November 1, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

U.N. resisting African calls to end Somalia arms embargo

01 Nov – Source: Reuters – 177 words

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday gave the African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Somalia a seven-day extension while its 15 members weigh an African Union request to review a two-decade old arms embargo to help the government defeat Islamist rebels.

U.N. diplomats said that the council remained divided on the union’s request to begin allowing the sale of arms to the Somali government. It is also split on calls to permit the export of stocks of charcoal, the Islamist al Shabaab rebels’ principal source of funds, from the war-ravaged Horn of Africa nation.

“I expect the arms embargo may remain in place for the time being,” a council diplomat said. “There’s no consensus on lifting it.” Other envoys said they would continue discussions. The Security Council voted unanimously to extend the U.N. mandate of the African Union’s AMISOM peacekeeping force, which was due to expire at the end of Wednesday, until November 7. Council diplomats said that they would prepare a resolution by next Wednesday that would extend the mandate for a full year.

Key Headlines

U.N. resisting African calls to end Somalia arms embargo (Reuters)
Somali forces sweep port city of Marka (Shabelle)
U.S. Under Secretary of State visits Uganda (New Vision)
Al Shabaab fighters ambush AU troops convoy outside Somali capital (Jowhar Online)
AU calls on UNSC to Strengthen Support to AMISOM (Ethiopian News Agency ENA)
UN to extend AMISOM’s mandate in Somalia (NTV News)
Somali pirates have expanded their ops till west coast of India: US (Indian Express)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali forces sweep port city of Marka

01 Nov – Source: Shabelle – 90 words

An official in Somalia says government forces launched Thursday a massive crackdown in the port city of Marka, after the killing a senior army commander.

Abdi Salan, the official told Shabelle Media Network by phone that the forces have arrested several suspects in connection with the recent killing of General Gordan.

General Farah (Gordan) was killed along with four other soldiers in an ambush last Sunday in Elwaregow area near Marka city, 100 Kilometers (62 miles) northeast of Mogadishu.

Dozens arrested in Garissa after officer killing

01 Nov – Source: Radio Risaala – 115 words

The Kenya Police have arrested several people they linked to on Tuesday’s deadly shootout in Garissa, the Headquarters of North Eastern Province where an officer was killed and his colleague injured.

Residents said gunmen attacked two policemen on patrol in the town, killing one of the spot while injuring another. The gunmen then fled the area with the officer’s rifle.

On Thursday, more than 50 people were arrested by Kenyan security forces in operation that targeted several neighborhoods in the county. Sources further claim that the police have opened indiscriminate fire at civilians at the city centre.

Al Shabaab fighters kill herdsman in Bardhere district

31 Oct – Source: Raxanreeb/Radio Bar-kulan – 128 words

Reports from Bardhere district of Gedo Region indicate that al Shabaab rebels have gunned down a herdsman in the outskirts of Bardhere district on late Tuesday evening. As residents in the town confirmed to Raxanreeb, rebels fighters killed Mohamud Ibrahim Nuur, who is one of the district renowned nomads.

The motive and the circumstance behind the killing of late Ibrahim remain unknown but residents say was fighters accused him of being a Somali government spy man, an allegation that his kinsmen denied.

Al Shabaab frequently kill civilians, blaming them for working with Somali Government forces. Al Shabaab control few locations in Gedo region while Somali government forces and AMISOM forces control the rest of the region.

Al Shabaab fighters ambush AU troops convoy outside Somali capital

31 Oct – Source: Jowhar Online – 122 words

Gunmen believed to be al Shabaab fighters attacked an African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops convoy on Wednesday night in the outskirts of the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The attack disrupted movement of AU forces as fighting ensued for long hours between the two sides.

Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it destroyed an AMISOM army truck. Casualties suffered by both sides remain unknown. Area residents said they heard sounds of gunfire.

Somali and Amisom troops usually come under attacks at the main road linking Mogadishu and Afgoye. Al-Shabaab has stepped up its attacks on government and AU convoys. Government army commander was killed two days ago in such attack.

Somalia’s information ministry condemns attacks against media

31 Oct – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA – 165 words

Somalia’s Ministry of Information, Posts and Telecommunication has strongly condemned the assassination against journalists and media workers, terming them brutal acts, SONNA reported.

Direct General of the Ministry of Information, Posts and Telecommunication, Abdirisak Ali Yusuf ‘Bahlawi’ has sent condolences to the family and friends of the latest media worker and radio dramatist Warsame Shire Awale of Onkod band who was killed in Waberi district in the capital Mogadishu early this week. Yusuf termed the killing of journalists, artists, educators, army commanders and other important figures in the society as vicious and resentful act.

Mr. Yusuf advised journalists and artists to inform security agencies while they go out to carry out their duties. The killing of comedian Awale brings the number of journalists and media workers killed in Somalia to 18 in this year alone and puts Somalia in the second, countries that journalists are targeted while Syria becomes the first country.

REGIONAL MEDIA

U.S. Under Secretary of State visits Uganda

01 Nov – Source: New Vision – 171 words

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman jets in today (Thursday). Sherman who is on her African tour has been to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Other countries she is set to visit include: Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia.

While here, she will focus her discussions on the U.S./Uganda partnership in regional security including Somalia and the efforts against the Lord’s Resistance Army, as well as on the importance of good governance and a strong civil society for both democracy and economic growth.

She will also further numerous objectives during her trip including advancing regional security, promoting strong democratic institutions, extending U.S. appreciation for African peacekeeping efforts, and leading the first meeting of the U.S.–South Africa Bilateral Working Group on African and Global Affairs. Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers are serving under the African Union peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

AU calls on UNSC to Strengthen Support to AMISOM

31 Oct – Source: Ethiopian News Agency ENA – 299 words

The African Union Commission said it is looking forward to the adoption, by the United Nations Security Council of a resolution authorizing the technical roll-over of the current UN support package to AMISOM, pending the conclusion of the strategic review of AMISOM and its mandate.

The Commission is looking forward for the provision of additional support with a view to determining how best the Mission can further contribute to the stabilization of Somalia and the successful implementation of the priorities set by the Somali President and Government, according to AU press release sent to ENA on Wednesday.

The Commission expects that the Security Council will positively respond to the request made by AUC Chairperson Dr. Dlamini-Zuma to the UN Secretary General for the provision of additional support. The Commission requested for the provision of additional support regarding the civilian and maritime components of AMISOM, to take into account urgent needs arising from the realities on the ground.

The enhancement of the civilian capacity of AMISOM will go a long way in assisting in the stabilization of areas recovered from the al Shabaab group, while the provision of maritime support will enable the Mission to ensure a better surveillance of Somalia’s coast.

UN to extend AMISOM’s mandate in Somalia

31 Oct – Source: NTV – 2:46 min

The UN Security Council is today expected to extend the mandate of the African Mission in Somalia. The extension will give troops that have been fighting the al Shabaab militia an extra 12 months in Somalia. In Nairobi however African Union and United Nations representatives are contemplating the future of AMISOM in Somalia. Troops are now set to embark on a mission of stabilizing Somalia after managing to capture key towns once held by the al Shabaab.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

U.N. resisting African calls to end Somalia arms embargo

01 Nov – Source: Reuters – 177 words

“I expect the arms embargo may remain in place for the time being,” a council diplomat said. “There’s no consensus on lifting it.” Other envoys said they would continue discussions.

The Security Council voted unanimously to extend the U.N. mandate of the African Union’s AMISOM peacekeeping force, which was due to expire at the end of Wednesday, until November 7. Council diplomats said that they would prepare a resolution by next Wednesday that would extend the mandate for a full year.

Somali pirates have expanded their ops till west coast of India: US

01 Nov – Source: Indian Express – 270 words

Somali pirates now have expanded their operations to the West Coast of India, a senior US official has said, adding, the issue of piracy has become a regular part of America’s diplomatic engagements with countries around the world. On any given day up to 30 vessels from as many as 22 nations are engaged in counter-piracy operations in the region.

“International naval forces have thwarted pirate attacks in progress, engaged pirate skiffs, and successfully taken back hijacked ships during opposed boardings,” said the Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Andrew Shapiro, in his remarks on “Turning the Tide on Somali Piracy” last week at the Atlantic Council of the United States.

Kenyan Navy’s newest warship takes fight to Somalia

31 Oct – Source: Defence Web – 985 words

The KNS Jasiri is the largest vessel in the Kenyan Navy fleet and also the most recently delivered. Shortly after arriving in Kenya two months ago, it was involved in military operations in neighbouring Somalia, taking part in the battle for the coastal city of Kismayo.

The KNS Jasiri has a long and troubled history. She was ordered in July 2003 at a cost of Shs4.1 billion (USD$52 million) and was supposed to be delivered in August 2005, but never arrived due to a contractual dispute between Kenya and contractor Euromarine Industries (with Spanish shipbuilder Astilleros Gondan as subcontractor). Euromarine sued the government of Kenya after payments were suspended in June 2005. The Kenyan government recalled its officers on July 18, 2005.

The 90% complete vessel was docked at the port of Ribadeo, Asturias province, Spain. In September 2006 Kenya sent a fact-finding team to Spain to investigate the KNS Jasiri. It concluded that the vessel just needed to be armed and complete sea testing and crew training before being ready for service. After years of negotiations this was eventually carried out and Kenyan sailors underwent nine months of training on the vessel prior to delivery. She was also fitted with weapons and electronic equipment before sailing for home.

Russia to help France fight against Somali pirates

31 Oct – Source: Voice of Russia, RIA – 61 words

Russia has asked France to allow it to deploy 2 Russian reconnaissance planes at a French airbase in Djibouti, a small country near Somalia.
The planes will be deployed in addition to the 3 French planes, which are already located there, in order to fight against pirates in the region. This was announced by Russia’s Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov on Wednesday.

Toronto police, Somali-Canadian youth work to forge relationships

31 Oct – Source: Star (Canada) – 536 words

It begins with baby steps.
That was the thinking behind a two-week initiative that worked to build relationships between young men in the Somali-Canadian community and the Toronto Police. On Wednesday night, a group of nearly two dozen Somali-Canadian young men, accompanied by a handful of officers, headed out into the community around Dixon Rd. and Islington Ave. to patrol the streets, giving high fives to trick-or-treaters braving the dreary weather.

The walk-about was the culmination of several hours of discussions that saw police and youth in the Somali-Canadian community take the time to hear one another out, and talk about issues from schooling, to family, to interactions with the cops.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“A test of the new leaders is how they conceive and advance genuine reconciliation across the country, and establish a norm of cooperation between various organs of government for the common goals of peace- and state-building. The old saying, “peace cannot be kept by force; It can only be achieved by understanding”, attributed to Albert Einstein, equally applies to the Somali people.”

End of transition and election of new leaders in Somalia

31 Source: Mareeg Online – 3051 Words

Far too much ink and megabytes have already been devoted to the election of the new President, Hassan Sh. Mohamud, the Parliamentary Speaker, Mohamed Sh. Osman Jawaari, and the appointment of PM Abdi Farah Shirdoon (Saacid). Although relative newcomers to politics (except Jawaari who was a minister in Siyad Barre’s government), their election victory and the appointment of the PM has been hailed as a great step forward across the country.

We have seen a passionate outpouring of support from Somali people everywhere, welcoming the outcome of the election as a vote for change. We share these sentiments. What is not yet clear, however, is the ultimate depth, breadth, and direction of the new leadership!

The challenge, in our view, is to be modest about our ambitions. Sadly, aspirations to establish peace through the election of new leaders in Somalia fly in the face of our historical experience. Still, that should not demoralize us from rising to the challenge, and it is in this spirit that we offer our contribution to the national debate on the way ahead. Not all of our ideas are new. In fact, many of the views we express will have already been raised in these pages or elsewhere.

“If the international community does not pressure Igad to rectify these critical mistakes now, the individuals will only antagonise other Somalis who do not accept their claim to rule the region. This will only send us back into a civil war that we can ill-afford.”

Kismayo is a disaster waiting to happen

31 Oct – Source: Daily Nation – 459 Words

Anyone who has followed the tragic politics of Somalia must by now be aware of the importance of the port city of Kismayo. The wealthy city has the potential to either bring the Somali society back together or become a haven for criminals and terrorists who, if allowed to seize its huge resources, could use them to destroy the nascent hope flickering on the Somali horizon.

Kismayo was the anchor point for al Shabaab. That is where they got the money with which to cause havoc in the whole region. Therefore, the whole world has a stake in the creation of peaceful and inclusive administration for the Juba region, including Kismayo.

Top tweets

@t_mcconnell It is way too early to be having a discussion about lifting the arms embargo on #Somalia. #Shabaab is not defeated http://bit.ly/PIBt0w.

@Refugees Do you know, south central #Somalia is home to more than 1.1 M internally displaced? http://rfg.ee/eVZkX v @unhcrsomalia.

@BBCAfrica AMISOM mandate must be renewed so support and training for #Somali forces can continue, UN Special Rep. for #Somalia tells #BBCNewsday.

@RachelPiehJones Somalia’s al-Shabaab is gone from Kismayo, but the port has yet to reopen | Avaaz http://en.avaaz.org/s/Lzcbab #Somalia via @Avaaz.

@AKoronto #Somalia #UK government report reviewing Khat use in UK is due soon. The anti-Khat demo coincides with the possible release of this report.

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Image of the day

Image of the day African Union Special Representative Boubacar Diarra visits Jazera Civil School in Mogadishu, October 31, 2012. REUTERS/AU-UN IST.