17 Aug 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- TFG forces places new bases into its control
- Al Shabaab release aid workers detained in Hiiraan region
- Museveni Afwerki discuss regional stability
- Somali refugees continue to pour into Dadaab
- Scale of reported Somalia food aid theft implausible insists UN
- Iranian FM to visit Somalia to facilitate delivery of aid
SOMALI MEDIA
TFG forces places new bases into its control
16 Aug- Source: Radio Mogadishu- 171 words
The TFG forces backed by AMISOM peacekeepers have recaptured parts of Yaqshiid district in the Banadir region. Col. Abdullahi Ali Aanod affirmed that the forces have taken back the control of Ex- Somali National Television, Towfiq junction and Towfiiq Market (Yaqshiid district), as well as Fagax junction and Kaah Hotel in Kaaran district.
Al Shabaab release aid workers detained in Hiiraan region
16 Aug – Source: Radio Bar- Kulan – 181 words
The al Shabaab administration in Beledweyne town, Hiiraan region, on Monday night released three Danish Refugee Council staffs who were detained earlier on Monday morning for employing new staffs without their knowledge after been in custody for more than 12 hours. Local elders have secured their release.
TDA to open water wells in Mogadishu
16 Aug- Source: Radio Mogadishu- 98 words
Turkey’s Development and Cooperation Agency is set to open deep and semi-deep water wells in Mogadishu and in other cities of the country in a project over the next two years, TIKA’s Africa coordinator Cuneyt Esmer said. Cuneyt Esmer said TIKA was also set to build six field hospitals in Somalia as well as five ambulances.
New rift between Ahlu Sunnah leaders in Galgudud region
16 Aug- Source: Radio Kulmiye, Shabelle – 41 words
A new rift broke out between the leaders of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama`a after they disagreed in a meeting held in Abudwak district of Galgudud region. The disagreement mostly centered on leadership disputes, power-sharing and committee nominations in the group.
Fishermen missing in Mogadishu coastlines
16 Aug -Source: Shabelle – 144 words
Some Somali fishermen are missing, along with their boats from the Mogadishu coastlines, Benadir region fishermen association said on Tuesday. Yusuf Barre, the spokesman of Banadir region fishermen association told Shabelle that at least three fishers with their boat went missing for two weeks.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Pro-government militia in Hiiraan claims victory over al Shabaab
16 Aug- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 107 words
A pro-government militia in Hiiraan region has claimed victory over al Shabaab rebels during the recent clashes in the region. Militia leader Yussuf Ahmed Hagar ‘Dabaged’ told Bar-kulan that they defeated al Shabaab after deadly clashes in Ba’aad village, 18 KM from Beledweyne town.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Museveni, Afwerki discuss regional stability
16 Aug- Source: New Vision- 336 words
President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea has described his visit to Uganda as a historical opportunity to exchange views on various timely issues with his counterpart Yoweri Museveni. Eritrea is one of the strategically vital countries to the stability of the region especially in the Horn of Africa and the wider global agenda.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/
OIC warns of depletion of food stocks in Somalia
16 Aug- Source: Emirates News Agency- 247 words
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has warned of depleting food stocks in Somalia which is facing severe humanitarian crisis due to the famine and drought. Field trips conducted in Mogadishu by OIC team have revealed that prices of food commodities during the past two weeks have raised by about 45 percent.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Eritrean leader in regional security talks with Uganda
16 Aug- Source: AFP- 627 words
The presidents of Uganda and Eritrea, seen as the main allies of Somalia’s feuding government and Islamist rebels respectively, held rare talks Tuesday, only days after the insurgents pulled out of Mogadishu. Eritrean President Issaias Afeworki said he had drawn lessons from talks with his counterpart Yoweri Museveni on regional security, which Asmara has been accused of undermining.
Turkey to raise Africa profile with Somalia engagement
16 Aug – Source: Reuters – 327 words
A summit of Islamic countries on the famine in Somalia on Wednesday will give host Turkey a chance to display Islamic piety and flex its diplomatic muscle in Africa at a time other emerging powers are also scrambling for trade and investment in the resource-rich continent.
http://af.reuters.com/article/
Scale of reported Somalia food aid theft implausible, insists UN
16 Aug – Source: Guardian – 649 words
The UN’s WFP has rejected as implausible a report of widespread food aid theft in Somalia. AP claimed that vast piles of food bearing stamps from the WFP, the US government aid arm USAid, the Japanese government and the Kuwaiti government are for sale in Mogadishu markets. Early estimates based on the evidence provided by AP suggest the diverson of food aid amounts to about 1% of food assistance the organisation is bringing through Mogadishu.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
Somali refugees continue to pour into Dadaab
16 Aug- Source: VOA- 171 words
The humanitarian organization Save the Children says Somali refugees continue to pour into the Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya. It says about 1,000 to 1,500 refugees are arriving every day, and of that number about 800 are children.
Iranian FM to visit Somalia to facilitate delivery of aid
16 Aug- Source: Tehran Times- 142 words
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi is scheduled to pay a visit to Somalia in the next few days to facilitate the process of delivery of aid to the famine-stricken people of the country. In addition to holding talks with Somali officials, Salehi plans to examine the ways through which humanitarian aid is being delivered to the famine-hit people and to assess what supplies they require.
http://tehrantimes.com/index.