September 25, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Kibaki urges agencies to move to liberated parts of Somalia
25 Sept – Source: Daily Nation/Capital FM – 271 words
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has called on United Nations agencies and international organisations working in Somalia to relocate to the liberated areas and provide humanitarian assistance. He also appealed to the UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon to enable relocation of refugees living in Kenya back home noting that having over 65,000 refugees in Daadab Camp in Kenya was untenable.
Speaking at the UN headquarters, President Kibaki said Kenya was fully committed to the restoration of peace and security in Somalia. “We are gratified at recent positive developments in Somalia arising from the implementation of the political roadmap. Kenya also welcomes the convening of a Mini-Summit on Somalia. We believe the Summit will help in charting future support for the Somali Government in a coherent and well-coordinated manner,” he said.
Key Headlines
- Somali president meets top British officials in Mogadishu (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Kibaki urges agencies to move to liberated parts of Somalia (Daily Nation/Capital FM)
- Somali security forces conduct operations in Mogadishu (Shabelle)
- Burundi to deploy 200 police agents to Somalia’s peacekeeping mission (Xinhua)
- Somalia’s minister defense calls on youth in al Shabaab to surrender (Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Mogadishu)
- Hizbul Islam splits with al-Shabaab (Sabahi Online)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali president meets top British officials in Mogadishu
25 Sept – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 126 words
Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Monday held talks with UK’s Chief General Staff, Sir Peter Wall and the British envoy to Somalia Matt Bough. Speaking to the press after the talks, President Mohamud said major issues, including strengthening of the Somali armed forces, were discussed during his meeting with the UK officials. The president said they appealed to the UK government to offer modern military trainings to the Somalia’s armed forces.
The UK’s Chief of the General Staff, Sir Peter Wall, said his government is committed to support the Somali government in rebuilding its armed forces. The British envoy to Somalia Matt Bough was also quoted as saying that his government in particular the Prime Minister David Cameron will closely work with the new Somali government.
Somali security forces conduct operations in Mogadishu
25 Sept – Source: Shabelle – 86 words
Somali security forces are carrying out security operations in Mogadishu to stop the incessant killings and suicide attacks in the capital over the last two weeks. Witnesses told Shabelle Media that the army operations’ focal point was Mogadishu’s Wadajir district, where insecurity acts by armed groups have been reported.
Hussein Botan, the deputy district commissioner of Wadajir for Somali government said on Tuesday that the forces have detained a number of criminals who were allegedly committed insecurity acts against locals and were taken into custody.
Somalia’s minister defense calls on youth in al Shabaab to surrender
25 Sept – Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Mogadishu – 150 words
The Minister of Ministry Defense for Somalia’s Interim government Hussein Arab Isse has called on the youth fighting alongside al Shabaab to escape and surrender to Somalia’s military forces or AMISOM.
“We call on those who are in al Shabaab, let them surrender to the Somali military troops, we don’t need to cast a Somali bloody with our hand,” he said in front of 245 disengaged fighters of al Shabaab who were displayed in Mogadishu on Monday. The minister added that military efforts to liberate remianing towns under al Shabaab control is well underway.
Puntland President welcomes new era, warns those instigating instability
25 Sept – Source: Garowe Online – 119 words
Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole stated on Monday that Puntland has entered a new era, moving into political party system, Garowe Online reports. President Farole gave a brief statement on Monday at a swearing in of new ministers appointed earlier this month. President Farole welcomed the opposition but stated that it should stay in the boundaries of the law.
“I am not saying that you cannot be an opposition member, that is open to everyone, however we need opposition members who obey the law and regulations,” said President Farole on Monday in Garowe, capital of Puntland. The Puntland President went on to add that there are those who are taking advantage of this crucial time to instigate unrest in Puntland.
Armed men kill football trainer in Afgoye
25 Sept – Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Jowhar Online/Shabelle – 122 words
Armed men on Tuesday night killed a Somali football trainer in Afgoye district of Lower Shabelle region, Mustaqbal radio correspondent reported. The football trainer, identified as Abdikadir Afdhere was killed by assailants armed with pistols outside his home in Hawo Tako village of Afgoye district. The victim was severely wounded and later died lately in mid night at a hospital. No action was taken immediately by the government forces but the government forces carried out operations targeting the killers but did not seize anybody for the case.
Kenyan army clashes with al Shabaab in southern Somalia
25 Sept – Source: Jowhar Online/Shabelle – 98 words
Witnesses say Kenyan military forces have clashed with al Shabaab militants in parts of Somalia’s southern Lower Jubba region, forcing local residents to flee their houses. The fighting which raged on for several hours on Monday night erupted when fighters from al Shabaab attacked Kenyan army in Janay Abdalla area, where at least nine civilians were shot dead Sunday by a Kenyan soldier. It was immediately unclear where there has been casualty following the fierce battle. The area is reportedly tense and both sides are tightening their grip of control and residents are fearful over the tensions.
Two Somali businessmen killed in South Africa
25 Sept – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 162 words
Two Somali businessmen were killed in Cape Town, South Africa as armed men with pistols attacked them in a business sector, Mustaqbal radio correspondent Abdikarin Ibrahim Awale reported. The killing of the two Somali businessmen occurred in Philipy Village located in Cape Town. The two were identified as Bashir Ahmed Farey and Isma’il Ali Dalabey who had businesses in the town. The perpetrators escaped from the scene, the corresponded said. It is not the first time for the killings targeted on Somalia’s businessmen in South Africa.
Heavy fighting erupts in central Somalia
25 Sept – Source: Shabelle – 87 words
Heavy fighting between two armed militias has reportedly flared up in Somalia’s central region of Mudug, causing deaths and injures, witnesses said on Tuesday. Locals told Shabelle Media Network on the phone that the fighting occurred overnight in rebel-held Dumay village, and both sides used heavy and small weapons that could be heard across the area and nearby locations. Sources said al Shabaab fighters have reached the battle area, to intervene the fighting between the local armed militias that was spreading across the regions.
Government officers in Lower Juba condemn civilian killings
24 Sept – Source: Radio Risaala – 103 words
Somali government commanders have strongly condemned the killing of civilians in lower juba by a Kenyan soldier. Aadan Ahmed Hersi Rufle one of the Somali military commanders who spoke to Radio Risaala in Mogadishu said the actions of the Kenyan soldiers are shocking. He said they have talked to the Kenyan forces several occasions not to harm civilians.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kibaki urges agencies to move to liberated parts of Somalia
25 Sept – Source: Daily Nation/Capital FM – 271 words
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has called on United Nations agencies and international organisations working in Somalia to relocate to the liberated areas and provide humanitarian assistance. He also appealed to the UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon to enable relocation of refugees living in Kenya back home noting that having over 65,000 refugees in Daadab Camp in Kenya was untenable.
Speaking at the UN headquarters, President Kibaki said Kenya was fully committed to the restoration of peace and security in Somalia. “We are gratified at recent positive developments in Somalia arising from the implementation of the political roadmap. Kenya also welcomes the convening of a Mini-Summit on Somalia. We believe the Summit will help in charting future support for the Somali Government in a coherent and well-coordinated manner,” he said.
Hizbul Islam splits with al Shabaab
24 Sept – Source: Sabahi Online – 151 words
Somali Islamist group Hizbul Islam has announced that it is separating from al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab. Hizbul Islam spokesman Mohamed Moallin told the BBC Somali Service that they decided to part ways with the militant group after they saw the political changes taking place in Somalia.
Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, the leader of Hizbul Islam, has criticised al Shabaab for aimlessly killing civilians and for its affiliation with al Qaeda. Hizbul Islam merged its forces with al Shabaab in late 2010. Moallin said the group will start talks with anyone working to bring peace to Somalia, adding that the group does not share the same ideology and politics as al Shabaab.
late March, Aweys labelled the actions of al Shabaab’s leaders as being far removed from Islam. “I warn my jihadist brothers in al Shabaab against letting the blood of the Somali nation and killing innocent civilians in the name of Islam,” Aweys told a gathering of his followers.
UN urges restraint in Kismayo offensive
24 Sept – Source: Daily Nation – 203 words
The United Nations has called for “maximum restraint” of military forces in Somalia after a Kenyan soldier killed six civilians near the port of Kismayo. Martin Nesirky, spokesman for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said on Monday there is a vital need to ensure minimal civilian casualties.
The Kenya Defence Forces confirmed the incident and said investigations have been launched. KDF spokesman Col Cyrus Oguna said it occurred after an al Shabaab ambush in which one Kenyan soldier was killed and five civilians wounded in Jana Abdalla Town, which was captured last week.
Economic activities back to Mogadishu after violence
24 Sept – Source: Citizen – 558 words
Life is slowly but surely returning to the Somali capital Mogadishu a city that had been not long ago synonymous with chaos and anarchy.Business activities are markedly booming as people reopen shops and local traders are importing goods as far as the Gulf State of United Arab Emirates and China after security improved in the capital since last year’s withdrawal of al Shabaab.
Hassan Ali is one of the local traders at Mogadishu’s Bakara markets. He says economic activities are gradually returning traders are bringing various goods from different countries.
“At Bakara market business is growing. We sell various goods we import from many different countries mainly in Asia such as United Arab Emirates, Oman, China and Indonesia. Trade is really booming here,” Ali told Xinhua in a recent interview as he worked in his grocery shop in Bakara market.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Burundi to deploy 200 police agents to Somalia’s peacekeeping mission
25 Sept – Source: Xinhua – 203 words
The first batch of at least 200 Burundian police agents from various categories will be sent to Somalia in a peacekeeping mission by the end of this year, Burundian Security Minister Gabriel Nizigama told Xinhua on Monday.
“This will be the first batch of police agents to be sent to Somalia and they will be selected from the three categories of the police corps,” said Burundian Public Security Minister Gabriel Nizigama.
The minister said several tests including tests in physical education and in shooting are being to select “the best candidates” to the peacekeeping mission in Somalia.He said, “After the selection, candidates will have a specific training on peacekeeping according to the United Nations standards. ”
Somalia hosts Social Good Summit for first time
25 Sept – Source: Press TV – 320 words
For the first time, Somalia hosted the Social Good Summit, a global discussion uniting a dynamic community of innovators and change-makers from all corners of the world including New York, Nairobi, Beijing and many other cities.
They came together during UN Week September 22-24 to ask: How can the power of innovative thinking and technology be harnessed to solve the world’s greatest challenges?
The Social good summit took place in Somali capital Mogadishu long cut off from the rest of the world due to conflict. However, the event organizers, United Nations Development Programme and the What Took You So Long Foundation argued that a new era is dawning in the Horn of Africa nation and its war torn capital, Mogadishu, is regenerating – businesses are opening up and life is springing back to its streets.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“This may be the start of a Somali version of an Arab Spring, with all the uncertainties that entails. It has involved no street protests and no bullets, just ballots — and a lot of commitment, savvy, and collective action by a coalition of professionals and civic leaders who jumped into what looked like a fixed game and beat the incumbent. Practically no one saw this coming.”
The Somali Spring
24 Sept – Source: Foreign Policy – 1077 Words
After the twin suicide attacks that killed 14 people in Mogadishu last week and an assassination attempt on the president a little more than a week before that, predictions of a Somali Spring would seem to be, at the very least, premature. But buried beneath the grisly headlines of the last few weeks was some unexpectedly good news:
The newly appointed Somali parliament elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to serve as the first post-transition head of state. This is a seismic event in Somalia — but not for the reasons many observers presume.
Mohamud’s election does not signal an end to Somalia’s 21 years of state collapse. Nor will it bring a quick end to the country’s systemic political violence. The new president is taking the reins of a failed government that exercises only nominal control over the capital, Mogadishu, and faces a real, if diminished, threat from the al Qaeda affiliate al Shabaab. Even in a best-case outcome, it will take years for the government to extend and deepen its authority. And though it brings to a conclusion Somalia’s deeply flawed, eight-year political transition, Mohamud’s new administration must still take on a host of difficult, unfinished transitional tasks.
“What is my point? I believe – the credibility of the new parliament, as it stands now, have suffered a major blow. With the feckless criminal warlords in the front raw, its decision will not be taken serious. And it may, at the end, lose legitimacy and functionality as the one preceded it. Though minority, we all know that the warlords are not mere MPs. They are powerful demons that wield both political and financial influences.”
Two steps forward, two steps backward, Will Somalia ever cross a “bridge”
24 Sept – Source: Raxanreeb – 1001 Words
After two decades of civil war, Somalia is limping into the future. The stabilisation process for Somalia – commonly known as the Road Map – seems to have yielded favourable results. The transitional period was successfully terminated with the endorsement of a provisional Constitution, nomination of Members of the Federal Parliament, election of new Speaker and new President.
But this is not the end of it. All indications do not suggest favourable omens ahead of the newly formed deferral institutions. And that is why I ask, the question above – will Somalia ever cross a”bridge”? I doubt and when in doubt, it is good advice to tell the truth.
In Somalia, whenever we take two steps forward, we take two steps backward. With this, we hardly gain ground to cross a “bridge”. I am not an alarmist who jumps off the train even before it starts moving. But I cannot also figure out how a prey and predators can coexist peacefully in the same compartment.
Top tweets
@OCHASomalia #Malnutrition rates in #Somalia go down thanks to the efforts of nutrition agencies. Details in this #map: http://bit.ly/Ttykmx.
@AbukarArman #Somalia #Turkey Commander of the Somali military, Gen Abdulkadir Diini being welcomed by Turkish military leadership http://bit.ly/Q4SjkQ.
@gsDetermination #Somalia’s journalists have topped the lists of targets by all sides during the country’s brutal civil war http://bit.ly/QdbkFb.
@UNPOSomalia #Somalia‘s #President Hassan Sheikh assuming Office – latest from #UNPOS Flickr:
http://bit.ly/QtTttJ http://pic.twitter.com/
@Shuraako encouragement on the progress of Somalia’s constructive elite: http://bit.ly/PSI1pt #Somalia.
Image of the day
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud shakes hand with UK’s Chief General Staff, Sir Peter Wall as British envoy to Somalia Matt Bough looks on following the delegation visit to Mogadishu. Photo: Radio Mogadishu