February 10, 2014 | Morning Headlines.
AMISOM head declares fresh assault against al Shabaab
09 Feb- Source: Radio RBC/SNTV/Radio Mogadishu/Shabelle/Somalia Current- 161 words
The Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia [AMISOM] Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has said that AMISOM forces and the Somali National Army are preparing to launch a massive assault to liberate new areas from the al Qaeda linked group of al Shabaab in Somalia, Mr Annadif made the announcement Sunday during a press conference in Mogadishu in which he was accompanied by AMISOM Force Commander General Silas Nitagurirwa. Mr Annadif has noted that the fresh operation will aim at liberating the regions of the South and Central Somalia currently under the al Shabaab’s control. He said such operation is very important for the security of this country as he also highlighted the deployment of Burundian contingent into the port town of Kismayo to replace the Kenyan Forces operating there under the African Union flag. Meanwhile Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has mentioned the 2014 will be the year of liberating whole Somalia from extremist groups linked to al Qaeda.
Key Headlines
- AMISOM head declares fresh assault against al Shabaab (Radio RBC/SNTV/Radio Mogadishu)
- Burundi is our brother in arms says President as Foreign Minister visits Mogadishu (OP)
- AU to train 1000 new police recruits in Baidoa (Somalicurrent)
- Government of Japan donates equipment to Somalia (Radio Dalsan/SNTV)
- Swiss gov’t appoints first ambassador to Somalia (Radio Mogadishu/Hiiraan Online)
- Mogadishu Mayor says local companies forced to shut down mobile internet service (Radio RBC/Radio Mustaqbal)
- Rival MPs fight in Somaliland Parliament BBC Somali/RBC/Hiiran Online)
- President Hassan says government needs Somalis support (Radio Shabelle)
- Mobile phone internet off in Somalia after al Shabaab order (Hiiraan Online/BBC Somali Service/VOA)
- Burundi Foreign Minister visits Mogadishu (Somalicurrent/Radio Dalsan)
- Al Shabaab vehicle explodes in Southern Somalia (Africa Review)
- Kenya: Karangi faults media on Westgate report (Daily Nation)
- Kenyan police arrest 3 al Shabaab suspects in border town (Xinhua/China.org)
- Somalia president fights back on ‘weak leadership’ claim from US (Financial Times)
- Free education lures Somali children from streets (AP)
PRESS STATEMENT
Burundi is our brother in arms, says President, as Foreign Minister visits Mogadishu
08 Feb- Source: Office of the President- 282 words
His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised Burundi as a “brother in arms” for Somalia. The President made his comments during a visit to Mogadishu by the Foreign Minister of Burundi, His Excellency Laurent Kavakure, who was accompanied by Somalia’s Foreign Minister His Excellency Abdirahman Duale Beileh.
The President said: “Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the great sacrifices our brothers and sisters of Burundi have made for Somalia. Fighting shoulder to shoulder with Somali forces and our other AMISOM partners since 2007, you have helped us crush al Shabaab, providing us with this once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebuild our country and lead our nation to the peace and prosperity our people deserve. We owe you a great debt.”
The President and Burundian Foreign Minister, accompanied by AMISOM’s Burundian Force Commander, Lieutenant General Silas Ntigurirwa, discussed the ongoing expansion of AMISOM, as mandated by the UN Security Council.
The President said: “This year is a critical one for Somalia. We are ramping up military operations against our enemies and aiming for the final defeat of al Shabaab with tangible improvements in security for our people. Burundi and our other AMISOM partners will be playing a key role in this military campaign.”
In a separate meeting, the President met His Excellency Ivan Zivkovic, Ambassador of Serbia to Kenya and Somalia. The bilateral meeting came in the wake of the meeting between the presidents of the two countries during the AU heads of state summit in Addis Ababa last month.
Strengthening Somalia’s long neglected international relations after years of war has been a key component of the President’s “six-pillar” policy.
President leads the nation in prayers for “a great lion of Somalia”
07 Feb- Source: Office of the President- 304 words
His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Fridayled the nation in prayers for the late Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdirizak Haji Hussein, whose body was returned from the US for burial in Mogadishu.
The President led a group of dignitaries to receive the Prime Minister’s body at Mogadishu International Airport. They included Speaker Mohammed Sheikh Osman Jawari, Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, Puntland President Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas and Jubba Administration Leader Ahmed Mohammed Islaan Madobe, together with numerous ministers, former ministers and MPs. The President said:
“Today we pray for one of Somalia’s greatest heroes. Abdirizak Haji Hussein was a great man and a towering Somali patriot. His life should be an example to all Somalis as we seek to rebuild our great nation together. If there is one lesson we can all draw from his life and career it is the importance of national unity. Think how much we can achieve if we pull together. After years of division and despair, we must unite as one and achieve extraordinary things.”
The President paid tribute to Abdirizak Haji Hussein’s outstanding record as premier:
“This was a man who staked his leadership on anti-corruption, whose insistence on efficient, democratic government was bold and uncompromising, whose dedication to serving the people of Somalia was an inspiration to those of us who follow humbly in his wake. He was a great lion of Somalia. We must remember him and take courage from his example. He is a national icon and although he has gone he still lives on in our hearts.”
After prayers in Isbaheysiga Mosque the late Prime Minister’s body was taken for burial in Al Irfid Cemetery in the outskirts of Mogadishu, alongside the resting-place of Somalia’s first President, Aden Abdulle Osman.
SOMALI MEDIA
AMISOM head declares fresh assault against al Shabaab
09 Feb- Source: Radio RBC/SNTV/Radio Mogadishu/Shabelle/Somalia Current- 161 words
The Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia [AMISOM] Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has said that AMISOM forces and the Somali National Army are preparing to launch a massive assault to liberate new areas from the al Qaeda linked group of al Shabaab in Somalia, Mr Annadif made the announcement Sundayduring a press conference in Mogadishu in which he was accompanied by AMISOM Force Commander General Silas Nitagurirwa. Mr Annadif has noted that the fresh operation will aim at liberating the regions of the South and Central Somalia currently under the al Shabaab’s control. He said such operation is very important for the security of this country as he also highlighted the deployment of Burundian contingent into the port town of Kismayo to replace the Kenyan Forces operating there under the African Union flag. Meanwhile Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has mentioned the 2014 will be the year of liberating whole Somalia from extremist groups linked to al Qaeda.
AU to train 1000 new police recruits in Baidoa
09 Feb- Source: Somalicurrent- 147 words
African Union Mission in Somalia with the help of United Nations will soon train 1000 new Somali police recruits in Baidoa town to bolster the strength of the regional police, UN said on Sunday. United Nations Police Officer and technical support personnel has assessed the conditions of Baidoa’s Ali Salamay Police training center, to begin the training soon. United Nations Police Force Superintendent, Joseph Owusu Ansah said their office works closely with the AMISOM Police Unit, to help improve the conditions of the local law enforcers. “We have come to conduct a technical assessment of the training school and we hope to start the renovations as soon as possible,” he said adding that AU police will also start training Somali police officers. AMISOM police component were first deployed to Baidoa in June 2013, to support the security and to build the capacity of the Somali Police Force.
Government of Japan donates equipment to Somalia
09 Feb- Source: Radio Dalsan/SNTV- 116 words
The government of Japan has donated office equipment to the Somali national police. Somali police commissioner Abdihakim Dahir Said who received the equipment on behalf of the Somali police has thanked the government of Japan for the kind donation. “This will definitely improve how the Somali police force operate in ensuring security,” said the police chief. Japanese ambassador to Kenya who handed over the equipment to the Somali police has said his government is committed in aiding government of Somalia. “We will stand by the government of Somalia when the need arise,” he said. The government of Japan has funded the renovation of several police stations in the capital Mogadishu.
Mogadishu Mayor says local companies forced to shut down mobile internet service
09 Feb- Source: Radio RBC/BBC Somali Service/ Radio Mustaqbal/ Hiiraan Online-214 words
The Mayor of Mogadishu Mohamud Ahmed Nur Tarsan has spoken out against the internet service shut down by a local private company following an order from al Shabaab militant group in Somalia. The Mayor said the reason of the internet shutdown on Thursday came following sl Shabaab’s imminent threat against Hormuud Telecom Company, the biggest mobile internet service [3G] provider in Somalia. “We have come to know that Hormuud was forced to shut down the internet service by the militant groups after threatening to kill the company’s staff and senior officials operating in the al Shabaab controlled areas,” Mr Tarsan said. He said the government of Somalia has the legitimacy to revoke the license from Hormuud and any other company that comply with al Shabaab’s instructions but the government wishes to see the business sector as free from any government restrictions. “We can go and suspend the operations of any company in Mogadishu which complies the orders of the militants groups but we do not want to create problems for the already troubled business community,” the Mayor added. The Mayor’s comment came as people were looking for the government’s reaction against the internet ban because companies based in government controlled areas have followed the orders from al Shabaab.
Swiss gov’t appoints first ambassador to Somalia
09 Feb- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Hiiraan Online- 253 words
Switzerland has appointed its first ambassador to Somalia, as the war-ravaged country is currently re-establishing its diplomatic ties with the rest of the world after more than two decades of civil wars. A press statement from the Swiss foreign ministry said that Mr. Dominik Langenbacher was appointed as the new Swiss ambassador to Somalia. The new Switzerland’s ambassador to Somalia Mr. Dominik Langenbacher held his first post appointment meeting with Somali expatriates in his country and as well as with members from relief organizations operating in Somalia.
Rival MPs fight in Somaliland Parliament
09 Feb- Source: Radio RBC/Hiiran Online-236 Words
The meeting of the House of Representatives of the breakaway region of Somaliland has turned into political in-fight between rival Parliamentarian following two opposing motions. The political in-fight in the Somaliland House of Representatives started on Saturday after MPs loyal to Speaker Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro tabled a motion to fire the two Deputy Speakers Bashe Mohamed and Ali Yusuf, both from the ruling Kulmiye Party. Another motion against the Speaker was then tabled by the Members of the House supporting the two Deputy Speakers loyal to President Ahmed Silanyo. Saturday’s session was closed after members from the Somaliland’s Gurti Council (Council of Elders) intervened to cool the hot political temperature. According to the journalists in Hargeysa, Sunday’s parliament session was intervened by the police after MPs engaged in the fist fight. The in-fight led to the sudden closure of Sunday’s session by the Speaker. Speaker Abdurahman Irro who spoke to local media later on has alleged that the in-fight was created by President Silanyo and his cabinet whom he said were directly involved in the parliamentary issues.
President Hassan says government needs Somalis support
08 Feb- Source: Radio Shabelle- 88 words
The President of the federal republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged support from the Somalia civilian population during the burial of Somalia’s former prime minister Abdirisaaq Haji Hussein who died in the USA last week. Mr. Mohamud said that Somali elders should focus on uniting the people and the Somali civilians are the only people who can help the government take the next stride. The president’s words come at a time when the Government is planning to work on the internal affairs of the whole country.
Mobile phone internet off in Somalia after al Shabaab order
09 Feb- Source: Hiiraan Online/BBC Somali Service/VOA- 207 words
People in three regions in south western regions of Somalia have been experiencing difficulty in using internet service, including mobile phone service, since Thursday last week after Hormuud, the country’s largest network provider, was ordered by al Shabaab militants to switch off its telecommunication systems. Although the mobile phone internet service was cut, people in the three regions were still able to use limited internet service, but this was inadequate for people who frequently used internet on their mobile phones.
Burundi Foreign Minister visits Mogadishu
08 Feb- Source: Somalicurrent/Radio Dalsan- 175 words
Burundi’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Laurent Kavakure paid visit to Mogadishu on Saturday, to discuss with Somali officials. His Somali counterpart Abdirahman Duale Beileh received the Minister at the airport, before he was taken to the Presidential Palace, where he met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamuud. President Hassan thanked Burundi for the sacrifices and helping the peace efforts to restore stable Somalia. “Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the great sacrifices our brothers and sisters of Burundi have made for Somalia. Fighting shoulder to shoulder with Somali forces and our other AMISOM partners since 2007, you have helped us crush al Shabaab, providing us with this once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebuild our country and lead our nation to the peace and prosperity our people deserve. We owe you a great debt.” The President said. Burundi Foreign Minister, who also served as Burundi Ambassador to Belgium, pledged that his country will continue supporting Somalia. Nearly 4,000 Burundian soldiers are serving with the African Union peace force in Somalia and have been in the mission since 2007.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Al Shabaab vehicle explodes in Southern Somalia
09 Feb- Source: Africa Review- 126 words
A car belonging to al Shabaab, presumed to be carrying explosive materials exploded in Bulomareer village, about 120 km south of the Somali capital Mogadishu on Friday evening. The area in Lower Shebelle is controlled by al Shabaab, the radical Islamist group opposing the Somali government. Reports indicated that several explosions followed an initial blast from the car. A resident, who spoke anonymously for security reason, told journalists that most of the area residents fled as the explosions continued. “The area was later sealed by al Shabaab militants,” the source confirmed. Since no journalists could directly report from the area, it was hard to identify casualties. Reports of vehicles exploding in areas controlled by the al Qaeda linked al Shabaab are very common. Sometimes, al Shabaab operatives are killed while planting landmines.
Kenya: Karangi faults media on Westgate report
08 Feb- Source: Daily Nation- 0:29 sec
The media Council of Kenya has published a report on how the media in Kenya covered the Westgate mall attack. Kenyan media has come under scrutiny over the coverage that followed the September 21st Westgate terror attack. Chief of Kenya Defence Forces General Julius Karangi has urged the Media Council to ensure responsible journalism especially as the security situation changes in light of terrorism. Karangi faulted the media for playing right into the terrorist’s scheme of spreading their message of fear and terror.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenyan police arrest 3 al Shabaab suspects in border town
09 Feb- Source: Xinhua/China.org-360 Words
Kenya’s police on Saturday arrested three Al-Shabaab suspects and recovered three rifles and 259 rounds of ammunition in the northern town of Mandera. The trio, who were arrested at Koromei area, 10 km from Mandera town, had sneaked in the country from Somalia. Mandera County Police Commander Noah Mwivanda said the three upon interrogation said that they had come to pick their “boss.” “When our officers interrogated these al Shabaab suspects, they said that they had come to pick their boss. We have since established that this is not true. We believe that these militiamen were on a mission to carry out an attack in Mandera town,” Mwivanda said. The three al Shabaab suspects who were driving in a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle with no registration number were intercepted by the police who were on a routine night patrol. The police commander said that a video camera caught in their possession was to be used to take pictures of security installations and other strategic places with a view of attacking them later.
Somalia president fights back on ‘weak leadership’ claim from US
07 Feb- Source: Financial Times-880 Words
When former academic Hassan Sheikh Mohamud became president of Somalia in late 2012, his election was hailed as a sign of progress in a country destroyed by years of war and terrorism. The administration of the one-time university dean was the first in Somalia to be recognised internationally for more than two decades and soon elicited aid commitments worth more than $2bn. But the early hope was overtaken quickly by accusations of corruption, clan politics and a fight over resources including the promise of oil exploration. In the clearest sign yet of the growing frustration among western backers, James Clapper, the US director of national intelligence, last week castigated Mr Mohamud’s “weak leadership” and the “persistent political infighting” of his 16-month-old government. But in an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Mohamud fought back, saying: “I don’t know what sources he [Mr Clapper] used but I don’t see any political infighting in Somalia today compared to the past. It is a subjective judgment based on his own [opinion].”
Free education lures Somali children from streets
07 Feb- Source: AP- 665 words
Two years ago Mohamed Aden was a shoe shiner in Mogadishu, walking the streets of the Somali capital in search of clients even as his friends attended school. Now the 12-year-old boy sits proudly among classmates. For Aden, a poor boy whose family lives in a derelict building in a Mogadishu slum, the transition from streets to classroom might never have happened without a new government-run program called Go2School that seeks to give a free elementary school education to at least 1 million children.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The crisis at the heart of the Somali psyche lies within the conflicting ideologies of Kacaan officials and the contemporary educated, pro-†‑democratic Somalis. The Kacaan official is busy replicating the quasi-†‑Communist institutions of the revolutionary government in his mind; he is headed towards the past and 1976. The romanticised aroma and allure of those heady days is far too strong. The contemporary educated Somali is looking elsewhere for inspiration whether it’ʹs Rwanda in the African continent or Singapore in a wider world context and headed towards the future, hoping to create a modern state capable of partaking and playing its role in this globalised world, and therein lies the crisis at the heart of the Somali psyche.”
The Crisis at heart of the Somali psyche
08 Feb- Source: Hiiraan Online-946 Words
A well known Somali intellectual said recently, “ʺthis country is still ruled by Mohamed Siyad Barre from the grave.”ʺ It was a weighty statement of significant consequences. Take a cursory look across the Somali leadership spectrum, and it is painfully evident that a generational shift, or more importantly, a shift of mindset is yet to occur yet in Somali politics. The children of the late President, those whose hearts and minds he colonized, rule the country and shape, rather, misshape its future. Examine the small details in customs: the red beret is back in action, the President’ʹs (as is in Somaliland and Puntland) photo hang in every office, and the soldier with the small cane stands behind the President. On his return from foreign trips, the President is welcomed by the entire cabinet and parliamentarians who line up in the tarmac to shake his hand. Has anybody ever asked themselves why a President is greeted by so much pomp and circumstance?
“Public sentiment is the most important, without it nothing can succeed. At the moment, ordinary Somalis abroad and at home are really tired of waiting for the lasting peace they have dreamt for decades.”
Common ground for Somali Diaspora Intellectuals and the local Traditional Leaders
09 Feb- Source: Hiiraan Online-1014 Words
There is a Somali Saying “Yaaq Yaambo Ma Goyso” describing the strength, endurance, and resilience of a Baobab (Yaaq) tree. Baobab tree is very difficult to kill, they can be burnt, or stripped of their bark, and they will just form new bark and carry on growing. Somalia itself can at best be described as a Baobab Tree in terms of its resilience, because of its long history and rich culture. But the Yaaq or Baobab tree despite its longevity and endurance dies from within by simply rotting from the inside which leads to its collapse and disappearance. Similarly, political infighting and our inability to get out of our clannish self is leading Somalia to rot from inside and collapse. For example, there is a gulf of incomprehension that currently exists between the Diaspora intellectuals and the local traditional leaders. In reality, traditional leaders’ local experience and our intellectual Diasporas’ vision are complementary in their strength and weaknesses. Combined they may achieve advances which neither could alone.