March 5, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Minister calls for vigilance in Mogadishu ahead of major military assault on al Shabaab

05 Feb- Source: Radio RBC-206 Words

The Interior Minister and Federal Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia Abdullahi Godah Barre has called on the people in Mogadishu to be prepared and more vigilant ahead of major military assault to remove al Shabaab from Somalia, RBC Radio reports.

Addressing the new Mogadishu Mayor’s inauguration on Tuesday, Minister Barre warned what he termed as “fresh battle” within Mogadishu.

“Mogadishu is on the brink of new battle and that is not secret,” the minister told participants of the new mayor’s inauguration. “The enemy is attempting to infiltrate into this city after losing their positions in the regions, so we need to be more vigilant and be serious,” he added.

Minister Barre reiterated the need for effective police forces for the Benadir region together with the regional level intelligence network, as he also declared that the two offices of the regional police and the intelligence will be under the command of the new mayor Gen Hassan Hussein Mungab.

Somali Government backed by the western nations and African Union Forces in Somalia has declared fresh offensive to remove the remnants of al Qaeda linked group from its territory, in what security experts described as a new pressure on the militant group of al Shabaab.

Key Headlines

Minister calls for vigilance in Mogadishu ahead of major military assault on al Shabaab (Radio RBC)
Ethiopian peacekeepers conduct human rights training for Somalia forces in Baidoa(AMISOM)
Somalia parliament Speaker meets his Kenyan counterpart in Nairobi (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
Somaliland Minister of presidential affairs talks about talks with Somalia (Somaliland Informer)
Puntland coastguards capture Yemeni-owned illegal fishing vessel (RBC)
IOM Builds Capacity of Somaliland Government with Graduate Internships (SomalilandPress)
Al Shabaab executes three men for “spy” allegations (RBC)
Somalia faces major challenges in liberating al-Shabaab controlled areas(Sabahi Online)
Somali official aims to provide an updated view (Statesman)
Al Shabaab Executes Three Men for Spying (VOA)

PRESS RELEASE

Ethiopian peacekeepers conduct human rights training for Somalia forces in Baidoa

05 Feb- Source: AMISOM-690 Words

At least 50 Somalia National Army (SNA) forces including four women soldiers took part in a 3 day human rights, civilian protection, gender violence and sexual abuse, international humanitarian law and AMISOM mandate and military discipline training conducted by Ethiopian peacekeepers in Baidoa town.
This is the first of such specialized training conducted by AMISOM peacekeepers in sector 3 for the government soldiers in Baidoa in a bid to improve their knowledge and understanding of the importance of protecting human rights, civilians as well as gender related issues.

The training was held at the headquarters of the Somalia National Army adjacent to the main AMISOM base in Baidoa. The training was conducted by Major Girma Wendimu, Sector 3 Training Center Commander who is an experienced ENDF trainer who has conducted similar trainings for Ethiopian peacekeepers serving in Somalia. He was assisted by Captain Adan Mohamed, a Somalia Ethiopian who served as his translator and Lieutenant Dems Dres.

“We trained them about AMISOM and AU mandate, human rights, international humanitarian law, civilian protection, gender issues and sexual abuse and about media and messaging. This will be a continuous training. The purpose of this training is to educate the Somalia national army about AMISOM mandate and also about human rights, civilian protection, gender issues and sexual abuse so that they know what is expected of them and also to give them the necessary knowledge to protect their country and people,” Major Girma said.

The Somalia National Army was formed in 1960 and rose to become a strong military force in Africa. In 1991, the fall of the central government brought about the collapse of all state institutions in Somalia including the military. Since then, Somalia has been struggling to revive its military with the help of the international community and AMISOM is mandated to support and train the Somalia Army.

The Somalia National Army (SNA) Sector 3 Commander General Ibrahim Yarow welcomed the latest AMISOM initiative to train the Somalia forces and said the training will go a long way in helping the Somalia forces in the sector to learn about human rights, civilian protection and gender violence.
“We are very grateful to our Ethiopian AMISOM brothers for extending this important training to our soldiers. The trained soldiers will now know how to handle the public as well as will respect peoples dignity and human rights. We want to request for many more similar training to help professionalize our forces many of who have never had such a training opportunity before,” The general said.

Some of the trainees spoke positively about the training. Nur Salad Ali, 54 years, who rejoined the army in 2006 after the collapse of the central government in 1991 said this was the first time for him to attend such a specialized training in Baidoa and that he was eager to learn.

“We want to benefit from the training and so we are ready to learn. We have never been trained before on human rights, gender issues and civilian protection. This is our first time and we hope the train will make us better soldier who serve our people and country,” added Nur, who said is glad to learn at his old age.

The training was also attended by women soldiers who make up a small fraction of the overall number of Somalia forces in Baidoa with only 30 women soldiers in the 60th battalion based in Baidoa.

Fatuma Adan Abdulahi, 31, one of the women soldier trainees said such training provided by AMISOM was important to give the women in the Somalia army knowledge about important issues that affect the population and how to tackle them especially on human rights, civilian protection and gender based violence and sexual abuse.

“Four women soldiers attended this workshop. Just like the men we are ready and eager to learn and that is why we attended this training offered by Ethiopian peacekeepers. They taught us about human rights, gender based violence and sexual abuse among others and are very happy we participated because we now know how to handles such challenges and what to do,” Fatuma said with a timid smile.

SOMALI MEDIA

Minister calls for vigilance in Mogadishu ahead of major military assault on al Shabaab

05 Feb- Source: Radio RBC-206 Words

Addressing the new Mogadishu Mayor’s inauguration on Tuesday, Minister Barre warned what he termed as “fresh battle” within Mogadishu.

Mungab says security is first priority in Mogadishu

05 Feb- Source: Radio Shabelle-130 Words

The new Governor of Banaadir and Mayor of Mogadishu Hassan Mohamed Hussein ‘Mungab’ vowed that his regional administration will effectively campaign to re-establish the peace in the capital and at the same time will prioritise the social affairs regarding security.
Mr Mungab stated that he will welcome the Somali spiritual leaders, traditional believers, women civil society groups and the media to work together in a bid to strengthen the security.

On the other hand, the new Mogadishu Mayor requested from the Interior Minister to be in command of the National security and Police Force in Banaadir, reiterating how important they are to the regional security. Finally, the Governor of Banaadir pledged that they are committed to keep the capital city safe from any insecurity by working together with the community of Mogadishu.

Somalia parliament Speaker meets his Kenyan counterpart in Nairobi

05 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV – 137 words

The Speaker of the federal Parliament of Somalia Prof. Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari and the second Deputy of the Parliament Mahad Abdalla Awad met the Speaker of Kenyan Parliament Justin Muturi in Nairobi.

In the meeting they discussed many issues including strengthening the relation between the two parliaments, trade relation and free movement of people within the two countries.

Mr. Jawari thanked his counterpart and the government of Kenya for their solidarity and support to Somalia. After the meeting the speaker and his delegates went round on all the offices of Kenyan parliament building to borrow leaf on how they work.

The Speaker of the federal parliament and his delegates attended IOC conference held in Tehran, the capital of the Republic of Iran last month. They are expected to conclude their visit the coming few days.

Humanitarian access remains challenging in parts of central and southern Somalia, UN

05 Feb- Source: Radio Dalsan-263 Words

In the past months, threats have increased, with intimidations and attacks against humanitarians, including Somali staff. In December and January aid workers were detained in Bakool, Bay, Lower and Middle Juba regions, by armed groups.

The release of the people was negotiated at local level and some were freed early January and February, although some aid workers remain detained. While these threats and the insecurity have raised the risk of operating in areas controlled by armed groups, it has not led to a notable reduction in humanitarian access.

When clusters compared the operating environment in September-December 2012 with the same period in 2013 using maps showing presence of partners, they found that access had remained the same in some cases, while it had improved in others.

However, the Food Security Cluster reported that reduced access has reduced the number of people being assisted. In rural areas and towns controlled by armed groups, local partners have found ways of negotiating access through clan elders although the risks they face have increased. Compounding an already difficult situation is a suspension of Internet services after a ban was issued in January.

On 13 February, an attack on a convoy of UN vehicles occurred near the international airport in Mogadishu causing several deaths and injuries among Somali citizens. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General and other key officials issued statements condemning the attack and extended condolences to the victims and their families, as well as to the people and the Government of Somalia.

Somaliland Minister of presidential affairs talks about talks with Somalia

05 Mar – Source: Somaliland Informer – 222 words

Gathering held on Tuesday at the premises of Somaliland foreign ministry brought together the members that represented Somaliland at the talks with Somalia that took place in Istanbul and the committee discussed preparation for the forthcoming meeting.

Somaliland Minister for presidential affairs Hon. Hirsi Haji Ali Hassan briefed the media about their meeting. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Mohamed Biihi yonis called for the meeting to be attended by the members to brainstorm about the upcoming talks.

Minister for presidential affairs said that the gathering is among the day operations that they are in charge to discharge effectively. The talks between the two sides will be the sixth round and is expected to produce results that will be welcomed by the people of both sides.

Puntland coastguards capture Yemeni-owned illegal fishing vessel

05 Mar – Source: RBC – 176 words

Puntland coastguards have on Monday presented in the coastal town of Alula a Yemeni-owned illegal fishing vessel captured a day before. The seizure of the Yemeni boast came after the region’s coastguard earlier week launched an operation meant to clear the increasing illegal fishing and suspected toxic dumping activities by foreign vessels into Somalia coast which has been common since the collapse of former regime of Siad Barre in 1990s.

Deputy Alula district commissioner Ali Salah Yusuf said the operation ended with successful as the coastguard captured the Yemeni fishing boat operating in the coast without permission.

He blamed the Yemeni fishers were using destructive fishing equipment including killing the productive fish and also maintained to destroy of the coral reefs in the sea harming the country’s sea resources.
Puntland coastguards also apprehended Yemeni illegal fishermen and Somali armed men protecting them as guards.

There has been growing warnings of rampant illegal fishing in the Somali waters as the United Nations estimated that billions of dollars of illegal fishing are stolen from Somali waters each year.

IOM Builds Capacity of Somaliland Government with Graduate Internships

05 Mar – Source: Somaliland Press – 157 words

Forty unemployed university graduates hired by an IOM livelihoods programme to work as interns in Somaliland’s local and regional government in Burao and Borama have completed their seven-month internships.

Twenty-six of the 14 women and 26 men have already been offered permanent positions in the public and private sectors – many of them in the various local and regional offices in which they completed their internships. In Burao municipality, all nine interns – six women and three men – were hired at the end of the programme.

The Japanese-funded programme offered the graduates an opportunity to support key government agencies and allowed local and regional authorities to diversify their workforce and benefit from the contribution of talented young people.

High unemployment in Somaliland, especially among school-leavers and university graduates, has fuelled an increase in irregular migration, drug addiction and conflict, with hundreds of young people embarking every month on a perilous journey to Europe across the Sahara.

Al Shabaab executes three men for “spy” allegations

05 Mar – Source: RBC/Radio Dalsan- 227 words

Al Shabaab militant group late on Tuesday executed in the town of Barawe three men for spy allegations, the militant group said. The three men handcuffed and blindfolded were executed in front of crowd of people in the town of Barawe after an al Shabaab judge convicted the men for implementing intelligence operation leading to the assassinations of senior commanders of the group.

One of the three executed is Ahmed Abdullaahi Mohamed Farole, 47, a nephew of former Puntland President Abdurahman Mohamed Farole. “Ahmed Abdullahi Farole is charged on spying the Mujahedin fighters and had participated in hunting senior commanders of the Mujahidin,” the unnamed al Shabaab judge said.

No comment or confirmation was heard from the family of the Farole’s nephew relating to his killing.
“The other two were named as Mohamed Gelle 29, who is alleged on working with French spy agencies and Abdurahman Abdilatif who was working for Somalia Government intelligence,” the al Shabaab judge added.

There were no any reaction heard from the three men before they were executed by a firing squad of al Shabab. Independent sources say it was hard to believe al Shabaab’s claiming as the group previously executed young men and women- even children alleging for spying. The group’s internal conflict in the past years also led to the major executions against some of the group’s top commanders including foreigners.

Somaliland Cabinet Ministers Take Detour To University Of Hargeisa

04 Mar – Source: Somaliland Sun – 99 words

Two cabinet ministers of Somaliland took a detour to the University of Hargeisa and in particular to visit the agricultural student’s faculty.

The foreign affairs min. Hon. Mohammed Bihi Yonis and the Minister of trade Hon. Dr. Mohammed Abdillahi Omar visited the agricultural sector students in the week of food and water security.

They urged the students to further their studies and research in the sector to increase profession and expertise that is direly needed.

The ministers stressed the vitality urging the professional’s, farmers and all agricultural stakeholders to help in reducing of importing of food to the country.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia faces major challenges in liberating al Shabaab controlled areas

05 Mar – Source: Sabahi Online – 180 words

The Somali government and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in recent months have promised to launch a massive military offensive to liberate all al Shabaab-held territories in 2014.
But as the evidence of those efforts remain to be seen, military and political analysts say there are considerable challenges to bringing peace to the country and freeing the people from al Shabaab’s oppression.

In a speech to mark the end of 2013, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told the nation that the public would hear good news soon regarding the expulsion of al-Shabaab. Mohamud’s spokesperson Abdirahman Omar Osman Yarisow told Sabahi that the president’s speech was about the impending liberation of major towns that serve as bases for al Shabaab.

“This year, we want to liberate the places where al Shabaab are based, including the town of Barawe,” he said. The coastal town of Barawe remains an al Shabaab stronghold and a benchmark for the Somali government and its international partners, where the militants banned television and increased harassment of residents following the attempted capture of a senior al Shabaab leader by US Navy SEALs last October.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Al Shabaab Executes Three Men for Spying

05 Mar – Source: VOA – 147 words

Somali militant group al Shabab says it has executed three men whom it accused of spying for U.S. or Somali government intelligence agencies. The al Qaeda-linked group announced the executions Tuesday on its Facebook page.

It said one of the men, 29-year-old Mohamed Abdulle Gelle, guided a U.S. drone strike that killed an al Shabaab commander in Somalia’s Middle Juba region last October.

That was likely the attack that killed al Shabaab’s top explosives expert, known as Anta, on October 28. Al Shabaab said a second man, 47-year-old Ahmed Abdullahi Farole, had spied for the administration of Somalia’s Puntland region.

The third man, not identified, was accused of spying for the Somali government. The statement said the three were killed by firing squad in the town of Barawe. Al Shabaab has shown signs of a resurgence in recent months after losing control of most major Somali cities in 2011 and 2012.

Somali official aims to provide an updated view

05 Mar – Source: Statesman – 357 words

For many, mention of Somalia conjures images of piracy and movies like “Captain Phillips.” Somali diplomat Awale Kullane, however, tried to present a more intricate perspective at a recent event hosted by the College of Leadership and Service. “I want students to see Somalia, not only in the eyes of what they see in the media, but what it really is,” Kullane said. He is a Minister-Counselor to United Nations for Somalia and Deputy Head of Mission at the Somali embassy in Beijing.

For six consecutive years, Somalia has been listed as number one on the Failed State Index of the Foreign Policy and The Global Fund for Peace. Kullane said Somalia’s present day turmoil began with the fall of a dictatorship of 21 years in 1991, which led to civil war between militia groups. Sporadic peace conferences from 1991 to 2004 failed to disarm these militias.

In 2004, Somalia saw the creation of the Transitional Federal Government, which lasted until 2012 and had the nation’s first constitution for a republic. The transitional government was replaced in 2012 by the current Federal Republic. Kullane said creating a republic and developing a parliament has been difficult. “What you have now in your country, people take it for granted. It’s very hard to develop and very hard to maintain,” he said.

SAPIC/UNSOM launch first Somali documentary film on the effect of piracy on Somalia

04 Feb- Source: SAPIC-227 Words

Somalia Somali Anti Piracy Information Centre in association with The Ministry of Information convened the 6th SAPIC town hall meeting to discuss the effects of piracy on the Somali society and launch the first Somali TV documentary at the Jazeera Hotel,in Mogadishu.

Among key speakers during the event was the Minister of Information,H.E Mustafa Haji Dhululow. He stated that the government has to draft new legislations that should include the publics’ input and consultation. He also emphasized the need for the government to create new jobs for young people as an essential way to tackle piracy and other criminal activities.

Mr.Muhyadin,an advisor to the Somali Marine Force informed that over 1039 young Somali men are currently joined in various countries on accounts of piracy.He asserted that “the Somali economy and businesses have significantly suffered from rumors milled to ransom money”.

The launch of the documentary paved way to a representative of the Somali youth,Bisharo Kadiye,who in an emotional statement said,”our social fabric has been wrecked,our image had been tarnished,mothers and wives continue to live with trauma…”.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Our school children save their lunch money to contribute to the national campaign to rebuild roads and bridges or to give to the victims of recent floods in Somalia. Our triumphs have passed by unnoticed by the world for over twenty years.”

Generation Somaliland: Who are we? And what do we share?

05 Feb- Source: Somalilandpress-908 Words

When you hear the word ‘home’ what comes to your mind? Is it where you were born, grew up or currently reside? Is it the country of your parents? Or maybe it is where your children were born. To me, Somaliland is home and for one simple reason: Here, is where I found myself. I share this sentiment with many others of similar experiences. We may not be of similar age, but we have several common characteristics and we are, Generation Somaliland.

Somalia is an unknown quantity to us: To some of us it was before we were born others were too young to have experienced the short lived glories of Somalia. They speak of one of the greatest military in Africa but what I see is AMISOM upholding security in fragile Mogadishu. They speak of its captivating architecture but what I see is a city in ruins. They speak of Soomaalinimo, Nationalism that brought the unity into being but what I see is her progeny Qabyaalada, Tribalism. Melancholy saturated stories of Xamar make no sense to us. We associate Somalia with civil war, famine, pirates and above all betrayal.

“For over twenty years, Somalia has been hostage to the fallacy that Mogadishu is the beacon of statehood. The truth is the opposite. Mogadishu became synonymous with corruption and lawlessness where Hargeisa and Garowe became model for peace and good governance. Mogadishu has lost its status and to reclaim that status it needs to undergo cultural transformation.”

Somalia: Reality Checks

04 Feb- Source: Hiiraan Online-973 Words

The recent wave of violence followed by the deadly attack on the presidential palace was a stark evidence of how poor leadership and rampant corruption have eroded the capacity of the SFG and undermined its legitimacy. Hours before the fatal attack on the presidential compound, the Prime Minister (PM) Mr. Ahmed had addressed the festering problems in Mogadishu in a press conference he held in Nairobi. His honest remarks were reflective of existential threat. Hours after that press conference, the heinous assault on the presidential palace was unleashed that killed Mr. Mahamud Abdulle the Director of the PM’s office and other government officers.

A week after, the national security office was the target of another attack that killed over twelve people. Violence in such magnitude is reminiscent of pervasive systemic abuses far more dangerous than mismanagement of weapons and ammunition. The national army that is critical to the survival of the state is predominantly made up of certain clan militias so enmeshed with Al-Shabab.

Top tweets

@SomaliPM Met with leaders from Somali business community in #UAE. They are ready to support and invest the country .#Somalia pic.twitter.com/tlkwub0Mha

‏@ActForSomalia Emotional lettr from #Aisha,living in a refugee camp in #Somalia,to childrenofSyria living in refugee camp in Jordan pic.twitter.com/cECIWZSMZh

‏@amisomsomalia Mohammed, suffering from Malaria, recovers at an #AMISOM run clinic in #Somalia‘s capital, Mogadishu.pic.twitter.com/E1xJtXvEsZ

@tres_HOA New U.S. QDR says #Somalia may provide future model for local/reg/intl co-op http://www.defense.gov/pubs/2014_Quadrennial_Defense_Review.pdf … Maybe, minus uncoord ad hoc SNA training

@ElmanPeaceCentr To commemorate the upcoming international Womens day #IWD check out this poster from 1981 in #Somalia pic.twitter.com/0fTCCUScG9

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Image of the day

Image of the day Speaker of the Somali Parliament Prof. Mohamed Osman Jawari, right, meets with his Kenyan counterpart Justin Muturi in Nairobi. Photo: @Abdikarim_Abdi3