April 24, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali president speaks out against parliament infighting, draft constitution
24 Apr – Source: Hiiraan Online/Shabelle/ Bar-kulan – 165 words
Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, spoken out against the ongoing dispute within the country’s parliament, the firs statement since the MPs split into two opposing sides at the end of last year.
“The current political dispute of the parliament should be solved immediately, because it is not helping us as a government to progress. We will not tolerate and stop our national task because of a parliament that has two speakers,” Somali president, said Monday while addressing a ceremony for 52nd anniversary of national army in Mogadishu.
The President also spoke about the dispute over the finalization of the draft constitution on 20 April 2012, saying there are still some errors in the new constitution that need to be ractified soon, inaccordance with the interest of Somalis. This comment by Somali president comes as Somalis voice concerns over the draft constitution for Somalia, which they said was weakening some of most sacred points for the nation and its people.
Key Headlines
- Somali president speaks out against parliament infighting draft constitution (Hiiraan Online/Shabelle/Bar-kulan)
- Sports Ministry to reconstruct Mogadishu stadiums (Radio Mogadishu/ Universal TV)
- Ugandan President promotes transfers more army officers (Daily Monitor)
- Al Shabaab beheads businessman in southern Somalia (Shabelle)
- Uganda sends 1500 more peacekeepers to Somalia (Daily Monitor)
- Journalist Union Leader Released after hours in Detention in Northern Somalia (Raxanreeb)
- African pirates becoming more violent report says (ABC News)
- TFG-KDF prepare to take Kismayo (Somalia Report)
- Cyprus cabinet approves draft anti-piracy legislation (Famagusta-Gazette)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali president speaks out against parliament infighting, draft constitution
24 Apr – Source: Hiiraan Online/Shabelle/ Bar-kulan – 165 words
Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, spoken out against the ongoing dispute within the country’s parliament, the firs statement since the MPs split into two opposing sides at the end of last year.
“The current political dispute of the parliament should be solved immediately, because it is not helping us as a government to progress. We will not tolerate and stop our national task because of a parliament that has two speakers,” Somali president, said Monday while addressing a ceremony for 52nd anniversary of national army in Mogadishu.
The President also spoke about the dispute over the finalization of the draft constitution on 20 April 2012, saying there are still some errors in the new constitution that need to be ractified soon, inaccordance with the interest of Somalis. This comment by Somali president comes as Somalis voice concerns over the draft constitution for Somalia, which they said was weakening some of most sacred points for the nation and its people.
Sports Ministry to reconstruct Mogadishu stadiums
23 Apr – Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Universal TV – 180 words
Somali State Minister of Labor and Sports Abdullahi Sheikh Ali said that his ministry will reconstruct Stadiums in the country. Earlier this month, the minster attended a international Olympic committee meeting held in Moscow Russia, where Somalia among many countries that attended the crucial meeting. The meeting which was opened by the Russian president, praised the performance of Somali sport leaders who lost their lives at national theater bomb blast in Mogadishu.
The Head of the Somali National Olympic and Chairman of the Somali Football association died in a suicide blast inside the Somali national theatre after a female suicide bomber detonated explosives during the first anniversary of the Somali national TV.
Sport was slowly reviving in Mogadishu following the exit of al Shabaab fighters in Mogadishu. The local administrations also initiated inter districts tournaments meant to bring people together after more than two decades of anarchy. The local girls’ basketball team has also made Somali proud in several tournaments late last year.
Al Shabaab beheads businessman in southern Somalia
24 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 133 words
Armed men belonging to al Shabaab, the radical Islamist movement in Somalia beheaded a businessman living in Eel Adde, about 90 km southwest of Mogadishu, relatives confirmed on Tuesday. The beheaded body of the businessman whose identity has not been released so far was found on Tuesday morning on the outskirts of Eel Adde town, a stronghold of al Shabaab in Middle Shabelle region, south Somalia.
Residents in Eel Adde district told Shabelle media that the militants have pulled the man out of a car while travelling from Jowhar to his home town El-Adde overnight and then his body was found lying at the town. Al Shabaab accused the man of being a spy for Somalia government in the town- an allegation that locals denied and said the guy was a well-known livestock trader in the entire region.
Journalist Union Leader Released after hours in Detention in Northern Somalia
24 Apr – Source: Raxanreeb – 160 words
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcomes the release of the union leader in northern Somalia on the same day later April 19, 2012 by Somaliland Police.
Somaliland police arrested Mohamed Shaqale, a correspondent for the Somalisat television, who is also NUSOJ’s Public Information officer in the town of Laas-Anod, the regional headquarters of Sool region on Thursday 19 April, 2012, around 8:00am. Shaqale was released on the same day late Thursday April 19, 2012 after couple of hours in detention.
“I was detained for couple of hours, but late Thursday I was released.” Mohamed Shaqale said, “We are determined in working for the journalists rights and will continue.” “We welcome the release of our colleague and call for the Somaliland Authorities to respect the freedom of Expression and the freedom of the press.” Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said, “We call for an immediate end for the arbitrary arrests and detentions without giving the opportunity to appear them before a court.”
TFG-KDF prepare to take Kismayo
23 Apr – Source: Somalia Report – 109 words
Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is gaining momentum against the insurgent al Shabaab militias, particularly after capturing Baidoa in central Somalia in Feburary of this year. The TFG and its Kenyan allies are now preparing to take over the port city of Kismayo, an al Shabaab stronghold in Lower Juba.
Abdiweli Farah Elmi, the TFG military spokesman in Lower Juba, told Somalia Report that The TFG and the Kenyan troops are now preparing to take over the port city of Kismayo. “Details regarding this are classified. Generally, we have established measures and parameters for the advance of our forces towards Kismayo which is our main target in this region” said Elmi.
Heavy rains claim lives in Hiiraan region
24 Apr – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 121 words
Two people died on Monday afternoon following a heavy downpour in Aborey village, some 30 kilometres northeast of Bula-burte district, reports say. Local villagers told Bar-kulan that the victims, both elderly persons, died in the village under difference circumstances.
One of the victims died when his house collapsed due to heavy rains while the other one, a disabled person, was swept away by flash floods resulting from the downpours. Reports said the downpour which lasted for several hours also destroyed three houses in the same village. Their death brings the number to four since last week. Two people died last Thursday following heavy downpours in parts of the riverine region of Lower Shabelle.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Uganda sends 1,500 more peacekeepers to Somalia
23 Apr – Source: Daily Monitor – 239 words
Following the February United Nations resolution to expand the number of African Union peacekeepers in Somalia from 12,000 to 17,731, Uganda has sent an extra 1,500 soldiers, raising the number of Ugandan troops in Somalia to 6,700.
The additional deployment is meant to strengthen the presence of the AU forces that have begun, the second phase of the mission, launching attacks against al-Shabaab militants outside Mogadishu. The spokesperson of the Ugandan contingent in Somalia, Capt. Henry Obbo, said the last batch of the peacekeepers arrived in Mogadishu on Saturday. “The troops are being commanded by Col. Stephen Mugerwa,” he said.
While addressing the newly deployed forces, the commander of the Ugandan contingent, Brig. Paul Lokech, cautioned the soldiers against mistreating Somalia nationals. “Make sure you treat the Somalis with respect. You are here to support them. UPDF conduct here has been excellent and we shall sternly deal with any of you who will deviate from the acceptable standards. We have no room for a single mistake here,” he said.
Ugandan President promotes, transfers more army officers
24 Apr – Source: Daily Monitor – 313 words
President Museveni has reshuffled and promoted a number of senior army officers in the latest changes announced yesterday by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima.
In the transfers, Col. James Ruheesi, who has been commanding Peace Support Training Centre, Singo has been moved to Kimaka Senior Staff College as the directtor. He has been overseeing the training of Ugandan peacekeepers going to Somalia. His transfer is rumoured to be connected to reports of mismanagement of the school that resulted into poor feeding of the soldiers.
But the UPDF Spokesperson, Col. Felix Kulayigye, dismissed the reports, saying feeding of soldiers in a school like Singo is not entirely in the hands of one person. Col. Ruheesi has been replaced by Col. Stephen Kashure.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Cyprus cabinet approves draft anti-piracy legislation
23 Apr – Source: Famagusta-Gazette – 865 words
The Minister of Communications and Works Efthymios Flourentzos said the Bill was “pioneering and important”, noting that its approval by the Cabinet and its consequent adoption by the House of Representatives will turn Cyprus into “a pioneer on a global scale” on the matter.
The Cyprus Shipping Chamber welcomed from its part the adoption of the Bill, noting that it may provide an answer to the “gangrene” of the phenomenon of Piracy. Flourentzou said that the Bill regulates the provision of armed escorts to Cyprus-flagged vessels, by specially trained and certified guards.
Asked on the way past concerns on behalf of the maritime administration were surmounted, the Minister said that the obstacles and concerns were overcome following a long and coordinated work of all parties involved. “A coordinated work has been done by all involved,” Flourentzou noted, referring to the Ministries of Communications and Works, Justice and Labour, as well as other competent authorities.
African pirates becoming more violent, report says
24 Apr – Source: ABC News – 381 words
Pirate attacks on merchant ships along the eastern and western coasts of Africa are intensifying and becoming more violent, according to the international maritime watchdog. The increased threat comes despite many ships employing private armed security guards and boosts in international patrols. The latest global piracy report from the International Maritime Bureau says attacks worldwide have fallen by almost 30 per cent. But African waters remain a hot spot for piracy and violent hijackings, especially on the west coast around Nigeria.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Al Shabaab presents a growing threat to Somalia. After it formalised its association with al Qaeda, the momentum of attacks, especially suicide attacks, increased. By making inroads to Africa, al Qaeda will exploit al Shabaab’s long standing links with like-minded threat groups in a fragile continent.”
Al Qaeda Grows In Africa: New Union With al Shabaab – Analysis
24 Apr – Source: Eurasia Review – 854 Words
Somalia’s al Shabaab joined al Qaeda in February 2012. News of the new union prompted celebrations in southern and central Somalia, areas long controlled by al Shabaab. Unless al Shabaab is dismantled, the group will pose a threat not only to Somalia but the entire region and beyond.
Since the announcement, the frequency of attacks against Somali government and foreign peacekeepers has dramatically increased. Somali Islamists regard al Qaeda as the vanguard of Islamist movements worldwide. They also attribute the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and their pending departure from Afghanistan to al Qaeda’s competence. Thus, al Shabaab hopes this new alliance will help rid Somalia of foreign influence, including foreign forces, and pave the way for the eventual establishment of Islamic law.
“’Somalinimo’ ( Somaliness) is more abstract term than Somali; the first can mean piracy, religious extremism, intolerance, man-made famine, hospitality, patience, admission of wrong-doing, impartiality whereas the latter is used to describe the identity of a person with a citizenship of Somalia. Notwithstanding the flaws in the professor’s analysis, the review article on the draft constitution is a commendable achievement.”
Somalia: Are there loopholes in the draft constitution?
23 Apr – Source: Mareeg – 685 Words
A ‘ non-exhaustive’ review article discussing the draft constitution was posted on hiiraan.com. The writer of the article, Professor Abdulwahid Sheikhosman Qalinle of the University of Minnesota Law School , discusses the work of Independent Commission for the Constitution and Federal Affairs (IFCC) which drafted a constitution for a Muslim , ‘homogeneous ‘ country–Somalia. The writer briefly compares and contrasts the draft constitution and the the constitution of South Africa and some principles in key Islamic jurisprudential texts. Professor Qaline makes suggestions to amend some articles in the draft constitution. To what extent are the professor’s suggestions practicable ?
Professor Qalinle writes: “The formulation of article 23, freedom of expression, may give the impression that these rights are conferred by the State; it, however, would be an improvement to state that everyone has an inherent right to the freedom of expression. “Sub-articles 1 of article 23 states: A person has a right to express their opinions and to impart information and ideas in any way.”
One month in Somalia
23 Apr – Source: Reuters Photographers Blog – 597 Words
April 5 – I was in my car and was not far from the theater when I heard a big explosion. I stood up and immediately saw a local journalist covered with blood and running. I asked him about the explosion and he told me it was inside the theater. I went towards it but security was tightened after the blast as the government feared other blasts would follow. By then, government soldiers were firing on anyone rushing to the scene.
After some minutes I managed to enter the theater. I saw dead bodies including those of the two biggest sports officials. I was shocked. Rescue workers stood on scattered pieces of human flesh as they collected casualties. I had to take their photos as tears rolled down my cheeks.
I tried to take photos outside the theater but after taking several images soldiers fired on me and ordered me to leave the area. The commander of the theater guards ordered journalists and rescuers to be fired upon. We ran away at neck breaking speed and the soldiers kept on firing until we disappeared. That was a very shocking day that I will never forget.
Top tweets
@UNHCRSomalia #Famine #
@tyr_solutions Pirate attacks off the coast of #Somaliahave decreased dramatically this year, but number of incidents off #Africa ‘s west coast is increasing.
@MohamedYare7 #Puntland
@adrauk Italian newspaper publishes article on the #Somalia solar energy project. Follow this link http://is.gd/0yo7DI.
@marsecreview @EUNAVFOR – so what’s changed in countering #piracy?Industry behaviour, proactive mil action and regional #Somali activity @
@Xarbi #Somali: to reject the on-going Road-map does it qualify you as anti-establishment – or even question its legitimacy ?
@eleanormarchant @Xarbi So what happens now? Do they take a different path to rebuilding the constitution or just give up entirely? #Somalia.
Image of the day
Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, right, receives the National flag from Somalia’s military chief of staff General Abdikadir Shiekh Ali Diini, as Somali National Army celebrates the 52nd anniversary of its founding. Photo: Calanka.