October 29, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
17th Killed: Somali Journalist Dies of Wounds
29 Oct – Source: ABC News/AP – 130 words
A radio station editor in Somalia says a journalist who was attacked by gunmen last week has died of his wounds, bringing the number of journalists killed in targeted attacks in Somalia this year to 17.
Gunmen shot Mohamed Mohamud Turyare, a reporter at Shabelle radio, last week as the 25-year-old walked home. Editor Mohamed Bashir Hashi confirmed Monday that Turyare died of his wounds Sunday.
Though Mogadishu is safer than during years of warfare from 2007-2011, journalists face more danger than ever. Analysts believe journalists are being targeted by al Shabaab militants but also by business and political leaders unhappy with journalists’ coverage.
Key Headlines
- Somali journalist succumbs to severe wounds in Mogadishu hospital (Raxanreeb/Shabelle)
- KDF onslaught that wiped out militants (Daily Nation)
- Kenya subjects Somalis to unnecessary security screening says ambassador Ali Nur (Bar-kulan)
- 17th Killed: Somali Journalist Dies of Wounds (ABC News/AP)
- Gedo region residents anxious over unknown helicopters hovering above (Radio Dalsan)
SOMALI MEDIA
Kenya subjects Somalis to unnecessary security screening, says ambassador Ali Nur
29 Oct – Source: Bar-kulan – 130 words
Somalia has formally complained to its neighbouring Kenyan government for allegedly subjecting unnecessary security checking on Somali nationals travelling from Mogadishu. In an exclusive interview with Bar-kulan, Somali envoy to Kenya Mohamed Ali Nur said he has personally raised the issue with Kenyan foreign Affairs ministry a week ago, saying that Somali nationals entering Kenya are subjected to double security checking at Wajir and Jomo Kenyatta international airports hence wasting their time.
He said such security screenings are only common to Somali nationals aboard flights from Mogadishu after even undergoing thorough security checks in Mogadishu before boarding their flight to Kenya.
Ambassador Ali said it is wrong for Kenyan government to waste at least four hours of Somali passengers’ time in just undergoing two security screenings in Wajir and Jomo Kenyatta.
Somali journalist succumbs to severe wounds in Mogadishu hospital
29 Oct – Source: Raxanreeb/Shabelle – 145 words
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is shocked to learn the death of Mohamed Mohamud Tuuryare, 23, who was nursing severe wounds after unknown assailants shot him three times on the chest and abdomen, puting the toll of the journalist killed this year to 17.
Two unknown gunmen armed with pistols opened fire at and seriously wounded Mohamed Mohamoud Tuuryare, 23, Shabelle Radio’s website editor and program producer at Hawo Tako area of Wadajir district near his home around 6:20 Sunday evening, 21 October, 2012, after returning from a chemist where he went to buy medicine, according to family members.
He was rushed immediately to Madina hospital, where he was put under intensive medical care until on Sunday evening, 28 October, 2012 around 8:30pm local time when the doctors pronounced him dead.
Gedo region residents anxious over unknown helicopters hovering above
29 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan – 97 words
The people living in Gedo region have raised concerns over helicopters flying low that are suspected to be hunting Al Shabaab fighters. The residents in Barwaqo village said the helicopters have been hovering above their houses quite sometimes now, fearing they may unleash strikes that would harm them.
The said although the helicopters are unknown, other reports indicate they belong to Kenya and are part of operation in Somalia. The village harbours al Shabaab fighters who are making military movements.
Baidoa administration brief on security swoop
28 Oct – Source: Radio Risaala – 98 words
Hassan Maalin Ahmed Bikoole, the commissioner of Baidoa district in Bay region gave a statement on the operations they have conducted in the town. The commissioner said they have seized weapons and apprehended suspects during the operation. He said among the suspects arrested were women who are still in police custody.
“The operation was meant to maintain the security of the region and we arrested several suspects, those who are guilty will be charged and those innocent will be set free”. Somali government forces have recently been conducting security operations in Baidoa whose security has been deteriorating.
‘Local communities to build Jubaland’: Political leader
28 Oct – Source: Garowe Online/BBC Somali Service – 278 words
A political leader in Somalia’s southern Jubaland regions has stated that local communities are in the process of establishing an administration for the regions, Garowe Online reports. Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe), the chairman of Ras Kamboni armed group, told the BBC Somali Service this week that he supports the ongoing process in neighboring Kenya to establish an administration for Jubaland regions.
“We want the Jubaland administrations to be based on districts and community representation,” said Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, adding that he had spoken on this issue with Somali government leaders in Mogadishu.
Sheikh Ahmed Madobe appealed for reconciliation among local communities of Jubaland regions, whilst urging the Somali Federal Government to uphold the country’s Federal Constitution and extend political support for the formation of Jubaland administration.
Militants’ ambush kills Somali military commander
29 Oct – Source: Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/Hiiraan Online/BBC Somali Service – 166 words
A senior Somali military commander was killed in a militant attack at an area between Shalambod and KM60 in Lower Shabelle region on Sunday evening. The commander of 5th Brigade of the Somali National Army, General Mohamed Ibrahim Farah popularly known as (Goordan), died when heavily armed militants laid an ambush at an area called Bilow Bufe, prompting a full scale confrontation between the militants and soldiers escorting the officer.
Reports say two soldiers and at least four militants were killed in ensuing gun-battle. Such militant ambush targeting military officials is common in the region. In June this year, Elasha Biyaha police boss Afrah Ali Farah was killed in a similar incident.
Farah died when heavily armed al Shabaab militants ambushed a military convoy traveling from the town of Afgoye, about 30km north-west of Mogadishu. Two other officers escorting him sustained injuries. Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
3rd SORADI annual conference opens in Somaliland
28 Oct – Source: Somaliland Press – 82 words
This year’s annual conference brought together experts and provides a forum for development practitioners, government officers, researchers and donors to discuss, debate and exchange ideas on the development of Somaliland & the intense internal dialogue on the issues of talks with Somalia, on the engagement of the international community in the discussion of Somaliland sovereignty and on the strategy of negotiation to be pursued. Dr. Osman Mohamed Fadal the Director of SORADI in his opening speech elaborated on the two most important topics:
Educational Radio and TV stations launched in Mogadishu
25 Oct – Source: Radio Iftin – 242 words
Radio and TV stations dedicated to education have been launched in Mogadishu on Wednesday. Radio Iftin started its test programming on July 10th 2012 and has been warmly received by the public. The event was well attended by education stakeholders including representatives from the Education Ministry, local universities, school umbrellas, Somali Pen, Iftin Band, among others.
A presentation by Iftin management highlighted the objectives behind the establishment of Iftin Media and what services they are going to offer to the public and education stakeholders. “Somalia has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world on one hand and other hand Somalis are regarded to be one of the most media literate societies in Africa. As a result, media can be leveraged to educate the masses including promoting literacy.”
“Iftin will expand education to the masses, compliment existing education system and create a friendly environment among the students are among the objectives behind the establishment of Iftin Media.” Speakers from the Ministry, universities, school umbrellas and other stakeholders pledged their full support for Iftin. They all underscored that the launch of Iftin Media will definitely help Somalia’s education sector.
Somalia’s education sector has thrived in the recent past despite challenges. In Mogadishu alone, there are 20 universities. Earlier this year, a radio station dedicated to sports (Gool FM) has been launched in Mogadishu opening a new chapter for Somali media, which is specialization in a field to provide value to the audience.
REGIONAL MEDIA
KDF onslaught that wiped out militants
29 Oct – Source: Daily Nation – 228 words
The Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) incursion into Somalia started in October last year to secure the country’s boundary from attacks by al Shabaab militants who were controlling most of southern Somalia.
Operation Linda Nchi was launched after the kidnapping of two Spanish aid workers at the Dadaab refugee camp and a British tourist in Lamu by the militants. The incursion had the tacit approval of the Kenyan Government led by President Kibaki who in his Mashujaa Day speech in 2011 announced that the Kenyan troops would remain in Somalia for as long as it took to wipe out the terror group blamed for insecurity in the country.
The militants retaliated by staging isolated grenade attacks in Nairobi, Mombasa and North Eastern Province towns of Garissa, Wajir and Mandera, claiming several lives.
‘We didn’t go to Somalia for business’
28 Oct – Source: Daily Monitor – 1175 words
1. What achievements have we registered as a country in the foreign missions?
Well, our foreign missions, which are now about 28, are engaged in the usual diplomacy but more importantly, they are engaged in commercial diplomacy. Our missions abroad have been given charters and their success is measured on how much investment they have attracted to Uganda, how many tourists have been able to come to Uganda as a result of their activities and the amount of trade there is in the country they are stationed and Uganda.
Uganda also has participated in the pacification of countries around us and as a result, this has opened it to big trade opportunities. There is a lot of trade between Uganda and Rwanda, more trade than it used to be before. There is a lot of trade between Uganda and South Sudan, between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All these are partly because of our involvement in pacifying these countries but also in our integration policy of the region.
2. There is a belief that we are good at creating stability in the region but fail to grab the business opportunities that come with or after it. What is your comment?
Our primary intention, for example in going to Somalia, was not to do business. It was our pan-African role in ensuring that Somalia ceases to be a failed state and it is to the credit of Uganda and subsequently AMISOM that we now see peace and stability taking place in Somalia.
Ethiopian PM Hailemariam holds talks with EU Special Envoy to Horn
27 Oct – Source: Walta/ENA – 142 words
Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn held discussion with the European Union Special Representative to the Horn of Africa Alexander Rondos on the current situation in Somalia on Thursday. The two sides have conferred as to how further enhance the current auspicious security development in that country.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
17th Killed: Somali Journalist Dies of Wounds
29 Oct – Source: ABC News/AP – 130 words
A radio station editor in Somalia says a journalist who was attacked by gunmen last week has died of his wounds, bringing the number of journalists killed in targeted attacks in Somalia this year to 17.
Gunmen shot Mohamed Mohamud Turyare, a reporter at Shabelle radio, last week as the 25-year-old walked home. Editor Mohamed Bashir Hashi confirmed Monday that Turyare died of his wounds Sunday.
Though Mogadishu is safer than during years of warfare from 2007-2011, journalists face more danger than ever. Analysts believe journalists are being targeted by al Shabaab militants but also by business and political leaders unhappy with journalists’ coverage.
Somali journalist dies after shooting
29 Oct – Source: AFP – 191 words
A Somali reporter shot by unknown gunmen last week has died from his wounds, colleagues said Monday, taking the toll of journalists killed this year in the war-ravaged country to 17.
Mohamed Mohamud Turyare, who was shot as he left a mosque in the anarchic capital Mogadishu on October 21, is the fifth journalist from the independent Shabelle radio and television station to be attacked this year.
“Turyare died in hospital last night, his health condition was not that bad until yesterday afternoon, but then he suddenly deteriorated,” said colleague Mohamed Bashir. “There were plans to evacuate him for medical treatment outside Somalia, but tragically he left us too soon, like the other friends that we lost before him.”
Press rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called 2012 the “deadliest year” on record for Somalia, surpassing 2009 when nine died. Several killings are blamed on al Qaeda linked al Shabaab insurgents, but other murders are also believed to be linked to struggles within the multiple factions in power. “Turyare is no more, but we wait desperately for the time when those who kill innocent journalists face justice,” said Adan Molaim, a relative.
How families on both sides of the law face tough choices in Somalia
28 Oct – Source: Guardian – 630 words
When Ali Faras’s 21-year-old son was murdered, the local court gave him three options: to pardon the killer, demand blood money from the man’s family or call for his execution. If he decided the latter, he would have to perform the killing himself.
The killer, Mohamed Sanbaare, had been his son’s friend and business partner. Sanbaare owned a fishing boat and the pair worked together as human traffickers, ferrying immigrants across the sea to Yemen. One day, out at sea, Sanbaare shot and killed his friend. It was, he said, an accident.
Sanbaare was found guilty of murder at a court in Bossasso, in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland. Puntland more stable than the capital, Mogadishu, with functioning local authorities.
Bossasso has the largest prison in the region, with room for 400 criminals, and every week the port city’s highest court deals with serious criminal cases including murder, terrorism and piracy. Murderers are judged according to Somalia’s sharia law and the concept of Qisas, or “equal retaliation”, which states that the victim’s family must decide the fate of the murderer. They can choose to forgive, to ask for money as recompense or to demand the killer’s death.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Somalia’s youth and their families will need to continue to feel that they have better lives after al Shabaab’s rule if the movement is to be eradicated forever. With forces from neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia still present in large areas of Somalia and few signs of a notable improvement in basic services and security for the population, time continues to eat away at opportunities to build confidence in the future of the country.”
Should the United States worry about the youth of Somalia?
26 Oct – Source: American Security Project – 1191 Words
The new threats issued by this week from Harakat al Shabaab al Mujahideen, the Movement of Striving Youth in Arabic, include a reference to the United States. Although they are mostly directed at the United Kingdom, they pose an interesting question for American national security analysts: where is the al Qaeda-allied Islamic movement in Somalia going next?
Earlier this year the House Committee on Homeland Security found the United States to be the “primary exporter of Western fighters to al Shabaab” with fifteen Americans killed in fighting there, including America’s first three suicide bombers.
More propaganda than a specific operational command, the series of threatening 140-character messages from #HSMPress, al Shabaab’s English language twitter account, likely reflect a changing face of Somali militancy rather than an elevated threat to the United States or its international partners.
“The Government’s security agencies are spending more money on security surveillance while private companies and churches are digging deep into their budgets to beef up security in their premises. The cost of additional security measures will in the long run be passed over to consumers and worshipers.”
Why Kenya could bear brunt of militia
27 Oct – Source: Standard Media – 687 Words
A few days before Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) liberated the Somalia port of Kismayo, British journalist Mike Pflanz fired a warning shot to Kenya. He said Kenya will become the biggest target for al Shabaab’s bombs and grenades.
“Already, there is a heavy presence of the group’s sympathisers in parts of Kenya’s Coast, and in poor areas of Nairobi. Al Shabaab will be plotting revenge within Somalia and outside its borders,” he wrote in the influential Telegraph.
With the war against the al Shabaab far from over, analysts say Kenya should be ready to spend a fortune in defending her people against the militant group.
“There is a heightened drive to exercise the democratic right of voting among new American citizens of Somali origin. This is a very good thing and important strength for a community that came to the United States to escape anarchy in their country of origin, Somalia. This community will continue its tradition of civic engagement by voting for candidates who listen to their voices and even by fielding candidates to vie for elective posts in the near future.”
The 2012 U.S. Presidential Elections: Somali Voters in Ohio may Decide Winner
28 Oct – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1020 Words
The 2012 U.S. Presidential election is very close and both candidates agree that Ohio will decide who gets elected President of the United States come November 6. That is why we have a political rally by one of the candidates almost every day. The state of Ohio is a microcosm of the United States with its Republican stronghold on Southern Ohio and its Democratic northeast cities of Cleveland, Youngstown, and Akron.
Central Ohio, which includes the City of Columbus, is considered as the truly swing part of Ohio and it is in choosing the next President of the United States. Columbus is home to the second largest American-Somali community in North America. The latest Ohio polls show a very close race with a slight advantage for the President just a week to go before Election Day.
The race is basically tied at 45% for each of President Obama and GOP candidate Mitt Romney. The edge for President Obama is explained by the difference between the candidates among early voters, two thirds of who voted for President Obama. There are more than 18,000 Somalis who are U.S. citizens in Central Ohio and it is this community that will cast the decisive vote in this year’s Presidential election.
Many American-Somali voters have already cast their ballots for the candidate of their choice and many more will vote on or before Election Day. So far, the two candidates and their Democratic and Republican parties have responded to this reality in different ways.
Top tweets
@nuurist #Somalia: AS transforming frm a conv fighting force into guerrilla force using tactics, incl social media http://
@AliMohamoud: It seems the new Somali leaders take the constitutional deadlines seriously “Don’t do anything till the deadline” #Somalia“.
@SYLUnited How would the Somali youths feel when they realize the Rwandan youth donated RwF30 million to #Somalia?
@ScottTPaul Hurricane #Sandy to disrupt #AMISOM mandate negotiations in the UN Security Council. Once again, #Somalia affected by extreme weather events.
@UNPOSomalia Learn more about the mandate and work of #UNPOS human rights unit in #Somalia http://bit.ly/XDoG07 @UN_DPA @UNrightswire.
Image of the day
A Nigerian policeman, part of AMISOM’s Foreign Police Unit, walks by a newly-built wall as he patrols on foot near Lido beach in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu October 28, 2012. Photo: Reuters/ MSNBC.