March 20, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Prime Minister vows to retake Hudur and expresses sympathy for murdered spiritual leader
20 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan – 90 words
Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said that the government was planning to retake the town of Hudur in Bakool region from the militant group, al Shabaab.
The Prime Minister also condemned the cold-blooded murder of Sheikh Abdirahaman Moalim Warsame, the spiritual leader of Hudur, which took place after al Shabaab took control of the city on Sunday.
“This barbaric act will do nothing to stop us from moving forward and we are now working flat out with Somali National Forces, together with our partners, to retake the town,” the Prime Minister said. “We will prevail.”
Key Headlines
- Prime Minister vows to retake Hudur and expresses sympathy for murdered spiritual leader (Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan)
- Powerful explosion rocks Diinsor town southwest Somalia (Radio Risaala/RBC/Radio Kulmiye/Bar-kulan)
- Somaliland: UNDP Set to Double Resources for Development (Somaliland Press)
- Former Somaliland Finance Minister Awil Supports Boycott Of London Conference (Qaran News)
- Foreign Office Minister welcomes release of Somali journalist (UK Gov)
- Kenyan policeman killed in blast (Al Shahid/ Star/ Daily Nation/Standard)
SOMALI MEDIA
Prime Minister vows to retake Hudur and expresses sympathy for murdered spiritual leader
20 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan – 90 words
Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said that the government was planning to retake the town of Hudur in Bakool region from the militant group, al Shabaab.
The Prime Minister also condemned the cold-blooded murder of Sheikh Abdirahaman Moalim Warsame, the spiritual leader of Hudur, which took place after al Shabaab took control of the city on Sunday.
“This barbaric act will do nothing to stop us from moving forward and we are now working flat out with Somali National Forces, together with our partners, to retake the town,” the Prime Minister said. “We will prevail.”
Powerful explosion rocks Diinsor town , southwest Somalia
20 Mar- Source: Radio Risaala/RBC/Radio Kulmiye/Bar-kulan – 147 words
A powerful explosion rocked the town of Diinsor, Bay region, south-western Somalia. The explosion occurred Tuesday inside of al Shabaab military camp. No civilian was in the explosion.
Government official in the area said the blast occurred when a car bomb prematurely exploded, pointing out that the al Shabaab was planning to launch a car bomb attack on the town of Baidoa, capital of Bay province, southwest Somalia as quoted by some local media outlets.
The official said that a number of leaders and al Shabaab militants were killed in the blast, and there were no details about the explosion so far by the al Shabaab. Somali lawmakers were planning to visit the city of Baidoa this week.
Somaliland: UNDP Set to Double Resources for Development
19 Mar – Source; Somaliland Press – 103 words
Somaliland officials met with representatives of Donor nations and UNDP /Somaliland office during a three hour meeting today in Hotel Ambassador, to review the projects of the previous year and of those future programs to be implemented in country.
The proposed plans for increment of funds for development were announced during today’s meeting in Hargeisa between Somaliland government officials, civil society representatives, donors and UNDP.
Somaliland Minister National Planning Dr. Sacad Ali Shire working in Somaliland to present a working plan, which covers all projects and programs intended for Somaliland by relevant UN agencies and also to review and assess previous year’s programs.
Former Somaliland Finance Minister Awil Supports Boycott Of London Conference
19 Mar – Source: Qaran News – 148 words
Former Somaliland’s Finance Minister, Hussein Haji Ali Duale “Cawil” has welcomed the decision made by President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud “Silanyo” not to attend the London Conference on Somalia in May 2013.
Speaking to the media, Hussein Haji Ali “Cawil” stated “It is not right that the Somaliland President attends a meeting chaired by the head of the provisional government in Somalia on issues relating to the various factions in Somalia, and I am greatly surprised that the United Kingdom government expected Somaliland to attend such a meeting not as an equal but as a supplicant”.
Former Finance minister, Cawil continued “Somaliland and Somalia must meet as equals, we were equals in 1960 and we are equals in 2013. Somaliland has a democratically elected government, elected by its people, and it must protect the choice and integrity of those voters. We are two neighbouring countries, and must meet as such”.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenyan policeman killed in blast
20 Mar – Source: Al Shahid/ Star/ Daily Nation/Standard – 113 words
A police officer was on Tuesday afternoon killed and two others wounded in a roadside explosion in Mandera Town at the Kenya-Somalia border. Mandera East District Commissioner Elvis Korir confirmed the incident, saying the six police officers were on a normal security patrol on foot when they stepped on the Improvised Explosive Device at Border Point 1 area in Mandera town.
“One died on the spot while the two others have been taken to hospital.” He said. The area has been experiencing a series of explosions in the past months since Kenyans troops crossed into Somalia to hunt down al Shabaab militants.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Foreign Office Minister welcomes release of Somali journalist
19 Mar – Source: UK Gov – 126 words
FCO Minister comments on the release of a Somali journalist who was detained for his involvement in investigating an alleged rape case. Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, said:
“We welcome the news of the release of Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim, the journalist who investigated the case of a Somali woman detained after she alleged she was raped by government security forces. We welcome the statement from the Somali Prime Minister calling for continued judicial reform.
We will continue to support the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia to improve their security and strengthen their police and justice systems. We believe it is important to protect freedom of expression and the freedom of the media; journalists have a critical contribution to make to the future of Somalia.”
In Pictures: The fishermen of Mogadishu
19 Mar – Source: The Globe and Mail – 13 words
Somalian fishermen work tirelessly for a living, bringing fish from sea to market.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“There is a need to exercise healthy skepticism and also to advocate the need of cultivating new social imaginaries in order to move forward and rebuild the Somali nation, especially the warped mind of the Somali people.”
Are the Somali-American Religious Scholars into Doublethink?
20 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online – 906 Words
I was in a self-imposed exile from the Somali-run-and-owned websites for the past four to five years. I strictly stayed away in writing commentaries about the Somali politics and current social issues, partly disappointed with the Somali ethos and Somali doublethink when it comes to our dystopic social conditions and partly by potential threats from certain individuals and interest groups. Several times, I was very much tempted to re-emerge and share my views but I opted to remain in hiatus.
Once again, I am forced to break my silence and speak about an enigmatic question about the re-emergence of the Somali religious scholars in Minnesota, especially their recent stand against al Shabaab and al Shabaab’s atrocities against the Somali people. In one hand, I am so thrilled by the stand-up of the Somali religious scholars and on the other hand I am conflicted and in total disarray and I keep asking myself why now and what has suddenly changed? Is this again a Somali doublespeak and far from realities? What is the motive behind the two successive recent forums at Twin Cities?
The first forum titled “Town Hall Meeting part 3: A discussion of the roles of religious leaders in the successful rebuilding of Somalia” which took place on March 10, 2013 and second one “Who is behind the killings of Somali intellectuals?” on March 19, 2013. In fact, the title of the latter should have been “Who is behind the killings of Somali religious scholars?” because the religious scholars focused and highlighted the killings of the Somali religious scholars who spoke about al Shabaab’s distorted Islamic views and al Shabaab’s ruthless killings. The Somali religious scholars did NOT speak about the killings and loss of the Somali intellectuals as well as the killings of would-be intellectuals.
“The belief that the future will be much better than the past and present is known as optimism, thus, it is my hope that Somalia is back on the path of being stable; secure and responding to the needs of the people- with good governance; accountability and transparency.”
Somalia: A Message of hope; Human and Institutional Capacity Building and the Role of Diaspora
20 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online – 896 Words
Somalia: I am an optimist by nature; consequently this piece is about Hope; Human and Institutional Capacity Building and Diaspora Engagement. Just imagine with me for a moment Somalia on the cusp of being free, democratic and developing nation.
After arriving Mogadishu Congressman Keith Ellison announced “We are at a critical juncture for the people of Somalia and their families in Minnesota and throughout the United States. The election of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and a renewed U.S. relationship may be our best opportunity in decades to ensure peace and stability for the Somali people, and combat terrorism in the region. This visit provided an unparalleled opportunity to learn firsthand about issues facing the country, and the role the United States plays in promoting a stable Somalia.” I am indeed hopeful and encouraged by this statement.
Few days later USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah also visited Mogadishu to reassure President Mahamud and promised continued support for Somalia. Administrator Shah remarked “the foundation of solid governance is accountability and transparency; we look forward to supporting the Government of Somalia’s efforts to fight corruption, build democratic institutions, and respond to the needs of its people. The United States also assists the Government of Somalia’s legislative and executive functions, including rebuilding the capacity of local institutions that provide basic services, enhancing the rule of law, and supporting improved service delivery for the regional and local administrations across Somalia”.
The report from Somalia for the last few months is pretty clear- it is rapidly becoming a stable and secure nation. Moreover, it is not surprising that expats who visited Mogadishu recently will tell tales of the investors building hotels and shops, housing boom and public works. The task of nation building is daunting, but this time it feels different. Progress can now be seen clearly as both Congressman Ellison and Administrator Shah formally brought a message of hope; peace and build democratic institutions to the people of Somalia.
Somali fishermen reap benefits from calmer waters
18 Mar – Source: NBC News Photo blog – 108 words
The relative peace that has prevailed in Mogadishu over recent months was shattered by a car bomb that killed at least ten people in the Somali capital on Monday.
But for Somalia’s fishermen, the outlook remains promising. Their country boasts a longer coastline than any other nation in mainland Africa, with the bountiful waters of the Indian Ocean offering a plentiful potential harvest, but two decades of civil strife have greatly restricted the development of the fishing industry.
Each morning, an eclectic catch is unloaded and transported to the city’s Xamar Weyne fish market, where it is sold for local consumption and, increasingly, for export to other countries.
Top tweets
@usmissionuganda USADF funds job training for youth in #Somalia, helps them start businesses. http://goo.gl/dJwq4 @USAforSOMALIA.
@amisomsomalia PHOTO OF THE DAY: Taking pride in the #Somali flag http://on.fb.me/UKHK96 @TheVillaSomalia pic.twitter.com/ne4ZNC9zNz.
@PoetNation Video of camels exporting from #Mogadishu to UAE. In 2010, 4 million animals exported thru Berbera & Bossaso http://ow.ly/jdCGZ #Somalia.
@UKinItaly Diaspora: British Airways and Alitalia should fly to #Mogadishu #Somalia! pic.twitter.com/gKKTKBRWb5.
@wfp_media Reading about how water scarcity is affecting people in #Somaliland and thinking ahead to #UN World Water Day, 22/3 http://bit.ly/118FBrY.
Image of the day
Somali residents bury the remains of Mohamed Nuxurkey, a local journalist who died in Monday’s blast, in the capital Mogadishu March 19, 2013. Photo: Reuters.