23 Dec 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- Somali government blocks parliamentary sessions (Source: Shabelle)
- Somali MP denounces UN envoy (Source: Shabeelle Media)
- KDF’s armoured vehicle destroyed by explosive (Source: the Star)
- Somalia ‘a threat to UK security’(AP)
- Britain to target Somalia terror training at conference (Source: AFP)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali government blocks parliamentary sessions
22 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 193 words
The Interior Ministry for the TFG has on Thursday blocked parliament from sessions in Mogadishu, days after a controversial vote Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden was replaced by MPs. In a press conference held in Garowe town by the Minister of Interior in National Security for TFG, Abdisamad mo’alin Mohamud talked about the internal fighting and differences among MPs over the firing of speaker from office.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Clashes erupt in parts of Dusamareb district, Galgadud region
22 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 89 words
At least two people had been killed and three others injured following a clash between Ahlu Sunna and al Shabaab militias at Bulu’le village, 35 km east of Dusamareb town. Reports say the fight erupted after Ahlu Sunna militias attacked a rebel base in the area. ASWJ officials claimed that they seized weapons from rebel fighters in an area near the village during the fight.
Ex- Somali PM calls Sharif Hassan to get ride of position
22 Dec – Source: Shabelle Media – 120 words
Somalia’s former premier Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on Thursday called on Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden to accept the decision of MPs for the sake of the Somali people, following the controversial vote to oust Sharif Hassan as Speaker by MPs. Ex-Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Abdillahi Farmajo said, “Sharif Hassan should accept the decision of MPs because they are the representatives of the people.”
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somali MP denounces UN envoy
22 Dec – Source: Shabeelle Media – 150 words
Somali MPs that recently dismissed the Speaker, Sharif Hasan Shaykh Adan today held a meeting in Mogadishu in which they discussed the situation in the country and said they support the consultation meeting that is being held in Garowe, the headquarter for Nugaal Region.
MPs get round two of fistfights underway
22 Dec – Source: Garowe Online – 198 words
A fight broke out in Parliament in the capital Mogadishu, when MPs opposing Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sharif Adan and supporters of him clashed, Radio Garowe reports.
MPs who opposed Sharif Hassan met in Parliament in Mogadishu despite AMISOM peacekeepers’ efforts to stop them from meeting due to the Speakers absence.
Third night of heavy fighting rocks Mogadishu
22 Dec- Source: Somali Report-, Radio Kulmiye- 37 words
At least five were left dead and four injured as heavy fighting broke out between al Shabaaab and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) backed by African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) in Heliwa district of Mogadishu late Wednesday, according to residents and officials.
Iranian Doctors visit Somaliland
22 Dec- Source: Hadhwanaag Times, Hiiraan Online- 136 words
Doctor from Iran on Thursday paid a key visit to the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa. The Iranian doctors, who were ten in number, were cordially welcomed in Egal Airport by the general director of Somaliland’s ministry of Health. The manager of Star Group Mr. Ismail Abdi Hassan said they made an extra ordinary effort to bring those doctors to the country which he said is in desperate need for foreign medical help.
REGIONAL MEDIA
KDF’s armoured vehicle destroyed by explosive
22 Dec- Source: the Star- 163 words
A Kenya Defence Force (KDF) Armoured Personnel Carrier was destroyed when it drove over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Somalia but no casualties were reported. According to the military spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir, the vehicle was on patrol between Tabda and Dhobley when it drove over the explosive device at Hawina area.
http://www.the-star.co.ke/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia ‘a threat to UK security’
22 Dec- Source: AP- 275 words
Somalia is a direct threat to the UK’s security because it is one of the “most dysfunctional countries in the world”, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has warned. Mr Mitchell has also announced that Britain will provide more than 9,000 tonnes of food supplies and medicines to drought-ravaged regions in the Horn of Africa this Christmas. He told the BBC: “There are probably more British passport holders engaged in terrorist training in Somalia than in any other country in the world”.
Britain to target Somalia terror training at conference
22 Dec- Source: AFP- 325 words
Britain pledged Thursday to use a London conference on Somalia next year to come up with new measures to combat terror training in the war-torn country. International development minister Andrew Mitchell told BBC radio that the large number of British nationals attending Somali training camps were a security risk which needed to be addressed urgently.
Somali women defy danger to write basketball history
22 Dec- Source: CNN- 691 words
It’s just a few minutes after the final whistle has blown and the shiny basketball court of the Al Gharafa Sports Hall in Doha is filled with shouts and cheers. The sky blue-clad national women’s basketball team from war-ravaged Somalia has just beaten Qatar, the host nation, at the 2011 Arab Games, in a hotly-contested match that ended 67-57 to the East African country.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
Protect refugee camps
22 Dec- Source: Daily Nation- 179 words
Though Kenya is assailed by a host of problems, the government must not neglect its responsibility of providing security in refugee camps. Reports that aid agencies have suspended operations in Dadaab refugee camp due to insecurity are highly disturbing. While UN caters for the welfare of refugees, our security agencies have the responsibility of ensuring their safety. It is common sense that the country should beef up security in such camps bordering Somalia to ensure they are not infiltrated by bad elements that threaten the lives of aid workers. The International Organisation for Migration reports that all medical staff seconded by the Kenya Red Cross have suspended operations. It was lack of insecurity that led to two Spanish aid workers being kidnapped. Should all aid workers abandon the camps, the government would be forced to feed the refugees. It would be far cheaper to provide security than take care of refugees who keep streaming to Dadaab camp because of the ongoing war. Currently, it is estimated that 30,000 refugees join Dadaab from Somalia every month.
http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/