June 11, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Bar-kulan condemns the attack on one of its staff member

08 Jun – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 97 words

Radio Bar-kulan administration and staff are condemning the assailants which wounded one of the radio’s staff members in Mogadishu.Three men armed with pistols shot Mohamed Nor Mohamed Sharifka twice on the chest and back, after he left office in Hamar-Jajab district of Mogadushi on his way to home. He was hospitalized and is now getting better. Salah Osman Dirie, the head of the news department of the radio described the attack as a harsh one that was intended to assassinate the journalist; he added that the assault was part of the daily violence against press in Somalia.

Key Headlines

Senior US diplomat visits Somali capital (Radio Mogadishu/Shabelle/Hiiraan Online/Jowhar Online/ )
Ethiopian troops pull out main town in central Somalia (Shabelle)
Somali PM assures security for Turkish nationals in Mogadishu (Bar-Kulan)
Somaliland and Kenya to bolster relations (Somaliland Press)
Anti-Shabaab Kenyan minister killed in air crash (Reuters)
More pressure on al Shabaab as US tags cash (Daily Monitor)
High-level US Envoy visits Somalia (VOA)

PRESS RELEASE

MM House condemns the attack of Bar-kulan journalist

10 Jun – Source: TFG – 152 words

Mogadishu Media House (MMHouse) has today strongly condemned the attack against a journalist Mohamed Nor Mohamed Sharifka who was wounded on Friday night by unknown gunmen.

“The continued attack and murder on journalists in Somalia should stop. We demand the Somali government to immediately investigate this incident”, said Mogadishu Media House Director, Abdullahi Mohamed Hassan “Black”.

Two armed men shot and wounded Mr. Shariif of Bar-Kulan Radio, at Hamarjajab district on Friday evening around 7:30 pm, He is now at Madina Hospital and had successful surgery.

As an non-profit –non-governmental -organization charged with protection of journalists -by providing accommodation, securing movement and release , news production platform and technical support-we appeal to the Transitional Federal Government, the international community and development partners to promote the efforts and activities of media advocacy programs in Somalia .
Six journalists were killed, more than 20 were wounded in Somalia since the start of the year 2012.

SOMALI MEDIA

Senior US diplomat visits Somali capital

10 Jun – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Shabelle/Hiiraan Online/Jowhar Online/ Midnimo Online – 97 words

United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson yesterday arrived in Mogadishu for an unannounced visit, where he held a closed-door meeting with United Nations envoy for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga. According to reports, the American official was expected to meet top leaders of the TFG.

Somalia’s Interior minister promises to secure Mogadishu

10 Jun – Source: Shabelle – 117 words

The Interior Minister for the TFG, Abdisamad Mo’allin Mohamud, on Sunday assured the people of Mogadishu to restore peace and security in the city amid killings which have been on the rise in the past few months. While addressing a crowd at a ceremony meant for people’s integration and held in Mogadishu’s Howlwadag district, Mr. Mohamud stated that there are ongoing plans to deal the insecurity activities and bring back law and order in the conflict-ridden capital.

The Somali police commander says that the police force is in need of military equipment

10 Jun – Source: Radio Risaala – 116 words

The Somali police commander says that the police force is in dire need of military equipment that is necessary in order for them to perform their duties. Shariif Sheekhunaa Maye who is the commander of the Somali police force informed the media in Mogadishu that the police officers are posted to their duties but that they still need the necessary hardware to enforce law and order in the country.

Ethiopian troops pull out main town in central Somalia

10 Jun – Source: Shabelle – 102 words

Columns of Ethiopian troops and pro-government Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a fighters backed by armored vehicles on Sunday pulled out completely from the main town of Al Bur in Galgadud region, central Somalia, local residents said. Residents say al Shabaab militants recaptured the town of El Bur shortly after pro-government forces arrived on Sunday, accompanied by members of the ASWJ militia.

Mogadishu mayor: People should take part in returning the capital’s beauty back

10 Jun – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 121 words

Benadir regional Administrator has urged Mogadishu residents to take a lion’s share in bringing the capital back to its previous beauty, officials said. Mogadishu mayor, Mohamud Ahmed Nor Tarsan urged people in the capital to attend the campaign against the waste materials in Mogadishu city and get ready to collect trash from it with every tool they could get.

Puntland aware of air strike in northeast region

10 Jun – Source: Radio Mogadishu/ SONNA – 116 words

Officials of Puntland State announced that they knew that an airstrike was in the plans on Dhidhin village in Isku-shuban district northeast region of Bosaso last Wednesday. Minister of ports and transportation of Puntland State, Sa’id Mohamed Rage said that his ministry was aware of last Wednesday’s raid on Isku-shuban district in northeastern region that was carried out by helicopter.

Puntland warns against further setbacks

10 Jun – Source: Garowe Online – 85 words

The Puntland government has said that it will not be responsible for any setbacks to the end of the TFG’s mandate in August. In a press release on Sunday the Puntland government said that the finalized Somalia draft constitution which was amended by signatories after the Addis Ababa should not be scrutinized any further. “Speculation over IFCC claim is a non-issue that is a poor justification for more delay and setback, which Somalia cannot afford at this critical time,” read the press release.

Bar-kulan condemns the attack on one of its staff member

08 Jun – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 97 words

Somaliland and Kenya to bolster relations

10 Jun – Source: Somaliland Press – 98 words

Somaliland Minister of Presidency Hon. Hersi Ali Hassan and Foreign Minister Hon. Mohammed Abdillahi Omar has described their Kenyan visit positively. The duo who have been in Nairobi over the past week met with Kenyan Premier Raila Amollo Odinga. They said that part of their trip was to pave way for the President’s scheduled visit to Kenya following an official invitation by the Kenyan premier. They also said that they had lengthy talks with the Kenyan government on several fronts which ended on a high note.

Bar-Kulan reporter recovers in hospital, after surviving assassination attack

10 Jun – Source: Raxanreeb/ Risaala/Somaliweyn – 117 words

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), is relieved to learn of the recovery of Bar-Kulan Radio reporter after he survived an assassination attempt on Friday evening June 8, 2012 in Mogadishu’s Hamar-jajab neighborhood.
Two unknown assailants armed with pistols shot Mohamed Noor Mohamed better known as Mohamed Sharif twice below the heart on Friday evening June 8, 2012 around 7:30pm local time.

Somali PM assures security for Turkish nationals in Mogadishu

08 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/ Jowhar Online- 109 words

Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has said that it is up to the TFG to guarantee the security of Turkish nationals who are involved in humanitarian and developmental activities in Mogadishu.The PM said the recent incident in which a Turkish national was killed in Mogadishu will not affect Turkey’s commitments in helping the country.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Why Kismayu is the war trophy

09 Jun – Source: Daily Nation – 657 words

When the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) made an incursion into Somalia last October, Al-Shabaab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage told the BBC:“Kenya doesn’t know war. We know war. We have fought against governments older and stronger than Kenya and we have defeated them.”From history, Mr Rage’s words were true. In the last 20 years, Somali fighters have fought and defeated UN and US special forces and Ethiopian troops.

More pressure on al Shabaab as US tags cash

10 Jun – Source: Daily Monitor – 263 words

It worked on Saddam Hussein and Bin Laden, may be it will also work on the leaders of al Shabaab,” he said.It is the first time the US has offered money for specific members of the group, which announced its allegiance to al-Qaeda earlier this year. It comes as African Union forces make key advances against the group.

Top US official holds talks with Somali leaders

10 Jun- Source: Africa Review- 232 words

US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson flew to Mogadishu Sunday where he held talks with Transitional Federal Government (TFG) President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali at Villa Somalia, the State House in the war-scarred Somali capital. Mr Carson became the highest ranking US official to visit Somalia’s capital in years in what is another sign of improving security in the chaotic nation.

Kenyan military plan major onslaught on Kismayu port

09 Jun – Source: Coastweek/ Xinhua – 928 words

The Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) is planning on how to capture the strategic port city of Kismayu in Somalia, often regarded as the ultimate prize in the war after eight month of military advance into roughly over 95,000 km of territory into the Horn of Africa nation.

KDF does not negotiate with terrorists – Haji

07 Jun – Source: Star – 250 words

Kenya Defense Force (KDF) troops in Somalia are not looking for the District Officer and Immigration clerk who were abducted by suspected Al Shabaab insurgents. The insurgents raided a police post in Wajir and killed six people including three administration police officers. Defense Minister Yusuf Haji yesterday said that the KDF troops in Somalia have the responsibility of protecting Kenyan citizens and the country but unfortunately, the two were in Somalia.

Nairobi on heightened security alert

08 Jun- Source: Capital News/ Standard- 464 words

Security has been intensified around the city following heightened terror threats by Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab who have ‘threatened’ to bring down Nairobi’s skyscrapers. Most major buildings have increased security screening for people entering the buildings and vehicles.
A spot check by Capital FM News revealed that high rise buildings had deployed extra security checks all around the city, including government buildings like Nyayo House.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

High-level US Envoy visits Somalia

10 Jun – Source: VOA – 299 words

The Somali government says the top U.S. envoy to Africa has met with leaders in Mogadishu, marking the highest-profile visit by a U.S. official since the early 1990s. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson met on Sunday with President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali. The one-day visit comes just four days after the U.S. offered $33 million for information on the whereabouts of seven al-Shabab militant group leaders.

Anti-Shabaab Kenyan minister killed in air crash

10 Jun- Source: Reuters- 233 words

Kenya’s internal security minister, who was closely involved in the fight against Somali militant group al Shabaab, was killed when the police helicopter he was travelling in crashed into a forest on Sunday. George Saitoti, his deputy Orwa Ojode, two pilots and two bodyguards were killed when the aircraft came down outside the capital Nairobi and burst into flames, the government said.

Al Qaeda group says Obama, Clinton worth only chickens, camels

09 Jun – Source: Reuters – 217 words

A Somali Islamist militant group is offering rewards of chickens and camels for information on the whereabouts of President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, mocking the millions of dollars the United States has offered for leaders of the al Qaeda affiliate.
Fuad Muhammad Khalaf of the Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement in Somalia made the offer after Friday prayers, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant organizations.

Peaceful interlude in Mogadishu raises hopes of end to Somalia violence

08 Jun – Source: Guardian – 887 words

If there is a single image that encapsulates Somalia’s violent past, its wary present and its uncertain future, it may be the view from the gutted shell of the once-stately Uruba Hotel. From the second floor, where fist-sized rocks cover the floor and steel reinforcers hang from the pitted ceiling, the space where the walls used to be offers a view across a shattered city.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“In order to come up with the number of camels to be offered in the reward, al-Shabaab members obviously had to take a camel’s age and strength into consideration as well as the power and status of the U.S. official they want cornered, captured and crucified. At $300 to $1000 for an Arabian camel, al-Shabaab must feel Barack Obama is worth every penny of $3,000 to $10,000-worth of ten one-humped dromedaries. Judging from camel status in Somalia, the informant who discloses the whereabouts of Barack Obama would be the proud winner of a veritable camel bonanza.”

Ten Camels for Barry

10 June- Source: American Thinker Blog-678 Words

Situated in the Horn of Africa, Somalia is known for many things, some of which include poetry, pirates, civil wars, body-cavity suicide bombs, frankincense, myrrh, and other exotic spices. Of late, Somalia is also known for being home to al-Shabaab, a violent insurgent group with a close affiliation to al-Qaeda. The U.S. State Department formally considers al-Shabaab “a threat to the stability of East Africa and to the national security interests of the United States.”

“Somalis who support the Roadmap argue that Somalia needs to move out of the transition. And those who refute it reason that it is not inclusive, empowers selected people, alienated the TFG Charter and parliament. Both arguments are reasonable. But what is missing is the moral capacity to address the critical issues, divorce tribalism and support what is best interest for Somalia.”

Somalia: The Agony of Moral Degradation

09 June- Source: Wardheer News-997 Words

History narrates that enormous empires had fallen and societies vanished from existence as a result of their decline in morals and values. The Somali society was shaped by values that cherish justice, equality and social cohesion. In the course of history, our strength was directly proportional to our adherence to those moral values enshrined in Islam. Injustice and corruption, the seed bed of the crisis in Somalia, have obliterated those values. Corruption proliferated to the extent that violation of the inalienable civil rights (right of faith, soul, mind, property, and dignity) became a norm. As a result, atrocious repercussions took place – demise of statehood, prolonged violence, tribalism and severe social fragmentation, duplicitous behavior, and cultural bifurcation.