August 28, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Former warlord agrees to join Jubba Peace Process

28 Aug- Source: Garowe/Radio Bar-kulan-169 words

Former warlord Col. Barre Adan Shire (Barre Hiiraale) has agreed to join the ongoing jubba peace process after lengthy mediation efforts on Wednesday.

Ministers from the federal government, senior officials from IGAD and the Interim Jubba Administration on Wednesday travelled to Gobweyn to persuade Barre Hirale to attend the upcoming reconciliation conference.

A two-hour deliberation on the fate of the former warlord led to the Thursday’s return to Kismayo by clan militia.

Meanwhile, Jubba insisted it welcomes the move but put condition on the arrival of militiamen. Jubba administration accepted that Hiiraale and his special bodyguards be returned to Kismayo and demanded the reintegration and rehabilitation of other armed clan militia who could pose security threat to the peace process.

Somali government delegation escorted the commanders of Col. Bare Hiirale militia Col. Abdi Egal, Mohamed Ali and Abdirashid Moallim to strategic Kismayo seaport.

Key Headlines

Al Shabaab fighters start to abandon positions in Hiran region (Radio bar-kulan)
President Gaas returns to Garowe (PLTV)
Former warlord agrees to join Jubaland Peace Process (Radio Garowe)
Kenya calls for joint regional efforts to combat terrorism (Xinhua)
Somaliland Forces claims capture of 30 militias from Khaatumo over an assault (Somaliland Informer)
Khaatumo: the ongoing clashes in the outskirt of Saahdheer will not affect the inauguration of Ali Khalif(Radio Goobjoog)
Four al Shabaab suspects arrested in Kismayo (Radio Bar-kulan)
Over 20 livestock perish due to water shortages in Central Somalia (Radio Goobjoog)
Uganda seeks closer ties with Egypt to fight terror (Daily Monitor)
Puntland Govt to dispatch drinking water to drought-hit areas (Garowe)
Middle Shabelle officials to initiate talks between warring clans (Bar-kulan)
Heavily armed Ethiopian troops cross Somalia-Ethiopia border (Radio Goobjoog)
The Amir’s naming as humanitarian leader “pride for world” – Somali diplomat (KUNA)
Puntland President denies official meeting with Somali PM (Garowe)
Somali Journalists hail Finnish Support for Media Development (Radio Dalsan)
Ethiopia Urged to Intensify Support for Somalia’s Peace (ERTA)
UNHCR donates vehicles to help refugees returning to Somalia (Standard Media)
Former police officers to be called out of retirement to help Kenya tame insecurity (Sabahi Online)
American ISIS fighter had roots in Somali Minnesota neighborhood (CBS News)

SOMALI MEDIA

Al Shabaab fighters start to abandon positions in Hiran region

28 Aug- Source: Radio bar-kulan- 138 words

Reports from Somali central region of Hiraan indicate that al Shabaab militants have started to abandon their positions in various parts of the region. Eyewitness in the area who spoke to Bar-kulan said al Shabaab fighters were seen leaving their positions late last night and the early hours in the morning in Burweyne and Halgan villages.

Meanwhile, other reports from the region also indicate that al Shabaab fighters in Jalalaqsi district are believed to be taking measures to abandon their positions in the district. This comes at a time when Somali government forces and their African allies in the region jointly announced that they will launch a massive military assault against the militant group. The announced military offensive by the allied forces is dubbed “Operation Indian Ocean”.

President Gaas returns to Garowe

27 Aug – Source: PLTV/Radio Goobjoog/Garowe – 129 words

The President of Semi Autonomous Regional State of Puntland Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas and delegation returned to Garowe after official visit to Ethiopia. President Gaas and his delegation were warmly welcomed at Garowe airport by the vice president Abdiaziz Mohamed Amey and officials.

Holding press conference in puntland presidential palace, he gave details of his trip to Ethiopia adding that their meeting focused on the bilateral relations between Puntland and Ethiopia, promoting trade and social services.

On the other responding to issues circulated by the local media denied that he met with Somali prime minister Abdiweli Sheikh in Ethiopia during his stay in the capital. President Gaas stated that the claims are baseless and far from truth adding that there was no official meeting between him and the PM.

Former warlord agrees to join Jubba Peace Process

28 Aug- Source: Garowe/ Dhanaan Online/Kismaayo News/Radio Bar-kulan-169 words

Former warlord Col. Barre Adan Shire (Barre Hiiraale) has agreed to join the ongoing jubba peace process after lengthy mediation efforts on Wednesday.

A two-hour deliberation on the fate of the former warlord led to the Thursday’s return to Kismayo by clan militia.

Somali government delegation escorted the commanders of Col. Bare Hiirale militia Col. Abdi Egal, Mohamed Ali and Abdirashid Moallim to strategic Kismayo seaport.

Somaliland Forces claims capture of 30 militias from Khaatumo over an assault

28 Aug- Source: Somaliland Informer/ Radio Bar-kulan/RBC- 107 words

According to reports from Sah-der confirm that heavy fighting broke out between forces loyal to Khaatumo state and Somaliland Forces on Tuesday morning. Somaliland military official told the local media that their forces captured at least 30 men from the militia

The inauguration ceremony of the newly elected president of Khaatumo State, Ali Khalif Galeyr was scheduled to be held in Sah-der village later in the afternoon. Somaliland considers Khaatumo State administered areas in Sool region as part of its territory. The exact number of casualties of the latest attack in the area remains unknown.

Khaatumo: the ongoing clashes in the outskirt of Saahdheer will not affect the inauguration of Ali Khalif

28 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog/Widhwidh Online- 151 words

Khaatumo state official in Saahdheer locality stated that the ongoing clashes between Somaliland and Khaatumo forces will not affect the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected Khaatumo president Ali Khalif Galeyr.

Osman Jamaa, senior Khaatumo official speaking to Radio Goobjoog through telephone conversation said the preparations of the ceremony are in its final stages and the leader will be sworn in tonight.

He added that Somaliland forces have attacked Sah-der locality from three directions but Khaatumo forces resisted the attack and pushed them to a nearby area 5 kilometers NorthWest of Sah-der where the confrontation is still going on.

Mr. Osman also stated that their forces captured three military vehicles from Somaliland forces and one of their vehicles destroyed. Somaliland officials have declined to give comments about the ongoing clashes in Sool region.

Four al Shabaab suspects arrested in Kismayo

28 Aug- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 143 words

Interim Jubba Administration security forces have stated to have arrested four al Shabaab suspects in a security crackdown in Kismayo, the provincial capital of Lower Jubba region.

Interim Jubba Administration deputy security chief, Gaas Sheikh Abdullahi told the press that the four suspects are believed to be planning to carry out terrorist activities in Kismayo.

The security chief further stated that the four suspects are currently being held at a police station in Kismayo and further interrogations to determine their fate are ongoing.

The arrests of the four suspected al Shabaab members comes at a time when Somali government ministers and senior IGAD officials are in the town to pave way the upcoming reconciliation conference.

Meanwhile, the deputy security chief stated that the security agencies will soon carry out operations to target cars with tinted windows.

Over 20 livestock perish due to water shortages in Central Somalia

28 Aug- Source: Source: Radio Goobjoog- 173 words

The administrations in Central Somalia have given details of acute water shortages that has affected the lives of people and livestock in the region.

The administrations state that the water shortages in the region is increasing day after day adding that many people mostly pastoralists moved to other areas in search of water.

Over 20 livestock, cattle and goats died the last few days due to water shortages in the region.
Pastoralist whose animals have perished are faced with dire humanitarian crisis in region with no immediate support from the aid agencies.

The local leaders warn that if immediate action is not taken, terrible humanitarian crisis might occur and called the federal government of Somalia and international agencies to deliver emergency support to the affected people.

There has been no sufficient rainfall for two seasons therefore there is hardly any water or pasture left, food is limited and the price of the available food is unaffordable to many since its price doubled.

Puntland Govt to dispatch drinking water to drought-hit areas

27 Aug – Source: Garowe Online- 107 words

Puntland Government in northern Somalia has announced it would provide emergency water assistance with families in 21 drought-stricken districts on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports.
Vice President Abdihakin Abdullahi Haji Omar told a press conference at Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC) in the state capital of Garowe shortly after a tripartite meeting that his government alongside International aid agencies will target 21 districts where nearly 350 households are in need of immediate assistance.

“We particularly request International Community to immediately address severe water shortage and looming famine,” said Amey, adding that aid agencies are required to play a pivotal role in putting an end to this humanitarian crisis.

Heavily armed Ethiopian troops cross Somalia-Ethiopia border

27 Aug – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 120 words

Heavily armed Ethiopian troops with battle wagons crossed Somalia-Ethiopia border the last 24 hours. A resident in Doolow district who spoke on a condition of anonymity due to security reasons told Goobjoog FM that the forces were heading to Bay and Bakol regions.

Our correspondent in Gedo region reports that this is the biggest number of Ethiopian troops to ever cross the border since they joined African union peacekeeping troops last year.

This comes a time when AMISOM announced to carry out offensive military against Al-Shabab dubbed Indian ocean operation meant to capture the remaining areas under the group.

Somali national army together with AMISOM took over the control of Tiyeglow district, a major stronghold of al Shabaab in the region.

Middle Shabelle officials to initiate talks between warring clans

27 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 134 words

The local administration of Middle Shabelle region has promised to initiate mediation talks between two clan militias who recently clashed in areas eastern of Jowhar town. Middle Shabelle Governor Ali Gulwade Hassan, who paid a short visit to Jowhar airport where hundreds of people displaced by clan conflicts are seeking shelter, said that his administration will take measures to end the clan conflicts in area eastern of Jowhar town.

The governor promised that the mediation talks spearheaded by his administration will get underway very soon to enable the displaced families return to their homes. Traditional elders from several villages where most of the recent clan conflicts occurred expressed their support to the new Middle Shabelle regional administration and asked the governor to provide much needed humanitarian assistance to the displaced families at the airport.

Puntland President denies official meeting with Somali PM

27 Aug- Source: Garowe Online- 187 Words

Amid strained relations, the President of Somalia’s Puntland Government Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas has denied that he met with Federal Government Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed during his official visit to the neighboring country of Ethiopia.

Speaking to media members at Puntland State House on Wednesday, President Gaas revealed he did not hold talks with Mohamed about the political dispute between the two parties. On bilateral discussion, he said his delegation discussed mutual cooperation, cross-border trade, security interests and issues pertaining to health with Ethiopian government officials.

“There is economic inter-dependence between [Puntland and Ethiopia], we use large Ethiopian market and Ethiopia exports heads of livestock at our seaports,” Puntland leader went on.

When questioned on any secret meeting with Federal Government of Somalia’s Prime Minister, President Gaas acknowledged that they sighted each other in Addis Ababa Hotel: “We were in the same hotel. Our parliamentarians and clan elders issued a communal stance over Puntland-Federal Govt ties and gave green light to the opening of talks but in the presence of international community representatives”.

Somali Journalists hail Finnish Support for Media Development

27 Aug- Source: Radio Dalsan- 237 words

Somali Journalists have embraced the ongoing media development project run by Finnish Foundation for Media and Development and the National Union of Somali Journalists as potential in making significant change for future quality reporting. The project is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

Some Eighty journalists who have participated a series of capacity building workshops in held Mogadishu, which the journalists from the whole media industry in Mogadishu demonstrated the efficiency of such training, after the journalists presented clips of journalistic work for radio and television reporters after receiving the trainings.

“I have learnt a lot from the training from ethical perspectives to the media freedoms.” said Ms. Sahro Hussein from radio Mustaqbal. She also thanked to the Finnish VIKES and NUSOJ for providing these important workshops.

Mohamed Ahmed who works for Radio Voice of Democracy (VoD), another radio station, pointed out that “Such basic quality trainings improves our reporting efficiency .” “We need such trainings to be continued.”.

The VIKES program Coordinator, Wali Hashi told the local media, “they will continue to provide training to the Somali journalists and plan to reach out journalists in the regions outside Mogadishu.” Mr. Hashi also reiterated their willingness to train Somali police, Judiciary, ministers and civil servants in the areas of freedom of expression.

Somali journalists have been bravely working in more than two decades of lawless and the Finnish support has especial significance in the meantime.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Uganda seeks closer ties with Egypt to fight terror

28 Aug – Source: Daily Monitor – 127 words

The Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig Charles Bakahumura, has called for closer ties between Uganda and Egypt to combat terrorism. Speaking on Wednesday at the official opening of Egypt’s defence office in Kampala, Brig Bakahumura said Uganda looks forward to cooperation with Egypt in areas of defence.

“We also hope to enhance cooperation and coordination in the exchange of information, especially in the area of combating terrorism in the East African region,” he said.

His request comes a week after Mr Ahmed Abdel Aziz, the Egyptian ambassador to Uganda, said his country was ready to work with Uganda to fight against terrorism.

Mr Aziz said then that many powers, including the United States – “come to Egypt to learn from our experience, to be trained in Egypt”.

The Amir’s naming as humanitarian leader “pride for world” – Somali diplomat

28 Aug- Source: Kuwait News Agency- 530 words

The UN’s decision to name His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah a humanitarian leader “is a great honor for the world to have,” said a Somali diplomat here Thursday.

“It is an honor for the Arab and Islamic worlds that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah be chosen a ‘humanitarian leader’ by the UN for his great efforts in the philanthrophic domain,” Somalia’s Ambassador to Kuwait and Dean of Arab Diplomatic Corps. Abdulkadir Amin Sheikh said, in an exclusive interview with KUNA.

The UN announced recently it would be honoring His Highness the Amir, on behalf of Kuwait, at its headquarters in New York in September in appreciation for Kuwait’s significant humanitarian role.
Ambassador Sheikh pointed out that His Highness the Amir has been known for many years for his assistance to needy people around the world, chiefly towards his own country, Somalia.

He recalled His Highness the Amir’s initiative in 2012 to help the people of Somalia, who were suffering from famine at the time, saying that the Kuwaiti convoys were the first ones to have reached the country as the security situation there was very hectic and dangerous.

Ethiopia Urged to Intensify Support for Somalia’s Peace

27 Aug- Source: ERTA-113 Words

Britain has called on Ethiopia to step up support towards the peace and stability of neighbouring Somalia. Ambassador Berhane Gebre-christos, Ethiopian State Minister for Foreign Affairs, held talks on Wednesdaywith Hugh Powell, Britain’s Deputy National Security Adviser, on the current state of affairs in East Africa, particularly in Somalia.

Mr. Powell reminded Ambassador Berhane of Britain’s intent to host an international conference on Somalia in September. He called on Ethiopia to prove its commitment to the cause of Somalia’s peace, security and development at the conference. Ambassador Berhane for his part assured Mr. Powell of Ethiopia’s commitment to work together with AMISOM in ousting al Shabaab and bringing peace and stability in Somalia.

UNHCR donates vehicles to help refugees returning to Somalia

27 Aug- Source: Standard Media- 527 words

UNHCR has donated two new project vehicles to Mandera County government. The donation which also included sleeping mats and blankets took place at Mandera County offices on Monday where the County Governor, Ali Roba received them. Among leaders also present were Mandera County Commissioner, Ole Nkoyo Alex and UNHCR Head of Operations in Dadaab, Ahmed Warsame.

This was an extension of UNHCR’s support to communities living around Dadaab refugee camps. The two land cruiser vehicles will support health and environment projects in Mandera County. UNHCR has for many years sustained its support to refugee host communities mainly in Garissa and Wajir Counties within which the five Dadaab camps lie.

Dadaab has close to 340,000 Somali refugees, some of whom have lived in the camps for almost 24 years now. In the recently signed Tripartite Agreement between UNHCR and the governments of Kenya and Somalia, Somali refugees wishing to voluntarily return home shall be supported by the three parties.

Former police officers to be called out of retirement to help Kenya tame insecurity

27 Aug- Source: Sabahi Online- 832 words

Concerned by the spate of insecurity, Kenya is recalling thousands of retired police officers to help boost police capacity to fight crime. “There has been a need for more personnel to help guard the country and we think that the additional 10,000 officers, though retired, will help boost our numbers and be able to beef up security countrywide,” Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government Joseph Ole Lenku told Sabahi.

He said the decision to recruit retired police officers to participate in the anti-crime effort was reached after he met with officials from the newly created National Association of Retired Police Officers of Kenya (NARPOK) on August 12th.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Kenya calls for joint regional efforts to combat terrorism

28 Aug – Source: Xinhua – 194 words

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday called on regional police chiefs to consolidate their efforts in combating terrorism and other organized crimes. Speaking during the official opening of the 16th East Africa Police Chiefs Co-operation Organization (EAPCCO) annual general meeting in Mombasa, Kenyatta said war against crime will only be won if police forces in the East African region worked in solidarity and mustered self-belief.

“International terrorism threatens our societies: in choosing violence over dialogue, terrorists reject the basic premise of any democratic nation; in choosing spectacular, murderous violence, terrorists reject the respect for life shared by African societies across the continent,” Kenyatta told regional police chiefs.

“The threat is not confined to any one country or region. Terrorists will certainly harm any of us who do not share their dark view of the world. We have a common interest, then, in working together to defeat them.”

The police commanders and heads of criminal investigations from 17 countries are expected to share vital information on poachers that has been on the rise in the region. They are also discussing strategies to enhance critical linkages and minimize intra and inter border crimes will be discussed.

American ISIS fighter had roots in Somali Minnesota neighborhood

28 Aug- Source: CBS News- 02:14 mins

The Cedar Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis is at the center of the nation’s largest concentration of Somalis, and a fertile ground for Islamic terrorist groups recruiting new fighters. Douglas McAuthur McCain grew up just a few minutes away from the neighborhood. Jamie Yuccas reports.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Where al Shabaab can utilize the Ivory trade along with the LRA (wouldn’t that be a lovely marriage of convenience), who is to say Boko-haram couldn’t find in-roads into the multi-billion dollar oil-theft market, cocaine trade, or the full-on theft of motor vessels for movement of arms, persons, or stolen goods, let alone the Nigerian piracy enterprise which now even exceeds that of Somalia.”

Re-Post: Al Shabaab Is Only the Beginning

27 Aug- Source: Centre for International Maritime Security-757 Words

After the massacre at Westgate, many American media outlets acted as if they were only hearing al Shabaab’s name for the first time. This is only the tip of the US Medias Fifth-Estate-Failure iceberg. While incidents may be reported in part and parcel, the staggering scale of militant Islam goes disturbingly unreported. While many of these movements remain separate to a point, the geographic and communicative proximity provided by globalization serves as a catalyst for a horrifying potential collective even more monstrous than anything we could imagine in Afghanistan.

ADM Stravridis pegged this problem squarely on the head when he brought up convergence, that globalization is merely a tool. What can be used to organize communities and build stable growing economies can also help coordinate civilization’s detractors. To spread our gaze further than the recent events in Libya and Somalia, Boko Haram fights a war against the Nigerian government; this is spreading into Niger, Camaroon, and Chad through a porous border. Its militants have also been found in in Mali, where they fought and trained with both Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MOJWA) and al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb(AQIM) (MOJWA’s former parent organization). There, they fight an open war with the government. MOJWA meanwhile is also fighting in Niger.

“The fair, which takes place during a week in August (this year’s ended August 13), has become one of the most anticipated literary events in East Africa. Part book expo, part cultural festival (poets, musicians and dancers are as popular as the author panels), the fair attracts a variety of local literary legends like Hadraawi, widely considered the most famous living Somali poet.”

Building a literary tradition in a land with no alphabet

27 Aug- Source: CNN Inside Africa-718 Words

In 1856, British explorer Richard Burton described Somalia as a nation of poets. It may seem an unlikely moniker for a country that has since become defined by piracy, state collapse, and the many horrors unleashed by Al-Shabaab — the Islamic extremists who control much of the country.

But, much has changed since then. Despite appearances, the country used to be one of East Africa’s most dynamic artistic enclaves, and much of the region’s cultural activity took place in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, the internationally unrecognized state that broke away from Somalia in 1991.

“Hargeisa used to be the cultural hub for the Somali republic. There was a beautiful Chinese-built theater; also the main public library, at one time the biggest in Somalia,” recalls Jama Muse Jama, who six years ago founded the Hargeisa Book Fair.

Top tweets

@SomPundit Barre hirale back in kismayo for peace initiative with president madobe… May Allah bring peace to all of#Somalia pic.twitter.com/dmjLlQ65Qc

@BeilehMofa Turkey is an important ally and President Erdogan is a friend of Somalia and its people @MFATurkey @SomaliPM pic.twitter.com/EZEeFVYBus

@LisaDaftari BREAKING NEWS 2nd American killed fighting w/ ISIS reportedly Abdirahmaan Muhumed, Somali-American from MN. More soon pic.twitter.com/enxjPZd54F

@amisomsomalia In towns liberated in the previous SNA &#AMISOM offensive, civilians carry on with their daily activities in peace pic.twitter.com/8LquXI3faK

@UNSomalia Making #Somalia safer #UNMAS #UNSOM. Weapons & Ammunition Management Technical Working Group meeting in #Mogadishu. http://on.fb.me/YXcJY7

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Image of the day

Image of the day #AMISOM troops in Baidoa conducting patrols to enhance the general security in the town. Photo: @amisomsomalia