November 7, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Kismayo to host major peace conference
07 Nov – Source: Radio Risaala – 115 words
A major peace conference is scheduled to take place next week in Kismayo, the headquarters of Lower Juba Province. The conference is expected to bring together people across ethnic lines so as to build an inclusive administration for the province and the port city of Kismayo.
Tribal supremacy and power struggles in the region have being thorny issues since the capture of Kismayo mid this year.
While speaking to Risaala Radio, the interim governor of Kismayo who is also the leader of Raskamboni Brigade, Sheikh Ahmed Madoobe hinted that he would contest in case of elections. Despite all these efforts, al Shabaab remains a major threat and still controls large parts of the province.
Key Headlines
- Tension high in northern Kenya over killing of al Shabaab suspect (Global Times/Xinhua)
- Al Qaeda leader Zawahiri urges support for Somalia rebels (Radio Mustaqbal/Hiiraan Online)
- AMISOM Police unit not collaborating with us Somali police chief says (Raxanreeb)
- Puntland police arrest suspected militants in Goldogob (Bar-kulan)
- AMISOM decries charcoal trade in Kismayo despite UN ban (Daily Nation/Xinhua)
- Kismayo to host major peace conference (Radio Risaala)
- Turkey investing in future with Africa policies particularly Somalia: Experts (Hurriyet Daily News)
SOMALI MEDIA
Al Qaeda leader Zawahiri urges support for Somalia rebels
07 Nov – Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Hiiraan Online – 284 words
Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has urged all Muslims to support Somalia’s Islamist al Shabaab insurgents, the SIE monitoring website reported Tuesday. The al Shabaab, a group which has been battling the Western-backed government in Somalia and proclaims allegiance to al Qaeda, has in recent months suffered several major setbacks.
An offensive led by African Union troops has stripped al Shabaab of most of their former bastions, including the southern port of Kismayo, a key asset Kenyan forces wrested back just over a month ago. “This is a flagrant Crusader invasion of the Muslim countries and it makes jihad obligatory on every Muslim who is capable in Somalia and its surroundings and in the rest of the world until the invaders are expelled,” the SITE Intelligence Group quoted Zawahiri as saying.
“Don’t worry about the numbers of the Crusaders and their equipment, for these are spoils of war that are brought to you by the help of Allah,” Zawahiri said. “Therefore, make them taste the fire of jihad and its heat. Pursue them with guerrilla warfare, ambushes and martyrdom-seekers.” The website said al Shabaab had also posted several messages on the Internet vowing to intensify attacks in Mogadishu. Since group abandoned fixed positions in Mogadishu last year, under pressure from African Union troops, the war-ravaged seaside capital has been slowly coming back to life.
Al Shabaab once controlled up to 80 percent of southern and central Somalia and the recent African offensive dashed their hopes of taking power. But analysts have warned the al Qaeda-allied group could do just as much damage by reverting to guerrilla tactics and carrying out targeted attacks. On Saturday, two suicide bombers attacked a Mogadishu restaurant popular with former exiles, wounding several people.
Puntland police arrest suspected militants in Goldogob
07 Nov – Source: Bar-kulan – 113 words
Puntland police have arrested three suspected al Shabaab militants in central Somali town of Goldogob, some 60 kilometres from Galkayo town, officials said.
Goldogob District Commissioner Abdullahi Yussuf told Bar-kulan that police acting on tip-off raided a militants’ hideout and engaged a brief gunfire with the militants and later managed to arrest three of them.
He said one of the captured militants was injured during the gunfire, adding that five others managed to escape arrest. Some officers were also injured during the brief fight between the militants and the police. Yussuf says police are hunting for the fugitives. He however said the militants came from south-central Somalia to join other militants in the region.
Kismayo to host major peace conference
07 Nov – Source: Radio Risaala – 115 words
A major peace conference is scheduled to take place next week in Kismayo, the headquarters of Lower Juba Province. The conference is expected to bring together people across ethnic lines so as to build an inclusive administration for the province and the port city of Kismayo.
Tribal supremacy and power struggles in the region have being thorny issues since the capture of Kismayo mid this year. While speaking to Risaala Radio, the interim governor of Kismayo who is also the leader of Raskamboni Brigade, Sheikh Ahmed Madoobe hinted that he would contest in case of elections. Despite all these efforts, al Shabaab remains a major threat and still controls large parts of the province.
AMISOM Police unit not collaborating with us, Somali police chief says
07 Nov – Source: Raxanreeb-331 words
Somalia Police Force chief, Gen Sharif Shekhuna Maye has admitted that the new AMISOM police unit deployed in Mogadishu is not collaborating with the Somali Police Forces, RBC Radio reports.
Gen Maye who is now attending the 81st session of the INTERPOL’s general assembly in Rome along with the outgoing interior minister and national security Abdisamad Mo’alim Mohamud, has questioned the role of AMISOM police in the security of Somali capital, saying that the Somali Policemen and women were paying the utmost efforts to fill the security vacuum that emerged after al Shabaab withdrew from the capital to prevent the crimes like assassinations and suicide bombings.
“We see that AMISOM has deployed some units of police from African countries but to tell the truth they are not collaborating with us as we anticipated” Gen Maye said speaking to RBC Radio correspondent during INTERPOL’s session in Rome.
Somali communities welcome announcement of new cabinet
06 Nov – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA – 159 words
Somali communities in Europe, America and Africa have warmly welcomed the appointment of the council of ministers by prime minister of the Somali federal government, Abdi Farah Shirdon calling it progressive step taken forward.
Somali communities in those countries have said that the cabinet is very small with highly qualified individuals and women’s role in politics after gaining top positions.
People inside the country in particular the capital Mogadishu have celebrated the announcement of the ministers, making peaceful demonstration in Benadir region and they expect the ministers and the whole government to be committed serving the nation.
Puntland minister accuses ex-Somalia PM of ‘inciting instability’
06 Nov – Source: Garowe Online/BBC Somali Service – 105 words
The Information Minister in Somalia’s Puntland government has accused former Somali Prime Minister Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas of ‘inciting instability’ in the peaceful region in northern Somalia, Garowe Online reports.
Puntland Information Minister Mohamud Aideed Dirir told the BBC Somali Service during a Tuesday interview that Dr. Gaas fully supported the Puntland democratization process during his one-year term as Somali Prime Minister.
“Dr. Abdiweli [Gaas] sent a TFG [Transitional Federal Government] delegation to Garowe to attend the Puntland Constitutional Conference in April 2012 and that delegation was led by TFG Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce [Abdiwahab Ugas Khalif],” said Puntland’s information minister.
House speaker calls on MPs to return home
06 Nov – Source: Radio Risaala – 55 words
The Speaker of Somalia’s National Assembly, Professor Mohamed Osman Jawari has called on parliamentarians abroad to return to the country immediately He noted that the MPs were now required to report back to their duties since a lot of work was awaiting them. Parliament is expected to approve the newly appointed cabinet among other duties.
Al Shabaab claims attack on Kenyan warship in Kismayo
06 Nov – Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Banadir – 108 words
Somalia’s al Shabaab spokesman has claimed that they launched an attack on a Kenyan warship in the southern port-city of Kismayo. Abdiaziz abu Mus’ab said that they killed AU soldiers of Kenyan nationality on the ship which was docked at the port.
He said that they will continue the fight against those he referred to as “Christians” (AU peacekeepers) and “apostates” (Somali federal government forces) in all regions of the country. AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia) and Somali military officials have not issued any statement in response to the claims.
REGIONAL MEDIA
AMISOM decries charcoal trade in Kismayo despite UN ban
07 Nov – Source: Daily Nation/ Xinhua – 78 words
African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on Tuesday expressed concern over charcoal being exported out of Somalia in violation of a UN Security Council ban.
In a statement released in Nairobi, AMISOM said that although it is not mandated to scrutinise commercial activities in the Horn of Africa nation, the UN-backed mission is cognisant of its responsibilities in contributing to restore peace, security and law and order in the country.”
AMISOM regrets reports that charcoal is being exported out of Somalia in violation of the United Nations Security Council resolution 2036 and Somalia’ national law,” the statement said. The UN-backed peacekeeping mission, however, welcomed the Somali government’s decision in forming a taskforce to deal with the issue.
Somalia charcoal exports fuelling conflict flout UN ban
07 Nov – Source: Africa Review/AFP – 336 words
Somalia’s charcoal exports, which have fuelled Islamist insurgents, continue in defiance of a UN ban, including out of regions controlled by African Union forces, residents and officials said Tuesday.
Residents in the southern port city of Kismayo, which local Somali militia and Kenyan troops with the AU force wrested from the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab in September, said boats have been shipping out charcoal.
“Charcoal is being exported now from the port of Kismayo. but there are also other natural ports in the region where the business is going on,” said Hassan Mohamed Yusuf, a local businessman. Charcoal exports had reportedly decreased after al Shabaab were forced out of Kismayo but had never come to a complete halt.
Sierra Leone military trucks at Mombasa Port
05 Nov – Source: Star – 123 words
Mystery surrounds a consignment of military trucks at the Mombasa Port that are headed for Somalia. Some 146 truck drivers and loaders who were contracted to transport the 73 green military vehicles have been at the port for between eight and 10 days.
They were parked at berth number eight. Yesterday, they complained to the Star that they have been kept waiting by middlemen who contracted them for the transportation jobs. They said the consignment’s clearing agents are Ufanisi Freighters. But when contacted, the company said they are not aware of the military trucks.
Military spokesman Bogita Ongeri said the trucks, most of them of M900 and of 1987 model, belong to Sierra Leone and are headed to Somalia for the AU mission.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Turkey investing in future with Africa policies, particularly Somalia: Experts
07 Nov – Source: Hurriyet Daily News – 198 words
Turkey is investing in Africa by opening new embassies, developing bilateral political ties with African countries and investing in projects regarding humanitarian aid, public education, social welfare and infrastructure building, according to several African experts.
Over 20 political experts and diplomats from different African countries attended an annual conference on peace and security in the Horn of Africa organized by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation on Nov. 5 in Istanbul.
Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan was the only leader to visit Somalia during the 2010 crisis and stay a family to show solidarity with Somalis, presidential advisor and a prominent academic in Djibouti Dr. Ismail Wais said. “This really touched the hearts of the Somali people,” he said. Turkey has several economic interests in the Horn of Africa region, Wais said. “We are expecting a Turkish delegation in two weeks time in Djibuti to sign a new memorandum between Turkey and Djibuti.”
Tension high in northern Kenya over killing of al Shabaab suspect
07 Nov – Source: Global Times/ Xinhua – 289 words
Tension is high in Kenya’s northern town of Garissa on Tuesday following the killing of al Shabaab suspect by police on Monday night. The man was said to be in accompany of others who were in a salon car when he allegedly wanted to open fire on police officers before he was shot dead instantly.
Garissa County Commissioner Mohammed Maalim confirmed the incident, saying there were contradicting reports surrounding the death of the man who was shot deadly in a local bank.
“Police officers say the man wanted to shoot on them while in the car. Another group says that the man was running away from police arrest at the time of his shooting. This is subject to investigation before I can give any detailed report,” Maalim told Xinhua in Garissa on Tuesday.
The incident sparked violent demonstrations in Garissa town and its environs as angry residents who took to the streets accused the police of innocent killings.
Al Qaeda leader urges Muslims to fight alongside militants in Somalia
07 Nov – Source: Washington Post /AP – 158 words
Al Qaeda’s leader is urging Muslims to join militants in Somalia in the battle against African Union troops, which he says have been boosted by U.S. support. Ayman al Zawahri says Somalia’s al Qaeda branch, al Shabaab, should use guerrilla tactics and suicide bombings to wage jihad, or holy war.
Somalia had been in chaos for years, ruled by warlords and insurgents bent on creating an Islamic state. The militants, who once controlled nearly all of Mogadishu, have been gone from the capital for more than a year, and in September the African troops booted them out of their last urban stronghold, the port city of Kismayo.
Somali Women challenged at Maine polls
07 Nov – Source: AP/Boston News – 126 words
Two Somali immigrants were allowed to cast their ballots Tuesday after being challenged by a Republican poll watcher who later backed down. The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine said the poll watcher challenged the women at an Auburn polling place because they were registering to vote with the help of an interpreter.
The poll watcher, Gervis Leger of Auburn, backed off when he was told he’d have to sign an affidavit swearing he had direct knowledge that the women weren’t eligible to vote.
Leger said this was his first time as a poll watcher and just had a funny feeling about the women. Shenna Bellows of the ACLU said the women were allowed to vote after producing identification and signing affidavits swearing they are citizens.
Two Islamic banks seeking expansion in Somalia
06 Nov – Source: Cpi Financial – 428 words
Speaking on the sidelines of the Islamic Banking Summit Africa in Djibouti, Basel Haj-Issa, who took over as CEO of Saba Islamic Bank five months ago, explained that client demand is driving the bank’s expansion into Somalia. “Djibouti does a lot of trade with Somalia, and many of our clients need our Islamic services in the country, Haj-Issa told Islamic Business & Finance. “They [our clients] have been coming to us and asking why we do not have a presence in Somalia.”
Dahabshil Bank, which is a subsidiary of Dahabshil Remittance Service, was established in 2010 to be the main bank for all Somalis after the collapse of the country’s central government left Somalia without an official banking institution.
“We started in Somalia, and now there has been a period of intense reconstruction it is time to go back,” Suleiman Walhad told Islamic Business & Finance. “The potential there is huge. Most people are Muslim and, given all that has happened there, they are not likely to trust anything other than an Islamic bank.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Though Labadhagah lives thousands of miles away from her homeland, her songs are popular among Somalis and in the Horn of Africa region. She has produced several albums in her career.”
Top Somali singer performs in Kampala
06 Nov – Source: Africa Review – 309 Words
Popular Somali singer Zeinab Mohamed Haji alias Zeinab Labadhagah Monday night staged a show in the Ugandan capital Kampala. She sung patriotic songs to encourage, particularly members of the Somali community in Uganda, said Ahmed Ali Sheikh, a music fan who attended the show at the Royal Theatre.
The singer was reportedly welcomed by a large number of Somali community members, waving her photos at the Entebbe airport.
Many paid tribute to her at Tagy Hotel where she was staying.
“The plan could help rebuild Somalia’s infrastructure and social services to ensure the youth go back to schools. The peasants can afford to earn a decent living within their locality; professionals also have jobs and ensure that every Somali put a block on process of rebuilding our nation.”
A Marshall Plan of Our own
06 Nov – Source: Hiiraan Online – 794 Words
“The Marshall Plan which was officially the European Recovery Program, ERP was the American program to aid Europe where the United States of America gave financial support to help rebuild European economies after the end of World War II in order to prevent the spread of Soviet Communism.”
“The plan was in operation for four years beginning April 1948. The goals of the United States were to rebuild a war-devastated region, remove trade barriers, modernize manufacturing industries, and make Europe prosperous again.”
Sincerely I don’t expect that to happen in Somalia and that is why I ask our new government to move forward and start mobilizing our people in the Diaspora to both educate our people and rebuild the nation.
Top tweets
@yarabayoumy Qaeda urges #Somalia‘s Shabaab to fight “crusaders” -They will need more than Zawahiri’s jihadi rhetoric to help them http://reut.rs/SAcAAx.
@SCRtweets On #Somalia, #UNSC to adopt resolution on Wed. a.m. rolling-over the authorisation of AU mission #AMISOM for 4 months: http://bit.ly/XhDVx3.
@OCHASomalia NEW MAP #Somalia: Of the 1.8 million people living in Somaliland, 160,000 are in need of #humanitarian assistance. http://buzz.mw/-e6Q_y.
@IftiinLeaders #Ohio #African diaspora #Somali Americans made a difference in #Ohio this election. Thousands voted!! #Inspiring #2012 #election.
@amisomsomalia #AMISOM Statement on the Issue of Charcoal as reports that charcoal is being exported out of #Somalia. http://bit.ly/SxQXRk.
Image of the day
Acclaimed Somali poet Mahamed Ibrahim Warsame ‘Hadrawi’ (C) participates in a panel discussion held at Oxford House in Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green. Discussion was part of a week-long festival of Somali arts and culture. Photo: Somaliland Press.