February 14, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Iran denies shipping arms to militants in Somalia

14 Feb – Source: Reuters – 168 words

Iran has denied allegations that it has been supplying militants in Somalia with weapons, describing the charges as “absurd fabrications,” according to a letter obtained by Reuters on Thursday. As the United States pushes for an end to the U.N. arms embargo on Somalia, U.N. monitors following Somalia sanctions are warning that Islamist militants in the Horn of Africa nation are receiving weapons from distribution networks linked to Yemen and Iran, diplomats told Reuters.

According to the latest findings by the U.N. Security Council’s monitoring group, which tracks compliance with U.N. sanctions on Somalia and Eritrea, most illicit arms are coming into northern Somalia – that is, the autonomous Puntland and Somaliland regions – after which they are moved farther south into strongholds of al Shabaab militants.

“The allegations of arm transfers from Iran to Somalia are absurd fabrications and have no basis or validity,” Iran’s U.N. mission wrote to the U.N. Security Council in a letter obtained by Reuters.

Key Headlines

African Union Special Representative holds consultations with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia (AMISOM/Hiiraan Online)
Somali troops gain more ground in Lower Shabelle region (Shabelle/Jowhar Online)
Irish general warns on security of EU training mission in Somalia (Irish Times)
Somali Speaker Jawari travels to Ethiopia (Radio Kulmiye/Radio Mogadishu/Radio Risaala)
Former Justice Minister Pass Away in Mogadishu (Shabelle/Hiiraan Online)
AU EU meet to re-examine value of partnership (Walta Info)
Iran denies shipping arms to militants in Somalia (Reuters)
Al Shabaab supporter calls for talks (Radio Mustaqbal)

PRESS STATEMENT

African Union Special Representative holds consultations with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia

14 Feb – Source: AMISOM/Hiiraan Online – 209 words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif held consultations with the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Earlier during the week, Ambassador Annadif had met with the Minister of Interior, Abdikarim Hussein Guled and his Defence counterpart Abdihakim Haji Mahamud Fiqi.

During the discussions the Special Representative who has now relocated to Mogadishu assured the President of the African Union continued support for the Federal Government of Somalia.

Their discussions centered on the establishment of local administrations and AMISOM’s support towards the government’s efforts in that regard. In the last week, teams of AMISOM political affairs, civil affairs and gender affairs officers visited Baidoa, Beledweyne and Kismayo where they held consultations with local and community leaders, women and youth groups and local government officials.

President Mohamud welcomed the Special Representative’s relocation to Mogadishu. The President stated that this is a further indication of the African Union’s commitment to consolidate the gains that have been made in Somalia and that this move will foster an even closer working relationship with his government. Ambassador Annadif was accompanied by the AMISOM Force Commander, Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti and the AMISOM Police Commissioner, Dr. Charles Makono.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali Speaker Jawari travels to Ethiopia

14 Feb – Source: Radio Kulmiye/Radio Mogadishu/Radio Risaala – 145 words

Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari the Speaker of the Somali parliament is leading a delegation to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.

The speaker was on official invitation from his Ethiopian counterpart. Before departing, Professor Jawari told journalists at the airport that the two sides will discuss how they would establish a better cooperation between the parliament of Ethiopia and that of Somalia. This is the first official tour Professor Jawari outside the country since his election on the 7th month of the past year.

Somali troops gain more ground in Lower Shabelle region

14 Feb – Source: Shabelle/Jowhar Online – 8 words

Somali forces have taken control of strategic villages in lower Shabelle. Mubarak falls under northern part of Awdhegley in the region of lower Shabelle and Janaale falls under east side of Qoryoley. There was tension in lower shabelle especially Qoryoley. However, General Abdulilah Osman Agey promised the residents that they will protect them

Businessman killed in Kismayo

14 Feb – Source: Bar-kulan – 118 words

A businessman was on Wednesday night shot dead by unknown gunmen in the port city of Kismayo, reports say. Locals who spoke to Bar-kulan on condition of anonymity said unknown gunmen armed with pistol shot dead the businessman Ahmed Sandhere under unknown circumstances shortly after evening prayer.

Sandhere was shot dead in a close range on his way to his house in Farjano neighbourhood after leaving a mosque where he performed his evening prayer.

Area interim security boss Mohamoud Qaali told Bar-kulan that security forces launched operation around the scene of the incident, adding that they are pursuing the assailants. It is not clear the reason behind the killing of the businessman and the identity of the assailants.

Al Shabaab supporter calls for talks

14 Feb – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 128 words

Muhammad Wali, one of traditional elders who used support al Shabaab militant has called on the group to stop the fighting and open talks for the interest of the people and the country. He said that the solution do not lie on on suicide explosion attacks against innocent civilians but on talks, according to the reports.

“I am also calling on the federal government to stop aggression and extend peace talks to the insurgents in the country,” said the former supporter.

He further mentioned that al Shabaab is not against talks but to whom they will talk to. This is coming at a time when the militant fighters lost key towns in south and central of the country.

Former Justice Minister Pass Away in Mogadishu

14 Feb – Source: Shabelle/Hiiraan Online – 104 words

A member of the Parliament in the Federal government of Somalia, who was also a former minister passed away Wednesday night in Mogadishu. The late Sheikh Ali Nur Ali Adan passed away in his house after long illness. Sheikh Ali served as a Minister of Justice during Sheikh Shariff government. The late lawmaker will be buried in Mogadishu on Thursday.

Interview: UN agencies begin relocating to Somalia to increase accountability and improve activities

13 Feb – Source: Raxanreeb – 1245 words

The head of Somalia office for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Justin Brady has emphasized the need for relocating UN agencies from Nairobi to Mogadishu in order to increase accountability and improve humanitarian activities within Somalia, a country that has been wracked by civil wars and extremism for more than two decades.

RBC’S Abdalle Ahmed has interviewed Justin Brady in Mogadishu, where he is now serving as the first head of office for UNOCHA based in Mogadishu for more than eight months. Here is a full, lightly edited transcript of the interview conducted on Monday.

RBC Radio: There was a call recently that the UN agencies were planning to move back to inside Somalia and particularly to Mogadishu, can you just tell us what are the reasons for such relocation at this time?

Justin Brady: Sure. First we should clarify that it is not that UN solely based in Nairobi trying to work in Somalia and relocating into Somalia. The UN has been present in Somalia all along, in some places with only national staff but there was always international staff somewhere based in Somalia. The push now is to relocate more people and high level into Mogadishu [the capital] but also into the regions,.. and I came here in the beginning of June 2012 as the first head of any UN agency based here in Mogadishu and others have planned to move. Why are we doing that?

I think, that is almost should be an obvious question; You know it is so difficult to work on a country from far and you need to be here to understand the problems, concerns and to engage with all stakeholders be it government, be it local partners.

Somali revolutionist passes away in Bossaso

13 Feb – Source: Garowe Online/Raxanreeb/Bar-kulan – 158 words

A revolutionist by the name Mohamed Salah Deer (Ladane) who was part of the Somali Youth League (SYL) – who were fundamental in fighting for the independence of Somalia during colonial rule – died in Bossaso on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports.

Ladane who was born after the First World War was one of the last remaining well known SYL revolutionists. Ladane was not part of the original 13 members of SYL which was originally named Somali Youth Club and was the first Somali political party established. However he was a very focal part of the youth political party established in 1943 that gained Somalia’s independence in 1960.

During the movement Ladane traveled around Somalia gaining supporters for the SYL movement and played a role in founding the youth movement during the 40s. Ladane ran for Somali parliament in 1964 but was unsuccessful in his bid. He then ran for parliament again in 1969 in which he was successful.

Somaliland President: Our independence is non-negotiable

13 Feb – Source: Somaliland Press – 124 words

Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (Silanyo) and members of his entourage came under intense grilling during a press conference held yesterday in London ,this after members of Somaliland Diaspora in the UK demanded to know what we’re the policies and agenda set by Somaliland government for the upcoming London talks between Somaliland and Somalia which are due to be begin on the 3rd of May this year.

The Somaliland Leader speaking at the press conference first thanked members of Somaliland Diaspora living in the UK for their unrelenting support in which he said “my deepest gratitude goes to the courageous people of Somaliland living in the UK for their undying devotion and patriotism to protect and advance the interest and the causes of this nation.

REGIONAL MEDIA

AU, EU meet to re-examine value of partnership

14 Feb – Source: Walta Info – 593 words

The discussion, the first since the new AU Commission took office in November last year, will centre on a review of the partnership between the two organizations and will begin a process or reassessment that will culminate in the fourth Africa-EU summit, which is due to be held in Brussels in April next year. “The meeting is a platform to take stock of where we are and to build momentum with the new commission,” Gary Quince, EU ambassador to the AU, told Business Day.

“We have to ask: ‘Does the partnership work? Does it deliver?’”

The meeting comes at a critical time for both organizations and their partnership — one of the AU’s most valuable. The EU is in the process of finalizing its budget for the seven years from 2014-20, the AU is formulating its strategic plan for the same period, and the AU-EU three-year joint action plan expires at the end of this year.

The EU is one of the AU’s principle donors and nowhere is this more obvious than in peace and security. Through the African Peace Facility, the EU has been substantially bankrolling the AU’s peace support missions in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Central African Republic (Micopax). Since 2004, when the African Peace Facility was created, the EU has funnelled €1bn into the facility.

Al Shabaab expels residents from Galgadud villages

13 Feb – Source: Sabahi Online – 158 words

Al Shabaab has expelled 27 people from villages in Galgadud region for allegedly having links with the government. The expelled — including businessmen, farmers and youths from Ali Yusuf, Shador and Bargal villages — were sent to Galkayo, Mogadishu and areas under Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamaa (ASWJ) control in central Somalia, according to ASWJ official Abdi Hassan Mohamed.

A group of Somali lawmakers who have been in Galgadud since late January to assess its development and security said that residents are eager to see Somali government institutions established in the region.

Speaking in Dusamareb on Wednesday, the lawmakers said they have completed the first phase of their mission and will soon bring top government officials to the region, including Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon and members of his cabinet. Galgadud Governor Ahmed Hassan Iyow has called on the government to deploy African Union Mission in Somalia troops to reinforce safety and security in the region, according to Somalia’s Jowhar Online.

Somali militia group leader dead

13 Feb – Source: Africa Review – 129 words

The leader of Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamaa (ASWJ), Sheikh Mohamed Yusuf Hefow, is dead. The moderate militia group chief died in Mogadishu Wednesday, according to the Somali government and ASWJ officials.

The sheikh had been airlifted from his base in Guri’el town in Galgadud region, 450km north of Mogadishu to a medical facility run by the African Union Mission in Somalia at Halane in the capital.

“We all mourn the death of Sheikh Hefow,” a senior ASWJ official in Mogadishu, Sheikh Aden Moalim Sugow, told the media. Interior Affairs and National Security minister Abdikarim Hussein Guled, sent a message of condolence to ASWJ leadership and the deceased’s family. Sheikh Hefow was one of the founders of the moderate Islamic movement that fervently opposed the al Qaeda linked al Shabaab in Central Somalia.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Irish general warns on security of EU training mission in Somalia

14 Feb – Source: Irish Times – 132 words

An Irish brigadier general leading an EU training mission in Somalia has warned the operation will not move to the capital, Mogadishu, until enough staff to protect instructors and medical facilities are in place.

Ten Irish defence force personnel are in the core 87-strong mission. Most of the training of Somalia’s defence forces takes place in Bihanga, Uganda, because of the security problems in Somalia, but the aim is to move when possible.

“The duty of care incumbent on me as mission commander towards the personnel of EUTM [EU training mission] Somalia provided by the member states will be adhered to and respected prior to making the definitive decision to move the operation to Mogadishu,” said Brig Gen Gerald Aherne yesterday, after he briefed EU defence ministers in Dublin on the mission.

Iran denies shipping arms to militants in Somalia

14 Feb – Source: Reuters – 168 words

Somalia eyes development but urgent humanitarian needs remain-MSF

13 Feb – Source: Alert Net – 534 words

The Somali government’s focus may be on longer-term development projects but it should not allow the urgent needs of ordinary people to slip off the radar, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said on Wednesday.

The news from Somalia has been relatively positive of late. The United States has formally recognised the government in Mogadishu for the first time in 20 years. Somalia is due to benefit from the European Union’s biggest development aid programme for the country. Even pirate attacks are falling in frequency. However, MSF said the humanitarian crisis in Somalia is far from over and many thousands of people still need life-saving assistance.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Though peace has been restored and much has changed in the year since al Shabaab was driven from Baidoa, the humanitarian crisis in the region still needs to be addressed. Now, a conference of elders hopes to focus international attention on the plight of the city’s people.”

Somalia’s ‘death city’: Rescue mission far from over

14 Feb – Source: Daily Maverick – 802 Words

In the village of Baidoa street traders sell their wares behind colorful shop fronts, young boys sporting British premiership football shirts greet the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops – they talk about their favorite teams. Small groups of boys, no older than 10 years of age, shuttle up and down the main street in the village with donkeys to the main water source in the village.

It is difficult to believe that this was once known as “death city” when, after the collapse of the Somali state in 1991, its people were subjected to dreadful atrocities at the hands of individuals loyal to the former dictator Siad Barre.

In a seven-month period between 1991 and 1992, 150,000 people lost their lives in the region as food supplies were looted and wells poisoned. The orgy of death was only stopped by the intervention of an American-led, United Nations-sanctioned multinational force charged with creating a safe environment for the conduct of humanitarian operations in the southern half of Somalia.

Following the withdrawal of international forces from Somalia in the aftermath of the Black Hawk Down incident, Baidoa was fought over by various armies and militia. In February 2006, the Transitional Federal Government relocated from Nairobi and set up base in Baidoa, inside a grain warehouse that had been temporarily converted.

Three years later, in January 2009, the city again changed hands following a seven-month siege by the al Qaeda affiliated terror group, al Shabaab. It would be another three years before the city was re-taken by Somali national forces with the aid of Ethiopian troops on 22 February 2012.

“Children in Somali society are generally seen and not heard. It is hard for their issues to reach the policy process, unless individually pushed by large, influential tribes or well publicised tragedies. However, today’s Somali child soldiers have come to the world’s attention because they are a danger to their own people as well as themselves.”

Innocent weapons of Somali terror

13 Feb – Source: Wardheer News – 1830 Words

The children are our future, the argument always goes, but this global cliché is not even recognised it appears in Somalia. The greatest victims of the near two and half decades of war have been women and children who were neither involved nor the cause of the conflict. For as long as the civil war raged in South Somalia, especially the capital Mogadishu, only the needs, wants and demands of the perpetrators were considered by the limited yet feeble international observers and peace negotiators. Perhaps the idea was to silence these warmongers and human right abusers so that the rest of the population can be reached, helped and protected but even with the election of the new government, the old enemy born out of past dire governance, corruption and illegitimacy, al Shabaab, still remains.

Whether al Shabaab is functioning and active in the Somali capital even after the AMISOM surge in Mogadishu is not one that can be determined without specific intelligence and as such it is pointless to speculate about it. However, fear of them is still very high and real throughout Somalia, especially in Mogadishu and the autonomous Puntland region of the country. There is not a day that goes by that a Minister does not speaks about the feared organisation and more worryingly, there is not a week a new group of recruits are foiled by a supposedly great Somali Police force which is now, if they are to be believed, an expert in apprehending members of this group.

Any individual or group who want to cause harm to the citizens of any nation need to be apprehended and brought to justice. It is a public duty owed by government to all citizens and investors. However, what if all the recruits were mere children? This not only gives grounds for suspicion but also raises questions about the security and welfare of the most vulnerable in Somali society and more pertinently, it’s very future.

Top tweets

@IntelCenter1 Somalia: al-Shabaab threatens to kill WHO workers if they don’t stop stop polio campaign #terrorism #security.

@OCHASom INTERVIEW with J.Brady, Head of @OCHASom: #UN relocating to Somalia to increase accountability & improve activities http://bit.ly/VVZXku.

@AbukarArman #Somalia #RebirthofaNation #SomaliaRising #Mogadishu Security cont 2 improve. Defense&Interior ministers out shopping? pic.twitter.com/V3mC5TK9.

@USSNews At the @ICRC 150 year anniversary exhibition on #Somalia – A Humanitarian Story’ pic.twitter.com/nxCgB3JK.

@FAOnews #Somalia: #foodsecurity situation improves, good crop prospects & grazing conditions. 1.05M ppl still need assistance http://ow.ly/hGdd8.

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Image of the day

Image of the day Celebrating the power of radio stations in Somalia on World Radio Day on February 13, 2013. Photo:UNPOS.