June 10, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

AU Special Representative expresses concern over tensions in Lower Shabelle

09 Jun – Source: AMISOM – 203 words

AU Special Representative for Somalia Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif expresses concern as tension continue to mount between warring clan militia fighting in Lower Shabelle and called on the parties to immediately desist from any form of violence.

“I call for calm and reconciliation. The situation will not be resolved by violence. All parties must refrain from violent actions, and make immediate efforts to de-escalate the situation and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue and compromise,” said Ambassador Annadif adding that fighting only serves to discredit and disrupt the process of gains achieved in stabilizing Somalia.

Reports indicate that local civilians have begun fleeing the town and surrounding areas for fear of the escalating clashes and over 250 people have been internally displaced. The displaced are currently taking refuge at the AMISOM bases in Ell Jaale and Marka.

Ambassador Annadif reiterated AMISOM’s commitment in working with the Federal Government of Somalia and its Security Forces in securing and stabilizing Somalia. “AMISOM in consultation with the international community is available to assist all parties in finding a common understanding as part of its overall efforts to promote peace, security and stability in Somalia” he concluded.

Key Headlines

Speaker Jawari denounces inter-clan clashes in lower Shabelle (Radio Goobjoog/Radio Mogadishu)
UN Special Representative for Somalia appeals for end to hostilities in Lower Shabelle (UNSOM)
AU Special Representative applauds new defections from al Shabaab (AMISOM)
13 militants reported killed after fierce clashes in Bakool (VOA Somali Service/Garowe Online)
Yemen Somalia discuss cooperation in fish sector (Saba News Agency)
Diarrhoea kills 11 children in IDP camps (Radio Ergo)
Somaliland: Ethiopia Immigration office in Wajale closed (Somaliland Informer)
Kenya: Troops to remain in Somalia – MP (Star News)
Somalia tribal clashes kill 10 (Turkish Press)
US State Department Issues Travel Warning for Djibouti (ABC News)

PRESS STATEMENT

AU Special Representative applauds new defections from al Shabaab

09 Jun – Source: AMISOM – 200 words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif congratulates the Federal Government of Somalia for further defections from the militant group al Shabaab.

This follows the renunciation of Sheikh Mohamed Said Atom’s from the al Qaeda affiliated group al Shabaab. Sheikh Said Atom was one of its leaders who has rejected the ideology of terror, and this demonstrates the weakening of the militant group as it continues to suffer major setbacks.

“Somalia is moving towards a secure and stable future free from the scourge of violence and terror and the Somali people have the opportunity to shape together a more peaceful future,” said Ambassador Annadif adding that “we congratulate the Federal Government of Somalia for its policy in this regard and we call on likeminded people to denounce the extremist views and join the government in nation building”.

The Federal Government of Somalia supported by AMISOM call on all those who want peace to lay down their arms. The Federal Government of Somalia continues to offer members of al Shabaab who renounced violence and realized the error of their ways the opportunity to reintegrate Somali society with a pledge of safety.

UN Special Representative for Somalia appeals for end to hostilities in Lower Shabelle

09 Jun – Source: UNSOM – 239 words

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, expressed his deep concern as clan-based militias clashed in Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia resulting in a number of casualties.

“I call for an immediate end to hostilities. All parties must refrain from violent actions, make immediate efforts to de-escalate the situation and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue and compromise.”

“I welcome the efforts of the Prime Minister, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed to diffuse tensions and restore stability. I call on the parties to respect the Prime Minister’s call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and to cooperate fully with the ministerial delegation being sent to the area.

The Somali people have suffered enough and know that no good can come from further violence and insecurity. We stand ready to support mediation efforts” said SRSG Kay.

AU Special Representative expresses concern over tensions in Lower Shabelle

09 Jun – Source: AMISOM – 203 words

SOMALI MEDIA

Speaker Jawari denounces inter-clan clashes in lower Shabelle

09 Jun – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Mogadishu – 227 words

The Speaker of Somalia federal parliament Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari who was chairing Monday’s parliament session, sent an urgent message to the clan militia fighting in lower Shabelle region and called on them to immediately stop the conflict. He urged the rival parties to settle their difference through dialogue and reconciliation, stating that there is no conflict that cannot be solved. His message comes after calls from the prime minister, religious leaders and community elders who urged all parties involved to quickly end the inter-clan violence that claimed the lives of innocent people. However, the members of parliament in their ordinary session failed to either pass or reject the development bank of Somalia’s’ bill due to lack of quorum, while they discussed the amendment to the rules of procedures of the house. The members discussed a bill on amendment on the rules of procedures of the house one point after the other; the committee of the rules of procedures of the house prepared the amendment.

13 militants reported killed after fierce clashes in Bakool

09 Jun – Source: VOA Somali Service/Garowe Online – 113 words

At least 13 al Shabaab militants have been reported dead in fierce clashes near Bakool regional capital of Hudur of southwestern Somalia on Monday morning. Speaking on VOA Somali Service, the Governor of Bakool region Mohamed Abdi Tool said, al Shabaab retaliated with raids on government forces and African Union troops. “Al Shabaab men retaliated, heavy fighting yesterday occurred and following previous battles they launched attacks outside of Rabdhure and Garasweyne,” Tool noted. He stated that they lost four soldiers in fierce clash in Mooro Gaabey vicinity which lies 13km from Hudur. According to Bakool governor, 13 al Shabaab fighters were also killed while 8 soldiers from Somali National Army (SNA) and AMISOM sustained injuries.

Diarrhoea kills 11 children in IDP camps

09 Jun – Source: Radio Ergo – 139 words

A diarrhoea outbreak in camps for displaced people on the outskirts of Mogadishu has killed at least 11 children over the past week, medical officials and residents said. Dr Hadiyo Ahmed Mohamed, a medical officer in Elasha Biyaha, an area settled by people displaced from Mogadishu and other parts of Lower Shabelle region, said the children who died were aged between two and seven years. Their families fled from the clan conflicts going on in Lower Shabelle, where more than 10 people were killed last weekend. She added that another eight children had been hospitalized during the diarrhoea outbreak that began in May. “The diarrhoea cases are increasing and we are receiving about seven children each day, though most of them are outpatients,” Mohamed told Radio Ergo’s local reporter in the camps.

Armed men gun down civilian in Bakara market

09 Jun – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 75 words

Reports from Bakara market in Mogadishu state that armed men gunned down one civilian and wounded another near Hormuud main building. Witness confirmed that men armed with pistols targeted the two civilians while shopping in the market. The wounded man was rushed to the hospitals in the capital. The armed men immediately fled from the scene. Security forces reached the area but no one was arrested for the murder..

Somaliland: Ethiopia Immigration office in Wajale closed

09 Jun – Source: Somaliland Informer – 236 words

According to reports coming from Wajale confirm that the Federal Government of Ethiopia has closed the immigration office in the border between Ethiopia and Somaliland where hundreds of people who received entry visas from the Ethiopian consulate office in Hargeisa are said to be stranded in Wajale for the past couple of days. There are currently conflicting reports over the obvious reasons behind the closure of the immigration office although the Ethiopian Government has not so far commented on the issue. Reliable sources told reports based on their interpretation.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Yemen, Somalia discuss cooperation in fish sector

09 Jun – Source: Saba News Agency – 134 words

Minister of Fisheries Wealth Awad al-Socotri discussed on Monday with charge d’affaires of the Somali embassy in Sana’a Hussein al-Soufi the cooperation areas between Yemen and Somalia in the field of fisheries. At the meeting, the minister stressed the importance of boosting the joint cooperation between Yemen and Somalia in the field of fish. He indicated to the importance of regulating fishing according to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries. Al-Socotri highly valued all efforts made by the Somali Government and the government of the Puntland State of Somalia to release the Yemeni fishermen held in the state. In turn, the Somali charge d’affaires underlined the importance of joint cooperation between the two countries in the fish field so as to maintain the fishery resources and exploit them in proper ways.

Kenya: Troops to remain in Somalia – MP

09 Junb- Source: Star-Kenyan- 194 words

Tetu MP Ndung’u Gethenji has said Kenya is not ready to pull her troops out of Somalia as requested by Cord leader Raila Odinga. Gethenji who is also the Defense Parliamentary committee chairman said Kenya is in Somalia as part of Amisom in a peacekeeping mission. He said Kenya is committed to the contribution of troops to Somalia as a way of supporting peace in the country and ensuring safety within Kenyan borders. Gethenji five other countries have taken their troops there. ”The United Nations continues to support the Amsiom mission in Somalia. We need a peaceful nation until the country stabilizes,” said the MP. Gethenji who was accompanied by former assistant minister Mwangi Kiunjuri was speaking during a burial ceremony at his constituency on Saturday.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia tribal clashes kill 10

09 Jun – Source: Turkish Press/ Anadolu Agency – 130 words

At least ten people were killed and scores others injured in overnight tribal clashes that swept through southern Somalia’s Lower Shebelle region, local residents have said. Clashes between the Habar Gidir and Biyomal clans were reported in several areas of the region late Monday, in which ten people were reportedly killed and scores others injured from both sides, residents said. According to eyewitnesses, Habar Gidir clansmen managed to route Biyomal gunmen from the town of Merca, capital of the Lower Shabelle region.

US State Department Issues Travel Warning for Djibouti

09 Jun – Source: ABC News – 149 words

The U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for Djibouti on Sunday, warning Americans of potential terror threats aimed at American interests in the African nation. The State Department says that it “continues to receive information about potential terrorist threats” against American individuals and operations in the area. On May 24, two suicide bombers attacked a restaurant in the Djibouti city center that was popular with westerners. One person was killed and several were injured in the attack. The group al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the May attack and has threatened to conduct similar attacks in Djibouti, threats they’ve made since 2011 when Djibouti committed to contributing forces to the African Union Mission in Somalia.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“It is possible that Atom believes he can regain lost influence in Somalia by presenting himself as a “high-level” defection. The “surrender” is also a public relations coup for the Somali government–which continues to be hit by a string of significant attacks in Mogadishu in which defectors have played a part. Lastly, it would not be surprising if some form of “incentive” was offered to Atom by the Somali government.”

Why al Shabaab Ally “Atom” Surrendered to the Somali Government

09 Jun – Source: Somalia Newsroom – 1437 words

Ex-Puntland militia leader and al Shabaab ally Sheikh Mohamed Said “Atom” surrendered to the Somali government in a Mogadishu press conference on 7 June 2014. In his short pre-written statement (possibly crafted with the help of the Somali government), Atom condemned al Shabaab’s attacks on civilians and religious figures and top leader Ahmed Abdi Godane’s oppressive rule. Atom pledged to become a man of peace. (Full statement here.) The key question regarding Atom’s defection is why this UN sanctioned arms dealer and jihadist who led an insurgency against the Puntland government all of a sudden offered his “repentance” to the federal government in Mogadishu. Several factors may be at play. In February 2012, al Shabaab replaced Atom as head of the Galgala militia with another young Warsengeli clan leader named Yasin Kilwe. Atom was upset with this decision, which was likely made because Kilwe was seen as more loyal to Godane–if not merely more young and malleable than a seasoned and independent Atom. Though many news reports framed Atom as a “senior commander” in al Shabaab, Atom was always more of an ally of the group than a formal leader, and the Galgala militia only officially “merged” with al Shabaab after Kilwe’s appointment.