15 Jul 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- Bank accounts for supporting IDPs in Somalia
- TFG raises security concern about formation of regional states in Somalia
- Kenyan Premier visits Somali refugees in Dadaab camps
- UNICEF airlifts relief aid to al Shabaab held Baidoa
- Al Shabaab compels Bardera traders to pay money
- Contact Group says Somali piracy continues to be a threat to maritime activity
PRESS STATEMENT
Bank accounts for supporting IDPs in Somalia
14 Jul – Source: TFG – 297 words
The National IDP Support Committee of Ministers recently appointed by the Prime Minister opened Bank Accounts for use by anyone willing to support the IDPs. The Committee also resolved that the 100% of the aid will reach it’s the drought stricken population. Monies received at the Bank Accounts opened at the Somali Central Bank as well as at the Dahabshiil Money Transfer Company will be managed by the National IDP Support Committee.
The only purpose for opening these accounts is to be an address for people who wish to deliver aid to the people displaced by the drought. The accounts are listed below:
A) US Dollar Account #750: Central Bank of Somalia – Mogadishu. B) Somali Shilling Account #749: Central Bank of Somalia – Mogadishu. C) US Dollar Account #8495: Dahabshiil Money Transfer Company.
So far, the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia deposited into the account $500,000 as an initial payment for meeting some of the needs of the drought stricken citizens across Somalia. Similarly, the Somali Military has donated $10,000 towards supporting the IDPs, while the National Security Agency Employees donated $5,000 in support of the IDPs. From the Somali Communities in the Diaspora, the Somali Ladies of Bristol, UK delivered to the Somali Ministry of Finance $5,000 to help the IDPS.
SOMALI MEDIA
TFG raises security concern about formation of regional states in Somalia
14 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 152 words
The Transitional Federal Government is concerned about the formation of semi-autonomous regional states in Somalia saying they are likely to undermine peace efforts in the country.
Kenyan Premier visits Somali refugees in Dadaab camps
14 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 165 words
Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga has on Thursday visited Dadaab refugee camps in northern Kenya to assess the plight of thousands of Somali refugees in the camps.
UNICEF airlifts relief aid to al Shabaab held Baidoa
14 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 148 words
United Nations’ Children Agency, UNICEF, has for the first time airlifted relief aid meant for severely malnourished Somali children in Baidoa, an al Shabaab controlled town, two years after the militia banned international aid agencies from operating in the area.
Somali students to receive scholarships for higher education
14 Jul – Source: Hiiraan Online – 494 words
Somalia has its many challenges as it faces its worst drought in 60 years; however, there is good news to celebrate as the country moves its plans to invest in its future. Nearly 1,000 high school graduates have registered for standard tests in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia to attempt a chance at scholarships.
http://www.hiiraan.com/news2/
Al Shabaab compels Bardera traders to pay money
14 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 121 words
Small-scale traders in Bardera district, Gedo region are being forced by al Shabaab to pay Sh. 200, 000 every month.
Al Shabaab member killed while planting explosives in Mogadishu
14 Jul – Source: Radio Shabelle – 136 words
An al Shabaab operative was reportedly killed while planting a bomb, which accidently detonated along Warshadaha road in of Hanta Dheer in Mogadishu.
REGIONAL MEDIA
National Security Threatened
14 Jul – Source: Star – 103 words
The latest influx of Somali refugees are a threat to Kenyan national security, according internal security minister George Saitoti. He says terror militia like the al Shabaab may take advantage of the current situation to executive their evil acts within Kenyan territory.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Contact Group says Somali piracy continues to be a threat to maritime activity
15 Jul – Source: Xinhua – 606 words
Somali piracy remains a threat to maritime vessels from all over the world, according to members of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, who spoke to reporters in New York.
http://english.peopledaily.
U.S. Begins Drone Strikes in Somalia
14 Jul – Source: New American – 1176 words
On June 23 the United States conducted an unmanned aerial drone attack in Somalia, killing at least one person and wounding others. The targets of the attack were members of the Somali militant group al-Shabaab, which for several years has been fighting the U.S.-backed Somali government. Recently, however, the group began “planning operations outside of Somalia,” a senior U.S. military official told the Washington Post.
Journalist kidnapping spurs Senate inquiry
14 Jul – Source: SMH – 463 words
THE case of an Australian man kidnapped and held hostage in Somalia for 15 months has sparked a Senate inquiry into the government’s response policy on Australians kidnapped overseas and held for ransom.
http://www.smh.com.au/