February 28, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Death toll of football kids bombed by al Shabaab rises to five
28 Feb – Source: TFG – 197 words
The death toll of the kids murdered by al Shabaab, the al Qaeda sponsored terrorists, in a football field in the Wardhigley district of Mogadishu has risen to five, as three more of the victims died of their injuries in hospital last night.
The Acting Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunication, H.E. Abdullahi Bile Noor, speaking on behalf of the TFG said today, “ It is a sad day for all the Somali people when our children are massacred while just playing football in their own neighborhood; It’s even a sadder state of affairs when the depraved people behind it claim to be Muslims.”
“ The TFG will continue and intensify its efforts to bring to an end to this threat to our children and to the rest of the society by strengthening the security of places where people, especially children congregate. But we must also remember that no society can completely eliminate this type of terrorism in the short term; However, in the medium to long term, we are certain of its elimination, as our armed forces push the terrorists out of the areas surrounding Mogadishu and the rest of the country which is already in progress.” The Minister concluded.
Key Headlines
- Somali govt: al Shabaab is behind blast at football match (Shabelle)
- Death toll of football kids bombed by al Shabaab rises to five (TFG)
- Somali PM visits Norway ( Radio Bar-kulan)
- Security of Somali capital improves (Somali National News Agency)
- Al Shabaab attacks TFG forces in Gedo region ( Shabelle)
- Al Shabaab vow to seize unite Somalia (Daily Monitor)
- UN team out to verify needs of Kenya forces ( Daily Nation)
- Chinese Navy fights piracy in Somalia (China)
- Turkish Islamic organization calls on Somalis to remain united (Anatolia News Agency Ankara)
PRESS RELEASE
Death toll of football kids bombed by al Shabaab rises to five
28 Feb – Source: TFG – 197 words
The death toll of the kids murdered by al Shabaab, the al Qaeda sponsored terrorists, in a football field in the Wardhigley district of Mogadishu has risen to five, as three more of the victims died of their injuries in hospital last night.
The Acting Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunication, H.E. Abdullahi Bile Noor, speaking on behalf of the TFG said today, “ It is a sad day for all the Somali people when our children are massacred while just playing football in their own neighborhood; It’s even a sadder state of affairs when the depraved people behind it claim to be Muslims.”
“ The TFG will continue and intensify its efforts to bring to an end to this threat to our children and to the rest of the society by strengthening the security of places where people, especially children congregate. But we must also remember that no society can completely eliminate this type of terrorism in the short term; However, in the medium to long term, we are certain of its elimination, as our armed forces push the terrorists out of the areas surrounding Mogadishu and the rest of the country which is already in progress.” The Minister concluded.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali govt: al Shabaab is behind blast at football match
28 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 139 words
Somali government has condemned a deadly bomb blast on Monday afternoon that hit a football match held in a stadium in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, wounding 8 civilians. Abdullah Anod, one of TFG armed forces commanders told Shabelle Media that al Shabaab militants were behind the attack at the stadium in Wardhiglay district that injured at least 8 people, among them fans and players.
“The incident was tragic and unfortunate, such brutal acts could only be perpetrated by al Shabaab militants, it was heavy and deadly, presumably a roadside bomb that went off at the football pitch as the match was about to start,” Mr. Anod said. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but al Shabaab insurgents have carried out grenade and suicide attacks since abandoning bases in Mogadishu in August last year.
Security of Somali capital improves
28 Feb – Source: Somali National News Agency – 230 words
Security situation in the capital Mogadishu and its environs has steadily improved following a two-week long offensive by the Somali security apparatus that saw large caches of weapons found and more than hundred people arrested. Local residents have welcomed the operations and are calling on the security agencies to conduct such operations regularly in order to counter possible al Shabaab threats as well as arrest the group’s sympathizers.
Security has been upheld in Mogadishu following the exit of the insurgent group al Shabaab that has seen world leaders visit Mogadishu due to the improved security. The intelligence Agency has also weakened the al Shabaab force in the capital after dismantling virtually all the al Shabaab terror cells.
The Joint Security Committee has noted that some progress had been made in enhancing the security sector in Somalia. In particular, the JSC recognized the major territorial gains made by TFG security forces, with the support of AMISOM, the countries of the region and other international partners, more emphasis was placed in the latest combat that took place in Daynille.
The JSC expressed its appreciation to the Governments of Burundi and Uganda, Djibouti and Kenya for their continuing contribution to peace and security in Somalia, and paid special tribute to the courage and determination of their soldiers, especially to the families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the current security operations.
Bodies of young men found in north Galkayo
28 Feb – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 150 words
Bodies of two young men were found in the early morning hours of Tuesday in north of Galkayo town in central Somalia. Eyewitnesses told SONNA residents of north Galkacyo woke up to rude shock after finding the bodies sprayed with bullets. Fear has gripped local residents fearing more attacks against the youngesters that reside there.
Locals are calling on the security forces to investigate the matter to avoid a repeat of the same incident. Most youths have also expressed concern over the killings. No one has claimed responsibility for the killings of the two young men so far and the matter is under investigations with the Police vowing to bring down the culprits in the soonest time possible.
Al Shabaab attacks TFG forces in Gedo region
28 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 146 words
The Islamist militant group of al Shabaab linked with al Qaeda have overnight attacked TFG bases in Somalia’s southern Gedo region near the Kenyan border, causing an unconfirmed casualties, reports say. Residents in Luq district confirmed that the militants launched a mortar attack on a checkpoint at a bridge in the town that is largely controlled by government troops, flaring up fierce fighting between al Shabaab fighters and TFG soldiers.
Reports say both sides exchanged heavy artilleries and machine guns during the battle which forced residents to flee from their houses to the neighbourhoods to avoid being caught up in the exchange of fire. TFG troop officials in the region said they have foiled an al Shabaab attack on their base overnight in Luq district of Gedo region of southern Somalia. They also noted TFG troops have inflicted casualties to the militants in the battle.
Galmudug state nominates 25-member committee to improve region’s security
27 Feb – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Somalia Report – 59 words
In a meeting attended by the various sectors of Galmudug society, the regional state nominated a 25-member committee that will be in charge of tightening the security of the region. The chairman of Galmudug parliament told the media that they are hoping that the nomination of the committee will decrease the growing insecurity of Galmudug districts and villages.
Andrew Mitchell: ”Britain has no commercial interest in Somalia’s oil”
27 Feb – Source: Garowe Online, BBC Somali Service – 200 words
Britain’s Secretary- of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell has denied UK Observer’s claims that Britain has a commercial imperative in Somalia, Garowe Online reports. The UK newspaper the Observer wrote on Sunday that Britain was providing humanitarian aid and security assistance in hopes to a stake of the oil or possibly exploration rights.
The Observer who spoke to Puntland Ministers said that Puntland was offered help in future management of oil revenues. Puntland was also offered technical help and building of oil capacity by oil giant British Petroleum. Andrew Mitchell who spoke to BBC’s Andrew Marr stated that Britain has no intentions in exploring oil in Somalia.
“Of course, of course if oil is found and developed, we want that oil to work for the benefit of the Somali people,” said Mitchell, “But the British Government’s development efforts are engaged to make sure that the money is accounted for, spent transparently, and works for the benefit of Somalis.”
TFG forces advances on Hudur in Bakol Region
27 Feb – Source: Somalia Report – 243 words
The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia backed by the Ethiopian military is approaching Hudur district, the capital of Bakol region in southern Somalia and an al Shabaab stronghold, and expect to seize the city within hours. This comes four days after reports surfaced that al Shabaab fled the city. “If God wills, we will be in Hudur soon. We are only 20km away,” Ibrahim Omar Dheere, the commissioner of El-barde district, told Somalia Report. He also said they seized villages around Hudur.
“Teed, Abooro and other villages were captured by our soldiers and we are now advancing on Hudur so that the next report you will hear will be that Hudur has been freed from al Shabaab,” he added referring to the hardline Islamic militant group battling for control of Somalia.
Officials told reporters that they are heading to other districts in the twin regions of Bay and Bakol including Dinsoor, Qansah-Dheere, and Boor-Hakaba. Pastoralists near the area told Somalia Report they have seen the military armed with heavy weapons including tanks approaching to the al Shabaab strongholds near the city. Residents in Hudur expressed frustration that neither the government nor aid agencies have come to their assistance and fear fighting is imminent, forcing many to flee.
Somali PM visits Norway
28 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Radio Mogadishu – 108 words
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed who paid a visit to Norway on Monday has had a meeting with Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim. The two officials who held a press conference after their meeting said they discussed on the international relations between the two countries, the outcomes of the London conference and transformation of the Somali TFG from the transition period.
Moreover, Abdiweli said they spoke of the newly anticipated constitution as well strengthening of the Somali parliament. The PM is today expected to meet the Somali community in Norway.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Al Shabaab vow to seize, unite Somalia
28 Feb – Source: Daily Monitor – 280 words
Sheikh Ali Mohamoud Raghe alias Sheikh Ali Dhere, the spokesperson of al Shabaab, has vowed his militants will capture and unite all the territories in Somalia. The militant group spokesperson made the remark on al-Andalus, a broadcaster run by the radical Islamist group on Sunday. “We are going to link Somalia’s territory from Ras Asayr (in the north) to Ras Kamboni (in the south),” said Sheikh Ali Dhere.
The outspoken cleric was welcoming news of a merger between al Shabaab and an ardent Islamist militias fighting Puntland, a semiautonomous state in Northeastern Somalia. Last week, Sheikh Yasin Khalid Osman alias Yasin Kilwa, a publicly unheard person, announced via the same radio that a group that has been fighting Puntland joined al Shabaab, which itself recently merged with al Qaeda.
According to the released voice of Sheikh Osman, the group that was based around Galgala mountain base just outside Bossaso town, the commercial capital of Puntland, 1,500 kilometres northeast of Mogadishu, was now part of al Shabaab. Sheikh Osman also welcomed the recent announcement concerning the union of al Shabaab with al Qaeda, calling it a victory for the Islamist forces. Calling himself as the Ameer (leader) of the Islamists at the Golis, a mountain range across northern Somalia, he said in Arabic: “We agreed with al Shabaab and we confirmed our commitment in fighting Puntland.”
UN team out to verify needs of Kenya forces
28 Feb – Source: Daily Nation – 269 words
A team of defence experts from the UN Security Council is in the country to certify the number of soldiers and the list of requirements given by the government for the integration of Kenya’s soldiers into African Union forces in Somalia. Kenya is expected to provide manpower while the AU will provide further training and equipment to the soldiers battling al Shabaab insurgents. The AU will now fund the forces’ operations by paying for the firearms, uniforms, salaries and allowances.
Defence minister Yusuf Haji said they had furnished the AU with the number of soldiers and the equipment to be used in the mission— including the number of firearms, uniforms, aircraft and technical crew like engineers. Mr Haji said Kenyan soldiers would rehat into the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces soon as the Security Council fulfils the requirements.
He also said that although KDF forces would change their uniforms from blue to green next week, they would not change their areas of deployment. He was speaking during the opening of symposium on East Africa and India security relations at the International Peace Support Training Centre in Karen, Nairobi.
Kenyan Police shot us, Lamu terror suspects claim
27 Feb – Source: Star (Kenya) – 336 words
Nine suspected al Shabaab fighters who were apprehended in a bush in Kiunga last Thursday claimed that they were shot by police officers during the arrest. The suspects, five of who had bullet wounds, also denied being al Shabaab fighters, claiming that they were returning from Maulid festivals in Somalia when they were apprehended by police.
But the court expressed doubts over their explanation, when they were arraigned on Friday before Lamu Senior Resident Magistrate Angelo Kithinji, at the Mpeketoni mobile court. The suspects, Lukman Mohammed Shee, Hussein Ibrahim Hassan, Haron Musa kale, Muumin Abdi Muumin, Abdulkadir Rehan, Shaban Mwenda, Fahim Khalid Salim, John Salim Onyango and Musa Soshi, denied engaging in al Shabaab activities, and being members of the terror group.
The suspects who were arrested on February 23 at Kiunga location in Lamu East district, Coast province charged with being members of the al Shabaab and in criminal activities. The charges, were read out to them in Swahili and English by court clerk Frank Obuya. The second accused, Hassan, a Somali national, faced another charge of being in the country unlawfully. The suspects, who were unrepresented denied the charges, adding that they wanted to get lawyers to represent them in the case.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Chinese Navy fights piracy in Somalia
28 Feb – Source: China – 305 words
The Chinese Navy is once again sending forces to Somalia to target piracy in the Gulf of Aden. China first began patrolling the waters along with an international flotilla in 2008. Since then, it’s undertaken ten such missions – protecting some 4500 ships. The farewell ceremony is becoming more and more familiar to the Chinese navy these days. A fleet left the port Qingdao on Monday morning, ready to carry out its orders.
Yang Junfei, fleet commander, said, “Fleet 113 ready for duty.” Ding Yiping, deputy commander of Chinese navy, said, “Set Sail!” The fleet brings a destroyer, missile frigate, support ship, 2 helicopters and special forces to bear on the region – a total of 800 naval personnel are involved.
The UN Security Council has been urging member countries to combat piracy along the Somali coast since the 1990s. The Chinese navy joined in 4 years ago and has been an active partner ever since.
Somalia’s al Shabaab occupy beloved “Mama Hawa” camp
27 Feb – Source: Star (Canada) – 474 words
Somali fighters linked to al Qaeda have occupied part of a camp and hospital run by Dr. Hawa Abdi, a fearless 65-year-old obstetrician, gynecologist and lawyer who is regarded as a hero among Somalis and affectionately known as “Mama Hawa.” Along with her daughters Deqo and Amina Mohamed, Hawa has defied odds by offering a home and medical care for 90,000 displaced Somalis just 20 kilometres from Mogadishu, an area of unrelenting violence.
Hawa said an Islamic court run by al Shabaab, a group of radical Islamists, decreed Sunday night that part of her land no longer belonged to her, causing a mass exodus of doctors, patients and occupants to Mogadishu, which is under control of an African Union peacekeeping mission and Somali government forces. The land that was reportedly awarded to al Shabaab business associate by a court operating in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region housed camps for 400 internally displaced Somalis. “This is so awful,” a distraught Hawa said in a telephone interview from Nairobi Monday.
Turkish Islamic organization calls on Somalis to remain united
27 Feb – Source: Anatolia News Agency, Ankara
The secretary general of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Thursday called on all Somali parties to remain united. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called on all Somali parties to remain united, cohesive and strictly focused on the tasks ahead.
“After more than two decades of conflict and chaos, Somalia, today is at a critical juncture,” Ihsanoglu said during an international conference on Somalia in London, Britain. Ihsanoglu underlined importance of cooperation of the international community regarding Somalia, and said the expulsion of al Shabaab from Mogadishu by AMISOM, the Kenyan military operation in Southern Somalia, the Ethiopian military offensive in Central Somalia, as well as the sustained fight against piracy, had created an added momentum for achieving the goals of the transition.
Drawing attention to the current crisis at the Somali parliament, Ihsanoglu said if not well managed, it could derail the transition. “I therefore call upon the parliamentarians, as patriots, at this historical moment, to resolve their differences immediately in the interests of the long suffering people of Somalia,” he said.
Ihsanoglu highlighted importance of ensuring compromise and security in Somalia, and said he firmly believed that a new beginning was possible in Somalia but it could only be attained if all Somalis at home and abroad maintained their cohesion. “Let the London and the upcoming Istanbul conferences pave the road to lasting peace and stability in Somalia and the region,” Ihsanoglu also said.
Somali leader says jobs can help end piracy
27 Feb – Source: Wall Street Journal – 681 words
The key to beating piracy in Somalia is improving the standard of living in the country’s coastal cities and creating jobs for their young people—not relying on intervention by international naval forces, Somalia’s prime minister said. “You don’t want to cure the symptom, you have to cure the cause,” Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said in an interview after a conference last week that brought together more than 50 leaders of governments and international organizations to discuss problems in the East African country.
“In the short term, you can address the problem with a naval blockade. But what we need is to invest in the coast communities, to invest in health and sanitation, so we can create a livelihood for the youth,” Mr. Ali said. In the coastal regions, 90% of Somalis between the ages of 18 and 30 are unemployed.
Somali pirates are responsible for more than half of global attacks on shipping and cost the shipping industry and governments between $6.6 billion and $6.9 billion in 2011, according to a report by Colorado-based initiative Oceans Beyond Piracy. Pirate attacks disrupt Africa’s movement of crude oil and flow of goods, which heavily depend on trade by sea.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“We cannot turn Somalia around with one conference, and the future is ultimately in the hands of Somalis themselves. However, Somalis cannot do it on their own. That is why we called this conference to galvanise international support for Somalia and to send a signal to the people of Somalia that we will stand by them. We did so to remind all those who wilfully import and perpetuate violence and terrorism there that they should not underestimate our resolve.”
Partnership Changes Somalia Dynamics
27 Feb – Source: Addis Fortune – 613 Words
Last week, Britain hosted a major international conference on Somalia, attended by heads of government and senior representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations, including United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, and a large delegation of Somali leaders. The time is right to work on a series of practical measures aimed at helping Somalia get back on its feet, we agreed, together.
“This caps a year of remarkable progress and transition in the Somali peace process. Continuing attacks by the insurgent group al Shabaab, as well as piracy and kidnappings, may dominate the international news, but for the first time in many years, Somalis have a real reason to hope for a better future.”
International efforts bearing fruit in search for peace in Somalia
27 Feb – Source: Daily Nation, Africa Review – 658 Words
Last week’s important high-level conference on Somalia in London, sponsored by the British government and attended by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, presented an unprecedented opportunity to take stock of — and reinvigorate — the international community’s engagement in Somalia. The meeting could not have come at a better time.
In early December 2011, Mr Ban travelled to Somalia and announced that the UN Political Office for Somalia would move its headquarters to Mogadishu. There was no shortage of doubters, but I am pleased to say that, for the first time since 1995, a special representative of the Secretary-General is based in the Somali capital.
“On the contrary, instead of focusing on everything that is wrong with Somalia we should ask ourselves whether a new approach is possible if we ask what is working in Somalia. Indeed, this paradigmatic case of state failure features a range of institutional responses that has resulted in the creation of new hybrid political orders that have been developed and adapted in the chaotic post-1991 environment. These hybrid political orders are structured according to a combination of religious practice, clan-based order, and evolving neighbourhood/village/city definitions of order and governance.”
What should be done to restore order in Somalia
27 Feb – Source: The Citizen – 843 Words
On 23 February 2012 about 50 representatives from the international community and from Somalia met in London for the London Somalia Conference. More than 14 internationally sponsored peace conference and several military interventions aimed at restoring central authority to the country failed miserably. Somalia is therefore known as the most ‘failed state’ in the world, and it has become the very graveyard of externally sponsored state building initiatives. Yet, while a functioning state may be absent, Somali society and different forms of economic organisation still prevails as the Somalis continue to defy the violence and turmoil that they live in and survive.
“The agenda of the Somali politicians at Lancaster House on Thursday was clear: to get the British and Americans to fight their war for them or pay others to do it and bomb their enemies. That will enable them to hold office – even though they have little power – and keep stealing the aid.” “The parts of Somalia that work and are safe have evolved their own structures and agreements with their neighbours and rivals. Somalia’s social structure is unique and still very powerful and the systems in Puntland and Somaliland are built on them. No such system has emerged in the south of the country which includes the capital – the only part of Somalia still at war.”
Somalia and the London Conference: the wrong route to peace
27 Feb – Source: African Arguments – 632 Words
At first I withheld judgment on the British government’s decision to hold a major international conference on Somalia. It was so good to hear the government at last taking an interest in this battered country, so I thought it would have been perverse to pour cold water on it.
From the start it was clear that piracy and the subsequent cost to the City of London’s marine insurance business, as well as the fear of terrorism, were the main drivers for David Cameron’s concern. The interests of the Somali people were always going to be secondary. Since Britain had done nothing during the past 20 years of war and suffering, it seemed unlikely that concern for Somalis would be the top priority.
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Image of the day
Somali PM Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali meets with Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development Erik Solheim. Premier Abdiweli is in Norway for two-days official visit. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Trond Viken.