April 5, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

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Top Somali Sports Officials Killed In Blast

04 Apr – Source: Mix96 News/Guardian/Daily Mail – 347 words

The presidents of Somalia’s Olympic committee and football federation have reportedly been killed after a female suicide bomber blew herself up in a theatre. Olympics boss Aden Yabarow Wiish and football chief Said Mohammed Nur were among the dead, said the federation’s secretary, Shafici Mohyadin. At least six people were killed in the explosion in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

The attacker detonated her suicide belt as the country’s prime minister Abdiweli Mohammed Ali was on the podium preparing to address the audience of around 200 people. Dozens were believed to have been injured, including the National Planning Minister.

Key Headlines

AMISOM stands firm with Somali government in face of National Theatre attack ( Source: AMISOM Force HQ )
SRSG Outraged Over Suicide Attack in National Theatre (Source: UNPOS)
Al Shabaab claims responsibility of the deadly Mogadishu blast (Source: Bar-kulan)
Suicide blast ‘will not deter TFG from fighting al Shabaab’ says PM (Radio Mogadishu)
U.S. Condemns Attack On National Theater In Somali Capital(Source: RTT News)

PRESS RELEASES

AMISOM stands firm with Somali government in face of National Theatre attack

04 Apr – Source: AMISOM Force HQ – 215 words

An attack today at the National Theatre in Mogadishu left several civilians dead and injured but failed to kill any Somali Government Ministers. The female suicide bomber blended in with the gathering at the Theatre where celebrations were underway marking the first anniversary of the launch of Somali National Television.

The Deputy Force Commander of AMISOM, Brigadier General Audace Nduwumunsi, said:

“We are united with the Somali government and stand firm together. This was a despicable crime against the Somali people but it will not stop us achieving peace in Somalia. “I condemn it utterly and AMISOM stands alongside the government and families of the Somali people who have been bereaved.

“Yet again the terrorists’ methods show that they are enemies of peace and are foreign to Somali culture. By their attack they are trying to derail the hopes and dreams of the Somali people but they will fail.

“We encourage people in Mogadishu to continue to come forward with information about possible attacks and explosives. We are your friends and brothers as you seek to build a better way of life.”

The National Theatre opened two weeks ago for the first time in more than twenty years. In recent weeks intelligence from the population in Mogadishu has led to 70% of attacks being foiled.

SRSG Outraged Over Suicide Attack in National Theatre

04 Apr – Source: UNPOS – 252 words

The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga expressed his outrage at the suicide attack at Mogadishu’s National Theatre during a celebratory ceremony today, which reportedly killed at least six people and injured scores more.
“The reopening of the National Theater is symbolic of the real change that is happening in Somalia: the city is being rebuilt, culture is being revived and hope is being restored,” he said. Speaking from Istanbul, where he was meeting with Turkish officials in support of key upcoming events in Somalia, he expressed his sadness at the loss of life and trauma inflicted on the Somali people.
He called on the Somali leaders and the Somali people to reaffirm their resolve and not to abandon the course of peace and reconciliation. “We must not let this tragic event derail the progress that is being made in Somalia” he said, noting there were significant milestones in the Somali political process on the horizon such as the adoption of a new constitution in May and the transition to a new government in August.
“Somalia’s future cannot be held hostage to a violent minority who resort to cowardly terrorist acts that
target their fellow citizens.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Suicide blast ‘will not deter TFG from fighting al Shabaab’ says PM

04 Apr – Source: Garowe Online, Radio Mogadishu, Shabelle – 227 words

Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Gaas says that TFG will not deter from its course of fighting al Shabaab following a suicide bomb blast at an event in the capital, Radio Garowe reports.

At an event celebrating the one year anniversary of Somalia National Television after of being off the air after the collapse of the government. An al Shabaab agent reportedly a woman strapped herself with explosives and targeted ministers, MPs and various officials at the event. But the main target was Prime Minister Gaas who at the time was giving a speech at the event, he escaped unharmed.

Somali government condemns bombing at national theatre

04 Apr- Source: Radio Shabelle- 124 words

The interim Somali government has condemned Wednesday’s suicide bombing at the Mogadishu national theatre.

Information Minister Abdiqadir Husayn Jahween expressed outrage over the incident, terming it the work of the enemies of the Somali people” who did not wish to see the Somali people achieve progress or overcome their predicament.

Al Shabaab claims responsibility of the deadly Mogadishu blast

04 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan – 400 words

Al Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for an explosion at Somalia’s newly reopened national theatre in Mogadishu that killed at least 10 people, including two of the country’s top sports officials.

The group’s military operations spokesman Abdiasis Abu Musab told Reuters news agency that they were behind the theatre blast.

He said they were targeting ministers and legislators who he said were the casualties of the attack.

Somalia’s Sport officials killed in Theatre bombing

04 Apr – Source: Jowhar Online/ BBC Somali Service – 132 words

Somalia’s Olympic committee and football heads are among 10 people killed in a suicide blast in Mogadishu. Somali PM Abdiweli Mohamed Ali was also present when the attacker struck the newly re-opened national theatre, but he told the BBC he was unhurt. Al-Shabab militants say they carried out the bombing.

The President of the Somali Olympic Committee, Aden Yabarow Wiish, and the Somali Football Federation chief, Said Mohamed Nur, were among a group of dignitaries who had gathered to mark the first anniversary of the launch of Somalia’s national television station. Sources have told the BBC Somali Service that three Somali television journalists were also wounded in the blast.

Fighting in Bakool and Lower Juba

04 Apr- Source: Somalia Report- 45 words

At least 57 people were killed and even more were injured in fighting between the allied forces of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) and Raskamboni militias fought against al Shabaab militants the in Lower Juba region on Wednesday, according to TFG officials.

Somali immigrants perish in the shores of Italy

04 Apr- Source: Radio Risaala- 162 words

Somalia Embassy in Libya reported the death of Somali Immigrants who perished in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to cross to Italy.

Somalia ambassador to Libya, Abdiqani Mohamed Waeys, in an exclusive interview with Risaala Media, said that dozens of African immigrants including 6 Somali nationals died after facing hardships on their way from Libya to Italy.

Al Shabaab radio says today’s suicide bomber missed PM

04 Apr- Source: Raxanreeb- 185 words

A local radio station that acts as mouthpiece of al Shabaab group in Somalia claimed that a female suicide bomber who blew herself inside Somalia’s newly opened National Theatre has missed Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali who was speaking in the theatre.

“The target was senior officials including the prime minister.” The radio announcer said. The Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas was addressing at the stage in just minutes when the explosion hit the whole compound.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Al Qaeda ‘seeking African partners’

04 Apr- Source: Africa Review- 214 words

British youths from African communities could become radicalised as al Qaeda looks to Africa to build its strength, the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), a British defence and security think tank, has suggested.

It says such a development would pose new challenges for the UK and other Western intelligence services.

Western intelligence services have acknowledged that the terror threat has changed and shifted, including into Africa, with Somalia a particular focus of concern.

Several questioned over Kenya terror attacks

04 Apr- Source: the Star- 355 words

Kenyan Internal Security minister George Saitoti has revealed that several people including Kenyans and foreigners have been arrested and are being interrogated by detectives in connection with the recent terror attacks.

Saitoti who declined to reveal more details about the investigations but blamed the attacks on al Shabaab and their al Qaeda allies vowed that the government will ensure that those responsible for the attacks will be arrested and charged.

Red Sea nations establish regional maritime network

03 Apr- Source: Saudi Press Agency- 103 words

The Regional Commission for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has established a regional network including 12 marine reserves in the countries of the region.
This came at the conclusion of the activities of the training workshop held by the commission at its headquarters in Jeddah recently about the effective management of marine reserves in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program and with the participation of specialists and officials of the management of marine reserves in all member states of the commission which includes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Djibouti, Sudan and Somalia.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Top Somali Sports Officials Killed In Blast

04 Apr – Source: Mix96 News/Guardian/Daily Mail – 347 words

U.S. Condemns Attack On National Theater In Somali Capital

04 Apr – Source: RTT News – 233 word

A statement issued by White House Press Secretary Jay Carney on Wednesday said the U.S. “strongly condemns” the suicide bomb attack on the National Theater in the Somali capital of Mogadishu that killed at least seven people.

“Somalia, with the support of African Union peacekeepers, has made great strides in the past months to improve security and rebuild Mogadishu after two decades of civil strife,” Carney said in the statement.

Seven journalists wounded in suicide bombing at Mogadishu theatre

04 Apr- Source: Reporters without Borders- 272 words

Reporters Without Borders is deeply shocked by the suicide bombing that killed several people and wounded many others at a ceremony in Somalia’s national theatre in Mogadishu marking the first anniversary of the country’s national television station reopening.

At least seven journalists covering the event were seriously wounded.

Blatter sends condolences to Somalia

04 Apr – Source: Super Sport – 192 words

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has sent his condolences to Somalia after a bombing in Mogadishu killed several people, including Somali Football Federation president, Said Mohamud Nur. President of the Somali Olympic Committee, Aden Yabarow Wiish, was also fatally injured in the attack, which took place at a newly-opened Theatre as dignitaries celebrated a year since the launch of the country’s national television station.

Prime minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali was also in attendance but escaped without injury. At least seven people are said to have been killed by the blast. Blatter said: “I am shocked to hear about the attack that has today taken the lives of several people in Mogadishu, including the president of the Somali Football Federation Said Mohamed Nur and Somali Olympic Committee president Aden Yabarow Wiish.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“Al Shabaab has responded with a spate of sporadic, indiscriminate and strategically incoherent attacks in which many civilians have been killed. It has mounted assaults on the transitional federal government in Mogadishu, on targets inside Kenya (Mombasa was hit last weekend) and in semi-autonomous north-eastern region of Puntland, where its displaced fighters appear to be seeking a new foothold.”

Al Shabaab shows weakness, not strength in Somalia theatre bombing

04 Apr- Source: Patrick Henry Press-624 Words

Divided and in retreat, the question is whether al Shabaab’s death throes will drag Somalia into another cycle of violence

There was a time when al Shabaab, Somalia’s largest and most notorious Islamist militia, inspired fear and awe across that ravaged land. But the group’s latest terror attack, on the national theatre in Mogadishu, is a sign of weakness, not strength. Al Shabaab is divided, under pressure and in retreat. The question now is whether its death throes may drag Somalia into another cycle of violence and death.