July 14, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

SNA, AU Joint forces seize villages in Bay region

13 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC/Bar-kulan/Dalsan – 146 words

Somali armed forces backed by their African Union allies have seized the control of two villages in Bay region from Somali Islamist militants al Shabaab. Somali National Army alongside with AMISOM troops have taken control of Saydhelow and Labatan villages in Bay region where Al Shabab militants had been controlling recently. The joint forces captured the two villages after battling with Al shabab fighters according to Berdaale district governor Mohamed Issack AKA Caracase. The governor said the joint forces also captured several armed vehicles from al Shabaab during the fight with the militants. Caracase addressing the casualties said that two Somali national soldiers have been injured while fatalities from the terrorist militants’ side remained unreported.

Key Headlines

SNA AU Joint forces seize villages in Bay region (Radio Mogadishu)
Banadir region officials call for heightened security in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu)
Government official wounded in explosion in Jowhar Middle Shabelle (Radio Dalsan)
Turkish Aid Agencies halt operations in Somali capital (Hiiraan Online)
Kenya: Military jets hunt down attackers in Lamu forests (Daily Nation)
Hundreds arrested in Mogadishu crackdowns (Radio Shabelle)
Britons warned not to travel to Kenyan coast after latest spate of attacks leaves 22 dead (Independent)
AMISOM weathers deadly al Shabaab attacks (East African)
Al Shabaab execute two Somali young men in Barawe (RBC/Shabelle)
Somali foreign minister with delegation flies to Spain (SNTV)
Lamu attacks work of al Shabaab working with MRC-KDF Major Chirchir (Star News)
Somaliland President Silanyo arrives in Addis Ababa (Somaliland Informer)
AMISOM forces to be deployed in Defow Hiiraan region (Radio Bar-kulan)
Indian-American pleads guilty to funding al Qaeda groups (IBN News)
Security Council strongly condemns most recent terrorist attacks in Mogadishu (UN News Center)

PRESS STATEMENT

Somali delegation completes course on election management

12 Jul – Source: AMISOM – 271 words

A delegation from Somalia Federal Government, Civil Society and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), alongside other African and US participants completed two-week course in Ghana on election management.

The course, which covered the entire electoral cycle, was held at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in the Ghana capital, Accra. It covered both theory, lesson-sharing and exchange of experiences from Ghana, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sierra Leon, Liberia, Gambia, South Africa, Somalia, Uganda and US.

In addition, the course covered the expected international norms and standards in an election cycle particularly the legal framework, nature of election management body, electoral activities, election funding and election observation in stable and post-conflict environments, in promoting democracy especially in Africa.

As part of field work, the participants interacted with the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), a local Non-Governmental Organization that has contributed in successful election observation in Ghana and Africa at large. Ghana, as a role model in Africa held a successful election in 2012, a peaceful dispute resolution in courts of laws and is at advanced stage of preparing Biometric Voters Registration.

Deputy Minister of Information in the Federal Government of Somalia, Hon Abdullahi Olad Roble, said that the course met the delegation’s expectations especially at a time when Somalia is working on the legal framework in preparation for free and fair 2016 election.

On behalf of the government, Hon Abdullahi expressed gratitude to AMISOM for organizing the course on building capacity in Somalia and appealed for more capacity building for Somalis in this area as Somalia looks ahead of 2016 electoral process.

UN Security Council Press Statement on Somalia

12 Jul – Source: UNSOM – 372 words

On 11 July the Security Council received a briefing from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr Nicholas Kay, on the security situation in Mogadishu. The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the recent Al Shabaab attacks in Mogadishu against Villa Somalia, Parliament and members of Parliament in the last week. The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The members of the Security Council paid tribute to both AMISOM and the Somali National Security Forces for their effective response to the attack against Villa Somalia. The members of the Security Council underlined the urgent need to support the Somali National Security Forces, in order for it to be able to assume full responsibility for security in Mogadishu and beyond. In that context members of the Security Council encouraged Member States to make uncaveated contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund to provide support to the Somali National Army, as authorized in resolution 2124.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever and by whomsoever committed. The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with their responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Somali authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law. The members of the Security Council reiterated their resolve to continue to stand by the people and Government of Somalia, in the face of deplorable terrorist attacks, as they seek to establish peace and prosperity across their country.

Weekly Press Conference on the Progress of the Government

12 Jul – Source: Ministry of Information – 1080 words

H.E. Mustafa Duhulow today spoke to the media in Mogadishu to provide an update on government progress over the last week. The Minister spoke on various issues: the failed attack on Villa Somalia, changes to the leadership of the security institutions, the latest Media Law consultation conference, plans to revive and to develop Somali Agriculture, training programme to enhance the capacity of the staff of the Ministry of Women & Human Rights and Ramadan Appeal.

The Minister of Information spoke the failed attack on Villa Somalia: “On the evening of Tuesday 08 July, a people carrier entered the Villa Somalia compound carrying 3 al-Shabaab terrorists wearing military style fatigues. The driver of the vehicle called Hassan facilitated the attack. This is how the attackers gained entry to the compound. The suspicious behaviour of the attackers was noticed by members of the security forces, who promptly raised the alarm and engaged the attackers.

The officer who first spotted the attackers has been awarded a commendation and promoted in recognition of his alertness and decisive actions. The driver immediately abandoned the three attackers and attempted to escape but an explosive device in the vehicle detonated at the gate. The driver was subsequently captured and remains in custody. Meanwhile the security forces killed all three attackers. I would like to thank our own security forces and the AMISOM troops for their bravery in stopping this heinous attack.”

The Minister of Information spoke on changes to the leadership of the security institutions: “The Prime Minister of Somalia, H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed appointed H.E. Khalif Ahmed Ereg, who has wealth experience in the field of security, as the new Minister of National Security. At the same time the PM dismissed Police Commissioner Gen Abdihakim Dahir Saa’id and the Chief of Intelligence, Major Gen Bashir Mohamed Jama. Gen Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Ismail has been appointed as the new Police Commissioner and H.E. Abdullahi Mohamed Ali (Simbloshe) has been appointed to the post of Chief of Intelligence.

The aim of these changes is to redouble the efforts towards security and stabilization in the country. In order to have better coordination and working relationship, the Chiefs of Police and Intelligence for Banadir Region will report directly to the Governor of Banadir Region.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the draft Counter-Terrorism Law: “On 10th July the cabinet approved the draft Counter Terrorism Law and once the law receives the parliament’s approval and comes into effect then this will be the first ever Counter Terrorism Law in Somalia. The CT law will now be forwarded to the parliament for discussion and approval. The aim of the CT Law is to provide tools for the courts so that they can deal will all cases related to terrorism using appropriate legislative measures.

The current provision of the law does not provide appropriate measures to deal with terrorism. This law will ensure that all perpetrators who commit terrorist acts receive appropriate sentencing from the courts. This is a major achievement which in turn will help to bring peace and stability in the country, while combatting terrorist groups operating in the country.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the Media Law consultation conference: “I am very glad that we successfully held a two day consultation conference on Media Law on 7th and 8th of July. The Prime Minister opened the first day of the conference. Participants were from diverse groups, from media practitioners to civil society groups.

The aim was to review the Media Law and to hear the views and inputs of the public, ensuring that the Media Law is a piece of legislation that has considered the views of the people. The Media Law will define the responsibilities and the rights of media practitioners. The Ministry of Information is committed to ensuring that the process is transparent and accountable to the public and in particular to all key stakeholders. The Media Law will be soon presented to the cabinet with a view to approval and then it will be forwarded to the parliament for their consideration and approval.”

The Minister of Information spoke on plans to revive and to develop Somali Agriculture: “Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Abdi Ahmed Baafo, visited Afgoye District on 7th July in order to see the offices of the ministry in the area as well as to visit agricultural lands and communities in the area. The Minister also visited the site of the Centre of Agricultural Research with a view to re-establishing the centre soon.

The Minister of Agriculture met Afgoye District Administration as well as communities living in the area in order to stress the importance of agriculture in Somalia and the need to support communities that are willing to develop their agricultural lands. The plan of the Government is to encourage communities in the area to develop their agricultural sector to its full potential so that the country can move through the period of recovery to the development stage. This will mean that the economy of the country will be developed to the point where we become self-sufficient.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the training to enhance the capacity of the staff of the Ministry of Women & Human Rights: “The Minister of Women & Human Rights, H.E. Khadija Mohamed Dirie, organized a three day workshop for the staff of the ministry in order to enhance their capacity for dealing with violence against women, in particular victims of rape.

UNFPA and UNICEF facilitated and participated in the training. The Federal Government is committed to upholding the rule of law and to protecting vulnerable communities such as women, children and the elderly. Every citizen has the right to live with dignity and pride without fear of human rights violations.”

The Minister of Information spoke on Ramadan Appeal: “We are now in the middle of the holy month of Ramadan and I would like to make this appeal to the public: that it is imperative that we look after each other and support our neighbours and those who cannot afford to buy food during Ramadan.

We also need to bear in mind that Eid is approaching fast so we should offer all support possible to our children so that they can celebrate with dignity and pride. I would like to thank the elements of government and non-governmental institutions that have been providing food aid to poor people during Ramadan and we need to continue this. As the saying goes, charity begins at home.”

SOMALI MEDIA

SNA, AU Joint forces seize villages in Bay region

13 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC/Bar-kulan/Dalsan – 146 words

Banadir region officials call for heightened security in Mogadishu

13 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan/RBC – 111 words

Banadir regional administration officials have called for heightened security in the capital, Mogadishu during the holy month of Ramadan. Banadir Governor who is also the Mayor of Mogadishu, Hassan Mohamed Hussein Mungab made the call yesterday during a security meeting with Banadir district commissioners at his office in Mogadishu. Mungab further said it is important to confront the threat of al Shabaab militant group. Meanwhile, the governor and the district commissioners discussed ways to get local people and the district authorities to work together in an attempt to clean up the streets of the capital. Banadir regional administration has recently contracted 12 private companies to take care of the city’s cleanness.

Government official wounded in explosion in Jowhar, Middle Shabelle

13 Jul – Source: Radio Dalsan/Universal TV – 98 words

Dahir Maxakentay who works at the Finance Department of Middle Shabelle Region was targeted in an explosion that left him injured as he was driving in one of the streets in Jowhar. According to reports from Jowhar, there was no one else who was wounded in the explosion. Mr. Maxakentay was sent to Mogadishu for treatment. Following explosions the security forces carried out swoops. Many people who were suspected to have been behind the explosion were rounded up and arrested by the police.

Turkish Aid Agencies halt operations in Somali capital

13 Jul – Source: Hiiraan Online/RBC – 105 words

Turkish Aid agencies in Somali capital have temporarily stopped their humanitarian programs and other projects in the city during the Holy month of Ramadan due to insecurity. The decision was taken by Turkish officials in the country saying that this is because of possible al Shabaab attacks targeting their staff members in the city, as Islamists increased attacks in the capital since the start of the Holy month. Turkish embassy in the country it was very concerned that Turkish workers in the city may be targeted for their duty and that was the main reason for temporarily stopping operations. Sources said that the Turkish workers in the country were informed to restart their humanitarian operations and other construction projects after the end of the Ramadan.

Hundreds arrested in Mogadishu crackdowns

13 Jul – Source: Radio Shabelle – 70 words

More than 300 people have been arrested in Mogadishu since Saturday after search operations. Among these detainees was Abdullahi Kulmiye Addow, who claimed that all these people were arrested only in the Hamarweyne district and that the majority of them were business owners in the district market. Radio Shabelle was unable to establish contact with Hamarweyne district administration to get a statement on the mass arrests.

Al Shabaab execute two Somali young men in Barawe

13 Jul – Source: Radio RBC/Somlimemo Online/Radio Shabelle – 201 words

Somali islamist militants al Shabaab executed two Somali young men in Barawe, the main military base for the rebels in Lower Shabelle. The two young men, Said Hussein Ali 26 and Abdi Hassan Hussein aged 19 were executed in a public site in Barawe where hundreds of people gathered to witness the execution of the two men. The execution came after the Islamist rebels alleged the two men with spy relations for the Somali federal government security institutions. Abdi Hussein Ali was accused of spying for Somali government intelligence and Police units lately and has taken part of six operations launched against the militants according to al Shabaab judge who withdrew the execution verdict against Hussein.

Somaliland President Silanyo arrives in Addis Ababa

13 Jul – Source: Somaliland Informer/SLNTV/Horn Cable TV/Universal TV – 177 words

Somaliland President Ahmed Silanyo who has flown from Egal International airport heading to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital leading high level delegation has arrived at Bole International Airport and received a warm welcome. He was greeted at the airport by senior Ethiopian Government officials who were waiting the president and his entourage. Somaliland president is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation Hon. Mohamed Bihi Yonis, Minister of Education Ms. Zamzam Abdi Adam, president’s special secretary Mr. Ali Ahmed Ali and the country’s First Lady Ms. Amina Mohamed Jirde. The Ministry of foreign Affairs of Ethiopia provided high level reception to the delegation headed by Somaliland president Ahmed Silanyo.

Somali foreign minister with delegation flies to Spain

12 Jul – Source: SNTV/Radio Mogadishu/RBC – 120 words

Somali Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dualle Bayle accompanied by Somali government officials have departed from Adde Adde International Airport in Mogadishu. The minister together with a delegation has officially travelled to European Union member State Spain which backs Somali federal government according to the minister. Addressing the press before taken off from Mogadishu’s Adde Adde International Airport, Dualla said Spain includes the European states that continuously back the Somali federal government on many sectors including security and health. Dualle is expected to meet his Spanish counterpart on the superlative methods of helping Somali government on the security and health sectors following a string of terror attacks that the Somali Islamist rebels have carried out against the federal government of Somalia.

Somalia appoints first envoy to US in decades

12 Jul – Source: Somali Current – 121 words

The federal government of Somalia has appointed former Somali prime minister Omar Abdirashid as the new ambassador to United States. Mr. Abdirashid is expected to meet president Barack Obama on Monday to present his diplomatic credentials before meeting secretary of state John Kerry, as sources told Somali Current. Abdirashid who was the prime minister at the president Sheikh Sharif transitional government is the son of the former second President and first Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdirashid Ali Shermarke, who was assassinated in 1969.

AMISOM forces to be deployed in Defow, Hiiraan region

12 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 121 words

Hiran regional administration officials on Friday met with officers from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in Beledweyne, the provincial capital of Hiran region. The officials discussed yesterday’s confrontations between two clan militias in Defow area, 39 KM northwestern of Beledweyne and ways to prevent the recurrence of similar confrontations. Beledweyne town governor, Mohamed Osman Abdi said the officials agreed to the deployment of forces from AMISOM peacekeepers to the area in an attempt to prevent similar clashes between the two sides.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya: Military jets hunt down attackers in Lamu forests

13 Jul – Source: Daily Nation – 437 words

Kenya Air Force jets overflew two forests in Lamu where the gunmen behind the recent killings are believed to be hiding and witnesses reported hearing two loud bangs, raising the possibility that there could have been targeted attacks against the suspects. In interviews with the Nation, residents of Pandanguo and Jima areas, some 30 kilometres North of Witu trading centre, claimed the jets dropped explosives inside Gorji and Belasange forests. “The jets overflew the two forests and we immediately heard huge explosions,” said a village elder, Mr Said Toto Jarajara. A senior security official in Lamu County confirmed the raids but a KDF information operations officer, Colonel Willy Wesonga, could not either confirm or deny the reports.

Lamu attacks work of al Shabaab working with MRC-KDF Major Chirchir

12 Jul – Source: Star- Kenya – 254 words

Former Kenya Defence Forces spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir has claimed that the attacks in Lamu are by al Shabaab working with local militias. In a personal analysis on his Twitter handle Chirchir who is now Protocol/Liaison Officer at Defence headquarters said KDF will close in on the attackers soon. “The Boni forest is quite extensive however if it takes tho(the) comb(ing) every thicket to close this al Shabaab Local gang alliance. We determined!” he Tweeted. Chirchir went ahead to say that ‘Al Shabaab have confirmed its cowardice!’. “My analysis! Al Shabaab are no longer making sense in Somalia, they are out to die embarrassing 254(Kenya) for defeat! Cowardice!” said Chirchir.

AMISOM weathers deadly al Shabaab attacks

12 Jul – Source: East African – 562 words

The increased al Shabaab attacks on Somali government figures and the African Union peacekeepers have raised concerns about the mission’s control of the war-torn nation After successful advances by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) against the militants in Mogadishu and other areas such as Kismayo in the past two years, the presidential palace and parliament have been bombed several times and at least three Members of Parliament killed. The Somali government said the militants have been hitting back after realising that AMISOM and the Somali National Army are closing in on their rural strongholds, which form the base of their financing through illegal trade.

Deportation for Somali national

13 Jul – Source: Star- Kenya – 142 words

A Mombasa court has ordered the deportation of a Somali national arrested at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa with a forged passport. The man, identified as Abdullahi Osman, was arrested on July 8. He was charged with having a forged Kenyan single journey visa. Osman pleaded guilty to the charges before senior principal magistrate Justus Kituku. He pleaded with the court to help him get back to Somalia saying he was not aware the documents were forged.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Indian-American pleads guilty to funding al Qaeda groups

13 Jul – Source: IBN live.in – 321 words

A 31-year-old Indian-American, caught in a FBI sting operation, faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to providing thousands of dollars in material support to three terror groups operating under al Qaeda in war-torn Syria and Somalia. Gufran Ahmed Kauser Mohammed was arrested last year in a Miami-based terrorism investigation led by an FBI employee, who engaged him and a Kenyan national, Mohamed Hussein Said, 26, in an online, undercover financial scheme. Mohammed had pleaded not guilty in August when he was indicted, but changed his plea when he made an appearance before US District Judge Ursula Ungaro in Miami on Saturday.

Security Council strongly condemns most recent terrorist attacks in Mogadishu

13 Jul – Source: UN News Centre – 218 words

The members of the United Nations Security Council have condemned “in the strongest terms” the recent attacks by the insurgent group al Shabaab in Mogadishu against the presidential palace and seat of Government, as well as on the Somali Parliament and its members. The 8 July attack on the presidential palace, known as Villa Somalia, was the latest in a series of attacks by al Shabaab against the country’s political institutions. “The members of the Security Council reiterated their resolve to continue to stand by the people and Government of Somalia, in the face of deplorable terrorist attacks, as they seek to establish peace and prosperity across their country,” the 15-member body said in a statement issued to the press on Fridaynight.

Britons warned not to travel to Kenyan coast after latest spate of attacks leaves 22 dead

12 Jul – Source: Independent – 392 words

The Foreign Office has warned Britons not to travel to areas within 60km of the Kenyan-Somali border and areas along the Kenyan Coast, following a series of attacks that have left more than 85 dead. People are being advised against making all but “essential travel” to the areas, including Garissa District; the Eastleigh area of Nairobi; low income areas of Nairobi, including all township or slum areas; Mombasa island and within 5km of the coast from Mtwapa creek in the north down to Tiwi in the south; Lamu county and the county north of the Tana River. The warning from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) comes after a total of 22 people were killed in raids last Saturday in the village of Hindi in Lamu county, and Gamba in Tana River county, the Kenya Red Cross said. Al Shabaab, Somali militant Islamist group with links to al Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The group’s spokesman, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, said the group will carry out more attacks on Kenya until its troops withdraw from Somalia.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Replacing security minister or police chief will make no difference until real vision and commitment are created by the Somali Federal Government using every possible way within its reach through coordination and cooperation between government institutions.”

Somalia: Federal Governmentâ€‹’s Security Blunder

13 Jul – Source: Raxanreeb – 262 words

For sure, the Somali Federal Government is grappling with deteriorating security challenges in the face of spate of attacks whose responsibilities claimed by Al Shabaab. Apparent attempt to do something about the lack of security in the country, especially in the capital city of Mogadishu, prime minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed sacked the security minister and other security chiefs, notably the police chief. Replacing one person with another in a government position will not make any difference, unless real reforms and effective strategies are explored, pursued and adopted. Replacements and appointments after every blunder and mishap in the Somali Federal Government has become the accepted norm to try to solve problems, which usually culminates in scapegoating others, rather than the Somali Federal Government as a single entity taking responsibility for the constant things that go wrong on daily basis. The Somali Federal Government needs to look at itself in the mirror to know itself for what it is in reality, which is a weak government propped up daily by foreign forces.

“What all of these security responses have in common is a predilection of blaming ‘the other’, and particularly Somali people, for attacks in the country. Yet, the politicisation of recent attacks only unmasks more fundamental afflictions in Kenya that exist irrespective of al Shabaab or, for that matter, the conflict in neighbouring Somalia.”

Anyone but al Shabaab: Kenya’s political divisions laid bare by spiraling attacks

11 Jul – Source: African Arguments – 1645 words

Weeks after deadly attacks killed 60 at Mpeketoni in Kenya’s Lamu County, new raids on July 5th in Lamu and Tana River counties left over 20 dead, sowing fear anew in a country growing accustomed to sophisticated attacks of murderous brutality. As before, a heavily armed group came during the night, striking the local police station, torching homes and businesses while targeting men on a killing spree that was rumoured to last for hours. Less than a day after the latest raids on the settlements of Hindi in Lamu and Gamba in Tana River, Deputy Inspector General of Police Grace Kaindi claimed in a press briefing that the outlawed Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) was behind the attack. This was despite a broadcast on an al Shabaab-affiliated radio station which stated that the Somalia-based group was responsible for the raid on Hindi (no group has thus far claimed responsibility for the Gamba attack).