December 26, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somalia sets 100 days for al Shabaab militants to surrender
26 Dec- Source: Shabelle- 171 words
Somali interior and security minister, Abdikarin Hussien Guled has set 100 days ultimatum for all al Shabaab fighters to surrender and join the process of peace and nation building.
The minister, who spoke to journalists in Mogadishu, said that the youths fighting alongside al Shabaab should abandon the group’s ideology of violence and surrender to the government and the rest of the peace loving Somalis, promising that they would be welcomed and wouldn’t be subjected to any harm but instead would get a proper care from the government.
The interior minister called on the Somali national army not to scare or harm any youth from al Shabaab who surrenders peacefully.
Key Headlines
- Somali government says al Shabaab is weakened (Radio Mutaqbal/Radio Risaala)
- Somalia sets 100 days for al Shabaab militants to surrender (Shabelle)
- Somalia’s al Shabaab recaptures southern town as allied troops withdraw (Radio Gaalkacyo/Jowhar Online)
- Government AU troops seize arms cache in southern Somali town (Radio Galakacyo)
- Somali parliament to discuss the budget again (Radio Mustaqbal)
- Global efforts save hostages in Dubai-based ship (Gulf News)
- Turkey sends 27 tons of relief material to Somalia (Todayszaman/Reliefweb/KUNA)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali government says al Shabaab is weakened
26 Dec – Source: Radio Mutaqbal/Radio Risaala- 152 words
The minister of internal affairs and the national security together with military officials of AMISOM on Tuesday toured outskirts of Mogadishu to assess the situation on the ground.
Speaking after the tour, Minister Abdikarem Hussein Guled said al Shabaab has been weakened militarly, adding that the allied forces will continue with the operation to root out the remnants of the militant group.
“Its now obvious that the al Shabaab is getting weaker and that our forces together with AMISOM forces are getting hold of most of their strongholds. We will continue with the operation to get rid of the militants’ said the minister who spoke to the media.
The remarks come a day after al Shabaab’s representative in Banadir region Sheikh Ali Mohamed Hussein ( Abu Jabal ) told the group’s radio station that they will continue attacking the bases of the government in Mogadishu.
Al Shabaab refuses burial of young man
26 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 113 words
Al Shabaab militants in Mahadday town of middle Shabelle region refused to allow the relatives of a deceased young man to bury him there. Mahad Nur Barre, the deceased man, was accused by the militants of supporting Somalia army and allied forces when they captured Mahadday town.
AU troops and Somalia forces briefly captured Mahadday town on 9th December.
Relatives of the dead man told Bar-kulan that they were disappointed with the militants’ decision. Mahad died of natural cause in Hasholey location which is few kilometers from Mahadday.
His relatives wanted to bury him in the town, because his family and relatives live there. The funeral is now being done in Hasholey, a relative confirmed to Bar-kulan.
Somalia sets 100 days for al Shabaab militants to surrender
26 Dec- Source: Shabelle- 171 words
Somali interior and security minister, Abdikarin Hussien Guled has set 100 days ultimatum for all al Shabaab fighters to surrender and join the process of peace and nation building.
The minister, who spoke to journalists in Mogadishu, said that the youths fighting alongside al Shabaab should abandon the group’s ideology of violence and surrender to the government and the rest of the peace loving Somalis, promising that they would be welcomed and wouldn’t be subjected to any harm but instead would get a proper care from the government.
The interior minister called on the Somali national army not to scare or harm any youth from al Shabaab who surrenders peacefully.
Somali president returns home after “successful” visits to Kenya, Uganda
25 Dec – Source: Shabellle – 101 words
Somali President Hasan Shaykh Mahmud has returned back to Mogadishu after visits to Kenya and Uganda. The president was accompanied by foreign affairs minister who is also the deputy prime minister Fowziya Yusuf Haji Adan, defence minister Abdihakin Haji Mahmud Fiqi and other officials. They were welcomed at Adan Ade Airport by senior government officials.
President Mahmud addressed the media at the airport, saying his visits were successful. He said he discussed with Kenyan authorities on how to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Somali government issues warnings on tropical storm
24 Dec – Shabelle – 135 words
Somali Federal Government has issued a warning that tropical storms may hit many coastal areas in the country. After a cabinet meeting in Mogadishu, the government called on all communities living on the coastal areas to be vigilant as weather forecasts predict that storms may hit Somali coast. Somali interior minister, Abdikarin Husayn Guled, who spoke to the media after the meeting also spoke about other issues including the security situation in the capital. Guled said that the government has intelligence sources indicating that remnants of al Shabaab are amassing in Dayniile district and on the banks of Shabeelle river planning violent attacks in the capital city. But the minister said that the government has plans in place to prevent such attacks.
Somalia’s al Shabaab recaptures southern town as allied troops withdraw
25 Dec – Source: Radio Gaalkacyo/ Jowhar Online – 153 words
Somalia’s al Shabaab group have recaptured Buulo Gaduud locality in Lower Jubba Region, southern Somalia following fierce fighting with the allied forces, privately-owned Radio Gaalkacyo reported.
The two sides clashed inside the town resulting in the withdrawal of government and AMISOM (African Unions’ Mission in Somalia) forces.
Spokesman for al Shabaab operations Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Mansoor told media that they have “inflicted heavy casualties on Kenyan troops and recaptured the town”. However, he did not specify the number of people killed in the fighting, added the source.
The Somali government has not made any statement regarding Tuesday’s battle with al Shabaab in Buulo Gaduud locality which is 90 km north of Kismayo port town in southern Somalia.
Somali and Kenyan troops had taken control of the town a few days ago prior to the fresh al Shabaab ouster.
Government, AU troops seize arms cache in southern Somali town
25 Dec – Source: Radio Gaalkacyo – 132 words
The Somalia’s national security troops in collaboration with AMISOM (African Union’s Mission in Somalia) have seized weapons hidden in a house in Jowhar town, the provincial capital of Middle Shabelle Region, southern Somalia, privately-owned Radio Gaalkacyo reported on 25 December
Middle Shabelle Region Spokesman Daud Haji Irro told media that government troops have seized an arms cache including ammunitions and explosives inside a house after conducting a residential search operation.
He added that government forces will continue conducting search operations in the area. Government troops have been subjected to a series of explosion attacks in Jowhar for the past two weeks. The town is currently under the control of government forces backed by AMISOM troops.
Somalia’s al Shabaab “still active” in Mogadishu- militant official
25 Dec – Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 90 words
Somalia’s al Shabaab militants have said they are “still active” in the capital, Mogadishu. The militants’ leader in Mogadishu, Sheikh Ali Muhammad Husayn said his group was behind the recent mortar attacks in the capital, the source said.
He also said that they targeted the presidential palace, adding that they inflicted loses against government and AU forces, the report further said.
The al Shabaab leader called on city residents to join their fight against Somali and AU troops.
Four killed in central Somalia as militants open fire on wedding
24 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 86 words
Four people were killed and nine others injured after Al-Shabab militants opened fire on a wedding party in Qurcod village, 25 km from the town of Ceel Buur in Galguduud Region [central Somalia].
An al Shabaab official in the village reportedly warned residents against rescuing those hurt in the shooting, a move that surprised many people.
Reports say those critically injured were transported to hospitals in Mogadishu for medical care.
Al Shabaab defectors join Somali armed forces in Baidoa
25 Dec – Source: Radio Daljir/ Gaalkacyo – 125 words
Members of Somalia’s al Shabaab group are said to have surrendered to government troops in Baidoa town, the provincial capital of Bay Region, southwestern Somalia, privately-owned Radio Daljir reported.
The Police Commander of Bay Region Mahad Abdirahman, confirmed the defection of five al Shabaab fighters to government forces, whom he said will be rehabilitated.
The commander further said that they expecting more fighters from al Shabaab to defect and the administration welcomes any al Shabaab youth who wishes to join government forces.
Many al Shabaab fighters are said to have surrendered to government forces in the recent past from parts of Bay and Bakool Regions in southwestern Somalia.
Somali pirates kill Danish hostage- radio
25 Dec – Source: Radio Simba- 108 words
Somali pirates have reportedly killed a Danish captain who they kidnapped two years ago from the Indian Ocean together with Filipino crews, privately-owned Radio Simba reported.
A spokesman for the pirates in Hobyo town in central Somalia confirmed the death of the captain, the source said. The Danish man succumbed to injuries he sustained after pirates beat him”, the report further said.
The spokesman said they had been holding him for two years and asked the Danish government to pay them ransom which he said it failed to pay, the source added.
Somali parliament to discuss the budget again
26 Dec- Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 84 words
The somali members of the parliament are expected to discuss the budget of the next financial year. The last two days the MPs were having serious debates concerning the budget. The budget is one of the hottest topics so far discussed by the somali legislators which raised several contradictions among the Mps.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Ogaden rebel group to hold peace talks with Ethiopian government
24 Dec – Source: Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website – 144 words
A faction of Ogaden Liberation Front (ONLF) arrives in Addis Ababa over the weekend to hold peace talks with the federal government. Abdinur Abdulahi the leader of the faction told reporters that the faction arrived Addis Ababa to hold a dialogue with the government and to seek ways on how the faction can collaborate on national and regional development.
Abdinur Abdulahi Farah said the faction has opted for peace as it has become aware that people of the Somali region [southeastern Ethiopia] have benefited a lot out of the federal system like other nations and nationalities of Ethiopia. According to him the faction came out of bitter internal struggle within the group after the stalled dialogue with the ONLF in Nairobi in last October.
Global efforts save hostages in Dubai-based ship
25 Dec- Source: Gulf News-342 Words
International efforts to clamp down on Somali piracy have played a major role in the release of the 22 hostages onboard the Dubai-based MV Iceberg last Sunday night, said a director from a research and consultancy company.
Dr Theodore Karasik, a Dubai-based director at Inegma, Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, told Gulf News yesterday that piracy in itself is in decline because of the world’s regional and international community, however the question remains whether it is sustainable.
While piracy off the coast of Somalia has been publicised, Karasik questions the possibility of the pirates moving to another ungoverned area along any coastline.
“Piracy could be moved to another region where they can establish pirate bunkers and hire the appropriate personnel to duplicate what has been ongoing off the coast of Somalia,” he added.
The MV Iceberg 1 which was hijacked in March 2010, is one of the longest running pirate hostage cases involving UAE crew members, said Karasik.
“The reason it took so long for them to get released is because of the fact that the company is small and didn’t have the appropriate insurance in place,” he said. “A formula for a ransom and the release of the sailors was finally put together putting pressure on the pirates to release the prisoners,” he added.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Pirate base captured by Police
26 Dec- Source: strategypage- 1089 words
While the new, elected, Somali government is technically a democracy it is actually the result of a compromise by the most powerful clans and warlords. The concept of a true democracy is not well understood in Somalia. But a council of clan leaders and warlords working out deals is. But that means lots of bribes and other forms of corruption. It also means no “civil society” and that’s the result of tradition is fighting change to a standstill in Somalia. Tradition means the clan is the primary loyalty, and everyone else is a potential victim, or enemy. Change means civil society, where democracy and negotiation, not threats, bribes and violence, are used to settle disputes. Old customs are hard to give up, and Somalia has been resisting change for over a century. The new national government does not have the military might to break the clan power.
Peacekeepers, government soldiers and pro-government militias continue combing the countryside, smashing al Shabaab combat groups and, more importantly, depleting the supply of al Shabaab leaders. Al Shabaab likes to boast about how powerful and important they are, but most Somalis see them as a bunch of ignorant, vicious and inept religious zealots. Al Shabaab can be contained but the clan mentality is more difficult to deal with.
Turkey sends 27 tons of relief material to Somalia
24 Dec – Source: Todayszaman ( Istanbul ) / reliefweb / Kuna net – 141 words
As diplomatic and political relations deepen between countries, Turkey has stepped up efforts in bid to contribute to reconstruction of the war-torn Somalia and sent 27 tonnes of aid to the East African country on Tuesday.
As part of cooperation between two countries, several agencies and ministries in Turkish side take part in this process to facilitate Turkey’s efforts to rebuild Somalia’s institutions and infrastructure.
A written statement released from The Prime Ministry’s Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) noted that Turkish Health Ministry, The Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TÄ°KA), General Directorate For State Hydraulic Works and Yardimeli Relief Foundation cooperated in the delivery of 27 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the East African country.
A Turkish Airlines cargo plane allocated by AFAD carried the relief material to the region.
Furthermore, two armoured vehicles supplied by Turkish Prime Ministry and Turkish Foreign Ministry in the use of Turkey’s Mogadishu Embassy were sent to the region as well.
Turkey has taken the lead in sending humanitarian aid to the famine-stricken Somalia and has bolstered its efforts in the reconstruction of the country.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Somaliland will continue to shine forth and will continue its slow but steady progression, this will continue until we outpace many nations of the world, provided we recognize ourselves first.”
Somaliland: The Folly of Premature International Recognition
25 Dec- Source: Somalilandpress/Somaliland Sun-1747 Words
Quite often we hymn the praises of our young nation and glorify its achievements as a burning flame of hope in an area of the world long bereft of light.
The state of Somaliland is located on the poorest continent within the poorest region of that continent and bordered by the world’s first failed state. With such an incredibly difficult geo-political situation, one question is on the mind of every person is;
How do these people continue to persevere? Somaliland is about to enter its 22nd year as an independent state on May 18, 2013. In this article I will examine the benefits of our non-recognized status, I will also discuss the misconceived notion that international recognition brings economic success, and finally how we can prepare for the future as a united, stable and stalwart nation.
The story of our struggle has been told on many occasions but we often forget to mention the single and most important factor which aided our swift liberation, self-reliance. Just like how we were 31 years ago when on April, 1981 the creation of the SNM was proclaimed in London, we remain alone, left to our own resources.
Faults of unprofessional Somali weblogs
26 Dec- Source: Suna Times-520 Words
Despite the rise of the local independent media in Somalia bit changed the country’s social attitude into more democratic way, the number of so-called websites has dramatically increased for the past two years. Most of them are privately owned by newly arrived Somali diaspora in oversees countries mainly in Europe and America which are said to be set up for prominence, clan, group and economic interests especially.
Four major issues help surge of the Somali published personal websites; cheap site creation with simple readymade design template, the leisure time with welfare reliance, emulating or outdoing after one another with no preplanning and free access of online media. These web updaters have neither filled the terms of being professional journalism nor understood the code of conduct by having no basic education.
It has been unprecedentedly booming the number of the non-quality Somali blogs that went online, whenever I surf the internet every single day I see a new website with the name of person, remote village and town in Somalia or amazing word of name. The most surprisingly thing is that they nearly all publish the same story of Somali issues or other world events.
Remarkably, with the consideration of accuracy and impartiality, few Somali sites try to provide the right information from the right source in deal with conflict resolution.
Top tweets
@gcmcSomalia #Somalia Somalia: A Youth Charter to empower young Somali men and women http://bit.ly/TtEkvY #crisismanagement
@HafsaTeAmo Somali newspaper xiddigta oktoobar yes that’s the actual name of the paper lol you gotta
love Somalia pic.twitter.com/XgRAhrl0
@JamesGadin #Somalia ENCOURAGE OUR TROOPS. Please send your Christmas and new year wishes to #SNA #AMISOMtroops in the front-lines to @amisomsomalia.
@Africathinker Somalis in #Mogadishu back in the 1980s.pic.twitter.com/aLndEHSL
@Rooble2009 Somaliland: Eng. Yusuf Warsame Saeed elected as the new mayor of Hargeisa during the first meeting of the new local council.
Image of the day
A satellite image of Tropical Cyclone 04A that made landfall in parts of northern Somalia on December 24, 2012. Photo: MODIS/LANCE/EarthSnapshot