11 Aug 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- Somali president to rid country of Islamist rebels
- The AU determined to build on recent achievements in Mogadishu to further peace and security in Somalia
- Somali president: Combat operations against al Shabaab will continue
- Parents call for gov’t to help release jailed Somalis in Tanzania
PRESS RELEASE
The AU determined to build on recent achievements in Mogadishu to further peace and security in Somalia
10 Aug – Source: AMISOM – 601 words
A technical workshop on the challenges ahead and support to AMISOM to be held in Addis Ababa on 17 and 18 August 2011.
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping, has been closely following the recent developments in Mogadishu, in particular the withdrawal from the capital city by the Al Shabaab elements.
This development marks a significant step in the efforts being deployed to secure Mogadishu, extend the authority of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), and create conditions conducive for the pursuit and deepening of the national reconciliation process. It will also create further space for the delivery of the much‐needed humanitarian assistance to the populations affected by the current drought and famine. Over the past weeks, dozens of thousands of Somalis have been fleeing to Mogadishu to take advantage of the relative security prevailing in the city and to get access to relief supplies.
The Chairperson of the Commission pays tribute to the AMISOM and TFG forces for their commitment and courage in dealing with Al Shabaab and, ultimately, forcing it to pull out of Mogadishu. He encourages them to pursue and intensify their efforts and, in so doing, to ensure that the sacrifices made by AMISOM soldiers who fell in the line of duty are not in vain. He calls on the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) to fully exploit this opportunity to strengthen the reconciliation and outreach efforts, improve service delivery and accelerate the implementation of the transitional tasks, in line with the Kampala Accord of 9 June 2011.
The successes achieved since the offensive launched by AMISOM and TFG forces last February are a clear demonstration that defeating the extremist elements holding the Somali people at ransom is within reach.
At a time when the Somali people are experiencing the worst drought in recent memory, with famine further compounding their suffering, the international community ought urgently to take the required steps to build on this achievement in order to help bring about the peace and stability which have eluded the Somalis for over two decades. The AU, notably through AMISOM, will remain steadfast in its determination and will continue to provide all the support it can to the TFG in its efforts to extend its authority, defeat the Extremist and further national reconciliation.
Against this background, the Chairperson of the Commission, while expressing appreciation for the support received so far, calls on AU partners, in particular the United Nations, to take further steps to expand the support package being rendered to AMISOM, in line with the requests contained in the Communiqué of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of 15 October 2010. Such an expansion will go a long way in enhancing the effectiveness of the Mission and enabling it to fully implement its mandate.
On 17 and 18 August 2011, the AU Commission will be convening a workshop that will bring together the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to AMISOM, both actual and potential, IGAD, the United Nations, the European Union and relevant bilateral partners, to look at the achievements of the Mission to date and the challenges ahead.
The meeting is expected to identify the concrete steps that need to be taken in the coming months in order to avail AMISOM a support commensurate with the challenges at hand. Subsequently, the Commission intends to submit a report to the PSC on the way forward. Both the report and the PSC decision will then be forwarded to the Security Council, ahead of its review of the situation in Somalia, in the context of resolution 1964(2010), which authorized the AU to maintain the deployment of AMISOM until 30 September 2011.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali president: Combat operations against al Shabaab will continue
10 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Shabelle – 168 words
The Somali president on Wednesday disclosed that despite the reported Mogadishu pullout, combat operations against the al Qaeda inspired militant group will be continuing. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the leader of famine-stricken Somalia made the comments during one day official trip to Dar es Salaam.
Jowhar residents adhere to al Shabaab’s recent orders
10 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 258 words
Reports form Jowhar town in middle Shabelle region say locals with satellite dishes have complied with the recent al Shabaab orders to face their dishes towards Arab-site .Al Shabaab leaders in the area ordered people to change the direction of their satellite dishes to face Arab-sat which transmits Arabic Channels.
Parents call for gov’t to help release jailed Somalis in Tanzania
10 Aug – Source: Shabelle – 161 words
Some parents on Wednesday asked the TFG to help release their sons and daughters who are in Tanzania and Mozambique jails. Ahmed Abdi, a parent, told Shabelle that a son of his is in a jail called Mtwara located on the Tanzania-Mozambique border.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Galmudug president calls for immediate humanitarian aid
10 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 148 words
The president of Galmudug state of Somalia Mohamed Ahmed Alin has appealed to Somalis of Galmudug origin in the diaspora to immediately act on the ravaging drought situation in the region. Alin urged fellow compatriots in the diasporas to immediately intervene and scale up humanitarian aid for the badly affected people in the region.
Fighting breaks out in Sool region between Somaliland, Puntland administrations
10 Aug – Source: Mareeg Online – 140 words
Heavy figting between Puntland and Somaliland have on Sunday broken out in Taleh residence of Sool region killing 5, injuring 10 others, reports said. The battle occurred in Taleh village of Sool regions between forces of Somaliland and Puntland, killing at least 5 people and injuring 10 others, almost all from the warring sides, reports said.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Mohammed foundation continues aid to Somalis
10 Aug – Source: MENAFN – 277 words
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Foundation continues providing food and medical assistance to 100,000 displaced Somalis, affected by the drought in the Horn of Africa. The aid is being provided at the camps located at the Ethiopian-Somalia border, said Saleh Zaher Saleh, Director of the foundation.
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somali president to rid country of Islamist rebels
10 Aug – Source: All Voices – 294 words
President of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed vowed on Wednesday to rid the country of Islamic militants trying to overthrow his government and block the distribution of food aid to millions of people who are starving.
http://www.allvoices.com/
UN: Somalia needs $1B, more troops amid famine
10 Aug – Source: CBC News – 168 words
With attacks against fleeing refugees increasing at the Kenya border, and gangs and warlords still present in Mogadishu after al Shabaab vacated the capital, the Kenyan police, AU forces, and TFG military troops are inundated, unable to stop the brutal attacks and rapes, overwhelmed by the mandate to assist the aid organizations in delivering food safely.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-
Over 1,000 Somali refugees a day arrive at Kenya camps
10 Aug – Source: VOA – 277 words
There’s no slowdown in the number of Somalis arriving at the Dadaab refugee camps in northeastern Kenya. The U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) says thousands more are arriving each week.” The average daily arrivals for the first week of August was over 1,400 and that brings the new arrivals to that camp so far this year to about 127,000” said UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond, who spent most of this week at Dadaab.
http://www.voanews.com/