April 16, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Members of UN security Council visit Mogadishu
16 Apr – Source: Radio Mogadishu, OPM – 246 words
A delegation from the UN Security Council including members from France and Germany headed by Mr Frederic Jung and Stepahn Russel accompanied by members from the embassies of France, Germany and members of UNPOS in Nairobi on Sunday reached Mogadishu. The delegation was welcomed by the State Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Dr. Ali Nur H. Duale, assistant minister for general affairs, housing and reconstruction Hareed, special advisor to Prime Minister and who is also spokesperson of the government Eng. Yarisow, the secretary of the PM Abdifatah and others.
In the meeting, the officials discussed the progress made on security, the draft constitution and the ending of the transitional period. The state minister thanked the delegate for their visit adding that Mogadishu is in total peace as epitomised by the booming of business. The delegation was briefed of the current situation and the premier’s dedication to ending the transitional period.
The delegation also received update about the progress of the roadmap, the draft constitution, the selection of the constituent assembly members and traditional elders, the new parliament, stabilization plan for the newly liberated areas from al Shabaab and piracy.
Key Headlines
- Members of UN security Council visit Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu OPM)
- Somali president meets Ethiopian premier in Addis-Ababa (Radio Mogadishu SONNA)
- Gedo Governor says explosion victims are in bad condition (Shabelle Kulmiye)
- Confessions of Kenyan al Shabaab militant (Standard)
- Saudi gives Somalia green light to export livestock (Bar-kulan)
- Security agency: Mogadishu will be safe soon (Shabelle Jowhar Online)
- Somali pirates kidnap Yemeni fishing boat (Saudi Press Agency)
- Empowering Somali women refugees to talk about violence (Women News Network)
- 200000 Somalis treated at Turkish hospitals in Mogadishu ( World Bulletin)
SOMALI MEDIA
Members of UN security Council visit Mogadishu
16 Apr – Source: Radio Mogadishu, OPM – 246 words
A delegation from the UN Security Council including members from France and Germany headed by Mr Frederic Jung and Stepahn Russel accompanied by members from the embassies of France, Germany and members of UNPOS in Nairobi on Sunday reached Mogadishu.
The delegation was welcomed by the State Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Dr. Ali Nur H. Duale, assistant minister for general affairs, housing and reconstruction Hareed, special advisor to Prime Minister and who is also spokesperson of the government Eng. Yarisow, the secretary of the PM Abdifatah and others.
In the meeting, the officials discussed the progress made on security, the draft constitution and the ending of the transitional period. The state minister thanked the delegate for their visit adding that Mogadishu is in total peace as epitomised by the booming of business. The delegation was briefed of the current situation and the premier’s dedication to ending the transitional period.
The delegation also received update about the progress of the roadmap, the draft constitution, the selection of the constituent assembly members and traditional elders, the new parliament, stabilization plan for the newly liberated areas from al Shabaab and piracy.
The government officials asked the delegation for the necessary help in order to forge ahead all these operations and to carry measures against those who are a bottleneck to ending the transitional period. The UN Security Council delegate thanked the government officials for their warm welcome and the briefing they have received. They promised to give full report to the UN Security Council.
Gedo Governor says explosion victims are in bad condition
16 Apr – Source: Shabelle, Kulmiye – 156 words
The governor of Gedo region in southwestern Somalia has expressed concern about the health of the victims of Sunday’s bomb explosions in the town of Garbaharey. Mohammed Abdikalil told Shabelle Media that the wounded were evacuated from the town to neighbouring Mandera hospitals because of lack of medical facilities in district, where twin blast rocked Sunday at a coffee shop frequented by TFG military officials.
At least three people mostly civilians were killed and 30 more others injured in the blast. The governor emphasized that the bomb attack was facilitated by members of government troops and he said there are carrying out investigations to find out the facilitators.
Saudi gives Somalia green light to export livestock
16 Apr – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 132 words
Saudi Arabia has given Somalia the green light to export all kinds of livestock to its country. Somalia is among 12 countries the Saudi Kingdom gave the go ahead to export their livestock to its country. The Horn of African country will be exporting herds of sheep, goats, camels and cattle unlike countries like Egypt and Pakistan which can only export camels to Saudi, according to the kingdom’s livestock department official Dr. Khalid Al-Fahid.
The decision came as a result of continued effort by the Somali ministry of trades to market the country’s livestock in Saudi Arabia, formerly the biggest buyer of Somali livestock. Livestock from Somalia are considered to be disease free, great in quality and strong demand in the local market.
Somali president meets Ethiopian premier in Addis-Ababa
15 Apr – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 125 words
Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had especial meeting after state dinner at Bahar Daar in the Ethiopian capital, Addis-Ababa last night. Both discussed the security and ties between the two neighbouring countries and they promised to strengthen the relationships of the two nations. They also talked about the latest development and achievements reached from the war against al Qaeda linked group of al Shabaab in the south and central Somalia by national forces backed Ethiopian soldiers.
Security agency: Mogadishu will be safe soon
16 Apr – Source: Shabelle, Jowhar Online – 153 words
The Chief of Security Agency for Somalia government Mohammed Mo’allin Fiqi, announced Monday that the security agency will assure the overall security of the lawless capital, Mogadishu, months after the militants of al Shabaab pulled back from their bases in the capital. Mr. Fiqi told reporters in Mogadishu that the security forces are to laid down measures to tackle the security and the nightly mortar bombardments at Villa Somalia, the official residence of Somali president. “In the past couple of days, our security forces have seized explosive devices with 50 men allegedly connected to al Shabaab who were orchestrating attacks against TFG and as well as civilian population in the capital,” he added.
Torrential rain starts in Somalia amid famine concerns
16 Apr – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 167 words
Seasonal rainfalls have started in Somalia as the country recover from the famine that ravaged the country last year which claimed thousands of lives, and livestock. Though the rain are expected to ease the famine situation, the worst in 60 years, but it will be bad news for Somalia’s internally displaced population who live in makeshift tents that are not adequate enough to shelter them from the night rains. Some of these families are now calling on aid agencies to help them out of the sitaution.
Somali PM’s head of security held for questioning about blast
15 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 269 words
Members of Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Gaas’ security staff have been arrested on suspicion of having of knowledge of the suicide blast that killed 6 people earlier this month, Garowe reports.
According to local media in Mogadishu the head of Prime Minister Gaas’ security Ali Yare, his second in command and a female were arrested on suspicion of having knowledge about the suicide blast which al Shabaab claimed responsibility for, that killed 4 government officials. Local authorities apprehended the three Saturday night and they are being held for questioning.
Al Shabaab’s Mogadishu Governor Sheikh Mohamed Omar who spoke to the terror organization’s radio program said the blast involved top ranking government officials help, and the job was made ‘easier’ by the officials so they could carry out the attack. Following the blast, Prime Minister Gaas set up a ministerial investigation committee to look into the blast as questions swirled as to how the female suicide bomber passed by the security check. President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed held the Ministry of Information who were hosting the event, liable for the poor security.
Nine killed as Kenyan troops clash with militants in southern Somalia
15 Apr – Source: Somalia Report – 250 words
At least nine people have been killed and several others wounded following fierce fighting between Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces with the support of Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) and Ras Kamboni militias against the al Shabaab insurgent group late Saturday at Hayo village between Qoqani and Afmadow, southern Somalia, according TFG officials.
Fighting is reported to have lasted several hours after TFG military forces attacked al Shabaab bases in Hayo village of Lower Jubba Region, according to the Ras-Kamboni officials. TFG officials confirmed to Somalia Report that they attacked an al Shabaab base in Hayo village. “We attacked their base in Hayo area and killed four of their fighters. We overwhelmed them. We are now about 20 kilometers from Afmadow and will capture the area in the coming days. Also, we burned one vehicle belonging to al Shabaab,” said Abdi Halane, a TFG official in Lower Jubba.
A Raas-Kaambooni official confirmed the fighting claiming victory over al Shabaab, “We killed seven al Shabaab fighters and defeated them. We lost one soldier and another was wounded. We also captured al Shabaab bases between Hayo and Afmadow. They fled to Afmadow but soon will reach there,” Muhmud Qalib Ashir informed Somalia Report.
Al Shabaab’s spokesman Sheikh Abdul Aziz Abu Mus’ab confirmed that the allied troops launched attacks on their bases, “It was 3:00 p.m. local time (12:00 gmt) on Saturday when they attacked us in an area near Qoqani and we defended our bases.” Residents described the fighting as heavy, but did not provide details on the number of causalities.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Confessions of Kenyan al Shabaab militant
15 Apr – Source: Standard – 315 words
A former al Shabaab militant has confessed how he joined and fought alongside the Somali insurgents. Abdullah Adbul Majid aka Abul, a Kenyan aged 18 and who arrived from Somalia in January, is in police custody after he was arrested last week in connection with the Machakos Country Bus blasts that killed nine people.
An interrogation report seen by The Standard details his confessions from how he joined the terror group and his military training in Somalia. He was arrested in Eastleigh last Thursday together with three people following a tip-off that they were involved in the blasts.
Abdul said he travelled to Somalia in January, last year, from Mombasa through Garissa, Dadajabula and Dobley towns. “He secured his bus fare to Somalia by secretly selling his mother’s mobile phone at Sh5,000. He packed a few clothes in a paper bag to begin the journey to Somalia,” says part of the report. Abdul is a Standard Seven dropout from Ahzab Academy and his parents stay in Majengo, Mombasa.
Somali pirates kidnap Yemeni fishing boat
15 Apr – Source: Saudi Press Agency – 51 words
With nine fishermen on board, a Yemeni fishing boat was abducted by Somalian pirates, it was announced today. Yemen’s Coast Guard police said the boat is a private ownership and that the Yemeni authorities would continue investigations to clarify the incident and the fate of the fishermen and their boat.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Empowering Somali women refugees to talk about violence
16 Apr – Source: Women News Network – 596 words
Dozens of pairs of yellow, green, and blue flip-flop sandals lie neatly organized outside a plastic tent in Zone T of Melkadida refugee camp in the Dolo Ado complex. Located in the resource-poor Somali Region of Ethiopia, Dolo Ado is home to nearly 150,000 Somali refugees who have fled across the border in search of food and other basic resources following the East Africa drought and famine emergency.
Thousands of tents dot the dusty, wind-swept landscape throughout Dolo Ado. The only other distinguishing feature about this particular tent with the collection of footwear at its entrance is a eucalyptus pole with an International Medical Corps flag fluttering at its top.
Since 2003, International Medical Corps has operated a multi-faceted program in Ethiopia, working to strengthen services to prevent gender based violence, HIV/AIDS and infectious disease, improve water and sanitation levels, as well as offer psychosocial support, maternal and child health, and other programs.
200,000 Somalis treated at Turkish hospitals in Mogadishu
14 Apr – Source: World Bulletin – 80 words
200,000 Somali people have been treated at two field hospitals and one polyclinic established by Turkish Health Ministry in Somali capital of Mogadishu in the last eight months. 987 Somali people underwent operations in hospitals, Dr. Musa Temel, head physician of field hospitals, told AA correspondent.
Temel recalled that they came to famine-stricken Somalia on August 19, 2011 and Turkish physicians achieved important successes since then. 150,000 tons of medication have been distributed to Somali people so far, he added.
Even terrorists have feelings
15 Apr – Source: Strategy Page -1164 words
It is feared that the Somali pirates are planning to change tactics, using new weapons. That’s because smuggler and black market chatter in countries adjoining Libya is that naval mines and shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles taken from Libyan military bases during the rebellion last year, are now available for sale.
Some of the missiles have been captured by police in Egypt, but no naval mines have been seen yet. Back in 1984, a Libyan merchant ship covertly dropped dozens of naval mines in the near the Red Sea entrance to the Suez Canal, damaging 19 ships. Western mine clearing forces were called in to clear the mines, and some Russian mines were found. Libya had recently purchased mines of this type. An Islamic terror group took credit for the mining, but all the evidence pointed to Libya.
Since the 1980s, Libya has continued to buy naval mines, and not all of them have been accounted for since the end of the recent revolution. If the Somali pirates got possession of some of these mines, and found someone who knew how to use them (and find out if the older ones were still in working order), they could extort money from large ports in the area. This would involve planning at least one mine near a port and sinking a ship.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Our task is to create opportunities for the youth to make an honest living and that means providing education and revitalising the local and national economies to create the jobs and cross-clan trade linkages which will encourage inter-dependence and reduce the appeal of arms.”
Children can now play on beaches and fields of Mogadishu; next up is the constitution
14 Apr – Source: The East African – 1020 Words
In less than a month, traditional elders from all regions of Somalia will assemble in Mogadishu for a two-week constitutional conference with the aim of adopting a provisional constitution for the republic as we approach the end of the transition to permanent government.
The common goal is to end the anarchy of statelessness that has been the norm for two decades and introduce a new order built on the bonds of language, culture, and religion that unite us.
The hosting of the Constituent Assembly in our nation’s capital represents a significant milestone for the peace process in Somalia and will vindicate ongoing efforts by the Transitional Federal Government to secure a stable and prosperous Somalia, built on respect for traditional Somali culture, religious values and way of life. A Somalia where citizens can go about their daily lives free from fear of the indignities of war and corruption, poverty and hunger.
“Despite the obstacles, Puntland has progressed and braved the odds alone. When the Puntland Constitutional Convention concludes, inshallah, history will be made: Puntland will advance from the era of transition, and Somalia will be closer to national recovery. The future of Puntland is a competitive multiparty political system. The naysayers’ time is up – the world can no longer bet on potential. Puntland is in practice and it is the example for other Somali regions to follow, with its own constitution, government branches, and security forces.”
Somalia: Leading by example, the Puntland Constitution
15 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 833 Words
On the eve of history, Puntland territory in the northeastern region of Somalia is in a state of stability founded on unity, inclusivity, and consensus. On Sunday, the Puntland Constitutional Convention opened in Garowe, with 480 delegates from across Puntland regions and districts voting to adopt the Puntland State Constitution. For the first time since Puntland’s inception more than 13 years ago, the State will end its long transition and will have a constitution as a member state of a Federal Republic of Somalia.
Some people might say this is all a dream. They say: Puntland cannot have a constitution, or a state flag. Federalism is wrong for Somalia. Arguments posed by the pundits remain redundant and unrepresentative of majority public opinion. Across Somalia, the public is fed up with violent crime, general lawlessness and the agonizing burden of national disintegration.
“The state of the Somali union can be strengthened by the collective understanding that a divided and clan-based Somalia will not usher in a new era of peace and tranquility so badly needed in the region. On the contrary, what Somalis desperately need is a new vision that acknowledges everyone’s value, anchored in a solid social compact and genuine reconciliation.”
The State of Somali Union
15 Apr – Source: Marka Cadey – 1216 Words
In any federal system, the gray area between the powers of the federal government and those of the constituent states is a constant battleground. What is remarkable about the U.S. federal system, for example, is that even though power is relatively decentralized — each of the 50 states has its own constitution — the center still holds supreme. Allegiance to the union dwarfs all other loyalties to state or local identities.
In comparison, Somalia’s recent experiment with federalism seems to have further fragmented the country and incited the creation of competing clan-based entities that may ultimately dampen the effectiveness, if not the foundation, of the central government.
Elders Could End Piracy
16 Apr – Source: Ship Talk -174 Words
The release of the vessel “Leila” for the relatively low sum of just $250,000 has shown a possible new way forward for the fight against piracy. According to Lloyd’s List the fact that tribal Somali elders succeeded in freeing the ship where NATO and London’s finest lawyers failed, should make us all pause for thought. According to local sources, the 1973-built, 1,357 dwt Leila was released after Hobyo elders intervened to recuperate cargo belonging to Somaliland merchants…
With talk of land-based solutions in vogue at the moment, it would seem that engagement on the ground could see results, and that Somalis can be co-opted into the struggle against piracy, if they believe it is in their interest.
The Lloyd’s List view is that while cultivating allies in a political hornets’ nest is difficult, but can be incredibly effective. Others are not so convinced, they believe that the elders only interfered because the cargo was owned by Somalis – and very, very few cargoes are. So it looks like this kind of approach could be limited.
Top tweets
@WorldVision “If the world waits until they are certain that [#Somalia] is once again in crisis that may be too late.” http://bit.ly/HHcSBG #
@MorningAfrika #Kenya, #
@mideastunes as a hip-hop group founded in #Somalia named Waayaha Cusub, they tackle topics that challenge taboos of the extremists. http://digs.by/
@allafrica #Somalia Tighter Security Ignores Root Causes of Somali Crises: http://bit.ly/IQqWYE.
@SomaliPirates #SOMALIA: MV Leila’s agent says #Puntland minister got his share … http://ow.ly/1iNYjA.
@SomaliNewsNow Torrential rain beating tens thousands displace persons in the IDP camps of #Mogadishu.
@tresthomasiii #Somalia, #
Image of the day
A UN Security Council delegation hold talks with Somali officials in capital, Mogadishu on Sunday 15 April. Photo: Radio Mogadishu.