April 5, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

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Kenya may reduce troops in Somalia

04 Apr- Source: Daily Nation-170 Words

The Kenya Defence Forces could pull out more than 1,000 soldiers from the peacekeeping mission in Somalia after a battalion from Sierra Leone boosted the number of AMISOM troops.

According to a statement from the African Union Mission in Somalia, a battalion from the Sierra Leone Armed Forces arrived in the Horn of Africa country on Tuesday and would be posted in the southern region.

Kenya has maintained a heavy military presence in Somalia since October 2011 when it launched “Operation Linda Nchi”.

Currently, its role is that of pacifying areas it took from al Shabaab including Kismayo, the last stronghold of the Al-Shabaab militants.

According to UN Security Council Resolution 2036 (2012), a country is allowed to withdraw a number of soldiers, once a fresh battalion from another country arrives.

Key Headlines

New UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia presents credentials to President(Raxanreeb)
First Sierra Leone peacekeeper arrive in Mogadishu(Africa Review)
US militant in Somalia still waging ‘jihad’ against US(AFP)
Puntland delegation arrives in Kismayo(Radio Bar-kulan)
Somalia receives arms from Djibouti(Radio Mogadishu)
Ex-Somalia PM: Making Jubbland constitution is “A historic step forward”(Garowe Online)
Members Of Somaliland Delegation To Turkey Comment On Their Tasks(Qaran news)

SOMALI MEDIA

Puntland delegation arrives in Kismayo

04 Apr- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Dhanaan Online- 132 words

A high-level Puntland delegation from Garowe on Thursday arrived at the port city of Kismayo to attend the ongoing Jubaland conference.

Regional Public Works and Housing minister Dahir Khalif is leading the delegation.

Speaking to Bar-kulan shortly after their arrival, Khalif said their trip to Kismayo is to take part in the ongoing process to form a regional administration for Gedo and the two Juba regions.

He said his regional administration welcomes local efforts by Jubaland residents to craft a regional administration for the three regions, adding that he will be holding talks with local leaders during his stay in Kismayo.

Meanwhile, members of Somali parliament who travelled to kismayo on Wednesday are today meeting Jubaland conference organizing committee to negotiate a deal between the government and the organizers of the conference.

New UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia presents credentials to President

04 Apr- Source: Raxanreeb- 170 words

The new United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) for Somalia, Philippe Lazzarini, today presented his credentials to the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

“It has been a privilege to present my credentials to President Mohamud in Mogadishu today (Thursday). I look forward to working with the authorities and all of our partners to help improve the lives of the Somali people,” said Lazzarini, who is the first RC/HC to be based in Somalia in nearly 20 years.

Somalia receives arms from Djibouti

04 Apr- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/Hiiraan Online- 293 words

Somalia has on Thursday received arms assistance from neighbouring Djibouti, just a month after the UN Security Council partially lifted its ban on selling arms on Somalia for a year.

The embargo was the world’s oldest, having been imposed in 1992, and was partially eased for a year in order to help the country’s new government.

In a statement from Prime Minister Shirdon’s office, Somalia said the weapons are part of the government’s effort to strengthen its armed forces.

The PM who has been in Djibouti for the second day today, received the donation including 50 APCs and army logistical vehicles, in a ceremony in Djibouti’s Sheikh Osman military camp, where defence ministers from the two countries also signed military deal.

Ex-Somalia PM: Making Jubbland constitution is “A historic step forward”

04 Apr- Source: Garowe Online-137 Words

Former Somalia Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has on Thursday greatly welcomed the establishment of the provisional constitution for the upcoming Jubbaland state, Garowe Online reports.

Mr.Sharmarke pointed the move as ‘Historic Step Forward” In the new federal system of Somalia.

“I’m here in Kismayo, with a mission to give my support to the ongoing Jubbaland conference, attending representatives from across the Jubbaland and Gedo as well. I’m optimistic that the state building process would end in success,” he added.

He called upon the Somalia’s federal government to fully respect the interest and legal rights of people in Jubbaland as they decided to form a semi-autonomous state, with constitution through the federal system of the country.

Members Of Somaliland Delegation To Turkey Comment On Their Tasks

04 Apr- Source: Qaran news- 435 words

Two members of the Somaliland preliminary delegation to Turkey for the proposed talks between Somaliland and Somalia, Deputy-Speaker Bashe Mohamed Farah and UCID chair Faisal Ali Warabe have spoken about their tasks and expectations ahead of their departure for Ankara.

Speaking to the media, Deputy-Speaker stated that “President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud “Silaanyo” has met with heads of Somaliland Parliament, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chair of the House of Elders, and explained that the proposed meeting in Turkey are the third stage of the talks between Somaliland and Somalia.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya may reduce troops in Somalia

04 Apr- Source: Daily Nation-170 Words

The Kenya Defence Forces could pull out more than 1,000 soldiers from the peacekeeping mission in Somalia after a battalion from Sierra Leone boosted the number of AMISOM troops.

Kenya has maintained a heavy military presence in Somalia since October 2011 when it launched “Operation Linda Nchi”.

Currently, its role is that of pacifying areas it took from al Shabaab including Kismayo, the last stronghold of the Al-Shabaab militants.

According to UN Security Council Resolution 2036 (2012), a country is allowed to withdraw a number of soldiers, once a fresh battalion from another country arrives.

First Sierra Leone peacekeeper arrive in Mogadishu

04 Apr- Source: Africa Review- 356 words

The first peacekeepers from Sierra Leone have arrived in the Somalia capital Mogadishu.

The West African troops become the latest to join the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) contingent that continues to stay in the Horn of Africa state recovering from years of civil strife.

The Sierra Leonean troops were on arrival welcomed by the African Union’s Special Representative to Somalia, Mr Mohamed Salah Anadif.

The unit that arrived in Mogadishu Wednesday is an advanced team from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

US militant in Somalia still waging ‘jihad’ against US

04 Apr- Source: AFP-373 Words

American-born Islamic militant Omar Hamami remains committed to waging jihad against US interests, he said in an interview published on Thursday, despite a $5 million bounty that Washington placed on his head.

Hamami, who has parted ways with fellow al Shabaab militants in Somalia, told the Danger Room website that he nevertheless remains committed to armed struggle against the United States.

“I believe in attacking US interests everywhere,” he told Danger Room in a running dialogue on Twitter. “No 2nd thoughts and no turning back.”

Nicknamed “the rapping jihadist” for his work enlisting al Shabaab recruits through his English-language rap songs and videos, Hamami, 28, is a former resident of Alabama who moved to Somalia in 2006.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“The successful removal of explosive threats would result in further cementing the relationship between the government and communities, as the government is and will be seen as providing a valuable public service. The area will be safe to use once more, allowing local businesses to continue flourishing and for children to play in a safe environment.”

Mine Action in Mogadishu

04 Apr- Source: UNPOS Blog-581 Words

It may have been the excitement of seeing Mogadishu for the first time or apprehension about starting a new job in what is reputed to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world, that meant that I could not sleep the night before heading to Mogadishu. It is a city I have only read about in newspapers peddling stories about war and famine. But I have also heard about a very different Mogadishu from my parents and grandparents, a Mogadishu that was thriving before chaos descended. The Mogadishu depicted on postcards, a once picturesque and cosmopolitan city with vibrant trade, universities, beachfront hotels and white villas.