January 4, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Al Shabaab militants target Puntland military base
04 Jan- Source: Alshahid/Hiiraan Online- 94 words
Al Shabaab militants in Galgala Mountains have attacked Puntland military base in Laag area 30 KM south of Bosaso commercial town, locals said. The Thursday night attack left one militant dead, according to the locals.
It is the second attack the militants targeted with Puntland army in a month. In December, 11 soldiers were killed when truck carrying them was targeted by a roadside bomb near Bossaso.
Dozens of Al-shabaab fighters have in recent months moved north to the Galagala mountain range, as the Somali army and 17,000-strong AU force seized territories in southern Somalia.
Key Headlines
- Puntland warns over al Shabaab Incidents (Radio Kulmiye)
- 100 clerics arrested in El-dheer (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Islamists return to southwestern Somali town seize 13 clan elders (Dhacdo Online)
- Somala president jets back home hails his trip (Radio Risaala/Radio Shabelle)
- Government troops to attack al Shabaab bastions in Gedo (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somaliland Foreign Minister Meets with UK Minister of African Affairs (Somalilandpress)
- Al Shabaab militants target Puntland military base (Alshahid)
- Somalia steps up bid to recover assets stashed in foreign states (Daily Nation/Africa Review)
- 2012 was a year of rich Harvest in Somalia – UPDF (Independent)
- UK Foreign Secretary William Hague meets Somali Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Fowziya Yusuf (gov.uk/ BBC)
SOMALI MEDIA
Puntland warns over al Shabaab Incidents
04 Jan- Source: Radio Kulmiye -116 words
The administration of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland has its people over the dangers of Al-Shabab militants after they were defeated in southern Somalia and abandoned most of their previous positions in the country.
Puntland’s minister of security Khalif Ise Ereg told reporters at a press conference that al Shabab group was defeated in southern Somalia and they are now planning to create disturbance inPuntland areas.
The minister vowed that they will fight al Shabaab militants currently based at mountainous region of Gal-Galo, and their leader Atam.
100 clerics arrested in El-dheer
04 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 85 words
Al Shabaab militants have reportedly arrested more than a hundred clerics in El-dheer town, in Galgadud region for allegedly refusing to recruit fighters for the group.
Exiled area district commissioner Hussein Mohamed told Bar-kulan that militants rounded up the Sheikhs after they rejected to recruit fighters for the al Shabaab group.
The victims are said to be Koran teachers and other learned Sheikhs offering religious lessons in several mosques in the area.
Mohamed claimed that the clerics are now being held in a militant camp in the militant held town.
Islamists return to southwestern Somali town, seize 13 clan elders
03 Jan – Source: Dhacdo Online -154 words
Al Shabaab fighters pulled out of Bardhere in Gedo Region, southwestern Somalia on the night of 31 December 2012 but returned to the town Thursday after the reported imminent arrival of Somali government and Ethiopian troops did not materialize. The al Shabab fighters stormed homes of many well-known clan elders, accusing them of having remained in the town to welcome government and Ethiopian troops.
Before their earlier withdrawal from Bardhere, al Shabaab officials threatened to take severe action against traditional elders, scholars and clerics who remained in the town after their [al Shabaab’s] pullout.
Reliable sources say 13 peacemakers have been seized from their homes in Bardhere, further exacerbating the situation in the town. Peacemakers Abdi Hasan Ali, Siyad Mahdi Nur, and Jama’ Liban Kune, were among the elders seized from their homes.
The dragging of so many traditional elders from their homes has sparked strong feelings among Baardheere residents. Today was a troubling day for the residents.
Two suspects to stand trial in Dhusamareb for banditry
04 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 166 words
Ahlu Sunna group in central Somali regions has promised to charge in court two suspects accused of involving banditry activities near Dhusamareb town.
The two were arrested by Ahlu Sunna militias after allegedly hijacked a truck transporting livestock to Bosaso on Wednesday at an area on the outskirt of Dhusamareb town, Galgadud region.
The group’s executive committee chairman Mohamed Yussuf Hefow said they will not tolerate any form of banditry in areas under their jurisdiction.
Hefow said the hijacked truck has been rescued in a successful rescue mission by Ahlu Sunna fighters and has been released to continue with its journey to Bosaso.
Elsewhere in the region, Dhusamareb police boss Mohamed Artan Shuriye has accused the al Shabaab group of causing disturbance to the local residents in the region.
He said the group is involved in torture, looting and execution of local resident in east of the region, adding that over ten civilians were killed in the region by al Shabaab militants for the last two months alone.
Somala president jets back home, hails his trip
03 Jan- Source: Radio Risaala/Shabelle- 154 words
Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mahamud has returned to the country from Sudan where he was on an official tour. He was received warmly at the airport by the Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker, and MPs among other senior government officials.
Hassan had taken part in celebration marking Sudan’s 57th Independence Day and later he held talks with Sudan’s President Omar al Bashir and other top officials.
President Hassan highlighted that among the issues he discussed with his Sudanese counterpart were strengthening the brotherly relations between the two African States.
Also, Sudan has agreed to train the Somali Police Force and also assist in logistical problems in providing social amenities.
The President has also held meetings with Somali students in Khartoum where he urged them to put more effort in their studies so as to participate in the development of their motherland.
Sudan sponsors many Somali youth to further their education in various universities across the country.
Government troops to attack al Shabaab bastions in Gedo
04 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 115 words
Government troops in southwest Somali region of Gedo are expected to make start their onslaught against the al Shabaab group in the region as plans to attack Bardera and Burdubo towns get underway.
Over 2500 strong government forces from Dolow, Luq and Beled-Hawo are in their final stage of planned attacks on rebel bases in Bardera and Burdubo towns in effort to dislodge them from the region, according to military sources in Luq town.
The source said that troops were put on standby to launch attacks on rebel stronghold in the region anytime from now.
The targeted towns are the only remaining towns in region still under the control of the rebel group, al Shabaab.
Somaliland Foreign Minister Meets with UK Minister of African Affairs
03 Jan- Source: Somaliland Press- 211 words
Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Omar met with the UK Minister of Africa, Mark Simmonds MP, at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London on 3 January.
Minister Omar took the opportunity to brief Simmonds about Somaliland’s recent local elections, which showed the Somaliland people’s commitment to peace and democracy. He thanked the Minister for the generous assistance which the UK is providing to Somaliland, including the contribution to the Somaliland Trust Fund, help with the security sector, and support for the elections.
Expressing gratitude for the UK’s help in facilitating the Somaliland/Somalia Dialogue, Omar stated that Somaliland was ready to resume the talks now that President Hassan Sheikh had established his Government in Mogadishu. He also emphasized Somaliland’s commitment to fighting piracy and terrorism in the Horn of Africa.
Minister Simmonds confirmed Britains’ commitment to support Somaliland development and democratic achievements and expressed that The UK will be happy to facilitate the dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia when the two sides are ready to resume talks.
Kaba-kutukade up in arms with village elders in Middle Shabelle
03 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 134 words
Ousted al Shabaab’s Middle Shabelle leader Yussuf Sheikh Isse alias Kaba-kutukade has reportedly threatened a section of local elders in Masjid Ali-gadud settlement for the disappearance of a gun in the hands of a defected militant fighter.
Kaba-kutukade allegedly threatened ten village elders who are the clansmen of the militant fighter who disappear with the gun after defecting to the government side.
The militant group leader threatened to take unspecified measures against the elders if they fail to return the gun immediately.
Some of the threatened elders were reportedly quoted as saying that they were not aware of the alleged disappearance of the gun, adding that they could do little to return it.
They accused the militant group leader of trying to harass them and drag them into affairs they say did not concern them.
Bari Regional governor strongly refutes corruption claims
03 Jan- Source: Puntilandi Online- 135 words
The governor of Puntland’s Bari region Abdisamad Mohamed Gallan has strongly denied any involvement of corruption case that Horseed Media published.
Gallan said the contention against him was absolutely false and fabrication facilitated by multimedia technology.
The governor indicated that every person can simply understand how different words and speeches in different occasions are attached together for just to defame a person.
In his press release , the governor said, they had received complaint against CASO NGO in which its employees requested halting CASO’s financial assets for lack of credibility.
“ After when we had understood the complaint from CASO employees, we requested the court to halt the account until further notices” said the governor.
“ I again clarify to the decent Puntland journalists that the corruption allegations against me are fake,” said Gallan.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Al Shabaab militants target Puntland military base
04 Jan- Source: Alshahid/Hiiraan Online- 94 words
Al Shabaab militants in Galgala Mountains have attacked Puntland military base in Laag area 30 KM south of Bosaso commercial town, locals said. The Thursday night attack left one militant dead, according to the locals.
It is the second attack the militants targeted with Puntland army in a month. In December, 11 soldiers were killed when truck carrying them was targeted by a roadside bomb near Bossaso.
Dozens of Al-shabaab fighters have in recent months moved north to the Galagala mountain range, as the Somali army and 17,000-strong AU force seized territories in southern Somalia.
2012 was a year of rich Harvest in Somalia – UPDF
04 Jan- Source: independent (Uganda)- 641 words
After two decades of the conflict in the history of Somalia, the year 2012 could be referred to as “the year of rich harvest” following the great strides towards stabilization that the country witnessed in the last 12 months.
The Ugandan Contingent Public Relations Officer for African Union Mission In Somalia, Maj Henry Obbo says, “Somalia, a country that was referred to as a failed state, experienced its turning point in 2007 with the landing at Mogadishu airport of some brave 1600 officers and men of the UPDF who in African brotherhood took the risk of liberating this most feared and dangerous part of the world.”
He says at the time when UPDF soldiers were deployed there they were greeted by heavy gunfire and mortar shells, the troops though so few to the task, endured the challenge and as the years passed by, their heroic start has opened new chapters in the history of Somalia.
While addressing journalists in his office, the AMISOM Force Commander, Lt Gen Andrew Gutti said that in 2012, AMISOM operations shifted to second phase which involved rolling out operations and deployment of troops in all the key regions in south and middle Somalia.
Somalia steps up bid to recover assets stashed in foreign states
03 Jan- Source: Daily Nation/Africa Review- 423 words
The Somalia Government is working on a plan to recover assets running into millions of dollars frozen by foreign governments and organisations since the collapse of the central government in 1991.
Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Fowziya Yusuf Haji Adan began her tour of several countries this week to document Somalia’s financial assets in foreign banks, as well as its commercial properties, embassies, aircraft and ships.
In Kenya, ambassador Mohammed Ali Nur, told the Nation that no assets belonging to the Somali Government had been frozen apart from those that had been plundered.
“One of our properties here in Nairobi that had been taken by another party has since reverted to us,” he said.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague meets Somali Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Fowziya Yusuf
03 Jan- Source: gov.uk/ BBC – 118 words
Speaking after the meeting, the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said:
“I am delighted to have met Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam in her first visit to the UK in her new role. Somalia has made tangible progress in recent months, both politically following the end of the transitional period, and in improving security, with Al Shabab pushed from major towns. It is critical that this momentum continues”.
“The Foreign Minister outlined the Somali government’s plans to tackle the challenges ahead including improving security, increasing access to justice, transparent financial management, political reconciliation and economic development. The UK is committed to working in partnership with the Somali government to support these priorities and to ensure coordinated international assistance”.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Somalia has been on borrowed time too long for comfort. The dismantling and reshaping of Somalia started a long time ago and continues to date. Somalia was pioneered by our forefathers and gained independence on July 1st, 1960. Now its very existence is at stake. There simply is no time for perfection or postponement, no manoeuvring space left.”
Leaders! Refocus and Recalibrate: It is time to beat the odds
03 Jan- Source: Hiiraan Online-852 Words
A lot has been said about the slow progress of the Somali government since its inauguration in September of last year. This especially comes into prominence when compared to the private sector that is rapidly changing the face of many cities including the capital, Mogadishu. Many argue it is too early to judge the government and more time is needed, but that is precisely the point. Somalia is already on borrowed time. There is no more to spare.
Not only is the country’s state of the union getting dimmer by the day, but the whole sovereignty is becoming more questionable due to consistent, unwarranted outside intervention. In addition, Somalia ranks lowest in almost all metrics of the least developed countries.
Somalia is coming out of 22 years with no central authority or a government in transition. The last election, if anything, mandated the need for a change of direction. The country is ready for leaders who are new in post-conflict Somali politics- untarnished leaders with track records and capacity to roll up their sleeves and hit the ground running.
The newly elected Authority’s first priority (as well as slogan) was security, security and security. While peace and security are prerequisites for sustainable development, they are not the only ingredients for a viable nation building mechanism. There are conspicuous nations with spotless records in safety that could not afford to feed their people nor provide basic necessities such as quality education or healthcare. In addition, to heal and rehabilitate a generation of war is way beyond one, two or even three administrations. The scars are not only manifested in buildings. The anomalies of Somalia are too many to fit into one framework. A multi-faceted approach is essential. There is not enough time to concentrate on a single priority.
“Somalia, once it settles its internal conflicts, will be well-positioned to benefit from regional economic integration. This, of course, will depend to a large degree on the success of the new government, with the assistance of the AU forces in defeating the al Shabaab militias, and establishing an acceptable level of governance.”
Somalia, its Neighbours and al Shabaab: the Quest for Sustainable Solutions
03 Jan- Source: African Arguments-1633 Words
In Somalia, the radical Islamist militia, al Shabaab, that has terrorized much of the country over the past five years, appears to be on the run. They have been forced out of the capital, Mogadishu, and all of the major towns that were once under their control (including Kismayo in the South). But those who believe the Shabaab are finished could find that they are sorely mistaken.
The eradication of al Shabaab, although essential to the peace and security of both Somalia and its neighbours, is unlikely to be achieved by military force alone. What is actually required is a coordinated and sustained regional effort to eliminate the underlying causes of the growth of Islamist radicalism among Somali youth including assistance to effectively address the persistent and structural humanitarian crisis affecting most of Somalia.
Key requirements include improved governance, and concerted efforts to rebuild and expand Somali livelihoods, and the country’s economy. Most of the current generation of Somalis have grown up in conditions of conflict, insecurity of livelihood and deprivation. This has tended to make many of them vulnerable to the arguments and promises of the Islamist militants. The new Somali Government must avoid the corruption trap and tendencies towards dividing up the governmental ‘cake’ along clan lines, and focus its efforts on solving the livelihood problems faced by the majority of the country’s population.
“But for the sake of those that continue to be affected by the ongoing violence in Somalia–and for those many who desperately wish to return to the country–it should be hoped that all armed actors in Somalia act more responsibly in the new year and seek to protect civilian lives and promote prosperity in country with a bright future.”
2013 in Somalia: A Look at Security
03 Jan- Source: SomaliaNewsroom-1531 Words
In 2012, the Somali National Army and its partners in AMISOM and Ethiopia retook major al Shabaab strongholds–including the lucrative port of Kismayo–and essentially confined al Shabaab to the southern region’s smaller towns and back roads.
However, al Shabaab’s current territorial possession is still fairly sizable, and it still directly controls the strategic port in Barawe, which is important for taxing imported goods and the facilitation of fighters and resources. (Note: al Shabaab is also believed to have an influence in pirate-controlled ports farther north in Puntland.)
Somali government-allied forces encountered some bumps along the way, but there were many successes due to several factors.
Top tweets
@ProtectPeace Join us for next week’s PEP Forum on “AMISOM’s Strategic Shift” http://www.
@masaafur Somali President says Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir “promised to train Somali national police” #Somalia#Sudan
@islamchannelCA Great programme on Somali youth; are they being disproportionately targeted as terror suspects in Britain? Your views. pic.twitter.com/VaRu19a3
@Asahaaf Last year, 2012 was one of the best years for#Somalia as far as I can remember because of the #politicalprocess and #elections. #Somalia
@AbukarArman #Somalia: Consider it a fossil in a field museum of fratricide and self-destruction. In unison “Never again”! pic.twitter.com/DDgnzTCd
@GenoWorldview #Somalia to get new currency, currently being printed in Sudan, says radio. New bills will be in denominations of up to 50,000 shillings
Image of the day
Somali Foreign Minister Fowziya Yusuf Adam (L) and British Foreign Secretary William Hague shake hands after a meeting in London on January 03, 2012. Photo: UK FCO