July 4, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali Islamist rebels al Shabaab claim the killing of the MP

03 Jul – Source: Radio RBC/Somali Memo Online – 149 words

Somali Islamist rebels al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for the assassination of the member of Somali parliament Mohamed Mohamud Hayd who was killed Thursday in broad daylight in Mogadishu. The al Qaeda Affiliated militants said their fighters had carried out the assassination. “Some of our fighters have killed the member of the parliament who worked for the disbelievers and also wounded another, we thank Allah and the attacks will continue,” said the militants in a statement published on websites. Mohamed Mohamud Hayd along with another Somali lawmaker were attacked while driving in Hamarweyne district of Mogadishu. The perpetrators were reported to have escaped immediately after carrying out the murder.

Key Headlines

Deputy Prime minister meets Burundian president in Bujumbura (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog/ SNTV)
AMISOM receives Casspir ambulances (Janes News)
United States condemns the killing of Somali MP in Mogadishu (Bar-kulan)
Somali Islamist rebels al Shabaab claim the killing of the MP (Radio RBC/Somali Memo Online)
Security agencies deployed in Kampala as terror threats increase (Daily Monitor)
Almost 30 Vehicles Burnt by Fire at a Garage in Kaaraan District (Radio Dalsan)
US Has Trainers Advisers Military Coordinators in Somalia (VOA)
High tension mounts in Lower Shabelle region (Radio Shabelle)
US warns of possible terror threat at Entebbe Airport (New Vision/RT News)
EU appoints British General to head its anti-piracy mission off Somalia (KUNA)
Al Shabaab attack Qoryoley Town (Radio Dalsan)

PRESS STATEMENT

AU Acting Special Representative condemns the murder of Somali Parliamentarian

03 Jul – Source: AMISOM – 120 words

The Acting Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Honorable Lydia Wanyoto Mutende has learnt with sadness the assassination of Honorable Mohammed Mohamud Hayd who until his death was a Member of the Federal Parliament.

“At this time when Somalia is trying to lay the critical foundations of a stabile and a democratic state, the assassination of legislators who represent the voices of the people remains an intolerable crime, ‘she said

The AU Special Representative offered her condolences to the Federal Parliament of Somalia, relatives and friends for the death of Honorable Mohammed Mohamud Hayd. She also prayed for quick recovery of another parliamentarian, Honorable Abdullahi Ahmed Onka who was wounded in the same attack.

UN Special Representative for Somalia condemns murder of Somali MP

03 Jul – Source: UNSOM – 231 words

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, condemned the murder of Mohamed Mohamud ‘Hayd’, a Member of the Somali Federal Parliament, killed in Mogadishu today and expressed his deep concern regarding recent attacks in the city claimed by al Shabaab since the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

Mr Mohamud and a security officer were shot and killed as they travelled in a vehicle in Mogadishu this morning. A parliamentary official accompanying them was also injured and a second MP escaped unharmed.

“I am appalled to learn of the murder of Mohamed Mohamud ‘Hayd’ and condemn his brutal murder in the strongest terms. Ramadan is a time for peace and reconciliation; to commit such callous crimes during the holy month demonstrates how little regard the perpetrators have for the Somali people,” SRSG Kay said.

“I call on the authorities to make every effort to bring the perpetrators to justice as quickly as possible. We remain resolute in our support for the Somali people and their representatives as they work to realise their hope for a peaceful and stable future.” he added.

SRSG Kay offers his sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Mohamud and the security officer, as well as to the Federal Parliament of Somalia, and wishes a quick recovery for those injured.

EU Special Envoy to Somalia condemns the killing of Somali MP Mohammed Mohamud Hayd in Mogadishu

03 Jul – Source: EU Mission to Somalia – 138 Words

The EU Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso, condemns today’s brutal murder of the Somali Member of Federal Parliament, Honourable Mohammed Mohamud Hayd, in Mogadishu and extends his sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues in the Parliament. He calls on Somali authorities to bring to justice those responsible without delay.

“This coward and senseless assassination is an attack against the nation, against peace and reconciliation, against the Somali people, stated the EU Special Envoy. Committing these atrocities during the holy month of Ramadan shows even more how little respect terrorists have for the people of Somalia. ”

The European Union, together with the rest of the international community, continues to support Somalia, its leaders and its people on their course to peace and stability. A course that will not be deviated by such cowardly actions.

SOMALI MEDIA

Deputy Prime minister meets Burundian president in Bujumbura

03 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog/ SNTV – 94 words

The Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia and Minister for Religious Affairs of Federal Government of Somalia Ridwan Hersi Mohamed and delegations set to attend the 52nd anniversary of Burundian independence reached the capital. The delegation had a meeting with the Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza in the presidential palace, they discussed a wide range of issues including the bilateral relations between the two nations. The delegates thanked Burundian troops under AMISOM backing federal government of Somalia. The deputy prime minister is accompanied by foreign affairs state minister Buri’ Mohamed Hamza, Somali ambassador to Burundi Abshir Hassan Abshir and other officials.

United States condemns the killing of Somali MP in Mogadishu

03 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 113 words

The United States government strongly condemned the brutal killing of MP Mohamed Mohamud Hayd, a Somali legislator who was shot dead in Mogadishu on Thursday. We offer our condolences to his family. This attack exemplifies the danger al Shabaab poses to all Somalis, and their disrespect for the principles of peace, justice and compassion that Somalis everywhere are commemorating during the holy month of Ramadan, read a press release from US Embassy in Nairobi. The United States stands with the people of Somalia, the Somali National Army, and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces and will continue to work closely with Somali political and security leaders to combat al-Shabaab, the statement added.

Somali Islamist rebels al Shabaab claim the killing of the MP

03 Jul – Source: Radio RBC/Somali Memo Online – 149 words

Almost 30 Vehicles Burnt by Fire at a Garage in Kaaraan District

03 Jul – Source: Radio Dalsan/RBC/Goobjoog/All dhacdo Online – 81 words

According to a witness, fire burnt almost thirty vehicles in a garage in Kaaraan District of Mogadishu. The garage is located at Jabuti area in that district. The fire first burnt a Hommy Vehicle that was also there in the garage. Eventually, the fire fighters from Banadir Regional Administration managed to put the fire out.”It was a disaster. The fire affected at least 25 vehicles,”.a witness said. The cause of the fire is not yet established.

High tension mounts in Lower Shabelle region

03 Jul – Source: Radio Shabelle – 84 words

News reports from Lower Shabelle indicate that tension is high in the region following report of armed confrontation between militias. Residents fear another conflict might break out in the region. Two rival clan militias are still fighting in the region which caused casualties Wednesday afternoon after brief battle. There has been clan tension and fightings in towns and districts under the Lower Shabelle region in the past few months.

Al Shabaab attack Qoryoley Town

03 Jul – Source: Radio Dalsan – 143 words

Reports say al Shabaab on Wednesday night attack Qoryoley town with artillery. The artillery hit parts of the district. Places affected by the bombardment included farmlands in the district. There were no people on the farms at the time. The chairman of Qoryoley, Isman Sheikh Ali Buraale told Dalsan Radio that no casualties resulted from the bombardment. However, people in the district were very frightened. “Al Shabaab fired the rockets and AMISOM fired back,” Qoryoley Chairman said. He also requested assistance for the people in his jurisdiction as there are many problems in the whole region of Lower Shabelle and people are observing fasting in this holy month of Ramadan.

Somaliland top officials in charge of National security travel to Djibouti

03 Jul – Source: Somaliland Informer – 248 words

Government of Somaliland has dispatched top officials in charge of national security of the country to the bordering country of Djibouti Wednesday (on 2nd of July). Somaliland Minister of Interior Hon. Ali Mohamed Waran Adde is leading the delegation and is accompanied by Police Commissioner Brigadier General Abdilahi Fadal Iman and head of Intelligence Agency Mr. Jama Hassan Adam. The mission of the delegation is not so far known but it is believed that they are about to play a crucial role regarding the ongoing investigation which the government of Djibouti is conducting over the suicide attacks that took place in Djibouti which al Shabaab claimed to have carried out. The two people that conducted the terrorist attacks made a short stopover in Hargeisa prior to crossing the border from Somaliland to Djibouti.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Security agencies deployed in Kampala as terror threats increase

03 Jul – Source: Daily Monitor – 337 words

Security agencies have deployed both the police and military police in and around the Kampala city following reports that a terrorist organisation planned to attack Entebbe International Airport. The US Embassy issued an advisory to its citizens in Uganda telling them to reconsider their travels through Entebbe airport today. “The US Embassy has received information from the Uganda Police Force (UPF) that according to intelligence sources there is a specific threat to attack Entebbe International Airport by an unknown terrorist group today, July 3…. Individuals planning to travel through the airport this evening may want to review their plans in light of this information,” the statement reads in part.

US warns of possible terror threat at Entebbe Airport

03 Jul – Source: New Vision/RT – 281 words

The US has been warned by Ugandan police of a “specific threat” of an attack on Entebbe International Airport, 35 km from the African country’s capital Kampala, on Thursday night. The US embassy in Uganda stated that it was handed information by the Uganda Police Force describing a “specific threat to attack Entebbe International Airport by an unknown terrorist group today, July 3rd, between the hours of 2100-2300.” Anybody with plans of passing through the airport should review their travel plans in accordance with the new information, the embassy said in the release published on its website.

EU appoints British General to head its anti-piracy mission off Somalia

03 Jul – Source: KUNA – 141 words

The EU’s Political and Security Committee Thursday appointed a new Operation Commander for the EU Naval Force Somalia – operation ATALANTA – which aims to prevent piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean. Major General Martin Smith, Commandant General Royal Marines and Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces, will take up the post of Commander of Operation ATALANTA on 28 August, said the committee in a statement. He will replace Rear Admiral Robert Tarrant, who has commanded the EUØ¢’s counter piracy mission since 16 January 2013. Operation ATALANTA was launched in December 2008 and is part of the EU’s comprehensive approach for a peaceful, stable and democratic Somalia. The operation also protects vessels of the World Food Programme delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia and shipping of the African Union Mission in Somalia.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

AMISOM receives Casspir ambulances

03 Jul – Source: Janes – 111 words

Denel Land Systems has supplied three wide-body Casspir armoured and mine-protected ambulances to the United Nations for use with African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The vehicles are a derivative of the new Casspir NG2000 developed by Mechem: a specialised division of Denel Land Systems. The NG2000 design is a further development of the original Casspir armoured personnel carrier (APC) with improved mobility and protection. AMISOM is the third publicised user of the NG2000 Casspir. Denel delivered 20 to the United Nations in 2013 for about USD57 million and 10 to the Benin Army for about USD3 million. Another 20 vehicles have been ordered by undisclosed customers.

US Has Trainers, Advisers, Military Coordinators in Somalia

03 Jul – Source: VOA – 319 words

The U.S. military has acknowledged having an expanded presence in Somalia, helping African and Somali government forces battle Islamist insurgents. A spokesman for the U.S. Africa Command told VOA Thursdaythat a “limited number” of trainers and advisers and a “small military coordination cell” are in Somalia to support African Union peacekeepers and Somali security forces. Spokesman Benjamin Benson said the total number of personnel is small, adding that they have operated in groups that have moved in and out of multiple locations. The comments come one day after Reuters news agency, citing an Obama administration official, reported there are up to 120 U.S. military personnel on the ground across Somalia.

Chinese Structures Endure in Mogadishu

03 Jul – Source: CCTV Africa – 02:11mins

China signed the first trade agreement with Somalia in June, 1963, three years after Somalia’s independence. Beijing reopening its embassy will likely bring about major development in the country, but some of Mogadishu’s most iconic buildings were built by the Chinese. And despite years of war they endure.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Memory is a funny thing. You don’t remember the long hours and days of waiting to see the prime minister or president, the sweat-filled inertia of life inside Villa Somalia. The mind fastens instead on the brightest, most colourful events: taking the president to kick off a football match in Mogadishu in front of a rapturous crowd; joining a Valentine’s Day feminist flash-mob in a global demonstration against rape and sexual violence; a rooftop lobster dinner with the pirate kingpin Afweyne (literally Big Mouth), the recent victim of an inspired police sting and now behind bars in Belgium; a night on the white-sand beach of Al Jazira sitting around a bonfire, sparks barrelling into the night on the streaming wind; swimming with friends desperate to escape Villa Somalia for a weekend,”

My life in Mogadishu: the view from inside the Villa Somalia

03 Jul – Source: The National (UAE) – 2790 words

When I heard about the terrorist attack in Kenya on June 17, I felt sick. Gunmen from al Shabaab, Somalia’s al Qaeda franchise, had shot up a crowd of football fans watching the World Cup in the coastal town of Mpeketoni before attacking a bank, hotels and the local police station. The death toll was at least 60. When you live in one of the world’s most dangerous places like Mogadishu, as I did from January last year, you get used to terrorist attacks. The sudden explosion which sends a shock wave across the city and makes you flinch involuntarily. The almost instant burst of machine-gun fire that follows the blast and rattles away for minutes. The wailing sirens of the emergency services. Then come the phone calls you must make to check friends and colleagues are all right, emails to colleagues and family letting them know you are unscathed. Perhaps a prayer for the dead and, simmering in the background, unspoken relief that it wasn’t you. The Kenya attack jolted me back to February 21, when I was at home in the UK, on leave from my job in Mogadishu as communications adviser to the president of Somalia. I was nearing the end of a 14-month posting on a project sponsored by the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office, to assist the Somali government to set up a functioning press office to deal with the insatiable demands of the modern media. That morning I saw something from a colleague flash up on Facebook: “My prayers go out to the family, colleagues and relatives of Mohamud Indhacase; our beloved permanent secretary of the office of the prime minister and all the victims of today’s unfortunate killing and attack.”