April 24, 2014 | Morning Headlines.
Kenya: Vehicle explodes at Pangani Police Station
23 Apr – Source: Daily Nation/Standard Media – 63 words
A car exploded at the entrance to Pangani Police Station, Nairobi, on Wednesday. At around 8:55 pm, the vehicle was intercepted at a police roadblock and two officers who were escorting it to the police station were killed in the blast together with the two original occupants of the vehicle. A second explosive was found inside the vehicle and was detonated safely. Police boss David Kimaiyo who visited the scene confirmed the deaths. Other police officers said the blast went off killing two police officers and the apparent two bombers they had arrested earlier on without knowing they had the explosives. The officers had intercepted a salon car at about 8 pm at the nearby Pangani roundabout in the area and decided to board it.”They spotted the car and suspected it before boarding leading the driver to the station.
Key Headlines
- Prime Minister: “local communities and security forces must have a close relationship” (Office of the Prime Minister)
- UN envoy reaffirms world body’s strong resolve to stay the course in Somalia (UN News Center)
- Burundi leader praises Amisom forces in Somalia (Daily Nation)
- Night raid operation targets senior al Shabaab officials (Garowe Online)
- Somali government forces seize Eyn village in Hiiraan region (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Defense minister reach Baidoa town (Radio Goobjoog)
- Kenya: Vehicle explodes at Pangani Police Station (Daily Nation/Standard Media)
- Al Shabaab attacks government forces base in Beledweyne (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Westgate terrorist wanted to marry in Kenya (Citizen TV)
PRESS STATEMENT
Prime Minister: “local communities and security forces must have a close relationship”
23 Apr – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 337 words
His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, today closed the National Security Conference held in Mogadishu, telling attendees that “local communities and the security forces must have a close relationship – we are one people with one enemy”.
The National Security Conference organised by the Ministry of National Security brought together representatives from all regions of Somalia, senior commanders of military and security forces and the international community over four days with the aim of strengthening the security agencies of the government.
The aim of the conference was to set out new ways for security agencies to achieve security and stability across Somalia. Attendees put forward a number of recommendations including the restructuring and re-organisation of security forces and for a specific strategy to be designed and implement to ensure the youth do not turn to violence and extremism.
Closing the conference the Prime Minister, said: “Attacks, such as the cowardly attacks on two of our honourable Members of Parliament, only serve to make us stronger and more united to defeat terror. “This conference is an important initiative as it is the first time all security agencies and experts have come together. It has also brought together representatives from every region of Somalia which is essential in our collective security.
“The suggestions put forward by this conference are excellent and I thank everyone for their constructive recommendations and efforts. Security agencies will now come up with a work plan to take forward your recommendations. Today should not be the end of this process we should continue to share ideas and information.
“The government and public share the same ambition of achieving long lasting security and stability. Local communities and the security forces must have a close relationship – we are one people with one enemy. “The long-term stability of Somalia will ultimately rely on our own security forces and I want the international community to work with us to make our security agencies more effective.”
SOMALI MEDIA
Night raid operation targets senior al Shabaab officials
23 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 118 words
The Somali Federal government forces launched a night raid operation on Al Shabaab hideout, killing senior militant official and wounding another. The government forces targeted Mooro Gaabey vicinity which lies 30 km from Bakool regional capital of Hudur of southwestern Somalia according to Hudur Mayor Mohamed Moallim. Moallim told reporters that intelligence briefings led to the attack on al Shabaab officials: “The army succeeded in their plan, they killed and wounded two senior al Shabaab “emirs” namely Abdullahi Abukar Ali and Ahmed Mohamed Qeyr”.
Somali government forces seize Eyn village in Hiiraan region
23 Apr – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 116 words
Somali government forces have Tuesday captured Eyn village which lies 36 KM northeastern of Bula-burte in Hiiraan region from Al Shabaab militant group. Hussein Horow, one of the government officers in the area told Bar-kulan that Al Shabaab militias abandoned their bases after Somali National Army backed by AMISOM and locals launched an offensive against the group. The officer said that two Al Shabaab fighters have been killed while others were injured in the attack adding that Eyn village has been the group’s main base in the area to launch its attacks. He finally said that government forces will establish new army bases in the area in order to beef up the security of the region.
Defense minister reach Baidoa town
23 Apr – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 129 words
Somali Minister for defense Mohamud Sheikh Hassan and delegates arrived Baidoa the headquarters of Bay region, the aim of the minister’s is to assess the security situation of Baidoa and the nearby areas. While briefing the media the minister said that he concerned about the recent capture of Dainunay Military base by al Shabaab fighters, he added that this move is a total let down Somali national army and AMISOM troops who seized that regions sometimes back. The minister asked Ethiopian troops under AMISOM mandate to take the bases withdrawn by Burundian troops so as to tighten security. His visit to Baidoa comes a time when the security of Baidoa was deteriorating the last few days.
Al Shabaab attacks government forces base in Beledweyne
23 Apr – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 105 words
Al Shabaab militant group has on early hours of Wednesday morning attacked government bases in Beledweyne, the provincial capital of Hiran region. The militant group reportedly attacked a government forces’ base at Buundo-weyn and no casualties were reported so far. Col. Bakay, one of Somali National Army officers in Hiiraan region told Bar-kulan that the government forces resisted the attack and managed to push back the attackers. He pointed out that al Shabaab has no bases in Beledweyne and its surrounding areas adding that plans to wipe out the group’s remaining bases in Hiran region are ongoing.
Somaliland: Hargeisa Main Prison Boss Sacked
23 Apr – Source: Somaliland Informer – 134 words
Musa Abokor Qorshel is the new Hargeisa prison chief after his predecessor was sacked following an attempt by four hardcore pirates to flee.The Criminals, three pirates and one terrorist to escaped before killing one prison warden the late Abdi Said and injuring two seriously. The prison commandant Brigadier General Mohammed Hussein Farah ( Hirane) has appointed a committee of experienced prison wardens to investigate those behind this saga. The prisoners escaped from Hargeisa main prison by smuggling in a pistol, which they used to shoot their way to freedom.The prisoners in Hargeisa’s main prison comprise of terrorists sentenced to life imprisonment by the high court in April 2007.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya: Vehicle explodes at Pangani Police Station
23 Apr – Source: Daily Nation/Standard Media – 63 words
A car exploded at the entrance to Pangani Police Station, Nairobi, on Wednesday. At around 8:55 pm, the vehicle was intercepted at a police roadblock and two officers who were escorting it to the police station were killed in the blast together with the two original occupants of the vehicle. A second explosive was found inside the vehicle and was detonated safely. Police boss David Kimaiyo who visited the scene confirmed the deaths. Other police officers said the blast went off killing two police officers and the apparent two bombers they had arrested earlier on without knowing they had the explosives. The officers had intercepted a salon car at about8 pm at the nearby Pangani roundabout in the area and decided to board it.”They spotted the car and suspected it before boarding leading the driver to the station.
Westgate terrorist wanted to marry in Kenya
23 Apr – Source: Citizen TV – 322 words
A witness in the case facing four Somalis accused of aiding in the Westgate terror attack told the court on Wednesday that one of the men believed to have carried out the shootings sought to marry in Kenya just two months prior. Abdifatah Ali told Chief Magistrate Daniel Ochenja that the would-be terrorist Abdi Noor, “pressed,” him to find him a young girl to marry after the former school mates bumped into each other on Eastleigh’s 10th Street in July last year and exchanged numbers. “Noor kept on ringing me sometimes just for greetings then later he asked me to assist him get a lady to marry. He kept on pressing me to look for him a lady to marry,” Ali testified.
Burundi leader praises Amisom forces in Somalia
23 Apr – Source: Daily Nation – 280 words
African Union troops have made significant progress in the war against Al-Shabaab, Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza has said. During a visit to Somalia on Tuesday, the President noted the importance of their contribution to security and stability in the country. “We are grateful to the African Mission in Somalia for the sacrifices made to help the country,” President Nkurunziza said. He also expressed optimism about Somalia’s future and reaffirmed commitment to partnership with the government to establish peace and security.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UN envoy reaffirms world body’s strong resolve to stay the course in Somalia
23 Apr – Source: UN News Centre – 430 words
The top United Nations envoy in Somalia today called on the country’s international partners to boost support to aid peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts there, while reaffirming that the world body has no plans to withdraw amid attacks by al Shabaab militants. “It’s a moment of great new opportunities but also some significant new challenges, and I think it’s important that the international community and partners maintain their interest in Somalia and increase, if at all possible, some of the resources,” Nicholas Kay told reporters in New York. Mr. Kay, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), stressed that increased resources are vital for humanitarian efforts, for building up the Somalia National Army (SNA) and for the African Union Mission in Somalia, known as AMISOM.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“New exhibition in London shows urban buildings of Somalia’s capital in different light.”
City Of Mogadishu Trying To Create New Future
23 Apr Source: Voice – 398 words
Lost Moderns exhibition at the Mosaic Rooms in Earls Court, London is the first collaboration between Somali-born architect Rashid Ali and English photographer Andrew Cross. Judging from the quality of the work it is very unlikely to be their last. The exhibition is spread over two floors. The first room that you enter displays historic images of Mogadishu’s urban past as black and white prints. It shows a diversity of viewpoints of the city’s colonial past; aerial shots of city blocks and boulevards as the city developed, views along the coast of people relaxing and fishing and some show seaports bustling industry. Clearly Mogadishu has always been a city of complex character.The second room focuses on images of contemporary Mogadishu. There are photographs by Cross of Italian modernist concrete buildings (from the early to middle 1900s) some of which are falling into severe states of disrepair whilst others are still being used and partially maintained. These buildings still exert a palpable influence on the buildings and spaces around them and therefore on the people in the city. They provide a space or moment in this city which forces a response not usually associated with most African cities.