December 28, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Ahmed Madobe: We are not at conflict with federal government
28 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Dhanaan Online/VOA Somali Service- 158 words
The interim Kismayo administrator, Sheikh Ahmed Mohamud Islam alias Ahmed Madobe said that there is no conflict between his administration and the Somali federal government.
Madobe said there were recent disputes between them but is over now. “We are in good terms with the federal government.” He said.
The administrator accused the local media of exaggerating rumours, and urged them to preach peace in the country.
Meanwhile, Ras Kamboni brigade’s spokesman Abdinasir Serar, told Bar-kulan that the visiting delegation from Mogadishu spent the night in Kismayo.
“We discussed about security matters and how the people of Juba regions can be helped.” Serar said.
Serar added that the two sides agreed to form a new administration for Juba regions based on the country’s constitution. The re-hatting of Ras Kamboni brigade to join Somali army was also discussed.
Among the delegation are Justice minister Abdullahi Ebyan, defense minister Abdihakim Haji Mohamud Fiqi, interior minister Abdikarim Hussein Guled, and information minister Abdullahi Ilmog Hirsi.
Key Headlines
- Security forces in Kenya arrest pro-al Shabaab Sheikh (Radio Kulmiye)
- Ahmed Madobe: We are not at conflict with federal government (Radio Bar-kulan/Dhanaan Online/VOA Somali Service)
- Somali official urge residents in liberated areas to stay united (Radio Mustaqbal)
- Islamists “fire artillery shells” at aircraft in Southern Somalia (Dhacdo Online)
- Why President believes he can pull Somalia back on track (Standard)
- Al Shabaab re-groups in Bulo Burde ahead of major assault (Sabahi Online)
- FG sends 140 Police officers to Somalia (Vanguard Nigeria)
- Keeping peace in Somali waters (peopledaily)
SOMALI MEDIA
Ahmed Madobe: We are not at conflict with federal government
28 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Dhanaan Online/VOA Somali Service- 158 words
The interim Kismayo administrator, Sheikh Ahmed Mohamud Islam alias Ahmed Madobe said that there is no conflict between his administration and the Somali federal government.
Madobe said there were recent disputes between them but is over now. “We are in good terms with the federal government.” He said.
The administrator accused the local media of exaggerating rumours, and urged them to preach peace in the country.
Meanwhile, Ras Kamboni brigade’s spokesman Abdinasir Serar, told Bar-kulan that the visiting delegation from Mogadishu spent the night in Kismayo.
“We discussed about security matters and how the people of Juba regions can be helped.” Serar said.
Serar added that the two sides agreed to form a new administration for Juba regions based on the country’s constitution. The re-hatting of Ras Kamboni brigade to join Somali army was also discussed.
Among the delegation are Justice minister Abdullahi Ebyan, defense minister Abdihakim Haji Mohamud Fiqi, interior minister Abdikarim Hussein Guled, and information minister Abdullahi Ilmog Hirsi.
Security forces in Kenya arrest pro-al Shabaab Sheikh
28 Dec- Source: Radio Kulmiye- 167 words
Security forces in Kenya have on Thursday arrested Sheikh Xasaan Hussein, a hardliner who has alleged links with Somali militant group, al Shabaab.
The Sheikh was one of the al Shabaab supporters in Kenya whereas his duties include introducing and persuading Kenyan youth to take up the group’s ideologies.
Authorities have been warry over the Sheikh role in the strings of the attacks that happened in Kenya although he used to give public awareness to join and support al Shabaab. Earlier Thursday night, al Shabaab in Somalia reacted to Sheikh Hasaan’s arrest, saying he was in the frontline in the group’s recruitment drive.
Security meeting held in Beledweyne
28 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 110 words
A security meeting attended by Hiran administration and AU force commanders was today held at Beledweyne town. The closed door meeting was discussed about a number of items.
After the completion of the meeting, Hiran deputy governor on security, Ahmed Abdalla Osman (Inji) told reporters about the outcome of the meeting.
“We discussed about the security of Beledweyne and agreed that police operations should be conducted in all neighbourhoods in the city.” said Inji.
He added that Somali forces in Hiran will soon begin training offered by AU military officials.
Mr Inji urged local residents to vacate the premises of former law court so that it can start its operations.
Somali official urge residents in liberated areas to stay united
27 Dec- Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 127 words
Director at the ministry of information and communication Abdirizack Balawi outlined government’s plans towards areas liberated from al Shabaab.
Speaking at the media at his office in Mogadishu, the director urged the residents in those areas to desist from fomenting tribal alliances, saying the federal government will not be part of it.
“Let us try to respect our republic and come together as united people who will stand under one emblem of unity and protect our country which is getting on its feet again,” he said.
Islamists “fire artillery shells” at aircraft in Southern Somalia
27 Dec – Sourcer: Dhacdo Online -136 words
Somalia’s al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab fighters have “fired artillery shells” at a civilian aircraft moments after it landed at the main airport in the strategic southern port city of Kismayo, wounding three people, privately-owned Dhacdo website reports.
The leader of the pro-Somali government Ras Kamboni militia, Ahmad Madobe, described the attack as “a cowardly act by anti-peace elements whose aim is to harm innocent civilians”, the website said.
Reports say the plane left the capital, Mogadishu. The attack came hours after the country’s new defence, justice and information ministers arrived in Kismaayo “to oversee the implementation of justice” in the city.
Somalia’s National Army (SNA) backed by African Union troops and Ras Kamboni militiamen captured the city from al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab insurgents in September.
Somali security forces arrest 15, seize weapons in Mogadishu operation
27 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 130 words
Security forces in Mogadishu arrested 15 people following an overnight operation in various districts of the Somali capital. The commander of Banadir [Mogadishu and its environs] regional intelligence unit, Khalif Ahmad Ereg, told reporters that several people suspected to be involved in insecurity were arrested in Mogadishu’s Hamar Weyne, Waaberi, Hodan and Dharkiinley districts. Some of those arrested were reportedly planning to mount roadblocks in parts of the capital.
Ereg said six AK-47 assault rifles, two pistols and two vehicles used by suspected robbers were seized in the crackdown. The commander added that those detained will soon appear in court, warning that such security operations would continue in Mogadishu.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Why President believes he can pull Somalia back on track
28 Dec – Source: Standard – 1064 words
Only a day after Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was sworn into office, the stark reality of his country dawned on him: Army commanders told him “they can’t rule out the possibility of security forces moving out of their bases to rob the public and businesses” in the capital because they were not paid for five months. Nor did they receive rations for three months.
Worse, the head of the central bank and the director general of the Ministry of Finance told him there was “no single coin in government coffers, whatsoever,” something Mohamud said “was as shocking as it was hard to accept”. The government workers also went without pay for four months.
“I didn’t have that information. So it was kind of firefighting for me. Where is the danger? The army is starving? Get them food and salary,” Mohamud said in an exclusive interview with The Standard on subjects ranging from security, al Shabaab, his country’s ties with Kenya, to how he spends an average of 20 hours a day in his office.
To get a quick fix for these festering problems, Mohamud said he set up an emergency meeting with Somali businessmen in the capital to ask for their help. He also worked the phones, pleading with international donors who provided assistance to previous governments, to release funds they had frozen months earlier due to the political fluidity in the country.
Police officer killed in Mandera attack
28 Dec- Source: Standard- 295 words
A police officer was Thursday night shot dead and robbed his rifle in an attack by suspected militants in Mandera Town near the volatile Kenya-Somalia border.
The police constable was on foot patrol with his colleague at about 9 pm when they were confronted and ambushed by three men armed with pistols.
Police say the victim was shot in the neck and chin at close range and was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital.
The other officer escaped unhurt after he ducked into a ditch and engaged the gunmen in a shoot out. The gang picked the officer’s G3 rifle and escaped with it but dropped the magazine that had 19 bullets.
Al Shabaab re-groups in Bulo Burde ahead of major assault
27 Dec- Source: Sabahi Online- 685 words
Al Shabaab is trying to regroup in Somalia’s Hiran region after facing a series of defeats and losing a string of strategic towns in recent months, Somali security officials say.
Ahmed Abdullahi, a security official in the Hiran region, said he received information on the movement of some senior al Shabaab leaders fleeing from liberated areas to Bulo Burde.
“According to what we have been told by Bulo Burde residents, some al Shabaab leaders such as Yusuf Sheikh Isse, who is in charge of the Middle Shabelle region, and other leaders have been coming to this town,” Abdullahi told Sabahi.
“Since the allied forces took over the city of Jowhar, field commanders of the group have been relocating from areas of Middle Shabelle to eastern Hiran,” he said, adding that Somali and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces are preparing to move towards Bulo Burde.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
FG sends 140 Police officers to Somalia
28 Dec- Source: Vanguard Nigeria-174 Words
Federal Government and African Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, for the contribution of one Formed Police Unit, FPU, of 140 police officers and other resources to African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM.
Director of Peacekeeping of the Nigerian Police Force, DCP Kayode Aderanti, said the MoU was signed on behalf of AU by Ambassador Ram-tane Lamamra, the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, while the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to AU, Bulus Lolo, signed for the Federal Government.
According to Aderanti, the signing concludes the formalisation of the deployment of the Nigerian Formed Police Unit to AMISOM in Somalia.
Keeping peace in Somali waters
28 Dec- Source: peopledaily- 287 words
It’s four years since the Chinese navy began escorting ships off the coast of Somalia and through the Gulf of Aden to protect them from pirates. This is one of a series of measures that China has taken to address instability in Somalia and promote peace across the African Continent.
The Chinese navy sets out to protect shipping from pirates.
They have now escorted more than 4,800 ships in the waters off the Somali coast and the Gulf of Aden, and directly deterred 50 pirate attacks since they began operations four years ago. Nearly half of the protected vessels were from other countries.
Classroom offers 13-year-old Somali refugee sanctuary from rigours of life in Dadaab camp
27 Dec- Source: UNICEF- 344 words
As of 16 December, 431,300 people were living in Dadaab refugee camp. Hawa and her family fled their native Somalia because of fighting. “I never had the chance to attend school in Somalia,” she says. “There wasn’t even a functional school where I lived.”
At first, she says, it was very difficult to adjust. Most of the other students had had many years of classroom experience, and they appeared more socially adept than Hawa.
“I didn’t know how to interact with other students,” she admits. “Now I have a lot of friends. I’m also learning English, math, science and the importance of hygiene. Before, I didn’t know why hygiene was so critical.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“What will 2013 hold in store for the world’s most infamous country? Will it be another successful year where the Somali military and Amisom regain more territory from al-Shabaab or will the militant group have another chance of taking over control of strategic locations such as Aden Adde Airport and Kismayo? Needless to say, the greatest wild card in predictions will be al Shabaab. Will the violent al Qaeda-linked group regain its momentum of earlier years or will it continue to disintegrate?”
Commentary analyses Somalia’s gains in 2012, ponders country’s future roadmap
28 Dec – Source: Daily Nation – 598 words
This year, Somalia enjoyed success in its transition roadmap. The country chose a parliament and Speaker who in turn picked an internationally-acclaimed President, Hasan Sheikh Mahamud.
Shortly thereafter, Mahamud picked a unanimously approved cabinet that included the country’s first female deputy Prime Minister, Ms Fowziya Yusuf Aden.
Many observers would not have imagined the country being capable of achieving any of the above successes in such a short time. Many speculated that the arbitrary date of 20 August set for ending the transitory government’s administration was setting up the country for failure. But Somalia, despite its often violent internecine politics, prevailed.
So what will 2013 hold in store for the world’s most infamous country? Will it be another successful year where the Somali military and AMISOM [African Union Mission in Somalia] regain more territory from al Shabaab or will the militant group have another chance of taking over control of strategic locations such as Aden Adde Airport and Kismayo?
On the political front, the government needs to establish itself as credible and efficient. Today, almost everything in the country is run by the private sector.
Next year, if the government can make real gains in creating credible institutions, it will set a precedent for self-sustenance.
“Insha’Allah, 2013, will see the continuation of the talks between Somaliland and Somalia, and will also allow the beleaguered administration of President Silaanyo to try and set the ship of state on the right course.”
Somaliland: 2012: Another Great Year of Progress
27 Dec- Source: Somaliland Sun-913 Words
The recently concluded local council elections in Somaliland have given many a few points to ponder. The relatively peaceful and apparently free and fair conduct of the election had been marred by the shambolic way in which the votes were counted and results announced by the Somaliland National Electoral Commission (NEC).
There have also been rumblings from certain quarters of government interference. However, the fact that the elections were held gives encouragement to those who believe in and support the democratic process in Somaliland.
Democracy is not perfect, but it is the only form of political manifestation that gives hope to the ordinary citizens and allows a nation to join the rest of the civilised world.
The fifth round of democratic elections in Somaliland once again highlights the continuing success of “Africa’s best kept secret”, and its ability to attain its long sought international de-jure recognition.
“After two decades of conflict and instability, Somalia now has the best opportunity in years to make progress towards peace and stability, another year full of development and challenges are ahead for Somalia. We Somalis certainly have people of unmatched entrepreneurship and perseverance. And when the decency and the entrepreneurship of Somalis are matched with good leadership, infinite opportunities will emerge not only for Somalia but, for Africa as well.”
A notable year for Somalia
27 Dec- Source: Africa Thinker Blog-459 Words
With a new democratically elected parliament and president in over 40 years, it has been notable year for Somalia. Somalia’s first formal parliament in more than 20 years was sworn in August in Mogadishu, marking an end to an eight-year transitional period. Parliament was selected by 135 clan elders. A technical committee excluded about 70 candidates for having been associated with violence, warlordism or crime.
Somalia’s Parliament then elected a new president. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a political newcomer, won the election against outgoing President Sheik Sharif Sheikh Ahmed by the legislative vote of 190 to 79, according to vote tallies at the time. Last year, he founded a new political party in Somalia called Peace and Development. Before that he taught locally as a professor, including at the Somali Institute of Management and Administration Development (SIMAD)in Mogadishu, which he helped found in 1999 to train administrators and technicians to help rebuild Somalia. Somalia’s journey has been difficult and there were many disappointments along the way, but the completion of the transition was a real success, inspiring hope among Somalis for the first time in many years. We Somalis now have to build on this momentum, as there is much more to do. Many challenges still lie ahead.
It is difficult to believe that just 1 year ago, Mogadishu had been a stronghold of the Islamist group, Al Shabaab, and the scene of frequent fire fights and mortar attacks. In August 2011, the militia largely withdrew from the city. Now, one superpower is left in the capital — the African Union, with 5,000 troops, tanks, artillery and armored personnel carriers that constantly chug up and down the street.
Top tweets
@HMAMattBaugh Congratulations to @HIPSINSTITUTE:#Somalia‘s first think-tank; will be launched in #Mogadishu on Jan 15
@MareejoXaamud The erection of Sayid Hassan Monument in pre civil-war Somalia.- pic.twitter.com/MAyZGoXO
@africarenewal 2012 Year in Review: #Somalia passed new constitution, banned #FGM and had first female foreign minister
@UNICEFnews The classroom offers a 13-year-old Somali refugee sanctuary from the rigours of life in Kenya’s Dadaab camp http://uni.cf/YnbRo4
@EricAvebury #AMISOM having seen off #al-Shabaab in most of#Somalia, its remit must be extended to stabilise the peace.http://bit.ly/W1TQKa
Image of the day
Members of a ministerial delegation speak to the press after arriving in southern Somali port city of Kismayo on December 27, 2012. Photo: Hiiraan Online