July 17, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
Somali PM denies alleged corruption in his office
16 Jul – Source: Bar-kulan/Horseed Media/Jowhar Online – 132 words
Somali PM Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Monday condemned recent media reports linking his office to alleged corruption and misconducts cases as cited in the UN’s leaked Monitoring Group’s report. In a press release sent to Bar-kulan’s newsroom, the Office of the Prime Minister refuted the alleged corruption case contained in a “leaked Monitoring Group’s report,” saying that the allegations are “absolutely and demonstrably false.”
Key Headlines
- Militants claim responsibility for killing of Somali MP (Mareeg Online)
- UN warns on graft consequence in Somalia (Financial Times)
- Prime minister condemns the killing of MP and sends his condolences (Radio Kulmiye)
- Ahlu Sunna administration in Galgadud joins the Somali government (Bar-Kulan)
- Kibaki calls for sustained engagement on Somalia (KBC)
PRESS RELEASE
AMISOM Press Release: AU Special Representative condemns attempts to derail peace
16 Jul – Source: AMISOM – 253 words
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra has condemned today’s murder of a former Trade minister in Mogadishu by al Shabaab extremists.
Former Minister, Mohamed Garweyne was killed and at least six others injured following a car bomb in front of the Bin Ali Hotel in the capital’s Hamarweyne district.
“It is deplorable that before the beginning of Ramadan foreign-‐led forces opposed to the peace process use cowardly and barbaric attacks, with no regard for the life of innocent Somalis, in a desperate attempt to derail Somalia’s greatest hope for peace in decades,” said Ambassador Diarra.
“At this critical time, as the people of Somalia prepare to end the transition period and in taking ownership of their own destiny elect leaders, AMISOM will continue to do all it can to help the Somali security forces to reduce the threat of attacks in Mogadishu,” he added.
“We offer our condolences to the family of the bereaved and continue to pray for the quick recovery of the injured,” he said. He cautioned that though Mogadishu was experiencing relative peace, the risk of suicide attacks from terror groups still remained, as political efforts are made to bring lasting peace to Somalia. He asked civilians and leaders to be on their guard and take extra precautions. He noted that AMISOM has been helping to build up the capabilities of the Somali Police Force who have managed to disrupt the majority of planned attacks in the city.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali PM denies alleged corruption in his office
16 Jul – Source: Bar-kulan/Horseed Media/Jowhar Online – 132 words
Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Monday condemned recent media reports linking his office to alleged corruption and misconducts cases as cited in the UN’s leaked Monitoring Group’s report. In a press release sent to Bar-kulan’s newsroom, the Office of the Prime Minister refuted the alleged corruption case contained in a “leaked Monitoring Group’s report,” saying that the allegations are “absolutely and demonstrably false.”
Militants claim responsibility for killing of Somali MP
16 Jul – Source: Mareeg Online/Jowhar Online/Hiiraan Online – 96 words
Al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for the attack on a lawmaker who was assassinated Monday in a roadside bomb in Mogadishu. Mohamud Abdi Ibrahim better known as (Garweyne), the victim, was also former Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Trade for Somali government. Two others sustained serious wounds in the attack and were rushed to a hospital for medical treatment.
Prime minister condemns the killing of MP and sends his condolences
16 Jul- Source: Radio Kulmiye- 128 words
Somali’s Prime Minister Abdiwali Mohamed Ali condemned the attack on a well-known parliament member Mohmud Abdi Ibraahim (Garweyne).
The prime minister blames the attack on al Shabaab elements in Mogadishu.
Ahlu Sunna administration in Galgadud joins the Somali government
16 Jul – Source: Bar-kulan – 97 words
Ahlu Sunna administration in central Somali region of Galgadud will from now come under the authority of the Somali government following a decree from the Interior ministry. After thorough consultations between the two sides, they agreed to transform the current Ahlu Sunna administration in the region into a regional authority that will come under the Somali government, according to the decree.
Puntland Cabinet ministers and students discuss rural community concerns
16 Jul – Source: Garowe Online -118 words
Students of Garowe Puntland’s East Africa University met to discuss issues regarding rural communities after assessing villages in Puntland State of Somalia. Students from East Africa university and Puntland officials met at the university’s compound in Garowe to exchange and examine what their findings were while assessing villages in Puntland.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kibaki calls for sustained engagement on Somalia
16 Jul – Source: KBC/Daily Nation – 158 words
President Kibaki who is attending the 19th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has called for sustained efforts by the international community and all stakeholders towards consolidating the gains so far achieved in Somalia as the term of the Transitional Federal Government comes to an end in August this year.
Court grants bail to Iranian terror suspects
16 Jul – Source: Daily Nation – 402 words
A Nairobi court has granted two Iranians suspected of terrorism a Sh 2 million cash bail each and Kenyan sureties of Sh 5 million each pending their trial. The terms of their bail include telling the Police Commissioner there residence for purpose of surveillance and their security. They should also report to the investigating officer twice a week until the case is completed. The case will be heard on July 23.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UN warns on graft consequence in Somalia
17 Jul – Source: Financial Times – 500 words
Pervasive corruption and infighting in Somalia’s donor-backed government could revive an embattled Islamist terrorist movement, warns a leaked UN report. In the past year, western-backed regional powers have beaten back al-Shabaab, reducing its ability to train foreign fighters, plan attacks and fund itself through illicit trade and taxes. But these gains may be eroded by a weak, venal government, the report warns.
Somalia: Car bomb kills ex-trade minister
16 Jul – Source: News 24 – 93 words
A car bomb went off on Monday in Somalia’s volatile capital Mogadishu, killing a former trade minister and wounding six people nearby, officials said. “The driver who died in the car bomb was Mohamed Abdinur Garweyne, he was a former trade minister and a lawmaker,” said Mohamed Dhere, another lawmaker.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
Piracy Drops in First Half of 2012
16 Jul- Source: blogs.voanews -116 words
The number of pirate attacks reported in the first half of 2012 has declined sharply, led by drop in Somalia piracy activity.
In a new report, the International Maritime Bureau said there were 177 piracy incidents reported in the first six months of this year, compared to 266 incidents for the corresponding period in 2011.
The report says the decrease is mainly due to a decline in Somali piracy, attributing it to “preemptive and disruptive counter-piracy tactics employed by international navies”.