August 6, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Somalia celebrates second anniversary since ouster of al Shabaab terrorists from Mogadishu

06 Aug – Source: AMISOM – 302 words

As Somalia marks the second anniversary since the liberation of the capital city Mogadishu from al Qaeda affiliated terrorists al Shabaab, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to supporting the country’s peace process.

The expulsion of al Shabaab from fixed positions in the city was a significant strategic achievement and set the stage for other successes across the country. “The city of Mogadishu has experienced resurgence in all aspects of political, economic and socio-cultural life. Shops are open till late, markets and homes are being rebuilt. Many Somalis are opting to return home while commercial flights increase in Mogadishu.” Said Ambassador Annadif.

“Two years ago, Somalia National Security Forces with the support of AMISOM dealt a huge blow to the al Shabaab.” He said. “Their ejection from Mogadishu set the stage for the tremendous political progress we have witnessed which culminated with the adoption of a provisional constitution, representative elections and the first peaceful handover of power in over forty years in Somalia.” He added.

Key Headlines

Somalia signs Oil & Gas Seismic Agreement (Office of the Prime Minister)
Somalia celebrates second anniversary since ouster of al Shabaab terrorists from Mogadishu(AMISOM)
Region wants continent’s role in stabilizing Somalia (New Vision)
War-Dhigley deputy commissioner killed in Mogadishu (Bar-kulan/Jowhar Online/Somaliweyn)
Somalia: Jubaland President accuses Federal Government of violating constitution (Garowe Online)
Leaders back KDF stay in Somalia (Daily Nation)
Somalia’s Puntland breaks off relations with central government (Reuters)
Rape and injustice: The woman breaking Somalia’s wall of silence (CNN)

PRESS RELEASE

Somalia signs Oil & Gas Seismic Agreement

06 Aug – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 89 words

The Minister of National Resources, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Somalia, announced that the Government has today signed an Agreement with Soma Oil and Gas Exploration Ltd, ww.somaoilandgas.coma United Kingdom company.

Under the agreement the company will conduct seismic surveying to assist the development of Somalia’s hydrocarbons sector. It is expected that this will attract further investment and facilitate exploration in an area of immense economic potential for the nation. The agreement reflects the strength of the relationship between Somalia and the United Kingdom.

Somalia celebrates second anniversary since ouster of al Shabaab terrorists from Mogadishu

06 Aug – Source: AMISOM – 302 words

Securing the capital city Mogadishu was the first phase of the original AMISOM concept of operations. AMISOM has since completed the second phase which entailed helping the government secure major towns like Kismayo, Baidoa and Beledweyne and in south-central Somalia.

Since their withdrawal from Mogadishu, the al Shabaab terror group has suffered a string of losses and has resorted to terror tactics that have continued to claim the lives of innocent civilians.“We are working with the Somali government to tackle the threat to the Somali people posed by the foreign-led terrorists. Our forces have significantly degraded their capabilities and we will continue to train up the Somalia National Security Forces so they are enabled to take charge of the security.” Said Ambassador Annadif.

SOMALI MEDIA

War-Dhigley deputy commissioner killed in Mogadishu

06 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan/Jowhar Online/Somaliweyn – 93 Words

Unidentified men have shot dead Shire Ahmed Tako, Deputy Commissioner of War-Dhigley district in the Somali capital, Mogadishu on Monday night, according to reports.

Speaking to Bar-kulan, local residents said that unknown armed men killed Shire near his home and immediately managed flee. The motive of the attack is not yet known, as no arrests have yet been made.

The Deputy Commissioner of Somalia’s Yakshid District in north Mogadishu, Ms Rahma Dahir Siad, was also killed near her home by unknown gunmen last month. Four suspects have been arrested for Rahmo’s killing.

Somalia: Jubaland President accuses Federal Government of violating constitution

06 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 380 Words

The President of Somalia’s Jubaland administration Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) has accused the Somali Federal Government (SFG) in Mogadishu of violating the country’s genuine constitution and expanding its authority through greedy means on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference held at Kismayo airport, where cheering crowds welcomed thirty soldiers who received medical treatments in Puntland’s Galkayo city, President Madobe strongly condemned the Somali Federal Government for ‘fomenting’ violence in the southern port city of Kismayo and of being ‘greed’.

He added that the public considered a ‘greedy’ move to cede the control of Kismayo seaport and airport to SFG in Mogadishu and insisted that similar principles will guide and govern Somalia’s major seaports including Bosaso, Berbera and Kismayo, according to the federal constitution.

President Madobe noted that Mogadishu based federal government has been reluctant to cooperate with Jubaland which he said is a federated state and the only legitimate authority in Kismayo “My administration intends to push ahead with progressive agendas and we are committed to ensure lasting peace and to sustain our ongoing efforts”.

Pirates Shift Focus From Somalia to West Africa

06 Aug – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 76 words

West African leaders have called for the deployment of an international naval force to curb the growing threat of piracy off the Gulf of Guinea. Piracy in the region needed to be tackled with “firmness,” Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara said at a meeting of regional leaders.

There are now more pirate attacks off West Africa than off Somalia, maritime groups said last week. Patrols by foreign warships are credited with reducing attacks by Somali pirates.

Wounded journalist finally flown to Nairobi for treatment

05 Aug – Source: Radio Dalsan – 143 Words

After efforts made by the management of Radio Dalsan and family members in Mogadishu, wounded Somali journalist Mascud Abdullahi Adam was flown to Nairobi, Kenya. The journalist was barred on Sunday by the Mogadishu immigration officials after they conditioned that the journalist should have documents from the ministry of information.

However, the restriction was removed due to efforts made by the radio administration and he is now expected to receive treatment in Nairobi’s Aga Khan hospital where he will undergo a surgery on his backbone to remove a bullet.

Mascud, who is a correspondent, based in Lower Jubba region, was shot and wounded by militia in Kismayo on 17th July after he and two other journalists went to cover a bomb explosion in the port city.

NUSOJ Condemns The Attack On Journalist’s Home in Kismayo

05 Aug – Source: Somali Update/NUSOJ – 411 Words

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns in the strongest terms possible following attack on journalist’s home in Kismayo on early hours on Sunday morning, around 2:00am local time. Unknown gunmen attacked the home of a Somali journalist , Abdikhadar Iman dhaqane, a correspondent of Horncable Television, at Farjano neighborhood in Kismayo on the early hours on Sunday morning, around 2:00am local time.

According to NUSOJ sources, the gunmen opened fire at the house of the journalist, which he narrowly escaped. Several journalists today met with the administration there and informed the incident and were informed. The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) calls on the Federal Government of Somalia to carry out prompt investigations into the case and ensure the safety of the journalists in the volatile region of lower Jubba.

“We condemn all acts of violence against the journalists and particularly the attack on the house of our colleague, Abdikhadar Iman Dhaqane.” Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said, “It is still unfortunate that the attacks against the journalists continue in Kismayo, which will then not only force to self censorship but might result journalists to evacuate the area, which will result complete media silence.”

President Silanyo appoints WFP Aid Coordinator

06 Aug – Source: Somaliland Sun – 100 words

Somaliland President Ahmed Mohammud Silanyo has appointed Yusuf Osman Garas as the WFP food aid coordinator. Mr. Garas previously worked in the administration and finance department of CARITAS, a Swiss International NGO. During his tenure at CARITAS he is alleged to have been involved in embezzlement. His case is still continuing at Hargeisa regional court.

As president Silanyo was appointing him as WFP food aid coordinator, CARITAS officials were writing to the office of the vice president to talk with the Attorney general in order to get a prompt and fair hearing as far as the case is concerned.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Region wants continent’s role in stabilizing Somalia

06 Aug – Source: New Vision – 512 Words

Regional heads of state still want other African countries to contribute to the stabilization effort in Somalia under AMISOM. So far, this role has been played by states under the regional grouping of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as well as Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

AMISOM is presently comprised of 6,000 Ugandan troops, 5,000 from Burundi, 4,000 Kenyans and 1,000 troops from Djibouti. There are also 850 troops from Sierra Leone, with police units from Nigeria and Uganda. Uganda, which was the first to deploy troops in the Horn of Africa nation in March 2007, has the biggest troop numbers in Somalia.

The heads of state and government of the troop-contributing countries under AMISOM as well as Ethiopia and Somalia held a summit at Speke Resort Munyonyo between 1st and 4th August. The summit chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta aimed to harmonize the approach by the stakeholders in building a peaceful Somalia.

Also, in attendance was Ethiopian Premier Hailemariam Desalegn, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Djibouti defence minister Hassan Darar Houfaneh. Others included Gabriel Nizigama the Burundian minister of public security and Ambassador Andrew Gbebay Bangali the AU Permanent Representative for Sierra Leone, and Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif the AU Special Representative for AMISOM.

Leaders back KDF stay in Somalia

05 Aug – Source: Daily Nation – 392 Words

Countries contributing troops to African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have distanced themselves from reports calling for the withdrawal of Kenyan military from the operation. The leaders’ spoke in the wake of a statement appearing in Kenyan and Somali media, attributed to some Somali leaders, saying Kenya should withdraw its troops from the Horn of Africa country.

The Somali delegation withdrew the statement at the meeting at Munyonyo, Uganda, after Kenya and other regional countries strongly objected to the claims. Kenya has played a leading role in peace initiatives in Somalia— leading to major achievements, including liberation of the port of Kismayu from Al-Shabaab militia.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the Amisom Troops Contributing Countries Heads of State Summit in Uganda, regional leaders also rejected suggestions to re-hat Amisom. The leaders, among them Presidents Kenyatta, Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia) and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn (Ethiopia) argued that the move was premature and would cause a dysfunctional command and control.

They said folding Amisom into the UN mission would cause inequitable distribution of resources and render operations of the mission ineffective. They emphasized the need for continued African leadership in the efforts to stabilise Somalia and reduce the threat of al Shabaab. They underlined the fight against al Shabaab as their major focus.

Somali-Kenyans face hurdles obtaining identification cards

05 Aug – Source: Sabahi Online – 774 Words

Ahmed Daud Hassan, a Somali-Kenyan from north-eastern Kenya’s Dadaab district, says he waited more than 27 years to receive his national identification card before finally giving up. Hassan, 52, said he stopped trying after numerous attempts to obtain the document failed, even though it has caused problems for his five children as well.

“Four of my children are past 18 years old and they cannot get an identification card either,” he told Sabahi. “It is a requirement that to get an identification card, one must produce their parents’ identification card.” “They all did well in high school but they cannot progress with further education because they do not have identification to allow them to even venture out of Dadaab district,” he said.

Hassan said his freedom of movement was restricted and he cannot rightfully own any property or vote without an identification card. Complicating matters, Somali residents of Dadaab district often are confused with Somali refugees who live in the local refugee camp complex.

“No one believes us that we are Kenyans; that makes us feel like refugees in our own country. In my life I have never left Dadaab,” Hassan said. It is difficult and risky to travel outside the district without an ID, even to seek medical attention, said 46-year-old Farhiya Mohammed Hussein.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia’s Puntland breaks off relations with central government

06 Aug – Source: Reuters – 184 words

Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region said on Monday it had cut all ties with the central government in a likely setback to efforts to pacify the Horn of Africa Country as it emerges from two decades of conflict. Puntland accused the Mogadishu government of refusing to share power and foreign aid with the regions in line with the country’s federal structure, as well as taking its eye off the fight against al Qaeda-linked Islamist militants.

“The fragmented country has been plunged back into a vicious cycle of violence, displacement, clan animosities and a complete disregard for the country’s genuine Provisional Federal Constitution,” Puntland’s administration said in an official statement. “Puntland hereby suspends all cooperation and relations with (the) Federal Government of Somalia.”

The election in September of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a political newcomer with a background in reconciling clan feuds, was seen as a vote for change. But he has struggled to overcome acrimonious clan politics, corruption and a stubborn Islamist insurgency. Somalia’s neighbours and foreign powers fear a return to civil war in a country long seen as a launchpad for militant Islam.

Kenyan Police Challenged Over Shootings

05 Aug – Source: IWPR – 1314 Words

Outside his home on the outskirts of Mombasa, 29-year-old Swaleh Rama holds up a dry, blood stained bed sheet. He has vowed to keep it as evidence of what he says was the illegal shooting of his elder brother, Salim Mohammed Nyiro, by counter-terrorist officers from the Kenyan police force. Nyiro was shot dead by officers on the morning of June 17 at his home in Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest city.

Police say that he was a member of Somalia’s militant group al Shabaab, and that they were forced to shoot to kill after he opened fire on them at his home as they tried to arrest him. Later that same day, police shot a second man, Kassim Omollo, who they say was a central figure in recruiting and radicalising Kenyans. They say he was involved in taking young men to Somalia where they were trained to fight for al Shabaab.

After shooting Nyiro, police found Omollo’s number stored in his mobile phone. They used this number and information from Nyiro’s wife to trace Omollo. Police say Omollo was a senior member of al Shabaab and had been operating in both Kenya and Somalia. They had been looking for him and Nyiro for several months, suspecting them of planning attacks in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Rape and injustice: The woman breaking Somalia’s wall of silence

05 Aug – Source: CNN – 925 Words

Inside a brightly painted Mogadishu clinic, Salim (not her real name) sits alongside her seven-year-old son, waiting for a check-up. Opposite them, a health professional listens to their nightmarish ordeal.

Salim recounts how she was raped and then watched, helpless, as her young son was molested. Too afraid to seek assistance, she did what she thought would help. She washed her son’s wounds with hot water and salt for four excruciating days, until they were brought here, the Sister Somalia center.

“There are so many stories; when you hear one, another one is even worse and that makes you think of it all the time,” says Fartuun Adan, co-founder of Sister Somalia, the first rape crisis center in the East African country. “I even dream about what I heard during the day.”

A champion for women’s rights in Somalia, Adan is used to hearing such horror stories. Two years ago, she started Sister Somalia, a group dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence with medical services, counseling, education and entrepreneurial advice.

UNICEF steps up efforts to stop polio outbreak in Somalia with help of Japanese grant

05 Aug – Source: UN News Center – 172 words

An emergency contribution from Japan will enable the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners to tackle a polio outbreak in Somalia that has already paralyzed nearly 100 children and threatens hundreds of thousands more who are not vaccinated.

UNICEF said it will be able to procure and distribute urgently needed polio vaccines, and prevent the further spread of the virus across the Horn of Africa nation and into neighbouring countries with the $1.3 million provided by the Japanese Government.

“Lack of access to routine immunization in Somalia has created the largest known reservoir of unvaccinated children in a single geographic area in the world. The total number of Somali children who had never been vaccinated between 2008 and 2012 was estimated to reach a million,” says Sikander Khan, UNICEF Somalia Representative. “The poliovirus in such a large reservoir has the potential to result in a catastrophic outbreak, the likes of which are beginning to be seen and as such constitutes an international emergency,” he added in a news release.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Whichever shape the regional position on Somalia takes, it is evident that the dependency between Kenya and Somalia is not a one way love affair; it is a dependency which runs both ways.”

Kenya and Somalia: Love or dependency?

05 Aug – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1244 Words

In his Presidential inauguration speech Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said his country has “invested immense diplomatic energy and resources in the quest for a stable Somalia,” and will support the African Union peace process there because “a stable and prosperous Somalia is in the interest of all nations.” Kenya’s commitment to its neighbour has stood strong in recent years.

However currently relations can perhaps be described as “a conversation between two veiled women, on the outside they observe every form of friendly etiquette, yet beneath the burkha they are scowling.” The level to which Kenyan involvement is altruistic or a result of the insecurity which the Somali conflict has created in Kenya is perhaps debatable, regardless of this, 4,040 Kenyan troops are currently stationed in Somalia as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM.)

The presence of these troops, controversial reports regarding their alleged conduct, Kenyan government plans to repatriate some 600,000 Somali refugees along with Somalia now being open for business are all issues which threaten to affect the delicate relationship between these two countries.

“As the international community continues to forcefully counteract the terrorist activities of al Shabaab, questions remain as to the legitimacy of the methods used in their doing so. Counter terrorism may be taken as a euphemism, in some instances, for state sponsored terror as the measures taken are mostly not consistent with the ideals of civil society. They, essentially, mirror the disregard terrorists show the public. Without any major outcry in the case al Shabaab, it would appear that two wrongs make a right!”

Somalia: Counter Terrorism in Horn Africa and al Shabaab

05 Aug – Source: Somaliland Press – 1738 Words

Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for many bombings—including various types of suicide attacks—in Mogadishu and in central and Somaliland. For example, in October 2008, the group carried out a series of five coordinated explosions that struck government offices, the Ethiopian consulate, and the United Nations Development Programme compound.

Al Shabaab had used a combination of small arms attacks and suicide bombings, at least, 95 deadly attack since 2006. It had managed to strike the TFG ministers of Interior, Health, Education and Sports, at least, six members of the Somali Parliament and had caused serious damage to Mogadishu airport, port and presidential palace.

Al Shabaab also attempt to radicalise Somali youth who are unemployed due lack of opportunity within the region. For example the story of Shirwa Ahmed, an ethnic Somali graduate from a high school in Minneapolis, USA in 2003, who was radicalised, travelled to Somalia in 2007 and in the October 2008 attacks drove a truck loaded with explosives toward a government compound in Somaliland killing himself and 20 other people, including UN office in Somaliland and Ethiopian Ambassador to Somaliland s and humanitarian assistance workers.

“I should hasten to point out our problems emanate from our leadership and educational practices, and our character. Some further questions may indicate the legitimacy of this view, and if that isn’t the case, why do not our educational system or educated people contribute to making difference in our national cause?”

Why Somalia cannot be fixed? Sources of its political problems and their solutions

04 Aug – Source: Wardheer News – 441 Words

Is Somalia doomed to a failure? Is it going to fade? I don’t like to be pessimistic, but I want to share with fellow Somalis a legitimate concern on the continuity of the haunting problem in our country.

In a rapidly changing world, Somalia has been enveloped for more than 3 decades by destruction, despair, and dreadful human tragedy. After the formation of an official government, the country is not still on course. The hope that accompanied this government has apparently now evaporated. The pervasive, persistent tragedy is not yet yielding. The era of agony and aberration is not getting over.

However, what needs now to be focused upon is why cannot this problem be ended? Why cannot Somalia be fixed? Why cannot a solution be found? There must be answers for these questions. But there are more.

There is something momentous happening in Somalia today. But we don’t know its direction and dimension because our destiny is not in our hands. The fact that the Somali authorities cannot so far make an agreement without pressure from outside shows that they are still irrelevant in the current process. Are we supposed to accept that?

Top tweets

@AbukarArman So long as #US #IC #DualTrack remains the main policy twd #Somalia this kind of #PoliticalSchizophreniawill continue http://t.co/bspe5Uxpm4

@t_mcconnell Federalism proving a serious headache for#Somalia as Puntland cuts ties in spat with Mogadishuhttp://reut.rs/15Axpq2.

@JamalMOsman Campaign against Barclays remittance block heads to No 10 Downing Street- @Channel4News http://t.co/PiwTby37FY #Somalia.

@dailynation President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged #Africa to remain focused on rooting out Al-Shabaab and stabilising#Somalia http://bit.ly/13J3l5Q.

@Rooble2009 Australia leads the way with world’s first free Somali-English dictionary app – http://t.co/7vVGsyBYbz #Somali #Dictionary.

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Image of the day

Image of the day A line for food distribution in Afgoye, overlooked by a technical belonging to the Somali National Army. Photo: @tobinbjones.