January 17, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Somalia’s Shabaab say they have executed French hostage

17 Jan- Source: AFP/France 24/AP/Telegraph – 284 words

Somalia’s Shabaab militant said Thursday they have executed a French agent they have held since 2009, as France said the hostage was likely killed several days ago in a failed rescue attempt. “16:30 GMT, Wednesday, 16 January, 2013. Denis Allex is executed,” the group said on its Twitter feed Thursday, with the report confirmed by a senior Shabaab official who said the group might release audio and video of the “execution.”

“Audio and video are available and will be released any time we decide,” he told AFP, saying the hostage, whose name is likely a pseudonym, was killed in Bulomarer, a town south of Mogadishu still under Shabaab control. French commandos on Saturday launched a raid on the town to free the hostage, but the bid failed and resulted in the death of two French soldiers.

The Al-Qaeda linked Shebab said Wednesday they had “reached a unanimous decision to execute” their hostage in order to avenge “the dozens of Muslim civilians senselessly killed by the French forces during the operation.” Witnesses said eight civilians died during the raid to free Allex. The group also cited “France’s increasing persecution of Muslims around the world, its oppressive anti-Islam policies at home, French military operations in … Afghanistan and, most recently, in Mali.” The French army on Wednesday accused the Shebab of “manipulating the media” and reaffirmed that Allex was likely already dead.

Key Headlines

Somali Speaker voices Mogadishu’s support for any reconciliation plan (Al Shahid/ Fars News Agency)
Somalia’s Shabaab say they have executed French hostage (AFP/France 24/AP/Telegraph)
Somali Deputy Speaker to attend 8th IIPU meeting in Sudan (Bar-kulan)
Ethiopia says to take over as AU chair (AFP World News)
Terror suspects die after bombs explode on them (Standard Media)
Somali govt recruits future firefighters (Somaliweyn)
Turkey our firmest supporter says UN Special Representative for Somalia (Todayz Zaman)
Five dead four injured in Garissa attack (Daily Nation/Standard Media)
Somali official: AU troops killed 7 civilians (AP/Yahoo News/Vancouver Sun)
US to officially recognise Somali government (Africa Review/BBC/ Reuters/Standard Digital News)
Somali youth vow to smoke out terror suspects enhance peace (Standard)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali Deputy Speaker to attend 8th IIPU meeting in Sudan

17 Jan – Source: Bar-kulan – 132 words

Deputy Speaker of Somali parliament Jeylani Noor Ikar on Thursday arrived at the Sudanese capital Khartoum to attend the eighth General Assembly Meeting of the Islamic Inter-Parliamentary Union (IIPU). The meeting will be held in Khartoum on January 21-22. The last meeting of the Union was held in the Malaysian city of Palembang in January 2012.

The major topics of discussion in the seventh assembly included Islamic Awakening, Palestine’s membership in the United Nations, modern technologies, counterterrorism, sustainable development, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the Middle East.

Parliament speakers from 57 Muslim nations including Somalia are expected to attend the meeting. Ikar and his entourage are expected to brief on other participants the current political situation in Somalia, according to Ibrahim Hajji Mohamed who is among the ten-member delegations attending the meeting.

IDB Follows up Projects in Somalia

17 Jan – Source: Radio Dalsan – 161 words

In line with its continued support to the people of Somalia, the Islamic Development Bank is currently continuing follow-up of its various projects in the country worth around US$ 450,000. They mainly comprise supplying orphanages, hospitals and schools in Somalia’s second largest city, Hargeisa, and other parts of the country with medicine, medical equipment, and other much needed items. It is also following up on the progress of the delivery of supplies and equipment to women empowerment centers in different Somali cities.

The IDB has also provided financing for construction or rehabilitation of 19 irrigation canals in Mudug in the north-central region, Hiiraan and Middle and Lower Shabelle regions in the drought hit areas. Once operational, the canals will benefit 2.5 million residents.

Since 1991, IDB has provided US$ 17.3 million in the form of project financing and relief aid in the sectors of education, health, irrigation, construction and rehabilitation of water canals and digging of new water wells in Somalia.

300 students graduate from technical institute in Jowhar

17 Jan – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 77 words

Over 300 students on Wednesday graduated from Jowhar Technical Institute in a ceremony held in the Jowhar town. The graduation ceremony was attended by top regional leaders, parents and students from the institution.

The graduates who have undergone six months of technical training were issued with certificate of completion and other equipments. Area district Commissioner Mohamed Amin Osman who spoke at the ceremony said his regional administration will create jobs for the graduates and other school leavers.

Somali govt recruits future firefighters

16 Jan – Source: Somaliweyn – 211 words

As part of the revival of the country’s fire department Somali government and AU Peacekeepers have jointly launched a three week fire fighting training session for at least 15 new recruits with the help of the UK-based aid Agency IQRA foundation which had played a key role in the international campaign to fight against famine and hunger in Somalia for the past several years.

IQRA foundation country director for Somalia and Somali Athletics Federation Vice president Abdullahi Mohamed Saney who recently presented three fire engines to the Mayor of Mogadishu on the behalf of his Leicester-based humanitarian agency told the launching ceremony of the 3 week-long training program that his agency who has been in the past involved in the humanitarian campaign in Somalia is now turning to developing the civil services in the country.

“After our life-saving campaign in Somalia since late 2010, we are now very happy to become the first humanitarian agency to help the war-devastated country revive the fire department—IQRA foundation is also playing a key role in the recruitment of the future firefighters with the help of Mogadishu Mayor Mahmoud Ahmed Nur and the AU peacekeepers in Somalia who are teaching at the tearing” Abdullahi Mohamed Saneey told the lansing ceremony of the program Tuesday.

Somaliland and UAE Officials Discuss Trade, Security and Future Status of Berbera Port

16 Jan – Source: Somaliland Press – 151 words

A high level Somaliland Delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Dr. Mohamed Abdillahi Omar has today met separately with the U.A.E minister of State for Foreign affairs Dr. Anwar Mohamed Gargash and Assistant Foreign Minister for Security and Military Affairs Faris Al-Mazroui.

The Somaliland delegation which consisted of three cabinet ministers namely Dr. Mohamed Abdillahi Omar minister for foreign affairs, Hon Hirsi Ali Haji Hassan the minister of Presidency, Minister of Water, Energy and Water Hon Hussein Abdi Duale and the director general of Berbera port Eng. Ali Omar Mohamed (Ali Hor Hor) discussed ways to strengthen the existing cordial relations between the two countries.

The representatives of both countries discussed ways of strengthening of trade and military cooperation including the issue of expansion and upgrading of the facilities at the Berbera port by the Dubai Ports Authority a subsidiary of the Dubai world.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali Speaker voices Mogadishu’s support for any reconciliation plan

17 Jan – Source: Al Shahid/ Fars News Agency – 328 words

Somali Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari said the country’s government welcomes any plan which promotes national reconciliation in Somalia, and called on all Somali nationals to join the peace plan underway in the country. Speaking to FNA on Wednesday, Jawari pointed to the International Conference on Somalia due to be held in London in May, and said the government of Somalia endorses and welcomes the conference.

“The negotiations due to be held between the government of Somalia and the Somaliland are part of the national reconciliation and this year is the year of unity and solidarity and brotherhood and not the year of separation.” “Thus” he said “we want to build a new Somalia together and the government of Somalia endorses and welcomes the negotiations due to be held in London in May.”

Jawari further said that Somalia’s government and parliament will support any plan to resolve the current problems with al Shabaab militants and end al Qaeda operations in the African country, and urged the Somali nationals who have joined the al Qaeda to lay down their arms and accept the peace plan underway in the country.

Terror suspects die after bombs explode on them

17 Jan – Source: Standard Media – 181 words

Two men believed to be suicide bombers died Thursday morning after explosives they had went off in Hagdera refugee camp in Dadaab. The bodies of the two were found in the early morning hours after the explosions were heard in the area.

Police believe the two who are of Somali origin were bombers but their mission was not clear in the area.
“Their bodies are badly damaged and we believe they were out for a mission. The bombs were Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and they went off on them,” said North Eastern police boss Charlton Mureithi.

He added they suspect the IEDs were to be planted on the roads to target security agents operating there.
The incident happened hours after five people were shot dead and three others seriously wounded when gunmen attacked a hotel in Garissa Town on Wednesday night.

The victims of the shooting include the Garissa deputy prisons boss Allan Njagi who was in the Dunes Hotel at the time of the attack at about 7.30pm. The dead include a manager at the hotel and a woman.

US to officially recognise Somalia government

17 Jan – Source: Africa Review/BBC/ Reuters/Standard Digital News – 374 words

The US is to officially recognise Somalia’s government in Mogadishu after more than 20 years, says a US official. The move could pave the way for US and international economic aid for the Horn of Africa nation. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will announce the news on Thursday at a meeting in Washington with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

He took office after the first vote of its kind last year since military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted in 1991. “When the Secretary meets with Hassan Sheikh, she will exchange diplomatic notes with him and recognise the Somali government in Mogadishu for the first time in 20 years,” Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson told reporters.

The move recognised the new government’s progress towards political stability and “breaking the back” of an al Shabaab insurgency, Mr Carson added. Al Shabaab, a group with links to al Qaeda, had seized control of southern and central parts of Somalia before Ethiopian, Kenyan and African Union peacekeeping troops undertook a counter-offensive, supported by the US, to restore order.

Somali youth vow to smoke out terror suspects, enhance peace

16 Jan – Source: Standard – 207 words

Youths in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate have vowed to fish out al Shabaab members to enhance peace and stability in the business hub. The Somali youths also pledged to provide the police with information on terror suspects causing havoc in the area and maintain peace ahead of the General Election.

The Somali Youth Advocacy Organisation Chairman Mohammed Ibrahim said the recent grenade attacks in Eastleigh would not have occurred if the youth had volunteered information to security agents. “We have vowed to report any suspect in our midst to restore confidence and promote peace,” said Ibrahim.

Five dead, four injured in Garissa attack

16 Jan – Source: Daily Nation/Standard Media – 146 words

Five people were shot dead on Wednesday evening as four others were injured by unknown gunmen in Garissa town. The incident took place at about 8.30 pm when a gang of armed men forcibly entered a hotel in Garissa and sprayed bullets at the patrons.

Locals initially said the gang had killed six people at the Dunels Hotel but Police said they had confirmed only three deaths on the spot as two others succumbed to injuries later.

There are still scanty details concerning the attack. North Eastern Provincial Commissioner Ernest Munyi confirmed the incident but promised to get back to us with more details as he had been away from the Hotel at the time. The injured were taken to the nearest hospitals for treatment. The town has been a target of several terrorist attacks that police believe could be orchestrated by the Somali militia group, al Shabaab.

Mogadishu municipality purchases fleet of new fire trucks

16 Jan – Source: Sabahi Online – 466 words

The Municipality of Mogadishu is set to open its first government-run fire station since 1991 after purchasing three fire trucks, Mogadishu Mayor Mohamed Ahmed Nur announced last week. The fire trucks were purchased with financial support from the Somali community in the United Kingdom, Nur said, although he did not specify the amount of money.

One truck has reached Mogadishu and the other two are on the way, he said, adding that the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is training 15 people between the ages of 25 and 40 on fire-fighting techniques.

“We expect them to make a major difference in the lack of firefighting resources in Mogadishu when they are fully trained,” Nur said at a news conference January 8th. “We will establish telephone numbers for the public to call when in need of fire-fighting services.”

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia’s Shabaab say they have executed French hostage

17 Jan- Source: AFP/France 24/AP/Telegraph – 284 words

The group also cited “France’s increasing persecution of Muslims around the world, its oppressive anti-Islam policies at home, French military operations in … Afghanistan and, most recently, in Mali.” The French army on Wednesday accused the Shebab of “manipulating the media” and reaffirmed that Allex was likely already dead.

U.S. to recognize Somali government, opening door to new aid

16 Jan – Source: Reuters – 608 words

Washington,The United States will on Thursday officially recognize the Somali government in Mogadishu, ending a hiatus of more than 20 years and opening the door to increased U.S. and international economic help for the violence-plagued African nation, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will announce the shift during a meeting with visiting Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose election last year marked the first vote of its kind since warlords toppled military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson told reporters.

“When the secretary meets with Hassan Sheikh tomorrow (Thursday), she will exchange diplomatic notes with him and recognize the Somali government in Mogadishu for the first time in 20 years,” Carson told a news briefing.

The United States never formally severed diplomatic ties with Somalia, whose slide into anarchy was highlighted by the 1993 “Black Hawk Down” incident which saw militia fighters shoot down two U.S. military helicopters over Mogadishu.

African Union force in Somalia says probing civilian deaths

16 Jan – Source: AFP – 277 words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on Wednesday said it is probing the deaths of several civilians, including children, in a village to the west of the capital Mogadishu. The force says the civilians may have been caught Tuesday in an exchange of fire with Islamist extremists, but witnesses on the ground say they were shot by AMISOM soldiers.

“AMISOM is investigating an incident in which civilians may have been caught up in crossfire as its forces repelled an attack by the al Shabaab … near Leego, 120 kilometres (70 miles) west of Mogadishu,” the force said in a statement. “Initial reports indicate some civilians, including children, were killed and others are hospitalised with gunshot wounds,” the statement said.

AMISOM is made up of troops from several African nations. A local lawmaker said AMISOM killed at least seven pastoralists, among them children, in Leego. “We don’t know why those civilians were indiscriminately shot and killed but we have asked the government to investigate the incident,” the lawmaker, Dahir Amin, told AFP.

“We have collected the dead bodies of seven civilians, three of them children, AMISOM killed them and the reason is as yet unclear,” Hussein Ahmed, an elder in Leego village said. A Somali military official who asked not to be named confirmed the fatalities. “We got the information that those civilians were killed early in the morning. We don’t have details yet but there are also wounded who were taken to Mogadishu hospitals. As far as we are concerned AMISOM carried out security operations around the area where the fatalities occurred,” he said.

Ethiopia says to take over as AU chair

16 Jan – Source: AFP World News – 345 words

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn is slated to take over as the chairperson of the African Union this month, replacing Benin president Boni Yayi as the head of the pan-African bloc, officials said Wednesday. “Ethiopia is going to pick up the chairmanship of the African Union,” Ethiopian Foreign Affairs spokesman Dina Mufti told AFP. Hailemariam must be officially voted in by member states at the opening of this month’s African Union heads of state summit, which runs from January 27 to January 28.

A new chairperson is elected every January at the annual summit and is awarded on a regional basis. Before current chairman Boni Yayi took on the role, the chairmanship has been successively occupied by northern, southern and central Africa. The last time East Africa chaired the AU was in 2008 when Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete served as head of the bloc.

Dina said the appointment is especially important for Ethiopia, which hosts the headquarters of the AU and is a founding member nation of the AU’s predecessor, the Organisation for African Unity (OAU). “Taking over chairmanship of the African Union will give an opportunity for Ethiopia to work hard for the strengthening of the organisation,” he said.

It is the first time the country has occupied the seat since the founding of the AU in 2003, though previous Ethiopian leaders, including late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, served as chair of the OAU. Hailemariam — Ethiopia’s former foreign minister — took over as Prime Minister in August following the sudden death of Zenawi, who ruled the country for 21 years.

Somali official: AU troops killed 7 civilians

17 Jan – Source: AP/Yahoo News/Vancouver Sun – 127 Words

A Somali official says African Union troops mistakenly opened fire on a religious school while pursuing militants, killing five children and two adults. Dahir Amin Jesow, a member of the Somali parliament who visited Leggo village, the scene of the attack, said Wednesday all five children were less than 10 years old.

Jesow says the attack in the village 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, took place at around 3 a.m. Tuesday. Students of Islamic schools often attend class in the early morning.

Jesow say AU soldiers were earlier attacked by militants. The African Union Mission for Somalia says it is investigating the incident. AU troops are in Somalia to bolster the country’s weak government, which is facing an insurgency from al Qaeda-linked militants.

Four killed in Kenyan town on Somalia border

17 Jan – Source: Al Jazeera/Reuters – 173 words

At least four people have been killed and six wounded after armed men attacked a restaurant in a Kenyan town on the border with Somalia, a local official has said. “Four people died on the spot, while six others were rushed to hospital,” Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim told the AFP news agency.

A motive and the identity of the attackers was not immediately known, he said. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a police officer in Garissa said five people had died in Wednesday’s attack. “Gunmen just shot inside the hotel and fled,” the officer said.

Kenya has been hit by a wave of grenade and gun attacks, often blamed on sympathisers of Somalia’s al Shabaab fighters, since its army went into Somalia last year to fight against the armed group. Garissa has been one of the flashpoints since the Kenya began operations last October.

Five police were killed in Garissa last November and in early January four people, including three police officers, were wounded when a grenade was hurled at a police vehicle.

Turkey our firmest supporter, says UN Special Representative for Somalia

16 Jan – Source: Todays Zaman – 967 words

Turkey has been Somalia’s staunchest supporter during the country’s critical peace process, said United Nations Special Representative for Somalia Augustine Mahiga.

“Somalia has had no firmer supporter or more willing partner than Turkey. I am confident that Turkey can and will continue to play a central role in ensuring this process,” said Mahiga, who is scheduled to hold meetings with Turkish officials in Ankara on Jan. 17-19. Mahiga was appointed UN special representative and head of the UN Political Office for Somalia by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on June 9, 2010.

In an exclusive interview with Today’s Zaman, Mahiga gave details about his visit to Turkey and spoke about the current political, security and humanitarian situation in Somalia as well as Turkish support for the country.

US warns citizens in Kenya over terror threats

16 Jan – Source: Yahoo News/ Xinhua / IANS – 214 words

The US has issued a travel advisory to all Americans wishing to travel to Kenya and those living in the country to exercise caution due to increased terror threats and violent crime in most parts of the East African nation.

In the advisory, Washington has urged Americans to evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing and recently heightened threats, Xinhua reported.

“Terrorist acts can include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports,” the advisory said. “The embassy will continue to monitor the security situation and provide updates,” the US said in the warning.

Football in Somalia making a comeback — video

16 Jan – Source: The Guardian – 01:36 min

Until August 2011 playing football in Somalia was punishable by the death penalty. With the country under the control of the extremist Islamic group al Shabaab even the humble samosa was illegal, due to its triangular form resembling the Christian Holy Trinity.

But since al Shabaab’s hold on the country was reduced after Ethiopian and Kenyan troops invaded the country, football has again begun to flourish. Players and fans alike are now hoping football will grow in the African nation, with the 2013 Somalia football league season getting underway in March.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“At long last, there is room for optimism in Somalia. Previous transitional authorities have quickly lost ground because they and their international partners have not made human rights and accountability a priority. President Sheikh Mohamud and key supporters such as the U.S. will need to focus on these issues for this optimism to endure and become a reality.”

Six things U.S. can do to help Somalia

16 Jan – Source: CNN Blog – 860 Words

When the new Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, took office in September, the United States encouraged him to “usher in a new era of governance that is responsive, representative, and accountable.” This week, President Hassan Sheikh is in Washington to discuss how to get this done.

Since the collapse of the Somali state in 1991, the country has been wracked by civil conflict with serious human rights abuses by all sides. The human rights situation remains poor in areas under government control, while the Islamist armed group al Shabaab continues to commit serious abuses throughout the country.

Somalia needs U.S. support to address the cycles of violence that have plagued its people for more than two decades. This means that human rights and accountability should be high on this week’s agenda, including in discussions about Somalia’s security and stability. The U.S. should set six pillars as the foundation for its ongoing engagement in Somalia:

First, the U.S. should work with the new government to help it re-claim a monopoly on protecting its citizens. Since al Shabaab withdrew from much of Mogadishu last year, clan and freelance militias – many of them loyal to local politicians, including former warlords – have reassumed control of parts of the city. In some places, the police are mostly spectators.

Peace will mean little to Mogadishu’s residents, including many who fled famine and fighting in southern parts of the country over the last two years, until the militias are brought to heel. Disarming, demobilizing and reintegrating hundreds of thousands of armed men in Somalia will not be easy, but it’s crucial. Somalia’s much abused population should not be forced to look to clan militias or even to the militants of al Shabaab again to fill the protection gap.

“Pursuing an agriculture-for-development agenda for a country implies defining what to do and how to do it. What to do requires a policy framework anchored on the behavior of farmers and their organizations, the private sector and the state. How to do it requires effective governance to muster political support and implementation capacity, again based on the behavior of all involved—the state, civil society, the private sector, donors, and global institutions.”

Agriculture for Development: the case for Somalia

16 Jan – Source: Hiiraan Online – 729 Words

Worldwide agriculture and hunger eradication have taken their rightful place as a top priority. During the Rio+20 gathering, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced The Zero-Hunger Challenge, calling for an end to world hunger.

In Somalia the crisis that commenced in 1991 shattered the existing economy as Government services collapsed and businesses closed. Civil war affected every aspect of Somali society. It destroyed the country’s basic infrastructure. Some 80 percent of Somali households’ income came from their animal herds or subsistence farming. The civil war led to a sharp decrease in the price of animals, drove up cereal prices, and led to a dramatic increase in food insecurity.

With a new Government in Mogadishu now is the time to roll out a vision and a strategic plan to deal with not only food insecurity but also persistent hunger and malnutrition. In this writing and more to come I will attempt to make a case for Agriculture for Development. Given security is a basic prerequisite for economic growth.

Agricultural development is futile if businesses and households are constantly at the risk of seeing their goods appropriated by armed groups. In a lawless environment, neither production nor trade can proceed. However, the current situation in Somalia has changed as the country is recovering from the war ravages of recent years. Studies have shown post conflict societies can indeed produce agricultural development and innovation.

“But the new Somali President will likely have a different message for Secretary Clinton when he meets her tomorrow, one that trumpets the advancement of women. In this fragile moment, the US and other donor nations have a choice: Communicate a zero tolerance policy for this behavior. Or, like Congo, shrug off this crisis as inevitable, leaving sexual violence to fester into a pandemic.”

In Meeting With Somali President, Clinton Should Stand Up for Rape Victims

16 Jan – Source: New York Times Blog – 735 Words

On the eve of Secretary Clinton’s first official meeting with the new Somali president, Hassan Sheik Mohamud, here’s a story she should think about. A few days ago, an Al Jazeera report on Somalia’s rape crisis quoted a woman who said she’d been gang raped by men in government uniforms.

On January 10, the rape victim was picked up by government soldiers, held and interrogated. She was released, but her husband was held for more than a week, while she was forced to report every morning to the Somali Central Investigation Department. A Somali journalist who reportedly worked on the story was also thrown in jail and is expected to be transferred to prison and face charges.

The victim recanted her story, and Human Rights Watch reports that the Somali government has continued to harass advocates thought to aid her. This news is a major blow. The buzz at Sister Somalia, sexual violence crisis center in Mogadishu that I co-founded with Fartun Abdisalan Adan in 2011, has shifted. Survivors mumble between themselves: Can I talk to journalists again?

To staff? To each other? Fartun told me, “Because of the stigma, we’ve worked for years to get women to talk about it if they get raped. When they see a case like this, they’re scared. This sets us so far back.”

Top tweets

‏@Warchadi Until August 2011 playing #football in #Somaliawas punishable by the death penalty. But its making a comeback now http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/jan/16/football-somalia-comeback-video …

@ARSParis Special Background Briefing on #Africa by Senior@StateDept Official http://ow.ly/1RcVjb #Mali #Algeria #Somalia #France #ECOWAS.

@amisomsomalia PHOTOS of the DAY: THE RETURN OF#MOGADISHU http://reut.rs/W9pl7e #Somalia #AMISOM @AU_PSD #peace @UNPOSomalia @thevillasomalia.

@Knight_Assoc IMB reports that piracy dropped to a 5-year low in 2012. #Somalia #maritime #pirates http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-16/piracy-collapses-to-lowest-in-years-on-1-trillion-trade-route.html …

@CSIS Mahiga, @UN Special Envoy to #Somalia described#SomaliPres Mohamud’s inauguration as “new era” for@TheVillaSomalia. http://cs.is/13w5B1X.

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Image of the day

Image of the day A view of revamped Banadir Stadium in the Abd-Aziz District of the Somali capital Mogadishu. Football in Somalia making a comeback. Photo: Reuters/AU/UNIST.