October 4, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
US welcomes Kenya role in Kismayo capture
04 Oct – Source: Daily Nation – 258 words
The United States said on Wednesday that it views the Kenya-led capture of Kismayo as an important step in stabilising Somalia. “Al Shabaab’s departure from Kismayo demonstrates continued momentum by pro-government forces against this terrorist organisation,” the State Department said in a statement.
“It is clear that al Shabaab’s extremist views and violent tactics have no future in a modern Somalia that is seeking to rebuild after more than two decades of conflict.”
“The United States welcomes the capture of the strategic port city of Kismayo by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeepers and Somali forces,” declared the two-paragraph statement, which did not explicitly acknowledge Kenya’s leading role in the military success. The US went on to urge “all forces present in and around Kismayo to ensure full respect for international human rights and humanitarian law”.
Key Headlines
- New parliament to repay $4 million debt borrowed from TFP (Bar-kulan)
- Somali Govt says it foiled suicide attacks in Beledweyne (Shabelle)
- US welcomes Kenya role in Kismayo capture (Daily Nation)
- Somali parliament speaker holds meeting with country’s former lawmakers (Radio Risaala/SNTV)
- Kenya PM praises KDF for liberating Kismayo (Citizen TV)
- Massive security operations in Kismayo after Tuesday’s bombings (Shabelle)
- Families of US men who travelled to Somalia to fight testify in terror trial (Calgary Herald News)
SOMALI MEDIA
New parliament to repay $4 million debt borrowed from TFP
04 Oct – Source: Bar-kulan – 112 words
Speaker of the National Assembly Prof. Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari says the new parliament will repay $4 million borrowed from the previous parliament. Jawari also said he is fighting for the rights of the former members of parliament whose salaries were not paid.
He added that he had contacted the Finance Minister immediately after assuming office in order to discuss the issue and promised to repay that money as soon as possible.
He urged the former MPs to be patient as they await the money from the new lawmaking body. Jawari however asked these MPs to share their experience with the new comers and give them the political advice they might need.
Somali Govt says it foiled suicide attacks in Beledweyne
04 Oct – Source: Shabelle – 61 words
Officials of the Regional Administration in Hiiraan under Somalia’s federal government announced Thursday that the government forces have foiled a wave of suicide attacks in central town of Beledweyne.
Ahmed Osman Inji, a security officer told Shabelle Media that the Ethiopian forces confiscated five detonators during searches in the town and handed them to the Somali national army. “Such attacks against government offices and army bases are usually coordinated and planed outside the city,” he added.
Turkish company to explore oil in Somaliland
04 Oct – Source: Horn Cable TV – 88 words
The Turkish oil drilling company, Janelle Energy, will soon start exploring oil in the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland. Somaliland’s water and mineral resources minister, Husayn Abdi Du’ale, has said that the exploration work “will start in the middle of October”, adding that it will be finalized in February next year.
The TV quoted an official of Janelle Energy as saying that “a sum of 37m dollars will be spent on the oil drilling in Somaliland”. An Australian oil company earlier carried out an assessment in Somaliland.
Somali parliament speaker holds meeting with country’s former lawmakers
04 Sept – Source: Radio Risaala/SNTV – 117 words
The speaker of Somalia’s parliament Prof. Mohamed Osman Jawaari on Wednesday held a meeting with former Somali parliamentarians in Mogadishu.
The meeting was held in the parliament conference hall in Mogadishu.
The agenda of the conference was how the former parliamentarians could work with the current members and also to discuss the rights of the parliamentarians and what needed to be improved on. The parliament speaker said that his parliament will work very hard to ensure the protection of the rights of the previous members of the parliament.
Some of the previous members of the parliament who addressed the meeting claimed that they were not paid for a period of 8 months. This is the first time the present speaker of the parliament officially met with the country’s previous members of the parliament since he was elected.
Massive security operations in Kismayo after Tuesday’s bombings
04 Oct – Source: Shabelle – 102 words
After string of bombings rocked Kismayo, the former al Shabaab stronghold on Tuesday, killing two civilians and injuring many more, the allied forces launched Thursday massive security operations to restore peace and stability of the city.
Fear has been gripping residents, forcing them to flee due to the lack of security and bombings in the Somalia’s southern port city, just 500 Km south of Mogadishu.
Locals say Kismayo is relatively calm after Tuesday’s bombings, but situation have not yet returned to normal. Somali government and Kenyan officials say they are committed to secure the city.
Week-long curfew imposed on Himan & Heb administered areas
03 Oct – Source: Bar-kulan – 101 words
Authorities in Somalia’s Himan and Heb regional administration have imposed a nighttime curfew in areas under their control in order to boost security, officials say. The 9:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew is aimed at containing insecurity in the region and will continue for a week, according to area regional spokesman Mohamed Omar Hagafey.
Hagafey said the curfew officially came into effect on Tuesday night, adding that locals complied with the order hence materializing the curfew. He also revealed they banned vehicles from other region in the country from entering any towns under their administration during these curfew hours.
MPs and politicians condemn Kenyan’s intervention in Somalia
04 Oct – Source: Shabelle – 104 words
Parliamentarians and politicians hail from southern Somalia have condemned Kenya for invading Somalia and committing war against humanity. Dahir Amin Jesow, an MP told Shabelle said they want Kenya to be out of Somalia affairs and avoid civilian casualties while its army carry out military operations in the country.
Kenya sent troops in Somalia last October, to drive out al Shabaab from the bordering regions after string of attacks and kidnappings against foreign aid workers in its soil. KDF integrated into the UN-backed African Union Mission in Somalia known as (AMISOM) forces to help Somali government war on al Shabaab militants.
Ten arrested in Baidoa town
04 Oct – Source: Bar-kulan – 107 words
Police in southwestern Somali city of Baidoa have arrested ten people believed to be behind series of assassinations witnessed in the city for the last few days. Confirming the arrest, regional police boss, Col. Mahad Abdirahman told Bar-kulan the suspects in custody are believed to have been involved in organized crimes such as targeted assassinations.
Abdirahman said police arrested them in their hideouts following a tip-off from the public who informed the police of suspicious characters. He added the suspects will be arraigned in court once ongoing investigations are complete. The city has in the recent past seen a wave of assassinations targeting elders and government workers.
Nairobi conference pledges support for Somalia
03 Oct – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 112 words
Delegates from more than 20 countries around the world who gathered in Nairobi on Wednesday have pledged to support Somalia’s rebuilding efforts. Hussein Arab Isse, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence for Somalia welcomed the support, saying the country went through democratic changes after successfully accomplishing transitional period.
“We will be a strong nation and we call on the world to other practical support to the existing government and straightens the current relationships between the Somali government and world partners” he said.
Somaliland’s N.E.C issues ultimatum on political parties over ballot papers
03 Oct – Source: Somaliland Press – 148 words
The National Electoral Commission has issued an ultimatum prohibiting Political organization and their various candidates contesting in the upcoming Local elections from issue their own numerical identification for the ballot.
The decision to block Political Organizations and would be contestants from issue their own numerical identification was announced in a press statement released today which stated “The National Electoral commission bars political parties and candidates contesting in the upcoming local elections from issuing their own numerical identifications for their ballot papers”.
Mr. Isse Yusuf Mohamed who is the chairman of the N.E.C in the press statement said the only the body which has the sole mandate to issue numerical identifications for the ballot papers for the upcoming local elections is the national electoral commission and that all political organizations and the their candidates should wait until the commission issues them with their designated ballot papers.
REGIONAL MEDIA
US welcomes Kenya role in Kismayo capture
04 Oct – Source: Daily Nation – 258 words
The United States said on Wednesday that it views the Kenya-led capture of Kismayo as an important step in stabilising Somalia. “Al Shabaab’s departure from Kismayo demonstrates continued momentum by pro-government forces against this terrorist organisation,” the State Department said in a statement.
“It is clear that al Shabaab’s extremist views and violent tactics have no future in a modern Somalia that is seeking to rebuild after more than two decades of conflict.”
“The United States welcomes the capture of the strategic port city of Kismayo by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeepers and Somali forces,” declared the two-paragraph statement, which did not explicitly acknowledge Kenya’s leading role in the military success. The US went on to urge “all forces present in and around Kismayo to ensure full respect for international human rights and humanitarian law”.
Invest in Somalia, professionals urged
04 Oct – Source: Daily Nation – 459 words
Kenyan professionals have been urged to venture into Somalia and play a role in its development, good governance and stability. The chairman of the Land Development and Governance Institute Ibrahim Mwathane said professionals should look beyond Kenyan borders and benefit from the opportunities available in Somalia after the wiping out of al Shabaab militia.
“The problem we have had with Somalia since the collapse of Siad Barre regime includes insecurity, influx of refugees in the country and money from piracy through our porous borders. Somalia is a problem for the East African region and the world at large and as professionals we should move in to address,” Mr Mwathane said.
Mr Mwathane was addressing the monthly Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK) Governance Forum at 680 Hotel in Nairobi, governance, professionalism and politics in the county governments Wednesday evening.
Kenya PM praises KDF for liberating Kismayo
03 Oct – Source: Citizen TV – 4:15 min
Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has sought to reassure Kenyans and the international community that Kenya has no intention of occupying Somalia or extend the stay of its soldiers there any longer than necessary.
Delivering a statement during the Prime Ministers Question Time, Odinga informed Parliament that the Kenya Defence Forces were currently pacifying the port city of Kismayo to kick out remnants of the al Shabaab militia. And as Chris Thairu reports, MPs challenged the government to beef up homeland security to safeguard Kenyans against possible retaliatory attacks.
KDF’s road to Kismayo
03 Oct – Source: KTN TV – 3:49
Kenya’s march into Somalia that was later backed by AU forces may silence the troublesome neighbours; however what are the implications of Kenya’s military exploits in Somalia? KTNs Anne Kiguta spoke to an expert on regional stability who says EAC countries will now be paying more attention to a reinvigorated Kenya out to assert her might in the region.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Families of US men who travelled to Somalia to fight testify in terror trial
04 Oct – Source: Calgary Herald News – 152 words
The mother of a young Somali man who died after leaving Minnesota to fight with al Shabaab openly wept when shown photos of his body Wednesday during the trial of a man accused of directing young expatriates to join the terror group in Somalia.
Her testimony came as prosecutors began using family stories and travel records to build their case against Mahamud Said Omar, who is charged with five terror-related counts including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege that since 2007, more than 20 young men have left Minnesota for the war-torn East African nation to take up arms with al Shabaab, a U.S.-designated terror group linked to al Qaeda. Prosecutors say the men secretly met in a mosque, cars and restaurants to plan their trips. Omar, 46, is accused of assisting some men with travel plans and providing money for weapons.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Somalia is an example of a great story. Therefore, we must demonstrate our human spirit by helping rebuild it. We can rebuild our beloved country with simply $10 per Somali. Let’s attempt to make a dream reality. Let’s attempt to bestow the new generation of Somalis the chance of a promising tomorrow. With $10 per Somalis, we can do this.”
Let’s Restore Somalia
03 Oct – Source: Indepth Africa – 1236 Words
Somalia war was one of Africa’s most evil civil wars. The war claimed the lives of over 700,000 Somali and displaced a million others in refugee camps in neighboring countries. What is even more shocking is that last six years after the end of the first civil war that started in 1991, a second war would begin from 2005 to 2012. The second war also claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Somalis. The two events bring depression, shock, and extreme rage to countless Somalis.
Nevertheless, one thing common among many Somalis is happiness: happiness that the over-decade-long civil war is eventually coming to an end. Now, there is hope for a better Somalia. There’s hope for a better Somalia not only for the present generation but for many generations to come.
Indeed, Somalia is a broken thing that needs to be fixed. Since the election of new President Hassan Shikh Mohamud, many countries have pledged millions of dollars to Somalis to help rebuild the country’s infrastructure. These countries’ donation should be build schools, roads and homes. It could improve security services such police, army healthcare and increase youth employment in our beloved Somalia.
Hence, restoring and rebuilding of Somalia by Somalis is crucial. Dear Somalis of Diaspora, it is our turn to help rebuild our own country. Let’s all convey our gratitude to the many nations that are helping to rebuild our beloved country. The International community, A.U. and the United Nations have done their part, they have acted rather than simply watch. Now, it is our turn to act rather than watch others help rebuild our country.
“It is very much in everyone’s interest that the handling of local governance over Kismayo not become a recruiting tool for al Shabaab. Somalia’s civil society and the international community must insist that Kismayo be an open, cosmopolitan city where all Somalis enjoy full rights to live, work, own property, and pursue political positions.”
Somalia’s Sarajevo
03 Oct – Source: Foreign Policy – 1449 Words
In Somalia, a yearlong military offensive by Kenyan and Somali forces has succeeded in capturing the strategic seaport of Kismayo from the jihadi group al Shabaab. The liberation of Kismayo is a major setback for al Shabaab, but is also a big test for the African peacekeeping force — the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) — and the new post-transition Somali government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
If the Kenyan forces win the war but lose the peace — by mishandling how the liberated city is administered by local authorities — it could create new clan conflicts, drive disaffected clans into tactical alliances with al Shabaab, and undermine the new Somali national government. The stakes are very high. Since the onset of state collapse and civil war in 1991, Kismayo has been Somalia’s Sarajevo — a chronically contested city, at times half-emptied by armed conflict, at other times bloated with hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons.
It has changed hands many times over the past two decades but has always been in the control of warlords or jihadists and has never enjoyed a day of good governance. Rival Somali clans in Jubbaland — the region of southern Somalia where Kismayo is located — have never been able to agree on how to share the city and have repeatedly fought over it. Even al Shabaab suffered an internal armed battle over control of the seaport in 2008. Thanks to years of political violence, Kismayo has a well-earned reputation as the most difficult and dangerous place for aid agencies to operate in all of Somalia.
“Al Shabaab as an organization will likely have to adapt after the loss of the city. The fall of Kismayo may intensify divisions within the group’s leadership over whether al Shabaab should pursue a national agenda to establish an Islamic state in Somalia or whether al Shabaab should pursue a regional, or global, agenda of jihad. There is already evidence that al Shabaab leaders focused on establishing an Islamic state in Somalia are beginning to splinter away from the group.”
Al Shabaab After Kismayo
03 Oct – Source: Critical Threats -1068 Words
Al Qaeda’s affiliates across Africa – Somalia’s al Shabaab, Nigeria’s Boko Haram, and al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb – have apparently been increasingly seeking to coordinate their efforts. The United States would face an al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist network that stretches across Africa if those efforts succeed. Al Shabaab has suffered major setbacks over the past year, including the September 28 loss of a major stronghold in the southern Somali port city of Kismayo, but the group has not been defeated.
The fall of Kismayo could herald the collapse of the group’s quasi-state, but it may also serve to strengthen more radical factions within the terrorist group that prefer to focus on regional and global jihad. It will also strain the weak alliance of regional states and local groups, such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and their proxies, whose unifying interest has been the fight against al Shabaab and not a long-term vision for Somalia, over which they disagree. The fight against al Shabaab is not over in Somalia and now is not the time to declare victory; instead, now is the time to ensure that recent achievements last.
Al Shabaab’s quasi-state in southern and central Somalia has been progressively reduced over the past thirteen months. Last August, the group suddenly vacated Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, announcing a tactical shift from holding ground to guerilla-type warfare. Ugandan and Burundian peacekeeping troops in Mogadishu, operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) mandate, secured their newly-gained positions in Mogadishu and continued to push outward against al Shabaab.
Top tweets
@HOA_News #Somalia: #UKaid to help 3,000 girls access justice & 20,000 Somalis benefit from health & education http://ow.ly/ec2Dx @ForeignOffice.
@JohnWRendon Progress continues in #Somalia, as forces free Kismayo from the grip of #AlShabab. Now we wait see if they fight, run or melt away and wait.
@usmissionuganda The United States welcomes the capture of the strategic port city of Kismayo by African Union Mission in Somalia #AMISOM.
@Maldlink “@amisomsomalia: You can find more photos of #AMISOM‘s advance in #Kismayo here: http://on.fb.me/QqTSeN” @LyndsSTFU.
@1MKoinange “What #KDF have found in #Somalia is distressing. There are no roads, no schools, no health facilities…there’s nothing.” – Raila.
@OCHASomalia #Somalia Human Development Report Finds Youth Essential To Country’s Future http://huff.to/UVjJzN @HuffPostWorld cc@UNDPSomalia @UNHCRSomalia.
Image of the day
Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud receives Britian’s International Development Secretary, Justine Greening and Minister for Africa, Mak Simmonds at his office on 03 Oct, Villa Somalia. Photo: Radio Mogadishu.