May 30, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

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Somali cabinet approves independent constitution review team

29 May – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan – 133 words

Somalia’s cabinet in its ordinary session on Thursday approved the independent committee tasked to review the country’s provisional constitution. The session was chaired by Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed. The cabinet approved the 5-member independent committee which was previously submitted by Ministry of Constitution and Federal Affairs. Farah Abdulkadir, Minister for Constitution and Federal Affairs said that his ministry has been busy preparing for the formation of the independent committee for some time and praised the cabinet for unanimously approving the proposed independent committee. Speaking at the session, Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has welcomed the approval of the committee and thanked the political sub-committee of the cabinet as well as the Ministry of Constitution and Federal Affairs for their enormous role in the formation of the independent constitution review team.

Key Headlines

AMISOM denies that new Djiboutian troops will be deployed to Kismayo (Radio RBC/Radio Goobjoog)
Somali cabinet approves independent constitution review team (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan)
Somali military commander confirms al Shabaab imports military dress from Yemen (Al Shahid)
Security Council extends UN missions in Abyei Guinea-Bissau Somalia (UN News Center)
3 civilians injured in attempted carjacking near Beledweyne (Radio Bar-kulan)
Somalia frees 51 Yemeni fishermen (Yemen News Agency SABA)
Powerful roadside bomb explodes in Hargaisa (Radio RBC/Somaliland Informer)
Travel advisories will embolden terrorists – IGAD (Daily Nation)

PRESS STATEMENT

Cabinet approves Constitutional Review Commission, discusses security

29 May – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 350 words

May 29th 2014 – The Cabinet of Somalia today approved the Independent Constitutional Review Commission in a regular session chaired by His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed. The creation of the Constitutional Review Commission is a big step for the Federal Government of Somalia and H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed welcomed its approval. The Cabinet also had a lengthy discussion about security in today’s session.

The Somali Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Mr. Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir presented the candidates of the Constitutional Review Commission to Cabinet, and they agreed on the following members to head the commission after a lengthy discussion:

1. Ms. Asha Gelle Dirie

2. Prof. Omar Hassan Mahad-Allah

3. Osman Jama Ali (Kalun)

4. Mohammed Abdallah Salah

5. Hassan Hussein Haji

Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said:

“Today we have taken a step forward in forming one of the commissions mandated by the constitution. I want to thank the Political Subcommittee and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for the important role they played in creating this commission.” The Ministers also had a long discussion about the security situation in the country and tasked the Security Subcommittee with preparing action plans for security.

“Security remains our top priority. The Cabinet has asked the Security Subcommittee to prepare security action plans and review operational procedures for security agencies within 24 hours,” said Prime Minister Ahmed. Also on security, Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed appointed the Minister of Defence to serve as the acting Minister of National Security following the resignation of that minister.

“I have appointed the current Minister of Defence, Mohamed Sheikh Hassan, to serve as the acting Minister for the Ministry of National Security that was vacated by Abdikarim Hussein Guled following his resignation. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan will assume his new duties in addition to his role as the Minister of Defence until we appoint a new minister to the post. We have important tasks ahead of us, and my government is always striving to fulfill its responsibilities to the Somali people,” said the Prime Minister.

SOMALI MEDIA

AMISOM denies that new Djiboutian troops will be deployed to Kismayo

29 May – Source: Radio RBC/Radio Goobjoog – 223 words

African Union Mission in Somalia has disapproved recent widely published news that was stating Djiboutian troops under the African Union command to be deployed into Kismayo. AMISOM has termed the recent news about troops from Djibouti to be taken to Kismayo as propaganda and untrue information. “That news was fabricated and is far from the truth.” AMISOM has published it on their official Twitter account. Since the capture of the Somalia’s port city of Kismayo from Al Shabab by Kenyan Defense Force along with Raskamboni Brigade led by the current Jubba administration president Ahmed Madobe, Kenyan troops remained in Kismayo although African Union said their will replace Kenyan troops with troops from Sierra Leone after they were severally alleged of not been neutral.

Somali cabinet approves independent constitution review team

29 May – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan – 133 words

3 civilians injured in attempted carjacking near Beledweyne

29 May – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 137 words

At least three civilians have been injured after gunmen trying to carjack vehicles owned by Save the Children opened fire in Fafgumare location, 7 KM south of Beledweyne town, the provincial capital of Hiran region. The vehicles were carrying nutritious food for the malnourished children in the area. Eyewitnesses in the area told Bar-kulan that one of the victims has suffered some serious injuries. Reports indicate that the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately after the locals reportedly tried to stop their hijacking mission by throwing stones and other objects at them. The injured have been admitted to Beledweyne hospital for further treatments.

Powerful roadside bomb explodes in Hargaisa

29 May – Source: Radio RBC/Somaliland Informer – 116 words

Powerful bomb has exploded mid Wednesday night in Hargeisa, the self declared breakaway state of Somaliland. The casualty figures has not been yet released but witnesses told RBC Radio that, the explosion was roadside bomb that went off mid night. Security authorities had reached the scene of the incident immediately and started investigations aimed to establish the motive of the bomb explosion and those behind it. So far, there are no people arrested by the security agencies in relation to this explosion. Hargeisa and some other cities in Somaliland regions have enjoyed peace in the last two decade that south and central was in turmoil unlike Mogadishu.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia frees 51 Yemeni fishermen

29 May – Source: Yemen News Agency SABA – 89 words

The Somali authorities released on Thursday 51 Yemeni fishermen who were detained for over a month in Bosaso city in the Puntland State of Somalia.The fishermen are all from Hadramout province, Yemen’s charge d’affaires in Somalia Fuad al-Zurqa said, adding that their release came in pursuance to the agreement signed between Yemen and Somalia allows both countries’ fishers to go fishing in the territorial waters of the two countries.The boats will be handed over to the fishermen on Saturday and then they will return home, he said.

Travel advisories will embolden terrorists – IGAD

29 May – Source: Daily Nation – 371 words

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has criticised issuance of travel advisories on Kenya arguing they will embolden terrorists. IGAD Secretary-General Mahboub Maalim told the Nation on Thursdaythat while the warnings were solely the responsibility of each country, they would reverse the fight against terrorism. “We need to appreciate the fact that travel advisories are a sovereign decision. We cannot question why they are doing that because we can also make our own sovereign decisions,” he said in an interview in Nairobi. “However, as to whether or not these are contributing positively in war against terrorism? The answer is No. In fact they are playing into the hands of terrorists. Terrorists will feel they have an upper hand. In my view, travel advisories were not the best decisions for the purpose,” he said. Mr Maalim was reacting to an update of travel advisories by the UK, Australia, France and the US who have cautioned their nationals to avoid certain parts of the country in the wake of recent terrorist attacks.

Somali military commander confirms al Shabaab imports military dress from Yemen

29 May – Source: Al Shahid – 155 words

Dahir Ilmi, Somali military commander who escaped on Wednesday bomb attack which militants wanted to assassinate him held a press conference on Thursday at Somali defense ministry in Mogadishu and confirmed that al Shabaab fighters receive the dress of the military from Yemen country where al Qaeda operate freely. “We recognized that Shabab imported the last version of military we use from Yemen country”, Dahir Ilmi, Somali military commander told to media. Shabab fighters who carry attacks against Somali federal government and AMISOM troops in the country use military dress so they are not recognized before they target the most important places of the country. Somali military commander also announced that businessmen import military uniform and sell freely in the markets but threatened to punish them if they continue their importing. Al Shabaab recently attacked parliament house after some fighters dressed military uniform and killed a number of security forces and injured MPs before they are shot dead.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Security Council extends UN missions in Abyei, Guinea-Bissau, Somalia

29 May – Source: UN News Centre – 505 words

The Security Council today extended the United Nations peacekeeping force in Abyei – an area contested by Sudan and South Sudan – as well as the missions assisting Guinea-Bissau and Somalia with their efforts to advance stability, security and development. The 15-member body took that action in three separate resolutions, all of which were adopted by unanimous vote. The Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), for another 12 months, the Council commended it on its first year of operation. Set up last June, the Mission is tasked with, among other things, providing UN ‘good offices’ functions to support peace and reconciliation; assisting the Government and the existing African Union peacekeeping force known as AMISOM with advice on peacebuilding and State building; and helping build capacity in human rights and the rule of law. UN officials recently noted that the Horn of Africa nation is behind schedule on the development of a federal system, the constitutional review process and preparation for elections in 2016. The Council today called on the Federal Government to develop a “clear plan” towards the polls, including achieving key milestones such as a referendum on the constitution and the formation of interim state administrations.

Experts: Corruption exposing Kenya to terrorism

29 May – Source: AP – 650 words

Corrupt police and other government employees willing to break rules for bribes are weakening Kenya’s ability to prevent a new rash of terror carried out by attackers with links to Somali militants, officials and analysts say. Kenya has seen a long string of deadly attacks this year, including grenade blasts and homemade bombs deployed against buses, in markets and at a beachside hotel. Security officials fear another Westgate Mall-style attack – an assault by four gunmen in September that killed at least 67 people – could be coming.”Corruption – systemic graft – is at the heart of the state’s inability to respond to insecurity in general,” said John Githongo, a former Kenyan government adviser who exposed millions of dollars in government corruption.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Kenya’s counterterrorism approach following the Westgate Mall attack is crude — and may actually be spawning more violence.”

‘Playing Straight into the Hands of al Shabaab’

29 May – Source: Foreign Policy – 1673 words

At around 7:30 p.m. on March 31, three blasts went off in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighborhood. The explosions, which police say were caused by grenades, killed six and injured around a dozen civilians congregating at two local cafes in the suburban area, which is dominated by ethnic Somalis. The bombings were only the latest in a spat of terror attacks following the September 2013 siege of Westgate Mall by Somali gunmen, which left 67 people dead. In December, a grenade blast killed four people in Eastleigh. In late March, unidentified gunmen entered a church near the coastal city of Mombasa, killing six. In all, nearly a dozen attacks that bear the marks of al Shabaab, a jihadist group based in Somalia that was responsible for the Westgate attack, have rattled Kenya since last fall. Police are taking a high-profile approach as they respond to these attacks, detaining thousands of Somalis and Kenyan citizens of Somali heritage. But stops and arrests are not based on intelligence. Rather, police officers simply scour ethnic-Somali neighborhoods, sweeping up civilians from the streets.