February 10, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Zawahiri says Somalia’s al Shabaab joined Qaeda: video

10 Feb- Source: AFP- 429 words

Somalia’s extremist Shebab fighters have joined ranks with Al-Qaeda, the terror network’s chief Ayman al-Zawahiri announced in a video message posted on jihadist forums on Thursday.
“I will break the good news to our Islamic nation, which will… annoy the crusaders, and it is that the Shebab movement in Somalia has joined Al-Qaeda,” Zawahiri said.

Key Headlines

AMISOM to implement $4.5M projects in Mogadishu (AMISOM)
Pro-government militia claims capturing new areas in Hiiraan region (Radio Bar-Kulan)
Al Shabaab arrests tortures elders in Central Somalia (Hadhwaag Times Radio Mogadishu)
Renewed Fighting in Hosingow (Somalia Report)
Somalia Government declares end to famine (Africa Review)
Fighting displaces thousands in Somaliland (IRIN News)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM to implement $4.5M projects in Mogadishu

09 Feb – Source: AMISOM – 262 words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has announced that it will be spending over $4.5 million on a series of projects meant to improve security and the lives of ordinary Somalis in Mogadishu.
According to Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, Honourable Wafula Wamunyinyi, over $1 million from international donors will be spent on the construction of a school in Wadajir district;

supply of generators for the Banadir Hospital; equipment and supplies for police stations; installation of water treatment facilities to provide clean drinking water to nearly 1.3 million people in 4 of the capital’s districts; and the rehabilitation of the Parliament and the Ministry of Labour buildings.

This is in addition to the $3.5 million AMISOM is already spending to upgrade facilities for the Somali National Army at their military base in Al-Jazeera. “These projects demonstrate AMISOM’s continuing commitment to help the people of Somalia as they strive to find a lasting solution to decades of conflict in the country,” said Deputy AU Special Representative, Honourable Wafula Wamunyinyi.

At a press conference this morning, he also sent his condolences to the victims of yesterday’s terrorist attack which killed at least eleven people and left scores injured. He noted that AMISOM was working hard to help Somali security agencies improve security and to build on the success of forcing the terrorists out of the city. Since then, security in the capital has markedly improved and, despite yesterday’s atrocity, the security forces have been successful in disrupting up to 70% of planned terror attacks in the city.

Somali president condemned yesterday’s cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians

09 Feb – Source: Office of the Somali President – 200 words

The president of the Republic of Somalia H. E Sharif Sh. Ahmed unequivocally condemned yesterdays vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians “We are grief-stricken at these horrifying events, the murder of innocents can never be justified and must not be tolerated.” said president Sharif. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims of this terrible crime. Acts of terrorism such as this not only show contempt for human life but also seek to undermine public confidence in the progress that has been made in Mogadishu.

“We should not, and the Somali people should not, let incidents such as these shake our joint resolve to build a safer and more secure future for our nation, the perpetrators of this hideous crime must be brought to justice and it is the duty of every Somali to participate in this effort with all possible means” said president Sharif Sh. Ahmed.

The President of the Republic of Somalia H. E Sharif Sh. Ahmed states clearly that those who commit acts of terror, murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but are also betraying the values of the faith they claim to represent.

Somali Cabinet Session

09 Feb – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 263 words

The Somali cabinet held their ordinary session today which was chaired by the Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and concentrated on security issues and a brief of the premier’s latest journey, yesterdays deadly bomb attack in Mogadishu and the program of evacuation from government buildings and properties.

The premier lengthily delved into the series of the journeys he made to Italy, Kenya and Djibouti stating that his visit was successful and fruitful. In Italy, he met with Italy Prime Minister Mario Monti, foreign minister Giulio Terzi, minister for defence Gianpaolo Di Paola, minister for internal affair Annamaria Cancellieri and assistant minister for foreign affairs De Mistura. The two countries agreed to:

1.    Expeditiously implement and carry out the development projects pledged by Italy which will amount to 15 million Euros.
2.    Train and mentor 200 Somali Police soldiers in a period of 12 weeks
3.    Offer military and police educational sponsorship to soldiers.
4.    Increase Italy’s humanitarian assistance to Somalia.
5.    Form a joint committee by the ministry of internal affairs and defence to help the Somali ministries in governmental processes.

The cabinet was briefed by committee tasked to ensure evacuation of the public from government buildings and properties. The committee stated that the evacuation has so far started smoothly and areas left vacant include the national theatre, Shabelle University, local government centres Second Lido, cloth market and Polytechnic University. It’s expected the remaining areas will be vacated soon. The council commended the public in the government buildings for their compliance and urged them to continue with their cooperation in order to see that basic public services are delivered.

SOMALI MEDIA

Pro-government militia claims capturing new areas in Hiiraan region

09 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 132 words

A pro-government militia group in Hiran region has seized control two villages from al Shabaab rebel fighters near Belednweyen town, officials claimed. Col. Issack Ali Abdulle, a pro-government militia commander, told Bar-kulan that his fighters had seized Afar Irdod and Dirimadle villages, 50 km from Beledweyne town.

Al Shabaab arrests, tortures elders in Central Somalia

09 Feb- Source: Hadhwanaa Times, Radio Moagadishu- 111 words

The al Shabaab fighters on Thursday arrested and then tortured some elders in central Somalia region of Galgudud, witnesses said. Local residents said heavily armed al Shabaab fighters stormed the village of Bud Bud in Galad district of central Somalia and captured some elders. The arrival and arrests by al Shabaab came after two armed clan militias fought each other over water wells in the area.

Somaliland: President Siilaanyo returns after visiting Ethiopia and Djibouti

09 Feb – Source: Somaliland Press – 196 words

Somaliland president Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Siilaanyo returned back home amid an escalating domestic crisis in Buhoodle region after local militia backed by Ethiopia’s Ogaden National Liberation Front rebel members launched pre-dawn assault on Somaliland military base in the outskirts of Buhodle town.

Renewed Fighting in Hosingow

09 Feb – Source: Somalia Report – 213 words

At least ten fighters were killed and ten others injured as the al-Shabaab insurgent group fought against the allied forces of the Transitional Federal Government , Kenyan Defense Forces and pro-government clan militias of Ras Kamboni in Hosingow village, 140 Kilometers west of Kismayo on Wednesday night, an official and resident said.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia Government declares end to famine

09 Feb- Source: Africa Review- 223 words

Somalia Government authorities have declared that the famine that ravaged almost the entire country had ended, some six months after it was first declared. This follows a United Nations announcement last week that famine conditions had ended, despite some 2.4 million still needing support.
The Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government, Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, said that refugees were now being moved back to their homes.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Zawahiri says Somalia’s al Shabaab joined Qaeda: video

10 Feb- Source: AFP- 429 words

Fighting displaces thousands in Somaliland

09 Feb – Source: IRIN News – 493 words

More than 1,000 families (about 6,000 people) have been displaced from the town of Buuhoodle and nearby villages in eastern Somaliland after heavy fighting on 8 February between the Somaliland Army and clan militias loyal to the newly created Khatumo State, locals told IRIN.

The area has been disputed, with both the self-declared republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia, and the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland in the northeast, claiming them.

50 Cent visits famine victims in Somalia, Kenya

09 Feb – Source: . Washington Post/AP – 140 words

Rapper 50 Cent is teaming up with the World Food Program to see firsthand the effects of hunger in Somalia and Kenya. The rap star flew to Dolo, Somalia on Wednesday. Tens of thousands of women and children have fled there over the last year to flee a devastating famine that killed tens of thousands of people across Somalia.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

UN is an honest broker in Somalia peace process

09 Feb- Source: The Citizen – 163 words

I would like to correct a number of facts regarding an opinion piece by Rasna Warah on the United Nations in Somalia.

In line with the announcement by the UN secretary-general, I moved to Mogadishu last week with key staff from my UN Political Office for Somalia.

This move has been widely welcomed by ordinary Somalis inside the country and in the diaspora, the Somali government (including Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali) and the international community.
The move allows UNPOS to increase its daily engagement with the Somali political process and allows the UN to have a greater understanding of the views and wishes of the Somali people.

This is particularly important as, within the next few months, the Somalis will agree on a new constitution that will be a cornerstone for returning the country to peace and stability. This, along with the reform of Parliament and other key tasks, is the basis of the roadmap that my office is helping the government to implement.

Foreign Secretary spoke at the British Government Consultation on Somalia

10 Feb – Source: Foreign Secretary William Hague speaking at Chatham House – 2868 words

“I am very grateful to Robin Niblett and to Chatham House for hosting this event. Chatham House’s Africa programme is highly regarded internationally, especially for their work with diaspora communities, so this is a very appropriate place to hold today’s consultation. And I am extremely grateful to all of you for coming today, and to anyone who is watching us via live stream over the internet.

In just over two weeks’ time London will host a major international conference on Somalia, attended by heads of government and senior representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations, including the President and Prime Minister of Somalia itself.

We want to consult you about this, as members of the Somali community here in Britain. I am joined by our Minister for Africa Henry Bellingham, who will take your questions later. Together, we want to explain to you what the London Conference aims to do; we want to hear your views; and we hope to inspire you to use your connections in Somalia to amplify the message that we care about Somalia and that now is the time for them to make their voices heard. The result of our discussions will be published on our Foreign Office website and will feed into the conference.