23 Aug 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- First Battalion of Sierra Leonean peacekeepers head for Somalia
- Security meeting on Somalia held in Mogadishu
- President addresses the nation
- Al Shabaab are forcibly recruiting youths in Elasha-biyaha village
- More money needed to relocate Somali refugees in Dadaab camp
- Turkish military to send aid vessel to Somalia
SOMALI MEDIA
President addresses the nation
22 Aug- Source: Radio Mogadishu- 196 words
Addressing the nation live from Radio Mogadishu, Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, has said that there are plans to rebuild the national army, putting emphasis on the recent victory by the TFG forces, the dire humanitarian situation in Somalia as well as the visits by world heads reflecting a sign of peace.
President Sharif left for Dubai
22 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Bar-Kulan, Shabelle – 102 words
Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has on Monday left Adan Adde international airport for Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Before his departure the president held talks with a U.N delegation led by United Nations special envoy to Somalia, Augustine Mahiga at the airport.
Security meeting on Somalia held in Mogadishu
22 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Shabelle, Bar-Kulan – 235 words
A key meeting on Somalia security was held in Mogadishu’s int’l airport gathering top government officials and members from the international community. During the meeting, a security committee from the TFG, United Nations, IGAD, Arab League, and African Union discussed plans to stabilize Mogadishu.
Al Shabaab are recruiting youths by force in Elasha-biyaha village
22 Aug- Source: Radio Mogadishu, Somaliareport- 54 words
Al Shabaab militia started forcing the youths of Elasha-biyaha village on the outskirts of Mogadishu to take part in the fight against the Somali government and AMISOM. The resident of Elasha said that hundreds of young men are fleeing the village to avoid al Shabaab’s forced recruitment.
Galmudug president calls for aid for IDPs in Galkayo
22 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 122 words
Galmudug president Mohamed Ahmed Alin has urged aid agencies to swiftly provide humanitarian aid to drought and famine displaced people reaching refugee camps in Galkayo town. After visiting IDP camps in and around Galkayo town, the president held a press conference and said the drought situation in the region is appalling.
Three killed as Somali soldiers fire at IDPs collecting aid
22 Aug – Source: Shabelle – 104 words
Some TFG soldiers on Monday opened fire at internally displaced people collecting aid in Mogadishu, killing at least three people and wounding three others, witnesses said. The fire came as the TFG soldiers were looting aid food from Turkish government destined to help Somalia’s famine affected people. The IDPs are said to have fled from the scene leaving behind their food, according to eyewitnesses.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Fire guts refugee camp in Galkayo
22 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 133 words
At least 150 makeshift houses got burnt after fire caused by charcoal stove left in the open gutted an IDP camp in northern Galkayo town which hosts hundreds of refugees. Reports say there were no human fatalities reported so far but almost all the ill-fated makeshifts houses were destroyed during the incident.
REGIONAL MEDIA
More money needed to relocate Somali refugees in Dadaab camp
22 Aug- Source: Coastweek, Xinhua- 457 words
A United Nations aid agency on Friday called for additional funds to help relocate thousands of Somali refugees living under deplorable conditions outside the Dadaab camp, in northern Kenya, currently the world’s largest refugee center.
http://www.coastweek.com/3433_
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
First Battalion of Sierra Leonean peacekeepers head for Somalia
22 Aug- Source: Sierra express media- 336 words
Minister of Defense and National Security, Hon. Retired Major Alfred Palo Conteh, on Wednesday announced in Addis Ababa that Sierra Leone will contribute a Battalion of peacekeepers to the AMISOM. He made the announcement during a Technical Consultative Meeting on AMISOM held on 17th and 18th August 2011.
http://www.sierraexpressmedia.
African drought victims create world’s largest refugee camp
22 Aug – New York Times – 216 words
The United Nations this week appealed for $1.2 billion more to help the region. Speaking upon her return from Somalia and Kenya, the UN’ undersecretary-general for humanitarian and emergency relief Valerie Amos described Dadaab as “more a city than a camp,” with new arrivals from Somalia arriving, and dying, each day.
China donates $16m to famine-stricken Somalia
22 Aug – Source: China Daily – 290 words
China has made its largest single donation to the United Nations World Food Programme with $16 million towards famine relief operation in Somalia, WFP said on Monday. Combined with earlier donations, China’s support for WFP is beyond $20 million in 2011, according to the release.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/
Turkish military to send aid vessel to Somalia
22 Aug- Source: AFP- 107 words
The Turkish military will send an aid vessel to famine-hit Somalia, where the United Nations has officially declared a famine in five regions of the country, the army said on its website on Monday. A frigate belonging to Turkish naval forces will accompany the vessel and then join the international force in the region to fight against piracy, the military said.