevent “catastrophe” in the Horn of Africa. Severe drought has led to widespread crop failures in the region, leaving millions at risk of starvation. UN agencies have asked for $1.6 bn to fund aid activities but so far only half that amount has been raised. Speaking in New York, Mr. Ki-moon said that more than 11m people needed “urgent assistance”