October 8, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somalia Oil and Gas Summit concludes in London
08 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan/Somali Current – 259 Words
As Somalia Oil and Gas Summit was concluded in London, Minister of Finance and Planning of the federal government of Somalia Mohamud Hassan Suleiman, told investors that Somalia is investment-friendly and must “seize the opportunity” to encourage foreign investment. Speaking at the summit in London, the Minister of Finance and Planning, said: “We are working to improve the investment climate having recently revised the Investment Law to ensure that Somalia is investment-friendly. Foreign investors see the huge steps that Somalia has taken and are keen to invest.
International investors and multi-national corporations are turning their attention to Somalia and we must now seize the opportunity and work with them. “The discovery of oil and gas in Somalia opens up an array of hope and opportunities for the new Somalia; enabling it to influence the pace of economic recovery and the future stability of the country.
“The potential for oil and gas to drive Somali people out of the poverty they are in, and positively contribute to the well-being of the war affected communities, will only be realized if they are fully integrated into the Somali Compact just signed in Brussels. Such a move would link this important industry with other productive and service sectors of the economy and becomes a catalyst for rapid economic growth and sustainable development in the country.
“It is important that Somalia gets a fair share of the profit which in turn contributes to economic growth of the new Somalia and improves the livelihoods of our war affected people.”
Key Headlines
- Somalia’s Federal Parliament regains membership in World Parliament union (RBC/Radio Mogadishu)
- Somali government plans for extensive campaign against al Shabaab (Radio Mogadishu/Hiiraan Online)
- Somalia Oil and Gas Summit concludes in London (Radio Dalsan/Somali Current)
- US says Somalia operation to capture Ikrima under “legal authorities” (KUNA News)
- Somali defense minister says he was aware of Barawe operation (Radio Dalsan)
- Somalia welcomes U.S. raid says America doesn’t need permission (CCN)
- Landmine explosion kills three in Beled Hawa town (Raxanreeb/Shabelle/Mustaqbal)
- KDF backs US raid on Shabaab in Somalia (Star News)
- UN urges more military force to confront al Shabaab in Somalia (VOA)
- Somalia’s Federal Government Says Regional Oil Permits Invalid (Bloomberg)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali government plans for extensive campaign against al Shabaab
08 Oct – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Hiiraan Online – 120 words
Somali government plans for large-scale military campaign aimed to liberate all provinces of Somalia from al Shabaab. Somali Defense Minister Abdihakim Haji Mohamud Fiqi told Radio Mogadishu that Somali forces are ready to start a military campaign against al Shabaab terror group.
Somali defense minister made remarks after a meeting conducted by the Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud with the commanders of the Somali armed forces on Monday in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
He added that the government will not stop operations against al Shabaab and al Qaeda, pointing out that countries that cooperate with Somalia in the field of security will take part in operations against al Shabaab.
Somalia’s Federal Parliament regains membership in World Parliament union
08 Oct- Source: RBC/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Hiiraan Online – 149 words
The Federal Parliament of Somalia has regained its membership in the World Inter-Parliamentary Union closing more than four decades of absence..
Khalid Omar, Member of the parliamentary sub-committee on foreign affairs said the Mogadishu-based parliament is now full member of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union. “After long efforts and discussions with different institutions, Somalia is now member of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union.” he said.
MP Omar who is now in Geneva said Somalia did not attend the forum since 1969, when its membership was suspended following the Siad Barre led military coup in Somalia that toppled the civilian regime.
Somali defense minister says he was aware of Barawe operation
08 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan – 182 words
The Defense Minister of Somalia federal government Abdihakim Haji Fiqi said his ministry had information prior to the U.S operation on a house in Barawe town on Saturday. “We welcome any operation to tackle al Shabab’s dangerous attacks, and we are here to confirm that we were aware of the operation in Barawe,” the minister said during a meeting with top defense officials in Mogadishu.
The Minister said the National Army of Somalia have been on the forefront of the war against terrorists in Somalia “because they pose threats to the Somali people bigger than any other people in the world.” He said the Ministry of Defense of Somalia gathered all information surrounding the attack and found out the death of two senior al Shabaab fighters including a foreigner.
On Saturday the U.S special forces stormed a house on the seaside town of Barawe where senior al Shabaab commander was residing. The attack seemed failed to arrest the tageted man who was later identified as Abdulkadir Mohamed Adulkadir (known as Ikrima).
Somalia Oil and Gas Summit concludes in London
08 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan/Somali Current – 259 Words
As Somalia Oil and Gas Summit was concluded in London, Minister of Finance and Planning of the federal government of Somalia Mohamud Hassan Suleiman, told investors that Somalia is investment-friendly and must “seize the opportunity” to encourage foreign investment.
Speaking at the summit in London, the Minister of Finance and Planning, said: “We are working to improve the investment climate having recently revised the Investment Law to ensure that Somalia is investment-friendly. Foreign investors see the huge steps that Somalia has taken and are keen to invest.
International investors and multi-national corporations are turning their attention to Somalia and we must now seize the opportunity and work with them. “The discovery of oil and gas in Somalia opens up an array of hope and opportunities for the new Somalia; enabling it to influence the pace of economic recovery and the future stability of the country.
“The potential for oil and gas to drive Somali people out of the poverty they are in, and positively contribute to the well-being of the war affected communities, will only be realized if they are fully integrated into the Somali Compact just signed in Brussels. Such a move would link this important industry with other productive and service sectors of the economy and becomes a catalyst for rapid economic growth and sustainable development in the country.
“It is important that Somalia gets a fair share of the profit which in turn contributes to economic growth of the new Somalia and improves the livelihoods of our war affected people.”
Landmine explosion kills three in Beled Hawa town
08 Oct – Source: Raxanreeb/Radio Shabelle/Mustaqbal – 158 words
At least three people died and three others were wounded after explosion was targeted on a small coffee shop near the central police station in Beled Hawa town, on Somalia’s southwestern region of Gedo on Monday night.
According to the Beled Hawa police commissioner Jamal Hassan Sarey, the explosion was caused by a landmine planted into the coffee shop frequented by the police officers and which is very close to the police station.
“The explosion was triggered by a remote control device which we are now investigating.” he said. “The three died including two police officers and a civilian. A hospital in Beled Hawa is currently treating three others whom two of them were seriously injured, according to a doctor..
Bay council of elders urge southern elders to join them
07 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 96 words
Elders and intellectuals in southern city of Baidoa urge other elders in southern Somalia to attend the creations of an inclusive southern administration.
Chairman of Bay and Bakol council of elders Hassan Shire Mohamed said that they are ready to welcome everyone willing to attend the conference on southern Somalia regional administration.
“The elders from southern Somalia are expected to be in Baidoa on 20th to attend the conference, said elder Hassan. Three committees had been named to welcome delegations from various parts of southern Somalia.
Somaliland: Massive Security Operation Nets 53 Suspects in Hargeisa
07 Oct – Source: Somaliland Sun – 113 words
Somaliland police forces launched a massive security operation where they have detained 53 persons including recidivists and youngsters accused of gang formation activities.
Brigadier General Abdilahi Iman Fadal declared the arrest of those 53 suspects and said, “Somaliland police forces, by doing their day to day activities, have been patrolling in the streets and villages of all Hargeisa districts.
They have succeeded to detain 53 suspects including recidivists who practice making offences repeatedly, where others were youngsters who are organizing themselves as gangsters and fight and kill each other in the streets of Hargeisa. Formation of gangs in the capital city of Hargeisa is a threat to the security of nation.”
REGIONAL MEDIA
US says Somalia operation to capture Ikrima under “legal authorities”
08 Oct – Source: Kuwait News Agency – 233 words
The US said Monday a military operation last Friday in Somalia to capture Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir, known as “Ikrima,” was under legal authorities granted to Pentagon to use military force against al Qaeda and its associated forces.
The operation is under “legal authorities granted to the Department of Defense by the Authorization to Use Military Force (2001) against al Qaeda and its associated forces,” the Pentagon said.
Press Secretary George Little said in a statement that Ikrima, a Kenyan of Somali origin, “is a top commander in the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, an al Qaeda affiliate.” He is also “closely associated with now-deceased al Qaeda operatives Harun Fazul and Saleh Nabhan, who played roles in the 1998 bombing of the United States embassy in Nairobi, Kenya and in the 2002 attacks on a hotel and airline in Mombasa, Kenya.
Terror suspect escapes police dragnet
07 Oct – Source: Daily Nation – 341 words
One of the suspected masterminds of the Westgate terror attack narrowly escaped a police dragnet in NairobiMonday afternoon. Police say the man is a former senior officer in Somalia and has been training al Shabaab militants in the war-torn country. He has reportedly been living at Nairobi’s Majengo area and travelled to Garissa immediately after the attack but later returned to the city.
Somalia’s Go 2 School Initiative gets slow start
07 Oct – Source: Sabahi Online – 846 words
Hassan Derow rises early every morning to head to the Zoppe intersection in Mogadishu, where he shines people’s shoes. In the evenings, he returns home to a shack on the west side of town, which he shares with friends. Derow, 17, was born in Baidoa and orphaned when he was very young, so he has never gone to school.
Derow said he had not heard of the Somali government’s new free education programme — called the “Go 2 School Initiative” — but said he would love to enrol in it and attend school for the first time in his life.
Out of Somalia’s total population of 9.2 million, an estimated 4.4 million are aged between 6 and 18 and are out of school or at risk, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
KDF backs US raid on Shabaab in Somalia
07 Oct – Source: Star News – 612 words
Kenya yesterday welcomed the latest onslaught on suspected al Shabaab militants inside Somalia. The government has pledged to continue partnerships with the Somalia government to stamp out terrorism. Two weeks ago, the militants claimed responsibility of the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi.
A team of US Navy Seal raided a seaside home of al Shabaab leader Ahmed Godane and engaged the militants in a heavy gunfire before retreating early yesterday.
The Kenyan military said they are observing the situation in Somalia with keen interest since terrorism has become a global problem.“We are closely watching and observing the situation in Somalia. We shall continue to work with Somalia government and international partners to fight terrorism,” said Kenya Defense Forces Spokesman Bogita Ongeri.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia’s Federal Government Says Regional Oil Permits Invalid
07 Oct – Source: Bloomberg – 576 words
Somalia’s federal government, seeking to reassert control over the war-ravaged country, said oil exploration licenses issued by regional governments in the Somaliland and Puntland regions of country are invalid.
Genel Energy Plc (GENL), Africa Oil Corp. (AOI) and Ophir Energy have won licenses to search in Somalia’s semi-autonomous regions, although work has been slowed down by security concerns as the nation has to fight al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militia.
“Any contract that was given or awarded by a federal member state is not valid,” National Resources Minister Abdirizak Omar Mohamed said at a conference in London. Companies holding those licenses “should start negotiations with the federal government.”
UN urges more military force to confront al Shabaab in Somalia
07 Oct – Source: VOA – 461 Words
The top U.N. official for Somalia said more military force is needed to push Islamist militant group al Shabaab out of its remaining strongholds. Such strongholds include the town of Barawe — the scene of a U.S. Special Forces strike over the weekend. U.N. Special Representative for Somalia Nick Kay said al Shabaab “poses a real and present threat” to peace-building efforts in Somalia.
Speaking to VOA in Mogadishu Monday, he noted the al Qaeda-linked group is not as strong as it was before being pushed out of the capital and other major cities, but said further military operations are still needed to remove the militants from other parts of the country.
“We can help the Somalis to improve in Mogadishu by better policing, better intelligence, better coordination,” Kay said. “But essentially, I don’t think we will remove that threat until we actually deal with al Shabaab outside Mogadishu and to do that — yeah, some of it is asymmetric, but some of it is still relatively conventional.”
Somalia welcomes U.S. raid, says America doesn’t need permission
07 Oct – Source: CNN – 268 words
Somalia welcomes the U.S. raid on an al-Shabaab leader this weekend, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in an exclusive interview on Monday, adding that the U.S. does not have to ask permission for future action.
“We are welcoming more if this will help us get rid of al Qaeda, al Shabaab,” she said from London. “We have a cooperation, and they don’t have to ask us, because we are fighting a common enemy.” “We are grateful to their support,” Adam told Amanpour. “Otherwise the whole region will be in turmoil.”
The U.S. launched a pre-dawn raid this weekend on a coastal Somali villa. The target, a senior Obama administration official told CNN, was a foreign fighter commander: a Kenyan of Somali origin known as Ikrima.
In Somalia, Vouchers For Assets Empower Somalis And Create Ownership
07 Oct – Source: Reliefweb – 754 words
In Somalia, the World Food Programme is shifting its focus from providing emergency responses to enabling vulnerable Somalis to improve their ability to deal with shocks. WFP helps people create communal assets, such as roads, and also provides training so that Somalis are better able to withstand future droughts and floods.
DOLOW — In the semi-arid town of Dolow, people are queuing in front of two WFP counters, but they are not waiting to receive food rations. They are here to collect vouchers as payment for work they undertook during the previous month.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“How to rid Somalia of al Shabaab once and for all — in six (not-so) easy steps”
Analog War
07 Oct – Source: Foreign Policy Blog – 2431 Words
Al Shabaab is back. After suffering a series of crippling defeats at the hands of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army, the militant organization had all but disappeared from Somalia’s major urban areas — and from the list of concerns of many in the international community. But the recent attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, and the dramatic raid this weekend by U.S. Navy SEALs on the coastal Somali town of Barawe have served to highlight the resurgence of the terrorist group.
While it was battling international forces for control of Somalia, al Shabaab was also in the midst of an internal struggle — one that pitted the group’s hardliners against its more moderate elements. In that battle, the hardliners were the decisive victors. And now, after marginalizing or killing off his more moderate competition, al Shabaab leader Sheikh Moktar Ali Zubeyr Godane is showing his enemies and detractors that he and his more extremist followers are still very much in the game.
Following the recent attack in Nairobi, there have been immediate and predictable calls for increased Western and African Union support to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), the fledgling national government that is projecting a semblance of authority over much of the war-torn country for the first time in more than 20 years. As recently as Monday, the president of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and his defense minister, Haji Faqi, lobbied the international community for more funding to enable the expansion of the 12,000-man Somali National Army (SNA).
“Why America can no longer afford to outsource the war on al Shabaab.”
Cut-Rate Counterterrorism
07 Oct – Source: Foreign Policy Blog – 2118 Words
As the attack on Nairobi’s Westgate mall and the failed Oct. 4 raid by Navy SEALs in Somalia have reminded the world, the fight against terrorism in East Africa is far from over. It’s a fight that has been ongoing for two decades, but since 2001, the United States has outsourced much of the effort to a series of local proxies — forces from Ethiopia, the African Union (AU), and, most recently, Kenya.
This has allowed Washington to execute its war against the terrorist group al Shabaab without getting sucked into a quagmire: There have not been American soldiers on the ground, except for the occasional special-operations mission like the one on Oct. 4. Johnnie Carson, former assistant secretary of state for Africa, has referred to Somalia as one of his greatest successes, and the AU has taken to describing its engagement in the country as an “African solution to an African problem.”
But this verdict is both simplistic and inaccurate. The conflict in Somalia is not solely an “African” problem; nor is the proposed “solution.” Moreover, America’s proxy strategy is, on the whole, a bad one. Too heavily influenced by the national security interests of Somalia’s neighbors and too focused on backing a centralized government that lacks popular support, the strategy has created opportunities for al Shabaab recruitment and has stifled meaningful, inclusive dialogue about Somalia’s political future. Indeed, it has arguably created more problems than it has successfully addressed — and it could do the same in other countries, if the United States widens the strategy’s scope.
Top tweets
@WFP_Africa In #Somalia, #WFP‘s Vouchers For Assets Empower Somalis And Create Ownership. See how it workshttp://bit.ly/15jnSSW @WFPSomalia.
@engyarisow #Somalia President encourages security forces for their tireless efforts to fight terrorist groups in Somalia…http://fb.me/14Bi6kFmB.
@HLooyaan How the SEAL raid on #Somalia went bad NBC Exclusive http://nbcnews.to/16OwDaG Some details that leave lots of questions unanswered.
@aysanei Mixed reactions from #Somalis in #Minnesota on the visit of #AMISOM in the Diaspora community.http://youtu.be/eDAwPs3Bydc.
@AmericaTonight .@AmbShinn on Seal Team Six’s assault in Mogadishu: The one thing that it accomplished was to put al-Shabaab off-balance #AmericaTonight.
Image of the day
Panel at the Somalia Oil & Gas Summit held in London, UK.