July 24, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Renowned female artist and MP Saado Ali Warsame shot dead in Mogadishu

23 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC/Kulmiye/Somali Channel TV/SNTV – 175 words

Unidentified gunmen have today shot and killed renowned Somali artist Saado Ali Warsame near her hotel in Mogadishu around 12.00 pm local time, colleagues and family members said. Mrs Warsame was shot and killed by heavily armed gunmen using a vehicle who waited in front of the Ambassador Hotel at the busy Maka al Mukarama road where she had resided. The gunmen soon left the murder scene as they realized that they have shot the woman legislator. MP Abdullahi Jama who was inside the hotel at the time of the attack confirmed the death of Saado Ali Warsame and her driver who was also shot by the gunmen. “The armed men started shooting the car which Ms Saado Ali Warsame was inside upon her arrival at the back door of the hotel.

Key Headlines

Islamists gun down Somali protest singer-turned-lawmaker (Reuters/BBC)
Five killed in clan militia clashes in Galgadud region (Radio Bar-kulan)
U.S. Government condemns the Killing of Somali MP Saado Ali Warsame (RBC)
Women charged with helping al Qaeda-linked group (AP)
Al Shabaab claims responsibility for slain Somali lawmaker (BBC Somali Service)
Kenya Navy joins Mombasa security crackdown (Daily Nation)
President Gaas appeared before Puntland Parliament (Somali Channel TV)
Somalis recognise possibilities limitations of new ambassador to United States (Sabahi Online)

PRESS STATEMENT

AU Acting Special representative condemns the murder of an MP

23 Jul – Source: AMISOM – 182 words

The Acting Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Honorable Lydia Wanyoto Mutende has strongly condemned the assassination ofa well-known Member of Parliament and singer Saado Ali Warsame in Mogadishu.

The female Somali Lawmaker was killed Wednesday in Hodan District by unidentified gunmen who shot at her car killing her and the driver on the spot. “Members of Parliament represent the voice of the Somali people and any attack on parliamentarians is an attack on the people and it is unacceptable,” said Hon. Lydia.

The Acting Head of mission reaffirmed AMISOM’s commitment to enhancing the security of the country adding that AMISOM is ready to offer any assistance to help the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali National Security Forces put a stop to these heinous attacks.

She paid tribute to the courage of the members of parliament; four of whom have been killed this year. Warsame was a well-known Somali singer who was formerly based in the U.S. city of Minneapolis. In 2012 she returned to Somalia and became a member of the new parliament.

UN Special Representative for Somalia condemns assassination of female parliamentarian

23 Jul – Source: UNSOM – 180 words

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, condemned the assassination of Saado Ali Warsame, a female Member of the Somali Federal Parliament, and expressed his deep concern about the continued attacks targeting parliamentarians in the capital.

Ms Warsame and her driver were shot and killed as they travelled in a vehicle in Mogadishu today. In addition to being a parliamentarian, Ms Warsame was a well known singer whose loss will be felt across Somalia.

“I condemn the assassination of Saado Ali Warsame in the strongest terms possible. The role of Somali women in public life must be protected and respected by all,” SRSG Kay said.

“I call on the authorities to make every effort to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly. 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 Ms Warsame and her driver, as well as to the Federal Parliament of Somalia.

PM Sends His Heartfelt Condolences

23 Jul- Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 223 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed sends his deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of MP and veteran Somali artist Saado Ali Warsame and Parliament Secretary Abdullahi Hussein Yabarow who were gunned down in Mogadishu by heinous murderers today.

The Prime Minister said:

“On behalf of the Somali Federal Government, I am sending heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Hon. Saado Ali Warsame. In addition to representing the strength of Somali women in parliament, she was also an important part of Somali history and culture. Hon. Saado Ali Warsame not only worked tirelessly in the political arena of Somalia, she was also imbedded in Somali culture as a gifted artist; her work as a committed patriot will never be forgotten.

“Our heartfelt condolences also go to the family and friends of Parliament Secretary Abdullahi HusseinYabarow.In these senseless murders of two unarmed people, Somalia has lost two committed individuals who worked tirelessly to rebuild their country.

“This cowardly attack will not derail the progress made across Somalia and within Mogadishu. Investigations are already underway to bring the perpetuators to justice. The Federal Government is committed to continue working tirelessly to improve security and justice in our beloved country. We take the safety of all our citizens very seriously and will not rest until we have brought the killers of Saado Ali Warsame and Abdullahi Hussein Yabarow to justice.”

Somali President sends his condolences on the killing of Saado Ali Warsame

23 Jul – Source: Office of the President – 122 words

HE The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, sends his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of MP Saado Ali Warsame, a Somali Member of Parliament killed in Mogadishu.

“Our prayers are with her. I send my deepest condolences to the Honourable Saado Ali Warsame’s family, friends, Members of Parliaments and Somali people. We all pray that Allah grants her a place in Paradise,” the President said.

The President stated that extremists will not deter efforts to bring peace and stability in Somalia. The President appealed to the public to work with security institutions in order to bring those behind the killing of Saado Ali Warsame to justice.

SOMALI MEDIA

Renowned female artist and MP Saado Ali Warsame shot dead in Mogadishu

23 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC/Kulmiye/Somali Channel TV/SNTV – 175 words

Five killed in clan militia clashes in Galgadud region

23 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 116 words

At least five people have been killed and 15 others injured after two clan militias clashed in Abud-wak district in Somalia’s central region of Galgadud. The casualties are said to be from both the warring sides and the civilians. The fighting is believed to be caused by disputes over blood feud. Khalid Abdisamad who is the head of social services in the local administration of Abud-wak has confirmed the fighting saying the injured have been admitted to Abud-wak hospital. Abdisamad said the situation remains calm at the moment. He added the local administration is engaging with the two sides to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

U.S. Government condemns the Killing of Somali MP Saado Ali Warsame

23 Jul – Source: Radio RBC/Somali Current/Radio Dalsan – 171 words

The United States condemns in the strongest terms the killing of Somali MP Saado Ali Warsame today in Mogadishu, according to a press release from the U.S. State Department this afternoon. “We offer our deepest condolences to her family. As a singer, songwriter, poet and parliamentarian Warsame exemplified all the best qualities of Somali culture and tradition. This is a tremendous loss to the people of Somalia and to Somalis around the world.” the statement read. The al Qaeda-linked group al Shabaab took credit of the killing of MP Saado Ali Warsame claiming that she was a Member of Somalia’s Federal Parliament. “This attack is yet another example of al Shabaab’s disrespect for the principles of peace, justice and compassion that Somalis everywhere are commemorating during the holy month of Ramadan.” the statement added.

Al Shabaab claims responsibility for slain Somali lawmaker

23 Jul – Source: BBC Somali Service/Radio Goobjoog – 113 words

Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for shooting dead a lawmaker Saado Ali Warsame and her driver in the capital, Mogadishu. the latest in a surge of attacks against members of parliament during this holy month of Ramadan. “This was a targeted assassination. “We will continue to hunt other MPs if they do not leave the apostate organisation,” An al Shabab spokesman told the media. Saado Ali Warsame was a popular Somali artist renowned for her love and nationalistic songs. In 2012 she was selected as member of Somalia’s federal parliament. Gunmen in a car opened fire on her car along makka Al Mukarama road, she died instantly on the spot along with her driver. Al Shabaab have earlier vowed to intensify attacks against government targets during Ramadan.

President Gaas appeared before Puntland Parliament

23 Jul – Source: Somali Channel TV/Radio Goobjoog – 146 words

President of the semi-autonomous region of puntland Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas on Wednesday gave the Puntland Parliament a detailed summary that lasted for more than 30 minutes for his first appearance before the house since elected January this year. President Gaas was answering questions raised by the lawmakers on issues concerning the relations between puntland and the federal government, the situation in Sool, Sanaag and Eyn regions, and whether the president is aware of Ali Khalif Galeyr’s unofficial presence in Puntland territory . Answering the parliamentarians questions president Gaas said, Kalif Galeyr is a citizen and has the right to come to Puntland as he stated that he is not aware of the said visit.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya Navy joins Mombasa security crackdown

23 Jul – Source: Daily Nation – 305 words

Kenya Navy soldiers were on Wednesday sent to back up a police security operation in the Likoni area of Mombasa, following panic sparked by reports that armed men had been spotted surveying the area. Parents withdrew their children from schools, while business owners closed their premises. However, armed police backed by soldiers from the nearby Kenya Navy base patrolled the area, and found a grenade in the Soweto slum where hooded gunmen shot four people dead on Sunday night. The security team later detonated the device. Likoni OCPD Robert Murithi said police received information regarding the device around 11.20am.

Somalis recognise possibilities, limitations of new ambassador to United States

23 Jul – Source: Sabahi Online – 893 words

When the United States officially recognised the Somali government for the first time in more than two decades in January last year, it opened the door for the federal government to accelerate and re-establish its diplomatic relations with other foreign countries. On July 14th, diplomatic relations between the two countries advanced another step forward with the appointment of Somali Ambassador to the United States Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke. Somali officials and citizens in the diaspora and back at home welcomed the appointment, although questions remain over the logistics of the ambassador carrying out his duties without an embassy building or office to work from.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Women charged with helping al Qaeda-linked group

23 Jul – Source: AP – 140 words

Two women have been charged with funneling money to the al Qaeda-linked extremist group al Shabaab in Somalia. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alexandria announced the charges Wednesday. The two women, one from Virginia and the other from Washington state, are charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist network. The U.S. designated al Shabaab as a terrorist group in 2008. Prosecutors say 34-year-old Muna Osman Jama of Reston, Virginia, and 44-year-old Hinda Osman Dhirane of Kent, Washington, were arrested in their homes. Jama faced an initial appearance Wednesday at the federal courthouse in Alexandria. Three others overseas have also been charged. One is in custody in the Netherlands; the other two are fugitives in Kenya and Somalia.

Islamists gun down Somali protest singer-turned-lawmaker

23 Jul – Source: Reuters/BBC – 347 words

A veteran Somali protest singer who had become a member of parliament was shot dead in central Mogadishu on Wednesday by Islamist gunmen who blocked her car and sprayed it with bullets. Saado Ali Warsame was one of fewer than 30 women lawmakers in the 275-seat parliament, MPs said. Believed to be in her 70s, she was renowned for songs that landed her in jail when she challenged the former dictator Siad Barre before he was toppled in 1991 and Somalia plunged into conflict.

Shabaab claims Somali lawmaker’s assassination

23 Jul – Source: Anatolia News Agency – 126 words

Somalia’s al Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s assassination of female lawmaker Sada Ali in Mogadishu. Al Shabaab spokesman Abdulaziz Abu Musab told the BBC’s Somalia service that Ali, a singer by profession, had been targeted because of her political positions, not because of her vocation. Eyewitnesses said unidentified gunmen had opened fire on Ali’s vehicle in central Mogadishu, killing her immediately. The attackers, for their part, managed to flee the scene unscathed.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Boni Forest, God forbid, is walking dangerously in the general direction of being the 48th county of the Republic of Kenya. The Boko Haram parody, ‘radicalised’, al Shabaab-trained and al Qaeda-funded militants, are said to have established camps in the forest. Military intelligence show the gang is made up of Kenyans trained in Somalia, with a good knowledge of the wetland.”

Boni Forest Should Not Go To Terrorists

23 Jul – Source: Star Kenya – 754 words

Cheers are not coming in torrents for the Kenya Defence Forces after their reported successful incursions into the gangland of Boni Forest that straddles Lamu and Garissa counties, down to the Somalia border. This may have to do with the cynicism that followed the September misadventure of the military at the Westgate Mall. Praises are not coming probably because KDF publicists have not shouted their reported successes loud enough for civilians to appreciate the implications of the demolition of four bases of the tormentors of Lamu. Only one newspaper reported this on Thursday last week, without the usual follow-up or other exploits in the expansive Boni Forest. Soldiers brought down Westgate Mall in a four-day combat to rescue besieged shoppers. The terrorists had scared off security guards by the time the first contingent of police arrived. The terrorists apparently had an edge by the time the soldiers arrived. The situation was reportedly under control on day one of the attack, but it would take four more days for the soldiers to declare the clash over.