February 21, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
At least seven killed in Liboi mosque attack
21 Feb – Source: Standard Media – 303 words
At least seven villagers were killed when gunmen opened fire on worshippers in a mosque in a village near Liboi at the Kenya-Somalia border. The attack occurred on Thursday during morning prayers Malele area, about 25 kilometers from the Dadaab refugee camp. Witnesses told police eight attackers were armed with AK47 rifles.
Police confirmed the dead included five men and two women. The men were killed inside the mosque while the women were shot outside. Police say they are yet to establish the motive of the attack and if it is linked to terrorism or local inter-clan feuds.
Locals said scores of people are missing after the attack. After the shooting, the attackers burnt houses near the mosque before escaping. Garissa County Commissioner Maalim Mohamed confirmed the attack and said his officers had been dispatched there to pursue the case.
Key Headlines
- Somalia executes three soldiers in Mogadishu (Bar-kulan/Hiiraan Online/Radio Mogadishu/al Shahid/RBC/Garowe Online/Jowhar Online)
- At least seven killed in Liboi mosque attack (Standard Media)
- Kenyan families hold talks with al Shabaab over captives (Radio Risaala)
- Mogadishu Municipality resumes solar light installations on major roads (Sabahi Online)
- IFJ Calls on New Somali Government to Repeal Press Freedom Restrictions in Media Law (Aid News)
- AMISOM asks for Iran’s help to save Somalia from rebels (Fars News Agency)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somalia executes three soldiers in Mogadishu
21 Feb – Source: Bar-kulan/Hiiraan Online/Radio Mogadishu/al Shahid/RBC/Garowe Online/Jowhar Online – 134 words
Somalia has on Thursday executed three of its soldiers in Mogadishu after a military court earlier sentenced them to death for killing fellow army officers and civilians. The trio whose names were not made public faced a firing squad at General Kahiye Police Training Academy in the capital Mogadishu early on Thursday morning.
Among those executed are senior official who allegedly shot dead a constable in Mogadishu’s Wadajir district. The other two were reportedly found guilty of killing internally displaced person near the Sayidka on an undisclosed period.
Several high ranking military and police officials as well as members of the public attended the execution event. Somalia has in the recent past executed several of its soldiers after they were sentenced to death by the Military Court for committing murder and robbery with violence.
Gunmen kill seven in Garissa
21 Feb – Source: Radio Star/ Star Online – 108 words
Seven people were killed Thursday morning by unknown gunmen at Meleiley village in Garissa. The area is near the Somali border.The seven who included five men and two women were murdered in their home at 5.30am as they were preparing to go to the mosque for the morning prayers.
Garissa county commissioner Maalim Mohamed confirmed the incident stating that there were 20 gunmen involved. “We still don’t know the motive behind this attack but have launched investigation into the mater,”said Maalim. He said that a contingent of security officers drawn from the GSU, regular and administration police from Dadaab are combing the area for the suspects.
Kenyan families hold talks with al Shabaab over captives
21 Feb – Source: Radio Risaala – 129 words
Families of at least 5 Kenya hostages held by al Shabaab inside Somalia is said to be negotiating with the al Qaeda link group. Talks are said to have begun after al Shabaab threatened to execute all of its hostages after Kenya refused to meet its demands- to release all prisoners held in Kenya jails on terrorism charges.
Andrew Mwangura who is the head of Kenya Seafarers Association, confirmed the ongoing talks to the daily Newspaper, The Star. Al Shabab has already executed one of its hostages, a Kenyan soldier who they claim to have seized from the battlefields. However, Kenya disputes this and says the victim was a civilian. However, Mr. Mwangura declined to give any further details on the nature of the talks and if any progress has being made so far.
Somaliland nets 54 terror suspects in security operation
20 Feb – Source: Somaliland Press – 107 words
Somaliland Security forces have conducted massive overnight raids for the past two nights arresting a few dozen people. The security forces in the capital had last night imposed a curfew raid in which the Rapid Reaction Unit popular known as the RRU by locals headed the search which was centered in Ahmed Dhagah suburb of Hargeisa. Security Personnel blocked all major roads in the city stopping and randomly searching both civilians and motorist alike.
Security forces surrounded a Hotel were unspecified number of men suspected to be affiliated with Al shabaab militants were staying,a firefight erupted when they realized that they were about to be detained.
Somali court adjourns journalist’s appeal
20 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 90 words
The court of appeal adjourned a case a journalist Abdiaziz Koronto who interviewed Luul Ali Osman, a rape victim who were both sentenced to 1 year in prison. Judge Hassan Mohamed Ali said that the court needed more time to study the evidence brought before it and that the hearing will resume next week, on February 27.
Puntland State University celebrates first Law graduates
20 Feb – Source: Garowe Online – 150 words
Puntland State University (PSU) celebrated it’s first graduating class of the Islamic Sharia and Law Faculty on Wednesday in Garowe, the administrative capital of Puntland, Garowe Online reports.
At the graduating ceremony in Garowe there were many special guests in attendance including Speaker of Parliament Abdirashid Mohamed Hersi, Minister of Justice Dr. Abdi Khalif Ajaayo, Deputy Minister of Education Mohamed Abdullahi Bootan, Puntland Judges, UNDP officials and Islamic scholars. Some of the special guests gave some words of encouragement and congratulations to the graduating class of 16 men and 7 women.
Speaker Hersi congratulated the class and said that they mustn’t forget to give back to their community.
“I am proud to see the future of Puntland moving forward in their lives and I will remind you whether you pursue your education or join the workforce you need to allot time to give back to your community,” said Speaker Hersi.
No more time with al Shabaab
20 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 155 words
Report from Janale town, in Lower Shabelle said that government troops and AMISOM battled al Shabaab in a fight that lasted long hours. Two people lost their lives before the fight stopped and the government and AMISOM troops secure the town.
Shortly after the firefight, the government forces and AMISOM troops conducted security operations which resulted the arrest of many people, mostly youth. Jaanale was among the latest town that government and AMISOM took over from al Shabaab.
REGIONAL MEDIA
At least seven killed in Liboi mosque attack
21 Feb – Source: Standard Media – 303 words
At least seven villagers were killed when gunmen opened fire on worshippers in a mosque in a village near Liboi at the Kenya-Somalia border. The attack occurred on Thursday during morning prayers Malele area, about 25 kilometers from the Dadaab refugee camp. Witnesses told police eight attackers were armed with AK47 rifles.
Police confirmed the dead included five men and two women. The men were killed inside the mosque while the women were shot outside. Police say they are yet to establish the motive of the attack and if it is linked to terrorism or local inter-clan feuds.
Locals said scores of people are missing after the attack. After the shooting, the attackers burnt houses near the mosque before escaping. Garissa County Commissioner Maalim Mohamed confirmed the attack and said his officers had been dispatched there to pursue the case.
Continuance of arms embargo threatens security gains in Somalia
20 Feb – Source: Sabahi Online – 653 words
The arms embargo imposed on Somalia stifles government efforts to rebuild the country’s armed forces and bolster gains made against al Shabaab, Somali security analysts and military experts say.
“The UN-imposed ban on importing weapons into Somalia prevents the government from obtaining state-of-the-art weapons to strengthen the national army, which suffers from a shortage in the military equipment it needs,” said Mohamed Farah, a retired Somali army officer.
There is an urgent need to arm the national army so that it is able to shoulder its security responsibilities instead of relying on foreign forces, such as the African Union Mission in Somalia, he said. “[In the long-term] only the national army will be able to deal with the security situation in the country [but only] if it is properly armed,” Farah told Sabahi.
Arab-Russian Forum Starts in Moscow
20 Feb – Source: Saudi Press Agency – 142 words
Arab-Russian Forum started its works for the first time in Moscow today with the participation of foreign ministers of Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The forum will discuss the situation in Syria, the Palestinian issue, and the latest developments in Libya, Sudan, Yemen and Somalia.
Addressing the forum, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on all Syrian parties for dialogue, noting that his country supports and works to create favorable conditions on the basis of Geneva Conventions as well as the proposals put forward by Joint United Nations and Arab Envoy for Syria Al-Akhdar Al-Ibrahimi.
He called on the Arab League to work for settling conflicts in the Arab world. It is worth mentioning that the forum aims to develop an action plan for joint cooperation for a period of three years starting from 2013 until 2015.
Refugees join suit to fight relocation
20 Feb – Source: Star – 185 words
Several refugees were yesterday enjoined in a suit that seeks to stop the government from relocating them from urban centres to camps in the northern part of the country.
The refugees from Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo who appeared before Justice Isaac Lenaola also sought to expand the scope of the orders they are seeking from court. Meanwhile, the Attorney General says he needs at least 21 days to file response to the case.
The refugees claim the decision by the government to close the registration centres in major towns was arrived at without giving stakeholders and affected parties opportunity to make representation either in person or through other organs.
Mogadishu Municipality resumes solar light installations on major roads
20 Feb – Source: Sabahi Online – 375 words
Mogadishu Municipality is installing solar panels on Wadnaha Road and Maka al-Mukarama Road as part of the second phase of a project started last year to restore city street lights on all major roads in the capital. Mogadishu Municipality Secretary General Abdikafi Hilowle Osman said the Norwegian government supplied the equipment to install the lights and the municipality has hired 200 people to work on the project.
Norway also donated the solar lighting system and 50 lampposts for a trial project on Maka al-Mukarama Road last year. Solar installation on the road was partially completed in June, with work to be finalised in this second phase.
Osman said the municipality has enough panels to install on all two-way streets in Mogadishu. The project will cost about $140,000 and continue for two months.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
AMISOM asks for Iran’s help to save Somalia from rebels
20 Feb – Source: Fars News Agency – 333 words
A spokesman of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) lauded Iran for its humanitarian aids to Somalia, and asked Tehran to render support to AMISOM to save the African country from the rebels.
“As spokesman of joint forces of the African Union and the United Nations in Somalia we welcome all those who support this war-stricken nation and we call on the Islamic Republic of Iran from this podium to support us in saving Somalia,” Colonel Ali Adam Hamud told FNA on Wednesday.
He also expressed AMISOM’s satisfaction with Iran’s humanitarian aids to the Somali people. AMISOM now hopes that it can liberate more regions from country’s main rebels known as al Shabaab , but it has called for enhanced efforts to help bring an end to the crisis in the country.
IFJ Calls on New Somali Government to Repeal Press Freedom Restrictions in Media Law
20 Feb – Source: Aid News – 142 words
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the new government in Somalia to take swift and decisive action to repeal controversial clauses in media law 2007, passed by the former Transitional Federal Government and to make a commitment to genuinely safeguarding media freedom and journalists rights.
According to the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), an affiliate of the IFJ, the media law enacted in 2007 includes many provisions that undermine journalists rights, media freedom and are contrary to international standards of freedom of expression.
“This law has been on the statute books for five years in violation of international standards and has often been used by Somali administrations officials to repress journalists and media, whenever they wanted,” said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. Last Monday, NUSOJ organised a consultation meeting involving a wide range of stakeholders at Mogadishus Sahafi hotel.
After South High brawl, Somali students say they don’t feel safe
20 Feb – Source: Minnesota Public Radio – 614 words
Some Somali students say not enough is being done to ease racial tension at South High School in Minneapolis, which just last week was the site of a brawl involving hundreds of students. Some claim the fight was the result of months of rising tension between Somali students and other groups of students.
Minneapolis school district officials are still investigating the incident, which sent three students and a staff member to the hospital with minor injuries. District officials are also looking into the actions of school staff and police officers as part of the investigation. Somali students said they feel alienated, and at times unsafe, in their school.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Everyone was happy as this was the first live performance in the city since the fall of central government of Somalia. There were many colourful dancers enjoying the vibrant music with many participants from the diaspora hitting the dance floor as the audience applauded and everyone tapped their feet in step to the beats.”
Somalis enjoy first major music concert in two decades
20 Feb – Source: RFI – 683 Words
Music is back in Mogadishu after being banned by Islamists who controlled much of south and central Somalia two years ago. A concert this week saw a top Somali performer appear before a happy crowd, which included government officials. Rock, rap and love songs, which most Somalis deem among their few pleasures in life, were banned by al Shabaab, who ordered music off the radio waves and, of course, forbade live performances.
The music ban faded away once al Shabaab pulled out of Mogadishu and other parts of the country over a year ago, paving the way for a return to security in the war-ravaged Horn of Africa country. Since then Mogadishu has seen rapid growth and developments in the music sector as Somali singers based in the diaspora have returned to entertain Somalis in the capital Mogadishu – a hugely symbolic and significant gesture.
Among the singers was Mohamed Hassan Lafoole, who is one of the most revered Somali music artists admired by many music-loving Somalis. His songs have became a real hit in the Somali music industry in recent years.
“Somalia is quickly developing into a democratic nation where the people’s concerns are addressed at a regional, national and international level. For the first time in over twenty years Somalis have hope for a bright new future for their country.”
American Recognition means a New Beginning for Somalia
20 Feb – Source: Horseed Media – 807 Words
First of all I would like to offer my condolences to Sheikh Abdulkadir Nur Farah. A man that I was quite fond of was assassinated by al Shabaab militia. He was my beloved teacher in the late 80s in (Ceel-Hindi) mosque in Mogadishu.
This news shocked me and it made me come to realization that the relocation of the al Shabaab is only going to make matters more dangerous for Puntland and its civilians. Sheikh Abdulkadir Nur Farah was a famous sheikh known in various parts of the world. May Allah bless his soul, Ameen.
Al Shabaab is a threat to Puntland and its civilians. They are now moving from Mogadishu to the rocky track mountains in the Puntland area. Recently the Puntland Commandos raided the al Shabaab in the base of Golis mountains.
A few senior members of the terrorist group were set up in the area. There were heavy casualties and confiscated materials. This mountain range is similar to the Tora Bora mountains is a large and broad area thus making it more difficult to remove the al Shabaab from a place like this. This is not only the responsibility of the Puntland government and its civilians; it is the responsibility of the world at large.
Top tweets
@UNOCHA Once unreachable due to conflict, areas in southern #Somalia can now have access to much-needed #healthcare services- http://buzz.mw.
@OCHASom Podcast of VOA interview with Justin Brady, Head of @OCHASom, on @UN movement to #Somalia & humanitarian situation – http://www.voasomali.com/
@ToughBondFilm MUSIC makes the world go round. Exciting time for Somalia- putting artists back on the scene. http://allafrica.com/c/-4kNIZ @allafrica #somalia.
@ActForSomalia It is boom time4brick makers in #Somalia with so much reconstruction going on. Workers can hardly keep up with demand pic.twitter.com/2VUQe4KxU1.
@rightnowio_feed A Diaspora woman from the UK becomes Mogadishu’s first female bus driver… http://www.rightnow.io/
Image of the day
A Somali diaspora woman, Habiba, from the UK becomes Mogadishu’s first female mini bus driver since start of civil war in Somalia. Photo: @Cantoobo.