July 31, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
Somali president visits Afgoye town
30 Jul – Source: Shabelle/Bar-kulan/Mareeg Online/Hiiraan Online/Garowe Online – 146 words
Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed paid a surprise visit to the town of Afgoye, 30 kilometers north-west of Mogadishu, after locals complained about continuous robbery and coercion acts by pro-government soldiers. President Sharif and his entourage held talks with local elders to listen to their complains before meeting government officials in the area. The president apologized to local residents for any misconduct by the government soldiers in Afgoye and its environs, promising to immediately address their concerns and deal with errant officers.
Key Headlines
- Somali president visits Afgoye town (Shabelle/Bar-kulan/Mareeg Online/Hiiraan Online)
- Uganda sends police officers to Mogadishu (Daily Monitor)
- Somaliland warns unregistered newspaper (Hadhwanaag Times)
- Clashes in southwestern Somalia leave 8 dead (Shabelle)
- Al Shabaab relocates prisoners from Jowhar to Adan yabal (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Uganda on high alert as Somali terrorist enters says police (Obsever)
- U.S. drive against al Shabaab pressures Somali-American money transfers (Reuters)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali president visits Afgoye town
30 Jul – Source: Shabelle/Bar-kulan/Mareeg Online/Hiiraan Online/Garowe Online – 146 words
Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed paid a surprise visit to the town of Afgoye, 30 kilometers north-west of Mogadishu, after locals complained about continuous robbery and coercion acts by pro-government soldiers. President Sharif and his entourage held talks with local elders to listen to their complains before meeting government officials in the area. The president apologized to local residents for any misconduct by the government soldiers in Afgoye and its environs, promising to immediately address their concerns and deal with errant officers.
Somaliland warns unregistered newspaper
30 Jul – Source: Hadhwanaag Times – 106 words
The information ministry of [self-declared] republic of Somaliland on Monday issued warning to a newspaper that entered the market. Abdirrashid Jibiril Yusuf, the general director of information ministry said that new paper, Hubaal which is issued in Hargeisa city is not registered. In a statement, the director said that the Somaliland government respects the freedom of speech and working media associations according to the constitution.
Clashes in southwestern Somalia leave 8 dead
30 Jul – Source: Shabelle – 134 words
Heavy clashes in southwestern Somalia between Somali government troops alongside African Union forces and al Shabaab fighters claimed at least 8 lives, reports said on Monday. Mohamed Abdullah Hirse, the spokesman of Gedo administration for Somali government, told the Media that eight al Shabaab combatants have been killed in the fighting while two soldiers sustained minor injuries.
Al Shabaab relocates prisoners from Jowhar to Adan yabal
30 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 90 words
Al Shabaab militants have reportedly relocated prisoners languishing in their Jowhar cell to Adan Yabal area, some 240 kilometres from Jowhar town. Reports say some of the prisoners could be locals arrested early this month for allegedly spying for the Somali government. Locals told Bar-kulan that the militant group also dismantled and took away equipments of a radio station in the area. The station was initially seized from a private owner when militants took control of the town few years ago.It is not yet known where the radio equipments were taken to.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Uganda sends police officers to Mogadishu
31 Jul- Source: Daily Monitor- 260 words
Uganda has flagged off a contingent of 140 personnel to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, to train police officers there in different roles. This is the first time any African country is deploying a formed Police Unit (a team of 140 police officers, which is deployed as a group) in Mogadishu. Previously, African countries were sending individual police officers to work under the African Union. The Director of Interpol and International Relations, Mr Asan Kasingye, yesterday said the police unit will be commanded by Mr John Nuwagira from the Field Force Unit.
Uganda on high alert as Somali terrorist enters, says police
29 Jul – Source: Observer – 346 words
Police has released a photograph of a notorious terrorist feared to have entered the country with plans of hitting Ugandans. Speaking to the press at the Uganda Police headquarters yesterday morning, the newly appointed police spokesman, Samson Kuteesa, said a terrorist identified as Muhamed Libani Hajji, of Somali origin, had entered Uganda. Kuteesa said the force had got the information through the international anti-terrorism security network.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
U.S. drive against al Shabaab pressures Somali-American money transfers
31 July- Source: Reuters-668 Words
A Chicago man pleaded guilty on Monday to planning to join an al Qaeda-linked group in Somalia, the latest U.S. prosecution in a crackdown that has made it harder for Somali-Americans to send money to the war-torn country. Shaker Masri, 28, was arrested in August 2010 as he prepared to leave the United States and agreed to serve nearly 10 years in prison, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Range Resources confirms Somalia agreement
30 Jul – Source Interactive Investor – 429 words
Range Resources (RRL) confirmed that an offshore production sharing agreement (PSA) for Puntland, Somalia, was “in the process of being prepared”. In its second investor question and answer session, the company confirmed it was targeting “the end of the quarter” for the PSA to be finalised and signed off by both parties. In Trinidad and Tobago, Range reiterated that the current development programme was to get to 4,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) by June 2013 based on the existing rig inventory.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Rarely do miracles happen in the world of politics, but the Somali people desperately need one since the TFG leaders, the UN, AU and IGAD conspire to destroy Somalis’ hope for peace and an accountable government in their land. Notwithstanding these odds, faithful people are relentlessly working to change the course of history for the better while they pray for a miracle.”
UN corrupts Somali political transition
31 July- Source: Aljazeera English-1970 Words
For over the two decades, sectarian Somali leaders and their international patrons dominated political transitions in the country. The end results of these affairs have been perpetual political instability, endless violence and the misery for the population without any one being held accountable. Another transition is looming and the UN which is midwifing the process is enabling several Somali actors to gerrymander the process in order to predetermine the outcome to their advantage.