September 3, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Calmness experienced in Afmadow

03 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 166 words

The commander of Somali forces in the Juba region says calm has returned to Afmadow following a fire-exchange that erupted between Al-Shabaab militia and AMISOM troops alongside Somali National Forces. Gen. Saharadid, Head of Somali forces in the Juba region who spoke to Bar-kulan said the security situation in Afmadow and surrounding areas was calm since Sunday.

Saharadid denied al Shabaab’s claim of taking over of Afmadow district in a recent declaration and added that their troops are only 70KM to set foot on Kismayo soil. Gen Saharadiid requested Kismayo residents to be patient till they reach the port city, adding that the forces are fighting al Shabaab militia mainly to liberate the local people.

The last few days there were looming clashes between al Shabaab and the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) alongside Somali National Forces. AMISOM claimed to have killed 36 al Shabaab militants on Friday as the troops took over Miido town in a fierce exchange of fire that lasted several hours in Southern Somalia.

Key Headlines

Somali president joins thousands to mourns late Ethiopian leader (Radio Kulmiye)
Calmness experienced in Afmadow (Bar-kulan)
Somali forces launch massive security operations in Marka (Shabelle/Jowhar Online)
Demonstrations in Bal’ad against multiple taxes (Shabelle/Jowhar Online)
Al Shabaab blocks locals from fleeing out of Kismayo (Bar-kulan/Somaliweyn)
Amisom operations in Somalia now enter second phase (The East Africa News)
Al Shabaab Attacks Somali Army Base Outside Mogadishu (Radio Dalsan/Shabelle)
Wanted Rogo ally speaks from hideout (Daily Nation)
Tree native to Somalia takes root in Pune (Times of India)

SOMALI MEDIA

Calmness experienced in Afmadow

03 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 166 words

Somali forces launch massive security operations in Marka

03 Sept – Source: Shabelle/Jowhar Online – 113 words

Security forces in Somalia’s southern region of Lower Shabelle began massive security operations in the port city of Marca,100 Km south of Mogadishu, to flush out armed groups, reports said.

“The Somali National Army (SNA) are conducting operations in the town. We are fighting insecurity and al Shabaab remnants are our main targets. The government will not allow anything that can cause insecurity,” an army official said who asked anonymity.

Marka residents confirmed the operations in the city. Pro-government troops with the assistance of the African Union Mission Troops have pushed al Shabaab out of Marka, the third-largest port in Southern Somalia, without a fight.

Three missing Kenyan soldiers found

03 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 89 words

Three Kenya Defence Forces staff who went missing last Friday after battling al Shabaab militia in Somalia’s Miido town have been found. Major Emanuel Chirchir, Spokesman of Kenya Defense Forces(KDF) on his twitter confirmed the rescue of three KDF troops where he congratulated the forces for their bravery. The spokesman did not reveal the details about where the Kenyan Defense Forces were rescued. On Saturday the spokesman revealed that five KDF soldiers went missing and added that three other injured forces had been flown to Dhobley to get medication.

Demonstrations in Bal’ad against multiple taxes

03 Sept – Source: Shabelle/Jowhar Online – 94 words

Hundreds of residents came out on the streets of Somalia’s southern town of Bal’ad, just 30 Km north-east of Mogadishu, to protest against high and multiple taxes on farmers by the government, reports said on Monday. Local traders have closed their business centres and shops and joined in the demonstrations to push the TFG in making tax-cuts. One protester, a local farmer, told Shabelle Media Network by phone from Bal’ad that they can’t afford the two hundred and fifty shillings ($ 12 dollars) tax on every farm in town.

Al Shabaab blocks locals from fleeing out of Kismayo

02 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan/Somaliweyn – 144 words

Al Shabaab militia on Sunday ordered Kismayo residents not to flee out of the port city after the city was initially shelled which raised tensions. Hasan Yaqub, one of al Qaeda linked al Shabaab militia leaders in Kismayo warned locals that they will pay fines if they move out of the port city. The ragtag militia has already deployed its forces on Kismayo exit points to block locals from fleeing out of the town.

The new directive comes barely days after attacks were reported in Kismayo, a stronghold of al Shabaab where Somali National forces in collaboration with AMISOM troops are yet to launch a full-scale assault into the city.

The port city which is the major source of income for al Shabaab is said to be hosting a population of 90,000, with another 77,000 living in surrounding areas and is popular with illegal exports of charcoal.

Somali president joins thousands to mourns late Ethiopian leader

02 Sept – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 147 words

Tens of thousands of Ethiopians mourned Sunday the late strongman Meles Zenawi, in the first state funeral staged for a leader of the Horn of Africa nation in more than 80 years. Followed by giant crowds, Meles’ flag-draped coffin slowly processed through the capital from the National Palace to the vast Meskel Square, his family dressed in black following behind, many in tears.

The coffin arrived on top of a horse-drawn carriage adorned with white flowers and pictures of Meles — who died last month aged 57 — as a boy and young man, before the casket was placed on a stage above the giant crowd. Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and other government officials attended the funeral of late Ethiopian leader.

Al Shabaab Attacks Somali Army Base Outside Mogadishu

03 Sept – Source: Radio Dalsan/Shabelle – 87 words

Somali government officials said that heavily armed al Shabaab fighters have attacked an army base in town of Afgoye, some 30 kilometres north-west Mogadishu. Witnesses said the battle erupted soon after the militants ambushed the forces during the night and both sides exchanged heavy and small weapons. No deaths or injures reported. “Our forces warded off the attack by militant Islamists group, al Shabaab on the military position overnight,” a TFG official said, adding that no losses were sustained by their forces in the attack.

Somaliland VP tours Construction Work at Egal International Airport

02 Sept – Source: Somaliland Press – 102 words

Somaliland Vice President Abdurrahman Abdillahi Ismael toured the ongoing construction work to upgrade and renovate the runway at Egal International Airport. The Minister of Civil Aviation and Air Transport Mahmoud Hashi Abdi briefed the Vice President Sayli’i on the ongoing work of a new runaway terminal at the Egal international Airport.

He said that although construction work at the Airport was behind schedule, it was now in the final stages. Mahmoud said the upgrade works includes building a new runway and installing a security fence. He thanked the government of Kuwait in their generosity for donating $10 million for Egal international airport and Berbera airport.

CRD gives Horsed band musical instruments

01 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 79 words

A non-governmental organisation working on research and dialogue themes has given Horsed musicians, a faction of the Somali national forces musical instruments. The centre for research and dialogue,CRD gave musical instruments to horsed musicians in a bid to promote performance of the band. Among the musical instruments given to the musicians in Baidoa were loudspeakers and mixers. General Abdikadir Sheikh Ali Dini, chief commander of the Somali national forces appreciated CRD for the assistance to his forces.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Amisom operations in Somalia now enter second phase

02 Sept – Source: The East African News – 444 words

As the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) mulls attacking Kismayu after capturing Marka, the mission’s officials said the force is now approaching its second phase of peacekeeping. Basil Gateretse, the Amisom Head of Political Unit, said the force had embarked on activities like building schools and hospitals, to win the support of locals.

“The progress made so far and the support other African countries are offering show that Africans are conscious about peace and security. Somalia has been very bumpy, but if we continue with the strong commitment we have so far, Somalia can become a peaceful country with strong institutions,” said Mr Gateretse.

He noted that Amisom was not celebrating yet, but the recent developments would demonstrate what Africa would achieve when countries act with a common goal. Amisom officials, media practitioners and stakeholders in the Somalia peace process were meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, to review the achievements, challenges and the way forward as the peacekeepers approach the last Al-Shabaab stronghold of Kismayu.

With the African peacekeepers closing on Kismayu, it is emerging that the militants have now divided themselves in small groups ready to embark on guerilla warfare involving suicide bombing and the use of improvised explosive devices. Amisom is also focusing on how to maintain security in the liberated areas and dealing with large inflow of illegal weapons.

Head of the Amisom police unit, Dr Charles Makono, said that as the military role nears its end, the role of the police will now take the centre stage. There are about 5,000 police officers in Mogadishu, a combination of local police and their Ugandan counterpart. Officers from Nigeria are also expected to join the Amisom police unit before the end of the year.

“The major task of the newly formed police unit will be to assist the Somali Police Force in consolidating the security of Mogadishu. This will be done through patrols in co-ordination with the Somali Police Force,” said Dr Makono. Part of the Amisom mandate was to create a conducive environment for the national political dialogue, which has not taken off due to constant wrangles within the outgoing Transitional Federal Government.

Mr.Gateretse, however noted that TFG had already laid the foundation for political dialogue by signing agreements with the Alhu-Suna Waljamaa and the semi-autonomous Puntland. He said the private sector would be central to the consolidation of the gains made so far, especially on economic recovery and reconstruction.

Wanted Rogo ally speaks from hideout

02 Sept – Source: Daily Nation – 209 words

Mr. Said Abubaker Shariff Ahmed alias Makaburi, who is wanted in connection with the Mombasa riots has claimed he is a target of a police hit squad. Last week, police obtained a warrant of arrest for Mr. Ahmed, who they blame for the violence that followed the killing of al Shabaab suspect Aboud Rogo.

Four people, including three security agents, were killed in two days of chaos in which four churches were also looted and torched. Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Nation from his hideout in the coastal town, Mr. Ahmed claimed there is a plot by Kenyan security agencies supported by outside forces to assassinate him.

He admitted that Sheikh Rogo, who was accused by the United Nations and the US of being al Shabaab’s chief agent in Kenya, was his close associate and best friend. He also appeared to suggest that he had links with the Somalia terror group by saying that youths in Mombasa had asked him how they could get help from the rebels to avenge Sheikh Rogo’s killing.

“Youths have asked me if they can get help from al Shabaab,” he said. Mr Ahmed said Kenya, whose forces have been fighting al Shabaab in Somalia since last year, should leave the Horn of Africa country alone.

Somalia: UNESCO chief tasks Somali authorities on journalists deaths

02 Sept – Source: PANA/Afrique Jet – 296 Words

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova has asked Somali authorities to do everything in their power to put an end to the continuing violence that has already claimed the lives of eight journalists in the African country this year. Ms. Bokova made the statement following the latest killing of a Somali journalist, Mohamud Ali Keyre.

A UNESCO statement made available to PANA in New York on Saturday quoted her as saying: ‘I am appalled by news of the violent death of Mohamud Ali Keyre. “It is essential that the authorities do all in their power to stem the violence that is claiming so many civilian lives in Somalia, including a shocking number of media workers,” she said.

Ms. Bokova also urged local authorities to implement measures to improve the safety of media personnel across Somalia, while pointing out that press freedom was intrinsic to Somalia’s growth into a full-fledged democracy.

Residents flee Kismayo as KDF plans major onslaught

02 Sept – Source: Daily Nation – 183 words

Residents of Kismayu have started fleeing the port town controlled by al Shabaab, as Kenyan troops in Somalia plan an onslaught to capture it. A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told the Nation that tension was high after two salvos fired from the ocean at the weekend landed at the town’s port.

There was speculation that the firing came from Kenya Navy vessels off the Somalia coastline, reports that were neither confirmed by AMISOM nor military headquarters in Nairobi. “We assume that a third barrage landed outside the town. Kenyan navy is the most likely force firing,” said the resident. Those leaving the coastal town are moving towards the agricultural towns of Jamama and Jilib.

This comes just a day after Kenya Defence Forces, fighting under the auspices of AMISOM, killed 36 al Shabaab militants before capturing Miido town, as part of their advancement towards Kismayo. “AMISOM forces are gearing up for the capture of Kismayo and no efforts by the al Shabaab will interfere with the impending capture of the port city,” said Kenya Defence Forces Information and Operations Officer Cyrus Oguna said.

Putting Somalia together again: Gains and defeats bring new headaches

01 Sept – Source: The East African – 1956 Words

Somalia’s long transition ended on August 20, with its war-battered capital Mogadishu more peaceful than it has been in 20 years. However, the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, AMISOM, which can claim credit for the change in Somalia, is not holding a victory parade yet.

In often bitterly fought urban warfare, AMISOM finally ejected the Somali hardline militant group al Shabaab from all 16 districts of Mogadishu in May, bringing them under control of a central government for the first time in over two decades.

According to UN and AMISOM figures, violence in Mogadishu has reduced sharply. Armed conflict plummeted nearly 70 per cent between April and June. Terrorist attacks were down nearly 50 per cent between May and June.

However for, especially, the East African countries that form the backbone of AMISOM— Burundi, Kenya, and Uganda — and their Ethiopian allies, the gains and the defeat of al Shabaab in central Somalia, have brought new headaches.

Somalia: A troubled land where many strange things collide

02 Sep – Source: Africa Review – 2297 Words

You might say if you want the big boys in the United Nations Security Council not to ignore, get yourself in a mess – like Somalia has. As the international community got more involved in Somalia in the last few years as the African Union peacekeeping force there, AMISOM, which is largely funded by the UN, beat and pushed the Al Shabaab militants out of most parts of the country, UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon, must make a report to the Security every months on Somalia.

His latest report was made a few days ago on August 22. It is a typical bland UN report, but buried inside it if you can drag yourself through it, many surprises – good and depressing – of Somalia today emerge.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Tree native to Somalia takes root in Pune

02 Sept – Source: Times of India – 272 Words

Conocarpus lancifolius, a native tree of Somalia found along the banks of Juba and Shebelli rivers, was recently spotted growing on the roadside in Mahatma Society, Kothrud. It is the only tree of the species growing in the city.

Amateur botanist Shrikant Ingalhalikar told TOI that this evergreen tree is flowering and bearing fruits. “This unusual tree was planted 25 years ago by Dattatraya Gulavani, a tree-loving resident of the society. It was brought from Dubai where it is a common avenue tree. It is the only tree of its kind in Pune,” he said.

This full-grown tree, called ghalab in Somali and damas in Arabic, was spotted and identified by tree enthusiast Vinaya Acharya. While the diversity of trees in Pune is claimed to be the richest in India, tree lovers of Pune are taking the initiative to identify and spot new additions, Ingalhalikar said.

Somalia’s Shabaab display bodies of enemy combattants

02 Sept – Source: AFP – 256 words

Nairobi — Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants on Saturday put on show the bodies of four “enemy” soldiers killed in combat in their stronghold of Kismayo, in southern Somalia, witnesses told AFP. “We saw the bodies of four men in uniform put on show in Kismayo by the Shebab,” a local man in the port town, Hassan Abdi Mohamud, told AFP by telephone.

“Two of the dead were Somalis fighting for the transition federal government and the other two were Kenyan soldiers,” he claimed. The bodies had been brought back from Afmadow, some 120 kilometres (90 miles) from Kismayo, where the Shebab launched an offensive on Friday, after being forced out of the town last May by the advance of the Kenyan army.

Witness Mohamed Abdi Mohadmu said, “The bodies were brought to Kismayo during the night and inhabitants were called out to come and see them.” The Kenyan army, which went into Somalia last October with the aim of neutralising Shebab militants blamed for terrorist acts in Kenya, has been pondering an assault on Kismayo for months but it has yet to materialise.

The port in southern Somalia is the last major bastion of the Shebab, who have been forced out of their other main strongholds in the south and centre of the country by Kenyan, Ethiopian and African Union soldiers backed by Somalia’s weak pro-government armed forces.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“Both the deployment of ships and other assets by the world’s navies, as well as changed behavior by the maritime industry, have played some role in the drop in pirate attacks. To assume that those were the decisive factor, however, with no consideration given to what has actually happened in Somalia over the past few years, is shortsighted and ignores the larger reasons for why the phenomenon of Somali piracy started in the first place.”

Who Defeated the Somali Pirates?

02 Sept – Source: CIMSEC – 518 Words

The New York Times published a piece last week describing the “sharp” decline in piracy off the coast of Somalia It cited data provided by the US Navy demonstrating that attacks had significantly fallen off in 2012 compared to 2011 and 2010. The decline was attributed to industry having implemented better security measures, the large-scale participation by forces from many world navies in counter-piracy operations in the region, and raids conducted to rescue hostages.

Conspicuously absent, however, is any mention of how events ashore may have impacted piracy. The only mention in the piece as to how actions on land are related to piracy was that “renewed political turmoil” or “further economic collapse” could cause more Somalis to pursue piracy as a livelihood.

“From its inception, Somalia’s constitution-making process was deeply flawed. The process was designed, funded and controlled by UNPOS, with help from the regional organization IGAD and the neighbouring countries. Originally, the constitution-making process aimed at keeping the politicians at bay. Ironically, the process ended up in the hands of six unrepresentative Somali politicians and the SRSG of the UN.”

Revisiting the UN-Controlled Constitution-Making Process for Somalia

02 Sept – Source: e-International Relations – 4154 Words

For the last three decades the Somali people have experienced multi-layered political, economic, and religious conflicts. A legitimate and Somali-owned constitution would help address or contain many of these problems. However, controversy surrounds how the UN has approached and controlled the constitution-making process of the country.

The process is fundamentally flawed because political expedience, secrecy, exclusion and hastiness mar the mandate and selection of the commission members, the drafting of the document and the adoption of the draft constitution. Therefore, like the previous charter, the current draft-constitution has legitimacy-deficit.

It does not express the aspirations of the Somali people, regulate individual and group conflicts effectively and peacefully, or prescribe context-appropriate institutions that are necessary for building durable peace and a functioning state in Somalia.

This leads me to conclude that the constitution-making process that was employed when Somalia was under the Italian trusteeship in the 1950s was more inclusive and transparent than the process used now under the current de facto United Nations and Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) rule.

“These sorts of individual weblogs feed news stories on the political and war crisis in the horn of African nation, Somalia which had been a failed state since the fall of military regime in 1991. “The news events posted on the Somali sites are less accurate and wrongly misinterpreted.”

Faults of Unprofessional Somali Weblogs

02 Sept – Ogaalka – 463 Words

Despite the rise of the local independent media in Somalia bit changed the country’s social attitude into more democratic way, the number of the websites has dramatically increased for the past two years. Most of them are privately owned by Somali diaspora in oversees countries mainly in Europe and America which are said to be set up for prominence, clan, group and economic interests.

According to IT student in the Netherlands, four major issues help surge of the Somali published personal websites; cheap site creation with simple readymade design template, the leisure time with welfare reliance, emulating or outdoing after one another with no preplanning and free access of online media.

Top tweets

@WDTaylord Unite the locals, create a stable government. Then work on building an economy. Build infrastructure. Create a strong Middle class. #Somalia.

@HMAMattBaugh Important lessons: #Somalia: Prof Elmi on Somalia’s new Provisional Constitution – and the need for more participation http://bit.ly/OeAaRL.

@AwaleHowle Somalia: Somali women and #peacebuilding. #Poetry as a method to promote peace and tranquillity – #Somalia #SomaliWomen http://bit.ly/QDVRyY.

@AinteJr Safe to say international community’s role in Somali’s election is quite marginal and, as result, they dont have dog in this fight.

‏@amisomsomalia Lieutenant General Gutti:“ #Afmadow remains in the full control and security of #AMISOM troops…”. http://bit.ly/OPGyAe.

@UNPOSomalia #Somali #Presidential election date announced: will be held 10 September. Read more: http://bit.ly/PyE5c6 #UNPOS #Mogadishu.

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Image of the day

Image of the day Pallbearers carry the flag-draped casket of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi during his funeral ceremony in the capital Addis Ababa, September 2, 2012. Photo: Reuters.