17 Aug 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- AMISOM forces say they have seized key positions in Mogadishu
- President Sharif attends OIC conference on Somalia famine in Istanbul
- UN calls for Somalia aid increase
- A row erupts between two al Shabaab leaders in Bay and Bokol regions
- Somali government refutes ‘damning’ H.R.W. report
- Djibouti president appeals for more aid to cut impact of Somalia drought
- AU says it requires quality military equipment for efficient operation of AMISOM
SOMALI MEDIA
AMISOM forces say they have seized key positions in Mogadishu
17 Aug – Source: Mareeg Online – 109 words
Officials of the African Union Peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu claim they have seized key military positions from al Shabaab after yesterday’s battle and denied an AMISOM tank burnt, reports said. Spokesman of the African Union Peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, told reporters that they had conquered military positions which were very important for al Shabaab. Lt. Col. Ankunda disproved al Shabaab’s claims, saying that they had burned an AMISOM tank yesterday; he however confirmed that one of their armed vehicles had burned down. Ankunda stated that some of their forces had been injured yesterday but did not reveal how many.
President Sharif attends OIC conference on Somalia famine in Istanbul
17 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan, Radio Mogadishu – 149 words
Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is today attending a summit of Islamic countries in Turkish capital, Istanbul, on drought and famine related crisis in Somalia. The Organization of the Islamic Conference meeting is aimed at galvanizing support for Somalia and drought-struck neighboring regions. President Sharif is accompanied by other senior Somali government officials. After attending the one-day meeting in Istanbul, President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed is expected to accompany Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to Somalia on Thursday along with his family. Erdogan is expected to visit relief camps to draw international attention to the East African country’s plight. The 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) convene in Istanbul for an emergency meeting to aid some 3.7 million Somalis who are at risk of starvation. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis have made dangerous treks to the capital Mogadishu and its outlying areas in search of humanitarian food aid.
UN calls for Somalia aid increase
16 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 130 words
The United Nations has called for more aid to help drought and famine-struck people in Somalia even as UN World Food Program admitted for the first time that it is investigating the theft of humanitarian food aid. WFP called on donor countries to scale up efforts to help save millions of lives at risk in the Horn of Africa nation, warning that failure to do so would lead to many unnecessary deaths. UN Security Council told Somalia’s struggling transitional government that future support was conditional on its ability to boost security and services over the next year. The UN’s $2.4 billion famine appeal remains less than half funded as the already catastrophic situation is expected to worsen because of high levels of malnutrition, still rising cereal prices and a below-average rainy season harvest.
An exclusive report on WFP food for sale in Mogadishu
16 Aug – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 552 words
A team from Radio Kulmiye has done a special survey on the WFP operation in Somalia, investigating the food stolen from stores and sold rather than being distributed to famine people. Kulmiye said it found eight sites where thousands of sacks of food aid were being sold in bulk. Other food aid was also for sale in numerous smaller stores, it was reported. Among the items allegedly being sold were Kuwaiti dates and biscuits, corn, grain, and Plumpy’nut, a fortified peanut butter designed for starving children. A Somali government spokesman, Abdirahman Omar Osman, said the government does not believe food aid is being stolen on a large scale, but promised that, if such reports come to light, the government “will do everything in (its) power” to bring action in a military court. Kulmiye said its investigation found evidence that WFP is relying on a contractor, Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur, also known as Enow, who was blamed for diverting large amounts of food aid in a 2010 UN report. Barrow denied this was the case, however.
http://www.kulmiyenews.com/?
Somali forces conduct security operations in parts of Mogadishu
17 Aug – Source: Shabelle – 92 words
The TFG security forces on Wednesday morning started to conduct security-related operations in parts of Mogadishu. The operations come as unknown men on Tuesday night hurled a hand grenade on a Somali forces-based checkpoint of Ex-control Afgoi west of Mogadishu. In the operations, at least four suspected individuals have been arrested by the government forces.It is still unknown if there were any casualties among the Somali forces at the checkpoint.
http://www.shabelle.net/
A row erupts between two al Shabaab leaders in Bay and Bakol regions
17 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 129 words
Reports from Bay and Bakol regions indicate that a strong rift has emerged between two senior leaders of al Shabaab in the regions. The disagreement is said to have roots in clan-based politics in the two rebel-held regions. Reliable sources say that the rift emerged when regions’ rebel leader Mahad Omar Abdikarim dismissed his deputy Ma’alim Abdullahi Gab. Mr. Gab refuted his dismissal, saying that he still remains the deputy leader of the group in the regions. He also claimed that Abdikarim has no authority to fire him. The rift between the two militia leaders raised suspicion among al Shabaab, which are said to have split into two groups, with each group supporting his family man. Mr. Gab is said to have fled to his home town, Hudur, in Bakol region.
AMISOM denies one of its tanks was destroyed in Mogadishu
17 Aug – Source: Shabelle – 186 words
The African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia on Wednesday denied that one of its tanks had been destroyed by al Shabaab after heavy battles in Mogadishu. In an exclusive interview with Shabelle Media Network, the spokesman of AMISOM forces Paddy Ankunda described as al Shabaab claims as propaganda and false, although he did confirm that a military vehicle has been destroyed during AMISOM-TFG Mogadishu operations.
Al Shabaab movement on Tuesday claimed that an AU tank had been destroyed in Mogadishu’s recent battles. Ankunda spelled out that some of their soldiers were also sustained injuries during the clashes. He went on to say that they captured more strategic territories in Mogadishu. The AMISOM spokesman also accused al Shabaab of harming and bothering the civilian people, noting they shell populated areas. The official also shed light on the news that AMISOM managed to discover a bomb-making factory they had in Mogadishu. He said al Shabaab used the factory to manufacture improvised explosive devices to harm Somalis, the TFG government and AMISOM forces.
http://www.shabelle.net/
REGIONAL MEDIA
South Sudan opposition leader objects to sending troops to Somalia
16 Aug – Source: Sudan Tribune – 520 words The leader of an opposition political party in South Sudan on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction with a senior member of the ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), for proposing that the new country send troops to war-ravaged Somalia as part of the African Union peacekeeping force there.
Deng Alor Kuol, the caretaker minister of foreign affairs said the newly independent country was “prepared” to offer a helping hand in support to Somalia in its commitment to peace in Africa in comments to the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme, on Monday. “It is part of our responsibility to help our Somalia brothers and sisters to achieve peace,” Alor said. “We, as Africans, must be in the lead to alleviate problems before we ask the Western world or anyone else, to come to our help”, he added.
But Peter Abdullah Raman Sule, the leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Tuesday said the new country should focus on addressing its internal security challenges before offering to send troops abroad. “There is no doubt that South Sudan as a member of the international community should contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability of any country in the world, especially the African countries to which it belongs, but I think this is not yet time”, said Sule. “South Sudan has a lot of challenges which I think should be addressed before reaching out with help” he added.
http://www.sudantribune.com/
Sailors rescued from pirates
17 Aug – Source: Nairobi Star – 92 words
An Indian navy ship has rescued 9 sailors among them a Kenyan and Tanzanian hijacked by suspected Somalia pirates at the Indian Ocean. The rescued Iranian owned cargo ship had been hijacked by nine heavily armed pirates and suspected of being used to smuggle weapons and ammunition. East Africa seafarer’s coordinator Andrew Mwangura says all the crew members are safe and none was injured in the rescue mission. Defense minister Mohammed Yussuf Hajji says the country is in the process of acquiring addition Navy ship to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean.
http://www.nairobistar.com/
Somali government refutes ‘damning’ H.R.W. report
17 Aug – Source: Coast week, Xinhua – 563 words
The Somali government on Tuesday strongly refuted a damming report by the Human Rights Watch organization alleging that the government has failed to provide basic security and human rights protections to its citizens as its forces battle with Islamist rebels.
Human Rights Watch also accused the rebel al Shabaab group which is fighting the Somali government forces of committing serious rights violations against civilian populations in areas under their control in the south of the country.
“It is with great regret that we receive these allegations from Human Rights Watch especially without given us the opportunity to respond before the publication,” the Somali government said.
“We refute these allegations and the government is willing to meet with Human Rights Watch officials to discuss their concerns,” Abdirahman Omar Osman, the Somali government spokesman, said in a statement.
http://www.coastweek.com/3432_
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Islam body to meet on Somalia
17 Aug – Source: Channel News – 312 words
ISTANBUL: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation was to hold an emergency meeting of foreign ministers in Istanbul on Wednesday on the drought and famine ravaging the Horn of Africa.
The organization, which groups 57 Muslim countries and is currently chaired by a Turk, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, will discuss how to boost aid to the countries worst affected. The meeting was requested by Turkey, which has mobilized to go to the aid of the victims. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to leave for the Somali capital Mogadishu on Thursday, with his wife and daughter, as well as Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, also accompanied by his family.
They are to oversee the distribution of Turkish aid in refugee camps. Turkey has already sent three planes carrying dozens of tones of food and medical supplies for Somalis during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.Turkish television channels have been screening footage of the catastrophe unfolding in Africa to help drum up aid.
More than 80 million euros has already been collected in various campaigns including a marathon television broadcast headed up by top personalities in politics and cinema, the emergency situations’ office said. Since the arrival in power of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), and moderate offshoot of a banned Islamist movement, Turkey has taken an increasing interest in Africa. Ankara has been playing the role of regional leader and opened several embassies across the continent with the aim of finding new markets for products from the world’s 17th biggest economy.
As a result of these initiatives, Turkey, Islam’s main representative within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also secured a seat as non-permanent member on the United Nations Security Council in 2009-2010. Turkey is angling to repeat the feat in 2015-2016. Somalia is the country hardest hit by a drought that has affected people around the Horn of Africa region. UN officials have said some 12 million people are in danger of starvation.
http://www.channelnewsasia.
AU says it requires quality military equipment for efficient operation of AMISOM
16 Aug – Source: People’s daily, Xinhua – 377 words
The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) on Tuesday said it requires military equipment in quantity and quality to help the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) accomplish its mission efficiently.
After holding a closed session on Somalia at the AU Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ramtane Lamamra, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security told Xinhua that Uganda and Burundi have pledged to deploy further troops to AMISOM.
Lamamra said Djibouti is also offering a battalion with one hundred trainers while some countries in the West are eager to contribute troops. According to the Commissioner, it is the equipment AU deadly needs for the mission in Somalia. Media outlet stated that President Sheik Sharif of Somalia was in Burundi on Monday to request further troops and discuss issues related to security in Somalia and other staff with President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi.
Lamamra said the ceiling of troops for AMISOM is 12,000 and the AU has already handover 9000 troops contributed from Uganda and Burundi. “We have more pledges from Uganda and Burundi; we already have 9000, and 3000 to the ceiling, and the pledge by the two countries is enough to meet the ceiling, 12, 000,”he said.
“The focus now should be on the equipment which is deadly needed for us to make sure that AMISOM will enhance its efficiency, will expand its authority, and will be able to accomplish its mission the best possible condition,” said the Commissioner.
He said helicopters, equipment used to attack tactical helicopters and member of engineering equipment are among the military equipment needed for the mission. He also stated that AU is going to organize a two day workshop on Somalia in Addis Ababa, from 17th-18th of August 2011.
http://english.peopledaily.
Djibouti president appeals for more aid to cut impact of Somalia drought
17 Aug – Source: Bloomberg – 68 words
Djiboutian President Ismail Guelleh appealed for more international aid to help people affected by drought and famine in Somalia. Djibouti donated 30,000 metric tons of medicines to the Horn of Africa, Guelleh said on a visit to the Somali capital, Mogadishu, yesterday, according to a statement from his office. Guelleh held talks with Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed about strengthening ties between the two countries, it said.
Somalia: Coordinate aid and build for long term, agencies urged
16 Aug – Source: IRIN – 471 words
Aid agencies operating in Somalia should improve coordination among them and explore concrete measures beyond the drought and famine ravaging parts of the country to improve livelihoods and build the resilience of affected communities, humanitarian officials said on 15 August.
“Today is about tomorrow; about what we need to do for recovery and sustainable development, not just fire-fighting,” Hanny el Banna, chairman of The Humanitarian Forum, said in Nairobi during a conference on aid collaboration for the Horn of Africa. “The humanitarian family needs to come up with solutions as we know the suffering of the people.”
The Humanitarian Forum, a global network of aid and development organizations from Muslim donor and recipient countries, convened the day-long conference with the Muslim Charities Forum (MCF) to address the urgent aid needs in the Horn of Africa. The UN has declared famine in five regions of south-central Somalia and estimates that at least 12.4 million people across the Horn (Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti) require lifesaving assistance.
Representatives of Muslim charities, UN agencies, as well as those of donor organizations and countries, discussed ways and means of improving connections and collaboration in partnership with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Among the issues discussed was access to parts of Somalia by Muslim humanitarian organizations and the need to engage the Somali community and the Diasporas in capacity building aimed at improving livelihoods.
According to The Humanitarian Forum, Muslim agencies have access to different donors and better access in different parts of Somalia. Participants heard that the OIC was in the process of creating an umbrella group for Muslim international NGOs working in Somalia.
http://www.irinnews.org/
BLOGS/EDITORIAL/CULTURE
Al-Shabaab propaganda can’t change the truth on the ground
16 Aug – Source: New Vision – 838 words
An eerie silence has fallen on Bakara Market. The shop doors are all bolted shut. The streets are empty except for a few stray dogs running around, scrounging for food. Every once in a while, the silence is broken by a man driving a donkey that is hauling a cart full of the green Khat or miira that men chew as stimulant. The stillness in the air makes the clip clap sound of donkey hooves hitting the pavement much louder.
This is a ghost town. Yet a week ago, this busiest beehive of commerce in the whole of Somalia, which, like New York, never sleeps, was under the control of al Shabaab militants. Millions of dollars worth of goods including the latest electronics, fridge, washing machine, radio, HDTV, quality garment and so forth were being sold here.
It is as if the thousands that daily thronged the bustling streets of Bakara simply vanished into thin air during one night, leaving behind everything intact. The dreamlike scene is almost unbelievable.
The silence of Bakara is the surest sign yet that al Shabaab has been defeated and driven out of Mogadishu centre by the forces of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) made up of contingents from Uganda and Burundi.
Uganda has contributed the largest number of troops to date for the mission, numbering 4,700. Largely because of their persistent and focused effort, the once powerful and potent al Shabaab militant group is now confined to a small section on the periphery of the city, near the Pasta Factory.
From there, their snipers constantly look through the sniper scopes, hoping to score a hit at AMISOM troops. No effort, however, is spared by the peacemakers to ensure that they do not succeed.
Meanwhile, the al Shabaab propaganda has gone into high gear, telling the world that the militants’ sudden withdrawal from Mogadishu was a strategic and tactical maneuver. The reality on the ground, however, tells a different story. The simple fact is that al Shabaab could not match the deliberate but steady advance of the AMISOM forces.