October 14, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

African Union calls for more African troops in Somalia

12 Oct- Source: Reuters-235 Words

The African Union has backed a call to boost by about a third the number of troops in an African peacekeeping force in Somalia to reinforce a campaign against Islamist militants there who attacked a Nairobi shopping mall last month. The union’s Peace and Security Council said 6,235 soldiers and police should be added to the AMISOM peacekeeping force to take its total strength to 23,966 uniformed personnel for a limited period of 18 to 24 months. The council endorsed the recommendations of a review of the force this week and announced its decision on Friday. The decision needs the approval of the U.N. Security Council. AMISOM is made up of troops mainly from Kenya, Uganda and Burundi. Ethiopia has also sent in soldiers, but they are not under AMISOM command.

Key Headlines

“We will make sure Mogadishu is a safe city” Prime Minister declares (OPM/Radio Dalsan)
President praises overwhelming AU support and “total unity against extremism” at Addis summit (Office of the Prsident)
Beled-Hawa locals urged to work with security troops (Radio Bar-kulan)
Security operations in Galkayo results to ten arrests (Radio Shabelle)
Hiiraan governor opposes local initiative to form new regional state (RBC)
Delegation from Somali Region of Ethiopia Arrives in Somaliland (Somaliland Press)
Bosasso port busy with livestock for export (Radio Ergo)
WFP condemns ration card scam in Mogadishu (RBC)
Don’t pull out just yet Somalia PM Abdi Farah Shirdon pleads with Kenya Defence Forces (Standard)
UK Somalis uncomfortable after Kenya attack (Aljazeera)
Sierra Leone troops helping in fight against al Shabaab in Somalia (Reuters)
UK plans safe corridor for Somalia payments (FT)

PRESS STATEMENT

President praises overwhelming AU support and “total unity against extremism” at Addis summit

13 Oct- Source: Office of the President- 353 words

His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud today welcomed the “overwhelming support” of African heads of state to increase their assistance to Somali security forces, call for the expansion of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and demonstrate “total unity in the fight against extremism”.

The President returned to Mogadishu on Sunday from Addis Ababa, where he attended an African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit, in addition to holding bilateral meetings with the presidents of Djibouti and Uganda and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

African leaders agreed to support the President’s stabilisation plan for Somalia while underscoring the huge progress towards political reconciliation and security. AU leaders emphasized the importance of rebuilding Somali security forces and urged the international community to provide timely resources to them. They also called for an expansion of AMISOM forces, which requires endorsement by the UN, in a concerted bid to bring peace and stability to Somalia.

The additional 6,235 soldiers, a 35 per cent force enhancement that includes a civilian component, will sustain the security improvements and stabilization process the government is already leading. AMISOM will expand to 24,000.

“I am humbly and extremely grateful for the unwavering support shown to me by my fellow heads of state to bring peace and stability to Somalia through the rebuilding of our national security forces and expansion of AMISOM,” the President said. “I wholeheartedly thank all African countries that have deployed their forces in our country. The case of Somalia is a prime example of how African brothers and sisters can solve African problems in a unique way that respects our culture and the sensitivity of our people. The expansion of AMISOM will hugely help to sustain the military campaign against terrorists and get rid of Al Shabaab and Al Qaeda in Somalia. Africa has shown total unity in fighting extremism, which is critical to maintain momentum in the war we are winning.”

The President also stated that Somalia was pleased to stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with African nations to deliver an ultimatum plea for the International Criminal Court to suspend all court hearings against serving African leaders.

“We will make sure Mogadishu is a safe city,” Prime Minister declares

13 Oct- Source: Office of the Prime Minister- 256 words

His Excellency Prime Minister of Somalia Abdi Farah Shirdon today pledged to do everything possible to make Mogadishu safe from terrorist attack, welcoming increasing cooperation between civilians and government security forces against Al Shabaab.

The Prime Minister’s comments followed a high-level meeting that he chaired last night, focusing on the security developments and improvements across Somalia and in the capital. The meeting was called to address terrorist activities by Al-Shabaab against innocent civilians in Mogadishu. The government has allocated an increased monthly budget to the security services in the capital.

After the two-hour meeting with officials from his cabinet and members from security departments, the Prime Minister said:

“Mogadishu is a city of more than two million. It is a capital city that generates our government’s income, it is the seat of government and therefore we must make sure it is safe from terrorist attack. We must continue to defeat the enemy right across Somalia, as we are doing steadily with our partners.

There are increasing signs of close cooperation between the government and civilians in eliminating Al-Shabaab. The public long ago turned away from them and Somali religious scholars have also declared a powerful fatwa against them which highlights the complete bankruptcy of their agenda.”

Last night’s meeting is part of a series of high-level meetings that have taken place in Mogadishu since the month of Ramadan. This gathering brings together the Prime Minister, selected ministers, the Mayor of Mogadishu, heads of the police and military, National Intelligence and Security Agency and other security experts.

Prime Minister rallies nation, calls for unity and brotherhood on Somali Flag Day

12 Oct- Source: Office of the Prime Minister- 452 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon today led celebrations on Somali Flag Day, rallying the nation and stressing the great prizes of unity and brotherhood on the 59th anniversary of the national flag. The Somali Flag was first internationally recognized and celebrated on the 12th October 1954, six years before the country’s independence in 1960.

“Today I call on Somalis to come together in the spirit of national unity and brotherhood, leaving behind tribal divisions and rallying behind our great country. Let us lift our eyes up to our beautiful flag and take pride in being Somali,” the Prime Minister said. “The flag represents the story of a national struggle against a colonial power, and the story of a proud people marching towards independence.”

On this flag day occasion the Prime Minister revisited the national agenda and how the Somali nation was born. He said the role of each Somali generation is to leave a better Somalia for the next and asked whether this generation is up to that responsibility.

“The purpose of adopting a flag is to define an independent nation. We celebrated the birth of a nation in 1960, yet we must ask ourselves now, have we achieved what we set out to do? And if the answer is no, we must ask ourselves other questions. Where did we go wrong and how can we put it right?” Prime Minister said.
Deliberating on what went wrong Prime Minister highlighted the biggest challenge for nation building in Somalia.

“One of our most serious challenges as Somalis is to overcome the differences and divisions of clan. I see the Somali flag as the great unifying symbol of our nation, the object we cherish and love. To build a united Somalia we need to become one great Tribe called Somali – containing many different but related families,” Prime Minister said.

“Today I speak to you as Prime Minister of a new Somalia, a country that has emerged from the ashes of war. We are rebuilding our nation brick by brick, step by step and our job is not yet done,” the Prime Minister said. “Our dream today is for a country at peace with itself and its neighbours, secure within its own borders, trading freely towards prosperity.”

Prime Minister stated that Al-Shabaab is a significant threat to the Somali nation and noted how they despise and reject the beautiful national flag. He emphasized that they have been led astray, as 160 religious scholars in Mogadishu argued last month in a fatwa against Al Shabaab. The Prime Minister reminded Somalis of the scholars’ pronouncement that the extremists have “departed from the true path of Islam and that is why they are doomed to failure”.

SOMALI MEDIA

Beled-Hawa locals urged to work with security troops

13 Oct- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 106 words

Somali government administration in Beled-Hawa district in the southern region of Gedo has urged residents to work with security troops in the area in a bid to ensure security. Mohamud Farole, head of security in Beled-Hawa district cooperation between the locals and government administration is the only way to ensure society and stability in the area. Farole further asked locals residents to keep the environment clean. The head of security vowed that everyone who does not abide by the law will pay for it. Beled-Hawa is among the areas of the southern region of Gedo where Somali government controls.

Security operations in Galkayo results to ten arrests

13 Oct- Source: Radio Shabelle- 88 words

Security operations were on Sunday conducted in Galkayo town by security officials of Galmudug region. During the operations suspected thugs who robbed civilians during night hours were arrested. Officials confirmed to Shabelle radio that almost ten suspected robbers were arrested during the operations. Colonel Abdi Jama Abdulle who is the commissioner of police in the region said that those arrested will be arraigned in court and face justice. The operations were conducted after locals from Galmudug complained of rising insecurity in some districts which fall under the administration.

Somali president meets Ethiopian PM in Addis Ababa

13 Oct- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV- 131 words

President of the Somali Federal government Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in Addis Ababa on Saturday night. The two leaders discussed wide range of issues including the strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries. They also discussed about security and stability in the region as well as the war on al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-inspired militant group fighting to overthrow Somali Federal government to create an Islamic state in the war-torn horn of African nation. President Hassan Sheikh thanked the Ethiopian Prime Minister for the continuous support to eradicate extremism in Somalia. A high profile government delegation led by the president arrived in Addis Ababa where they were received and welcomed by Ethiopian officials on arrival.

Hiiraan governor opposes local initiative to form new regional state

12 Oct- Source: Raxanreeb- 246 words

The governor of Somalia’s Hiiraan region Abdi Farah Laqanyo has strongly opposed local initiated project to form a new regional state for the central Somalia people. Mr. Laqanyo said he will never accept local politicians initiating to create what he said “a parallel administrations” in Hiiraan region to further ignite instability. “We have the mandate to lead the region until new administration will be formed,” he adds, “those who are organizing meeting in Mogadishu will fail.”

Delegation from Somali Region of Ethiopia Arrives in Somaliland

12 Oct- Source: Somaliland Press- 374 words

A high level ministerial delegation from Somali region of Ethiopia led by the chairman of the people democratic party Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Shugri accompanied by several ministers from the Somali region government are in the country on an official visit. The minister of information and national guidance Hon Abdullahi Mohamed Cukuse was there to receive the delegation today have they arrived in the country, speaking during a lunch function held at Mansoor hotel said “Somaliland and Ethiopia share cordial relations of which we are determined to not only sustain but enhance as well.

Puntland defends its deal with foreign firms

13 Oct- Source: Raxanreeb- 218 words

The Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland on Saturday defended its deal with foreign firms on oil exploration licenses previously granted by the region. During last week’s Somalia oil and gas exploration summit in London, Minister of Natural Resources of the Federal Government of Somalia Abdirisak Omar Mohamed said the federal government will not consider all the agreements on resources granted by Somaliland and Puntland as legal agreements. “Puntland government will continue to exploit its natural resource, it is a constitutional right and we will never reverse this stance,” Puntland Minister for Planning and International Relations Eng. Mohamud Aydid Dirir said Sunday.

Bosasso port busy with livestock for export

12 Oct- Source: Radio Ergo- 139 words

Puntland’s main port of Bossaso has experienced a rise in the number of animals being exported to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Gulf.
The director of Puntland’s Ministry of Livestock, Dr Ibrahim Hared Ali, said more than 400,000 camels and goats were exported to Saudi Arabia in the past two weeks through the port. “That is the largest number of livestock ever exported through the Bossaso port in a single month and we are expecting more to be exported in the coming days,” Ali told Radio Ergo’s local reporter. Jama Abdi, a dealer in livestock, said two ships loaded with 30,000 camels and goats have been leaving the port every night recently, ahead of Eid Al-Adha festivities. The animals undergo veterinary health screening and get vaccinations at the pre-export livestock facility in Bossaso before being shipped out.

WFP condemns ration card scam in Mogadishu

13 Oct- Source: Raxanreeb/Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Dalsan-318 Words

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has condemned a recently uncovered scam aimed at defrauding displaced people in Mogadishu, and urges residents of the Somali capital to beware of the illegal scheme. WFP has learned that individuals posing as WFP employees have been selling fake ration cards to internally displaced people (IDPs) in Mogadishu, claiming that these cards entitle the holders to receive food from WFP. These individuals do not represent WFP, the cards are not genuine, and payment is never required to access WFP assistance programmes. “WFP is concerned about the fraudulent use of its name in efforts to cheat vulnerable Somalis, and calls on the authorities to take action against the culprits,” said Stefano Porretti, the WFP representative for Somalia. “As a humanitarian organization WFP categorically condemns those seeking to profit from the plight of the poorest people who have already lost so much. WFP never asks for money in order to be enrolled in its programs.”

REGIONAL MEDIA

Don’t pull out just yet, Somalia PM Abdi Farah Shirdon pleads with Kenya Defence Forces

13 Oct- Source: The Standard Media-919 Words

In the wake of the Westgate attack, a visibly enraged President Uhuru told the Government of Somalia to ‘put their house in order’. Standard on Sunday’s senior political writer, OSCAR OBONYO sought Somalia Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon’s response and reaction to a host of other issues, including the al Shabaab threat, the presence of Kenya Defence Forces in Somalia and Mogadishu’s stand on the ongoing Uhuru/Ruto cases at the ICC. Below are excerpts of the interview: STANDARD ON SUNDAY: Let us begin with President Kenyatta’s remarks. He was clearly angered by the involvement of some Somali nationals in the attack and the porous Kenya/Somalia border. What is your reaction? PM SHIRDON: Our house is not outrightly disorderly. However, I understand your president’s pain and concern. Al Shabaab is a common threat and their actions are a source of pain to all of us in this region. When Westgate happened, I personally called President Kenyatta to condole with him and the Kenyan people.

UK Somalis uncomfortable after Kenya attack

11 Oct- Source: Al jazeera English-1013 Words

More than two weeks have passed since a siege on Nairobi’s Westgate Mall led by Somali rebel group al-Shabab ended in the deaths of at least 67 people. For some members of the UK’s Somali community, however, the Westgate attack is still at the top of their discussions, especially among younger Somalis. Every attack in the Horn of Africa registers closely with the community here, a continent thousands of kilometres away. On a chilly Sunday evening, a group of young Somalis gathered at Savannah Restaurant in West London, to discuss how their lives have changed since late 2006. That year al-Shabab, a rebel group linked to al-Qaeda that takes a hardline interpretation of Islam, was established, following Ethiopia’s invasion of Somalia. Since its inception, it is estimated that up to 50 young Somali men have left the UK for Somalia to join the group and wage war against the weak Western-backed government in Mogadishu, the capital. Many young Somalis living overseas have been adversely affected as governments across the world try to gather intelligence and stop young men, especially those living in the West, from going to Somalia to fight and then return to wage war in the West.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Sierra Leone troops helping in fight against al Shabaab in Somalia

12 Oct- Source: Reuters-01:25mins

The African Union has launched another campaign against the al Shabaab militant group in Somalia and troops from Sierra Leone are joining the fight. Nathan Frandino reports.

UK plans safe corridor for Somalia payments

13 Oct- Source: Financial Times-683 Words

The British government is planning to create a safe corridor for payments to Somalia as money transfer companies in the UK face closure over fears of terrorist funding. The move was announced days before Barclays is due to shut the last account held by a money transmitter operating in Somalia, effectively halting the majority of funds sent from Britain. Somalis living and working in the UK send around £500m to friends and family in the country each year through money transfer agencies and global remittances account for close to half of Somalia’s economy, exceeding global aid. For many Somalis the money they receive in remittances is their only source of income. Farhan Hassan, who came to the UK at the age of 14, sends home a portion of his salary every month, and says he knows the money is a lifeline. “The money we send is used for food, education, hospitals – basic things. It costs $57 to get a blood test in Somalia – with no money sent from overseas that’s impossible for the average Somali to afford. If remittances are stopped, people in Somalia will start to die.”

African Union calls for more African troops in Somalia

12 Oct- Source: Reuters-235 Words

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Information, education, development, and international support are essential in defeating an extremist enemy in retreat.”

How to win the war against al Shabaab

11 Oct- Source: Al Jazeera English-1188 Words

When I meet my fellow African leaders in Addis Ababa this weekend, we will be sending a powerful message to the world; we will be demonstrating continental unity against extremists. It will be the latest victory for Somalia in an information war against an enemy that is firmly on the back foot. Much of the commentary in the aftermath of the Westgate atrocity has suggested the attack emboldened al Shabaab. Allow me to argue that it demonstrated precisely the opposite. It is often said that the media has a short attention span, but one does not need a great memory to recall how, before 2011, al-Shabab controlled a great majority of Mogadishu, in addition to the strategic port cities of Merka and Kismayo, which served as their financial and logistical hub, and whole swathes of Somalia. Most of my country was then victim to their perverted form of “governance” – beatings, beheadings, amputations, extortion, and a complete betrayal of Islamic practice. There is no such thing as a legitimate al-Shabab government. Their rule was human rights abuse plain and simple.

“The author serves up a five step plan to help achieve the goals set forth at the Brussels conference on Somalia.”

A new deal for Somalia: How can it work?

12 Oct- Source: Al Jazeera English-1684 Words

The European Union and the Somali government spent months preparing for a conference on Somalia, which was held in Brussels on September 16. Declared as “A New Deal for Somalia” the one day affair’s purpose was to accomplish two things: Focus the attention of the international community on the progress made in Somalia over the last year; and mobilise resources for the one-year-old Somali regime and assist it in the country’s reconstruction. The conference takes its name after the American Depression era economic plan put forth by President Franklin D Roosevelt to jump start the US economy and get Americans back to work.