April 4, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
In Somalia’s Capital, Hope and Reconstruction
03 Apr – Source: New York Times – 60 words
Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, which was reduced to rubble during 21 years of civil war, is making a remarkable comeback. Female police officers say they are treated the same as male officers, except for not being allowed to carry pistols because someone might try to steal them.
Key Headlines
- In Somalia’s Capital Hope and Reconstruction (Source: New York Times)
- Kenya urges China to back AMISOM task (Source: Capital News)
- Al Shabaab attacks TFG AMISOM bases in Mogadishu (Source: Bar-kulan)
- Somalia: EU Antipiracy Force to ‘Seize Initiative’ (Source: ABC News)
- IGAD EU hold 5th Ministerial Meeting (Source: Ethiopian News)
- Sports art streetlights: A new life in Mogadishu (Source: AP)
- Al Shabaab attacks Red Cross convoy in Gedo (Source: Mareeg Online)
SOMALI MEDIA
Soldier arrested in Beledweyne for alleged murder
03 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan – 88 words
The provincial administration in Hiran region has arrested a government soldiers for allegedly killing a prominent businessman in Beledweyne town on Monday.
The accused allegedly shot dead Hassan Hajji Dalabey after a short quarrel
Al Shabaab attacks Red Cross convoy in Gedo
03 Apr -Source: Mareeg Online, Shabelle – 147 words
The al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab militants have reportedly attacked charted trucks carrying Red Cross food aid in Gedo region, south-western of Somalia, a military spokesman said.
Aden Ahmed Hirse (Rufle), a military spokesman for Somalia government troops in Gedo region confirmed to Mareeg Media via phone that early on Tuesday al Shabaab fighters launched an ambush assault on the convoy hired by the international committee of the Red Cross which was traveling on a road that connects Elwak to El-Adde districts in Gedo region.
Al Shabaab attacks TFG, AMISOM bases in Mogadishu
03 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan – 127 words
Al Shabaab militants Monday night launched attacks on government and AU force military bases in parts of Mogadishu, reports say. Heavily armed militant fighters reportedly stormed military bases at the former Prison headquarters, near Sarkusta and Kahda neighbourhood in Darkenley neighbourhood. The attacks prompted full scale confrontations between the allied forces and the rebel fighters.
Bar-kulan correspondent in Mogadishu says one child was killed and seven other people including children and women were injured after they were caught up in cross-fire at Ex-control Afgoye and Hosh.
Somaliland Arrest Journalists in Las-Anod
03 Apr- Source: Somalia Report, Radio Risaala- 273 words
Police in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Somaliland have arrested and detained two journalists in Las-Anod town accusing them of reporting propaganda regarding Sunday’s battle in Las-Anod and Buhodle regions. The fighting involved Somaliland forces and militia loyal to the newly declared Khatumo state in Sool region.
According to witnesses and local radio, Abdisaman Isse Mohamud (Keyse), a reporter for Universal TV was arrested for hyperbolic reporting on the Khatumo conference which occurred in Taleh on December 16 2011.
Gunmen attack Somali govt bases in Baidoa
03 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 69 words
Unidentified gunmen launched attacks on several military bases belonging to Somali soldiers in the town of Baidoa, the capital of Bay region, 250 KM south of Mogadishu, official said.
Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade, a Somalia lawmaker told Shabelle Media that security forces have arrested a number of people suspected over the attack.
Bodies of Somali migrants found in Italy
03 Apr- Source: Radio Kulmiye- 105 words
Ten African migrants including Somali nationals have died in the Mediterranean waters after their crowded boat en route to Italy floundered in rough seas. The vessel was discovered by the Italian Navy drifting 60 miles (100 kilometers) south of the island of Lampedusa, a major arrival point for Africans coming to Italy.
The Italian crew picked up 48 survivors, including three pregnant women. Survivors said 10 migrants — six from Somalia and four from Ethiopia — drowned.
Abdullahi Fadal Iman Becomes Somaliland’s New Police Chief
03 Apr- Source: Hadhwanaag Times, Jamhuuriya- 171 words
Abdullahi Fadal Iman, who was named as the Somaliland new police chief by the president Ahmed Mohmud Silanyo, on Tuesday formally, took his new office.
The new police chief was named after the death of Gen. Mohamed Saqadi Dubad, former police head.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya urges China to back AMISOM task
03 Apr- Source: Capital News/ AFP- 287 words
President Mwai Kibaki has sent out an appeal to China and other friendly nations to support the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
President Kibaki reiterated that Kenya’s specific mission in the proactive military action was to diminish the threats posed by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants to national security and territorial integrity.
The president made the appeal on Tuesday when he held talks with the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress Hua Jianmin who paid him a courtesy call.
IGAD, EU hold 5th Ministerial Meeting
03 Apr- Source: Ethiopian News Agency- 565 words
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the European Union (EU) here on Tuesday held the fifth Ministerial Meeting .
According to a joint IGAD-EU communiqué, the two parties agreed to work together in particular on issues related to the current situation in the Horn of Africa including Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan as well as Eritrea and its relations with the region.
‘Several’ suspects detained over Mombasa blasts
03 Apr- Source: Capital News- 88 words
Internal Security Minister Professor George Saitoti has said police have intensified an investigation into Saturday’s grenade attacks in Mombasa where two people were killed and dozens wounded.
Saitoti said several local and foreign suspects have been arrested and are being interrogated by Anti Terrorism Police Unit officers over the twin blasts that occurred in Mtwapa and Mombasa town.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
In Somalia’s Capital, Hope and Reconstruction
03 Apr – Source: New York Times – 60 words
Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, which was reduced to rubble during 21 years of civil war, is making a remarkable comeback. Female police officers say they are treated the same as male officers, except for not being allowed to carry pistols because someone might try to steal them.
Peace brings new life for Mogadishu
03 Apr – Source: Seattle Times News (US) – 220 words
Up until a few weeks ago, all visitors who landed at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu were handed a barely readable sheet that asked for name, address — and caliber of weapon.
No more. Now visitors get a bright yellow welcome card that has no mention of guns and several choices for reason of visit, including a new category: holiday.
Outside, on Mogadishu’s streets, the thwat-thwat-thwat hammering sound that rings out in the mornings is not the clatter of machine guns but the sound of actual hammers. Construction is going on everywhere — new hospitals, new homes, new shops, a six-story hotel and even sports bars (albeit serving cappuccino and fruit juice instead of beer).
EU Antipiracy Force to ‘Seize Initiative’
03 Apr – Source: ABC News – 238 words
The European Union’s anti-piracy military force will become more proactive in the fight against pirates, the departing force commander said Tuesday, in an effort to seize the initiative in an evolving battle that is moving closer to land.
The EU Naval Force announced last month that it will expand its mission to include Somalia’s coast and waterways inside the country for the first time. Rear Adm. Jorge Manso, whose tenure as force commander ends Saturday, said the EU force’s mission is evolving.
Sports, art, streetlights: A new life in Mogadishu
03 Apr- Source: AP- 899 words
The crowd — both men and women — cheered wildly as two Mogadishu basketball teams entered an old stadium that once bore the bloodstains of war. During the recent reign of Islamist militants, playing basketball in Somalia’s seaside capital was punishable by torture or death.
Today, Somalia’s blue flag has reclaimed its place over the battered Lujino Stadium, replacing the black banner of al Shabaab, the militant Islamist group that until a few months ago held sway over much of Mogadishu.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“This brief essay examines the particular roles played by two UN agencies – the Monitoring Group for Somalia and Eritrea (MG) and the United Nations Special Representative (SR) – in the reproduction of the disaster in the country. These two agencies have separate mandates, but collectively they have been engaged in activities that undermine Somali efforts to rebuild the country.”
An odious affair: The UN in Somalia
03 Apr – Source: Aljazeera – 1948 Words
The Somali people have suffered a great deal and are heading towards oblivion unless dramatic action is urgently taken. Somalia’s condition is the product of internal and external actors’ attempt to realise their respective political agendas.
The cumulative effects of the military dictatorship, cold/terror warriors, faction leaders, warlords, client Somali regimes, Ethiopian and Kenyan invasions, and most recently, Uganda and the United Nations interventions have all contributed to Somalia’s devastation.