February 14, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

AMISOM captures more ground beyond Mogadishu

14 Feb – Source: AMISOM Force HQ – 233 words

AU forces this morning executed a successful operation against Al Qaeda terrorists on the outskirts of Mogadishu, capturing two sites of tactical importance.In an advance that begun at approximately 5 am, AMISOM’s Burundian Contingent took Al Janale hill, which oversees the southern approaches to the Mogadishu International Airport as well as the Maslah building which sits on the road to Afgoye, a terrorist stronghold.

Acting Force Commander, Brigadier General Audace Nduwumunsi said the move was part of AMISOM’s efforts to secure the Somali capital and degrade the terrorists’ ability to infiltrate it and mount attacks on the populace. “AMISOM is not resting on the laurels of its recent successes. Operations are ongoing to expand the zone of security in Mogadishu,” he said.

In August last year, AMISOM aided the forces of the Transitional Federal Government in pushing the terror group, al Shabaab –which has now merged with Al Qaeda – to flee from its bases in the city. Since then, much progress has been made in beginning to rebuild the Somali state.

Key Headlines

AMISOM captures more ground beyond Mogadishu ( Source: AMISOM Force HQ)
Over 20 Puntland troops said killed in Islamist attack in northeastern Somalia ( Source: Radio Shabelle)
TFG asks Afgoye residents to vacate area ( Source: Somalia Report)
UN Humanitarian Chief says resettlement of IDPs to commence soon (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
9.5m people still face famine in the Horn of Africa – Rawlings ( Source: Ghana News)
Britain is trying to ‘colonize Somalia’: Shabaab (Source: AFP)
Mogadishu brands al-Qaeda ‘colonialists’ ( Source: Daily Monitor )
Al Shabaab vows London conference will not succeed in Somalia [Photos](Source: Raxanreeb)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM captures more ground beyond Mogadishu

14 Feb – Source: AMISOM Force HQ – 233 words

AU forces this morning executed a successful operation against Al Qaeda terrorists on the outskirts of Mogadishu, capturing two sites of tactical importance. In an advance that begun at approximately 5 am,AMISOM’s Burundian Contingent took Al Janale hill, which oversees the southern approaches to the Mogadishu International Airport as well as the Maslah building which sits on the road to Afgoye, a terrorist stronghold.

In September, Somali leaders from all major factions met in Mogadishu to adopt a Political Roadmap to restoring permanent government in August 2012. In January, the first national constitutional conference was held in the city of Garowe which adopted principles governing the drafting of a new constitution and reforming the parliament. A follow up conference is due to start later this week.

SOMALI MEDIA

African Union Force seizes new positions from Al Shabaab

14 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Radio Mogadishu, Risaala – 107 words

The African Union Force in Mogadishu on Tuesday expanded its territory by seizing control of two strategic sites between Mogadishu and the rebel held Elasha Biyaha area on the outskirt of Mogadishu.

The Force spokesman Paddy Ankunda told Bar-kulan that they seized control of Ali Janale area and the former Maslah building, few KM from Elasha Biyaha area-rebel stronghold on the outskirt of Mogadishu- without facing any resistance from Al-Shabaab rebel fighters.

Ali Janale is a strategic area located on the outskirt of the war-torn capital and it was initially occupied by Al-Shabaab rebel group while Maslah is located along the road linking Mogadishu to Afgoye town. This comes two days after African Union forces in Somalia revealed that it was planning to attack Afgoye, a stronghold town of Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab rebel group located some 30 kilometres west of the war-torn Mogadishu.

Over 20 Puntland troops said killed in Islamist attack in northeastern Somalia

14 Feb – Source: Radio Shabelle, Hiiraan Online – 162 words

Over 20 Puntland troops are said to have been killed in an Islamist attack in northeastern Somalia. “Over 20 Puntland soldiers have been killed in a surprise attack this morning launched by militias loyal Islamist cleric Sheikh Mohammad Sa’eed Atam near Bosaso town”, northeastern Somalia, reported privately-owned Radio Shabelle on 14 February.

The attack “occurred this morning after the morning prayers in Sugure, about 40 km south of Bosaso”. Eye witnesses who spoke to Shabelle said they “have seen the bodies of 17 Puntland soldiers killed in the attack, and the town is in the hands of the militia group”, adds the source.

The attack follows after “a man said to be the brother of Sheikh Mohammad Sa’eed Atam was arrested yesterday following security operations conducted in the town”. “Tension is said to be high and mobilization of forces is being felt in Bosaso town”.

Al Shabaab vows London conference will not succeed in Somalia [Photos]

14 Feb – Source: Raxanreeb – 196 words

Somalia’s al Shabaab group vowed that it will break down the outcome of UK’s proposed London conference on Somalia and warned any western initiative will not work in the country, an al Shabab spokesman says.

“We tell Britain not to attempt any plot against the Islam, they said they will host a Somali meeting in London. We know that they are willing to develop a new colonial system for Somalia.” Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage [Ali Dhere], the spokesman of the Islamist group addressed in a big rally supporting their newly announcement of Al-Qaeda merging which was organized by al Shabaab. The rally was held on the outskirts of Elasha, just a few kilometers outside of the capital where thousands of armed fighters marched.

The group presented young armed children whom they said were fighters defending Islam. “You know the Mujahidin recently became full member of Al-Qaeda network and we are part of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula [AQAP]. We will work closely for our brothers” the spokesman added.
Meanwhile similar rallies were held in Jowhar town of Middle Shabelle, 90 KM south of Mogadishu. Sources told RBC Radio that senior Al-Qaeda members in Somalia were participating to the demonstration in Jowhar.

UN Humanitarian Chief says resettlement of IDPs to commence soon

13 Feb – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 214 words

The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs on Somalia Mark Bowden has met with the Transitional Federal Government Interior Minister Abdisamad Maalim Mohamud where the two heads discussed the humanitarian situation after the United Nations declared famine over in Somalia. Mark Bowden the head of the UN OCHA met with the Somali Interior Head in a bid to assess the humanitarian situation in the capital; thousands of internally displaced persons have come to Mogadishu in search of a better livelihood.

The South regions has witnessed heavy rains in the past few days that has renewed the hopes and expectations of the pastoralists and farmers who are resettling back to their region to plough their lands. The UN says that it will soon begin the process of returning the displaced persons to their regions after the United Nations declared that regions in southern Somalia, namely Bay, Bakol and Lower Shabelle as no longer experiencing famine conditions on November 18th.

Islamic countries already began the resettlement process and have equipped the returning families’ sufficient aid to last them for more than three months. More people will continue to be resettled in the coming days.

Under five child vaccination to start in Somaliland

14 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 199 words

A vaccination campaign aimed at vaccinating a large number of children under five years of age is set to kick off in all regions of Somaliland early next week, Health Minister says. Somaliland’s Health Minister Hussein Mohamud Mohamed announced that the campaign which is meant to vaccinate children less than five years of age in the region is part of a bid to make sure that children in the region are protected from crippling and deadly child diseases.

The minister said that the campaign is part of their programmes aimed at reducing the risks faced by many infants in the area and boosting the health standards of children who are under five years of age. He further said that over 1200 health workers in conjunction with a special committee from various neighbourhoods will conduct the exercise as of next Sunday, 19 Feb. 2012.

Mohamed added that before the campaign starts, they will conduct an awareness campaign to educate people of the importance of vaccination against killer diseases like measles, tuberculosis and polio in order to ensure every child gets a healthy start in life.

Puntland arrests Islamist leader’s brother near Bosasso

13 Feb – Source: Raxanreeb, Radio Garowe – 214 words

The security minister of Somalia’s semi-autonamous region of Puntland confirms that security forces on Monday arrested the brother of an Islamist leader in eastern region of Somalia, RBC Radio reports.

The minister told reporters in Garowe that they have jailed Ahmed-Keyr Said Mohamed, the younger brother of Sheikh Mohamed Said Atam who is the commander of Islamist group which fought against Puntland last year.

“Puntland forces launched operation in Galgala Mountains where Al-Shabab members were holding meeting. They ran away after they saw security forces but luckily we arrested a man called Ahmed-Keyr Said Mohamed.” Puntland security minister Kalif Isse Mudan said in a press conference in Garowe, the base of Puntland. “He was in charge for developing explosive devices and also was militia trainer” the minister claimed. Local sources told RBC Radio that the detained man was arrested near Galgala district and was transferred to Bosasso prison.

Somaliland: Not Resigning as Finance Minister, says Hashi

13 Feb – Source: Somaliland Press – 186 words

Somaliland Finance Minister Eng. Mohamed Hashi Elmi in an interview with Saxan Saxo newspaper strongly denied speculation saying the Minister relinquished his cabinet position due to strain relationship with several high ranking ministers in the Siilanyo administration. Minister Mohamed Hash Elmi categorically rejected the gossip that has been in the media last few days as he gave an exclusive interview to the local newspaper.

Minister Hashi blamed the gossip of his resignation on opportunistic individuals that would like to portray a negative image of Somaliland as country in economic crisis and at war. The Finance Minister went further and said that he is dedicated to his job and that these false tales have been in the media for far too long and therefore need to be put to rest.

“This is totally baseless; there is no resignation that I made. It was speculation circulated that has no base” said Mr. Hashi. It has become norm for tales of Finance Minister Engineer Mohamed Hashi’s resignation to be in the media outlet since he took the post and each time it turned out to be another tale.

TFG asks Afgoye residents to vacate area

13 Feb – Source: Somalia Report – 370 words

The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) declared they are ready to attack Afgoye district in Lower Shabelle region where the al-Qaeda aligned forces of al-Shaabab are currently operating.
Since the TFG liberated Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, the mission to attack Afgoye district has turned into a key objective for the allies. The seizing of Afgoye will allow Lower Shabelle residents, especially those in Afgoye district, easy access to Mogadishu, which gets most of its agricultural commodities like fruits and vegetables from the al-Shabaab controlled district.

TFG Commander General Abdikarin Yussuf Aden (Dhaga Badan) stated in a press release today that the TFG wants Afgoye residents to vacate the area as soon as possible. “On behalf of the TFG, I am sending regards to the Afgoye residents and we request that they shift from Afgoye district as soon as possible due to TFG’s intended military operations. We want the residents to remain safe and avoid any harm to them,” said the general.

The deputy commander of AMISOM, Mr. Audace Nduwumunsi, similarly commented on the plans.
“I think it will be very easy for us to fulfill the mission if the residents agree with us and vacate the town unharmed and this will be beneficial to them and to us as well,” he stated.

“We are only doing this for the safety of the residents since the troops are more focused on war and they may not get time to differentiate between the fighters and the civilian residents. Residents might be injured and that is what we are against,” added Mr. Audace. Abdullahi Hashi Gedi, a local businessman in Afgoye district, spoke to Somalia Report and expressed his opinion towards the call to flee.

“I think the idea is not bad but the question is will Afgoye residents agree with the TFG about this or not? I doubt if it is going to work because we as residents cannot live without Afgoye, since it is where we grew up and our families and children are living there,” said Abdullahi Hashi Gedi.

Galmudug president to attend 2nd consultative meeting in Garowe

14 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Somali Chanel TV – 158 words

The president of Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Galmudug, Mohamed Ahmed Ali on Monday visited Garowe where the second phase of the Somali consultative meeting is set to kick off tomorrow. At Garowe Airport, President Alin and his entourage was warmly received by several high ranking Puntland officials including Vice president, Abdisamed Ali Shire and cabinet ministers. President Alin is leading a group of Galmudug officials who are attending the second face of the Somali consultative meeting which will kick off tomorrow in Garowe.

The former Somali government police commander, Abdi Hassan Awale Qeybdid and the Speaker of Galmudug Parliament were said to be among the delegates accompanying president Alin to Garowe.

Completion of Somalia’s draft constitution and the kind of federalism the country will adopt is expected to dominate the second phase of the Somali consultative meeting once it kicks off in Garowe, Puntland. The first phase of the Garowe meeting on constitution and parliamentary reforms was concluded in Garowe late last December.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Mogadishu brands al-Qaeda ‘colonialists’

14 Feb – Source: Daily Monitor – 280 words

President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed urged the inhabitants of Somalia to treat al-Qaeda as a colonial power in the Horn of Africa country following the announcement of a merger with al-Shabaab, the radical Islamist group in Somalia on Friday. “We must identify al-Qaeda as the last colonial power that invaded our country,” said President Ahmed while speaking at a function in South Mogadishu to enhance social integration in the war-torn city on Sunday.

Since Somalis recall Britain and Italy as the colonial powers that occupied the country nearly a century and half ago, President Ahmed was seeking to add al-Qaeda to the list. He also indicated lack of hope for possible cessation of hostilities. “Al-Shabaab’s move to join al-Qaeda erodes all hopes for peace talks,” said the president while wielding a black stick and clad in military combat attire.

The Mayor of Mogadishu, Mr Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, alias Tarzan, who spoke at the function, hinted that al-Shabaab’s union with al-Qaeda indicated that the Islamist movement was technically split.

On Saturday, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, the spokesperson of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), spoke of the amalgamation between al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda, the Afghanistan-Pakistan-based Islamist group. He immediately stated that the merger announced on Friday will not have an impact on Amisom’s peacekeeping efforts.

Talking to Shabelle, an independent media in Mogadishu, Lt. Col. Ankunda said the reports contained no new disclosures. “It is not new to hear al-Qaeda and al-Shabaab having same objectives,” said Lt Col. Ankunda. He added that the international community was expected to assist the TFG and Amisom in clearing al-Qaeda from Somalia, bearing in mind that the African Union mission’s objective is pacification and stabilisation of Somalia.

Inside Story – Al-Qaeda and al-Shabaab: Double the trouble?

11 Feb – Source: Al Jazeera – 25:35 min

Al Jazeera asks what the formal merger of the Al Shabaab and Al Qaeda means for the conflict in Somalia.

9.5m people still face famine in the Horn of Africa – Rawlings

13 Feb – Source: Ghana News – 309 words

Former President Jerry John Rawlings, African Union High Representative for Somalia, says though the United Nations has downgraded the famine situation in Somalia, the country was still at risk of a renewed crisis if humanitarian aid was cut. He said an amount of $1.5 billion was required so Somalia did not return into a state of famine.

A statement issued by the Office of Former President in Accra on Monday said he was addressing the Second Annual Conference of the Centre for Technology and Economic Development (CTED) of the New York University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Sunday.President Rawlings said a total of 9.5 million people still faced famine in the Horn of Africa with 2.3 million coming from Somalia alone.

Speaking on the topic: “Somalia, the Horn of Africa and Food Security”, the AU High Representative said conflict had impacted negatively on food security in Somalia but expressed the confidence that the recent successes chalked by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in liberating Mogadishu and other regions of Somalia would help to put in place measures to enhance food security.

Earlier, Professor Yaw Nyarko, a renowned Professor of Economics and Director of the Centre, described President Rawlings as “an emblem of humility and integrity” who had championed the cause of the common man.

He recounted the role President Rawlings had played in the resolution of the conflicts in Liberia and Rwanda. Professor Nyarko said President Rawlings played a huge role in creating international awareness on the humanitarian situation that engulfed the Horn of Africa in 2011.President Rawlings and his delegation also held a meeting with the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi.

Kenyan police train private security firms’ staff on explosives in war against terrorism

13 Feb – Source: Daily Nation – 461 words

The fight against terrorism continued to gather momentum after the government teamed up with private security firms to seek a joint solution to the crime.
It is seen as a decisive step by the government to restore confidence to tourists following last year’s two abduction cases in Lamu by Somali bandits.

On Monday, the police department promised to work closely with private security firms in Coast Province, particularly along the 600 kilometre coastline to prevent any further terrorists attacks.

A joint training is being conducted in Mombasa, organised by a British based security private firm, XFOR Security Solution and top police officers. They are gathered at the Nyali Reef Hotel to coach more than 100 participants from different security firms.

The trainees will learn various ways of detecting explosives and how to collect intelligence in their respective work places, especially in hotels and other business premises, such as supermarkets.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Obama, Cameron discuss Syria, Somalia

14 Feb – Source: AFP/ Now Lebanon/World News – 142 words

US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron renewed their condemnation of Syria’s brutal crackdown and discussed security threats in Somalia on Monday, the White House said.

The two leaders also made preparations for Cameron’s official visit to the United States next month, and discussed the Eurozone crisis, Greece’s financial troubles and the NATO-led force’s transition to Afghan security control.

“The President and Prime Minister discussed the situation in Syria, condemning the regime’s violent repression of its own citizens, and agreed to coordinate closely on efforts to pressure the Assad regime and support a transition to democracy,” a White House statement said.

The leaders also spoke about Somalia, ahead of a conference later this month in London on the lawless Horn of Africa nation, which Britain considers a security threat due to fears some of its nationals have joined Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents.

Britain is trying to ‘colonize Somalia’: Shabaab

14 Feb – Source: AFP – 246 words

Somalia’s Al-Qaeda allied Shabaab insurgents have slammed British efforts to address the multiple crises in the war-torn Horn of Africa nation as “another attempt to colonise Somalia.” British Prime Minister David Cameron will chair a February 23 conference in London, gathering Somali and foreign leaders to find a solution to the civil unrest that has plagued Somalia almost without interruption since 1991.

However, Shabaab Spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage said the “London conference is another attempt to colonise Somalia,” in a message posted online late Monday. “It?s the imperious nature of the Brits that sees them meddling in Islam affairs in the hope of reviving a hopeless dream of a British Empire,” the Shabaab Twitter website read.

“Britain must understand that the Muslims have long rejected British imperialism, and the futility of their renewed attempt is all too obvious,” the extremists added. Decades of war and lawlessness have ruined Somalia, leaving it with no basic infrastructure, its people in deep poverty and a humanitarian crisis the United Nations describes as the worst in the world.

Earlier this month, British Foreign Secretary William Hague visited war-scarred Mogadishu, marking a new drive by London to address the country’s protracted crisis. The Islamist Shabaab rebels have been fighting to topple the Western-backed Somali government in

Mogadishu, where the administration survives under the protection of a 10,000-strong African Union force.
Regional countries have recently increased pressure on the Shabaab, with Kenyan troops battling the rebels in the south of Somalia since last October.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“This idea that our similarities, and perhaps more profoundly, our differences can act as catalysts to bring us together allowed me to start the next step in my journey toward service through diversity work. I became a participant in Face to Face | Faith-to-Faith in the summer of 2010. Face-to-Face | Faith to Faith is a interfaith and multicultural leadership program that brings together young leaders from around the world. Its goal is simple; prepare the leaders of today with the tools to engage productively in a multi-faith global society tomorrow. Although its goal is simple, its implementation was profound.”

Catalyzing Convergence: Bringing our Differences Face-to-Face

13 Feb – Source: Hiiraan Online – 917 Words

I am extremely honored and humbled to have been selected as a White House Champion of Change, especially as an innovator in the Somali Diaspora community. It is a passion of mine and a privilege to work with the Somali-American community in central Ohio as well as the community at large while working toward cooperation and understanding as we attempt to make a home for ourselves here in the United States.

As a first-generation Somali American in a small central Ohio suburb, I have grown up between cultures. Understanding and appreciating my Somali heritage while also taking part in my distinctly American upbringing, I have been able to take the best of both those cultures and create one distinctly my own. My background as well as my community’s increasing diversity has contributed to my passion for cross-cultural and inter-faith work and dialogue.

“Now it is likely that the Awdal and Khaatumo states will take their messages to the upcoming Somali conference in London initiated and organized by Britain. And this means, among other things, that Somaliland is not a representative state of Somali clans that reside in the former British Somaliand. Therefore, Somaliland’s argument and its quest for recognition as an independent state bordering Somalia will not be justifiable at all, since the two above mentioned clans do not subscribe to the secessionist ideology espoused by President Siilaanyo and his ilk.”

Somaliland’s Quest for Recognition Unrealistic

13 Feb – Source: Hiiraan Online – 971 words

Somaliland’s dream for recognition and its quest for sovereignty are evaporating. The creation of Khaatumo and Awdal states is a big blow to Somaliland’s aspiration. Somaliland’s ambition is to unilaterally secede from the rest of Somalia, regardless of the willingness of the Somali people. But now, the claim that Somaliland’s borders span from this territory to that area is null and void, simply because two autonomous clan based states have also emerged from the same land termed as “Somaliland”. And now than ever before, Somaliland has been reduced to a clan territory, a territory with one choice only: to rejoin Somalia and revive the glory that the country once had. Otherwise, Somaliland will need to restructure itself after the creation of Khaatumo and Awdal states if it is still to hold onto its secessionist desire.

For a brief introduction, the name “Somaliland” dates back to Europe’s colonial era when Britain and Italy conquered and colonized Somalis territories. Britain colonized northern Somalia, whereas Italy colonized southern part of the country. Consequently, the northern part of the country was named British Somaliland, while the southern part was known as Italian Somaliland.

“President Silanyo has such an opportunity at the London conference. He must challenge the world to deny the self evident will of the people of Somaliland and their unique achievement in creating a democratic, post-irredentist Somali state, imperfect as it may be, adjacent to the longest-running failed state in modern history. He must point out that the denial of Somaliland’s rights and the continued consignment of the people of Somalia to a never-ending nightmare of anarchy, terrorism and war are two sides of the same coin. Somaliland’s message to the London conference is simple: if the definition of madness is repeating the same action again and again yet expecting a different result each time, then we are your sanity pill; ignore us at your peril.”

Somaliland and the ‘London Conference’: Silanyo must challenge denial of Somaliland’s rights

13 Feb – Source: African Arguments – 2175 Words

The upcoming London Conference on Somalia, and the UK’s urging of the Somaliland Government to attend, has understandably generated a lot of debate and comment within the Somaliland community, both within and outside the country. One of the stated objectives of the conference, according to Matt Baugh, Senior Representative for Somalia, is to “…reinforce the relative stability in areas of Somalia, such as Somaliland and Puntland and in the south…”

This statement has, again understandably, aroused the ire of the people of Somaliland since they recovered their sovereignty from the erstwhile Republic of Somalia in 1991, and have steadfastly maintained their distance from the anarchy, state collapse and war that have engulfed Somalia ever since, despite repeated attempts to drag them into this unending maelstrom.

Top tweets

Evan Kohlmann @IntelTweet Shabaab al-Mujahideen in Somalia will soon release a new video titled, “The Fighting Front in Ceelwaaq: Thwarting the Kenyan Puppets.”

@Dr. Badal kariye Killing investigative journalists in Somalia won’t help you to hide your illegal crimes and swindling money on behalf of Somalia.

Abdi Aynte @Aynte Source: moderate #Islamist groups in #Somalia to unveil a political entity today (Valentines Day)!

Tristan McConnell @t_mcconnell US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) has “free hand in #Somalia” says @marcambinder in new book. Interview here: bit.ly/wRnh1S

Brigadier Bomblazt @Bomblazt @khadrahayati anything apart from what the media is portraying. Issues dat people on the streets talk about concerning Somalia n the world.

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Image of the day

Image of the day Somali militant group al Shabaab ordered residents in their areas to protest and show support to the group’s merger with al Qaeda terror network.