August 26, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali government sets a deadline for registration of airline companies

25 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Dalsan – 107 words

The federal government of Somalia has set a deadline for registration of airline companies operating in Somalia. According to a statement from the office of the Minister for Information, Posts and Transportation Abdullahi Elmoge Hersi, the ministry has ordered the airline companies to bring their licenses to the ministry within a week and follow the rules of the government towrds the aviation matters. After meeting the owners and directors of all airline companies operating in Somalia, whether it is an international airline or local airline company, the ministry has given a seven days to bring the companies their licenses and their crew for checking, the statement said.

Key Headlines

AMISOM hands over vocational training school to the Somali Government (AMISOM)
Ministry of social development rebuffed corruption allegations (Raxanreeb)
Federal government shows the existence of quality control agent in Mogadishu (SNTV)
AMISOM denies rape allegations (SNTV/Hiiraan Online)
Somali Olympic official shot and killed in Mogadishu (Radio Bar-Kulan)
Car explosion targets a state minister in Garowe (Shabelle)
Information minister calls former ministers to return back vehicles of the ministry (Radio Dalsan)
The new governor of Galgadud region for FG is expected to go to the region (Radio Mustaqbal)
Government wants foreigners arriving the country to be registered (Raxanreeb)
Somalia: Baidoa grenade attacks target Federal Govt officials (Garowe Online)
Ethiopian forces to take over security in Gedo region (Raxanreeb)
Minister of Information Opens the 4TH SORADI Annual Conference on Somaliland Development(Somaliland Press)
Kenya says 80000 Somali refugees returned voluntarily (Daily News Egeypt/AFP)
KDF ambush al Shabaab militants in Hulugho (Star News)
AMISOM command disproves rape allegation against Somali girl in the capital

PRESS RELEASE

AMISOM hands over vocational training school to the Somali Government

23 Aug – Source: AMISOM – 210 words

The African Union Mission in Somalia has handed over a vocational training school to the Federal Government. The school, one of the key initiatives undertaken by AMISOM is located in Mogadishu’s Wadajir District.

Built with support from the Danish Government at a cost of USD150000, the school consisting of eight classrooms, an administration block and ablution facilities, will be managed by the Government of Somalia and will provide vocational training to over 360 Somali students in a single intake.

The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E.Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC), Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif.

‘Beyond the military and police component, there is a dynamic civilian component that is involved in improving the lives of the people of Somalia’, said Ambassador Annadif. He thanked the Federal Government of Somalia for its cooperation and support to AMISOM.

‘We appreciate the efforts of the African Union Mission in Somalia and call on the Somali youth to take up the opportunity of acquiring education’, said President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Now in its 6th year, AMISOM has worked hard to provide security as well as social welfare programs in areas such as health and education.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali government sets a deadline for registration of airline companies

25 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Dalsan – 107 words

Ministry of social development rebuffed corruption allegations

25 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb – 70 words

The Ministry of the Social Services Development of the federal government of Somalia has strongly rebuffed corruption allegations on the university scholarships meant for the Somali students in the country. Ismail Yusuf, the directorate of the higher education of the ministry has said that it was unfortunate that some politicians were accusing the ministry over corruption towards the fair distribution of the foreign scholarships to the Somali secondary schools graduates.

Federal government shows the existence of quality control agent in Mogadishu

25 Aug – Source: SNTV/Raxanreeb – 122 words

The federal government of Somalia has fully confirmed the existence of a quality control agent based in Mogadishu’s seaport and airport for the first time since 1991. According to a statement from the ministry of trade of the federal government a foreign firm will be responsible in checking and controlling the foods and other imported goods from abroad entering the country. The ministry said it has not the mechanisms to control imported goods entering the country and for that sake it is now using foreign agent to do so. “I fully appreciate the agreement with the foreign agent dealing with the quality one of the most important needs for our society.” Abdukadir Sheikh Ismail, the deputy minister for trade and cooperation said.

AMISOM denies rape allegations

24 Aug – Source: Shabelle/SNTV/Hiiraan Online – 115 words

AMISOM spokesman Colonel Ali Adan Hamud held a press conference in Mogadishu today and addressed several issues including the recent rape allegations by AMISOM troops in Mogadishu. Colonel Hamud denied the allegations saying that AMISOM troops did not take part or involved in the rape scandal that has rocked Mogadishu in past days of a young lady who was gang raped by the army in the capital. “AMISOM troops are here to defend the Somali population and not to course distraction” said Hamud. The spokesman added that a joint committee from the government and AMISOM are still investigating the issue and will decide on what to do after the results is provided by the committee.

Somali Olympic official shot and killed in Mogadishu

24 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 73 words

Two middle-aged men armed with pistols have last night shot and killed Amin Ali Mumin, the Chairman of the Olympic committee for Dharkinley district in the Somali capital Mogadishu. The deceased, Amin Ali Mumin was killed near his home on Friday evening, as the assailants immediately fled from the scene. Confirming the death of Amin, Dharkinley district commissioner Moalim Abdalle Hilowle told government-run media stations that the police are still after the killers.

Car explosion targets a state minister in Garowe

24 Aug – Source: Shabelle – 87 words

a car explosion occurred at a place which is a few metres away from the presidential palace in Garowe town which is the capital of Puntland state last night. The culprits behind the explosion are not yet known and no one has come out to claim the responsibility of incident which occurred at around 19:30hrs local time. Government soldiers in the town have started a security operation to hunt down the people believed to be behind the car explosion which did not course any human casualties.

Government wants foreigners arriving the country to be registered

24 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb – 109 words

The Federal Government of Somalia has ordered all foreigners arriving Somalia to contact to the interior and security ministry to be registered for their security after a failed kidnap attempt against a Swedish politician occurred in Mogadishu on Wednesday. Ridwan Haji Abdiweli, the spokesman for the Office of Somalia prime minister said today that the government will not tolerate foreigners entering the country without informing the security officials. “The strongly informs whole foreigners coming into the country to immediately contact the security ministry for their security.” Abdiweli said. The spokesman also confirmed that the security forces arrested three people in connection with Wednesday’s attack against the Swedish politician woman.

The new governor of Galgadud region for FG is expected to go to the region

25 Aug – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 76 words

The new governor of Galgadud region in the central of Somalia for federal government of Somali republic is expected to go to the region on Sunday as reports from Galgadud say that tense exits in Gureil. Husein Ali Wahliye known as (Erfe) is hopped today to go to Galgadud region as the government nominated him to that region. Reports from towns of Dhusamareb, Gureil, Abudwaq, and other settlements say the governor will travel to that region.

Somalia: Baidoa grenade attacks target Federal Govt officials

23 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 88 words

At least two hand grenades were reportedly hurdled into a hotel in Bay regional capital of Baidoa in southern Somalia on Thursday night, Garowe Online reports. Local reports add that armed militias carried out the attack on the hotel which houses the security officials of the Somali Federal Government and Baidoa court judges. “I heard a series of explosions after midnight,” nearby resident said by telephone from Baidoa. Federal Government officials in Baidoa told the media that investigations are underway to find the perpetrators of the grenade attacks.

Ethiopian forces to take over security in Gedo region

24 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb – 88 words

Ethiopian military officials in Beled hawa town have today announced that their army will be responsible securing the whole region, RBC reports. At a press conference in Beled hawa town today, the regional administration under the federal government of Somalia and the Ethiopian military officials jointly clarified that the government army in the main towns will be deployed to the rural areas to continue the hunt mission against the militants groups of Al Shabaab while the main cities will get newly trained local army acting as police forces.

Himan & Heb authority warns pirates

24 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 83 words

Himan and Heb authority in central Somalia indicated that it will not allow pirates to base in any of the areas controlled by the Adado town based administration. Speaking to Bar-kulan, Abdillahi Ali Mohamed (Barleh), Himan and Heb president affirmed that his administration will not allow pirates to be hiding in the areas under their authority. “When pirates come in these areas, the cost of living becomes very high according to the other times, security in the area also deteriorates”, says Mr Barleh.

Minister of Information Opens the 4TH SORADI Annual Conference on Somaliland Development

23 Aug – Source: Somaliland Press – 106 words

Minister of Information and National Guidance Hon Abdillahi Mohamed Dahir (Cukuse) opened the 4th Annual Conference organized by the Social Research and Development Institute (SORADI) whose theme was Somaliland Development Series: Freedom of Press: Challenges and Opportunities, at Ambassador Hotel, Hargeisa Somaliland.Hon Abdillahi Cukuse said, “Somaliland media should play an important role to the society by providing citizens with reliable and accurate facts, the government of Somaliland plans to introduce a diversity of projects to support journalists and journalism in an inventive and a creative environment that we’re confident will generate innovative ideas to move journalism forward while safeguarding the code of ethic for journalism.

Information minister calls former ministers to return back vehicles of the ministry

23 Aug – Source: Radio Dalsan – 81 words

The Information Minister of the federal government of Somalia Abdullahi Elmoge Hersi has called the former ministers of the ministry to return back vehicles belonged by the ministry. Speaking in Mogadishu on Thursdaysaid that he has ordered politicians benefiting from ministry properties including the vehicles to return back. While not mentioning the politicians holding the property of the government illegally but said that at least 90 vechiles belonged by the ministry of information were benefited by some politicians in Mogadishu.

Somalia: Puntland Highway Authority renovates roads

23 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 92 words

Puntland Highway Authority continue to renovate Bossaso-to-Galkayo paved highway in an effort to upgrade region’s transport infrastructure, Garowe Online reports. Speaking on Puntland-based independent station Radio Garowe, the Director of Puntland Highway Authority (PHA) Eng. Mohamud Abdinur said “Puntland Government’s priority is to make roads in Puntland passable” and to connect towns to remote areas and faraway vicinity with the help of our partners. Eng. Abdinur noted that the ongoing rehabilitation work on the roads in Puntland is aimed at improving road network to ensure smooth terrain and to reduce road accidents.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia demands sanctions end for ‘chief’ Shabaab banker

25 Aug – Source: Daily News Egeypt/AFP – 134 words
Somalia’s government has demanded UN sanctions be lifted from a businessman accused of being a chief financier for Al-Qaeda inspired insurgents fighting the internationally-backed authorities, the information minister said Sunday. Banker and businessman Ali Ahmed Nur Jimale, who was placed on a United Nations Security Council sanction list in February 2012, is accused of being “one of Al-Shebab’s chief financiers”, according to the UN. But Somali information minister Abdulahi Elmoge Hersi said a government committee had investigated the allegations and found no evidence for maintaining the sanctions. “After long discussions, the Somali government decided that Ahmed Nur Jimale should have his embargo lifted to get his freedom back,” Hersi told AFP. “We call on the international community to respect our decision,” he said, adding that a formal request would be submitted to the UN.

Kenya says 80,000 Somali refugees returned voluntarily

25 Aug – Source: Coast Week/Xinhua – 174 words

The Kenya government on Friday announced that over 80,000 Somalia refugees have voluntarily returned to their country following the restoration of peace in the Horn of Africa nation. Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku said records from the department of refugees at the largest refugee camp in Dadaab indicate that the families have already relocated and resettled in various parts of Somalia. “Out of the normalcy returning, thousands Somalia nationals through voluntary action have gone back to their country, an indication that the peaceful situation in Somalia is working well for the country,” Lenku told journalists in Mombasa. He said the government will not relent on its plans to repatriate more than half a million Somalia nationals who had arrived in the country as a result of conflict in Somalia.

KDF ambush al Shabaab militants in Hulugho

23 Aug – Source: Star News – 130 words

THE Kenya Defense Forces on Tuesday killed an unknown number al-shabaab militiamen along the border town of Hulugho. Garissa county Commissioner Rashid Khator said the militants are suspected to have been responsible for last Friday’s attack on an administration police camp at Galmagala Division where four AP officers were killed. “We believe these are the same individuals who were involved in the killings of our four police officers, our KDF officers engaged them in a heavy exchange of fire and gunned down several of them,” he said. Khator said the killed militiamen wore camouflage uniforms similar to those of the Somalia Transitional Federal Government forces. He said the KDF and other security agents have mounted aggressive security operations along the border towns in order to deal with militia related incidents.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

AMISOM command disproves rape allegation against Somali girl in the capital

25 Aug – Source: All Voices – 148 words

The African union peacekeeping forces command has disproved the rape allegation of the Somali girl in Mogadishu showing to be false to the reports saying that an AU soldier raped the girl according to officials. Spokesman of the African union peacekeeping forces, Col. Cali Xamud who held press conference in the Somali capital Mogadishu today on Saturday denied the rape allegations of the Somali girl who was said to be raped by an African soldier. The spokesman of Amisom said, “ We are treating 300 Somali girl at Xalane hospital run by Amisom, it is untrue the reports indicating that an AU soldier raped a girl and an African soldier who isnot given training about Somali culture is not brought here”. AMISOM is aware of the allegations leveled against its troops in reference to the alleged rape case in Maslah according to statement early this month to this case.

AFM team involved in anti-piracy operations off Somalia

25 Aug – Source: Times of Malta – 93 words

The AFM’s Special Duties Enhanced Boarding Team (SDEBT), currently deployed off Somalia, has been involved in a number of vessel inspections as part of anti-piracy operations, the AFM said. The team is made up of three officers and 19 other ranks. The deployment forms part of an EU operation in line with UN Security Council Resolution. The AFM has been involved in escorting World Food Programme (WFP) vessels delivering aid to displaced persons in Somalia, and the protection of shipping. In addition, the EU NAVFOR also contributes to the monitoring of fishing activities.

Somali-American man convicted in 2010 Portland, Ore., Christmas bomb plot apologizes

24 Aug – Source: AP – 136 words

A young Somali-American man convicted of plotting to bomb a 2010 Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in Portland’s town square has written an apology letter in advance of his sentencing and says he renounces his former beliefs. In the letter filed Friday by his lawyers in federal court, Mohamed Mohamud offers to speak to young Muslims “to help keep them away from the path of extremism” and tells U.S. District Judge Garr King he turned to books to help himself “walk a better path.” His reading list ranges from “The Grapes of Wrath” to President Barack Obama’s “The Audacity of Hope” to “A Zombie Apocalypse.” Mohamud was arrested Nov. 26, 2010, after pressing a button on a cellphone that he believed would detonate a 1,800-pound diesel-and-fertilizer bomb near thousands of people at the annual holiday gathering.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“I have recently spent a lot of time talking to Somali refugees in Kenya and, since they are not invited to the summit to discuss the return of refugees to Somalia, allow me to present some of their thoughts and ideas.I am not a representative of the refugees, just a concerned friend.”

Letter from Dadaab to Uhuru and Mohamud: The uninvited don’t want to stay unheard

24 Aug- Source: East African- 514 words

Dear Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia,

You are meeting next week on August 28 and 29 in Nairobi to discuss the return of refugees to Somalia. For some reason you have not invited any representative from the refugee community.

This strikes me as a strange decision and a missed opportunity.

The people whom you want to relocate to Somalia are also very keen to talk about going home. While you are meeting for two days to discuss this complicated issue, they spend all day every day, creatively discussing it and they have a good idea of how to go about it. Why wouldn’t you want to hear from them?

I have recently spent a lot of time talking to Somali refugees in Kenya and, since they are not invited to the summit, allow me to present some of their thoughts and ideas.