March 17, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

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President congratulates Somali National Army and AMISOM for string of successes against “the enemies of Islam”

16 Mar – Source: Office of the Somali President – 297 words

His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud congratulated the Somali National Army (SNA) and AMISOM leadership for liberating six towns from al Shabaab, “the enemies of Islam”.

The President said: “I have personally congratulated SNA and AMISOM leaders for liberating six towns from Al Shabaab in the space of a few days. Make no mistake, the enemy is on the run and running out of places to hide. We must keep pursuing them until they have no bases left in Somalia. Now that we are liberating more and more towns it is absolutely essential that we get food aid and humanitarian assistance into these places immediately.”

The President called on international partners to “step up to the plate” and deliver on promised stabilization assistance. “It’s time to turn plans into action,” the President said. “The communities we have liberated must experience the peace dividend immediately. And local administrations need to start providing basic public services as soon as possible – security, justice, education, healthcare. Failure is not an option.”

The President was speaking on his return from a six-day visit to Japan where he and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed new development assistance worth $40m. Commenting on his latest international engagement, the President said: “This was a very successful visit to Japan in which we strengthened ties with a key international friend and partner. This will benefit our agriculture and livestock sector, together with fisheries, youth employment and information and communication technology.

Japan is serious about standing by Somalia and we welcome a new and growing partnership with such an important international partner.” The President also sent his condolences to the family of the legendary Somali singer Mohammed Suleiman Tubeec, popularly known as “The King of the Voice”, who was buried with full honours in Mogadishu today.

Key Headlines

Somali president demands food aid for people in formerly Al Shabaab-held territories (Hiiraan Online)
India to reopen embassy in Mogadishu (Radio Shabelle)
Al Shabaab infiltration into Mogadishu worries AMISOM (Hiiraan Online)
Benadir Regional Administration vow to keep city clean (Radio Shabelle)
EU and UN back project to help Somalis to produce food Aid (Coast Week/Xinhua)
Mohamed Saleban Tubeec laid to rest in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu)
Somali Police commissioner meets Puntland National Security minister in Garowe (Radio Goobjoog)
UN militants warn of terror attacks (East African)
Car bomb wounds 2 in Somali capital (Hiiraan Online)
US offers Ksh260 million reward for Somali terror suspects (Daily Nation)
Mogadishu mayor receives delegates from Italy in his office (Radio Goobjoog)
UN lifts sanctions on suspected al Shabaab financier (Garowe Online/BBC Somali Service)
Godane spins AMISOM military offensive as invasion (Sabahi Online)
Somalia launches ideology war against al Shabaab (Turkish Press)
Three wounded in Mogadishu car bomb attack (AFP)

PRESS STATEMENT

President congratulates Somali National Army and AMISOM for string of successes against “the enemies of Islam”

16 Mar – Source: Office of the Somali President – 297 words

His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud congratulated the Somali National Army (SNA) and AMISOM leadership for liberating six towns from al Shabaab, “the enemies of Islam”.

“This is Somalia’s hour of need,” President tells international partners

15 Mar – Source: Office of the Somali President – 176 words

His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on Somalia’s international partners to stand firm in Somalia’s “hour of need” as the military campaign against al Shabaab liberates town after town from the extremists.

“We are driving the enemies of peace out of their strongholds which is wonderful news for embattled communities across Somalia,” the President said. “It is now imperative that these innocent men, women and children who have suffered so much see an immediate peace dividend in the form of food aid and humanitarian assistance. This is the short-term precursor to the establishment of local administrations which will be charged with delivering basic public services.”

The President issued a rallying call to Somalia’s international partners. “We have worked with our friends for a long time on stabilization planning. This is now the time to put these plans into action. Somalis deserve nothing less. On our side we will do everything possible to facilitate safe and secure access for the agencies to reach these communities.”

The President also called on Somalis, including the business community and the diaspora, to support their countrymen and women during this critical time.

Government delivers food aid to liberated areas

15 Mar – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 316 words

Following the liberation of seven key towns from al Shabaab by the Somali National Army with support from AMISOM the government has begun the delivery of food aid to the liberated towns.

Up to three million people live in the districts and regions impacted by ongoing military operations and government stabilisation plans are now being implemented to support and revive local services. In the short-term there is a growing humanitarian crisis within both the liberated towns, where al Shabaab have done untold damage to local infrastructure including power stations and water points, and amongst the 8,000 people displaced by the offensive. Many people are in need with particular shortages in food and fresh water.

The government has begun convoys to deliver food aid from Mogadishu to the liberated towns and those displaced by the offensive. The food was donated by the Turkish Government with Somali security forces transporting and delivering to the highest priority areas.

Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, said: “Following the military success, efforts must now turn to stabilisation of these areas and relieving the growing humanitarian need. Al Shabaab have inflicted untold damage on both the local people and the physical infrastructure in these liberated towns.

“The need is great and the government is putting all its efforts into helping the many families now in urgent need. Stabilisation plans are now in action, overseen by four Deputy Ministers deployed to the liberated areas, and the delivery of food aid by Somali security forces has begun.

“I thank Turkey for their donation and ask the international community and other humanitarian agencies to work with the government to ensure a quick targeted response to the situation on the ground. If they themselves are unable to facilitate the delivery of food aid I call on them to allow the government and local administrations to deliver the aid on their behalf to those suffering and so badly in need.”

Prime Minister hosts religious leaders and announces creation of government office for religious scholars

15 Mar – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 372 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, hosted a meeting with Somali religious leaders to announce the creation of a government office for religious scholars and condemn the actions and ideology of al Shabaab telling them “you have a big role in defending our religion, our people and our country”. The new office will strengthen the relationship between the Federal Government of Somalia and religious scholars. The office will have a key role to play in influencing public opinion and government decision making.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister & Religious Affairs Minister Ridwan Hirsi Mohamed, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Farah Sh. Abdulkadir Mohamed, Minister of Information Mustaf Ali Duhulow, Minister of Agriculture Abdi Ahmed Hussein and 16 religious scholars. Addressing the religious scholars the Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, said:

“The main aim of this meeting is to have a collective position towards the religious less people of al Shabaab and show to Somalia and people of the world that these people are on the wrong path.

“You are a very important part of the governance of this nation and play a leading role in the fight against al Shabaab. That is why I’m creating a government office for religious scholars to incorporate you closer to the government and help bridge the gap between the people and the government. You will have a leading role in helping influence public opinion and be part of the decision making of this government.

“It is our national and religious duty to fight against Al-Shabaab. We will create a framework of increased co-operation between the government and religious scholars. You have a big role in defending our religion, our people and our country.” Nor Barud, Second Chairman of the Somali Religious Scholars Union, said:

“Thank you to the Prime Minister for hosting us today. This is a very critical time to clarify what is wrong and what is right, the religious leaders are leaders of the people so we must clarify the religious issues of the country. “Al Shabaab are claiming to be religious but killing innocent people at sacred places like mosques show they are not true Muslims they are misguided. They have very little understanding of what the Islamic religion teaches us.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali president demands food aid for people in formerly Al Shabaab-held territories

16 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online – 99 words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud has called upon the international aid organizations to urgently reach the formerly al Shabaab-held regions to deliver food aid to the vulnerable people living in the areas saying those people were lacking their basic needs at the moment. He said that thousands of families living in those regions were urgently needing food and other humanitarian assistances. The president’s speech comes as thousands of civilians have been reported fleeing from towns in south-central Somalia where Somali government forces backed by the AU peacekeepers and al Shabaab militants battled for control for the past several weeks.

India to reopen embassy in Mogadishu

16 Mar – Source: Radio Shabelle – 90 words

The State Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the Somali Government Buri Mohamed Hamza, returned to the country Sunday after a trip to some foreign countries and explained his meetings with the Indian officials. The Minister said that he requested from the Indian Government to resume diplomatic relations as well as reopening their embassy in Mogadishu. He mentioned that he forwarded his request directly to the heads of the Government and described that they accepted. Furthermore, the Minister added that the Indian Government will offer free governmental scholarships.

Al Shabaab infiltration into Mogadishu worries AMISOM

15 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online – 92 words

The Commander of African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Lieutenant General Silas Ntigurirwa said that many al Shabaab militants were planning to pour into Somali capital Mogadishu after they have suffered from severe defeats in all battlegrounds in some south-central Somali regions. Lt. General Ntigurirwa who talked to the media at AMISOM’s main compound in Halane neighbourhood south west of Mogadishu said AMISOM was aware that al Shabaab were planning to secretly enter Mogadishu hoping to re-launch insurgency in the capital to plunge the city back into instability and bloodshed.

Benadir Regional Administration vow to keep city clean

16 Mar – Source: Radio Shabelle – 77 words

The Governor of Benadir & Mayor of Mogadishu met with the 17 districts of the region and reiterated his commitment to maintain the cleanliness of the city by clearing away the rubbish that is dumped on the roads. The spokesman of the Benadir Regional Administration said that anyone found to dump their household waste outside, they will be arrested. Mr Muungaab added that they he and his administration are currently working on modernizing the capital city of Mogadishu.

Mohamed Saleban Tubeec laid to rest in Mogadishu

16 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Dalsan/Kulmiye/Risaala/RBC – 118 words

The body of Somalia’s best known artist and musician Mohamed Saleban Tubeec has been laid to rest in Mogadishu Sunday after the body was flown back to Mogadishu from Germany. Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, government ministers, the members of the deceased artist, friends and colleagues gathered to mourn and bid farewell to the body of late Mohamed Saleban Tubeec. The plane carrying the body arrived at the Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport round 8.50 am local time where the body was given the funeral service prayer. After the body was laid to rest in Jen. Kahiye Police Academic in Mogadishu, Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said that the nation has lost a great man.

Somaliland president visits Laasqoray town of Sanaag region

16 Mar – Source: Somaliland Informer – 116 words

Somaliland president Ahmed Mohmmud Silanyo and accompanying delegation Sunday visited Laasqoray town of the Sanaag region. The president who traveled via the coastal road from Berbera spent the night in Maydh port of Sanaag and left early Sunday morning for Laasqoray which is more than 109 kilometres east of Erigavo , the capital of Sanaag region. The president laid during the visit , a foundation cornerstone for the rehabilitation of Geldora road which mainly services Laasqoray fish factory as well the southern plateau of the region and connects to Erigavo. The president also visited Eil ma’an (Ceel macaan) project more than 15 kilometres east of Laasqoray and promised to improve the productivity of the project through government funding.

Somali Police commissioner meets Puntland National Security minister in Garowe

16 Mar – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 92 words

Somali Police Commissioner Gen. Abdikarim Dahir who is on an official visit to Garowe, the headquarters of Puntland regional state where he met Puntland National Security Minister and discussed the co-operation between security agencies and agreed to jointly fight insurgence. The commissioner last night supervised some police bases in Garowe to see the developments so far reached by the forces. Also the police commissioner is expected to visit Armo police academy where puntland administration train their forces. This is the first visit of Gen. Abdikarim to Puntland since he was appointed as the police commissioner.

Car bomb wounds 2 in Somali capital

15 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online – 93 words

At least two people have been wounded in a car bomb explosion which rocked in the heart of Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday. Residents said that the explosion was very huge that it could be heard from far distances in the city. The explosion occurred near Maka Al Mukarama hotel which houses several government officials including law makers. According to security services, no government official was hurt in the explosion, but police say that the explosion destroyed some cars parked outside the hotel and caused damages on nearby buildings.

Mogadishu mayor receives delegates from Italy in his office

15 Mar – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 83 words

The Governor of Banadir region and Mogadishu mayor Gen. Hassan Mohamed Hussein aka Muungaab received delegates from Italy in his office. The official from the council of Italy said that their visit to Mogadishu will build the relationship between the two sides. The delegates commended Mogadishu mayor and the staff of Banadir region the way they implemented task upon them especially maintenance of security in the capital. The mayor asked the delegates to support the local government of Mogadishu to speed fast reconstruction.

UN lifts sanctions on suspected al Shabaab financier

14 Mar – Source: Garowe Online/BBC Somali Service – 124 words

The United Nations Security Council officially deleted Somali banker and businessman Ahmed Nur Jim’ale from its sanction list,Garowe Online reports. The restrictive measures including asset freeze, targeted arms embargo and travel ban were lifted according to a statement posted on UN news site on Wednesday. Jim’alle, a Djibouti-based businessman was added to the sanction list in February 2012 after the UN Monitoring Group accused him of being al Shabaab’s chief financier and continuously funding extremists activities in southern and central Somalia. “Jim’ale is identified as one of al Shabaab’s chief financiers and is ideologically aligned with al Shabaab,”the text read. “Jim’ale has provided key funding and political support for Hassan Dahir Aweys (“Aweys”), who was also listed by the Somalia/Eritrea Sanctions Committee”.

REGIONAL MEDIA

UN, militants warn of terror attacks

16 Mar – Source: East African – 152 words

A recent call by the leader of Somalia’s most dangerous militant group al Shabaab to his fighters to “give good news” to the worldwide al Qaeda leadership is raising the fear of possible attacks in the Eastern Africa region, where the militants have in recent years carried out deadly assaults against civilian targets. The UN envoy for Somalia as well as security experts and analysts are also warning that the ongoing offensive in the Horn of Africa nation could strengthen the militants’ determination to seek revenge, or at least to try and ease the military pressure on fellow fighters. “The risk of further attacks against the Somali government and international targets remains high,” said Nicholas Kay, via videoconferencing in his briefing to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, just weeks after militants raided the seat of Somalia’s government in Mogadishu in a failed bid to capture or kill President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Godane spins AMISOM military offensive as invasion

15 Mar – Source: Sabahi Online – 169 words

When the Somali National Army and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces intensified their joint military operations against al Shabaab this month and forced the group out of several key towns, al Shabaab countered with a campaign to persuade Somalis that the Ethiopian troops serving under AMISOM were invading their country. In an audio message broadcast on Radio Andalus, a mouthpiece for al Shabaab, and posted on pro-militant websites on March 9th, al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane called on Somalis to wage jihad against the Somali and AMISOM forces, singling out the Ethiopians in particular as invaders. Godane said the Christian crusader campaign against Muslims in East Africa, especially the Somali people, has always been led by Ethiopia in collaboration with the West. He said the military campaign against al Shabaab aims to partition Somalia into several regional statesthat would then be divided between neighbouring countries. “The first priority [of the military campaign] is to divide what is left of the country between Ethiopia and Kenya under the guise of regional administrations.

EU and UN back project to help Somalis to produce food Aid

16 Mar – Source: Coast Week /Xinhua – 151 words

The UN, EU and Austria food agencies are backing a key initiative that turns Somali farmers into suppliers of high-quality food assistance for their fellow Somali people. In a joint statement issued in Nairobi, the EU, UN and Austria said the initiative has helped Somali farmers achieve this major agricultural breakthrough in a region of the country that was gripped by famine less than three years ago. WFP Country Representative Stefano Porretti described the initiative “as a significant achievement for the participating farmers” and a milestone for WFP’s operations in Somalia. “WFP will continue to support small-scale farmers in Somalia by empowering them to produce and sell more food, so as to become competitive players in local markets,” Porretti said. He said strengthening livelihoods and increasing resiliency is an integral part of WFP’s strategy in the Horn of Africa nation, adding that the initiative enables Somali farmers to produce food assistance.

US offers Ksh260 million reward for Somali terror suspects

15 Mar – Source: Daily Nation – 139 words

US officials offered a Ksh260 million ($3 million) reward Friday for help in capturing three notorious Somali terror suspects, including one linked to al Qaeda extremists involved in the 1998 US embassy bombings in Africa. “The department has authorized rewards of up to $3 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Abdulkadir Mohamed Abdulkadir, Jafar and Yasin Kilwe,” the State Department said in a statement. Abdulkadir, a Kenyan of Somali origin who is a foreign fighter with al Shabaab extremists and goes by the alias Ikrima, was the target of a failed US Navy SEALs assault in Somalia in October. Al Shabaab insurgents are believed to have killed thousands of civilians, peacekeepers and aid workers in Africa since 2006, with the group claiming responsibility for September’s shock attack on a Nairobi shopping mall that left 67 people dead.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia launches ideology war against al Shabaab

16 Mar – Source: Turkish Press – 167 words

Somalia has declared an ideological war against al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group, creating a government office for Muslim scholars to refute al Shabaab’s militant ideology and influence public opinion. “You are a very important part of the governance of this nation and play a leading role in the fight against al Shabaab,” Premier Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed told religious leaders Saturday, according to a press release mailed to Anadolu Agency by his office. “That is why I’m creating a government office for religious scholars to incorporate you closer to the government and help bridge the gap between the people and the government,” he added. “You will have a leading role in helping influence public opinion and be part of the decision-making of this government,” vowed the prime minister. He vowed to create a framework of increased cooperation between the government and religious scholars. “It is our national and religious duty to fight against al Shabaab… You have a big role in defending our religion, our people and our country,” Ahmed told the scholars.

Three wounded in Mogadishu car bomb attack

16 Mar – Source: AFP – 144 words

A car bomb went off on Saturday in Maka Al- Mukarama hotel in central Mogadishu popular with government officials and businessmen, “There was a car bomb explosion near the gate of the Maka Al Mukarama hotel. It seems that the car was parked there loaded with explosives.” Police officer told AFP. Witnesses told AFP of casualties being carried from the scene of the blast,. Police confirmed at least three people were injured in the blast, which appeared to target hotel, which is popular with government officials and businessmen. A local radio station by the name Mustaqbal was having an event to mark second anniversary since its inception in hotel during the attack. The area around the hotel has been targeted several times in the recent past and the hotel itself was hit by a car bombing in November 2013 that left several people dead.

US Offers Bounties for 3 Somali Militants

14 Mar – Source: VOA – 97 words

The United States is offering bounties of up to $3 million each for three members of Somalia’s al Shabaab militant group. The State Department said Friday that the three men hold senior roles in al Shabaab, a group that has ties to al Qaeda and has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist acts, including last year’s deadly attack on a Kenyan shopping mall. The men are Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir, who the State Department says coordinates al Shabaab’s recruitment in Kenya, along with his deputy Jafar, who goes by one name. It says Yasin Kilwe is the group’s emir for Somalia’s Puntland region.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“In fact, the recent military success against al Shabaab is laudable but if things, both predictable or unpredictable, are not taken into consideration, then that means a lack of vision and prudence towards the future of Somalia. And if that happens, the whole mission against terror and clan cancer entities in Somalia could fall into jeopardy.”

SOMALIA: AMISOM vs Peace Mentality

16 Mar – Source: Raxanreeb – 362 Words

Troves of wisdom obtained from famous international wars show that winning a major war is always easy, especially if you are a superpower country like the US or the former Soviet Union. But what history shows clearly is that although winning a major war could be easy, keeping the peace or winning the peace is not always that easy but it entails a lot of hard work and it usually produces unexpected challenges and hardships. In this context, winning the war in Somalia against insurgent groups, whether they are religious radicals or clan fanatics, by the Somali National Army (SNA) and the African Peacekeeping Force known as AMISOM, could be easy in the short term, but in the long term, challenges and shortcomings could be lying down the road, if SNA and AMISOM forces don’t win the heart and minds of the Somali people with excellent, measurable, working strategies.

“Mohamed Suleiman became one of the early members of the Walaala Hargeisa musicians and singers. Walaala Hargeisa has been founded by two legends, Abdullahi Qarshe and Mohamed Said “Guuroon Jire”.”

The Passing of a Legend: Mohamed Suleiman

14 Mar- Source: Somalilandpress-656 Words

Mohamed Suleiman has joined the legends of the yesteryear, legends that changed the course of history, legends that left behind voluminous work that will be passed from generation to generation. He joined the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin, Mary Macleod, Frederick Douglas, W.E.B. Dubois, Saladin, Omar Ib-nal-Aas and many others, but their legacy, work and spirit never died and will never die. He has born in Laalays a small town near Berbera in 1941. At an early age he found himself to be a genius vocalist and legendary singer. He started his singing career in Radio Djibouti, but due to restrictions imposed on him by the then French colonial authorities, he came back to Hargeisa, and joined Walahalla Hargeisa and Radio Hargeisa in “1956”. One of his hit songs in “1958” was “ Waan Daale EE Daayaa Idamaqdee II Dawada.” Almost at the same time, he was singing “Aroor”. Some of its lyrics are as follows: “Hibooy Anba Waan Ku Haybinaya Inaabti Ma Ii Hanwayntahay.” History can never forget Mohamed Suleiman’s 1960 hit independence song is as follows: “ Waamahad Al-ee Madaheen Banaan. Waa Mahad Alee Malalootigii Meesha Daran Ka Yimid, Maantabaa Haday Ina Magan Sadeen.”