December 30, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somalia, China discuss reconstruction projects in Mogadishu
30 Dec- Source: Radio Mogadishu/al Shahid/SNTV- 149 words
Chinese delegation headed by Acting Chinese embassy in Somalia Yu Tian Hong and officials from the Somali government have discussed on Sunday joint ventures about reconstruction of a number of public facilities, including the rebuilding of the National Theatre and the Mogadishu stadium and Banadir Hospital.
The Chinese delegation met with Somali officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Somali Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam.
Fawzia said in a statement to reporters that her meeting with the Chinese delegation addressed the implementation of projects to rebuild public facilities, including the headquarters of the National Theatre and Banadir hospital, Mogadishu Stadium. For his part, the acting Chinese ambassador said that the relations between China and Somalia are close and historic.
Key Headlines
- Somalia China discuss reconstruction projects in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu/al Shahid/SNTV)
- Somali government forces arrests youths over Dayniile’s attack (Radio Shabelle)
- President Farole and former Puntland President Agree to Support Puntland Elections (Hiiraan Online)
- Fiber Optic Cable Installation Stopped After Disagreement (Radio Dalsan)
- Somalia’s top league to resume on New Year’s Day (Radio Dalsan)
- PM family relocated for security purpose (Radio Dalsan)
- Somalia’s Wave of Terrorism Worsens With Restaurant Bombing (Chimpreports)
- Karangi’s term to end in 2015 – Defence ministry (Capital FM)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somalia, China discuss reconstruction projects in Mogadishu
30 Dec- Source: Radio Mogadishu/al Shahid/SNTV- 149 words
Chinese delegation headed by Acting Chinese embassy in Somalia Yu Tian Hong and officials from the Somali government have discussed on Sunday joint ventures about reconstruction of a number of public facilities, including the rebuilding of the National Theatre and the Mogadishu stadium and Banadir Hospital.
The Chinese delegation met with Somali officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Somali Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam.
Fawzia said in a statement to reporters that her meeting with the Chinese delegation addressed the implementation of projects to rebuild public facilities, including the headquarters of the National Theatre and Banadir hospital, Mogadishu Stadium. For his part, the acting Chinese ambassador said that the relations between China and Somalia are close and historic.
Somali government forces arrests youths over Dayniile’s attack
30 Dec- Source: Radio Shabelle- 135 words
The commissioner of Dayniile district who spoke with Shabelle radio station in Mogadishu, confirmed that they have arrested suspected youths behind the terror attack which occurred on Friday in the suburbs of Daynile district, Shabelle Reported.
Hirey Muhidin stated that Somali police forces detained two men in relation to attack which claimed the lives of 11 people including six soldiers and caused the injury of 6 others.
Hirey noted that one of the Suspects gave a hint on the information about how they planned the terror attack and the number of attackers, adding that attackers will be brought to justice as soon as possible.
A remote-controlled bomb occurred in a restaurant in the Somali capital Mogadishu, which Somali government officials blamed Somalia’s al Qaeda linked group of al Shabaab.
President Farole and former Puntland President Agree to Support Puntland Elections
30 Dec- Source: Puntlandi Online/Hiiraan Online- 501 words
The President of Puntland State of Somalia Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole) held a closed-door meeting Sunday at the State House in the Puntland capital Garowe with former Puntland President Gen. Mohamud Muse Hersi (Adde). Speaking at a joint press conference after their meeting, Gen. Adde Muse said that the outcome of their meeting was positive.
“I have always worked to keep the peace in Puntland. The President [Farole] and I agreed that credible election is held and to fully support and to work with the winner,” said Gen. Adde. Continuing, Gen. Adde said: “We support the outcome of the Committee [Vetting and Conflict Resolution Committee] to issue the new Parliament and to recognize the result and work with the [election] winner”. Gen. Adde said: “I pray to Allah that the election takes place as we wish. I am sure that the United Nations officials who are present here, Gen. Said Dheere [Gen. Said Mohamed Hersi], and the [Puntland] Government have worked together on security.”
For his part, President Farole said: “I am very pleased to meet at the Puntland State House with former President Mohamud Muse Hersi ‘Adde’ and that he has clarified his position in front of you all and what we had discussed”. President Farole said that, “anyone who expected something from us, what we are telling you here today is indeed what to expect from us,” adding: “We are the two most senior politicians in Puntland today and we agreed, as he [Gen. Adde] said, to promote peace, cooperation, unity, and brotherhood, to complete the ongoing process, currently in the hands of the Vetting and Conflict Resolution Committee, to support the outcome, and afterwards for the new Parliament to sit on January 1, 2014, to hold the presidential election onJanuary 8 [2014], and to agree and support anyone who wins the election. This is what we discussed and agreed upon.”
Continuing, President Farole appealed “to the Puntland people, the international community, and all those who support peace, such as Horn of Africa region and the African Union, who are interested in peace and stability of Somalia, can hear this news today from us. I appeal to our people to uphold the peace, unity and solidarity of Puntland, in order to form a united front against our political enemies and the enemy that is creating insecurity across Somalia, which Puntland is part of.”
Fiber Optic Cable Installation Stopped After Disagreement
29 Dec- Source: Radio Dalsan-169 Words
The resident of Mogadishu would wait much longer than expected to enjoy fiber optic internet connectivity in the city. This has come after a disagreement between two major companies thus DALCOM and Hormud telecommunication companies involved in the connection process concerning the distribution in Mogadishu. Dalcom has been involved in the connection process for the last one year linking important areas such as Mogadishu airport and process which was expected to conclude mid of 2014 is now stopped following a disagreement from Hormud telecom side.
Government of Somalia intervention effort to mediate the two companies did not bear any fruit shuttering the dreams of many residents in the city in enjoying connectivity and according to economic analyst if two companies will not solve the issue amicably and allow the completion of the process there will much loss in several upcoming business depending on internet connections. Dalcom which is alignment of various Somali telecommunication companies has spent more than 7 million US dollars in bringing fiber optic in Somalia coast.
Somalia’s top league to resume on New Year’s Day
29 Dec – Source: Radio Dalsan/RBC – 341 words
The Somali Football Federation announced Sunday that the country’s NationLink Telecom Championship will officially resume on Wednesday, January the 1st 2014, With Jeenyo United taking on defending champions Elman FC on the resumption day. According to the released schedules, the Somali Police-owned Club Heegan will encounter Savana FC on Thursday as Dekedda will face Banadir Sports Club on Friday. The Jeenyo-Elman Clash on Wednesday and that match of Friday are said to be the week’s hottest matches and are expected to attract a large number of audiences.
The competition will resume from match number 8, as shown in the re-written schedules. The NationLink Telecom Championship which is Somalia’s most populous sporting event was put on halt in November, with respect to Ocean Stars’ calendar of the year, according to Somali Football federation Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab.
“The National team calendar of the year finished just nearly two weeks ago, but the SFF executive committee decided to resume the league after we have done our annual congress due to be held in the capital Mogadishu on Monday 30th of December 2013” Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab noted in a press statement on Sunday. The country’s most populous event is now being played at an international style facility and due to the fact, the number of Somali football spectators increased incredibly with every one wanting to see how the artificial turf looks alike.
“At Stadium Banadir we always meet with so many teenagers thanking FIFA and SFF for the great task whilst some of them do not even know what the word ‘FIFA’ was abbreviated from, but they only heard in the media that FIFA rebuilt the beautiful facility for Somalia” Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab said in his press statement. The statement praised local and international media for the professional coverage of the competition whose interest has been exceedingly growing amongst the Somali people both in and outside the country.
Second Somali journalist arrested in Kismayo in a week
30 Dec- Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Shabelle/ Radio Dalsan/RBC- 143 words
Interim Jubba Administration forces have arrested Mohamed Hassan Hiis, a journalist working for Radio Kismayo, a local radio run by the Interim Jubba Administration on Saturday night. The motives behind his arrest are unclear, however; some of his colleagues claimed that the authorities were unhappy about a report he aired on Friday night. The Interim Jubba Administration officials remained tight-lipped over the arrest of the journalist. Reports indicate that some of his colleagues are working tirelessly to secure his release.
Some of his colleagues say that he is now being held in a detention center in the city. Hiis is the second Somali journalist arrested in Kismayo in a week following last Sunday’s detention of Aden Mohamed Salad, a journalist working for the government-run Somali National Television and Radio Mogadishu. Salad was later released after National Union of Somali Journalists condemned his detention.
PM family relocated for security purpose
29 Dec- Source: Radio Dalsan- 144 words
The family of Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has been relocated to Jazeera hotel from their original home in Mogadishu suburb for security related reasons. An exclusive report obtained by Radio Dalsan reveals that PM’s mother and brothers who returned back to the country one year ago resided at Jiro Maskin suburb of Wadajir district in Mogadishu and are now moved to Jazeera hotel for fear of attacks.
The family renovated their house in Mogadishu three years ago before relocating from abroad where they fled after the civil war. For the past weeks the family has been spotted at Jazeera hotel which is considered as one of the well secured guesthouses in the city. Security still remains elusive in Mogadishu though there is much improvement in the security there is still explosive attacks and targeted killings meted against government officials and foreigners as well.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somalia’s Wave of Terrorism Worsens With Restaurant Bombing
30 Dec- Source: Chimpreports-211 Words
During the weekend, a Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) went off in a cafeteria frequented by members of the Somali National Army (SNA). 6 soldiers and 5 civilians lost their lives while 15 civilians were injured. “Somalia has made significant progress this year and we cannot allow ourselves to go back on this achievement,” said Ambassador Annadif, adding that such senseless attacks only strengthened the resolve of Somalis to take charge of their destiny and improve their lives.
Ambassador Annadif also reiterated that all of AMISOM’s resources including emergency medical care remain at the disposal of the Somali people and called for more support to enable the Somali security forces respond better to such incidents. Cases of terrorism have been on the rise in recent months in Somalia, with soldiers and civilians being killed in bomb explosions. An ambush attack in the outskirts of Mogadishu killed six people and injured two others on December 19.
Karangi’s term to end in 2015 – Defence ministry
29 Dec- Source: Capital FM-362 Words
The Ministry of Defence has denied reports that President Uhuru Kenyatta secretly extended Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, Julius Karangi’s term in office. Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo said there was no need for President Kenyatta to extend Karangi’s term in office as it ends in 2015 and he is yet to reach the retirement age of 64.
“At present General Karangi has neither attained the age of 64 nor completed four years of service since his appointment on July 13, 2011. He is not due to retire this month. The question of extending his ‘alleged’ contract does not therefore arise,” she clarified in a statement sent from State House Nairobi on Sunday. She went on to demand a retraction from a local daily that had as its headline on Sunday, “Uhuru secretly hands Karangi another term.”
Radical Muslim youth attack Mombasa sheikh
29 Dec- Source: Star- 726 words
Mombasa Muslim Association chairman Shaahid Sheikh was on Thursday attacked by radical Muslim youths at the troubled Sakina mosque in Mombasa’s Majengo area. Shaahid, a trustee of the mosque, was assaulted after Maghrib prayers. He was rushed to hospital seriously injured. Worshippers at Sakina said Shaahid had delivered a message opposing the wave of radicalisation and the forceful takeover of mosques by youths preaching “jihad sermons”.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Class C drug khat from Somalia in NZ
30 Dec- Source: 3news- 303 words
A New Zealand-Somali community leader says the use of the drug khat by a small group is causing unwanted delays at the border for hundreds of people. The plant is illegal in New Zealand, but that hasn’t stopped vast quantities being seized. The plant is a centuries-old part of Somali culture but in New Zealand it’s not welcome. “We see a steady supply of khat coming into New Zealand,” says Customs manager Shane Penettiere. “Both MPI and Customs deal with khat in various forms, either fresh or dried.”
Somalis to Ask Lawmakers for Help Reducing Violence
29 Dec- Source: KSTP-125 Words
The Cedar Cultural Center recently held an event in which Somalis and other members of the traditional African American community came together to celebrate similarities and promote unity. The effort to become closer comes after the cultures have experienced shootings and a brawl between Somali and African American students at South High in Minneapolis earlier this year. The event at the Cedar Cultural Center was an opportunity to bring the groups together and identify similar issues members of each culture are dealing with like poverty, unemployment, and educational disparities.
Lawmakers attended the event and took notice of the group effort.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“And in dealing with these issues, multinational unity in
naval patrolling does decidedly little. It does not alleviate the core problems of the government, it does not build sustainable economic opportunities for Somalis, and it certainly does not dispel widespread antagonism and mistrust of foreign “aid.”
Why the Pirates Are(n’t) at Bay
30 Dec- Source: UWire-1313 Words
Even as the Somalian pirate movie Captain Phillips receives rave reviews, airwaves that had been rife with Somali pirate stories are now strangely silent. At first glance, piracy in the once perilous Gulf of Eden seems to have gone AWOL as camera lenses refocus on land conflict between the Somali government and Islamist terror group al Shabaab.
Tom Hanks’ intense portrayal of a heroic naval captain in the midst of the MV Maersk Alabama’s takedown seems to exemplify the U.S. mantra: we saw, we came, we sent troops. But, having bided their time during Somalia’s inclement monsoon season, the once-quiet seas are now seeing a rebirth of piracy, with two attacks on commercial ships this October alone. A closer look at the issue reveals that the multinational military suppression of pirates—so praised by the international community and idolized by Hollywood—fails to solve the true quandary at hand: state building within Somalia. Piracy, which at times seems like a peripheral issue, is in fact a telling indicator of the enormous challenges the region faces.
“These assertions fly in the face of official reports which state that all four terrorists died in the attack. Which begs the question: What happened to their bodies and were DNA tests done?”
There may be more to Westgate and al Shabaab than meets the eye
29 Dec- Source: Daily Nation-685 Words
It is barely three months since the Westgate attack took place, but it seems Kenyans have already “moved on”. As one local journalist told Al Jazeera, “That’s what happens in Kenya” – tragic incidents and their victims are quickly forgotten as soon as the dead are buried. However, the story has refused to die on the international scene. This month, there was renewed focus on, not just the modus operandi of the Westgate terrorists, but also on the way international actors have played a part in sustaining al Shabaab.
A report by the New York Police Department, whose findings have been, predictably, refuted by both the Kenya and the United States governments, has gained the attention of international media. (NYPD has apparently been studying terrorist hotspots around the world since the 9/11 attack in order to better understand how terrorists operate in cities). The NYPD report, based on CCTV footage and open-source information, suggests that all the terrorists probably escaped the Westgate mall within the first day of the attack.
“I think Kenya is playing the role of a venue for the meeting of the Heads of State and for the rest must have been “feel free, feel at home”. As an African and as a Somali I feel ashamed and inappropriate even to think of, let alone of mentioning shortcoming in the protocol.”
Let protocol be its proper place
29 Dec- Source: Hiiraan Online-408 Words
I read with interest the article in Hiiraan Online regarding the arrival of the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in Nairobi, Kenya for an emergency Summit of IGAD to discuss how to bring peace and stability in South Sudan. (Hiiraan Online Friday, December 27, 2013).
The author of the Article claims that: “Kenyan officials haven’t given a presidential protocol to the visiting Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud who is on an official tour to Nairobi where IGAD heads of state are meeting to try to ease the politically-motivated clan-based armed conflicts raging in South Sudan.”
Has this been an official visit I am sure the Government of Kenya would have arranged an appropriate Presidential welcome which includes 21-Gun-Salute and Red Carpet as well as the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta and members of the Cabinet all lined up at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport to give the visiting Guest an official welcome.
Top tweets
@FCOMattBaugh A tragic year for Somalia’s journalists: “@SomaliaDirect: Journalists Killed in #Somalia in 2013http://goo.gl/FVrMQg ”
@amisomsomalia#AMISOM soldiers conduct an early morning foot patrol near the town of Jowhar, #Somalia, on December 15.pic.twitter.com/FzNKpxhW8W
@JamesGadin#Somalia is not just about war. It’s a beautiful country, too. Thank you @Doylebytes http://bbc.in/1cXcDPy
@HibaqG Wherever we go – we are resilient – true nomads wandering the world for search of a better life. #diaspora#Somali
@lhammondsoas Some very interesting suggestions for the new Somalia cabinet. See #mykindofgovernment – thanks to@harunmaruf for starting it
Image of the day
Somali PM Abdiwali Sh Ahmed visits artist Abdi Tahliil Warsame who has bn ill for a while at his home in Mogadishu. Photo: @MustafaOsoble