February 22, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Ethiopian tanks advance on key Somali town

21 Feb- Source: Daily Nation, AFP- 420 words
Ethiopian troops in battle tanks thrust into rebel-held Somalia regions Tuesday, sparking heavy fighting as they advanced towards the major al Shabaab stronghold of Baidoa, witnesses said.

The latest unrest erupted just two days before world powers meet at a London conference on the Horn of Africa nation, which is beset by a litany of woes including the Al-Qaeda-linked insurgency, piracy and famine.

Key Headlines

Cameron warns of threat in Somalia (Source: AP)
Al Shabaab targets the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps (Source: TFG)
22 kids seized during weapons class in Mosque (Source: Somalia Report)
David Cameron calls for Somalia support (Source: Bar-Kulan)
Head of Telecommunication company’s assets frozen by UN Security council (Source: Garowe Online)
Turkish FM to join conference on Somalia in UK (Source: World Bulletin)
Japan funds IOM water treatment project for IDPs in Somalia (Source: Afriquejet)

PRESS RELEASE

Al Shabaab targets the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps

21 Feb – Source: TFG – 212 words

The Al Shabaab (Al Qaeda Somalia) terrorists started targeting the IDP camps due to their diminished
capability in confronting the Somali Army and the African Union Forces.

Yesterday the terrorists murdered one person and injured many others in an explosion in the Badbado IDP camp (the largest of its kind in Somalia), in Dharkanley, Mogadishu. This was an indiscriminate
terrorist attack on those least able to protect themselves.

The Acting Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications, H.E. Abdullahi Bile Noor, said “After failing several times in its effort to murder the residents of
Mogadishu, due to the diligence and effectiveness of the anti- terrorist operations by the Somali Intelligence Service, the SNSA, Al Shabaab (Al Qaeda Somalia) seems to have switched their attacks on those whom the Somali government and the international community were helping save their lives.”

“ If they would not respect the lives of their destitute fellow Muslim Somalis, the question is whom they will target next?” the minister added.

“The Somali government condemns this barbarous action by Al Shabaab and is sending condolences to the bereaving families; as well as wishing those injured a speedy recovery. The TFG will also beef up the
security of all the IDP camps by providing additional personal to save the lives of the people living there.” the minister concluded.

SOMALI MEDIA

22 kids seized during weapons class in Mosque

21 Feb- Source: Somalia Report- 225 words

In a day of successful security operations in Mogadishu, forces from Somalia’s TFG detained 22 kids during a weapons training class in Dharkinley district and 20 al Shabaab suspects hiding with weapons in Wardhigley and Deynile districts. TFG forces today detained 22 school kids, some as young as 10 years old, in a mosque in Mogadishu’s Dharkinley district as they were learning how to use AK-47s rifles, throw hand grenades and prepare explosive devices.

Puntland President receives a warm welcome in London

21 Feb – Source: Garowe Online – 112 words

Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole and his delegation were warmly received at London’s Heathrow Airport. President Farole and his delegation arrived at Heathrow Airport on Monday night. Delegates that accompanied President Farole include Interior Minister Abdullahi Ahmed Ilkajir, Education Minister Abdi Farah Juha and Puntland Electoral Commission Chairman Mohamed Hassan Barre.

David Cameron calls for Somalia support

21 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 159 words

British Prime Minister David Cameron has urged the international community to strengthen its efforts to help Somalia ahead of a conference in London this week. He spoke ahead of the London Somali Conference on Thursday, which will debate how to tackle terrorism, piracy and famine. Mr. Cameron told the press that Britain would like to see the whole world focus on Somalia including supporting an African Union peacekeeping force there and helping to ensure there is a smooth transition for the country’s government.

Puntland forces apprehend al Shabaab suspected militants

21 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 128 words
Heavily armed forces under Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland have apprehended on Tuesday a number of al Shabaab suspected militants after operations in Galka’yo town, a police officer says.

Officials say at least five people were arrested after the security forces launched an operation in the early hours on Tuesday morning in parts of the divided town of northern Galka’yo where insecurity acts rose in the past few months.

Warring parties in Somalia put children at grave risk, report says

21 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 394 words

Somalia’s warring parties have all failed to protect Somali children from the fighting or serving in their forces, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Human Rights Watch has accused al Shabaab militant group of increasingly targeting children for recruitment, forced marriage, and rape and attacking teachers and schools. The 104-page report,“ No Place for Children: Child Recruitment, Forced Marriage, and Attacks on School in Somalia,” details unlawful recruitment and other laws-of-war violations against children by all parties to the conflict in Somalia since 2010.

Somaliland’s Council Of Representatives approves fighting piracy, bank rules

21 Feb- Source: Hadhwanaag Times, Radio Hargeysa- 96 words

Somaliland’s council of representatives on Tuesday unanimously approved rules about fighting piracy and banks. Also, the lawmakers approved prisoners swap rules which were imparted to the council before the departure of Ahmed Mohumd Silanyo, the president of Somaliland republic.

Head of Telecommunication company’s assets frozen by UN Security council

21 Feb – Source: Garowe Online – 336 words

The Head of one of the largest telecommunication companies in Somalia is accused of being an al Shabaab financier according to the UN Security Council. Ali Ahmed Nur (Jim’ale), according to the statement released on Friday by the Security Council’s department of public information, held leadership roles with the ‘radical-Islamist element’, the Somali Islamic Courts Union. Jim’ale was added to the list of people and entities subject to travel ban, assets freeze and targeted arms embargo by the UN Security Council. Jim’ale according to the UN Security Council Committee on Somalia and Eretria is one of Al Shabaab’s ‘chief financiers’.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Envoy: Kenya military to benefit from US aid

21 Feb- Source: Daily Nation- 465 words

The Kenya military is set to benefit from the United States financial assistance once it is fully integrated into the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), an envoy has said. US special representative to Somalia James Swan said Tuesday his country has given US$340 million in voluntary assistance to countries that have contributed troops to AMISOM since 2007.

Ethiopian tanks advance on key Somali town

Japan funds IOM water treatment project for IDPs in Somalia

21 Feb- Source: Afriquejet -200 words

Japan has agreed to provide funding for a water treatment project for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Somalia, which has been wracked by ethnic clashes and unrest for the last two decades. According to a statement by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), obtained by PANA in Khartoum, Sudan on Tuesday, the organization has launched a 3-month pilot study of water supply, sanitation and hygiene for IDPs living on the outskirts of Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Turkish FM to join conference on Somalia in UK

21 Feb- Source: World Bulletin -163 words
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu will represent Turkey this week at an international conference on the future of Somalia in London. The conference, which will bring together representatives of 40 countries and various international organizations, aims to boost international efforts to aid and support Somalia. Britain’s Foreign Ministry, which will host the conference, has said a “new approach to Somalia” is necessary.

Al Azhar supports London Conference on Somalia

21 Feb- Source: Foreign and Commonwealth Office- 232 words

Dr Ahmed El Tayyeb, the Imam of Al-Azhar has issued a statement in support of the London Conference on Somalia. Al-Azhar is the most influential religious authority in Egypt, and one of the most important authorities in the Islamic World.

The London Conference on Somalia is taking place on 23 February and will be attended by senior representatives from more than 50 countries and international organisations. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will attend, as will the Head of the African Union, the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Co-operation.

Cameron warns of threat in Somalia

21 Feb – Source: AP – 436 words

David Cameron has warned of the “real threat” posed by extremism in Somalia on the eve of a crucial conference in the UK.

The risk could escalate unless significant action is taken to stabilise the failed state, according to the Prime Minister.

Representatives from more than 40 governments and multilateral bodies are due to hold talks on Somalia in London. The international gathering will attempt to agree an approach to resolving the political turmoil, improving security, tackling terrorism, and providing humanitarian aid.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“First of all, unlike most of the others, this conference is not about sorting out the internal political problems of Somalia. It is not another of those two-year-long excuses for Somali politicians to stay in expensive hotels in foreign countries, while people at home carry on killing each other and starving to death.”
“Secondly, the British have been doing a lot of groundwork ahead of the conference. They have been reaching out to all sorts of Somalis, at home and abroad.”

Will the London conference help Somalia?

21 Feb – BBC – 1025 Words

UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s announcement of a London Conference on Somalia, initially led to widespread scepticism.
People recalled that there have been some 20 international conferences on Somalia since the collapse of central authority in 1991, and that they have achieved very little. Not another big, expensive talking shop, many Somali-watchers thought.

“A traffic policeman. Pedestrians. Taxis. Crowded markets and cafes. An absence of constant gunfire. Mogadishu has changed dramatically.”

Strolling to buy a lollipop in Mogadishu

21 Feb – Source: BBC Blog – 474
It’s six months since I was last in the Somali capital – a city then ravaged by famine, swarming with gunmen, and fought over by a lethal assortment of African Union peacekeepers, Islamist militants and clan militias.

I won’t pretend this is anywhere close to “normal” now. The endless ruins are still packed with displaced families, and behind each busy street thousands of people remain camped out in the most wretched makeshift tents.
More are arriving every day – fleeing the fighting and the uncertainty that continues to plague towns outside the capital. There are regular car bombings here too, and suicide attacks by al Shabaab – the militant Islamist group that was finally pushed out of almost the entire city late last year.