April 10, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

First AMISOM troops deployed outside Mogadishu

05 Apr – Source: AMISOM Force HQ – 283 words

Today, the first troops from the AMISOM Force in Mogadishu were deployed to Baidoa, in western Somalia. These are the first troops to be sent to a major urban centre outside the capital since the African Union Mission was deployed to Somalia in 2007.

These 100 soldiers are the advance team for 2,500 AMISOM troops that will be deployed in phases to Somalia’s third largest city. Made up of fifty Burundian and fifty Ugandan soldiers, this team will be stationed alongside Ethiopian troops in Baidoa, Bay region of Somalia.

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

“Today is a major step forward for the African Union Mission and for everyone who wants to see peace in Somalia. “Following hot on the heels of the UN’s authorisation of an enlarged AMISOM Force in February this deployment is the sharp end of the spear that will drive into the heart of territories controlled by al Qaeda-backed extremists.

“The African Union Mission is building in strength and can now help the Somali government to bring peace and stability to areas of the country far from the capital. Together with the Somali Army we are defeating the violent extremists. They are losing ground and losing friends all over Somalia.”

“Expect to see more deployments soon.”

This deployment represents the first in a series of phases to expand AMISOM operations outside Mogadishu. In February this year the United Nations Security Council authorised the enlargement of AMISOM to 17,731 troops and saw the integration of Kenyan Defence Forces in southern Somalia into AMISOM.

AMISOM’s strategy for future operations includes relieving Ethiopian troops in areas in the west and gradually asserting control, in support of the Somali government, throughout south central Somalia.

Key Headlines

Government Investigates Suicide Bombing in National Theatre (Source: TFG)
Somali Government Condemns assassination of Radio Shebelle Reporter in Hiiraan Region (Source: TFG)
Somalia: Militants’ bomb kills at least 12 at a market (Sources – New York Times)
Do not touch Somali women Museveni tells UPDF soldiers (Source: Daily Monitor)
Sierra Leone officials reach Gedo region (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
Prominent Somali MP Mowliid Ma’ane is dead (Source: Bar-kulan)
Al Qaeda militia on the run in Somalia (Source: TFG)

PRESS STATEMENT

Al Qaeda militia on the run in Somalia

09 Apr – Source: TFG – 329 words

The Somali government is pursuing the remnants of al Qaeda and its affiliates across the country, taking the fight to their strongholds and safe havens in Somalia. Liberating the country from terrorism, our armed forces and allies routed out the enemy in many towns and districts in Bay, Bakol, Hiiraan and Galgaduud regions. We pressured the enemy and prevented them to regroup as part of a broader, nationwide operation to destroy the capacity of al Shabaab/al Qaeda and reduce its threat.

Maintaining the security of the liberated regions, government troops in collaboration with AMISOM forces have already stationed battalions in cities and towns to protect civilians while sustaining the peace. The goal of this new offense is to expand the reach of the government beyond the capital and to end the terror of al Qaeda.

The push to defeat al Qaeda is on from Bay as our troops recently brought several districts into the fold of the government, including Qansax-dheere, Burhakaba and Ufuroow. Efforts to establish local government structures are underway as Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament and other delegates from the region paid recently a visit to Baidoa to consult with the locals and provide them support in establishing administrations.

Residents remained supportive to the government, which is a significant step forward in defeating the terrorist groups. Progress was also made on the security situation, as locals of the newly liberated areas collaborated with the government. “We thank God for the defeat of al Shabaab because they oppressed us and made our lives miserable” said a father of four kids who has a farm in Burhakaba.

The government is actively engaging with the public, particularly in the liberated regions, to ensure their participation in the government and to support the military campaign to uproot terrorist networks from the country. “Over the past 24 hours, our forces ejected the al Qaeda group from multiple locations” said a senior military official in the government who indicated that the fast-going pace of the operation is to be finalized soon.

Government Investigates Suicide Bombing in National Theatre

07 Apr – Source: TFG – 194 words

The Somali government begun an investigation on the suicide bombing in the National Theatre on last
Wednesday, Prime Minister Abdiwali Mohamed Ali announced yesterday. The attack prompted the government to investigate how the female bomber penetrated in the theatre and breached the security procedures in place.

“The government is committed to get to the bottom of this case and the conditions that led the girl to carry out suicide explosions within the theatre, especially in the presence of high profile government
officials” said Prime Minister Ali.

The Administration vowed that those who aided or facilitated for the suicide bomber will be brought to justice. Security agencies remain alert across the city, pursuing terrorist elements and criminals to
prevent further atrocities.
However, Prime Minister established a cabinet-level committee, led by the deputy Prime Minister Hussein Arab Isse, to lead the investigation of the bombing of the National Theatre that killed four and injured
more than ten civilians.
The government foiled yesterday an operation and arrested a suspected suicide bomber that plotted the assassination attempt on the country’s chief of the armed forces, General Abdikarim Yusuf Dhegabadan. The man confessed that he was affiliated with al Qaeda when plain-clothed officers captured him with a bomb vest.

Somali Government Condemns assassination of Radio Shebelle Reporter in Hiiraan Region

06 Apr – Source: TFG – 171 words
The Somali government is condemning, in the strongest terms possible, the assassination of Mr. Mahad Salad Aden, a Shebelle Radio Station correspondent in Hiran Region. Mr. Aden was killed by three men in front of his home in the town of Beledweyne, Hiran region in central Somalia, and died instantly.

The Minister of Information Posts & Tele- communication, Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed “Jaahweyne” said today, in a statement to the media“ We condemn this outrageous assassination of the Reporter of one of the most important and pioneering media houses”

“Mr. Aden is the latest victim of the al Shabaab campaign to intimidate and murder journalist, media house owners and executives that has been going on since their reign of terror on the Somali people started” The minister continued.

“On behalf of the Transitional Federal Government, I am sending my condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Aden, to all Somali journalists and to the whole nation may God bless him.” The minster concluded.

First AMISOM troops deployed outside Mogadishu

05 Apr – Source: AMISOM Force HQ – 283 words

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

“Expect to see more deployments soon.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Sierra Leone officials reach Gedo region

09 Apr – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 106 words

Military officials from Sierra Leone have reached Garbaharey city of Gedo region and observed many sites where Somali government forces recent;y ousted al Shabaab, a lawmaker told Radio Mogadishu.

Hon. Mohamud Sayid Adam who is in Garbaharey city confirmed Radio Mogadishu the arrival of officials from Sierra Leon government who are part of AMISOM troops saying they have discussed with them on how they and T.F.G soldiers would finalize the fight against al Shabab in the region.

Fighting rages in Gedo Region

09 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 135 words

At least 3 people were killed and dozens injured as heavy fighting between Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops backed by Kenyan army and al Shabaab insurgents erupted in Gedo state, over the last 24 hours, reports said on Monday.

The Fierce fighting erupted after TFG military forces attacked al Shabaab’s large military base in Mudale village which is located between Bardhere and Faafaxdhuun towns in Gedo region of southernSomalia, according to residents and officials.

Puntland prepares for war against al Shabaab

09 Apr – Source: Radio Risaala – 124 words

The president of the semiautonomous Somalia state of Puntland, Abdurrahman Sheikh Mohamed Faroole urged the residents of Puntland to prepare to defend their country against the aggressions of the al Shabab rebel group.

President Faroole noted that al Shabaab fled to locations within Puntland after coming under immense pressure in several fronts in Southern and Central Somalia especially in Mogadishu. The president urged the youth, women, elders and the leadership to unite so as to establish a common front against al Shabaab.

Somalis urged to take part in securing Mogadishu

06 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan – 217 words

Top Somali officials have appealed to their citizens to take part in government’s effort to secure the country especially the capital, Mogadishu. President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed urged the public to report suspicious individuals or groups plotting criminal activities aimed at causing havoc in the country.

The president was speaking at the site of the Wednesday attack where several people were killed and dozen others wounded including journalists.

Explosion in Baidoa targets government soldiers

09 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 50 words

Government soldiers in Baidoa, Bay Region, have been the target of a deadly bomb explosion. The powerful explosion targeted government soldiers passing along a road in Baidoa town, according to eyewitnesses. Eight people were killed and 40 others wounded, including soldiers and civilians, according to MP Habsade.

Prominent Somali MP Mowliid Ma’ane is dead

08 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu – 118 words

Prominent Somali lawmaker Mowlid Ma’ane Mohamoud has died of injuries he sustained during the Mogadishu’s national theatre blast last Wednesday. Mohamoud died on Sunday morning in a hospital in neighboring Kenyan capital Nairobi where he and another official attached to the Somalia prime minister’s office Feysal Hajji Elmi were flown for treatments.

AU forces to set up military bases in south-central Somalia

08 Apr – Source: Shabelle/BBC Somali Service – 132 words

African Union peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu say they begun operating some regions in south-central Somalia, a move that AU plans to expand its presence in the war-torn horn of Africa country. Maj. General Fred Mugisha, AU force commander in Mogadishu told BBC that AMISOM forces are moving towards al Shabaab controlled areas n the country to restore the full control of Somali government to all regions under the militants.

Two killed in clash between al Shabaab and Ahlu Sunna

08 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan – 105 words

At least two had been killed and several others injured following a clash between Ahlu Sunna militias and al Shabaab militant group in El-Kohle area, some 60 kilometres from Dusamareb town.

The clash erupted after rebel fighters attacked Ahlu Sunna fighters conducting a security operation in the area. Reports say heavily armed Ahlu Sunna militias from Dusamaren town are now heading towards the area in effort to beef up security in the area.

Former Somali speaker warns of bomb attacks in Mogadishu

08 Apr – Source: Mareeg Online – 152 words

Former speaker of Somali parliament Sheikh Aden Mohammed Nur known as (Aden Madobe) on Saturday warned people of the deadly attacks masterminded by al Shabaab fighters in the capital,Mogadishu . While speaking to reporters in Mogadishu, Mr. Mohammed said al Shabaab has no mercy for Somalia, urging people to be careful about the blasts and attacks in Mogadishu and else where in the country.

Somali government parades man with explosives

07 Apr – Source: Radio Risaala – 267 words

Commanders of the government of Somalia said they arrested a man wearing an explosive laden jacket with the intension of killing Somalia’s army chief Abdikariin Yusuf Dhaga Badan

The man was paraded at villa BaidoA military base where Dhaga Badan gave a media briefing shortly afterwards. The army chief said the man wanted to kill him and the president Somalia Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

Several arrested in Garowe

08 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan – 104 words

Puntland police have arrested 104 people in Garowe following a security crackdown in the city.

Garowe police boss Capt. Adan Muse Jamaa said the suspects includes people who are believed to be members of Al-Shabaab militant group and suspected drug dealers.

He said most of the suspects were later released after undergoing intensive investigations and are now holding only 30 suspected militants in custody. Jamaa said the aim of the operation was to bolster security situation in the region as well as dealing with criminals in the city.

Foreigners detained after illegally crossing border into Somalia

02 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 144 words
Somaliland authorities have apprehended 4 foreigners all holding French citizenship at the Djibouti/Somalia border, Garowe reports. The foreigners who consist of three men and one woman were apprehended at the border after fleeing from Djibouti authorities who were on hot pursuit of the foreigners

The foreigners are being held at the border town of Zayla and an investigation is being conducted by Somaliland authorities to uncover why Djibouti authorities were chasing the foreigners and their reasons for coming to Somalia.

Al Shabaab issues first magazine in Kiswahili

08 Apr – Source: Raxanreeb – 131 words

The al Qaeda-allied group in Somalia of al Shabaab has published the first magazine in Kiswahili language which analysts say is a media war against Kenyan media and to attract youth in East Africa.

The first issued magazine which named “Gaidi Mtaani” begins with articles about Jihad and how al Shabaab was waging the war against Kenyan forces in southern Somalia regions. “Security shall only remain to be a dream among Kenyans” an editorial article of the magazine said.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Al Shabaab racing to mountainous terrains of Puntland

08 Apr – Source: Africa Review – 228 words

Puntland’s President Abdurahman Sheikh Mohamed Mohamoud Farole has said that radical Islamist militants are building bases in the Somalia’s semi-autonomous region.

He pointed out that the heaviest concentration of al Qaeda and al Shabaab terror groups is found at Golis Mountain range next to the Gulf of Aden. President Mohamoud was speaking at an educational function in Puntland’s capital Garowe, 1000 km northeast of Mogadishu.

Do not touch Somali women, Museveni tells UPDF soldiers

09 Apr – Source: Daily Monitor – 274 words

President Museveni has cautioned UPDF soldiers waiting to be deployed to Somalia this week against involvement in sexual relationships with Somali women. Engaging in extra-marital affairs, Gen. Museveni said, is indiscipline and would “jeopardise” the peacekeeping mission. Gen. Museveni was on Friday officiating at the passout of 1,700 reservists at Singo Training Centre in Nakaseke District.

Don’t forget Somalia, UN official urges world community

06 Apr – Source: Gulf News – 664 words

Qatar and other countries in the Gulf region will play an essential role in the establishment of a safe, secure and sustainable future for Somalia, according to a visiting official, who explained that the country needs close to $100mn to maintain humanitarian efforts for the next three months.

UN Special Representative for Somalia, Mark Bowden is in Qatar for the launch of UN’s Consolidated Appeals for the country and Sudan, which is encouraging governments and organisations in the region to continue to support ongoing humanitarian efforts in both countries.

TFG and Ethiopian forces seize more territory from al Shabaab

06 Apr Source: Daily Nation – 240 words

Transitional Federal Government forces and Ethiopian troops seized two districts in Bay region in Southwestern Somalia yesterday. Al Shabaab militants abandoned Burhakaba and Qansah-dhere towns, about 200 and 180 km southwest of Mogadishu, the TFG reported.

“This is the third district in Bay region seized by pro-government forces,” said Mr Mohamed Hussein Afarale, a member of Somalia’s Parliament, who was with the advancing troops. The MP made the remarks when the Ethiopians and the pro-government forces captured Qansah-dhere towns.

KDF urges al Shabaab fighters to surrender

06 Apr – Source: the Star – 197 words

Military spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir has urged al Shabaab fighters to abandon the fight and instead join peaceful Somalia. Chichir yesterday said that the attack by al Shabaab on the Kenya Defence Force military prepared position exposed the weakness of their leader Ali Godane who reportedly led the fighters. One Landcruiser, eight battle wagons, thirty AK47 rifles, one Doshika and one PKM were captured during the incident.

“KDF troops in the Sector 2- Lower Somalia engages al Shabaab who were planning an attack on AU troops location. Al Shabaab militia group trapped at a KDF prepared position. Air power and artillery destroys al Qaeda/ al Shabaab. Al Shabaab/Al Qaeda fighters in Somalia should surrender and stop being fooled of controlling Somalia,” Chirchir said.

Global efforts to curb Somali piracy paying off: EU admiral

09 Apr – Source: Coastweek, Xinhua – 911 words

International efforts to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia have succeeded due to the cooperation amongst the navies operating in the region, reducing the number of successful pirate attacks, a top EU naval officer has said. Rear Admiral Jorge Manso, the force commander of the European Union’s Naval Taskforce (EUNAVFOR), said anti-piracy efforts have succeeded due to cooperation and coordination amongst the three main forces deployed in the region to fight piracy.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia: Militants’ bomb kills at least 12 at a market

09 Apr – Sources – New York Times/Reuters

At least 12 people were killed Monday in a bombing in a busy market in the southern city of Baidoa, witnesses and officials said. At least 35 people were wounded and taken to a Baidoa hospital, a nurse there said. The Shabab militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was intended to strike a blow against Somali and Ethiopian troops stationed in the city.

Death toll in Somali bombing now six

09 Apr – Source: Sky News – 212 words

The death toll from an attack on Somalia’s newly reopened national theatre by a female suicide bomber last week has risen to six, a Somali minister said on Sunday. Somalia’s Olympic Committee president Aden Yabarow Wiish and Somali Football Federation chief Said Mohamed Nur were among those killed in Wednesday’s bombing in Mogadishu, which was claimed by Shebab rebels affiliated with al-Qaeda.

Health Minister Abdulaziz Sheikh Yusuf said the death toll was now six, excluding the bomber, after initial reports said four people had been killed.

US pledges extra $50 mln for Horn of Africa

07 Apr – Source: AFP – 289 words

The United States said Thursday it would provide around $50 million in additional funding to fight hunger in the Horn of Africa as concerns persist despite the official end of famine in Somalia.

The State Department said it would give nearly $50 million for refugees and communities hit by drought in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, in addition to some $1 billion in US assistance over the crisis provided since early last year.

Al Shabaab wanted to assassinate me, says Somali PM

06 Apr – Source: AFP – 209 words

Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said Friday that the recent suicide attack in Mogadishu’s Somali national theatre was an attempt to assassinate him.

Ali told the AFP news agency that al Shabaab militia failed to intimidate them through such attacks.

“The attempt on my life and other government officials was the last kick of a dying horse. They killed very prominent Somali personalities but they failed to intimidate us,” said the PM.

Iran navy rescues China crew from hijacked freighter

06 Apr- Source: AFP- 507 words
The Iranian navy has freed 28 Chinese crew members less than a day after their cargo ship was hijacked by Somali pirates off the Islamic republic’s south coast, Chinese state media said Saturday.
The pirates attacked the ship early Friday in the Gulf of Oman near the Iranian port of Chabahar, clambering onto the vessel with ladders and opening fire, said the official Xinhua news agency, citing China’s embassy in Tehran.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“K’Naan got his first taste of fame at the United Nations. In 1999, his manager, Sol Guy, got him a gig to perform for the High Commissioner for Refugees. “When I stood up there I thought, most people in my country will never have the voice to be heard by the U.N. But I did. So I took it; I did a poem criticizing the U.N. for its failed aid missions to Somalia,” he says. “I figured that ended any possibility of a musical career for me. But it was the true and honest thing to do.”

On the Verge with hip-hop artist K’Naan of Somalia

09 Apr – Source: USA Today – 753 Words

Already famous: In conversation, hip-hop artist K’Naan is soft-spoken. But his music, which he describes as “folk, reggae and rap that all falls into one poetic pot,” has been heard loud and clear around the world for years, most notably with his breakout hit Wavin’ Flag, featured as Coca-Cola’s anthem during soccer’s 2010 FIFA World Cup. That exposure took the Somalian native on an 86-country tour. “The diversity of the audiences made me realize how unifying that song is,” says the 34-year-old. “There was something about it that has touched a nerve in the world.”.

“As soon as Isaac is through with his regular day job, he moonlights running his own apparel company on Weston & Lawrence that he himself had founded, called—what else– Warya. He designs the clothes himself; their signature themes are nomadic, pastoral, and literary.”

Portrait of the Canadian as warya

08 Apr – Source: Duhur – 2555 Words

Somalis yell out, Warya! Meaning, hey you, if they see a stranger whom they believe to be one of their own sort. Then they wait and hope for a recognitive response for that is not only how they sniff each other out but also how they get each other’s attention. Warya is so distinctly Somali as “eh” is so distinctly Canadian that folks refer to Somalis as warya just like tabarnak is so distinctly Quebecois that in Mexico the Canucks are now known as Los Tabarnacos.