December 11, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Defense Minister of the Somali Federal Government pays visit to Jowhar city
11 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA/Radio Risaala/Radio Mustaqbal – 13 words
Minister of Defense of the Somali Federal Government, Abdulhakim Haji Fiqi, other top military officials of the Somalia and the African Union Peacekeeping Forces on Monday paid a short visit to the latest frontlines in middle Shabelle region including Jowhar city where the militant group of al Shabaab was removed a day before.
Defense minister of the Somali Federal Government, Abdulhalkim Haji Mohamud Fiqi said on the line that they were pleased to reach Jowhar, saying that national chief commander and AU commander were accompanying him there.
The defense minister Fiqi said that people in Jowhar city are happy with their visit and welcomed the operation against al Shabaab. The minister added that the operation would continue and would connect the road that links the capital to the central regions of Somalia, saying Bula-burte in Hiiraan region which the militants currently control is their next target.
Key Headlines
- Al Shabaab pulls out of Adale town (Bar-Kulan)
- Outbreak of diarrhea kills seven in lower Shabelle region (Shabelle)
- President Hassan: the military will vacate Mogadishu to move to camps (Radio Risaala)
- ASWJ warns of fleeing al Shabaab militants in central Somalia (Bar-Kulan)
- One killed over land dispute in Abudwak (Bar-Kulan)
- African Union ‘peacekeeping’ units to protect Somalia human rights (Xinhua)
SOMALI MEDIA
Defense Minister of the Somali Federal Government pays visit to Jowhar city
11 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA/Radio Risaala/Radio Mustaqbal – 13 words
Minister of Defense of the Somali Federal Government, Abdulhakim Haji Fiqi, other top military officials of the Somalia and the African Union Peacekeeping Forces on Monday paid a short visit to the latest frontlines in middle Shabelle region including Jowhar city where the militant group of al Shabaab was removed a day before.
Defense Minister of the Somali Federal Government, Abdulhalkim Haji Mohamud Fiqi said on the line that they were pleased to reach Jowhar, saying that national chief commander and AU commander were accompanying him there.
The defense minister Fiqi said that people in Jowhar city are happy with their visit and welcomed the operation against al Shabaab. The minister added that the operation would continue and would connect the road that links the capital to the central regions of Somalia, saying Bula-burte in Hiiraan region which the militants currently control is their next target.
Somali government conducts security operations in Jowhar
11 Dec – Source: Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu – 104 words
Reports from the town of Jowhar, which has recently fallen under the control of Somali federal government with help from the African union forces, say that Somali government forces are conducting security operations there.
Government forces are reported to be carrying security operations throughout all the neighbourhoods of the town. Jowhar was a stronghold for the Al Qaeda linked group of Al Shabab for three years before they fled the city a few days ago after Somali government forces backed by African Union troops advanced towards it. A resident in the town told Shabelle media network that government forces are seen moving around the town.
Al Shabaab pulls out of Adale town
11 Dec – Source: Bar-kulan – 105 words
Reports from Adale town of Middle Shabelle say al Shabaab militants have pulled out of their fixed positions in the town after coming under pressure from the allied forces in the region.
Locals reported seeing militants fleeing the town on Monday afternoon but could not say where they were heading to. Al Shabaab positions in the town still remain empty, they added.
The al-Qaeda linked group has been driven out of most urban areas over the past two years, but still controls many rural areas of the country. Jowhar was the biggest town in the region under the control of al Shabaab Islamists before it fell on Sunday.
Outbreak of diarrhea kills seven in lower Shabelle region
11 Dec- Source: Shabelle- 162 words
Reports from lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia say that an outbreak of diarrhea has erupted in different small communities in the region. The outbreak of diarrhea is reported in communities like Dudumo gadud, Madax Marodi, Sahan weyn, Saha Yarey and other larger communities like Yaqbari weyne and Yaqdomar all in the lower Shabelle region.
Residents in those parts of the province who spoke to Shabelle Media Network say the outbreak is possibly related to the extreme warm weather which comes at this time of the season.
President Hassan: the military will vacate Mogadishu to move to camps
10 Dec- Source: Radio Risaala – 128 words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud has said that plans are underway to have all military personnel and weaponry removed from the streets of Mogadishu. Military camps will be set up in Mogadishu’s corridors and thereafter, all the soldiers will move in there.
The president related this need to the increasing outcry coming from the Somali public who complain of harassment and brutality from the soldiers. He said the troops will only leave the camps with guns or weapons when they are called up for a duty.
They will leave their guns behind when they are going out for a holiday, leave or when they are visiting relatives. This comes as a relief to many Mogadishu residents who previously complained of murder, robbery and harassment by the soldiers.
ASWJ warns of fleeing al Shabaab militants in central Somalia
10 Dec – Source: Bar-kulan – 117 words
Ahlu Sunna administration in central Somalia has said fleeing al Shabaab militants are flocking to parts of Galgadud region. The group’s executive committee chairman Mohamed Yussuf Hefow urged locals to be vigilant against militants fleeing government offensives in Middle Shabelle.
He said militants who fled Jowhar town have now reached areas between Bulo-burte and Harardere, threatening to carry out what he called an operation aimed at liberating locals in the region.
He accused the al Shabaab group of committing serious crimes against humanity and threatened to deal with it as soon as possible. His sentiment comes just a day after government forces backed by AU troops wrested control of Jowhar town, forcing militants to flee without defending the town.
RRU agents apprehend an American Somali female suspected of being a top al Shabaab Operative
10 Dec – Source: Somaliland Press – 163 words
Somaliland security forces have arrested an alleged top female al Shabaab operative a fortnight ago during a raid in a house in Borama town. Reports indicated that five people were caught in a nighttime raid among them an American /Somali female that is thought to be a high ranking al Shabaab operative, along with three companions, 2 females and 1 male.
The reasons which prompted the raid on the house are undetermined but unconfirmed reports suggest that the RRU operatives conducted the raid after an international arrest warrant was issued for the alleged top female operative by an unknown foreign power.
A reporter working for a Somali language newspaper who visited relatives of one of the detained women spoke to a Miss Mariam Hashi Ugaas who told him that the 9:00pm night raid was conducted by RRU operatives and saw the apprehension Ayan Hirsi Diriye, Siraad Omar Hashi, Layla Hirsi and their housemaid who goes by the name of Nimco.
One killed over land dispute in Abudwak
10 Dec – Source: Bar-kulan – 106 words
A man was on Monday shot dead in the central Somali town of Abudwak over a land dispute with another man. The victim, Mahdi Asad Hashi, was shot in the head several times by a man who they were in dispute with over the ownership of a piece of land in the town.
The assailant, Mohamud Mohamed Gurey, is now in custody, according to overall chairman of the Ahlu Sunna group, Ibrahim Hassan Gureye. He said the assailant decided to flee after committing the crime but security officers managed to detain him. Deadly land dispute has become a commonplace in Abudwak town for the last few months.
Puntland’s fourth political association responds to allegations
10 Dec – Source: Garowe Online – 141 words
Puntland’s fourth political association Hor’ad, replied to an allegation made by Gen. Abdullahi Saeed Samantar, calling his allegations “baseless” and requesting that the politician give an apology about the statement.
Puntland’s newest political association Hor’ad responded to allegations made by former Minister of Security Gen. Abdullahi Saeed Samatar who alleged that Hor’ad did not stand for its moniker, which is a shortened version of the Somali words “Progress and Justice”, nor was it made by community leaders.
Omar Ismail Waberi one of the founders of Hor’ad, spoke to press in Puntland stating that he was unhappy with Gen. Samatar’s comment and requested that he should apologize for it “I am deeply disappointed that the General would make a statement like that and I’m also surprised at the rash comment,” said Mr. Waberi speaking to press on Sunday.
REGIONAL MEDIA
African Union ‘peacekeeping’ units to protect Somalia human rights
11 Dec – Source: Coastweek/Xinhua – 340 words
The African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has vowed to protect human rights of the Somali people as the world marked the International Human Rights Day on Monday.
Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia Mohamat Annadif also reiterated AMISOM’s commitment to the protection of the rights of Somalis, noting that a secure environment free of hunger, violence and intimidation is a necessary precondition for the full enjoyment of human rights.
“AMISOM is today helping the Somali government and security forces create such an environment within Somalia and to confront those who would wish to deny freedom and liberty to the Somali people,” he said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
Mogadishu’s Coca Cola plant resumes operations
11 Dec – Source: Daily Monitor – 236 words
The management of the Coca Cola Company in the Somali capital Mogadishu announced on Monday a restart of its operations. The plant has been dysfunctional over a number of years.
Briefing the media at the plant along the Industrial Road in North Mogadishu, Mr. Mohamed Hassan Awale, The Managing Director of Mogadishu Coca Cola Company, stated that the company has cleared plans to resume production after being out of the market for nearly six years.
“We planned to reengage the old system as well as introducing new lines,” said Mr. Awale. He added that diverse soft drinks will be produced. The director urged the shareholders to renew their shares by wiring them through local banks, namely Dahabshiil and Salama Somali Bank.
Time to send Somali refugees back home – Raila
10 Dec – Source: Capital News – 157 word
Prime Minister Raila Odinga says it is not enough to return Somali refugees associated with terror attacks to the Dadaab camp, as proposed by Internal Security Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo on Saturday, terming it a stop gap measure.
The Prime Minister wants the Somali refugees immediately repatriated blaming them for the increase in terror activity within Kenya’s borders. “We have discussed the security situation there (in Eastleigh) because this is a recurring issue. There must be measures put in place to deal with it, not just as a stopgap measure but on a permanent basis so that there is security in the area.”
“The government has already ordered a crackdown to get all the people who are illegally residing in our country to places where they belong.” His statement comes in response to a grenade attack outside Hidaya mosque after Friday prayers in Eastleigh that resulted in five deaths and the injury of Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan.
Capital Talk: Sec. General of IGAD Eng. Mahboub Maalim
10 Dec – Source: K24 TV – 5:29 min
On The Bench: Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Secretary General, Engineer Mahboub Maalim on peace and security.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia meets in New York
10 Dec – Source: State.gov – 251 words
The United States will join partners from nearly 80 countries, international organizations, and the private sector at the United Nations in New York on December 11 for a plenary meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.
The plenary, hosted by India, will be the thirteenth gathering of this innovative diplomatic forum. Since its initial meeting in January 2009, the Contact Group has nearly tripled in size − a testament to the global consensus that piracy poses a shared security challenge to maritime safety and to the need for further concerted and coordinated international action.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Somalia teaches us uncomfortable lessons about modern peacekeeping, at least in Africa”.
Somalia has become so boring; why not Congo?
10 Dec – Source: Africa Review – 505 words
Something strange, that we haven’t witnessed in East Africa — or indeed the world — in the past 15 years has happened: For two months, Somalia has not been in the headlines. The place is no longer bleeding. This is close to a miracle; Somalia has become boring, and the people there aren’t dying of hunger.
The most credit goes to the Somalis themselves, of course. They are a hardy people who refused to roll over and die. Quite a few died in the years of madness, yes, but enough were left to gather up their wreckage of a country and try to piece it together again. Second, credit to the African Union that put together the peacekeeping force Amisom that, in the end, threw away the international peacekeeping rulebook and took the fight to the Al-Shabaab militants who were holding the country hostage.
And Amisom wouldn’t have happened if there weren’t enough crazy souls in Kampala, who sent in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) as the first contingent of Amisom in 2007. A ruling party official in Uganda wrote that UPDF didn’t go into Somalia for a tea party. Indeed. The casualties that the UPDF took range from 500 to 1,000, a figure cited recently in a TIMEmagazine report. Their consolation is that it was not in vain.
So what has Somalia taught us? A large part of its descent into hell was blamed on its stubborn, violent, and often insular, clans. However, more reflective literature has now got me to look differently at the Somali clans.
“We see the award as a timely reminder of what our Union stands for and the fundamental principle it was built around — the transformation of a war-torn continent into a union of democracies. With their prestigious recognition, the Nobel committee has also sent a clear message to the EU: we must protect a Union built on six decades spent in the pursuit of peace from disintegration and resurgent nationalisms”.
Let EU peace award inspire other states
10 Dec – Source: Daily Nation – 498 words
On Monday, the European Union (EU) received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. The award of the Nobel Peace Prize is a strong reminder of what makes the EU so special. The prize is a source of pride, responsibility and inspiration. We see the award as a timely reminder of what our Union stands for and the fundamental principle it was built around — the transformation of a war-torn continent into a union of democracies. For those who rebuilt Europe from the rubble of war, it remains a miracle that the wounds of such conflict could be overcome to give former enemies a common future.
Since then, the EU has offered membership to country after country, bolstering their democracies and including them in the world’s largest internal market. Today the EU continues to exude its drawing power and serves as a stabilising force beyond its borders. The EU, despite caveats, remains one of the most successful global peace building projects, and could serve as a source of inspiration for countries in the Horn of Africa that are yearning for stability, peace and prosperity.
For decades, the EU has been deeply engaged in Kenya and Somalia through its long-standing political commitment, trade relations, cooperation, humanitarian aid, support to (maritime) security and through its support to regional bodies like the AU, Comesa, Igad and the EAC. As EU ambassadors to Kenya and Somalia, we need to make Europe’s mission for peace a forward-looking one. On Monday we also celebrated International Human Rights Day. In Kenya and Somalia, the adoption of new Constitutions has established a foundation for the protection and promotion of human rights.
Top tweets
@UNDP Welcome back to #Mogadishu – our @UNDPSomaliahead David Clapp is 1st Director to move there after 19yrs! Watch:http://on.undp.org/fZLJS
@UNPOSomalia Read the full statement of the #UN #Secretary-General on #HumanRights Day, 10 December 2012:http://bit.ly/QSvwgT @UN @UN_DPA.
@GeoMmm #Somalia: UNICEF leads Child Health Days to stem the tide of preventable childhood diseases across#Somalia http://bit.ly/S1GhyX.
@OCHASom RT @CispSom To create #peace we must begin with our #children. Peace initiative in primary schools#Mogadishu #Somaliapic.twitter.com/
@albanyassociate Somalia property boom forces refugees onto street – Yahoo! News http://yhoo.it/YKSn1a.
@iEthiopia Africa Union ‘peacekeeper’ units to protect Somalia human rightshttp://bit.ly/S27Ubc .
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