April 2, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

AMISOM Forces Capture Daynille District

30 Mar – Source: AMISOM Force HQ – 253 words

Somali army troops with the support of AMISOM forces this morning captured Mogadishu’s outlying district of Daynile and cleared it of al Qaeda-backed al Shabaab terrorists. The extremists have been using their positions there to plot attacks on the city’s population.

The operation was conducted by AMISOM’s Burundi Contingent and AMISOM Force Headquarters can confirm that four soldiers were injured during the successful operation.

“Operations to consolidate the security of Mogadishu and its environs are ongoing. Now that Daynille district is captured, we will consolidate its security and then focus on expanding our operations beyond Mogadishu,” said AMISOM Deputy Force Commander, Brig Gen Audace Nduwumunsi.

Security in Mogadishu has markedly improved since AMISOM troops in the Benadir region helped expel al Shabaab terrorists from their fixed positions within the city eight months ago, ushering the longest sustained period of relative peace in the capital since the collapse of the state in 1991.

Key Headlines

AMISOM launches two key projects in Mogadishu ( Source: AMISOM Force HQ)
Route linking Mogadishu to Afgoye corridor re-opens ( Source: Radio Bar-kulan)
Somaliland troops and separatists clash five killed (Source: Reuters )
AU UN discuss Somali security sector (Source: peopledaily Xinhua)
Al Shabaab official opposes orders from his seniors ( Source: Radio Mogadishu)
Mass exodus starts in al Shabaab regions (Source: Shabelle)
Turkish airlines set to start flights to Hargeisa (Source: Radio Risaala)
EU representative meets with President Farole (Source: Garowe Online)

PRESS RELEASE

AMISOM Forces Capture Daynille District

30 Mar – Source: AMISOM Force HQ – 253 words

The operation was conducted by AMISOM’s Burundi Contingent and AMISOM Force Headquarters can confirm that four soldiers were injured during the successful operation.

Despite occasional terror attacks, the city has experienced a construction boom as residents return to rebuild their homes and businesses. This month, Turkish Airlines became the first major international airline to begin direct flights into Mogadishu.

Over the last few weeks, the security cordon around the city has been gradually expanded outwards andAMISOM forces have established a presence in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions. In the south of the country, AMISOM troops continue to advance on the terrorist stronghold of Afmadow and more forces will soon be deploying to the western and central towns of Baidoa and Beledweyne to replace Ethiopian forces.

AMISOM launches two key projects in Mogadishu

30 Mar – Source: AMISOM Force HQ – 280 words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has launched two key projects to rehabilitate water wells and construct a primary school in Mogadishu as part of its humanitarian and civil affairs initiative to the people of Somalia in areas liberated from al Shabaab terrorists.

Working in partnership with the office of the Mayor of Mogadishu, AMISOM today launched a project to rehabilitate four water wells in Hamarwyne, Hamarjabjab, Wadajir and Darkenely districts of Mogadishu with funding from the Swedish Government at a cost of USD 246,032.80. AMISOM has also launched the construction of a primary school in Wadajir Disitrict which will cost USD 147,611.50 from the Danish Government.

Speaking during separate official launching ceremonies for the two projects in Hamaryweyne and Wadajir respectively, Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Timothy Kiguti on behalf of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia Ambassador Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra said as part of its mandate of stabilizing Somalia, AMISOM is also mandated to facilitate humanitarian assistance to help improve people’s lives through implementation of Quick Impact Projects.

“This is just the beginning as we will be doing many such projects not only in Mogadishu but also all other areas that AMISOM troops and the Somali National Army continue to liberate from al Shabaab terrorists.”

Said Mr. Kiguti who also thanked the governments of Denmark and Sweden for their support. He called on other donors to come forward and support the implementation of similar projects.

The Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu Mr. Iman Nur Icar applauded AMISOM for the implementation of humanitarian projects in the areas liberated from al Shabaab terrorists and pledged the support of the mayor’s office to ensure successful completion of the projects.

SOMALI MEDIA

Al Shabaab official opposes orders from his seniors

01 Apr – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Shabelle, SONNA, Kulmiye – 216 words
Former leader of the group, Hisbul-Islam and currently high ranking member of extremist group of al Shabaab, Hassan Dahir Aweys has strongly opposed the recent merger of al Shabaab and al Qaeda, saying that it can not form an organization or administrative region in Somalia

Hassan Dahir Aweys urged al Shabaab to cease from harming the civilians.

“An individual, two or three people or even a tribe can wage battle but it is not for one group like al Shabaab to decide for others……..you are afraid of them, but I tell them that is not correct and won’t be,” Mr. Hassan Dahir said while addressing a group of close relatives and friends in Elasha-biyaha.
Somali PM meets international community in Nairobi
31 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Jowhar Online, Radio Kulmiye – 173 words
Somali premier, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali held a meeting with officials from the international community in Nairobi on Friday about the Roadmap plan and ending of transitional period of Somali transitional federal government.

The talks which was chaired by the premier were attended by Lynn Pascoe, deputy UN secretary general, Alexander Rondos, EU special envoy to horn of Africa, the UN ambassador to Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga.

Mass exodus starts in al Shabaab regions

31 Mar – Source: Shabelle – 175 words

Hundreds of people, including women and children have on Saturday began fleeing from several locations and towns in southwestern Somalia, the latest flee since Kenyan military incursion in mid-October last year to pursue the insurgents, locals say.

The latest news from the towns of Jilib, Afmadow, Bu’ale and the port town of Kimayu, 500 Km south of Mogadishu indicate that residents began fleeing from their villages after failing to endure the appalling condition in these al Shabaab strongholds

Turkish airlines set to start flights to Hargeisa

31 Mar – Source: Radio Risaala – 159 words

The president of Somaliland, Mohamed Mahamod Silaanyo today received in his office a Turkish delegation led by its ambassador to Somalia, Mr. Kani Torun. Mr. Torun whose office is in Mogadishu is on an official tour to Hargeysa. The Turkish envoy talked of the good relationships his country and Somaliland enjoy, adding that Turkey was ready to initiate development projects in the region.
The Turkish envoy to Somalia, Mr. Torun revealed that they will aid Somaliland in developing the agricultural sector, health and education.
EU representative meets with President Farole
31 Mar – Source: Garowe Online – 114 words
President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole met with EU representative to Somalia Georges Marc Andre and Dr. Agostino Miozzo director of the Crisis Response Department for the EU, Radio Garowe reports.

After the meeting President Farole and both EU representatives spoke to the media. President Farole discussed with the representatives the drought situation which is worsening lately and development projects in Puntland.

Turkish delegation visits Puntland region

01 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 103 words

A high level delegation led by The Turkish Ambassador toSomalia, Mr Torun, has on Sunday arrived at Garowe town, the capital of Puntland state of northernSomalia, reports said. Puntland state leader A/rahman Farole welcomed the delegation at the airport in Garowe before hosted them in his office on Sunday.

Puntland state Officials and the visiting Turkish delegation discussed about the humanitarian assistance in the region.

http://shabelle.net/2012/04/01/turkish-delegation-visits-puntland-state/

Route linking Mogadishu to Afgoye corridor re-opens

31 Mar – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, BBC Somali Service – 104 words

Reports from Elasha Biyaha area, a rebel stronghold on the outskirt of Mogadishu, say normalcy has returned to the route linking Afgoye to Mogadishu after it was cut off by the renewed clashes between Somali troops backed by AU forces and al Shabaab militias.

The reopening of the route gives hope to hundreds of residents who are camping at the suburb trying to return to Mogadishu as tension looms in the area.

The African Union force has hinted that it was planning to wrest control of Afgoye corridor, a rebel stronghold in the Lower Shabelle region, urging locals in the area to immediately to return to Mogadishu.

Blast hits Ethiopian trucks near El-Bur town

01 Apr – Source: Mareeg Online – 136 words

A big explosion was reported in between the towns of El-Bur and Dhusamareb in central Somalia, an area largely controlled by pro-government Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a ASWJ fighters supported by Ethiopian forces, residents said.

The explosion was caused by a land mine targeting Ethiopian military convoys from El-Bur town and heading to Dhusamareb.

http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=23650&tirsan=3

Al Shabaab vows to engage AMISOM/TFG troops in Dayniile

31 Mar – Source: Radio Risaala – 136 words

Al Shabaab has vowed to escalate its attacks on AMISOM and Government troops stationed in Dayniile a day after losing the district to the pro-government forces.
Al Shabaab’s governor for Banadir, Sheikh Abu Abdurrahman, while addressing the press, said that al Shabazb will never stop fighting TFG and the foreign invaders, as he put it. He threatened that these foreigners will never return home alive, adding that they will continue attacking them in Dayniile.
Sheikh Abu Abdurrahman urged the civilian population to participate in these wars and to support them against AMISOM and TFG forces.

Disabled persons in Galgadud complain of harsh living conditions

31 Mar – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 142 words

A section of the disabled persons in Galgadud region are complaining of harsh living conditions facing them, citing lack of humanitarian assistance as well as healthcare. Ali Abdullahi Abtidon, one of the disabled persons in Dhusamareb town told Bar-kulan that they are neglected a time they could not support themselves due to their physical disability.

Fierce fighting erupts in Las Anod town

01 Apr – Source: Raxanreeb – 99 words

Fierce fighting between Somaliland and the new born Khatumo state forces erupted in the neighborhood of Las’anod town in northern Somalia region of Sool at early on Sunday morning, RBC Radio reports.

The fighting erupted on 6.00am (local time) at Gambare frontline which is 30km away from Las’anod town, the provincial capital of Sool region.

Reviving aviation industry in Somalia

01 Apr – Source: Hiiraan online – 316words

Alumni Ibrahim Abikar Nur and Ahmed Elmi Gure who were pilots for the Somali Airlines before the civil war in 1991 visited the Lufthansa Flight Training Center they graduated thirty years ago in Phoenix, USA.

The head of the flight school Matthias Kippenberg who also graduated from the same school welcomed and gave them a tour of the flight school and updated them on changes that took place in the school over the years

REGIONAL MEDIA

Raila pins blasts on al Shabaab, as group warns of long war

01 Apr- Source: Daily Nation- 447 words

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has blamed Somalia’s islamist group al Shabaab for Saturday’s twin blast that rocked Mombasa as the group warned Kenyans to brace for a long, protracted war.

Stung by the loss of life and the threat such attacks pose to the country’s multi-billion tourism industry, Mr Odinga condemned the attacks that left one dead and 33 others injured in the coastal town.

Turkey plans Somaliland flight to tighten ties

31 Mar – Source: Africa Review – 202 words

A Turkish delegation has visited Hargeisa, the self-declared republic of Somaliland in what it said was to strengthen existing relations by providing technical and social aid.

An international flight by national carrier Turkish Airlines, which started plying the Mogadishu route earlier this month, is also planned, the delegation said.

It is the second such visit to by Turkish officials in two weeks to Somaliland, which is not recognised internationally. Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Hani Torun, the leader of the delegation, said that Turkey and Somaliland enjoyed strong relations.

Mombasa grenade attacks leave one dead

31 Mar – Source: Standard, Daily Nation – 215 words

Two simultaneous grenade attacks in Mtwapa town and Mombasa left one person dead and ten others seriously injured.
The first incident occurred at Mtwapa, where a grenade was hurled at a group of Christian faithful attending a church crusade.Coast PC Ernest Munyi confirmed the death on Saturday night. Earlier, Deputy Kilifi OCPD Maurice Musonye had also confirmed the blasts left more than 10 people seriously injured.

The incident occurred when passengers in a vehicle hurled a grenade-like object into the crowd.

US sees armed guards as deterrents to EA piracy

31 Mar – Source: East African – 404 words

Armed private guards on ships along the East African coast are deterring attacks by Somali pirates, a US State Department official said last week.

“Not a single ship with privately contracted armed security personnel aboard has been pirated. Not one,” declared Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro.

“While many expected these teams to be made up of undisciplined ‘cowboys’ that would cause an increase in the violence at sea, from what we have seen so far this has not been the case,” Shapiro told an audience at a Washington DC think tank. “In fact, in most engagements, the situation ends as soon as pirates are aware that an armed security team is on board.”

Tebbutt ransom sparks off war of words

31 Mar – Source: East African – 379 words

The estimated $940,000 paid for the recent release of the British woman Judith Tebbutt held hostage in Somalia since last September has re opened a war of words between the international shipping companies and the US and UK governments.

Both London and Washington have been increasingly insisted that ransom payments should not be paid as this only encourages the pirates.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron urged the creation of “an international task force on ransoms” adding that his aim was to “stop these payments because in the end they only ensure that crime pays.”

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somaliland troops and separatists clash, five killed

01 April – Source: Reuters – 250 words

Hargeisa – At least four Somaliland troops and one rebel fighter loyal to the breakaway enclave’s secessionists were killed during clashes on Sunday, both sides said.

The fighting first erupted in January after the leaders of the northern regions of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn decided to band together into a new state called Khaatumo and declared they wanted to be an independent region within Somalia.

Somaliland’s troops have since clashed with militia fighters loyal to Khaatumo, with reports of dozens of casualties.

Somaliland is an internationally unrecognised state that declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

Kenya casts suspicion on al Shabaab for blasts

01 Apr- Source: Reuters- 3397 words

Kenya promised on Sunday to hunt down Somalia-based al Shabaab rebels following two blasts which killed one person and injured 31 in the coastal city of Mombasa, but stopped short of blaming the Islamist militant group outright.

Al Shabaab has staged attacks in Kenya since Nairobi sent troops into Somalia last October to pursue the group. However, Saturday’s blasts were the first to target Mombasa, one of Kenya’s top tourist destinations, and were staged just before the busy Easter tourist season in the coming

week.

German minister makes surprise trip to Somalia

31 Mar – Source: Deutsche Welle – 214 words

German Development Minister Dirk Niebel has made an unannounced visit to the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The visit comes after international leaders pledged to help fight lawlessness in the chaos-hit country.

The minister arrived in Mogadishu under tight security arrangements, with plans to meet leaders of the country’s transitional government.

For the past two decades, Somalia has effectively had no functioning central government and has been a breeding ground for terrorism and piracy.

AU, UN discuss Somali security sector

31 Mar – Source: peopledaily ,Xinhua – 347 words
A meeting that deliberates on empowerment ofSomali security sector was held at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia. The meeting has attracted participants from the AU, troop contributing countries to the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), neighboring countries, the United Nations, and the European Union (EU) among others.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Ramtane Lamamra, AU commissioner for peace and security, said the purpose of the meeting is to seek coordinated support in material terms to enhance the organization capacity cohesion, professional and operational effectiveness of the Somali national security forces (SNSF).

Residents flee Mogadishu Islamist rebel bastion

31 Mar – Source: AFP – 495 words

Somali residents on Saturday fled one of the capital’s last Islamist strongholds after a day of heavy fighting in which African forces backing government troops said they seized the area.

The few families still in the sprawling Deynile neighbourhood made the most of a lull in fighting to flee the area, which has for years been a haven for the al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab, witnesses said.

The situation remained tense, and Dahir Mohamed, a local resident, told AFP that “we are still confused as to who is controlling what in the district. The situation is very volatile.”

“There is no fighting today and the Afgoye corridor road was reopened,” said another resident, Asha Osman, adding that families were leaving.

European Naval Forces Help Somali Fishermen off Mogadishu Coast

30 Mar – Source: EU Navfor – 179 words

On Thursday 29th March Spanish warship ESPS INFANTA ELENA, operating as part of the European counter piracy force (EUNAVFOR), came to the aid of a Somali fishing vessel, adrift off the coast of Mogadishu.

Infanta Elena was patrolling the waters off the coast of Somalia as part of its mission to deter piracy and protect vulnerable shipping when the crew noticed a Somali whaler adrift. After obtaining permission to send a team aboard the vessel the EU forces ascertained that the fisherman had suffered an engine failure and some of the crew were in need to medical assistance.

Refugees leaving rebel areas in Somalia

01 April – Source: UPI News – 280 words
Residents of southwestern Somalia say hundreds of refugees are fleeing areas of the African country dominated by militant al-Shabaab rebels.

The Shabelle Media Network Sunday reported the refugees were no longer able to tolerate squalid conditions in the group’s strongholds.

“After facing increasing difficulties, including persecutions by the militants, I and my family decided to flee from our house with no any belongings,” one man told Mabelle Media Network by telephone as he and his family prepared to hit the road.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“Few disagree that the physical destruction of skiffs and weapons would increase the physical and monetary costs for pirates engaged in criminal activities. But the emerging consensus is that land-strikes would only produce short term gains at significant human cost, especially if concerted efforts are not made to confront the economic pressures pulling many Somalis towards piracy in the first place.”

European ground offensive in Somalia would put civilians in harm’s way

01 Apr – Source: Defence Report – 1062 Words

European Union plans to launch ship-based strikes against land targets in Somalia have come under fire from experts who say such action would carelessly endanger civilian lives and destroy Western anti-piracy efforts in the region.

Proposals for the multilateral offensive were approved by European Defence Ministers on 23 March.

International naval forces have already been widely criticised for failing to effectively tackle the regional piracy problem. Despite naval forces from the US Combined Task Force 151 and EU Operation Atalanta patrolling the waterways surrounding the Gulf of Aden, there were still 237 attempted and 28 successful hijackings in 2011 according to the International Maritime Bureau.