February 26, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Somali minister cautiously plans new tax regime

26 Feb- Source: Reuters-806 Words

Somalia has long defied the maxim that death and taxes are life’s only two certainties – with years of chaos and killings but little in the way of a coherent state to collect revenues and tariffs.

That could all be about to change if newly appointed finance minister Hussein Abdi Halane gets his way and manages to persuade businesses to support a new comprehensive tax system in the ravaged country.

He knows Somalia’s federal administration – less than two years old – will have to tread carefully to rebuild confidence in a state where trust in authority was destroyed by two decades of clan warfare and Islamist militant rule.

“It is a lot of effort,” he told Reuters by phone from Mogadishu. “We will make an extra effort to get consensus and collaboration from them, rather than imposing it unilaterally.”

Halane and his cabinet colleagues also have to prove the government can set its own house in order after being buffeted by graft allegations. Two central bank governors resigned in quick succession last year, unsettling Western donors.

Key Headlines

Ethiopian troops arrive in Garbaharey (Radio Goobjoog)
Ministry of Interior official killed in Mogadishu (Radio Shabelle)
Somalia: Ethiopia Puntland Deal to Fight Against al Shabaab (Horseed Media)
Four wounded after armed men storm coffee shop in central Somalia (Radio RBC)
Puntland president arrives in Jigjiga (Dhanaan Online/Radio Garowe)
Women travel far for free maternity services at Mogadishu clinic (Radio Ergo)
Unidentified assailants gundown Haji Salah District Police Chief (Somaliland Informer)
Hamar Weyne’s commissioner talks about district security (Radio Shabelle)
Greater efforts needed to curb sexual violence in Mogadishu (IRIN News)
Somaliland Minister of Information Reveals Universal TV’s Outrageous Practice (Somaliland Informer)
Al Shabaab vows comeback to regions they lost control (Radio RBC)
Juba Administration offers training for butchery business community in Kismayo (Radio Bar-kulan)
Kenya needs better security coordination after Westgate: report (Reuters)
Officer abducted by al Shabaab struggles to cope with life six months after the militia released him(Standard Media)
Somaliland: Health ministry officials refutes allegations of ambulance take over by Red Crescent(Somaliland Sun)
Honour ‘New Deal’ pledge Somalia tells donors (Africa Review)
Somali minister cautiously plans new tax regime (Reuters)
Somali minister urges journalists to take care in al Shabaab campaign (The Guardian)
Kenya boosts airport defence warning of Islamist threat (AFP)
EU starts its military training in Somalia (Xinhua)
Somaliland gunshot victim gets new face new life (Yahoo News)

SOMALI MEDIA

Ethiopian troops arrive in Garbaharey

26 Feb- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 120 words

Large number of Ethiopian troops with heavy weapons reached Garbaharey, the headquarters of Gedo region Tuesday afternoon. Witness told Goobjoog FM that the troops who entered the town had over sixty military vehicles.

The Ethiopian troops are accompanied by Somali military forces from Bula Hawo, Dollow, Luuq and the governor of Gedo region Mohamed Abdi Kalil.

Reports say that the Ethiopian troops are expected to move to Bur Duba and Bardere localities to launch massive operations against al Shababa.

The residents in Gedo region express fear that the region might witness fresh clashes between al Shabaab and Ethiopian troops under AMISOM, Ahlu Wal Jamaa militias and government Military, a time when dire water shortage is felt in some places of Gedo region.

Ministry of Interior official killed in Mogadishu

26 Feb- Source: Radio Shabelle- 104 words

A Somali Ministry of Interior staff has been killed in Mogadishu by his wife, according to reports. The official that was killed was named Mohamud Mohamed Sheikh Sadiiq Jarati, according to his colleagues.

Jarati has being laid to rest at Kahda district in Banaadir region with his funeral attended by officials of the Somali government. It is not known why the spouse of the deceased Jarati orchestrated his death or the real motive.

Somalia: Ethiopia, Puntland Deal to Fight Against al Shabaab

26 Feb – Source: Horseed Media – 152 words

Ethiopian leader has offered to help Puntland fight against al Shabaab, as initial reports received by the Security agencies in the semi-autonomous region indicate that the militants are preparing to flee into the region after the Somali Government announced a large offense on the remaining areas still under the Control of the group in Southern Somalia.

Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali who is currently on a five day tour in Addis Ababa met Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Monday in his office. He was accompanied by Puntland Ministers for Interior & Information and the Puntland Defense forces Chief.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed on their bilateral relations and focused on enhancing the Security, trade and Political ties.

A press statement from the Puntland President Office, stated that the two leaders agreed that the al Qaeda-linked militant group is a big threat to the Horn of Africa. They also agreed on sharing intelligence information.

Four wounded after armed men storm coffee shop in central Somalia

26 Feb- Source: Radio RBC- 164 words

At least four civilians were wounded, two of them serious after unknown armed men opened fire on a people chatting in a coffee shop in the north of Galkayo town in the Mudug region of central Somalia. The attack happened shortly after the evening prayers as people were sitting in coffee shops to chat.

The armed attackers immediately escaped towards the Galmudug administered south portion of the town, according to Puntland’s Mudug governor Ahmed Ali Salad.

“Some of the attackers, including a wounded man were arrested in the south by Galmudug security forces,” Mr Salad added.

Galkayo is the provincial capital of Mudug and is divided into north, administered by Puntland and the south administered by Galmudug. The two administrations previously shared security cooperation measures to handle the insecurity following numerous incidents in the previous years.

The four wounded civilians, all male were admitted at local privately owned hospital for treatment. The Police in Galkayo said they have started investigating the case.

Puntland president arrives in Jigjiga

26 Feb- Source: Dhanaan Online/Radio Garowe/Allpuntland/Halgan Online- 129 words

Puntland president Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gas has reached Jigjiga-the capital of Somali regional state of Ethiopia for a two days official visit. The president of Somali regional State of Ethiopia Abdi Mohamed Omar welcomed the Puntland delegates at Jigjiga’s Wilwal international Airport.

Mr Abdiweli is scheduled to hold talks with the Somali regional state president and his cabinet to discuss a range of issues including strengthening the relation between the two states,trade,security and among others.

During his stay in Jigjiga,the Puntland president might visit historical sites in and a round Jigjiga and Jigjiga university where many puntland students are currently studying.

President Abdiweli has already met with the leaders of the Ethiopia in Addis Ababa including the prime minister,the foreign minister and the defense minister.

Women travel far for free maternity services at Mogadishu clinic

26 Feb- Source: Radio Ergo- 152 words

Hundreds of women line up for free maternity services at Mogadishu’s Hanano Hospital every day. The privately owned clinic has recently opened a Women and Children’s department, which is providing free treatment to women during pregnancy and childbirth, Radio Ergo’s local reporter said.

The clinic also offers general treatment for common diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria, respiratory ailments, high blood pressure and anaemia. The manager, Dr Abdirahim Mohamed Mohamud, said these other departments, which charge for treatment, support the provision of the free maternity services.

More than 1,000 Somali women have received maternity services so far; many of them have travelled from hundreds of kilometres away from Mogadishu to benefit from the clinic’s free services.

“The women who have come here for the free medical services have travelled from more than five regions in southern Somalia, including Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle and Lower and Middle Jubba regions,” Mohamud told Radio Ergo.

Unidentified assailants gundown Haji Salah District Police Chief

26 Feb- Source: Somaliland Informer- 81 words

Unidentified men armed with guns shot the Police Chief in Haji Salah district Mr. Hure Salah of Daadmadheedh region. He was gunned down while working with polio vaccination campigners in the district according to local sources and officials said.

Sources within the district said that seven assailants fled the scene before police arrived. The motive of the killing remains unknown but further reports hint of retaliation murder. Police launched manhunt operation to nab the culprits

Hamar Weyne’s commissioner talks about district security

25 Feb – Source: Radio Shabelle – 102 words

The district commissioner of Hamar Weyne in the Banaadir region, Abdullahi Sahal Gardhuub commented on the security condition within the district. Mr Gardhuub mentioned that the security of Hamar Weyne has improved and at the same time they will launch security operations at the evenings to strengthen the safety of the district.

The district commissioner of Hamar Weyne urged the citizens in the district to work in reviving the regulations and install lights in the entire neighbourhoods. The district commissioner’s remarks come a time when recently in Mogadishu there have been increased attacks.

Somaliland Minister of Information Reveals Universal TV’s Outrageous Practice

25 Feb – Source: Somaliland Informer – 211 words

We hold Universal TV responsible for the deaths that occurred in Sool following public riots it instigated”, charged Hon. Abdillahi Mohamed Dahir U’kuse. This is the third time the veteran journalist cum executive cum politician has underpinned the outrageous manner in which the station has been operating since the government banned it all together recently.

The Information, Culture and National Guidance minister on Monday underscoring how the television station blatantly flouted all rules and regulations of journalism and basic rights with impunity hence trampling on all forms of ethics and etiquettes that abounds.

While speaking to the members of press after the Kulmiye conciliatory meeting, Hon. Ukuse was quite bold to a young journalist who prodded him with a question in defence of the banned TV. “You don’t have to tag along the wrong lane maligning your sovereignty to seek limelight”, said the Minister to the young man.

He elaborated, “Basically we licensed the Universal TV just as any other foreign bureau and they failed to live up to the expected agreements”. He continued, “It is well known to you all that they once aired seriously malicious news purporting that there were battles going on in Lasanod and Buuhoolde while misleadingly showing war in Daynuune (Somalia)” whose resultant riots were fatal.

He further explained that such disinformation and misinformation by the station that culminated in the caricature of the President and maliciously denting SL’s image was well calculated ill-innuendoes to instigate chaos hence tantamount to waging wars through air waves. He wondered, “We are not sure even whether the station is registered at where it is supposedly assumed to be”.

The minister said that one of the best things done by the government that needs emulating was the efforts done by the Ministry of Presidency and the Somaliland Roads Authority. He praised their accountability and transparency which they depicted in public. He likewise praised the reconciled top hierarchy of the ruling party.

Al Shabaab vows comeback to regions they lost control

26 Feb – Source: Radio RBC – 101 words

The al Qaeda-linked radicals al Shabaab have vowed to return to the areas that left under their custody in the recent days while AMISOM troops backed by Somalia armed forces were advancing to these regions.

Al Shabaab’s spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage (Ali Dhere) has declared that they will re-capture the areas they vacated recently vowing to intensify their military movement against Somali armed forces and AMISOM troops.

While speaking to Aljazeera Television, the Spokesman stated that the motive behind their withdrawal from some regions which were under their administration, was as ‘military tactic’ and he makes a promise to return to these regions.

Ali Dhere said during the interview with Aljazeera, “The reason behind al Shabaab’s withdrawal from these regions is change in tactics and we are the people of Somalia, we will defend Somalia from the enemy.”

He was asked why they are targeting Turkish Nationals operating in Somalia to support the people and government of Somalia in times of Humanitarian crisis.

Ali Dhere declared that they will target Turkey nationals who are working in Somalia, describing them as a tool of the enemy to destroy Islam. Ali Dhere answered “Turkey is member of NATO, ‘the biggest enemy of Islam’ and NATO are joint Christian associations which uses Turkey to destroy Islam.”

Juba Administration offers training for butchery business community in Kismayo

25 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 119 words

The interim Jubba administration has trained the butchery business community in Kismayo and some member staff from the ministry of Agriculture, livestock and fishery of the Jubba administration. The training which continued for 3 days mainly taught the participants on hygiene and environment so as to prevent contagious diseases from the community.

The Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery of Jubba administration Mohamed Aden Jama’a affirmed that they will continue such trainings in the future

He urged the butchery business community to slaughter animals at the outside periphery of the town so as to avoid the spread of diseases due to poor hygiene. Some of the participants who attended the training mentioned to have benefited more from the training.

Somaliland: Health ministry officials refutes allegations of ambulance take over by Red Crescent

25 Feb – Source: Somaliland Sun – 165 words

The Ministry of Health Togdheer’s Region Coordinator Dr. Abdi Yassin flanked by his counterpart from the Red Crescent Society (SRCS) has rubbished the allegations that the SRCS has taken over the hospital’s only ambulance as one of its assets & further clarified that the ambulance is there to serve the residents of Odweine in emergency health related logistics by ferrying the sick to secure prompt medical aid services.

The Ministry of Health Coordinator of Togdher Dr. Abdi Yassin gave a chronological account of rumors leading to assumption that the vehicle was donated by Dahab Shill group & was thereafter dominantly parked in the hospital’s compound for 3 years due to mechanical breakdown which both the SRCS & the ministry could not fix the said problems.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Officer abducted by al Shabaab struggles to cope with life six months after the militia released him

26 Feb- Source: Standard Media- 314 words

Six months have passed since Yesse Mule, Kenya’s highest-profile al Shabaab hostage, was freed by the militants. Mule, who looked sickly upon his release after spending 566 days in custody, can now walk on his own and is even able to narrate his ordeal – with a smile. Armed militiamen abducted him and a colleague from their workstation in Wajir South, where he was overseeing the issuing of national ID cards. “It felt like a different world when I was set free but the experience has only served to make me stronger. I have learnt to appreciate everything around me better; you can’t take anything for granted,” Mule, who is now 33, reflects. He was awarded the Silver Star of Kenya Presidential commendation last December for his service and endurance. But though physically recovered, his eye sockets are still sunken, an indicator of the torture and pain he experienced at the hands of al Shabaab.

Honour ‘New Deal’ pledge, Somalia tells donors

25 Feb – Source: Africa Review – 135 words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has asked the international community to deliver on the $2.4 billion ‘New Deal’ pledge to drive the country’s reconstruction.

The international community and Somalia co-hosted a conference in Brussels, Belgium last September where a three-year roadmap for promoting state-building and peace-building in the country was endorsed by the partners.

“Our people are anxiously waiting the promises from our international partners,” the President said in a meeting with UN and AU envoys in Mogadishu.

But there has been feeling that many institutions and governments were reluctant to release funds to the administration in Mogadishu often considered to be plagued by corruption and lack of transparency.

President Mohamoud said: “The government took initiatives to establish a financial governance programme that would provide greater oversight, transparency and accountability to our financial institutions.”

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali minister cautiously plans new tax regime

26 Feb- Source: Reuters-806 Words

“It is a lot of effort,” he told Reuters by phone from Mogadishu. “We will make an extra effort to get consensus and collaboration from them, rather than imposing it unilaterally.”

Greater efforts needed to curb sexual violence in Mogadishu

26 Feb – Source: IRIN News – 208 words

Sexual and gender-based violence is a major issue in Somalia, especially for internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in south and central Somalia. A Mogadishu-based NGO working to protect women and children, Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC), has recorded more than 2,000 survivors of sexual violence in Mogadishu since it was set up in July 2012.

People in IDP camps are most vulnerable because they do not have proper shelter or security, according to Fatima Ibrahim of SSWC. “Perpetrators can easily get access to IDP camps, and rape even in the presence of husbands and children,” she told IRIN.

Many sexual violence cases occur in the city districts of Hodan and Deyniile, the organization says.

Deyniile had been a proposed site to relocate IDPs living in Mogadishu, but the plan was put on hold in July 2013, due to the government’s weak control of the area and security concerns.

“Very high numbers of incidents of sexual violence have been reported consistently particularly in IDP camps and settlements in Mogadishu and surrounding areas,” said the Somali Federal Government, in a joint communiquéwith the UN in May 2013. “There exists a deep culture of silence and fear regarding crimes of sexual violence, which significantly impacts on reporting and response.”

EU starts its military training in Somalia

26 Feb- Source: Xinhua- 203 words

The European Union said on Tuesday it started military training mission for Somalia (EUTM Somalia) in its capital Mogadishu the previous day. This is the first training carried out in Mogadishu by EUTM Somalia since its redeployment from Uganda in December 2013. “This event is a milestone in the history of EUTM Somalia,”said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

The training will be conducted by 16 trainers – eight from Italy, six from Sweden, and two from Hungary. The trainees will be 60 military personnel of the Somali National Army who had been previously trained by EUTM in Uganda.

Kenya needs better security coordination after Westgate: report

25 Feb- Source: Reuters- 388 words

A Kenyan parliamentary inquiry has called for a new body to coordinate between intelligence and security agencies after blaming poor communication and inadequate preparations for failures in handling the Westgate shopping mall attack.

At least 67 people were killed in September when gunmen from the Somali militant group al Shabaab attacked a luxury shopping mall in the capital, tossing grenades, spraying shoppers with bullets and holding parts of the building for four days.

The report by the parliamentary inquiry, seen by Reuters, said security services were warned about an impending attack but “there was general laxity among the police over terror alerts” in the run up to theSeptember 21 raid.

It also noted that the crack police RECCE unit had cornered the four gunmen in one place earlier in the raid, but lost the advantage because of poor coordination when the army moved in.

Somali minister urges journalists to take care in al Shabaab campaign

25 Feb- Source: The Guardian-182 Words

Somalia’s information minister, Mustaf Dhuhulow, has urged journalists to take care of their security during the government’s campaign against the militant Islamist group al Shabaab.

Dhuhulow made the call while visiting radio broadcaster Ahmed Sa’id Ahmed in a Mogadishu hospital. He was severely wounded in a blast near the presidential palace on Friday (21 February).

The minister, who asked journalists to make risk assessments before they cover “ongoing operations”, also said: “As we have promised earlier, We are committed to make sure to an end of impunity, and all the killers of the journalists will be arrested and put to the justice.”

Ahmed Sa’id Ahmed, who worked at Kulmiye Radio, was badly burned, and suffered fractures to his right hand and shrapnel injuries to his chest The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) issued a statement condemning the “senseless attack which caused considerable loss of life.”

Kenya boosts airport defence, warning of Islamist threat

25 Feb- Source: AFP-331 Words

Kenya’s security chiefs on Tuesday ordered that defences be boosted around the capital’s airport, including against possible missile attack amid “increased threats of radicalisation” from homegrown Islamist extremists.

The country’s top defence body, the National Security Council (NSC), demanded extra protection around Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Kenya has suffered a string of attacks blamed on Islamist insurgents, including the September massacre in Nairobi’s Westgate mall in which at least 67 people were killed

Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab said the Westgate attack was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of southern Somalia, where they are fighting al Shabaab as part of an African Union force.

The NSC “approved the construction of an integrated security screening facility” on the approach to the JKIA terminals, east Africa’s largest international flight hub, presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu said in a statement.

Somaliland gunshot victim gets new face, new life

25 Feb- Source: Yahoo News-468 Words

Thanks to compassionate surgeons in Brisbane, Australia, a gunshot victim from Somaliland has a new look — and is looking forward to a new life. When Ayaan Mohamed was 2 years old, she was permanently disfigured by a gunshot to the cheek during Somalia’s civil war.

She was left unable to close her right eye. Food fell from the hole in her cheek when she ate. She couldn’t escape the uncomfortable stares and awkward questions. Taunted and bullied over her looks, Mohamed dropped out of high school and rarely revealed her face from beneath a veil.

“She wears it to cover the deformity. She covers it because people would stare, children would cry,” said Edna Adan Ismail, Somaliland’s former foreign minister and first lady. “It’s not easy to look at.”

Mohamed’s mother went to their local hospital several years ago, seeking help. The hospital in Hargeisa, Somaliland, however, didn’t have the expertise to treat Mohamed. According to CNN, it still doesn’t.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“As Somalia’s government plans a new offensive against al Shabaab, the BBC’s Mary Harper considers why the Islamist militants remain so brazen.”

Somalia’s al Shabaab: Striking like mosquitoes

26 Feb – Source: BBC – 963 words

The storming by al Shabaab fighters of Villa Somalia, the seat of government in the capital, Mogadishu, last Friday did not take me altogether by surprise. On a recent visit to this large, shabby, sprawling compound I was struck by the lackadaisical security. True, I had to walk through a lot of checkpoints, but each one seemed more sleepy and chaotic than the next. They prepared themselves to die like lions” I was surprised the African Union and Somali government soldiers let my companion in: His name was not on the security list at the gate, and he was not carrying ID.

The day after the attack, in which at least 11 people were killed, I spoke by telephone to an al Shabaab official. He sounded relaxed, assured and in a very good mood. “Villa Somalia is meant to be the most protected part of Mogadishu, and Mogadishu is meant to be the most protected part of Somalia,” he said.

“Yet we managed to strike the president’s house. My advice to the apostate President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is try to protect your house and your staff before trying to protect your country.” He then went on to describe in great detail how “our boys” prepared for the attack. “They took time surveying the area, identifying the weak spots,” he said.

“If al Shabaab can reach the corridors of power with such ease, then something big is wrong with intelligence gathering capabilities of the security apparatus of the Somali state. Without any shadow of a doubt, the security personnel of Villa Somalia is infested with moles and al Shabaab sympathizers who want to see the country slide into a complete anarchy and chaos.”

In light of al Shabaab’s Daring Attack on Villa Somalia, Heads should Roll

25 Feb- Source: Wardheernews-966 Words

Last Friday’s al Shabaab attack on Villa Somalia is the clearest indication that there is a complete security breakdown in Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud’s government. Had the incumbent decided to come out a few minutes earlier to perform his prayers in the mosque, the country could have the first dead president since the troubles started two decades ago, and since the assassination of the late Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke on 15th October, 1969.

The fact that some of the terrorists have managed to enter inside Villa Somalia following a huge double suicide explosion at one of the main gates, and had to reach all the way to the mosque and kill a former security general and a senior government official shows that nobody is safe at the presidential palace anymore. The minister of interior, who was believed to be in the mosque according to reports, could have been al Shabaab’s biggest scalp had the terrorists who entered the mosque took a little time to identify their target accurately.

Top tweets

@SalahOsman0 A young Somali girl saluting the Somali flag in Mogadishu. After all these ups and downs Patriotism is still here pic.twitter.com/dsZmHU9WZS

‏@harunmaruf Former #Somali FM Fawzia Adam seeking legal advice against Reuters re graft allegationshttp://somalianewsroom.com/press-release-former-deputy-pmforeign-affairs-minister-responds-to-central-bank-graft-allegations/ … interview on @VOA_Somali

@MoMoalim79 @Somalia111 @Daudoo #IDP Relocation plan#Mogadishu. (#Somali government led process) Enumerators Training day #DMA pic.twitter.com/6AmGZa2hI7

@amisomsomalia A female soldier serving with #AMISOM & working as a member of security at #Baidoa Airporthttp://bit.ly/NweIMV pic.twitter.com/4atYBhLCax

@Aynte Ex presidential candidate Dr. Abdirahman Baadiyow launches new political party in #Mogadishu today. #Somalia http://midnimoqaran.so/som/index.php/en/ …

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Image of the day

Image of the day Newly appointed Switzerland Ambassador to Somalia, Dominik Langenbacher, right, presents his credentials to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in an event in Villa Somalia on Tuesday, Feb 25, 2014. Photo: Raxanreeb