February 15, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Al Shabaab kills Kenyan army soldier, delay executions
15 Feb – Source: Standard Media/Reuters – 128 words
Somali militant group al Shabaab say they executed a Kenyan army private at midnight on Thursday after the expiry of an ultimatum for the release of Muslims held by Kenya on terror charges.
The al Shabaab militants, who want to impose a strict version of sharia, or Islamic law, also said they were extending the execution deadline by 72 hours for five other hostages. The insurgents had on January 23 given Kenya a three-week deadline to free fighters but Kenya refused to negotiate and said it would not meet the demand.
Prior to the ultimatum, the group had killed French hostage Denis Allex to avenge France’s persecution of Muslims and its military operations against Islamists, including in Mali. The Kenyan defence forces have said none of its soldiers was believed held by al Shabaab.
Key Headlines
- Somalia urges UN to lift arms embargo so its forces can fight militants consolidate peace (Washington Post/AP)
- Al Shabaab says they executed Kenyan soldier held as hostage (Raxanreeb/Hiiraan Online/Bar-kulan)
- Somalia opposes Sh870m funding for Kenya navy (Daily Nation/Africa Review)
- African Union troops capture key towns from al Shabaab (AMISOM)
- House Speaker: Ethiopia continues support to Somalia (Ethiopian News Agency)
- Somali government to conduct census in Mogadishu (Sabahi Online)
PRESS RELEASE
African Union troops capture key towns from al Shabaab
14 Feb – Source: AMISOM – 199 words
Somali government forces with the support of African Union troops have this morning captured three strategic towns from the al Qaeda affiliated terror group al Shabaab. In simultaneous operations, the joint forces faced little resistance as they secured the towns of Janalle, Aw Dhigle and Barire, located South West of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, along the Shabelle River.
The key towns are situated along a key insurgent supply route linking the al Shabaab controlled port of Baraawe with militant concentrations in Burhakaba in Central Somalia. The terror group also used this route to infiltrate fighters back into previously secured areas, threatening the safety of the populations living there.
AMISOM Force Commander Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti said the joint operations would serve to further isolate the militants while at the same time improving security in the liberated areas. “This move will guarantee better road security between Marka and Afgoye, allowing the Somali people to move and conduct their business freely,” he said.
“AMISOM is committed to supporting the people of Somalia as they strive to rebuild their country and we will continue to work with the Somali national security forces to deny the al Shabaab the opportunity to frustrate these efforts,” he added.
SOMALI MEDIA
Al Shabaab says they executed Kenyan soldier held as hostage
15 Feb – Source: Raxanreeb/Hiiraan Online/Bar-kulan – 145 words
Somali insurgents linked to al Qaeda have confirmed that they have executed a Kenyan soldier held as a hostage since last year, a press statement from the group said on Friday. On January 24th, the group demanded that Kenya release all Muslims held on terror charges within three weeks, failing in which they said they would kill their four Kenyan hostages.
“Following the expiry of the deadline set by al Shabaab for the Kenyan PoWs, the al Shabaab have decided to execute Private Jonathan Kipkosgei Kangogo, a soldier serving in the Kenyan Defence Forces.” the statement which was posted on al Shabaab’s new twitter account said.
Al Shabab also said that they were increasing a period of 72 hours for the other three Kenyan hostages held by them in Somalia in order for the Kenyan government “to secure the release of the remaining prisoners”.
Poor health conditions reported in Balcad District
15 Feb – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 80 words
Government administration in south-central District of Balcad in Middle Shabelle Region has expressed concern over poor health conditions following diseases outbreak in the town.
Osman Mohamud, the District Commissioner, said that there is an outbreak of measles, malaria parasite and other diseases in the district and its environs which affected many people most of them children.
“The district doesn’t have enough health centers and services to treat its the people”, he said He appealed to the government, local and international organizations to provide assistance.
Somaliland Ready for Conditional Dialogue with Somalia
14 Feb – Source: Somaliland Sun/Horn Cable TV – 172 words
Somaliland President Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo said his government is ready to hold a conditional dialogue with the administration in Mogadishu. He said this during a press briefing at the Egal international VIP Lounge upon his return from an official visit abroad where he also informed of plans by the UK and US governments to review their travel alerts for Somaliland.
During the week long working visit abroad the head of state and his entourage composed of first lady Amina Weris, Foreign minister Dr.Mohamed Abdilahi Omar and Planning Minister Dr. Saad Ali Shire met and held talks with the UK Foreign and commonwealth Secretary William Hague and British Somalilanders in London as well the US envoy to Kenya Ambassador Robert F. Godec in Nairobi.
During the meeting at with FCO President Silanyo took the opportunity to brief the Foreign Secretary William Hague about the present security situation in Somaliland, highlighting both the historic record of peace and stability that the country has enjoyed for over 21 years as well as the specific measures his administration has taken to consolidate and expand on these achievements.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somalia opposes Sh870m funding for Kenya navy
15 Feb – Source: Daily Nation/Africa Review – 288 words
A high-ranking Somali official told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that her government does not want the African Union military mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to be given a maritime component.
Kenya, the only African country deploying naval forces in Somali waters, has long sought UN approval of about $10 million (Sh870m) in funding for an Amisom maritime force. Somalia’s statement on Thursday of “strong opposition” to that request is disappointing, said Kenyan UN Ambassador Macharia Kamau.
A naval force is needed, he commented, to “address the movement of Shabaab elements as well as their supplies.” “Somalia itself,” Ambassador Kamau added, “does not have the capacity to control these elements.”
House Speaker: Ethiopia continues support to Somalia
14 Feb – Source: Ethiopian News Agency – 135 words
Speaker of the House of Peoples Representatives, Abadula Gemeda said Ethiopia will keep on providing support to Somalia with a view to maintaining peace and bringing about development in that country.
While holding talks with a 14-member delegation led by Somalia’s Parliament Speaker, Mohamad Sheikh Osman here Thursday, Abadula stressed the need for Ethiopia and Somalia to work together and further strengthen relation in the areas of development, economic and infrastructure development. Abadula said people-to-people ties also needs to be enhanced through cooperation of parliaments of the two countries.
The Somali parliament deputy speaker on his part recalled efforts of the late PM Meles Zenawi towards stability of Somalia and called on Ethiopia to further strengthen such efforts towards the same goal. The two parties reached agreement to form an Ethio-Somalia Parliamentary friendship group.
Al Shabaab kills Kenyan army soldier, delay executions
15 Feb – Source: Standard Media/Reuters – 128 words
Somali militant group al Shabaab say they executed a Kenyan army private at midnight on Thursday after the expiry of an ultimatum for the release of Muslims held by Kenya on terror charges.
The al Shabaab militants, who want to impose a strict version of sharia, or Islamic law, also said they were extending the execution deadline by 72 hours for five other hostages. The insurgents had on January 23 given Kenya a three-week deadline to free fighters but Kenya refused to negotiate and said it would not meet the demand.
Prior to the ultimatum, the group had killed French hostage Denis Allex to avenge France’s persecution of Muslims and its military operations against Islamists, including in Mali. The Kenyan defence forces have said none of its soldiers was believed held by al Shabaab.
Somali government to conduct census in Mogadishu
14 Feb – Source: Sabahi Online – 732 words
The Somali government, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is planning to conduct a comprehensive census that will count Mogadishu residents for the first time since 1975.
Director General at the Ministry of Finance and Planning Abdullahi Sheikh Mohamed said the census count is an effort to “obtain ample information about the number of residents in Mogadishu, which will help in issuing official documents”.
Mohamed said that hundreds of high school and university students would be stationed in offices in 16 districts in Mogadishu to help administer the census.
Ethiopia produces first military drone aircraft
14 Feb – Source: Sudan Tribune – 547 words
An Ethiopian military source has told Sudan Tribune that the country has built the first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone which could be used for multiple purposes. fter undergoing testing, the locally made drones, have demonstrated their capability of performing a number of militarily and civilian applications, according to the source.
Speaking on condition of anonymity from the country’s air force base in Debrezeit town, a military official told Sudan Tribune that the drones are equipped with onboard sensors, cameras and GPS to carry out cost-effective monitoring activities even across difficult landscapes like the highlands of Ethiopia.
Due to Ethiopia’s long and fragile borders with Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, Sudan and more recently South Sudan, he said it is timely for the country to use UAVs to monitor these shared and often tense and porous zones.
“With Eritrea-backed rebels and Somalia’s al Qaeda linked al Shabaab terrorists repeatedly posing threats to national security, using UAVs will be crucial for Ethiopia to avert planned attacks,” he told Sudan Tribune. Ethiopia is a key regional security partner to the United States particularly in the war on terror due to its proximity to Yemen and Somalia.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia urges UN to lift arms embargo so its forces can fight militants, consolidate peace
15 Feb – Source: Washington Post /AP – 178 words
Somalia’s Foreign Minister urged the U.N. Security Council on Thursday to lift the 20-year-old arms embargo on the country so that its armed forces can fight off al Qaeda linked militants and consolidate peace. The foreign minister addressed the council amid allegations that Iran and Yemen have supplied weapons to the Somali militant group al Shabaab. Iran rejected those allegations as an “absurd fabrication.”
A report by a U.N.-appointed committee monitoring sanctions against Somalia and Eritrea report links Iran and Yemen to the supply of weapons to al Shabaab, according to a U.N. diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the report has not been made public.
Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee, in a letter to the Security Council obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, said the allegations were part of a “malicious campaign.” He said the monitoring group put forward “unfounded allegations and strange fabrications” without first informing the Iranian government and said the contents were leaked “for propaganda purposes.” He urged the monitoring group to “address this unfair move and remedy the issue.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The Somali people seem to be resiliently rejecting the permanency of failure. By and large there is a popular march toward the light at the end of the tunnel. However, the process is not yet complete and there remain potentially hazardous pitfalls along the way. The current momentum must be guided with vision, maintained with prudence, and guarded with vigilance.
Somalia: New Friends, Old Debts, and the Road to Recovery
14 Feb – Source: Think Africa Press – 836 Words
After decades of suffering from geopolitical proxy wars, iron-fisted military government, ruthless warlords, civil war, religious militancy, and foreign interventions, Somalia today stands at the threshold of a new era.
Countless serious challenges remain, but Somalia could be starting emerge from decades of conflict and instability, helped by new bilateral relationships based on mutual interest and respect.
Aside from its strategic coast and position as a gateway to sub-Saharan Africa, Somalia has untapped natural resources and massive rebuilding needs. Many recognise its potential as a lucrative emerging market. These factors provide Somalia with opportunities to expand and cultivate diverse friendships.
Indeed, a number of old friends have emerged out of their diplomatic ambivalence since Turkey reassumed warm diplomatic relations with Somalia in 2011 and opened an embassy in Mogadishu at a time it was considered the most dangerous city in the world.
Top tweets
@amisomsomalia Capture of #Janaale, #AwDheegle, and #Barrire towns by #AMISOM and #Somali National Army. Photos http://on.fb.me/Zevh4l.
@UNICEF WATCH: Walk with community #healthworkers in #Somalia, as they go door-to-door educating families about malnutrition http://uni.cf/YgItkp.
@SomaliInterior Securing Janaale, Awdhergle & Barire in Lower Shabelle region is part of a vigorous campaign in restoring peace. Thanks to #AMISOM and #SNA.
@africamedia_CPJ Snapshot of #AttacksonPress in #Somalia in 2012 w stats http://bit.ly/YuTwFi cc: @Aynte @Hamza_Africa @mary_harper @JamalMOsman @Daudoo.
@UNPOSomalia See #Somali police officers in action at UNPOS supported training. Captain Asha takes the lead: @UN @UN_DPA pic.twitter.com/Tse3yetc.
Image of the day
A tank is guided through the town of Janaale, 94 km from Mogadishu. The town fell to AMISOM and Somali National with little resistance from the militant group al Shabaab on 14 February, 2013. Photo: AMISOM.