24 Nov 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- TFG al Shabaab claim victory over a battle in southern Somalia (Source: Shabelle)
- AU backs campaign against al Shabaab (Africa Review)
- AU envoy urges negotiations with Somalia rebels (Source: Reuters)
- Somali government warns of attacks explosions in Mogadishu (Source: Radio Shabelle)
- TFG condemns use of child soldiers (Source: Somalia Report)
SOMALI MEDIA
Elders condemn killings by al Shabaab
23 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 130 words
Elders from central Shabelle region have condemned the recent killings carried out by al Shabaab in that region. The elders say that several people have died in the hands of the extremists while others are nursing serious injuries inflicted by the insurgents. Somali premier, Dr. Abdiweli Ali: there are criminals in Somali government, asks tax 23 Nov – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Mareeg Online – 286 words Somali premier, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has yesterday answered a large number of open questions asked about the security of Mogadishu at an event held in a police station during which he heartily responded to questions.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Muslim Aid and Red Cross resume circumcising and feeding of Kismayo children
23 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 104 words
Muslim Aid and the Red Cross have resumed their health activities in Kismayo port town where they are currently circumcising children and feeding malnourished women in the area. The two organizations are currently operating from nine units where they are engaged in promoting health-related activities. Kismayo residents welcomed the health-related issues engaged in by Muslim Aid and Red Cross across their city.
TFG, al Shabaab claim victory over a battle in southern Somalia
23 Nov – Source: Shabelle – 161 words
Officials of both the TFG and al Shabaab militants each claimed victory on Wednesday over a battle that took place in parts of Lower Jubba region of southern Somalia. The Army Commander of Somali government for Jubba regions, Mohamed Sheik Abdi said that his forces allied with militia loyal to Raskamboni launched an offensive against an al Shabaab military base located near by Qoqani district in the region, killing at least three militants.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somali government warns of attacks, explosions in Mogadishu
23 Nov – Source: Radio Shabelle – 182 words
The administration of Wadajir district for the TFG on Wednesday warned of possible attacks in the district. The district commissioner of Wadajir, Ahmed Hassan Adow, said that the security forces of the district will be put on alert to prevent any attack., also urging the residents of the district to work with the security forces..
TFG condemns use of child soldiers
23 Nov- Source: Somalia Report- 37 words
Somali Prime Minister Abdiwali Mohamed Ali said on Wednesday that the TFG strongly opposes the use of children in armed conflict and pledged to help former child soldiers with the rehabilitation and reintegration process.
REGIONAL MEDIA
AU backs campaign against al Shabaab
23 Nov- Africa Review- 265 words
The African Union has said it supports Kenya Defence Forces operation to weed out Al-Shabaab militants inside Somalia. Former Ghanaian President and the AU Special envoy to Somalia Jerry Rawlings said the professionalism of Kenya’s soldiers had been tested in their various UN missions, adding that he was confident the operation against the Al-Shabaab would succeed.
Kenyan Policemen wounded in Liboi gun attack
23 Nov- Source: Capital FM- 277 words
Two police officers were wounded in Liboi on Tuesday night when gunmen believed to be Al Shabaab sympathisers opened fire at them, the latest in a string of attacks targeting security forces in Northern Kenya. Those wounded were airlifted to Nairobi on Wednesday afternoon and are admitted at a city hospital.
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/
Security beefed up at Kakuma refugee camp
23 Nov- Source: the Star- 362 words
Refugees at the Kakuma camp in Turkana have been blocked from leaving the camp and traveling due to the ongoing security operation in Somalia. Police have also set up eight road blocks around the camp to screen the refugees and all other residents of the region including foreign employees working with humanitarian agencies. http://www.the-star.co.ke/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
AU envoy urges negotiations with Somalia rebels
23 Nov- Source: Reuters- 304 words
The African Union special envoy for Somalia on Wednesday urged countries waging war on al Shabaab to keep an open door to negotiations with militants who are willing to lay down their weapons. Neighbouring Kenya sent hundreds of troops into southern Somalia in mid-October and Ethiopia sent dozens of military trucks and armoured vehicles into central Somalia over the weekend, witnesses said. http://af.reuters.com/article/
Interview -Kenya wants to galvanise world action on Somalia
23 Nov – Source: Reuters – 520 words
Kenya’s military push should trigger greater international efforts to stabilise Somalia and end “the expansion of terrorism’s tentacles”, the Kenyan security minister said on Wednesday, without spelling out what this would entail. George Saitoti, a veteran politician and former vice president, said Kenya wanted the international community to “come in” and take joint steps to help Somalia.
Somalia’s leaders commit to UN process to end recruitment of child soldiers
23 Nov – Source: UN News – 525 words
The United Nations envoy for children and armed conflict today secured a commitment from top officials in Somalia’s transitional Government to start a process to end the recruitment and use of children in the country’s armed forces.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/
Somali farmland offers hope amidst conflict, famine
23 Nov- Source: AFP- 660 words
Farmers pull up onions from the soft earth on the green banks of a river, while water gurgles down irrigation channels: an ordinary rural scene, if it were not taking place in Somalia. A harsh drought swept the Horn of Africa this year, turning several southern Somali regions into famine zones where thousands are reported to have died, but the small farming region separated from Ethiopia by the river Dawa was spared.