December 17, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Inside an al-Shabaab training camp

16 Dec- Source: channel 4- 365 words
Among the most feared of al-Qaeda’s affiliates, al-Shabaab was behind the Westgate shopping mall attack in Kenya. Jamal Osman attended one of its training camps in the Somali bush. They chant: “We are al-Shabaab! We are al-Qaeda! We are terrorists!” In a secret location, deep in the Somali bush, I met al-Shabaab, one of the most feared al-Qaeda-affiliated organisations in the world. Around 300 newly trained fighters, who have completed a six-month course, parade in the training camp.

Key Headlines

AU Special Representative presides over the handover ceremony of AMISOM Military Command ( AMISOM)
A delegation from the United Nations arrives in Kismayu city (Radio Bar-Kulan)
Somali MPs to vote on new premier (Daily Nation)
Residents nearby Hargeisa airport accuses the Aviation minister of evicting their homes (Somaliland Informer)
ASWJ welcomes the appointment of the prime minister (Radio Bar-Kulan)
Two drown five missing after boat capsizes in Shabelle river ( Radio Ergo)
Interview AMISOM outgoing commander (Somali current)

PRESS STATEMENT

AU Special Representative presides over the handover ceremony of AMISOM Military Command

16 Dec- Source: AMISOM- 540 words

Lieutenant General Silas Ntigurirwa from Burundi National Defense Forces (BNDF) has today taken command of the military component of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), following a handover ceremony presided over by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif.The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Defense of the Federal Government of Somalia-Honorable Abdihakim Faqi, the Minister of National Defense and Former Combatants of Burundi-Honorable Pontien Gaciyubwenge who also represented Troop Contributing Countries to AMISOM, the UN SRSG for Somalia-Ambassador Nicholas Kay, the EU Special Envoy for Somalia-Ambassador Michelle Cervone and the AU Head of Peace Support Division-Mr. Sivuyile Bam.

The AU Special Representative congratulated Lt. General Ntigurirwa on his appointment, saying that his experience and knowledge would be of great value to the international effort in restoring peace and stability in Somalia while thanking the Outgoing Force Commander Lt. General Andrew Gutti for his dedication to the mission during his tenure at the helm.

Born in 1968, Lt. Gen. Silas Ntigurirwa brings vast experience from the Burundian army, in which he has served in different capacities, with the last posting being the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Defense and Former Combatants.He comes in at a time when the United Nations Security Council approved an additional 4,400 troops for the mission, boosting its number from the current 17,731 to 22,196. The troops currently serving under AMISOM in Somalia come from Djibouti, Burundi, Sierra Leone, Kenya and Uganda.

Lt. General Gutti had led the AU peacekeeping forces since May 2nd last year. During his leadership, AMISOM forces supporting the Somali National Army have registered significant achievements countrywide allowing political process to take place.

During the handover ceremony, Lt General Gutti was recognized for his good service, commitment and gallantry. He was lauded for the significant progress made in pushing out the extremist group al-Shabaab during his tenure, which led to the capturing of key strategic positions in South and Central Somalia.“I would like to express my gratitude for your service and contribution towards peace in Somalia. You have set an example and the new AMISOM leadership should maintain the momentum” said Ambassador Annadif.

Lt General Gutti said “With the current set up I see Somalia gaining its former glory. Within the shortest time Somalia has been recognized by the international bodies, missions have come here for the first time and there are over 30 missions operating here now. I envision that this will continue and with the extra troops to be deployed, AMISOM will achieve much more”.

On his part, the incoming Force Commander, vowed to continue building the momentum in order to achieve the objectives of the Mission and help bring about security and stability to Somalia and to the region at large adding that the recent AMISOM expansion will enable the troops to liberate more areas and serve Somalia better.

The Minister of Defense of the Federal Government of Somalia, Honorable Abdihakim Faqi expressed his confidence in the incoming Force Commander and thanked the outgoing Force Commander for his role especially during the period when AMISOM supported the Somali National Forces in kicking-out Al-Shabaab terrorists from strategic areas.

SOMALI MEDIA

A delegation from the United Nations arrives in Kismayu city

16 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 130 words

A delegation led by The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Philippe Lazzarini has on Monday arrived in the port city of Kismayu in Lower Jubba region. Lazzarini met with Interim Jubba Administration officials and discussed the humanitarian issues in the region as well as resettlement programs for the anticipated return of thousands of Somali refugees from Kenya. The United Nations official stated the importance of facilitating proper resettlement programs for the refugees willing to voluntarily return to the country particularly those from the Jubba regions. Meanwhile, Interim Jubba Administration officials noted that they are committed to welcoming the returning refugees from Kenya back to their country.They urged the United Nations to assist the resettlement and integration programs of both returning refugees and the internally displaced families.

Residents nearby Hargeisa airport accuses the Aviation minister of evicting their homes

16 Dec- Source: Somaliland Informer- 170 words

Residents nearby south of Egal International airport in Hargeisa has accused the minister of Aviation of relocating and evicting their residences from them and sent warning signals to him. The residents speaking to the press told that they resided in the area for more than 20 years and that their ancestors were laid to rest in the area. One of the residents by the name of Ahmed Sulieman Bide stated that they lived in the area for more than hundred years and further added that if the minister attempts to evict and relocate them. He said that they will prevent that to happen. He added that the government does not provide with tractors to plough their farms and how is it possible for them to relocate their residences due to the expansion of the airport, He stressed that they will not allow the government to use tractors and bull dozers to destroy our farms. He refuted that the aviation minister met with the residents and discussed ways to relocate them.

ASWJ welcomes the appointment of the prime minister

16 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 121 words
Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama officials in central Somali region of Galgadud have welcomed the appointment of Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed as the new Prime Minister of Somalia. ASWJ Executive Committee Deputy Chairman, Ahmed Abdullahi told Bar-kulan that his administration is fully behind the appointment of the newly appointed prime minister designate and is committed to working with him. He added that ASWJ expects the upcoming government to bring new changes and finalize the previous agreements between his administration and the federal government of the outgoing Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon. Abdullahi finally urged the prime minister designate to play active role in fulfilling the ASWJ’s agreements with the government saying that the outgoing government failed to implement many of the previous accords.

Two drown, five missing after boat capsizes in Shabelle river

16 Dec- Source: Radio Ergo- 159 words

At least two people drowned on Sunday after their makeshift boat ran aground and capsized in the river in the outskirts of Jowhar district. The boat was carrying 12 passengers heading to Gawan village, five km from Jowhar. The village has been cut off by the floods. Four women and an elderly man who were among the passengers were rescued by residents, but five others were missing. The two who died were identified as Abdikadir Hassan Adow and Abdullahi Hassan Shugufey. Isse Ahmed Ali, a local resident, told Radio Ergo that they were still searching for possible survivors. Elsewhere, the chairman of Barey village, Abdinur Salah, told Radio Ergo’s local reporter that residents found the body of a two-year-old boy who is believed to have been swept away by flood water in his home village of Mansor, 37 km from Barey. Radio Ergo’s reporter said at least 10 people had died since the Shabelle River floods started in August.

Interview AMISOM outgoing commander

16 Dec- Source: Somali current./Newsroom- 12:01 min

Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti of the Uganda Peoples Defense today concludes his tenure as Commander of the African Union Mission in Somalia. Gutti today hands over office to Lt. Gen. Silas Ntigurirwa of the Burundi National Defense Force (BNDF). He took over command of the multi-national force comprising troops from Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti, Burundi and Sierra Leone force in May 2012 and hands over the mantle on 16th December 2013. He cites being able to extend the operations of AMISOM to different parts of the country, supporting the political process that saw the Somali Federal Government elected into office as among his key achievement.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali MPs to vote on new premier

16 Dec- Source: Daily Nation- 228 words

The Speaker of Somalia’s Federal Parliament Professor Mohamed Osman Jawari has stated that legislators will gather at the People’s Hall on Wednesday to endorse or not to endorse the newly appointed Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed. Prof Jawari made the announcement following the 24th meeting by the leadership of the parliament at the hall on Monday. “Somali President (Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud) accepted to come to the parliament together with the new premier on 18th of December so that the legislators will have a chance to evaluate the new PM,” stated Speaker Jawari.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Inside an al-Shabaab training camp

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

What the Somalis can learn from Ethiopian Cultural Festival?

16 Dec- Source: Hiiraan Online- 617 words

The Cultural Festival that held in Jigijiga was an immaculate efforts undertaken by both people and Government. It was human expression depicting the unity of people of 70 tribes of different culture, different region, different languages, and different religions, but under one nation.
In a period of twenty one years, Ethiopia has shown remarkable transformation from feudal system into a capitalistic nation that embarked on economic and social success in urban improvement, modern highway system, transformation of peasant agriculture into commercial farming, and attracts foreign investment in industrialization projects.
The core of such successes came from people who believe in the shrine of nationhood and the unity of their country.