December 13, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Al-Shabaab group destroyed – Somalia President

13 Dec – Voice of Russia/ BBC – 70 words

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said that the country’s army destroyed the radical Al-Shabaab group. Mr. Mohamud stressed that the elderly were quite successful in reaching out to young men persuading them not to join extremists.

Backed by the African Union forces, the government of Somalia has been trying to win control of the country gripped by a 20-year-long civil war. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud assumed office in September, 2012.

Key Headlines

Al Shabaab group destroyed – Somalia President (Voice of Russia/BBC)
Somali intellectuals abroad urged to return home (Bar-kulan)
UN: Millions in Somalia Need Aid (VOA News)
EU announces new education program in Puntland (Garowe Online/Universal TV)
Residents begin rebuilding their lives in Kismayu (Daily Nation)
Somali president’s visit to Kenya postponed again (Garowe Online/BBC Somali Service/Kismaayo News)
Al Shabaab offers cash for killing of security officers (Standard)
Elders condemn Ethiopia’s meddling in Somali affairs (Radio Risaala)
Kenya on high alert over terror (Daily Nation)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali intellectuals abroad urged to return home

13 Dec – Source: Bar-kulan – 120 words

Somali academics living aboard were told to come back home in order to offer their desperately needed services to their people in their country. Speaking to the press on Thursday, doctors in southwest Somali town of Beled-Hawo, Gedo region, called on their colleagues abroad to come back home for the sole purpose of helping their compatriots in the region.

Khalif Mohamed, the Head of Juba National Hospital, urged fellow doctors living outside the country to return home in favour of needy people in the region.

Mohamed said locals in the region need the services of their educated boys and girls living abroad, appealing to the diaspora communities to sacrifice their time in supporting their people.

EU announces new education program in Puntland

13 Dec – Source: Garowe Online/Universal TV – 182 words

A delegation from the European Union (EU) visited Garowe, Puntland and met with the Education Minister and the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation on Thursday to announce a new program for 2013, Garowe Online reports.

The delegation arrived in Garowe capital of Puntland state of Somalia on Wednesday and met with Puntland Minister of Planning Daud Omar and Minister of Education Abdi Farah Saeed Juha.

The visit was to announce a new project targeting education in Puntland, entitled ‘Education is Light’ which was put into affect after Puntland government officials and dignitaries signed the agreement. The project is set to last for three years in which 7.5 million euros will be given to international organizations that work in Puntland to enhance the education sector in Puntland.

Elders condemn Ethiopia’s meddling in Somali affairs

12 Dec – Source: Radio Risaala – 140 words

Somali elders who hail from Juba region have strongly criticized Ethiopia’s involvement in administration-building efforts for the region. The elders have accused Ethiopia of derailing efforts to bring together Somali tribes so as to build a comprehensive administrative government for Kismayo and the Juba regions.

Hussein Hassan who is among the elders based in Kismayo has described Ethiopia as a neighbor who never served the interests of the Somali people. As such, Mr. Hussein urged the Ethiopians to leave Somalia alone to sort out their problems, since he said Somalis know each other well and will eventually reach a consensus on the issue.

Building a comprehensive administration for Kismayo and Juba region has being a thorny issue for the Somali government since the matter has being compounded by direct involvement by neighboring states and inter-tribal rivalries.

Dusamareb security boss injured

13 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 97 words

A government soldier in central Somali town of Dusamareb has shot and injured the area’s security boss Farhan Moalim Ali under unknown circumstances during a security operation in the area.

Ali sustained light injuries on the head and told Bar-kulan that he was in stable condition. He claimed that the attacker was a government soldier who was against the operation and is now in custody, adding that he will be arraigned in court as soon as possible. Ali however promised to continue with the operation in order to strengthen security situation in the entire district.

Somali president’s visit to Kenya postponed again

12 Dec – Source: Garowe Online/BBC Somali Service/Kismaayo News – 136 words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s planned visit to neighboring Kenya has been postponed again. Last week in Mogadishu, President Hassan told reporters that he would visit Kenya upon returning from an official visit to Turkey. However, President Hassan returned to Mogadishu instead, indicating that his planned visit to Kenya was postponed.

On Wednesday, sources at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport said that President Hassan and a delegation arrived at the airport on a planned to visit Kenya. The source’s information could not be independently verified.

However, that visit was postponed again and President Hassan told the BBC Somali Service during a Wednesday interview that he plans to travel to Kenya soon. “The Somali government has good relations with Kenya. I plan to visit Kenya in the coming weeks,” President Hassan said.

Galmudug gets new presidential palace

12 Dec – Source: Bar-kulan – 105 words

A lavish ribbon-cutting event for the newly constructed Galmudug’s presidential palace is currently underway in the central Somali town of Galkayo. The event will be attended by a delegation from the federal government of Somalia, UN officials and other dignitaries.

Galmudug president Abdi Hassan Awale Qeybdid is also attending the ceremony and is expected to officially open the new presidential palace.

The new complex located at New Galkayo neighbourhood has been under construction for the last three months with the help of diaspora communities from the region. It is the first complex of its kind ever to be established in the region since it declared its autonomy.

Somali singers return home back

12 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 148 words

Some of the Somali singers who were away from the country since the collapse of the central government in Somalia in 1991 on Tuesday returned back to the country, landing at Mogadishu international airport where they received a warm welcome. The singers who came home back are: Abdul-hakim Isse Ghedi, Khalid Sharif Ahmed and Hassan Ujeyr Ajami.

Outbreak of diarrhea kills seven in lower Shabelle region

12 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 86 words

Reports from lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia say that an outbreak of diarrhea has killed 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 lower Shabelle region. Residents in parts of the province say the outbreak can be related to the extreme warm weather which comes at this part of the season.

Several arrested in Garbaharey swoop

12 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 99 words

Government forces in southwest Somali town of Garbaharey say they have arrested several people accused of having links with al Shabaab militant group.

The arrest was made during a crackdown on remnant militants and their sympathisers following intelligence reports that al Shabaab militants had managed to secretly sneak into the town.

Confirming the arrest, area police boss Osman Moalimu said the operation netted more than ten suspected militants. He said the suspects are now being questioned to determine their alleged links to al Shabaab. Moalimu said the suspects who were not armed during their arrest came from rebel-held Burdubo and Bardere towns.

$10,000 donated for the constriction of Buholde orphans school

12 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 108 words

Natives of the northern Somali town of Buhodle living in Australia have donated $10,000 for the construction of a school for orphans in Buhodle town. The chairman of the local committees handling the construction of the institution Abdinoor Hajji Hajji Mohamud Aw-Muse thanked the diaspora community for its support.

He said such donations will be meaningful to the local community and will help them complete the ongoing construction work. The head of the East African University branch in Buhodle urged other diaspora communities to follow suit and take part in the development of the region. Hundreds of orphaned children are expected to acquire knowledge once construction work is complete.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Residents begin rebuilding their lives in Kismayu

13 Dec – Source: Daily Nation – 413 words

Life is slowly returning to normal in the Somali port city of Kismayu as residents who fled the fighting between Al-Shabaab and allied forces led by the Kenya Defence Forces start flocking back.

The returnees, who had fled in their thousands to refugee camps in Kenya and other places, are now trying their hand at different economic activities.

In telephone interviews on Wednesday, a number of residents said they had started rebuilding their lives by engaging in fishing, small businesses and subsistence farming. A Mr. Jumale, a marine expert, said fishing around Kismayu, which has declined in the past decade, is yet to improve.

Al Shabaab offers cash for killing of security officers

13 Dec – Source: Standard – 309 words

Al Shabaab is offering a bounty reward of up to Sh890,000 ($8,000) for any Kenyan security officer killed, Garissa County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed has said.

Mr. Mohammed said the Government got the information after intercepting the Al Shabaab militants’ communication. “The payment depends on the rank of the officer killed,” Maalim added during Jamhuri Day celebrations at Garissa Primary School grounds.

He said the information was intercepted during the militants’ communication from Dobley in Somalia to the Kenyan Ifo refugee camp at the Dadaab refugee complex.

No let-up in war with pirates, says the EU

13 Dec – Source: National – 140 words

While the number of Somali pirate attacks decreased this year, the European Union Naval Force says vigilance is needed to maintain their retreat. “We hope the shipping industry does not diminish protection to its ships, although we know it costs money, and we hope member states continue to provide naval and air assets,” Rear Admiral Gualtierro Mattesi, the EUNavfor’s deputy commander, told the maritime security conference.

Experts say the combined efforts of navy patrols and armed private-security guards on merchant vessels have helped to reduce piracy attacks from 176 last year to 35 in the first 10 months of this year.

Meanwhile, in London yesterday, UAE representatives met 13 other nations at a Piracy Ransoms Task Force meeting to discuss partnerships and coordination among nations in hostage situations. Among those participating were the UK, US, Australia, France, Germany and Italy.

Kenya on high alert over terror

13 Dec – Source: Daily Nation – 371 words

Security agencies are on high alert following intelligence reports that Al-Shabaab militants were planning a series of terrorist attacks during the festive season.

This comes in the wake of the arrest of six suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists on Tuesday in Ruka area along the Kenya-Somalia border. Three grenades, two pistols and 84 rounds of ammunition were also seized from their vehicle.

Kenya has been hit by a series of grenade attacks in which more than 50 people have been killed and scores injured. Al-Shabaab has, in the past, claimed responsibility for some of the attacks, saying, it was in retaliation to Kenya’s decision to send its troops to the war-torn Horn of Africa country.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Al Shabaab group destroyed – Somalia President

13 Dec – Voice of Russia/ BBC – 70 words

UN: Millions in Somalia Need Aid

11 Dec – Source: VOA News – 689 words

The U.N. says millions of people in Somalia still require humanitarian aid, despite advances against al-Shabab militants. A new funding appeal has been launched to address the country’s immediate needs and build resilience against future shocks, such as droughts, floods or further conflict.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, reports the food security situation in Somalia remains critical. “Somalia indeed remains one of the largest crises we have in the world today. Now we’ve made great gains since the famine of 2011. Twelve months down the road we still have a huge crisis, although the rains, as well as humanitarian assistance that went into Somalia last year and most of this year, have reduced the number of people in need,” said Edem Wosornu, acting deputy head of office for OCHA’s Somalia branch.

Nevertheless, she said, nearly four million people are still in need of help. The number can be broken down into two categories. “The first one is 2.1 million people who need assistance and are unable to meet their basic needs. So, they are what we call “in crisis.” And we have an additional 1.7 million people who have emerged out of the crisis from last year, but could fall back without sustained support,” she said.

Most of the insecurity remaining in Somalia is in the southern and central regions. Government forces and their allies are trying to push al-Shabab out of the Gedo, Bay and Bakool regions. Militants had imposed a blockade on a number of towns restricting humanitarian access, as well as trade and business. That drove up food prices. Humanitarian agencies used airdrops to thwart the blockade, but such operations may not be sustainable.

Wosornu said, “We also have challenges such as sporadic fighting, which causes temporary displacements. We had one I think last week in a place called Belet Xaawo, which is on the border with Kenya with Mandera town. So we have temporary displacements into Mandera.” Ending the conflict would go a long way toward ensuring food security. But it’s also dependent on good harvests. “The situation remains fragile, and we continue to count on the rains. We count on the Deyr rains that are coming. We’re expecting an average harvest – October to December range,” she said.

A three year strategy has been launched called the Somalia Consolidated Appeal Plan. It asks for $1.3 billion for the first year. No figures have been set yet for the remaining years. Wosornu says there are four objectives. “To ensure that everybody is receiving lifesaving assistance, particularly to malnourished children and people living in crisis—the 2.1 million. The second one is ensuring that we continue improvement of the quality, reliability and responsiveness of basic services,” said Wosornu.” The Consolidated Appeal Plan also calls for investment in household and community-level assistance, and strengthening the capacity of local NGOs and authorities to deal with crises.

Kenya – big trouble in little Mogadishu

12 Dec – Source: News 24/ SAPA – 756 words

Bustling with business, the Kenyan capital’s Eastleigh district is dubbed “little Mogadishu” after the anarchic capital of Somalia, where so many here fled from for a new, more peaceful life.

But the largely ethnic Somali and vibrant economic hub faces tough times after a string of attacks blamed on Islamist militants, with the community battered by a harsh police crackdown to root out a hard core of insurgents.

“Ethnic Somalis, irrespective of which passport they carry, have become a target for armed thugs across Kenya,” said Abdi Aynte, an independent analyst, and himself a Somali who spends much time in Kenya.

Kenya has suffered a series of attacks – including grenade and bomb explosions – regularly pinned on members or sympathisers of Somalia’s al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“We lost a lot, things and people, it is time to shout “enough is enough” and build the country we once enjoyed, we march with one voice, “we make the land better for me and you”. We walk side by side, and lend a helping hand whoever in need”.

Somalia: Taking Control – Redemption

13 Dec- Source: Afrisonet – 409 words

I am a Somali and I am proud, I am a pirate not by choice, my food was stolen, my waters are crossed without regard to my existence, they call me a pirate, I call myself a tax collector, and a protector of my rights, and livelihood. Pirate? not proud of it but I had no choice.

I am a Somali and I am proud, I am a Somali, I realize my shortcomings, I caused my pain and I learned my lessons, I survived, hopeful I am, I am determine to let go the dark past, and welcome with open hands the bright future that I must seek. I set a side my pride, and welcome the help that comes from a brother, a friend or an old enemy. To me it is all the same, help is help at this point.

I realized I had no enemy but myself, I must take control of my fate, I destroyed what my forefathers build with their blood, they set the path for me to walk ahead and going forward was the path, I let them down and I felt the pain for only I to be blamed. My father had a dream, but never was his son to be a refugee, or die in the sea, chasing a mirage of a better life in far lands. That was never in the books or in the plans, they sacrificed for me to have the land they thought my freedom depended on. But again I forgot their aim, and burned it all.

But what is done is done. Time for me to wake up and feel the heat. And be kind to my people. Again one cannot dismiss the wisdom of Naomi Shihab’s poem, “Before you know what kindness really is you must lose things”.

“Somalia has entered a new phase of introspection, reinvention, and rebuilding. This, needless to say, makes it incumbent upon all Somalis of goodwill and vision to participate in the ongoing construction of a viable, just, peaceful, and progressive state. Whether or not the old guard will finally redeem themselves by participating and contributing positively to this process remains to be seen”.

Somalia: Breaking Away From Intellectuals’ Legacy of Corruption, Clan and Kleptocracy

12 Dec- Source: Al Shahid- 952 words

Can a new generation of Somali intellectuals fix the mistakes of its predecessors and offer a brighter future for Somalia?

‘Where the lead camel goes, so shall others’. So goes the Somali proverb, describing the tendency of humans to unquestioningly follow those in authority even if such individuals are leading them astray.

This effect is, of course, universal. But it does aptly reflect the phenomenon in Somalia in which where the first generation of post-independence political, professional and intellectual elites went, so did the second. As ever, there are exceptions, but they were few and far between.

“Somalis have become accustomed to fatal tumult in more than 20 years of instability and war. A recent return to fragments of stability as the threat of al-Shabaab ebbs may not be enough”.

The Horn of Africa: rebuilding or in meltdown?

11 Dec – Source: Blogs.ft.com – 756 words

There could hardly be a more poignant or devastating reminder of divisive instability that has spread throughout the Horn of Africa. On Monday, I moderated a discussion panel on how arts and literature can help rebuild society in the Horn of Africa. But I shouldn’t have been there at all. Yusuf Hassan, the intended moderator and a Kenyan MP of Somali descent, was absent because of a stark symbol, not of society rebuilding itself, but of society in meltdown: a bomb attack.

The parliamentarian was injured by shrapnel from an explosion in his Kamukunji constituency in Eastleigh, a largely Somali community in Nairobi, on Friday evening. A boy who had come up to greet him was killed instantly, among five who died. It was the second blast in three days.

Kenya’s only Nairobi MP of Somali descent, who has regularly spoken out against the al-Shabaab jihadis who control some of central Somalia, Hassan says he doesn’t know if he was the intended target of the attack.

Top tweets

‏@amisomsomalia Video showing Jawhar town, which was recently captured by SNA & AMISOM troops.http://bit.ly/UEQtrB.

@secwatchigss Somalia:Piracy group: Make sure Somali pirates aren’t paid: Somali pirates hijacked 46 ships in 2009 and 47 in 2… http://bit.ly/VYYnmJ.

@FreelanceJRNLST Al-Shabaab group destroyed – Somalia President. http://bit.ly/UVeTSm.

@Jr_sheekeye #Kenya internal security blamed high number of undocumented foreigners insecurity problems#Somalia.

@MacOtani 6 terror suspects arrested with weapons on Tuesday in Garissa near Kenya-Somalia border charged in Garissa Court. cc @Hot_96Kenya.

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Image of the day

Image of the day Special Representative of the Secretary General, Augustine Mahiga, speaks at a UN conference on Human Rights held in Mogadishu on December 10. Photo: AU/UN IST PHOTO / TOBIN JONES.