July 1, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Al Shabaab leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys questioned

30 Jun- Source: BBC- 340 words

A top Somali militant leader, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, has been transferred under armed guard from the airport in the capital Mogadishu following his arrival there on Saturday. He is now being questioned at a government intelligence base. He was moved after a fight broke out between government officials, members of the security forces and clan elders over what to do with him. He has been designated a terrorist by the UN and the US.

Key Headlines

The African Union (AU) Special Representative for Somalia calls for an immediate end to hostilities in Kismayo (AMISOM)
King and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Congratulate Somalia’s President (Saudi Press Agency)
UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General statement on Kismayo (AMISOM)
Aweys jailed after he was flown to Mogadishu (Hiiraan Online)
Somalis seek justice for violence against them in South African courts (Radio Ergo)
Ras Kamboni forces take control of Kismayo (BBC Somali Service/VOA)
Somali President: The hostilities in Kismayo should be stopped (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
Somalia’s al Shabaab kill two of their own chiefs: spokesman (AFP)
Puntland political associations hold massive public rallies (Garowe Online)
King and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Congratulate Somalia’s President (Saudi Press Agency)
Churches in Kenya tighten security amid terror threats ( Xinhua)
Somaliland forces in full control of Tukaraq town (Somaliland Informer)

PRESS STATEMENT

The African Union (AU) Special Representative for Somalia calls for an immediate end to hostilities in Kismayo

29 Jun- Source: AMISOM- 216 words

The African Union Special Representative for Somalia (SRCC) Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has condemned the violence in Kismayo and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

The SRCC asks AMISOM forces to help in the cessation of hostilities in the city while protecting civilians.

“We strongly condemn the reported loss of civilian life. AMISOM forces will always protect and help the most vulnerable in Kismayo and throughout Somalia. The Kismayo people and leaders must capitalize on the security gains made by AMISOM, the Somali security forces and their allies, to further peace and prosperity and not engage in violence. They must put an immediate end to this fighting that only serves to complicate and disrupt the process of stabilizing Somalia.” said Ambassador Annadif.

Ambassador Annadif has reiterated AMISOM’s commitment to minimizing the impact of the conflict on the civilian population particularly the most vulnerable sections of society. He has urged all forces active in the area to follow this example.

AMISOM takes its mandate very seriously and in working with IGAD and other partners, remains committed to supporting ongoing efforts towards national reconciliation and unity, as well as the efforts to rebuild the armed forces and integrate the militias.

UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General statement on Kismayo

29 Jun- Source: AMISOM- 142 words

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, today urgently called for an immediate cessation of hostilities as armed clashes flared up again in Somalia’s southern port city of Kismayo among groups claiming leadership over the “Jubbaland” regional administration.

Reports suggest serious clashes over the last days have led to a number of casualties, including civilian deaths.

SRSG Kay said: “At the same time as this new fighting has broken out, contacts are underway to put together an inclusive process to defuse tensions. The details are being worked out. This is not the time to engage in violence which will entrench positions and make it all the harder to achieve a settlement and begin reconciliation. I call on all parties to refrain from any action which could be seen as a provocation, and call for an immediate cessation of hostilities.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Aweys jailed after he was flown to Mogadishu

30 Jun- Source: Shabelle/Hiiraan Online- 310 words

One of Somalia’s most prominent al Shabaab leaders who was arrested by Himin and Heb regional administration was flown to the capital Mogadishu on Saturday and then detained by Somali security forces. After he landed in Mogadishu Saturday night, the militant leader was arrested by Somali intelligence forces together with special squad known as Alfa group. The group of elders who convinced Mr. Aweys to accept talks with the government together with influential clan leaders tried to prevent the arrest but internal security minister and somali defense minister arrived at the airport.

Somalis seek justice for violence against them in South African courts

30 Jun- Source: Radio Ergo- 211 words

Somalis who have fallen victim to brutal acts of violence against them in South Africa are being emboldened to report cases to the police for criminal prosecution. In the past, Somali migrants were usually reluctant to report crimes to the security agencies. But as the human and financial losses suffered by this community have increased in ongoing attacks against them, the trend appears to have changed. There are six cases currently in court involving the murder of Somalis in different regions of South Africa. Most recently, two South Africans were last week charged with the murder of two Somali youths in Bal Kawana in Lebonbo province. The deputy chairman of the Somali community in Lebonbo, Dahir Hilowle Hassan, urged Somalis to report all crimes against them to the authorities. He said Somalis needed to think of themselves as citizens equal to anyone else and with rights to be protected by the law.

Ras Kamboni forces take control of Kismayo

30 Jun- Source: BBC Somali Service/VOA/Radio Shabelle/Dhanaan Online/Kismaayo news104 words

The Ras Kamboni forces of Ahmed Madobe took full control of Kismayo after they jointly fought militias loyal to colonel Bare Hirale who contested that he is the president of Jubaland. The group fought off Hirale’s militiaSaturday in a fierce battle which claimed many casualties. Many residents fled the Somalia’s second largest city. A witness in Kismayo said that the Raskanboni forces are now searching houses to maintain grip of the city. Bare and his militia who have withdrawn from the city are now based at a town not far from Kismayo.

Somali President: The hostilities in Kismayo should be stopped

30 Jun- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV- 142 words

The president of Somali Federal Government Hassan Sheik Mohamud has called on the rival groups fighting in the port city of Kismayo in Southern of Somalia to stop the fight. President Hassan said fighting has no benefit to human beings, adding that both sides should stop the war without condition. Hassan warned the rival sides to relinquish anything that can cause clashes and take the peaceful messages from the government and other intellectuals in Somalia.

Somaliland forces in full control of Tukaraq town

30 Jun- Source: Somaliland Informer- 191 words

Somaliland armed forces are now in full control of Tukaraq town after having stationed in the outskirts of the town for past days and took over it on Sunday. Somaliland’s national army unitswent inside the town and further crossed into another town by the name of Yoocda. The towns were previously stationed by forces loyal to Puntland and Khatumo but the territories have fallen into the hands of Somaliland administration. Somaliland as well as Puntland have not spoken or commented the takeover of Tukaraq and Yoocda districts by Somaliland armed forces.

Puntland political associations hold massive public rallies

29 Jun- Source: Garowe Online- 287 words

Political associations registered with the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC) have began holding massive public rallies in Puntland’s major cities, Garowe Online reports. The public rallies commenced on June 27, when Wadajir political association held public rallies in Garowe and Bossaso, while UDAD political association held similar public rallies on June 28 in Garowe, Bossaso, Galkayo and other towns. On June 29, Horseed political association consisting of the ruling party in Puntland held its public rallies in Bossaso, Garowe, Galkayo, and Badhan, among other cities. Thousands of people gathered in peaceful public rallies across Puntland’s cities, showcasing support for the different political associations competing for District Council elections slated for July 15.

REGIONAL MEDIA

King and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Congratulate Somalia’s President

30 Jun- Source: Saudi Press Agency- 88 words

The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, have sent separate cables of congratulations to President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud of the Federal Republic of Somalia on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day. In their cables, the King and the Crown Prince wished the President constant good health and happiness and the people of Somalia further stability and peace.

Kenya has ‘most refugee camps’

29 Jun- Source: East African- 495 words

Kenya is the country hosting the fourth largest number of refugees in the world, behind Pakistan, Iran and Germany, according to the UNHCR’s annual Global Trends report. Pakistan, with 1.6 million refugees led the pack, followed by Iran (868,200), Germany (589,700) and Kenya (565,000). The report came out just days after the Kenya and Somalia governments signed an agreement for the voluntary repatriation of about half a million Somali refugees living in Kenya, particularly in the Daadab and Ifo camps in the north.

Churches in Kenya tighten security amid terror threats

30 Jun- Source: Caostweek/ Xinhua- 807 words

Two ushers, a man and a woman stand at a door of a church in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. Holding metal detectors in their right hands, the ushers frisk every person seeking to enter the church. “What is in your hind pocket ?” the male usher asks a man after the metal detector beeps incessantly. The man dips his hand in his pocket and extracts a bunch of keys. He is then allowed to pass, but before he enters the church, the man has to pass another security check, involving a scanner and another usher.

RCA sends dates to needy people in Ramadan

30 Jun- Source: Gulf News- 152 words

The UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) has started sending date donations in preparation for the holy Month of Ramadan 1434 H. The dates will be provided in the name of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and will be distributed to the needy and poor people across 28 countries within RCA’s humanitarian programmes. RCA is working to reach to the poor families in Morocco, Tanzania, Maldives, Jordan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Senegal, Algeria, Paksitan, Thailand, Cambodia, Turkey, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Sudan, Indonesia, Yemen, South Africa, Syria, Mauritania and Comoros, Niger, China, Kenya and Australia.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Al Shabaab leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys questioned

30 Jun- Source: BBC- 340 words

Somalia’s al Shabaab kill two of their own chiefs: spokesman

29 Jun- Source: AFP- 482 words

Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab extremists have killed two of their own top commanders, one with a $5 million United States bounty on his head, the insurgents said Saturday. “We have informed their widows of their deaths, as they must now wear the clothes of mourning,” al Shabaab spokesman Abdulaziz Abu Musab told AFP. The pair killed are two co-founders of the militant group, including US-wanted Ibrahim Haji Jama Mead, better known by his nickname Al Afghani — “the Afghan” — due to his training and fighting with militant guerrillas there.

Somalia may accept former militant warlord in port city

28 Jun- Source: Reuters- 633 words

Somalia’s government may recognize a former militant warlord it had opposed as interim leader of a strategic port city in a bid to defuse tensions, diplomats said, although a new clash between rival militias erupted thereon Friday. The threat of the kind of clan fighting that tore Somalia apart over two decades has hung over Kismayo since Ahmed Madobe, leader of the Ras Kamboni forces, was chosen by a regional assembly to lead Jubaland and its port in May.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Since its economic recovery in the mid-2000s, Turkey has made systematic efforts to assert itself as a dominant player in Africa”.”Turkish intervention in Africa increased largely in the areas of humanitarian assistance, development aid, economic co-operation and mediation of political stalemates across Africa”.”Turkey enjoys a history of relations with Somalia dating back to the 16th Century in the era of the Ottoman Empire”. ”Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s dedicated half of his speech in the UN General Assembly 2011 to address the plight of Somalia, calling for international intervention. He declared that Turkey was ready to play a leading role and it aimed at doubling its aid to Somalia”.

Turkey in Somalia: Building relations using brotherhood, aid and dialogue

29 Jun- Source: East African- 492 words

The ongoing “Turkish Spring” if prolonged is likely to hamper the currently budding Turkish-Africa relations. Turkey’s foreign policy is at the centre of these riots. This will force Ankara to recalibrate its diplomacy with adverse effects on its African policy. Most likely, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government will devise inward-looking policies to address the demands of the growing middle class. Since its economic recovery in the mid-2000s, Turkey has made systematic efforts to assert itself as a dominant player in Africa. It declared 2005 the Year of Africa. This focus on Africa has seen Turkey increase its presence there to 35 countries by 2013 up from 12 a decade ago.