May 29, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
AMISOM vows to take over all al Shabaab held territories
29 May – Source: Radio Risaala/Shabelle – 129 words
The African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia on Monday took a group of journalists to the new territories in the Lower Shabelle they have seized from the al Qaeda-link group al Shabaab. AMISOM Deputy Commander, Auduence Dmuawnce who addressed the reporters at the main bridge in Afgoye, confirmed that his forces were in full control of the whole of Afgoye district, adding that the operation dubbed “ Free Shabelle” has being successful.
Mr. Auduence also vowed to carry on with the fighting till they secure the whole country from al Shabaab. The TFG governor for the Lower Shabelle, Mr. Abdikadir Mohamed Nuur Siidii also sent similar sentiments, pledging to pursue al Shabaab to wherever they are. Somalia government forces and AU peacekeepers have jointly taken over Afgoye, Lafole and Eelasha-Biyaha.
Key Headlines
- AMISOM vows to take over all al Shabaab held territories (Radio Risaala/Shabelle)
- Press Statement on Istanbul Pre-conference (Ministry of Constitution Federalism and Reconciliation)
- Danish Police Arrest 2 Men in Terror Plot (ABC News/AP/USA Today/Al Jazeera TV)
- Foreign warships bomb Islamist-held southern Somali port city (Radio Shabelle/ Jowhar Online/ Hiiraan Online)
- Uganda heightens security after blast in Kenyan capital (Daily Monitor)
- Istanbul Pre-conference for Somali Civil Society and elders continues (Jowhar Online/Somaliweyn Online/ Somali Talk)
- Afgoye residents urged to cooperate with security personnel (Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu)
- Galmudug president says selection process of Istanbul conference lacks transparency (Shabelle)
- 5 al Qaeda fighters surrender to ASWJ command in Mahas district (Radio Mogadishu/SONNA/Bar-kulan)
PRESS STATEMENT
Press Statement on Istanbul Pre-conference
28 May – Source: Ministry of Constitution, Federalism and Reconciliation – 444 words
The Ministry of Constitution, Federalism and Reconciliation wishes to express its grave concern on the selection of the civil society groups for the Somali Istanbul Pre-Conference. As already highlighted by many parts of the Somali Society, including key signatories of the Road Map, the selection process lacks transparency, and may inadvertently impact the progress made thus far on the End of Transition processes. A quick glance at the invitee list shows that the civil society members are not inclusive and exclude mainstream civil society groups. Furthermore, politically motivated members of the parliament and politicians were amongst the so called civil society groups that went to Istanbul.
The Minister of Constitution, Federalism and Reconciliation Abdurahman Hosh Jibril said “We register our displeasure that an unrepresentative self-selected group within the pre-conference attendees have hijacked and thus politicized an integral part of the process, a fact which could potentially undermine the integrity and the spirit of all of the agreements and principles agreed to by all stakeholders in the last 9 months, including the recent Addis Ababa Communiqué.” The Minister welcomed an urgent and timely resolve to the concerns of the Somali people by working closely with the Turkish government in ensuring the success of this Pre-Conference and the Istanbul Conference II.
The Ministry acknowledges the full commitment of the government and the people of Somalia to the fruitful results of the recent Addis Ababa Meeting and reminds all of our international partners of the importance of unity of purpose on ending the transition. We call for the continued and unreserved support for the Roadmap process, Mogadishu Consultative Conference, Mogadishu Civil Society Meeting, the Garowe 1 and 2 Agreements, the Galkayo Agreement, the on-going Traditional Leaders’ conference and the Addis Ababa Communiqué. The Transitional Federal Government relies on the brotherly and friendly countries of Somalia, inter alia the Turkish Government, to support the implementation of the sustainable state-building process for peace
The Minister further added that “we are looking forward for an urgent review of our concerns in order to put the process on its right track. I must remind all that at this critical juncture, the Somali government and its international partners ought to show a unity of purpose so that we can end the transition as expeditiously as outlined under the Roadmap agreements.”
The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia expresses gratitude for the developmental and humanitarian role played by Turkey and for its continued support for the people of Somalia. Equally, the Transitional Federal Government is deeply appreciative of the good intentions of the Turkish government in convening and facilitating the Istanbul Conference to rally the support of the international community for Somalia’s future.
SOMALI MEDIA
Istanbul Pre-conference for Somali Civil Society and elders continues
29 May – Source: Jowhar Online/Somaliweyn Online/ SomaliTalk – 403 words
The Istanbul Pre-conference for Somali elders and Civil Society group continues for second day where over 400 representatives including civil society groups, Somali Diasporas, traditional elders, clerics and representatives from the TFG have gathered.
The meeting which commenced on 27th of May discusses the fate of the government and the country as it nears the end of the transitional period. On the first day of the meeting, the elders and civil society members discussed the current situations of the country and transitional period. In yesterday’s session, the attendees were divided into four groups which included:
First group: Political
Second group: Civil Society
Third group: Economic Recovery
Fourth group: Security and Stabilization
Each of these groups met separately in halls in the last hours.
There have been lengthy debates where each group discussed its area and efforts to bring together the diverging views have so far gone well.
Somalia’s first Prime Minister Abdirizak Haji Hussein who attended the meeting urged the attendees to try hard bring out tangible results and to come to common ground in order to move the country out of its current situation. He commented on the current draft constitution urging the Somalis to embrace the 1960 constitution which he said has the support of the Somalis since they voted for it in a referendum.
Each of the groups was being monitored by overseeing and monitoring experts. The experts will later find the best possible way to bring together the different views of the elders, the civil society members and the clerics. Delegates headed by Somalia’s Prime Ministere Abdiweli Mohamed Ali are expected to reach Istanbul today. The President and his delegate is also due to come to Istanbul tomorrow to participate in the June 3rd meeting.
Meanwhile, speaker of the parliament Sharif Hassan flew to Ankara, Turkey capital where he is to meet Turkish speaker of parliament to discuss mending of the two countries’ relations and how to uplift the status of Somali parliament.
The Ministry of Constitution and Federal Affairs stated in a press release that it is happy with progress of the elders and civil society meeting. The ministry applauded the representatives on how they carried themselves at the meeting on the journey of ending the transitional period as stipulated in the roadmap, the Garowe I and II meetings, the Galka’yo agreement and the Addis Ababa communiqué. The Ministry also thanked Turkish government for hosting the meeting.
AMISOM vows to take over all al Shabaab held territories
29 May – Source: Radio Risaala/Shabelle – 129 words
The African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia on Monday took a group of journalists to the new territories in the Lower Shabelle they have seized from the al Qaeda-link group al Shabaab.
AMISOM Deputy Commander, Auduence Dmuawnce who addressed the reporters at the main bridge in Afgoye, confirmed that his forces were in full control of the whole of Afgoye district, adding that the operation dubbed “ Free Shabelle” has being successful.
Mr. Auduence also vowed to carry on with the fighting till they secure the whole country from al Shabaab.
The TFG governor for the Lower Shabelle, Mr. Abdikadir Mohamed Nuur Siidii also sent similar sentiments, pledging to pursue al Shabaab to wherever they are. Somalia government forces and AU peacekeepers have jointly taken over Afgoye, Lafole and Eelasha-Biyaha.
Foreign warships bomb Islamist-held southern Somali port city
29 May- Source: Radio Shabelle/ Jowhar Online/ Hiiraan Online – 290 words
(Presenter) Al Shabaab has exchanged artillery fire with foreign warships, [usually] stationed off the coast of Somalia, in Kismaayo, the capital of Lower Jubba Region, southern Somalia. Our reporter, Muhammad Bashir Hashi, has been following developments and is with me now in the studio. Muhammad Bashir, tell us how and what triggered the artillery fire exchange.
(Hashi) Thanks Muhidin. Reports from Kismayo, the capital of Lower Jubba Region, say the sound of gunfire and artillery, which foreign warships targeted at Kismayo neighbourhoods, could be heard. This came after reports that al Shabaab fired anti-aircraft shots at the warships whose ownership are not known. Some reports, however, say the warship belonged to French forces on patrol off the coast of Somalia.
Residents told us that the artillery shells are still landing in Kismayo. It is not yet known if there were any casualties. Reports say al Shabaab fired at the warships after they came near the coast of Kismayo. The ships then fired shots and artillery with some of them landing in neighbourhoods in Kismayo.
Some residents of Kismayo whom we spoke with and who refused to be named and their voices aired for security reasons said they could hear sounds of heavy artillery landing in [parts] of the town. They said they still do not know the extent of the damage caused by the artillery fire. They said people are worried and afraid after they heard the sounds of the artillery being fired.
There is no word yet from al Shabaab, which controls Kismayo, regarding the incident. Residents also told us that a similar attack took place yesterday although this morning’s artillery fire is heavier. Reports say the warships retreated into the sea and continued to fire shots although al Shabaab have stopped doing so.
Afgoye residents urged to cooperate with security personnel
29 May – Source: Bar-kulan/ Radio Mogadishu – 113 words
Somali police force commissioner, Sharif Sheikhuna Maye has on Monday urged Afgoye residents to work with the security personnel in the town in order to enforce law and order. Speaking in Afgoye, Maye said that Somali police will soon proceed security activities in the town and appealed to the people of Afgoye to cooperate with the security officials.
He added that the government is aware of al Shabaab remnants and sympathizers in the corridor and called on the ordinary people to be vigilant and inform the relevant authorities in case of spotting any suspicious elements. TFG forces backed by AMISOM seized the strategic town of Afgoye last week after a week-long military offensive against al Shabaab.
Galmudug president says selection process of Istanbul conference lacks transparency
29 May – Source: Shabelle – 75 words
The president of Somalia’s Galmudug state Mohammed Ahmed Alin, has accused Somali government of corrupting the selection process of Istanbul conference. “The Traditional Elders attending at the Somali Istanbul Conference were selected in a corrupt manner by Somali government authorities so that Galmudug state,has stay away from its participation,” said Alin. On the hand, the president talked about the political deadlock between Galmudug officials about the presidential election timetable over the last few weeks.
5 al Qaeda fighters surrender to ASWJ command in Mahas district
29 May – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA/Bar-kulan – 130 words
Five al Qaeda linked militias of al Shabaab have on Tuesday surrendered to Ahlu-Sunna Administration in Mahas district of Hiiraan region central Somalia, officials said.
Saney Mohamud Farah, one of ASWJ officials in Mahas district confirmed to Radio Mogadishu that the five al Shabaab extremists had communication with them before finally coming over to their control command with their weapons.
Mr. Saney added that they are expecting other militias who are supposed to leave al Shabaab and he said they would welcome and deal with them in good manner and humanity. Mohamed Elmi Shirwa’ who is among those militias surrended to ASWJ admitted that they committed evil acts against their brothers and sisters as well as the religion itself and added they used to be given orders.
Al Shabaab spokesman: We killed Somali, AU soldiers in latest attacks
29 May – Source: Shabelle – 133 words
The spokesman of al Shabaab fighters for the military operations Sheikh Abdi-aziz Abu Musab, said they have killed a number of Somali and AMISOM soldiers in six coordinated attacks that took place between Mogadishu and Afgoye district.
“We waged simultaneous attacks on both Somali and AU troops. Yesterday our fighters carried out at least six offensives against TFG and AMISOM forces in several locations between Mogadishu and Afgoye town. One on Agoye and during those attacks, the fighters managed to inflict heavy casualties upon the coalition troops (Somali and AU) controlling there,” said Abu Musab.
On the other hand, the governor of Lower Shabelle region for Somali government Abdiqadir Mohammed Nur Sidi, told Shabelle Media that Government forces captured many al Shabaab elements after security operations in Afgoye district, 30 Km north-west Mogadishu.
More details on senior al Shabaab commander’s defection to TFG
29 May – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 124 words
El-wak administration in Gedo region released more information about a former al Shabaab senior member who surrendered to the TFG authorities two weeks ago.
Commissioner of El-wak district, Ibrahim Gulied Adan told Bar-kulan that the defected militant leader was a senior military figure for the group and has taken part in several al Shabaab battles in various places including Afgoye town, Bay, Bakol, Gedo and Jubba regions prior to his surrender.
Adan added that the defection of the senior commander came after he had disagreements with al Shabaab officials over alleged mistreatments to the ordinary people in the area. The official also stated that the defected commander is being held in El-wak police station for more interrogations; however, his name and full identity have not been exposed.
Puntland tells galgala militia to surrender
28 May – Source: Somalia Report – 357 words
High ranking officials from Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland paid a surprise visit to the areas surrounding Galgala, home to Sheikh Atom’s al Shabaab linked militia, to assess the security situation in the mountains of Bari region and seek the support of local residents. Puntland’s Minister of Livestock Said Hassan Shire led the delegation to Af-urur village, 20 km from Galgala, and was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Security Abdijamal Osman Mohamed, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Farah Ali Abdi, and Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Said Dahir.
“We are here to learn what you believe about al Shabaab in your territory and what you are going to do with us. The government is ready to help you. We need to know if we have your support,” Deputy Minister Farah Ali asked the residents.
While there, the deputy minister of security issued a deadline for the al Shabaab militias, which aligned with Atom’s militia in February, to surrender themselves to the government. In turn, the villagers presented three former militia fighters Yousuf Ahmed Mohamed, Mohamed Hassan Ahmed and Abdiqani Ali, and urged the government to forgive them. Two of the men are originally from Af-urur village while the other hails from Buhodle city of Togdher region; all three men were pardoned.
“We are among the fighters. We fought against the government troops in several attacks, but we were misled. We don’t know about any future attacks and we will no longer fight. We will work with our government, we are happy to be given harmony,” Yousuf Ahmed told the officials. Elder Sugule Jama, who spoke on behalf of residents, vowed their support to the government and confirmed the surrender.
“We are supporting the government. We are not allowing any al Shabaab activities in our area. The people here are against al Shabaab. We handed over three former Atom militias who fled their militias after al Shabaab arrived in the territory,” Mr. Sugule told Somalia Report.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Uganda heightens security after blast in Kenyan capital
29 May – Source: Daily Monitor – 389 words
Hours after a blast ripped through a building in Nairobi’s central business district, injuring about 30 people – sixteen of them critically, Uganda heightened its security. John Ndugutse, the police’s director for counter-terrorism, said they have “doubled” their alertness and urged the public to be more vigilant by promptly reporting to security agencies sightings of any suspicious persons and objects.
“The threats from these terrorists is a daily one which we have to confront,” he said by telephone from the border Kisoro District, western Uganda where he is overseeing the screening of Congolese refugees to prevent infiltration of rogue characters.
He added: “These terrorists are enemies of peace and have on-and-off threatened our security and we are prepared for them.” The impact of the blast, which violently shook buildings in the neighbourhood and sent debris flying several metres away, sparked talk of a terrorist attack – similar to what Prime Minister Raila Odinga said during a visit to the blast scene.
30 injured in Nairobi street blast
28 May – Source: Africa Review – 179 words
At least 30 people were injured when a huge explosion hit a building in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. The deafening blast occurred at approximately 1.15pm (1015GMT) at a building housing exhibition stalls next to Mt Kenya University Campus on the city’s Moi Avenue.
Firemen at the scene have discovered a two feet crater in the building, which is currently being investigated. Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere has said they had requested the Kenya Power company to investigate the possibility of an electrical fault within the building.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Discos to destruction: snapshot memories of Mogadishu
29 May – Source: AFP – 219 words
Funky dancing in a seaside bar, Vespa scooters on elegant, broad boulevards: the faded images of a lost Somalia and its ancient capital are at odds with a place now better known for famine and war.
Those who dare to visit contemporary Mogadishu, often dubbed the world’s most dangerous capital, catch only a glimpse of its vanished beauty in the bullet-scarred wasteland devastated by more than two decades of civil war.
But a new photo exhibition, entitled a “Pictorial Tribute to Africa’s Most Wounded City”, offers proof of Mogadishu’s forgotten past alongside recent — and more recognisable — images of the ruin so much of it has become.
“Many of the young people of Somalia were born in refugee camps or around the world, so they don’t know Mogadishu, they don’t know what they lost,” said the show’s curator Mohamud Diriye, former head of Mogadishu’s museums.
Its organisers hope the pre-1990s images, to be displayed in the Alliance Française in the Kenyan capital Nairobi in June, recall what Mogadishu once was and, perhaps, what it could be again.
Danish Police Arrest 2 Men in Terror Plot
29 May – Source: ABC News/AP/USA Today/Al Jazeera TV – 240 words
Two Danish brothers originally from Somalia were arrested on suspicion of plotting a terror attack, Denmark’s security service said Tuesday. The two brothers, ages 18 and 23, were arrested late Monday — one in the western city of Aarhus and the other as he arrived by plane at Copenhagen’s international airport, said the Danish Security and Intelligence Service, or PET.
The men were suspected of “being in the process of preparing an act of terror” after they were overheard talking about methods, targets and different weapons types, PET said in a statement, suggesting the suspects had been under surveillance. One of them had been to a training camp in Somalia run by the Islamist militant group al Shabaab, the agency said. The Somalia-based al Shabaab has links to al Qaeda.
The suspects are “Danish citizens of Somali origin” who have lived in Denmark for 16 years, PET said. “According to PET’s assessment the arrests have prevented a concrete act of terror, and the arrests therefore don’t lead to a changed evaluation of the terror threat in Denmark,” PET said, adding that the terror threat level in Denmark remains “serious.”
The Scandinavian country has been in the crosshairs of Islamist terror groups after the publication of newspaper cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad in 2005. A Somali man living in Denmark was convicted of terrorism and sentenced to 10 years in prison after breaking into the home of one of the cartoonists with an ax in 2010.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“For Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Somalia’s success in defeating the al Shabaab and the promise of a new constitution mean the country can finally move towards a lasting peace.”
In Somalia, Hope for Peace Grows
28 May – Source: The Mark – 600 Words
Bad news makes headlines, good news less often. Somalia is a classic example. The country is often portrayed as a “failed state,” characterized by anarchy, famine, and fighting. Just last month, a suicide bombing in Mogadishu claimed six lives and narrowly missed Somalia’s prime minister. Bad news, big headline.
But I am that prime minister, and the Somalia I know is moving forward, away from its tragically troubled past. Let me share this good news: We are laying the foundation for a new Somalia that will, once again, proudly assume its rightful place among the community of nations.
“As if last week’s feature story in Vanity Fair had not been enough to convince us that things are changing in southern Somalia, AMISOM has launched a military offensive to the north of Mogadishu from which, it claims, al Shabaab “may never recover”. But Roland Marchal, a leading specialist on Somalia at CERI, is much less convinced that Afgooye will be a turning point in the fight for southern Somalia. In part one of his interview with Focus on the Horn, he talks about the humanitarian aspects of the TFG’s current offensive, and why al-Shabaab is not going to split anytime soon.”
“The war is changing, not over”: Roland Marchal on Somalia after Afgooye, part one
28 May – Source: Focus on Horn Blog – 1607 Words
How should we interpret the current military offensive around Afgooye and the recent successes of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG)? Is the balance of power in southern Somalia really shifting?
What we see in Afgooye right now is not so new, it has been in the pipeline for some time. It comes as a consequence of the withdrawal of al Shabaab from Mogadishu in July last year, and of course as a consequence of the Kenyan intervention, which in turn created the conditions for a new intervention of the Ethiopian army. The real issue is whether AMISOM, when attacking Afgoye, will get support from Kenyan forces in Lower Juba, and also whether there will be increased activities of Ethiopian troops in Bay and Bakool, so that al Shabaab won’t be able to gather reinforcements on a large enough scale to create the conditions for a tough battle around Afgoye.
“While the moment appears seized with optimism, Somalia’s non-station status is well into its third decade. Vested interests have evolved around the status quo from within as well as outside the borders of the country.”
Is Somalia Finally to Have Constitution?
28 May – Source: Diplomatically Incorrect – 409 Words
Somalia remains highly still divided and strafed by both invasion and the Al-Shabaab. Nonetheless, the UN is expressing confidence that the transitional period is about to transform into the work of a Constituent Assembly just agreed upon. At a three-day consultative meeting that ended last week in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, signatories to the so-called Roadmap for the End of Transition in Somalia agreed that elders will select the delegates to the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) no later than 20 June, according to the Secretary-General’s Special Representative Augustine Mahiga.
Top tweets
@AndreasTT As times goes by… Mogadishu blues; #Somalia http://f24.my/
@AJEnglish Will #Somalia ever regain political stability after 20 years of civil war? @AJInsideStory analyses | http://aje.me/JHYKIh.
@iammali252 I thank Amisom for their hard work. Hope we get back our dignity and respect and live an everlasting peace and love. Insh’Allah #Somalia.
@GeographyAfrica “And They Say Africa Isn’t Beautiful” #Somalia http://
@26AIsmail This morning. #Shabaab vs #EU
@AbdilatifMaalim Several #
Image of the day
Somali Security personnel conduct operations in Afgoye town which led to arrest of 400 people suspected of having alleged ties with al Shabaab. Photo: Radio Mogadishu.