30 Nov 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- The president of the Republic of Somalia H.E Sharif Sh. Ahmed strongly condemns the ban and looting of UN agencies by the terror group al Shabaab/al Qaeda (Source: TFG)
- Roadside bomb attacks kill 4 injuries 7 others in Mogadishu (Source: Mareeg Shabelle)
- UN officials visit Abudwak Galgadud region (Source: Bar-Kulan)
- Conflict now major cause for displacement in Somalia says UN refugee agency (Source: UN News)
- Somali rebels loot UN health agency ( Source: AP)
PRESS STATEMENT
The president of the Republic of Somalia H.E Sharif Sh. Ahmed strongly condemns the ban and looting of UN agencies by the terror group Al-Shabaab/Al-Qaeda
29 Nov – Source: Office of the Somali President – 196 words
The President of the Republic of Somalia H.E Sharif Sh. Ahmed has strongly condemned the shameful and inhumane act by the terror group Al-Shabab/Al-Qaeda for the ban and the seizure of property and equipment of aid agencies currently operating area’s under their control. “I am extremely saddened but not surprised by Al-Shabaab/Al-Qaeda’s merciless announcement to stop the work of humanitarian organizations providing much needed assistance to millions of Somalis at a time when the country is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis” said president Sharif.
The systematic embargo on the most vulnerable Somalis proves beyond any doubts that Al-Shabaab is an enemy of the Somali people. “In recent months, due to the coordinated efforts of the Somali government, international community and humanitarian aid agencies have proved success in delivering aid to Somalis affected by the drought” said Mr. Sharif.
“We call on all Somalis and the International community to take a unified position in irradiating this irrational terror organization bent on destroying the lives of millions of innocent Somalis” said president Sharif Sh. Ahmed. Al-Shabaab has banned 16 aid agencies and looted their offices in an effort to disturb much needed humanitarian assistance to the Somali people.
SOMALI MEDIA
Roadside bomb attacks kill 4, injures 7 others in Mogadishu
29 Nov – Source: Mareeg Online, Shabelle – 102 words
At least 3 people were killed and 8 others wounded in two roadside bomb attacks which occurred separately n Mogadishu yesterday, reports said. One of the blasts occurred at around Ex-Mohamud HarbSecondary school in Wardhiglay district after children stoned a bag filled with explosive elements; the other explosion happened in Hodan district, killing one civilian and injuring 2 others as an armed vehicle from the TFG was attacked with a remote controlled mine, an eyewitness said.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Somaliland soldiers fight amongst selves
29 Nov- Source: Somalia Report- 38 words
At least one soldier was killed and three others injured when Somaliland forces fought amongst themselves for unknown reasons in a small village called Yagori, 60 kilometers north of Las Anod in Sool region, officials and residents said.
Somali regional state announces major conference
29 Nov – Source: Shabelle – 130 words
The President of Somalia’s Regional State of Himin and Heb Mohamed Adan Ti’ay announced his administration will hold a major conference to unite all Somali regional states. Mohamed Adan Ti’ay said that a meeting will be held in Adado town, the capital of Himin and Heb administration of central Somalia with officials from nine regional states of Somalia such as Hiran, Galgudud and Mudug regions in central the country.
http://www.shabelle.net/
UN officials visit Abudwak, Galgadud region
29 Nov- Source:Radio Bar-kulan – 134 words
A group of UN officials on Tuesday visited Somalia’s central town of Abudwak to assess security and the humanitarian situation in the area. The 12 member UN delegation was headed by WFP officials. The visiting officials met with the area Ahlu Sunna officials before paying a visit to refugee camps housing internally displaced people in the town.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somali rebels loot UN health agency
29 Nov- Source: Africa Review, AFP- 184 words
The World Health Organisation said Tuesday its offices in southern Somalia were looted during rebel raids while children’s relief agencyUnicef said its base in the area remained occupied. The United Nations organisations were among six ordered closed by Islamist al Shabaab rebels in areas under their control on Monday.
Families of Kenyan fishermen held in Mogadishu seek help
29 Nov- Source: the Star- 271 words
Families of the seven Kenyan fishermen being detained by the Ugandan and Burundi forces operating in Mogadishu want the Foreign Affairs ministry to intervene and bring back their kinsmen. Led by Ms Rukia Ghulab whose brother Jamal Ghulab, is one of the fishermen being held at the AMISOM camp for two months, made a passionate appeal to the Kenyan government to bring them back and face charges in Kenya, if any.
http://www.the-star.co.ke/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Conflict now major cause for displacement in Somalia, says UN refugee agency
29 Nov – Source: UN News – 511 words
Insecurity and conflict due to insurgency is now one of the main causes for displacement in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, the United Nations refugee agency said today, warning that constant fighting is also hampering aid efforts in the country.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/
Many needs remain in Somalia famine
29 Nov – Source: VOA News – 273 words
United Nations study team determined that famine conditions have eased in three hard-hit areas of Somalia. A bit of good news – and just a bit — emerged from the Horn of Africa recently when a United Nations study team determined that famine conditions have eased in three hard-hit areas of Somalia.
http://www.voanews.com/policy/
Bombs kill seven in Somali capital, rebels blamed
29 Nov- Source: Reuters- 203 words
A wave of roadside bombs in Somalia’s capital killed seven people over two days, officials said on Tuesday, as government forces struggled to secure Mogadishu against attacks from Islamist rebels. Al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab militants, fighting Somalia’s Western-backed government, pulled out of most of their permanent bases in Mogadishu in August, and vowed to switch to guerilla tactics and target government installations.
http://af.reuters.com/article/
Banned aid agencies warn disaster in Somalia
29 Nov- Source: AP- 870 words
Aid workers and Somali residents expressed outrage Tuesday, a day after the militant group al Shabaab banned 16 aid groups from its territory, a decision officials said puts tens of thousands of sick mothers and malnourished children at risk. Tens of thousands of Somalis have already died from drought and famine-related causes this year, and the U.N. estimates that 250,000 people still face starvation in a country plagued by violence.
Somali rebels loot UN health agency
29 Nev – Source: AP – 381 words
The World Health Organisation said on Tuesday its offices in southern Somalia were looted during rebel raids while children’s relief agency UNICEF said its base in the area remained occupied. The United Nations organisations were among six ordered closed by Islamist Shebab rebels in areas under their control on Monday.