July 1, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

1st July National Day commemorated in Mogadishu

01 Jul- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV- 157 words

1st July, it’s great day for Somali people, it is a day when Southern Somali regions got its independence from Italy and agreed both north and southern regions to form Somalia. The day has been commemorated in many parts of the nation.

Well-decorated ceremony attended by the high officials of the Federal government of Somalia including the president, prime minister, speaker, parliamentarians, ambassadors, Mayor of Mogadishu, district commissioners and other spectators to Somalia was held to commemorate the National Day.

Singers had opened the occasion with very sweet national songs that admired by attendees..

The president Hassan Sheik Mohamud, Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Sa’id, Deputy Chairman of Somali Federal Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari have taken honorable greeting from National Military Units.

Key Headlines

1st July National Day commemorated in Mogadishu (Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
AMISOM congratulates the Somali people on their 53rd Independence Day (AMISOM)
Somali MP: Kenyan forces were not part of Kismayo fighting (VOA Somali Service/Radio Kulmiye/ Waamo Times)
A new home-grown British Somali channel Star TV Launched (Somalilandpress/Somaliland Informer)
Olum named new AMISOM (Ugandan) commander (Daily Monitor/New Vision)
Fire poses threat to small businesses (Radio Ergo)
Somalia wants KDF out of Kismayo (Daily Nation/Star)
Al Shabaab leader twists Islamic tenets to enforce obedience justify killings (Sabahi Online)
Fighting in Kismayo condemned by Ashton (neurope)
Experts consider Somalia crisis in round table discussion (Pakistan Observer)
Somali forces lure and arrest militant leader Sheikh Aweys (The National)
Pirates’ hostage tells of her ordeal (Source: Telegraph)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM congratulates the Somali people on their 53rd Independence Day

01 Jul- Source: AMISOM- 175 words

The African Union Special Representative for Somalia (SRCC) Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has congratulated the Somali people as they mark their Independence Day.

“On this day, 53 years ago, proud Somalis stood side by side as they witnessed the historic birth of their nation built on the ideals of justice, social cohesion and above all, unity with their African brothers and sisters.” said Ambassador Annadif.

After Independence, Somalia moved on to support the cause of independence for many of the African countries while championing African unity through the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

This year’s celebration coincides with the great strides made in the political and security sectors in Somalia after more than two decades of instability.

“The Somali people have demonstrated their unwavering resolve to take charge of their country’s destiny and they are working hard to see their ideal state take shape. Despite all the challenges facing the country, recent developments are encouraging and show that the gains are irreversible,” said Ambassador Annadif while promising AMISOM’s unwavering commitment to Somalia.

AMISOM congratulates the Burundian people on their Independence Day

01 Jul- Source: AMISOM- 172 words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) congratulates the people of Burundi as they marked their 51st Independence Day.

The AU Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif commended Burundi’s support through its contribution to AMISOM.
“As the Burundian people mark this important day, we wish to once again acknowledge our gratitude for their support in this important mission.”

Since December 2007, Burundian forces have gallantly served under the AMISOM banner scoring key victories in the endeavor to pacify Somalia and ensure sustainable peace in the country.

Ambassador Annadif also noted that Independence celebrations for African countries this year held much more meaning as the continent celebrates 50 years of unity.

After going through many years of conflict and instability, Burundi and its citizens have demonstrated that they are capable of giving back to Africa and are contributing to peace support operations or peace buidling in the continent. This is an example that many other African countries should follow.

Somali government regrets Kismayo violence and calls for the replacement of AMISOM Section Two forces to a more neutral force

30 Jun- Source: Office of the Prime Minister- 265 words

His Excellency, Deputy Minister for Information, Telecommunication and Postal Services Abdishakur Ali Mire today stated that the Somali Federal Government regrets the national loss of the three days fighting in Kismayo and called for the replacement of AMISOM Section Two forces to what the minister described “a more neutral African Union force.”

At a press conference in Mogadishu Minister Abdishakur expressed that the AMISOM Section Two forces supported one side of the two fighting functions in violation of their mandate. He also informed the press that Kenyan forces arrested and mistreated top Somali National Army military commander.

“AMISOM Section Two forces purposefully arrested government appointed division 43 SNA commander, Col. Abbas Ibrahim Gurey,” Abdishakur Mire said.

We are also informed that there was a targeted offensive against civilians and the SNA command center in Kismayo by the AMISOM Section Two forces, which is unfortunate.”

Minister urged all stakeholders to consider the following steps crucial to end hostility and stabilise the region.

1. The immediate replacement of AMISOM Section Two forces to a more neutral African Union force.
2. The establishment and the dispatch of a fact finding mission to assess the situation in Kismayo.
3. Called upon the immediate release of Col. Abbas Ibrahim Gure to resume his military duty in the region.
4. The appointment of African Union Political Officer to the region not part of AMISOM Section Two.
5. Called for humanitarian intervention to prevent crisis and assist the civilian victims in Kismayo.

SOMALI MEDIA

1st July National Day commemorated in Mogadishu

01 Jul- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV- 157 words

Singers had opened the occasion with very sweet national songs that admired by attendees..

Somali MP: Kenyan forces were not part of Kismayo fighting

01 Jul- Source: VOA Somali Service/Radio Kulmiye/ Waamo Times/Kismaayo24-141 words

Somali MP Abdirashid Hidig, chairman of parliamentary committee on formation of regional states said that the Kenyan contingent of AMISOM forces deployed in Kismayo were not involved in two days of fighting in Kismayo.

The Somali MP added that the accusation of the Somali government to Kenyan troops of supporting one of the factions is not true, and ‘it seems the government is behaving like a faction group and not as national government’.

Mr Hidig said the Kenyan forces part of AMISOM troops were outside of the Kismayo town, and their mission is to fight al Shabaab.

He accused the Somali government and the Minister of Defense Abdihakim Haji Mohamud Fiqi of helping to bring about violence in the stabilized and liberated areas from al Shabaab in South Somalia especially Kismayo city.

Fire poses threat to small businesses

01 Jul- Source: Radio Ergo- 313 words

Fire poses threat to small businesses a recent fire at Hero-Dayah market in Galkayo has caused heavy losses to many small traders and demonstrated the risks facing many similar markets around the country.

Radio Ergo’s local correspondent visited the burnt down market before the rubble was cleared away and spoke to some of the worried women traders, sitting among the ashes of what had been their stalls.

One of them, Halwo Said Warsame, said: “I lost a great deal of money in the destroyed market, around 65 million shillings… I initially made my money from selling goats and also I had taken a loan, which I am supposed to pay back by the end of this month. If I don’t I will be arrested.”

Another trader, Suad Hirsi Salad, said: “There wasn’t a single item of my merchandise that was rescued from the fire. No one came to our assistance. There are many women who have not gone back to the market since the fire. One of factors that contributed to the big losses caused by the fire is not having firefighting equipment here… We just saw the fire raging; we don’t know how it started.”

A former civil servant, Eng Hussein Abukir Hussein, identified priorities for avoidance of such devastating fires in the future. He said: “First and most important is the local authority’s planning. You see the way markets are constructed, with a fuel store sharing a tiny space with a bookstore and a restaurant, all managed by Somali mothers who are chasing incomes to feed their families. The local authority must separate these businesses. The second issue is the availability of a firefighting service and equipment that should be organized by Galkayo local authority. And a third crucial measure needed is to ensure all business premises and markets are equipped with basic fire fighting equipment.”

A new home-grown British, Somali channel, Star TV Launched

01 Jul – Source: Somalilandpress/Somaliland Informer- 247 words

A ceremony was held at Ealing Hilton in London,UK for the launching of a new home-grown British, Somali channel, Star TV. The channel which is an independent and progressive media organization was officially launched today 30t/6? 2013 and will be available on satellite and online.

Star TV will feature a wide variety of shows both in Somali and English. The programmes are family oriented but also include content specifically geared towards the new generation of youth, particularly those living in the diaspora as well as in the East African continent. Some shows include. Talk the Talk, a youth show focusing on everyday issues affecting the youth in the UK, Live with Dawn, a current affairs programme, Baadisooc, a show that gives insights into Somali culture and many more. With offices and studios in Europe and East Africa than any other “Star TV” will be able to cater for the needs of its audiences more effectively.

During the launching ceremony “Star TV” CEO Mohamed Hassan gave an introductory presentation and former MP for Brent South and Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement in the Cabinet Office, Dawn Butler among other notable speakers at the function.

Conflict in Eelad, Gedo region, forces IDPs to flee to the bush

28 Jun- Source: Radio Ergo- 204 words

Hundreds of displaced people who fled fighting in Eelad in Gedo are struggling to get the basics for survival in the bush. This group of IDPs, estimated to be around 800 families, fled the villages of Lahelay, Dirdire, Warburrey, and Kabri-Hajji on 23 June, following violent clashes between Al-shabab and Somali government forces in Eelad.

Hussein Ali, a member of the local council of elders, said these families could not return to their homes because of the prevailing insecurity. He said, “There are no aid agencies yet to come to the assistance of these people, an even if help is found, it would be difficult to reach them as they are completely cut off.”

Habibo Mohamed, one of the IDPs, told Radio Ergo [by phone] that they are in a precarious situation, with lack of food and shelter being the biggest problems.

“Some families returned to the home locations, when they could not endure the miseries here in the bush, but just last night fresh fighting broke out and they had to run away again. So here we are as refugees, empty-handed; we left all our belonging in our houses,” she said.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Olum named new AMISOM (Ugandan) commander

01 Jul- Source: Daily Monitor/New Vision- 207 words

Ugandan President Museveni has appointed Brig Dick Olum as the new commander of Ugandan forces in Somalia in new changes announced by the Chief of Defence Forces last week. Brig Michael Ondoga, the former commander, has been sent to Nairobi as Military attaché.

Brig Olum has been commanding the African Union forces fighting the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels in the Central African Republic. He will be succeeded by Brig Sam Kavuma, who recently returned from a military course in Kenya.

Army Spokesperson Paddy Ankunda confirmed the changes but denied reports that Brig Ondoga had been recalled over reports of corruption that had allegedly undermined the welfare of soldiers: “I’m not aware of that and I highly doubt it influenced the changes.”

Somalia wants KDF out of Kismayo

01 Jul- Source: Daily Nation/Star- 231 words

The Somali government has called for the removal of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) out of Kismayo for arresting a commander in its army and involvement in violence.

At a press conference in Mogadishu, Deputy Minister for Information Abdishakur Ali Mire accused the Amisom Section Two forces, which includes KDF of engaging in Kismayo violence that lasted for three days.
“Amisom Section Two forces purposefully arrested government appointed division 43 SNA commander, Col Abbas Ibrahim Gurey,” Abdishakur Mire said.

“We are also informed that there was a targeted offensive against civilians and the SNA command centre in Kismayo by the Amisom Section Two forces, which is unfortunate,” he added.

The Somali government has put forward further demands including the replacement of Amisom Section Two forces to a more neutral African Union (AU) force for supporting one side of the warring parties in violation of their mandate.

Oman leader sends cables of greetings

01 Jul- Source: Times of Oman- 223 words

Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman has sent a cable of greetings to President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud of Somalia on the occasion of his country’s National Day. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere greetings along with his best wishes of good health and happiness to President Mahmoud and the brotherly people of Somalia further progress and prosperity.

Al Shabaab leader twists Islamic tenets to enforce obedience, justify killings

28 Jun- Source: Sabahi Online- 1060 words

“If anyone comes while you follow a ruler, and tries to split your unity and disperse you, kill him,” a hadith quotes Prophet Mohammed as saying, according to Sahih Muslim.

Top al Shabaab commander Ahmed Abdi Godane used these same words to threaten a growing number of dissenters within the militant group through a statement issued June 17th. It came two days before militants loyal to Godane engaged in a bloody clash in Barawe with members of an al Shabaab faction opposed to his rule. Dissenters have voiced opposition to what they described as his increasingly tyrannical behaviour.

Produced by the militant group’s al Kataib media arm and announced via Twitter, the 17-page statement titled “This is a Notification for the People” is clear evidence of the mounting internal pressure on Godane. The statement details the dissenters’ apparent transgressions, and attempts to use a long list of hadiths and Qur’anic verses to shore up obedience within the al Shabaab rank-and-file and justify Godane’s continuing manhunt.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Fighting in Kismayo condemned by Ashton

01 Jul- Source: neurope- 309 words

The EU High Representative Catherine Ashton condemned Sunday’s fighting in Kismayo, Somalia which caused the death of 80 people.

On 30 June, the spokesperson of Ashton issued a statement saying, “the High Representative deplores the outbreak of fighting in Kismayo that appears to have caused the loss of innocent civilian lives. She urges all parties to immediately refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and let political processes be used to resolve outstanding differences….Alongside the African Union and United Nations, the EU stands ready to support Somalia in reestablishing security, peaceful, balanced and accountable government, and in restoring economic growth.”

The Somali federal government has accused the African Union forces in Somalia (AMISOM) of taking sides during the heavy fighting in the southern port Somali city. The fighting in Kismayo began on June 28, with troops loyal to Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam fighting against illegal militia. The two days battle ended with Jubaland forces successfully chased out the illegal militia from Kismayo. According to all Africa website, the illegal militia’s leader, Col. Barre Hirale has publicly recognised the Kenyan Christian as “invaders” in Kismayo city.

Experts consider Somalia crisis in round table discussion

01 June Source: Pakistan Observer-302 Words

The Islamabad-base research think-thank, MUSLIM Institute on Sunday organized a round table discussion on “Independence day of Somalia: A Question of Socio, Economic and Political Independence”

Former Ambassador to Kenya, Shafqat KakaKhel and Usman Hassan Research Associate MUSLIM Institute, were speakers in the round table discussion.Representatives from various organizations, universities and media participated in the Discussion.

Usman Hassan, Research Associate MUSLIM Institute, made a presentation on the history and current state of crisis of Somalia. He informed that Somalia forged better relations with USA in 1980s after having differences with Soviet Union.

USA supported Somalia in defense and also provided financial support despite the fact that Barre’s dictatorship was against people’s will. Therefore civil war started in 1980s and Barre’s regime ended in 1991. Since then, no strong central government has been established in the country.

Somalia’s National Day

30 June- Source: US State Department-137 Words

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to the government and people of Somalia as you celebrate your 53rd Independence Day this July 1.

Somalia has seen incredible progress in the past year, and the United States is proud to support the people of Somalia on your path towards stability and prosperity. The June 19 terrorist attack on the United Nations Common Compound in Mogadishu was a desperate attempt to disrupt Somalia’s recovery. The United States remains determined to stand by the people and Government of Somalia as you work to bring peace to your country.

The United States wishes you a safe and festive Independence Day. I look forward to our continued friendship and a democratic, safe, and secure Somalia.

Pirates’ hostage tells of her ordeal

30 Jun- Source: Telegraph- 369 words

Writing in a newspaper, Mrs Tebbutt told how she learnt of her husband David’s death during a conversation with their son Ollie, 25, on a mobile phone from one of the ransom negotiators. She also disclosed how she was kept in filthy conditions and forced to wear robes and cover her head, which made her start to fear for her own sense of identity.

She listed the torment she faced. “To be confined to a bare and filthy room, to be shouted at by angry men in an indecipherable language, to be shrouded in an alien set of clothes uncomfortable against one’s skin, to be humiliated and ridiculed, made to feel like nothing,” she said.

Mr and Mrs Tebbutt, from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, were holidaying in a luxury beach hut on an island on the Kenyan coast – 18 miles from the border of Kenya and Somalia.

Somali forces lure and arrest militant leader Sheikh Aweys

01 July- Source: The National-188 Words

Somali security forces arrested on Saturday a veteran militant leader, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, after he flew to Mogadishu for talks with government officials.

Sheikh Aweys, a former army colonel and a hero of Somalia’s 1977-78 war with Ethiopia, is on the United States and the United Nations Security Council terrorism sanctions lists, but no bounty has been placed on his head.

“There was a big argument that turned into a fist fight between the security forces who arrested Sheikh Aweys and members of the delegation accompanying him, who resisted the arrest,” a senior police officer said yesterday. The reason for the arrest was not immediately clear.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“In an ideal world, I would have liked to see all perpetrators of war crimes and crime against humanity tried in courts of laws in order to respond to their role of what has happened from 1980 to the present day.”

Talking to Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys……

30 June- Source: Hiiraan Online-764 Words

The surrender of Sheikh Hassan Dahir to the Somali government and its position to welcome him has caused political uproar among Somalis everywhere. Before embarking on this sensitive issue, I must declare that I am not a fan of al Shabaab and its leaders, including Hassan Dahir Aweys, the fugitive militant leader who is now in Mogadishu, having run for his life from vicious internal feud within the movement.

Indeed, anyone who reads my articles published on Hiiraan.com knows that I am a diehard critic of the spread of the perverted Islamist movements in Somalia, as I am a tireless campaigner for secularism for Somalia. Also, I must say I am not associated with the leader genealogically, politically or philosophically as our world views are apart as heavens and earth.

In this new political debate, to those who oppose any talks with al Shabaab ands its leaders smell the rotten cadaver of typical Somali clan justice in which criminals might get away with murder by seeking protections from their lineages.

“Of course, Aweys’ capture has symbolic significance in the wider war against the rise of Islamism in Somalia and in this respect was overdue. However, it will not prove a decisive event in the war against al Shabaab.”

Endgame for Aweys; but al Shabaab will continue

28 June- Source: African Arguments-541 Words

Finally, the fate of Hassan Dahir Aweys – Somalia’s foremost Islamist – has been determined. While details of the operation that led to his apprehension are unclear, he appears to have voluntarily surrendered to the Ximan & Xeeb administration – a tiny district in central Somalia from which he hails.

This should surprise no one who has been paying attention to Aweys’ declining fortunes. He had long been waging a fierce battle with al Shabaab and became the dark horse within the hardliners (who distrusted his national ambition). Fortunately for Aweys, his primarily nationalist ideology kept him off of the US’s most wanted list.

As most counterterrorism experts have been quick to point out, his capture does not spell the end for al Shabaab or terrorist activity in Somalia. Quite the contrary, it may encourage hardliners to stage more deadly assaults in order to counter the view that al Shabaab is on the back foot.

“This clan political dynamic is eternal in Somalia, but clan fault lines have become even more pronounced since the fall of the Siad Barre dictatorship in 1991.”

Somalia: Regional Rivalries and the Fight for Kismayo

29 June- Source: Stratfor/Irgamag-624 Words

Recent fighting in the southern Somali city of Kismayo between militias led by warlords Ahmed Madobe and Barre Hiraale, both of whom claim the presidency of Jubaland territory, could unravel security gains in the region and allow the Islamist militant group al Shabaab to reassert itself.

Meanwhile, Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia are pursuing their own interests in the region, conducting separate security operations and lending their support to different clans and militias. In the long term, stability in southern Somalia will depend on continued financial and military commitment from Kenya and Ethiopia.

The federal government of Somalia has yet to establish control of regions outside of Mogadishu and a few key towns in central Somalia. Kismayo, the largest city and trade port as well as the capital of Jubaland, remains under the control of militias backed by either Kenya or Ethiopia, although Somalia wants to install political leadership over the region and gain access to revenue from Kismayo’s port. At the root of these frictions are Somali clan politics in the south and the regional rivalry between Ethiopia and Kenya.

A Long Walk Home: Judith Tebbutt

01 July- Source: Faber-225 Words

In September 2011 Judith Tebbutt and her husband David set out on an adventurous holiday to Kenya. A couple for thirty-three years, they had first met in Zambia: Africa had played a major part in their life together. After a joyous week on safari in the Masai Mara, they flew on to a beach resort forty kilometres south of Somalia. And there, in the early hours of 11 September, tragedy struck them.

Judith was torn away from David by a band of armed pirates, dragged over sea and land to a village in the arid heart of lawless Somalia, and there held hostage in a squalid room, a ransom on her head. There, too, she learned the terrible truth that the responsibility of securing her release now rested with her son Ollie.
But though she was isolated, intimidated and near-starved, Judith resolved to survive – walking endless circuits of her nine-foot prison, trying to make her captors see her as a human being, keeping her faith at all times in Ollie.

Powerful, moving and at times quite devastating, this is Judith Tebbutt’s story in her own words. It is a memoir of the life she shared with her beloved husband, an unflinching account of the ordeal that overturned her world, and a testament to the inner resilience and familial love that sustained her through captivity.

Top tweets

@MinisterHashi A very happy independence day to all #somaliacitizens. Hopefully the worst chapter in our history is written n better days alone r ahead

@USAforSOMALIA President Obama on #Somalia‘s 53rd Independence Day “We look forward to our continued friendship and a democratic, safe, and secure Somalia”

‏@usembbrussels #Somalia has seen incredible progress in the past year: #SecKerry on Somalia’s National Dayhttp://ow.ly/mx3Z8

@StJCx Serious doubts persist about whether conditions in#Somalia are conducive to a large-scale repatriation operation:http://bit.ly/10pj7od

@amisomsomalia #HAMBALYO! It’s July 1, 2013 – Happy#Independence Day to all our #Somalia brothers & sistershttp://on.fb.me/12y3TOG pic.twitter.com/GIanlMllfL

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Image of the day

Image of the day Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys (2nd R), one of Somalia’s most prominent militant commanders, who was arrested on Wednesday, is escorted at Adado airstrip June 29, 2013, to be transferred to capital Mogadishu. Photo:Reuters/Stringer