July 2, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somalia National Day celebrated in a Mogadishu free of al Shabaab

01 Jul – Source: VOA News – 382 words

For more than two decades, Mogadishu residents have marked Somalia’s independence day under the threat of chaos and violence; but this year is different. Due to security gains and the return of relative stability to the Somali capital, citizens finally have something to celebrate.

For twenty-one years anarchy and humanitarian disasters have over-shadowed Somalia’s Independence Day.

The July 1 holiday commemorates the day Somalia declared independence from Italian colonizers, 52 years ago.

Key Headlines

Somali President sends Independence Day greetings to the people (Radio Mogadishu)
Somali premier condemns Islamist “barbaric” attack on Kenya churches (Jowhar)
Heavy fighting in Southern Somalia kills 7 (Shabelle)
Puntland President criticizes TFG-Somaliland meeting (Garowe Online)
Death toll in Kenya church attacks rises to 17 (Daily Nation)
President Museveni Somali PM talk peace (Monitor)
United States assures Somalia of support beyond end of transition (Afriquejet)

PRESS STATEMENT

As Somalis celebrate Independence Day, UN Special Representative for Somalia Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga commends progress on constitutional process

01 Jul- Source: UNPOS- 322 words

As Somalia celebrates 52 years of independence, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga, has commended the progress made in the country’s constitution-making process.

“This is a moment of optimism for all people of Somalia”, said Dr. Mahiga. “While much has already been achieved, it is of paramount importance to ensure that the process continues to be accountable, legitimate, transparent, participatory and, most importantly, Somali-led.”

An official draft of the Provisional Constitution has been agreed upon and traditional elders are meeting in the capital Mogadishu to appoint delegates to a National Constituent Assembly charged with its adoption. The Assembly is scheduled to convene on 12 July to deliberate and adopt the draft. “The adoption of a provisional constitution will be crucial to re-establishing truly representative government for Somalia, which has been without a functioning central government for more than 20 years,” said the SRSG.

“It is an essential step on the long path towards stability in Somalia and it is critical that we get it right,” he added, noting that a nationwide referendum on a final constitution must be held by the conclusion of the first term of Parliament, four years from now.

Dr. Mahiga added: “We must also begin to look past the end of the transitional period to a Somalia grounded in greater representation and legitimacy and to help prepare for the evolution from selection to election.”

“The Constitutive Assembly is the first meeting of the people’s representatives of Somalia of its kind in decades”, the SRSG stated, “its success will be imperative to maintain momentum and to build a stronger, more effective Parliament that gains the confidence of the Somali people for the forthcoming four years.”

He called on all parties to keep to their commitments to work in the national interest as the transitional period comes to a close and urged the international community to continue supporting Somalia as the process continues.

July 1st Independence Day Observed in Somalia

01 Jul- Source: TFG- 225 words

The Somali government marks the 52nd anniversary of independence today with parades in the capital that coincide with the rapidly changing security conditions of the country. Throughout the day, government officials joined multiple events that celebrated the Independence Day in the State House, Stadium Koonis and the main street at Maka Mukarama where thousands of armed forces paraded today.

The Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications gave his remarks during the Independence Day festivities on Sunday calling it a

moment of unity and solidarity among Somalis across the country. “It’s a great day to remember the heroes who sacrificed for this country, including the SYL and those who made possible the reunification of Somalia as a republic under one flag” said Minister Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed “Jahweyn.”

The Minister added that “The heroes are too many in our history, but it’s also important to remember the heroic role of the Somali National Army (SNA) who contributed immensely to the peace and stability that we currently witness in the capital and across many parts in the country.” The Independence Day was well observed in many parts of the country given the changed landscape in terms of security and social integration. The 1st of July particularly coincides at a time where Somalia is recovering from chaos and anarchy, reclaiming its responsibilities to create economic opportunities and good governance.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali President sends Independence Day greetings to the people

01 Jul- Source: Shabelle/Radio Kulmiye/ Jowhar Online/Radio Mogadishu- 135 words

President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed has congratulated Somalia and its people, both in the country and abroad on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the Independence of the Republic.

Somalia marks independence day with colorful celebrations

01 Jul-Source: Radio Risaala- 163 words

Somalia gained independency from Italy on 1st July 1960 and thereafter, its provinces came together to form one nation, the Somali Republic.
In the Middle Shabelle, Independence Day was marked in an event organized by its provincial administration amid tight security. The event was held in the town of Bal’ad which was recently captured from the al Shabaab.

Somali premier condemns Islamist “barbaric” attack on Kenya churches

01 Jul- Source: Jowhar Online- 84 words

The Somali prime minister, Dr Abdiweli Muhammad Ali aka Gas, has accused al Shabaab of being behind the attacks on churches in Garissa [northeastern Kenya]. The attacks included blasts and shootings.

The prime minister said al Shabaab had committed barbaric acts, adding that the group is known for targeting innocent civilians.

Heavy fighting in Southern Somalia kills 7

01 Jun- Source: Shabelle- 151 words

At least seven people were reportedly killed and an indefinite number of others were injured in a fierce battle between Somali government forces backed by Kenyan army and al Shabaab militants in southern Somalia.

President Sharif visits Bal’ad district in middle Shabelle

30 Jun- Source: Radio Mogadishu- 133 words

President of Somali Transitional Federal Government, H.E. Sharif Sh. Ahmed together with members of the executive council and security officials have today on Saturday gone Bal’ad district in middle Shabelle region observing the situation there since Somali national forces backed by African union peacekeeping forces chased Al-qaeda affiliates from there last week.

Puntland President criticizes TFG-Somaliland meeting

30 Jun- Source: Garowe Online/BBC Somali Service/Raxanreeb- – 254 words

Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole criticized a meeting between Somaliland and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) Presidents calling it a personal meeting.The TFG President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Somaliland President Mohamoud Ahmed Silanyo met in Dubai after attending an Anti-Piracy Conference in the city.

Speaking to BBC Somalia, Puntland President Farole described the meeting between the two Presidents as a “private meeting” discussing maters that “weren’t important to Somalis”.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Death toll in Kenya church attacks rises to 17

01 Jul- Source: Daily Nation/Capital News- 423 words

Two police officers are among 17 people killed in two simultaneous attacks in Garissa when masked gunmen sprayed bullets and hurled grenades at Catholic’s Central Cathedral and AIC churches, Kenya Red Cross say.

However, Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe said 14 people were killed during the attacks.

“12 worshipers including nine women were killed. Two police officers on patrol around the AIC church were also killed in the attack,” he said.

Kenyan forces intensify search for abductors

30 Jun- Source: KBC/Capital News/ AFP- 495 words

Kenyan security forces have intensified the search for armed kidnappers who seized four aid workers from Dadaab, Ifo II refugee camp on Friday and secured border regions with war-torn Somalia.

Kenyan army spokesman Cyrus Oguna said Saturday that the forces have stepped up the hunt and more security forces have been sent to the area to make every possible effort adding that so far, no one has been rescued.

President Museveni, Somali PM talk peace

01 Jul- Source: Monitor- 149 words

President Museveni on Friday held a meeting with the visiting Somali Prime Minister, Professor Abdweli Ali, in which both leaders discussed ways of ensuring total peace in the troubled Somali state.

The meeting that took place at the President Museveni’s country home in Rwakitura, among other things discussed the on-going process of rebuilding Somalia as a sovereign state.

Famine in Somalia offers lessons for the West in winning hearts

30 Jun- National-652 words

When the famine was declared in Somalia nearly a year ago, there was a huge international outcry. It was the second time in two decades the nation had experienced a severe drought. But, unlike the one in the early 1990s, Somalia was now the subject of the so-called “war on terror”.

Somali pirates have caught the world’s attention but inland, a year on, there is still hunger, although no longer famine. In the week the UAE hosted its second international counter-piracy conference, there are lessons from last year’s famine on how to win hearts and minds.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

United States assures Somalia of support beyond end of transition

01 Jul- Source: Afriquejet- 202 words

The US has assured Somalia that it would continue to support the Horn of African nation after the current transition period. According to a statement from the State Department, the US gave the assurance in a message to Somalia on the occasion of its 52nd independence, to be marked 1 July.

‘Our support for Somalia and the Somali people will continue beyond the end of the transition. We stand with the people of Somalia on your path toward peace, stability, prosperity,’ the statement said.

Somalia National Day celebrated in a Mogadishu free of al Shabaab

01 Jul – Source: VOA News – 382 words

For twenty-one years anarchy and humanitarian disasters have over-shadowed Somalia’s Independence Day.

The July 1 holiday commemorates the day Somalia declared independence from Italian colonizers, 52 years ago.

SOCIAL MEDIA

“Youth were the paramount in gaining independence and forming a government, a role that traditional elders have been tasked. The political arena in Somalia needs to actively include youth; which the majority of whom believe or act like it is not their responsibility to change the history Somalia.”

The role of youth in Somalia’s past and future

01 June- Source: Garowe Online-558 Words

Somalia marks it 52nd year of independence. Some would argue that Somalia is in a far dire state than in colonial times, after a collapse of the central government in 1991, conflict has ravaged the horn of Africa nation. But Somalis have been turning it around lately, in an effort to rid itself of the “failed state” moniker that has been attached to the war-torn country for the last 20 years. Despite military intervention from almost all of Somalia’s neighbors with the go-ahead from the international community, it seems that the country has rekindled hope and things are actually moving in the right direction.

“…as Somalia marks 52 years of independence, we the people of Somalia once again stand at the dawn of a new era of stability and prosperity. Together with our friends in the international community, must rededicate ourselves to ensuring that anarchy and chaos at home will never again mar our observance of this great occasion.”

Renewed optimism as Somalia marks 52 years of independence

30 June- Source: The Standard (Kenya)-759 Words

Wherever the camel goes, that is Somalia. So states an ancient Somali proverb, illustrating the strong ties that bind the people of Somalia across the globe to their homeland. And every year, on July 1, we come together to mark the anniversary of our independence. All too often over the last two decades, these colorful celebrations have been overshadowed by the reality of conflict and suffering in Somalia. In contrast, today the atmosphere is charged with hope and expectation following the remarkable achievements that have been realised on the security, economic, and political fronts.