March 14, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

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AMISOM, Somali National Army capture the sixth town from al Shabaab

13 Mar – Source: AMISOM – 188 words

The Somali National Army (SNA) backed by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops this evening captured an al Shabaab stronghold, Buula Burde town in Hiraan region, bringing to six the number of towns liberated from al Qaeda –linked terrorists in the past two weeks, a top African Union official has said.

The African Union Special Representative for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif, said the capture of Buula Burde town was a major victory for the SNA and AMISOM forces and a boost for the peace restoration process in Somalia.

The joint operations between the Somali National Army and AMISOM which began this month have so far liberated the top 5 cities in the Bay and Bakool regions in Sector 3, namely Hudur, Rabdhure,Ted, Weel dheyn and Burdhubow.

“Buule Burde in Hiraan region in Sector 4 was a strategic town for the al Shabaab. It was their supply nerve centre and home to hundreds of the al Qaeda linked terrorists. The capture of this town by our heroic forces provides a major boost to our efforts to bring peace and stability to Somalia,” Ambassador Annadif said.

Key Headlines

President Hassan thanks Japan for expanding development assistance to Somalia (Office of the Somali President)
His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed today welcomed the IGAD agreement on South Sudan (Office of the Prime Minister)
PM Abdiweli in Addis Ababa for IGAD summit (Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan)
AMISOM convoy targeted in a blast in Shalambood (Radio Shabelle)
Scores arrested in Mogadishu suburb security operation (Radio Dalsan)
Puntland leader holds talks with Djibouti President (Puntland TV)
AMISOM Expands Operations Against al Shabab in Somalia (VOA)
4 Westgate terror suspects to remain in custody (Capital News)

PRESS STATEMENT

President Hassan thanks Japan for expanding development assistance to Somalia

13 Mar – Source: Office of the Somali President – 322 words

His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud today met H.E Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, and thanked the government and people of Japan for the country’s growing development assistance to Somalia. Meeting in Tokyo to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues focusing on development and humanitarian assistance, the two leaders held a joint press conference in which they explained the scope and ambition of Japan’s aid programme.

The President said: “Japan clearly recognizes that Somalia is an important country in terms of regional and international peace and security. As part of its generous partnership with Somalia, it is planning to provide assistance that will benefit each and every Somali citizen. The latest package will be worth around $40 million and will be targeted at humanitarian assistance in food aid and healthcare, support to the Somali police and in job creation more widely.”

The President thanked Prime Minister Abe for his invitation to Japan and the warm reception extended to his delegation and paid tribute to the government and people of Japan for standing by Somalia, whose people are now recovering from a long civil war.

The President said: “We are moving rapidly into a period of recovery and development and I salute Japan for intensifying its bilateral programme of assistance which will, we hope, include vocational training for youth and women, fisheries and agriculture infrastructure development, information and communication technology support and maritime and fisheries training.”

During his Tokyo programme the President also visited the Japanese Senate where he was briefed on its legislative functions and its place in the country’s political architecture. Somalia is asking Japan for help establishing an upper legislative house as outlined in the draft constitution.

Led by the President, the Somali delegation also includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Abdirahman Duale Beileh, the Minister of Planning, H.E. Said Abdullahi Mohamed, and the Minister of Public Works & Reconstruction, H.E Nadiifa Mohamed Osman.

AMISOM, Somali National Army capture the sixth town from al Shabaab

13 Mar – Source: AMISOM – 188 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed today welcomed the IGAD agreement on South Sudan

13 Mar – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 257 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed today welcomed the IGAD agreement on South Sudan and urged not only the immediate end of hostilities but an urgent need for the international community to respond to a growing food shortage. Speaking at the 25th Extraordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government Summit, in Addis Ababa, the Prime Minister said:

“As the leading regional organization IGAD has played a leading role in negotiations and steps to bring an end to hostilities in South Sudan. “Somalia sadly knows only too well the horrific cost that famine can have on a country and its people if not responded to quickly. I stress the urgency in which the international community needs to respond and mobilise in order to effectively respond to growing concerns over food shortages, which if not addressed could turn into a humanitarian crisis.

All parties must ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian supplies to ensure they reach all communities in need. “The only solution is an immediate end to all hostilities and the beginning of a genuinely inclusive dialogue and reconciliation process.”

Prior to the assembly session on South Sudan the Prime Minister briefed IGAD Heads of State and Government on the ongoing successful operations against al Shabaab and the progress being made across Somalia.

The final communique of the summit looking at Somalia called on the international community to assist the Federal Government of Somalia in rebuilding the Somali National Army and in its efforts to establish administrative units and distribute humanitarian aid in newly liberated areas.

SOMALI MEDIA

PM Abdiweli in Addis Ababa for IGAD summit

13 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan – 91 words

Prime minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed is in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa for 25th intergovernmental authority on development (IGAD) meeting. According to the government press, the prime minister briefed the IGAD members on the ongoing development about the offensive against the al Shabaab militant group in the country. The prime minister and his delegation are also expected to have separate meetings with various international organizations that are participating in the meeting. This is the second visit of Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed to neighboring Ethiopian in less than a month.

AMISOM convoy targeted in a blast in Shalambood

13 Mar – Source: Radio Shabelle – 65 words

An explosion that caused severe damage to an AMISOM vehicle occurred at Shalambood of Lower Shabelle region. A battlewagon convoy driven by AMISOM soldiers was struck by a bomb as it was passing in Shalambood. The blast was very strong although no losses or casualties of the AMISOM troops have been reported. It has been said that the AMISOM vehicle has been completely wrecked.

Scores arrested in Mogadishu suburb security operation

13 Mar – Source: Radio Dalsan – 96 words

Security agencies in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu have arrested several people in a security operation in Daynile and Gubta neighborhoods in Mogadishu. Witnesses have told the press that Somali police and Special Forces have took part in the early morning operation. So far no comment from the government of Somalia concerning the security operation however eyewitnesses have confirmed that majority of those detained in the exercise were youths. Al Shabaab has carried out several bombings in Mogadishu in recent months, including a large-scale raid on the Somali presidential palace and an attack on a U.N. convoy.

Puntland leader holds talks with Djibouti President

13 Mar – Source: Puntland TV – 95 words

Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has met and holds talks with his Djibouti counterpart Ismael Cumar Guelleh. Meeting of the two leaders was accompanied by ministers and other State officials from both sides. They discussed on issues related to the bilateral relations, as stated in a Press Release from the Puntland President’s office. Mr Abdiweli Gaas commended on Djibouti’s massive role towards Somalia and promised to enhance the Puntland-Djibouti relations. During the talks, Djibouti leader hailed recent elections that occurred in the semi-autonomous region of Somalia which led to the emerge of a new leader.

Puntland will improve lives of its pastoral community

13 Mar – Source: Bar-kulan – 104 words

Semi autonomous region of PuntLand’s Minister for Women and Social Development Anisa Hajji Mumin has said there are plans to reach out to Nomadic communities in Puntland to improve their access to social services. Speaking during an exclusive interview with Bar-Kulan, Anisa Hajji said top priority is to build schools and health centers in the isolated areas to facilitate community’s access to government services. She said that pregnant mothers face difficulties during their labour pain whereas quite number of them losing their lives due to limited number of health centers in remote areas which are far from well equipped main social amenities.

REGIONAL MEDIA

4 Westgate terror suspects to remain in custody

13 Mar – Source: Capital FM 105 words

A Nairobi court has declined to release four suspects linked to last September’s Westgate shopping mall terror attack on bail. Nairobi acting chief magistrate Daniel Ochenja ruled it was in the interest of the public that the suspects remain in custody. Mohamed Ahmed Abdi, Liban Abdullah Omar, Adan Mohamed Dheq and Hussein Hassan Mustafah will remain behind bars until the case is concluded. “For security reasons, I find it unfit to release the accused persons on bail. Their safety is in custody,” ruled the magistrate. Their advocate Mbugua Mureithi had for the second time tried to implore the court to free the four on bail.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

AMISOM Expands Operations Against al Shabab in Somalia

13 Mar – Source: VOA – 137 words

African Union forces said they have reclaimed more territory from the al Qaeda-linked militant group al Shabaab in renewed military operations across Somalia. Restoring the government’s political authority remains a pressing challenge. The AU peacekeeping force in Somalia, known as AMISOM, said Thursday that Djiboutian soldiers have taken control of territory in Hiraan region, north of the capital, extending recent military gains. “There are small towns toward which Djiboutians are now moving, but the objective is far beyond that,” said AMISOM spokesman, Colonel Ali Hamud. VOA reported that Djiboutian, Ethiopian and Somali troops recaptured Buloburbe, a town in Hiraan about 125 kilometers north of Mogadishu. In the past week, Ethiopian soldiers under AMISOM retook control of several key towns in southwestern Somalia. Somali officials said in some cases al Shabaab had fled from their positions before confronting the advancing soldiers.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“There’s one hitch though: Somaliland’s control of oil blocks in the Nugaal valley is disputed by neighbouring Puntland, the Mogadishu government and a domestic breakaway movement within Somaliland. Puntland’s claim to the sites has led to the double sale of exploration rights.”

Oil in Somaliland: The black stuff can be very useful

13 Mar – Source: The Economist Blog – 403 Words

The ramshackle capital of Somaliland, Hargeisa, in northern Somalia has a bustling market for camels and is a frequent destination for aid workers. International businessmen are relatively rare. Yet untapped oil reserves have lured a number of foreign companies to the city, chief among them the Turkey’s Genel Energy under the leadership of ex-BP CEO Tony Hayward. Genel’s involvement coincides with increased Turkish interest in the region. In February, Istanbul played host to talks between the Somali breakaway province and the internationally recognized government in Mogadishu. Turkey has offered to provide support for future regular talks between them. Turkish attention is a coup for Somaliland. The region touts itself as democratic and has keenly participated in Western anti-piracy efforts. But it has failed to win much support for an independence bid. That has made delving into the politics of oil more attractive, with the elite hoping to gain financial stature and friends.