24 jun 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- We shall keep on fighting against al Shabaab
- Speech by minister of defence of Somalia Abdihakim M. Fiqi
- Two killed in US French attack on Somalia insurgents base
- Bloody battle claims 17 in Gedo Bohol-Bashir is the latest military frontline
- 3 militants wounded in air strike in southern Somalia
- Uganda military chief meets exiting Somali PM
- Parliament speaker calls for urgent aid for drought affected
Titres Principaux:
- Nous continuerons à combattre al Shabaab
- Discours du ministere de la Defense Abdihakim M. Fiqi
- Deux tués dans une attaque des E-U et de la France sur une base des insurgés Somaliens
- Un combat sanglant tue 17 personnes à Gedo; Bohol-Bashir est la dernière ligne de front
- Trois militants blessés dans une attaque aérienne dans le Sud de la Somalie
- Un chef militaire Ougandais rencontre le premier minister Somalien sortant
- Le porte-parole du parlement appelle à une aide urgente aux victimes de la sécheresse
PRESS STATEMENT
Speech by minister of Defence of Somalia Abdihakim M. Fiqi
24 Jun – Source: Abdihakim M. Haji Fiqi, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of
Somalia Joint Security Committee Meeting, Entebbe, Uganda – 23 June 2011 – 1300 words
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our new Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali. His appointment is a sign that President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed wants continuity and that we will further pursue our progress towards security, political outreach and completing all transitional tasks including the draft constitution. I also want to thank Gen. Nathan Mugisha for his leadership during his tenure as the AMISOM Force Commander in Somalia. Gen. Mugisha made a real difference to the people of Mogadishu. He was passion for the people and he is a real friend to all of us. He has made vast improvements towards partnership working with us (TFG). We wish him all the best for his future, and I am sure, he will still continue to helping Somalia by becoming an ambassador for the people of Somalia. AMISOM was also instrumental for humanitarian assistance to Somalis in Mogadishu, when civilians need medical treatment they all want to be taken to AMISOM hospital and this shows AMISOM’s commitments to the people. Gen. Mugisha was also helping the local administration in Mogadishu to providing service delivery to the people of Somalia. I would also like to welcome his successor Gen Fred Mugisha and we will look forward to working with him and I can assure you that we will be your credible partner.
In Somalia, it is increasingly evident that progress in security sector development is indispensable in meeting the vastly complex set of risks, threats and challenges to consolidating the political progress. We are grateful to the United Nations, the United States, European Union, African Union, Italy, Sweden, UK, Norway, Japan, IGAD, and the international community at large for standing with us in all these difficulty years. Only God knows what would have become of our nation without such a great support. Excellencies and distinguished participants, we have to bring excellent partnership working among us. We should support each other and consider the bigger picture which is helping the people of Somalia and to bringing peace and stability in the country. We are facing the dual threat of violent extremism and piracy. And no country can remain secure without a national army to protect it. We are in the middle of reorganization, training and deployment of our Security Institutionspolice, national army, homeland security apparatus, and judicial system. We are in the process of integrating various army units trained in various countries under various programs, and we are in the process of centralizing the command between the Somali National Force and other armed groups in support of the TFG.
Somalia has its first time submitted Universal Periodic Review Report on Human Rights to the UN Human Rights Council on 3rd May 2011. The TFG made its commitment to ensuring that all human rights violations are not allowed to continue within our country. The TFG aims to develop child soldier policy in line with the International laws on child protection. TFG has recently experienced an influx of young people running away from extremist groups. Currently we are hosting over 200 young men between the ages of 13-35 former fighters who defected from al-Shabaab. In light of that the TFG has appointed a task force to deal with this issue. We would like to see this program expanded, and we certainly like to see more involvement from the international community. Since the last JSC meeting, there has been a good development. The Somali security forces reenforced by AMISOM continue to make striking military gains over the extremist al Shabaab. This has lead to the liberation of a number of territories which were under the control of the extremists Al-Shabaab and as said this morning by the TFG Chief of General Staff and General Nathan Mugisha. Compared to the armed violence incidents in 2010, the level of violence, including suicide attacks and bombing has considerably declined in Government/AMISOM controlled districts and communities. As a result the civilian casualties have gone down considerably.
However, we are facing huge challenges that require our attention. al Shabaab has already changed their tactics by committing suicide bombings. Recently we have lost our Minister of Interior and National Security in a suicide bombing. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and the people of Somalia for his loss. He was really doing his best to bringing peace and stability in Somalia. Over 80% of the population of Mogadishu now lives in areas controlled by the Government and AMISOM. In essence, public perception, opinion, trust and confidence have greatly improved in support of the Government and AMISOM troops. These good developments should be mainly attributed to the improved donor assistance, both to AMISOM forces and to the TFG security sector institutions in Somalia. Since the appointment of a new cabinet in November 2010, the TFG continues to participate in regular and periodic meetings of the JSC and its technical working groups; cabinet ministers attended senior leadership seminars on security decision making processes in Djibouti, January, 2011. The decisions at the JSC have lead to the development and adoption of a draft cabinet paper (Action Plan) outlining the immediate SSD priority actions that need to be implemented by the Government in the next six months.
The Somali Government continue to attend and co-chair the JSC technical working group meetings; including the Task Force on Defectors. However, we must regularly and continually meet in order to ensure that we fully implement all outstanding issues in the security sector. We should meet every two months. With international assistance, the Somali Government led Security Sector Scoping Assessment Mission (SSSAM) Report, 2011, based upon findings and recommendations of former senior Somali security and military experts. The mission to Mogadishu was conducted in January and February 2011. The findings and recommendations of this SSSAM report together with an earlier Security Sector Assessment published in 2010 will inform the process of revising the 2009 National Security and Stabilization Plan (NSSP). The SSSAM was conducted as a collaborative effort by members of the Government, United Nations, US Government, European Union, African Union, IGAD, World Bank, civil society organizations and other stakeholders. It is expected that the NSSP will be revised and adopted before August 2011.
The military operational effectiveness has dramatically improved, as the current strength of the Somali National Security Force has increased from approximately 8,000 in 2010 to 10,106 in 2011, excluding friendly militia forces such as Al Sunna Wal Jamal (ASWJ), and the 2nd batch of recruits currently undergoing training support by the EU training mission in Kampala, Uganda. As we march forward, we resist to be blinded by any grandiose ambitions; therefore, in all fronts especially the security sector we resolved to measure our successes by one small positive accomplishment at a time. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your participation and lively discussions during the session. I hope that all your contributions, exchanged of ideas will further enhance the security improvements in Somalia.
http://www.jowhar.com/news.php?readmore=1732
SOMALI MEDIA
We shall keep on fighting against al Shabaab
24 Jun – Source: Shabelle – 117 words
The TFG president proclaimed that the government forces will keep on battling against al Shabaab fighter. He said the continuation of the battle against al Shabaab is meant freeing the country from the long-lasted civil war. The president went on to say that it is the time to defeat al Shabaab fighters as they are suffering from more failures according to the most recent battles in Mogadishu and southern Somalia regions. He asked the people of Somalia to give moral and material support to the newly named Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and his government to bring peace back to the Horn of Africa nation.
Two killed in US, French attack on Somalia insurgents base 24 Jun – Source: Radio Shabelle – 120 words Two people have been killed and two others were wounded after US and French helicopters reportedly attacked an al Shabaab base in the outskirts of Kismayo, southwestern Somalia. The two died of injuries resulting from the attack. An al Shabaab commander in Kismayo, Hasan Ya’qub, said “two al Shabaab fighters sustained light injuries after US and French helicopters attacked Qandal village”. He added that the al Shabaab fighters had “defended themselves during the air raid”.
This is not the first time that warplanes belonging to Western nations have attacked al Shabaab’ military bases in southern Somalia. In 2009, Saleh Nabhan, a senior Al-Qaeda operative was killed in southern Somalia in a US helicopter attack. Bloody battle claims 17 in Gedo, Bohol-Bashir is the latest military frontline 23 Jun – Source: Hiiraan Online – 293 wors At least 17 people were killed on Wednesday in Bohol-Bashiir village, 27 km East of Luuq town in Somalia’s southern region of Gedo following a bloody battle between the TFG and al Shabaab fighters.
At least 35 others sustained wounds as the fighting, which lasted for several hours, was one of the bloodiest yet in recent days. It is a part of a new offensive in which both the TFG and opposition Islamists fight for the control of the remote region. The latest battle also comes barely a week after another fierce fighting in Bohol-Bashir when al Shabaab fighters attacked by surprise the settlement with heavy artillery bombardments. A TFG military official told the local press that government forces have gunned down at least 15 insurgents. The official added that his side had lost only one soldier. There are no immediate reports confirming the government position as of Thursday.
http://www.hiiraan.com/news2/2011/Jun/bloody_battle_claims_17_in_gedo_bohol_bashir_is_the _latest_military_frontline.aspx
Parliament speaker calls for urgent aid for drought-affected
24 Jun – Source: Radio Shabelle – 88 words
The Speaker of Somali parliament on Thursday called for the international community and donor countries to urgently help the drought-affected Somali people. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adam, the speaker said that urgent humanitarian aid is vital for needy displaced Somalis at this difficulty time. He said that many regions in southern and central Somalia have endured severe drought, claiming the lives of so many people and their domestic animals. The speaker also urged the Somali society to help each other as the country is facing both political and humanitarian crisis.
Shabelle Valley accuses al Shabaab of harassing people
24 Jun – Source: Shabelle – 105 words
The administration of Shabelle Valley on Friday accused al Shabaab fighters of harassing Somali people. In an interview with Shabelle, the Minister of Information of Shabelle Valley administration Mohamed Nur Agajof said that al Shabaab are regularly blocking aid food from reaching the needy people whose lives are severely affected by the drought. Agajof also said the fighters of the group are also doing everything to refuse people getting water by torturing them. He called on the residents under al Shabaab’s control to act quickly to be free from protracted problem.
Al Shabaab has not released any comments about the accusations from Shabelle Valley Administration.
http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=7954
REGIONAL MEDIA
Hard task ahead for new Somali PM as he takes office
24 Jun – Source: Al Shahid – 499 words
Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Thursday appointed a Harvard graduate as his new prime minister, handing him the daunting task of trying to govern Africa’s most lawless nation. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali replaces Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed who resigned under a reconciliation accord at the weekend. Ali taught at Niagara University in Buffalo, New York, before joining the Somali transitional federal government (TFG), where he has already served as deputy prime minister and former planning minister.
He gets to the helm of a country where many fail even to get even a primary education. And in the 14 months left until the mandates of Somalia’s transitional institutions finally expire, he faces an uphill task in a capital plagued by urban warfare on a daily basis. Ali takes office as al Shabaab Islamist rebels, facing increasing pressure from an expanding African Union AMISOM force, are stepping up their suicide bombing campaign in Mogadishu. His academic credentials include a master’s degree in public administration, also from Harvard, and a doctorate in economics. “He has the personality and the kind of knowledge that makes him fit to become the prime minister,” the president said in announcing Ali’s appointment. “I’m quite confident that he will be up to the challenge of the hard conditions our country is encountering.”
Somalia’s transitional government, set up in Kenya in 2004, has survived only thanks to the international community. The speaker of parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, who had been at loggerheads with President Sharif over the choice of the new prime minister, commended the new appointee. “The president and I have confidence in the new prime minister and I also agree to his nomination. We need to put our differences behind us and take on the difficult tasks ahead,” Aden said.
Political activity in recent months in Somalia has been paralyzed by infighting, notably between the president and the speaker. Earlier talk of overcoming differences has not always translated into facts and one of the reasons President Sharif and parliament leader Sharif Hassan wanted to get rid of Ali’s predecessor was that he had started to acquire a degree of political autonomy, which they resented. “The country is under heavy pressure and needs people who are ready to work. I will form my government within days in order to face the difficult tasks ahead,” Ali said after his appointment. Sharif and Sharif Hassan signed a deal in the Ugandan capital Kampala on June 9 extending their terms for a year, pushing back polls due in August.
The agreement also called for Abdullahi Mohamed to resign within 30 days and for the president to name his successor, subject to approval by parliament. Before changing his mind on Sunday, Abdullahi Mohamed had initially refused to resign and his supporters staged two days of protests in Mogadishu that left at least two people dead. Elections for president and speaker of parliament will now have to take place before August 20, 2012. The TFG has been weakened by infighting among its leaders which has worsened as the end of the mandates approached. (DN)
http://english.alshahid.net/archives/21395
Uganda military chief meets exiting Somali PM
23 Jun – Source: Africa Review – 115 words
A high-powered military delegation from Uganda is in Mogadishu for yet to be disclosed reasons. The delegation is said to have been in the Horn of Africa state for at least 48 hours. A member of the delegation, General Aronda Nyakairima, the Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda, is reported to have had meetings with, among others, Mr Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who recently resigned as the Prime Minister of Somalia. Speculation is rife that the Ugandan officer could have been on a mission to prevail upon Mr Mohamed to rescind his decision. Somali radical Islamists al Shabaab are blaming Uganda for being behind Mr Mohammed’s resignation. Al Shabaab reckon that Kampala was remote-controlling the affairs of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
3 militants wounded in air strike in southern Somalia
24 Jun – Source: AP / The Washington post – 335 words
An airstrike from military aircraft hit a convoy carrying al-Qaida-linked militants near the coast of southern Somalia, witnesses said Friday. A militant leader confirmed that fighters were wounded. According to a resident in the port town of Kismayo, planes struck a military convey as it drove along the coastline late Thursday. The resident, Mohamed Aden, said he saw three wounded militants in the city. Sheik Hassan Yaqub, a leader of the Islamic rebel group al Shabaab, confirmed the attack and said two fighters were wounded. It was not immediately clear who was behind the strike, but U.S. aircraft have attacked militants in Somalia before. A U.S. airstrike killed a senior al Shabaab leader in 2008, while a U.S. commando raid in 2009 killed the militant wanted for the 2002 car bombing of a Kenyan beach resort. The overnight strike near Kismayo occurred near a militant camp, leading some residents to assume the camp was being attacked. “We heard bangs of explosions first and again after minutes, more loud blasts,” said Ali Abdinur, a resident, said by phone. “I don’t know what happened but the place was an al Shabaab camp.” Yaqub, the al Shabaab leader, talked to a militant-run radio station after the attack. “Two enemy aircraft attacked our mujahedeen fighters at a time they were conducting a security patrol near Kismayo” he told the radio station. The airstrikes came less than two weeks after a Somali soldier killed al-Qaida’s top leader in Somalia, Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, who was wanted for his role in the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Mohammed was carrying sophisticated weapons, maps, and correspondence when he was killed, a potential treasure trove of intelligence about militant activity in Somalia.
The U.S. has a military base in the small nation of Djibouti, which lies directly to the north of Somalia. The U.S. Navy also patrols off East Africa as part of the international anti-piracy effort. Somalia has not had a functioning government for 20 years, the reason militancy and piracy have been able to flourish in the country.
Aircraft raid Islamist base in S Somalia
24 Jun – Source: Xinhua / Reuters – 330 words
Unidentified aircraft overnight launched aerial attack against Islamist rebel base in the southern port city of Kismayo, Islamist rebels and residents confirm Friday. The attack was launched by two aircrafts possibly helicopters against a militant base in an area known as Qandal almost 10 km south of the port city controlled by Somalia’s Al Shabaab rebel group, residents in the area said. Sheikh Hassan Yacqub, a Senior Islamist spokesman, told rebel-run radio station that the two aircrafts which he said were helicopters attacked the base where insurgent fighters train while fighters responded with anti-aircraft missiles. The spokesman said three of the fighters were “slightly” injured after the aircrafts bombarded the base near the port town, 500 km south of Mogadishu. Residents in the area spoke about aircraft sounds followed by huge blasts and a hail of antiaircraft fire to counter the air raid on the rebel base where foreign fighters are reported to have been training local militants. “We heard very huge explosions in the area and the sound of aircraft hovering over a place far from where I was. I could see flash of lights coming out of the planes,” a resident told Xinhua by phone from the remote area on condition of anonymity. Reports from Kismayo city say that “several” Islamist fighters wounded in the attack were brought to the general hospital in the city which was heavily guarded by rebel forces to prevent civilians from seeing the wounded.
It was not immediately clear the identity of the aircrafts that carried out the raid or the target of the assault but Islamist rebels were quick to blame the U.S. forces for launching the attack. U.S. especial forces have previously carried out similar attacks in Somalia in which two important Islamist leaders were killed. The U.S. government accuses Somali insurgent al Shabaab of having links to al-Qaeda and of harboring foreign extremists in the war-torn country.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7419959.html
Freed after 10 months, Indian crew of MV Suez reach Delhi
24 Jun – Source: Times of India – 304 words
After 10 months in the captivity of Somali pirates, six Indian sailors of M V Suez vessel touched down on home soil on Friday to an emotional welcome from family members. The sailors came by an Emirates flight from Dubai which landed at IGI Airport at 9.36am and were received by family and friends carrying garlands. Relatives broke down in tears at the sight of the rescued sailors as their children carried placards that read ‘Thank you Ansar Burney uncle, we love you’, in a reference to the Pakistani human rights activist who facilitated their release from the sea brigands. Closely holding his three-year-old son, Ravinder Singh Bhulia, one of the released crew members who hails from Rohtak, said, “Indian and Pakistani media helped us a lot. As far as the Indian government’s role in the release, I don’t want to comment on it”. With tears rolling down her cheeks, his wife Champa said, “The pain would never go”. Another released crew member Prashant Chauhan said, “I am very happy. I waited for this moment for 10 months”.