May 27, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Federal government boycotts conference on repatriation of Somali refugees in Kenya

27 May- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Goobjoog/Radio RBC/Kulmiye- 181 words

A tripartite conference between the governments of Somalia, Kenya and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was due to open in Kenyan capital, Nairobi is about to collapse. The participants of the conference will discuss repatriation of Somali refugees in Kenya’s major cities and the refugee camps in North Eastern Kenya.

However, the federal government of Somalia declined to take part in the conference claiming that the government of Kenya has mistreated Somali nationals who sought refuge in her country and forcefully deported hundreds of refugees with legal documents.

The foreign ministry of Somalia sent open letter to the government of Kenya and United Nations informing that it will not attend the conference until Kenya stops mishandling its people.

According to sources in Kenya, the conference was suspended after Mogadishu boycotted it.

There has been a tripartite agreement between Somalia, Kenya and the UNHCR which the three parties agreed to start to pave the way for a voluntary return of Somali refugees in Kenya.

Kenyan security forces have also arrested one of the Somali diplomats in Nairobi a move which briefly strained the diplomatic ties between the governments after the federal government called back its serving ambassador in Kenya Mohamed Ali Noor Ameriko.

Key Headlines

Federal government boycotts conference on repatriation of Somali refugees in Kenya (Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Goobjoog/Radio RBC)
Ministry of information and SNA agree to enhance cooperation (Radio Mogadishu)
Heavy Downpours in Kismayo Cause Havoc (Dalsan/Dhanaan Online)
Galmudug orders media companies to seek work licenses (Radio Bar-kulan)
Somali Lawmaker government soldier flown to Turkey for treatment (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
Balanbal Administration Complains from Landmines (Radio Dalsan)
Somalia declares new war on al Shabaab (New Vision)
Mass measles vaccination campaigns urgently needed (RBC)
Al Shabaab clash with Somali troops near Ethiopian border (Radio Shabelle)
Women to get quota in Somaliland parliament (Radio Ergo)
Government Troops Fight al Shabaab in Yaaqshiid (Radio Dalsan/Shabelle)
Lower Shabelle Governor accuses aid agencies in the region (Radio Shabelle)
Somaliland: Armed Bandits of Unknown Origin Nabbed (Somaliland Sun)
Telephone Lines to Buurdhuubo Disrupted (Radio Dalsan)
Kenya: Guantanamo Bay terror suspect’s brother interrogated (Daily Nation)
Security Discussion: Senior judges meet over counter-terrorism (Coastweek/ Xinhua)
Broad reforms needed to combat terrorism (Business Daily)
Norway: 3 arrested for links to terror group (Washingtonpost/AP)
Kenya: Somalis scapegoated in counter-terror crackdown (Amnesty International)
White Widow Samantha Lewthwaite marries ruthless terror chief on the run in lawless Somalia (Mirror)

SOMALI MEDIA

Federal government boycotts conference on repatriation of Somali refugees in Kenya

27 May- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Goobjoog/Radio RBC/Kulmiye- 181 words

The foreign ministry of Somalia sent open letter to the government of Kenya and United Nations informing that it will not attend the conference until Kenya stops mishandling its people.

According to sources in Kenya, the conference was suspended after Mogadishu boycotted it.

There has been a tripartite agreement between Somalia, Kenya and the UNHCR which the three parties agreed to start to pave the way for a voluntary return of Somali refugees in Kenya.

Ministry of information and SNA agree to enhance cooperation

27 May – Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Radio RBC – 138 words

Somali Ministry of Information and the Somali National Army commission have jointly agreed to enhance their cooperation in a bid to enable the public to be aware of the operations of the Somali national army.

Mustaf Dhuholow, Information Minister of the federal government of Somalia had received today the Somali National Army Commander Dahir Elmi Adan Idho Qorsho accompanied by senior Somali army officers.

The Minister and the Somali Army Commanders has talked on issues relating to ways of broadcasting the operations and the successes of the national army of Somalia.

Talking to the press after the meeting, Somali National Army Commander Adan expressed his gratitude over the meeting with the minister and stated that they discussed how the national media can take part in conveying the achievements of the national army of Somalia.

Heavy Downpours in Kismayo Cause Havoc

27 May- Source: Radio Dalsan/Dhanaan Online- 89 words

During the last four days, there were heavy rains in Kismayo. These rains have destroyed many houses. According to reporters there, these heavy rains affected the IDPs in the town. There were floods in the IDP camps and in many streets of the town. Some of these IDPs have now started moving and living in schools as they don’t have other strong shelters where they can live. On the other hand, some of the business people in the town lamented that floods have damaged their stocks.

Galmudug orders media companies to seek work licenses

27 May- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 101 words

Galmudug administration has once again issued a decree calling for the media companies in Galmudug administered areas to register and seek work licenses for their companies.

In a press conference held in Galkayo, Galmudug Information Minister, Hassan Rush Hassan demanded all media companies in the region to register and get their work licenses before the 15th June 2014 deadline.

The minister warned that swift action will be taken against any media company that fails to comply with the administration’s order. Hassan concluded by thanking the media companies that complied with the previous order.

Somali Lawmaker, government soldier flown to Turkey for treatment

27 May – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV – 143 words

A Somali parliament member and a police officer who were seriously wounded in Saturday’s al Shabaab attack at the Somali Parliament in Mogadishu have been flown to Turkey for treatment on Monday.

The lawmaker, identified as Farah Awad Jama and the soldier were airlifted on an ambulance plane sent by the Turkish government, after medical doctors in Somalia said that the situation of the two men could not be tackled in the country, according to Somali deputy speaker Mahad Abdalla Awad.

Meanwhile, the deputy speaker said that the Somali government started the repair work of the Parliament building which was heavily damaged during the fighting between Somali forces and al Shabaab fighters that lasted for five hours on Saturday. At least 15 people including 7 al Shabaab fighters were killed in the attack which also wounded more than 30 others including three lawmakers.

Balanbal Administration Complains from Landmines

27 May- Source: Radio Dalsan/Radio Bar-kulan- 144 words

The commissioner of Balanbal with regard to social security Rujaal Ahmed Mohamed called for the government, the demining agencies and the people concerned to support the people of Balanbal in demining the area. Balanbal area is full of explosives that accumulated there during the prolonged wars.

Mass measles vaccination campaigns urgently needed

27 May – Source: RBC – 180 words

The risk of a large outbreak is primarily due to low measles immunization coverage, which is estimated at less than 30 per cent in Somalia, according to World Health Organization. This is significantly below the 95 per cent coverage considered necessary for the control and prevention of measles.

In some parts of central and southern Somalia, where insecurity prevented the vaccination of over half-million young children for the last five years, measles immunization coverage is as low as 15 per cent. Increased population movement and overcrowding in settlements for displaced people are other factors that greatly increase the risk of infection.

“To mitigate outbreak risks, mass measles vaccination campaigns need to be urgently conducted in the entire country,” WHO said.

The Health Cluster is extremely concerned of the steep increase of measles cases reported in Somalia. Since early February 2014, outbreaks were confirmed in Banadir, Lower Juba, Mudug, Nugaal and Galbeed regions. In the first months of 2014 suspected measles cases increased with 92 per cent to over 2,300 compared to 1,200 in the same period last year.

Al Shabaab clash with Somali troops near Ethiopian border

27 May- Source: Radio Shabelle- 56 words

According to news reports from Ato near the Ethiopia, Somalia border, a fight between Somali troops and al Shabaab erupted there. The Somali territorial government conducted search sweeps in Ato, and then fought al Shabaab terrorist insurgents. The casualties figure are not known and no comment has been made on either sides.

Women to get quota in Somaliland parliament

27 May- Source: Radio Ergo- 203 words

Somaliland appears set to pass a new law to set aside seats for women in the Houses of Representatives and Elders in order to improve women’s participation in politics.The bill was submitted to the two chambers last month before the lawmakers went on annual leave. They return next month and are expected to pass the bill.

Somaliland President, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud, said in his annual state of the nation address two weeks ago that there were more talented and educated women deserving to play a role in the decision-making institutions of Somaliland.

“Since the clans are not going to let women represent them in the houses, we should reserve quotas for women to guarantee their contribution in the national legislature bodies,” Mohamud said. The media is yet to see the draft law and therefore the number of reserved seats for women is not yet known.

Certain members in the House of Representatives told Radio Ergo that the bill proposes 20% of the total 166 seats in the Houses of Representatives and elders should be given to women. Radio Ergo’s reporter in Hargeisa said there is only one woman in the two chambers and only three women in the cabinet consisting of 40 ministers.

Government Troops Fight al Shabaab in Yaaqshiid

26 May- Source: Radio Dalsan/Shabelle- 93 words

Al least one person was killed and another injured after government troops and al Shabaab fought at Jungal in Yaaqshiid District, Mogadishu. The fighting erupted after the government troops attacked a house, which suspected people to be al Shabaab were staying. Leaders in that district said several persons who are being linked to al Shabaab were captured in the operation.

It is only after a few days when the district commissioner of that district Omar Mohamud Adawe called for all the residents in that district to report to the authorities any person they suspect to be an al Shabaab member.

Lower Shabelle Governor accuses aid agencies in the region

27 May- Source: Radio Shabelle- 80 words

The Governor of Lower Shabelle regional administration, Abdikadir Mohamud Nur Sidi told Radio Shabelle that humanitarian agencies in the region do nothing for the displaced population.

Sidi said that they have found out that aid agencies have not been helping citizens in Lower Shabelle and that they will notify the UN and Federal Government. “They are required to support the community and not just boast to the international community.” He said

Somaliland: Armed Bandits of Unknown Origin Nabbed

26 May – Source: Somaliland Sun – 119 words

The security personnel in Lugahaya district in Awdal region have arrested five gunmen who were suspected of intent to causing insecurity in Somaliland .

According to a Lugahaya district administrator in Awdal region Mr. Abdilahi Ali Aw Noor said The five gunmen were taken to Borama police station for further investigation their intention Is not yet known.

Nothing much is currently known about the five suspects apart from the fact that security personnel who are conducting investigations are yet to ascertain where they came from or their nationalities.

Somaliland security personnel keep security in all areas of the country Somaliland is peaceful Country with the security personnel in the country arrests any suspects who may cause Insecurity in the country .

Telephone Lines to Buurdhuubo Disrupted

26 May- Source: Radio Dalsan- 46 words

The telephone lines to Buurdhuubo town in Gedo Region were disrupted. It is hard to call there. This followed after al Shabaab militias have attacked that town Sunday night. In the recent past al Shabaab and the government troops backed by the troops of AMISOM have clashed.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia declares new war on al Shabaab

27 May- Source: New Vision- 373 words

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has declared ‘all-out war’ on al Shabaab as AMISOM warned of more attacks by the al Qaeda-linked group in the country.

“I order the Somali National Army to ‘move now’ to eliminate the enemy wherever they are in the country. We must eradicate this enemy from our country,” Abdiweli said at a press briefing.

“We cannot tolerate that the enemy carries out such attacks on our people — we must all take part in the war,” the prime minister emphasized, urging the Somali people to help the army eliminate what he termed as the invading ‘enemy’.

Abdirahman Mahamed Turyare, the Somali High Military Court chairman, yesterday said every al Shabaab member will receive the death penalty and be shot dead when seized without postponement.

Turyare, who was appointed as the court’s chairman last week, said: “Al Shabaab will not be released if seized. The Somali High Military Court will instantly sentence them to death. I request the security department to inform the court if they seize al Shabaab members.”

Kenya: Guantanamo Bay terror suspect’s brother interrogated

27 May- Source: Daily Nation- 885 words

Police in Mombasa have interrogated a brother of a Kenyan man detained at the US military base in Guantanamo Bay. Mr Salim Khamis Khamsin, who is the younger brother of terror suspect Mohamed Abdulmalik, was summoned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officers Sunday and interrogated for more than four hours.

Mr Abdulmalik has been detained in the US military base in Guantanamo Bay for close to six years now on terrorism charges.

Mrs Mwajuma Rajab Abdalla, a step sister of the two claimed the life of her younger stepbrother is in great danger saying she is apprehensive he would be executed or detained like his elder brother on the pretext of being a terrorist.

Security Discussion: Senior judges meet over counter-terrorism

27 May- Source: Coastweek/ Xinhua- 415 words

Kenya’s government, top security chiefs and the judiciary are set to meet this week to discuss counter-terrorism measures and other emerging security issues in the country, officials said on Monday.

A statement from chief justice Willy Mutunga said Thursday’s two-day meeting will enable top judges and senior security officials to consult on emerging national security issues and appropriate responses within the context of the constitution and international human rights law.

“The meeting aims to explore international human rights and counter-terrorism, which sometimes seem in opposition to each other, and demonstrate that they should be properly viewed as complementary as envisaged by the constitution,” Mutunga said.

The meeting comes after senior government officials urged the judiciary to be firm in the war against terrorism in the wake of frequent terror threats in the country.

Broad reforms needed to combat terrorism

26 May – Source: Business Daily – 128 words

Recent events on the security front have rocked the tourism industry in Kenya. The threat of terrorism has been prevalent in Kenya since the country we became a soft target for global terrorist networks that culminated in the 1998 bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi.

It has not been helped by the situation in Somalia, which has deteriorated since the fall of dictator Siad Barre in 1991. A chaotic Somalia destroyed many of the country’s citizens lives and our country’s positioning as a neighbour has meant continuous trouble for our nation.

The growth in global terrorism, a chaotic neighbourhood, endemic corruption in our country’s systems and institutions and poverty stricken population have given Kenya a structural problem that is destroying one of our golden industries – tourism.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Norway: 3 arrested for links to terror group

27 May- Source: Washingtonpost/AP- 157 words

Norway’s security service says three men with alleged links to an al Qaeda splinter group have been arrested on preliminary charges of supporting or participating in a terror organization.

The PST security service said Tuesday the three suspects are Norwegian citizens aged 29, 27 and 24. The oldest was born in Somalia and the other two were born in the former Yugoslavia.

PST said two of the suspects have been fighting for the jihadist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which is fighting in Syria.

Kenya: Somalis scapegoated in counter-terror crackdown

26 May- Source: Amnesty International-744 words

Kenya’s Somali community is being scapegoated in a counter-terror operation which has seen thousands subjected to arbitrary arrest, harassment, extortion, ill-treatment, forcible relocation and expulsion, Amnesty International said.

In a new Briefing Paper Amnesty International documents a disturbing wave of serious human rights violations suffered by Kenya’s Somali community since a security crackdown – known as ‘Operation Usalama Watch’ – began in early April 2014.

“It appears that ‘Operation Uslama Watch’ is being used as a pretext for the blanket punishment of the Somali community in Kenya. They have become scapegoats with thousands arrested and ill-treated, forcibly relocated and hundreds unlawfully expelled to a war-torn country,” said Michelle Kagari, Deputy Regional Director for Eastern Africa at Amnesty International.

White Widow Samantha Lewthwaite marries ruthless terror chief on the run in lawless Somalia

26 May- Source: Mirror- 907 words

Hunted White Widow Samantha Lewthwaite has got married to a ruthless terror chief while on the run in lawless Somalia. Intelligence sources claim the British fugitive tied the knot with suspected warlord Hassan Maalim Ibrahim, also known as Sheikh Hassan.

He is a senior commander in radical terror group al Shabaab – allies of al Qaeda.

The marriage, Lewthwaite’s third, means she will be offered better protection by her new husband’s heavily-armed relatives as security agencies step up the hunt for her.

She has already ditched her inner circle of bodyguards, dubbed the Suicide Brigade, who were looking after her night and day. Sources have reported seeing bombing suspect Lewthwaite and Hassan in the remote village of Nasable, 25 miles from the south central Somali city of Baidoa where the mum-of-four was spotted last November.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

Essay, Poetry and Art Competition: “My Somalia”

27 May- Source: Radio Ergo- 272 words

UNHCR Somalia invites Somali journalists, writers and artists living in displacement in and around Somalia to participate in a competition launched to mark World Refugee Day 2014. The theme for the Essay, Poetry & Art Competition is ‘My Somalia’.

World Refugee Day is marked every year on 20 June to recognize the resilience of forcibly displaced people throughout the world. Among the Somalis living in displacement in and around Somalia are journalists, writers and artists, whom UNHCR Somalia encourages to join the competition. This can be done by writing an essay, a poem or by creating an artwork on the theme of ‘My Somalia’.

Eligible participants who wish to enter into the competition must submit only one contribution no later than 10 June 2014. The essay, poem, or a photo of artwork should be sent to the email address below. Artwork can be any visual representation according to the theme of the competition – including painting, sculpture, photography or anything else you might wish to create. A panel will read and review the submitted contributions and UNHCR may contact contestants for further information.

The best contributions from each of the three categories – poem, essay and visual art – will be announced and awarded by UNHCR Somalia on World Refugee Day, Friday 20 June 2014.

“African Union troops continue their struggle to push al Shabaab out of Somalia.”

In Pictures: The hunt for al Shabaab

27 May- Source: Al Jazeera English-148 Words

Ugandan troops operating under the African Union (AU) mandate retook the town of Qoryooley in southern Somalia from al Shabaab, a rebel group linked to al Qaeda, in “Operation Eagle”, an offensive launched in March. Although AU troops have managed to push al Shabaab out of many parts of Somalia, the daily struggle for control continues – even in the capital, Mogadishu.

In addition to battling insurgents, the Somali government is also grappling with its forces’ lack of capacity and commitment. The European Union has provided training to some troops, but most army recruits have no formal military instruction and will be sent to the front lines.

The fledgling Somali government’s ability to care for and properly govern its people has also been called into question. This is a rare glimpse into the first joint military operation between the Somali National Army and AU forces as they hunt down al Shabaab fighters.

“Djibouti is likely to become another battlefront between the “war on terror” coalition led by the US and al Qaeda-affiliated Islamist organisations.”

Is Djibouti al Qaeda’s new front?

26 May- Source: Channel 4 News-1068 Words

On Saturday, suspected suicide bombers struck a restaurant popular with westerners in Djibouti. Three people died and more than a dozen were injured, including European nationals. The attack is the first of its kind. No one has claimed responsibility yet, but it appears to be the beginning of a campaign by al Qaeda-linked groups to open a new front in the continent.

With a population of less than a million, mainly ethnic Somalis and Afar, the Red Sea country is the smallest in the horn of Africa, but it’s strategically important. It is home to the largest and the “only” US military base in Africa. Other western forces are also present; especially Djibouti’s former colonial master, France.

From its base in Djibouti, the US has carried out drone strikes and other military operations against Islamists in Yemen and Africa. The fact is that Djibouti poses a serious threat to al Qaeda-associated organisations. The weekend attack will, at the least, unsettle US soldiers who usually enjoy freedom.

Unlike neighbouring countries, westerners feel comfortable walking on the streets in Djibouti without fear of being killed. On weekends, they go out to restaurants and clubs designed to cater for rich foreigners.

Top tweets

@mary_harper #Somalia boycotts tripartite meeting on refugee repatriation from #Kenya; says current deportations contrary to spirit of Geneva Convention.

@amisomsomalia Do you have any pressing questions for AMISOM? Join us for a twitter Q&A tomorrow 10.00am – 12.00 noon EAT #AskAMISOM pic.twitter.com/mHwOv6yl4m

@UNLazzarini @OCHASom: See what aid agencies did to help#Somalia in 2013: http://bit.ly/1pqkYDL . Needs are high in 2014, but funding low. #UNLazzarini

@Awalekullane #SomaliHero somali Policeman Dahir Gurhan Sacrificed his Life to save the Somali Parliament, a national Hero indeed pic.twitter.com/qYQndbdfZU

@LaetitiaBader Security operation in #Kenya a pretext to punish the country’s Somali community says @amnesty in new briefinghttp://www.amnesty.org/en/news/kenya-somalis-scapegoated-counter-terror-crackdown-2014-05-26 …

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Image of the day

Image of the day #Somalia’s 2nd deputy Speaker et al tour damage at the parliament building after #Shabaab’s attack. Photo: @SomaliaNewsroom