28 Nov 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- Communique of the 19th extra-ordinary session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and government on the situation in Somalia and a briefing on the outstanding issues of the Sudan comprehensive peace agreement(Source: IGAD)
- Somalia president thanks the Turkish Government(Source: Radio Mogadishu) IGAD member states call upon Ethiopia to support AMISOM (Source: Ethiopian News Agency)
- TFG forces conduct security operation in Mogadishu (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
- Turkey deputy PM tours embassy in Mogadishu (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
- Somali Peace Consultative conference kicks off in Mogadishu (Source: Radio Bar-kulan)
- Moderates recapture town from Al-Shabaab in central Somalia (Source: Somalia Report)
- Somalia does not need a powerful state; this would perpetuate the war (Source: East African News)
- Somali Shabaab rebels warn Ethiopia of ‘heavy’ losses’ (Source: AP)
PRESS STATEMENT
Communique of the 19th extra-ordinary session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and government on the situation in Somalia and a briefing on the outstanding issues of the Sudan comprehensive peace agreement
Nov 25 – Source: IGAD – 1508 words
The IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government held its 19th Extra- Ordinary Summit Meeting in Addis Ababa, on 25th November 2011 under the Chairmanship of H.E. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly during which the Republic of South of Sudan was admitted to the regional bloc.
The Summit discussed the current political and security situation in Somalia and the Summit received a brief from AU on the implementation of the outstanding issues of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The Assembly was attended by: H.E. Ismael Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, H.E. Salaheldien Wanasi, State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan, H.E. Garang Diing Akuong , Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment of the Republic of South Sudan; Hon. Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Eng. Mahboub Maalim, IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, Commissioner for Peace and Security of the AU, H.E Jerry Rowlings, AU High Representative for Somalia, and H.E. Boubacar G. Diarra, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AUC for Somalia . The Summit deliberated on the political, security and humanitarian situation in Somalia, and in particular the Kenya-TFG joint security operations in South and Central Somalia, in pursuit of Al-Shabaab militants and their Al Qaida affiliates. In this regard, The Summit: Having taken note of the decisions and recommendations made by the 41st Extra- ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers as reflected in their Communiqu� of 21st October, 2011,and their consultative session today, 25th November 2011; Considering the brief by H.E. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed President of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia on the situation in Somalia and efforts by the TFG to consolidate security and political control of the country in line with the Kampala Accord and the Road Map as well as his appeal for enhanced support and assistance to build the capacity of the TFG security forces;
Also considering the briefing by H.E. Ramtane Lamamra, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security as well as the statement by H.E Jerry Rowlings, High Representative of the AU Chairperson for Somalia on the current political and security situation in Somalia;
Further considering the briefing by H.E. Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya on the Kenyan security operation in Somalia in pursuit of Al Shabaab insurgents and other militant groups;
Having taken Note of the gains already made by TFG forces, AMISOM and Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), and the need to galvanize international support to consolidate and expand these gains;
Recalling the previous decisions of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government and the Council of Ministers on Somalia;
Considering the decisions of the Ministers of Defense and Chiefs of Defense Staff of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) and other interested countries at their consultative meetings held in Addis Ababa between September, October and November, 2011, on the consolidation, co-ordination and expansion of AMISOM, that was endorsed (by the meeting of Ministers for and Chiefs of Defense Staff) on 14th November, 2011;
- Welcomes the admission of the Republic of South Sudan as the newest full member of the IGAD community.
- Strongly condemns the destabilization activities of the Al Shabaab and other militant groups in Somalia and the Region;
- Welcomes the joint security operation by Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and TFG forces in pursuit of Al Shabaab in South and Central Somalia; and understands, appreciates and supports the joint operation as a unique opportunity for the region to consolidate gains made and restore stability and security in Somalia. In this regard, emphasizes the need for regional solidarity and enhanced coordination between AMISOM, TFG forces, and KDF in order to successfully defeat Al Shabaab and bring to an end the state of lawlessness that has prevailed in much of Somalia over the last two decades;
- Calls upon the TFIs to expedite the finalization and endorsement of national security and stabilization processes;
- Stresses the need for enhanced engagement by IGAD and the AU in galvanizing international support for the on-going operation with a view to building on the momentum created by the joint operation;
- Calls upon the Ethiopian Government to support the Kenyan- TFG and AMISOM operation. Further calls upon Kenya to consider the prospects
of integrating its forces to AMISOM and to consolidate security and stability in Somalia; - Pays tribute to TFG forces, AMISOM and the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) for their continued sacrifices in pursuit of peace and security in Somalia, which has resulted in the diminishing of Al Shabaab threats and subsequent consolidation of security in Mogadishu and its environs. In this regard Urges that an audit of threats to Mogadishu and the requirements to deal with such threats be conducted with a view to assessing the appropriateness of deployment in all the liberated areas;
- Urges the TFG leadership to take advantage of the expanded liberated territories and populations to foster security, enhance national reconciliation, and consolidate political and administrative control in the country and to promote inclusive political participation in line with the Djibouti Peace Process, Kampala Accord and the Road Map. Reaffirms
TFG primary responsibility in establishing local administration in the liberated areas. In this regard, the summit reiterates the commitment and determination of IGAD Member States to continue supporting the TFG in this endeavour; and urges Somalia political leadership, particularly Members of Parliament to operate in Somalia and in this regard, calls upon neighboring countries to assist them; - Notes with appreciation the decision of Djibouti to provide troops to AMISOM by the end of the year and calls on other African countries which have pledged troops to AMISOM to urgently fulfill their pledges to enable AMISOM consolidate security in other regions of Somalia beyond
Mogadishu, in particular South-Central Somalia and other liberated areas. - Notes with concern that Kenya continues to carry the heaviest refugee burden, and in this regard calls on the international community to urgently develop modalities for burden-sharing, and urge humanitarian aid agencies to relocate to the secure parts of the country in order to provide humanitarian assistance to the drought and famine-stricken communities in a more effective manner and stem migration;
- Welcomes the UNSC decision to extend for 12 months authorization for those countries cooperating with the TFG to use ‘All Necessary Means’ to Combat Piracy and Armed Robbery (Resolution2020), further calls upon the international community to respond to its obligations under the 13 UNSC Conventions on Anti-terrorism to tackle the threats to international peace and security in Somalia and stresses the need for a comprehensive response to tackle piracy, armed robbery and terrorism and their underlying causes;
- Further calls on the UNSC to enhance the mandate of AMISOM and to authorise its strengthening to a level and size that is appropriate for the consolidation of peace and security in Mogadishu and South and Central Somalia and other secured areas; and reiterates its previous calls on the UNSC to adopt a resolution that enforces measures to control access to the Ports of Kismayu, Haradhere, Marka and Barawe and an air-exclusion zone over air space controlled by Al Shabaab such as Baidoa, Balidogle, N5O and Cisaley to cut off arms supplies to Al Shabaab;
- Decides to work with all parties involved in the search for sustainable peace and security in Somalia;
- Directs the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers and IGAD Secretariat to make the necessary arrangements to ensure continuous consultations of the IGAD Chiefs of Defense Staff and the military experts on how to support the process of coordination on the ground;
- Reiterates the need to sustain support to the TFG Security forces and AMISOM to secure safe corridors for humanitarian assistance and urges the UN humanitarian agencies and other international humanitarian organizations to enhance their efforts towards aid deliveries to the needy;
- Expresses appreciation to partner countries and organizations that are currently providing financial, material and technical assistance to the TFG and urges mobilization of the international community to increase technical and financial resources to the TFG and the formation of a Joint TFG-Donor management board in line with the Declaration of the Nairobi Summit on the Horn of Africa Crisis of 9th September 2011;
- Notes with appreciation the efforts of Member States and partners in development in addressing drought in the Horn of Africa and expresses its commitment to fully support the proposed IGAD Regional Platform as a vehicle for enhanced partnership to promote relief -development continuum
and reaffirms its decision of September 8-9,2011 directing IGAD to take the lead in coordinating efforts of all other actors in + 18. ending drought emergencies in the Region; - Directs the IGAD Secretariat to transmit Decisions of the Summit to the African Union Commission and the United Nations Security Council;
- Strongly urge the Governments of Sudan and the Republic of South
Sudan to urgently resume negotiations and expedite implementation of the outstanding issues of the CPA; - Commends the continued role of Ethiopia in providing peace keeping forces in the Abyei Region.
- Recognizes the situation of Djiboutian prisoners taken by Eritrea and demands the Government of Eritrea to free all Djibouti Prisoners of War without further delay;
- Condemn the Government of Eritrea for its continuing supply of ammunitions to the extremist group particularly Al Shabab whose intention has always been to destabilize the Region;
- Expresses its appreciation to the Government and the people of Ethiopia for hosting this Extra-ordinary Summit;
- Decides to remain seized of this matter.
Issued this 25th of November, 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
SOMALI MEDIA
Somalia president thanks the Turkish Government
27 Nov – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Radio Risaala – 98 words
Sheikh Sharif Ahmed has thanked Turkey for increasing its support to the Government’s efforts towards the provision of relief food to drought-hit areas in the country. The president appreciated the Government of Turkey for its continued support to somalias development endeavors during a meeting with visiting deputy prime minister of Turkey Bakir Basay at the state house.
Somali PM statement on progress on the Road map
26 Nov – Source: Bariga Afrika, Radio Mogadishu – 137 words
The Roadmap to End the Transition in Somalia was signed in Mogadishu on 6 September 2011 by the Prime Minister of the TFG, the Transitional Federal Parliament, the Special Representative of the Secretary General, and representatives from Galmudug, Puntland, ASWJ, the African Union, IGAD and the League of Arab States. The Roadmap is a significant achievement and its adoption marks the first of many steps on the path to the eventual conclusion of the transition process in a responsible and productive manner.
http://www.barigaafrika.com/
Puntland arrests 9 pirates in Eyl
27 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Radio Garowe – 121 words
Puntland administration’s security forces have arrested nine pirates in the northern outskirt of Eyl district in Somalia’s Nugal region, during a two-day operation, officials said yesterday. Puntland spokesman, Ahmed Omar Hesri, told reportrs that the arrested men were caught with weapons, speedboats, ladders,fuel barrels, a compass and satellite phone.
TFG forces conduct security operation in Mogadishu
26 Nov – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Shabelle, Kulmiye – 111 words
Somali TFG forces launched a security operation in Mogadishu on Saturday morning to flash out followers of the Al-Qaeda linked-al Shabaab militia. The forces searched for suspected people who may cause trouble in the city and around Government buildings.The operation started in the early hours of the morning.
Former Somali premier Farmajo opposes Ethiopean troops entering into Somalia
26 Nov – Source: Mareeg Online – 74 words
Former Somali Prime Minister, Mohamed Abdulahi Farmajo who lives in the US now, has greatly opposed the Ethiopian troops entering Somalia. Mr. Mohamed said that Ethiopian forces’ entrance in Somalia would give a chance for al Shabaab to regroup and gather support.
Turkey deputy PM visits Mogadishu
26 Nov – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 122 words
Turkish deputy prime minister Honorable Ali Babakan arrived in Mogadishu on Saturday morning. The deputy prime minister landed at Adan Adde international airport in the early hours of the morning. He arrived in Somalia’s capital to highlight the need for greater famine relief. He was received at the airport by high profile TFG officials.
Turkey deputy PM tours embassy in Mogadishu
26 Nov – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SNTV, SONNA – 146 words
Turkish Deputy Prime minister has visited the Turkish embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia to assess its condition. The deputy prime minister was accompanied by other delegates of the Turkish government. They were led by senior TFG officials while they were inside the Turkish buildings in Mogadishu. Turkey is the only country outside the region to have a functioning mission in Somalia.
Somali parliament speaker returns home
27 Nov – Source: Mareeg Online, Shabelle – 127 words
Somali parliament Speaker, Sharif Hassan Sh. Adam with other delegates has yesterday returned to Mogadishu back from Addis-Ababa where he had attended the IGAD summit. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adam and his delegate members were welcomed to Mogadishu international airport by some of MPs and other government officials.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
WHO staffer kidnapped in Galgadud
26 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 79 words
Reports from Eel-deer district in Galgadud region indicate the abduction of Abdulahi Mohamed Ma’alim, WHO head of polio eradication staff. Al Shabaab militias are said to have kidnapped Abdulahi Mohamed Ma’alim, WHO staffer from a hotel in Eel- deer district. Abdulahi’s whereabouts are yet to be established.
Galmudug state sets up a special force to Galka’yo
26 Nov – Source: Shabelle – 150 words
The Regional State of Galmudug in central Somalia has formally announced that it has set up Special Forces in the divided town of Galka’yo amid killings and kidnapping against aid foreign workers and local officials rose sharply in the area, officials said on Saturday. Abshir Dini Awale, the Interior Affairs and National Security Minister of Galmudug State of Somalia said that his administration is setting up a new strategy to restore peace and security in the Galka’yo area.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somali Peace Consultative conference kicks off in Mogadishu
26 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 156 words
Mogadishu on Saturday was hosting a consultative meeting aimed at bringing peace and reconciliation for Somalia where many people of diverse political backgrounds and the Somali civil society are converging in large numbers. The meeting is a continuation of a previous conference held in September in the capital.
Fresh fighting in central Somalia kills 5, injures 5 others
26 Nov – Source: Mareeg Online – 84 words
At least 5 people were killed and 5 others wounded in Dhusamareb city of Galgudud region as clashes between al Shabaab fighers and Ahlu-Suna militias occurred last Friday, residents said.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Moderates recapture town from Al-Shabab in central Somalia
25 Nov – Source: Somalia Report – 29 words
At least six people were killed and 15 others injured after fighting between the pro-government Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a (ASWJ) clan militia and al Shabaab insurgents broke out on Friday afternoon in the central town of Dhuusa Mareeb, about 500km north of the capital,Mogadishu, witnesses and officials said. ASWJ officers told Somalia Report that al Shabaab came into the town, but their forces defended the city.
Jowhar children taken by al Shabaab militias cannot be traced.
26 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 110 words
The whereabouts of children aged between 10-12 years can not be traced after al Shabaab militias took away from Jowhar district three days ago. Parents of the children are in a state of confusion as one of the mothers of the abducted children told bar-kulan that the al Shabaab militias took her only son. Some of the seized children include Abukar Ali Magan, son of a TFG Member of Parliament.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somalia does not need a powerful state; this would perpetuate the war
27 Nov – Source: East African News – 861 words
Political power in Switzerland lies in the cantons — the 26 proud self-governing communities. The state, such as it is, deals with international matters and national law. Who cares — or even knows — who the president of Switzerland is? The way people live and are governed is decided locally. The Swiss confederation means that cantons have joined the state willingly. At one time they could leave if they wanted to.
IGAD member states call upon Ethiopia to support AMISOM
25 Nov – Source: Ethiopian News Agency – 240 words
Member States of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) called upon the Ethiopian government to provide support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The 19th Extraordinary Summit of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Heads of State and Government was held here on Friday.
http://www.ena.gov.et/
IGAD thumbs up to Kenya’s Somalia operation
25 Nov – Source: Capital FM – 392 words
The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has formally sanctioned Kenya’s military incursion into Somalia in pursuit of al Shabaab militia. At a Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Friday, the regional leaders observed that the joint operation with Somalia’s TFG provided a unique opportunity that must not be squandered for the region to consolidate gains made and restore stability and security in Somalia.
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/
Region must sort out the mess in Somalia
27 Nov – Source: The East African – 290 words
The war on terror in Somalia has received plenty of support. The entry of Ethiopia, which could only have been done due to some strategic consideration owing to the complexities of politics in the Horn of Africa, must have added a lot of impetus to the Kenyan campaign to ensure security for its citizens and visitors.
Locals take centre stage in Kenya Shabaab battle
26 Nov – Source: Daily Nation – 555 words
Kenyan soldiers and the al Shabaab militia are using locals in a bid to emerge victorious in the military operation in Somalia. The Kenyan troops are using humanitarian assistance to endear the Somalis as they gather intelligence on the al Shabaab while the terror group is using the locals as human shields.
Al Shabaab women
25 Nov – Source: NTV – 2:40 min
Inside Somalia, a group of women once thought to have been abducted by al Shabaab fighters now say they have been willing companions to the militants. The women say they voluntarily offered to live with the al Shabaab men. NTV’s Yassin Juma caught up with the al Shabaab women in Southern Somalia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
East African Community backs Kenyan military action in Somalia
25 Nov – Source: Coast week, Xinhua – 678 words
The East African Community (EAC) on Friday expressed its full support for Kenya’s military operation to flush out the Al-Shabaab insurgents in Somalia. The EAC Secretary General (SG), Dr Richard Sezibera, said all the Partner States were clear on their support for Kenya’s ongoing Operation Linda Nchi in the Horn of Africa nation.
http://www.coastweek.com/3447_
Kenya military sets probe team over civilian deaths
26 Nov – Soure: Capital FM – 3352 words
The Department of Defence has set up a committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the killing of eighteen Kenyans by the Navy on suspicion that they were al Shabaab militants. The officer in charge of information and operations at the Department of Defence Colonel Cyrus Oguna says the probe team will be composed of professionals from the military.
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/
Police hold six suspects over al Shabaab links
26 Nov – Source: the Standard – 503 words
Police have arrested six men suspected to have links with the al Shabaab. Five suspects of Somali origin were arrested as they sailed on a speedboat towards Lamu Island Friday at 1pm. The sixth suspect was nabbed in Nairobi as he took a suspected injured al Shabaab militant to a hospital in South B estate. http://www.standardmedia.co.
Somali diaspora adds new twist to the war against al Shabaab
27 Nov – Source: Daily Nation – 524 words
Abdisalan Hussein Ali, a slight, talkative American born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, had fairly good prospects in life. Ali, 22, majored in chemistry at university and had been admitted to medical school. Last week, the New York Times reported that his life came to a bloody end in Mogadishu. Ali was one of two bombers who blew themselves up in a suicide attack that killed several African Union peacekeepers in Mogadishu last week. Before he died, Ali left a suicide note urging more Americans to join what he called the jihad in Somalia.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
More Ethiopian troops seen in central Somalia – residents
27 Nov – Source: Reuters – 400 words
New convoys of heavily-armed Ethiopian troops have crossed into Somalia and are heading for central areas, residents said Sunday, days after Addis Ababa said it planned to send troops to help Somali and Kenya forces fighting Islamist insurgents. Ethiopia, which intervened in Somalia between 2006 and 2009, said Friday that it would deploy troops inside Somalia again for a “brief period.
Somali Shebab rebels warn Ethiopia of ‘heavy’ losses’
27 Nov – Source: AP – 297 words
The Shebab Islamist insurgent group warned Ethiopia on Sunday that it would suffer heavy losses if it embarks on any new military intervention in Somalia. Ethiopian troops, who ended a US-backed three-year incursion into Somalia in 2009, were reported to have once again crossed the border last week as part of an offensive against the al Shabaab, a claim denied by the government in Addis Ababa.
950 Sierra Leone Soldiers Heading for AU Mission in Somalia
25 Nov – Source: Awareness Times – 404 words
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Rtd Major Paolo Conteh has disclosed that as part of the Peace Support Operations PSO, the Regiment of Sierra Leone Armed Forces RSLAF has generated a Battalion of 950 personnel for the African Union Mission in Somalia. He made this disclosure at the usual weekly press briefings at the Information and Communications Ministry Youyi Building in Freetown.
http://news.sl/drwebsite/
Ethiopian troops ‘advancing’ into central Somalia
27 Nov – Source: Africa Review – 210 words
More troops from Ethiopia were spotted Saturday advancing towards Beletweyne, the capital of Hiran region in Central Somalia, 335 km north of Mogadishu. The strong force had moved from its previous position at Kalabayr, a strategic road junction 25 km away from the town and about 17 km from Fer-Fer, a town at the border between Ethiopia and Somalia.
Somali al Shabaab rebels warn Ethiopia of ‘heavy’ losses’
27 Nov – Source: AP – 223 words
The al Shabaab Islamist insurgent group warned Ethiopia on Sunday that any military intervention in Somalia will result in “heavy” losses for its neighbour. Ethiopian troops, who ended a three-year incursion in Somalia in 2009, were reported to have once again crossed the border last week as part of an offensive against the Shebab, a claim denied by the government in Addis Ababa.
Suspected al Shabaab rebels raid Kenya police post
26 Nov – Source: Reuters – 174 words
Suspected Somali al Shabaab rebel fighters raided a police post near Mandera in northern Kenya on Saturday, seizing weapons and burning a mobile phone transmission mast, security officials said. The group of fighters attacked Arabiya, a trading center 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Mandera, and engaged police in a firefight before overpowering them and taking all the guns and bullets from the local police post.
http://www.reuters.com/