March 18, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali Court Frees Journalist Jailed for Reporting Rape

17 Mar – Source: VOA – 187 words

Somalia’s Supreme Court has released a journalist jailed for interviewing a woman who was allegedly raped by government security forces. Abdiaziz Abdinur and the woman were sentenced to one year in prison on charges of insulting the country’s honor and making false accusations in an attempt to make money. But on March 3 his sentence was cut in half, while the woman was released. Abdinur told VOA’s Somali service Sunday said he was glad to be released adding that the case would not deter him from resuming his work.

Key Headlines

AMISOM meets new head of Somali national security forces (Somaliweyn)
Al Shabaab retakes Hudur town (Bar-Kulan)
Somalia Court drops charges against journalist held over rape report (Radio Mogadishu)
Somali president congratulates the newly appointed Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (SNTV)
Premier Saa’id visits Mogadishu Central Jail (Radio Mustaqbal)
Somaliland leader to skip London meeting (Africa Review)
Weapons stolen from presidential palace (UPI)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM meets new head of Somali national security forces

15 Mar- Source: Raxanreeb/ Somaliweyn/ Qaranimo Online/ al Shahid- 276 words

The AMISOM Force Commander Lt Gen Andrew Gutti, has paid tribute to the outgoing Somali Chief of General Staff, Gen Abdulqadir Dini pledged to continue working with his successor, Brig Gen Hadir Adan Elmi.

Speaking at a luncheon heldto introduce the new Chief of General Staff and his deputy to AMISOM and inhonor of Gen Dini and his deputy, Gen Abdikarin Yusuf Dhega Badan, Gen Gutti said the outgoing team deserved much praise for their role in beginning to rebuild the Somali armed forces and in working to extend the authority of the Somali state.“We in AMISOM have been proud to serve alongside such great Somali patriots,” he said. “Under Gen Dini’s leadership, the Somali National Security Forces have become better organized and more effective as evidenced by the successes they have achieved against the Al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab terror group across the country,” he added.

Gen Gutti welcomed the appointment of Brig Elmi saying AMISOM was looking forward to working with the incoming commanders as the country consolidates the security and political gains and continues the process of professionalizing its security forces.“Although much has been achieved, a lot more remains to be done to ensure that the people of Somalia can go about their daily lives in safety and security,” he said.

The luncheon was attended by the Somali Minister of Defense Abdulhakim Mahamud Fiqi, who thanked AMISOM for support it had provided to the Somali government and security forces over the last six years.

Others present included Amb. Maj Gen Nathan Mugisha, the Ugandan Ambassador to Somalia as well as AMISOM Deputy Force Commander Maj Gen Salvator Harushimana, and Sector 1
Commander Brig Micheal Ondoga.

Prime Minister welcomes release of journalist and pledges judicial reform will continue

16 Mar – Source: Prime Minister’s Media Office – 231 words

Prime Minister welcomes release of journalist and pledges judicial reform will continue
His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon today welcomed the decision by the Supreme Court to free a journalist after charges against him were dropped.
“I welcome the release of the journalist and I congratulate him on his freedom,” the Prime Minister said. “I have publicly stated my concerns about this case in the past few weeks and I have also declared that it was not appropriate for the government to interfere with the judiciary, whose independence is guaranteed under our constitution. We have been determined to let justice take its course and, although it took longer than I would have liked, today we can say that justice has been done.”
The Prime Minister said the case highlighted the need to press on with reform of the police and judiciary. Freedom of expression, respect for a free press and protection of human rights, especially combating sexual violence against women, were core government values, he said.
“Looking back on this case, I believe it demonstrates the critical need to reform our police and judiciary,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that there has been a sharp drop in the number of attacks against journalists in recent months and highlighted the $50,000 reward which has been offered for information leading to the successful conviction of journalist killers.

PM takes action to improve “deplorable” Mogadishu Prison conditions and calls for international support

17 Mar – Prime Minister’s Media Office – 279 words

The government is taking urgent action to provide clean water and medical supplies to prisoners in Mogadishu Central Prison, His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said today after visiting the custodial facility.
High seasonal temperatures have brought an outbreak of diarrhea and cholera, resulting in two deaths and 38 hospitalisations in the antiquated prison, which suffers from overcrowding.
“I am very disappointed to see prisoners in these deplorable conditions,” the Prime Minister said. “At present the situation is under control and we are providing immediate assistance in terms of providing sufficient quantities of clean water and medical supplies for all those who require treatment. For the longer term, we will be asking our international partners to support us as we embark on urgently needed renovation and expansion of our prison facilities.”
The Prime Minister said the growing numbers of prisoners was part of a process of normalization as the machinery of government was resuming operations after years of inactivity.
“As the security situation has improved and the judicial system has started operating again, inevitably we have been making more arrests and sending convicted criminals to prison,” he said. “Government capacity is limited so we do need more support. We are also taking action to expand the existing prison system by renovating two additional prisons in Afgoye and Lafoole.”
The Minister of Justice Abdullahi Abyan Nur, who accompanied the Prime Minister, together with the Minister of Information Abdullahi Alimoge Hersi and deputy ministers of health and defence, said the government is opening two workshops in Mogadishu Central Prison “to help ensure that when prisoners are released they have acquired some basic skills to help them to return to employment”.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somalia Court drops charges against journalist held over rape report

17 Mar – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/ Dalsan /Kulmiye – 143 words

Somali journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim, who was serving a six-month jail term for interviewing a woman claiming she had been raped by security forces, has been released. Earlier this month, a court has reduced his sentence from 12 months to six but at a hearing on Sunday, the attorney general said that the investigators in the original case had misled the court. Ibrahim was released after the court dropped the case against him.

Somali police issue alert for possible terror attacks

17 Mar – Source: Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan – 120 words

Somali national police has warned that al Shabaab might be planning suicide or bombing attacks in the capital, according to the head of the criminal investigation department. General Abdullahi Hassan Barise, head of the CID and spokesman of the Somali police however said that the security services are on full alert and ready to prevent any attack in the capital city. General Barise, who spoke to journalists in Mogadishu, said that al Shabaab has smuggled new foreign fighters who are anarchists and criminals into Somalia.

Somali president congratulates the newly appointed Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

17 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC/Bar-kulan/SNTV – 124 words

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Sunday congratulated the newly appointed Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Speaking in Mogadishu, the President on behalf his government and the people of Somalia congratulated Li Keqiang, saying that relation between the two countries dates back in decades. “The Government and the people of Somalia send their congratulation to the Peoples Republic of China. Somalia and China are friends and our history goes back in decades. We are ready and looking forward to working with the new leadership in China.”

Al Shabaab retakes Hudur town

17 Mar – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Shabelle/Radio Mustaqbal/Kulmiye – 150 words

Al Shabaab militant group on Sunday took control of Hudur town, the regional capital of Bakol, almost a year after it fell into the hands of the Somali and Ethiopian troops. Heavily armed militants entered the town on Sunday morning without any fight after Somali and Ethiopian troops pulled out of the town under unclear circumstances. The allied forces are now said to be few kilometres outside the town. Locals reported seeing heavily armed hooded-militants patrolling along the main streets in the town. Tension is reportedly high in the town.

Somali Prime minister vows protection of independent media

17 Mar – Source: Shabelle – 149 words

Abdi Farah Shirdon Said, the Prime Minister of Somalia told that his government would safeguard the independence of the local media in Somalia. Speaking to journalists in the capital, Prime Minister Shirdon also called on the local media to be professional and work in the line of the ethics of media and journalism. Mr. Shirdon said that as Somalia is returning to normalcy and peace, the local media should prioritize how to pacify the country.

Premier Saa’id visits Mogadishu Central Jail

16 Mar- Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 19 words

REGIONAL MEDIA

Ethiopia arrests four Al-Qaeda allied suspects

16 Mar – Source: Sudan Tribune – 259 words

Ethiopian security forces have arrested four members of the Al-Qaeda allied Somalian Islamist extremist group, al-Shabaab. According to the National Security and Intelligence Agency, the militants were arrested on Friday in Moyale town near the border with Somalia. The suspects are accused of plotting terrorist attacks in Ethiopia’s Somali region under the assignment of al-Shabaab.

Al Shabaab defeated, says Somali president

16 Mar- Source: New Vision- 252 words
The militant group, al-Shabaab has been defeated, Somalia president Mohamud Hassan Sheikh, has said. “They no longer have the means to wage war. They are now centred on carrying out terrorist attacks and assassinations,” he said. Mohamud was addressing Ugandan journalists who had paid him a visit at State House on Thursday.

Somaliland leader to skip London meeting

16 Mar – Source: Africa Review – 236 words

The president of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland has said that his authority will not participate in a London conference on Somalia. Mr Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo,the Somaliland leader said that the conference won’t add value to his republic. “The London Conference will be held for Somalia,” said Mr Silanyo on Friday. He reiterated that Somaliland and Somalia could continue talks on their relationship, adding it was not continuing.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali Islamists ‘retake key town’

17 Mar – Source: AFP World News – 403 words

Somalia’s Islamist fighters retook the key southern town of Hudur on Sunday, residents and the militants said, in the first territorial fight-back by the Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab for several months.
Heavily armed Shebab fighters swept into the regional capital of the Bakool region early on Sunday, taking the town peacefully just hours after Ethiopian troops who had held it since late 2011 left, said resident Hussein Madker.
“Hudur is now under the control of the Shebab fighters again after the Ethiopian soldiers moved out late last night,” Madker said.

Somali court overturns conviction of journalist

17 March – Source: AP – 131 words

Somalia’s Supreme Court has overturned a widely criticized conviction of a journalist who was sentenced to six months in prison after he interviewed a woman who said she was raped by security forces

Chief Justice Aideed Abdullahi Ilkohanaf said Sunday there was not enough evidence to support an appeals court ruling that reporter Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim offended national institutions. The justice noted the reporter had not published the interview.

Al-Shabaab have changed war tactics, says Gen. Guti

17 March – Source: Daily Monitor – 353 words

The Somali insurgents have adopted new guerrilla war tactics in the new areas captured by African Union forces in southern and central Somalia.
Amisom spokesperson Andrew Guti told journalists from Uganda on a visit to Mogadishu on Thursday that the al-Shabaab fighters are resorting to symmetrical tactics to ambush African union forces.
They are now using ambushes, sniper attacks, roadside bombs and assassinations that are more difficult to predict and counter.
“They have melted and dispersed into civilian population. They are now using symmetrical warfare. They are using Improved Explosive devises and ambushes,” he said.

Somali Court Frees Journalist Jailed for Reporting Rape

17 Mar – Source: VOA – 187 words

Weapons stolen from presidential palace

17 Mar – Source: UPI – 99 words
Thieves were systematically stealing weapons from army storage areas inside the presidential palace, sources told the Shabelle Media Network. The Media Network said security guards discovered that a large number of weapons were missing from the palace’s storage areas Saturday night, the Media Network said. The smuggling appears to have been going on for some time.A captain has been detained in connection with the incident, the Media Network reported.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu stresses that Turkey will continue to support Somalia

16 Mar- Source: mfa.gov.tr- 119 words

Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey met with Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, President of Somaliland on March 13, 2013. Projects conducted by the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency’s (TİKA) and various Turkish non-governmental organizations in Somaliland were addressed at the meeting held with the participation of five Somaliland Ministers including Foreign Minister. Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said that Turkey’s assistance to all parts of Somalia including Somaliland would continue increasingly.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Since this government was sworn into office 20th August 2012 a lot of positive progresses have happened. This momentum gives us for the first time since the civil war erupted the opportunity to make a difference for ourselves, our people and our country. If we fail to grab this chance now, we may not have this opportunity any time soon again.”

An appeal to Diaspora Somalis!!

17 Mar- Source: Hillac/Hiiraan Online-1040 Words

John F Kennedy’s inaugural address in 1961 is remembered for one very famous quote: “my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
More than twenty years of war has driven over one million Somalis from their homes. Today Somalis reside in many countries and can be found in every major city in the World. The largest populations are located in UK, Canada, Scandinavia, in the Middle East and U.S.A. The Somali Diaspora around the world is contributing to their homeland via transferring money to individuals, families, private investments and so on. However, there is an overall believe that The Diaspora is ineffective and disorganized, when it comes to unite their collective support to Somalia.

“This is the hour for patriotism, if we have an iota of patriotism remaining in any of us; the hour that we have to look each other in the eyes and take responsibility for what we did to our country; the hour that each and every Somali should think what she or he can do for our country and not for our clans; the hour that we should all realize that no single clan can stand alone and it is only through the overall prosperity and wellbeing of our country that all clans can prosper; the hour that we have to collectively say: Yes, it is time we have to catch up with the rest of Africa.”

Somalia: Time to catch up with the rest of Africa

15 Mar- Source: Hiiraan Online-1400 Words

In its issue, 2nd -8th March 2013, The Economist magazine drew a rosy picture of Africa in a 14-page special report of what it described as “the world’s fastest growing continent,” with a cover page title “Aspiring Africa”, featuring the picture of a giraffe with an exaggeratedly long neck scanning the far horizon. This is the second time in a little over a year that The Economist hits such a high note on the rising economic role of Africa. In December 2011, the magazine’s cover carried an illustration of a boy flying a rainbow-colored kite made in the shape of the continent, with the title “Africa rising.” More than a decade ago, however and exactly in May 2000, the magazine branded Africa as “the hopeless continent,” above a cover image of a militia man holding a weapon cropped in the shape of the map of the continent. One of the articles in the latter issue painted a picture of a continent ravaged by war, famine and disease.