September 5, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
75 pct achieved in Somalia’s peacekeeping activities: AMISOM chief
05 Sept- Source: Xinhua/China.org-175 Words
The African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has achieved at least 75 percent of peacekeeping activities in Somalia from February 2013 to date, AMISOM Commander Lieutenant General Silas Ntigurirwa said here in a press conference on Thursday.
“With regards to military operations we (AMISOM troops) have made and localities captured from the hands of al Shabaab insurgents, we can say that at least 75 percent of peacekeeping activities in Somalia have been achieved from February 2013 to date,” said AMISOM Commander Lieutenant General Silas Ntigurirwa.
According to General Ntigurir wa, ten Somali localities were liberated from al Shabaab hands in what he termed “Eagle Operation” from February 2013 to March this year.
Key Headlines
- Government troops plan to attack Barawe as people start to flee from the town (Radio Mogadishu/RBC)
- SNA AMISOM seize new areas in Galgadud region (Radio Goobjoog/Dalsan)
- Somalia AMISOM forces rescue a girl held hostage by al Shabaab (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Herders desperate to sell off thin animals to survive drought (Radio Ergo)
- SNA Captures Eel Garas and Eel La Helay (Radio Dalsan)
- Fierce battle in Bulo-marer between Allied forces al Shabaab (Radio Goobjoog)
- Religious scholars vow to lure Somali youth away from al Shabaab (Radio Bar-kulan/SNTV)
- Concerns rise over freedom of press in Somalia after crackdown on journalists (Sabahi Online)
- 75 pct achieved in Somalia’s peacekeeping activities: AMISOM chief (Xinhua/China.org)
- ‘DNA tests on body thought to be of Somalia terror chief’ Godane says African Union (Mail & Guardian Africa)
PRESS STATEMENT
Somali PM made historic visit to Bay and Bakool regions of Somalia
05 Sept – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 300 words
His Excellency Dr. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed, Prime Minister of Somalia, H.E Mohamed Sheikh Hassan, Minister of Defence, H.E Duale Aden, Minister of Culture and Higher Education and other government officials made an historic visit to Baidoa of Tiyeglow towns of Bay and Bakool regions where they received a huge welcome by members of his cabinet and local communities in those regions.
During the visit H.E Prime Minister of Somalia met with SNA and AMISOM commanders and soldiers in Tiyeglow of Bakool region, assessing the situation, discussing OPERATION INDIAN OCEAN and praising them for their professionalism and dedication as they fought to liberate the strategic town of Tiyeglow.
Prime Minister further held talks with local government officials and community elders in Tiyeglow, encouraging them to continue their support to the security and stability efforts and inviting them to stand with the government’s commitment to a peaceful and unified Somalia.
His Excellency Prime Minister said: ” I am here to offer my personal support and recognize the sacrifice and hardship you have endured. My government’s aim is to re-establish normalcy and provide the necessary logistical support in order to restore public services such as health and clean water as soon as possible.”
“We are responsible but terrorists have no moral duties in Somalia apart from killing innocent people. The Somali people should applaud and recognize the efforts of our brave men and women from SNA and AMISOM troops for their tireless work and their success.”
Finally before returning to Mogadishu, Prime Minister H.E Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed met with the Speaker of parliament, H.E Mohamed Osman Jawari who is in Baidoa in an effort to end the political misunderstanding between politicians in Baidoa as the government is ready to fully support reconciliation efforts in South West regions administration.
SOMALI MEDIA
Government troops plan to attack Barawe, as people start to flee from the town
05 Sept – Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC – 126 words
Somali government forces are now planning an heavy onslaught on the terrorist occupied port town of Barawe amid the operation termed “Indian Ocean” producing great outcomes as key towns in south and central regions in Somalia falls for Somali government.
The federal government of Somalia backed with African Union is reported to be writing down its strategy aimed to capture Barawe, the biggest stronghold of al Shabaab militants where the militants leaders and foreign al Qaeda operatives are believe to be residing.
Somali government troops along with African Union troops has recently been capturing key towns as militants’ forces are on the run. Residents in Barawe are reported to have started fleeing from the port town after receiving the joint forces’ offensive trip-off against the terrorist group in Barawe.
SNA, AMISOM seize new areas in Galgadud region
05 Sept – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Dalsan – 70 words
Somali National Army together with African Union peacekeeping troops on Thursday seized new areas in Galgadud region. The captured areas in the region are Eel Garas and Eel Lahelay localities under Eel-buur district.
The district commissioner of Eel-buur speaking to Goobjoog said that al Shabaab withdrew from the localities before joint forces reached the area. He added that the forces are conducting operations to maintain the security of the seized areas.
Somalia, AMISOM forces rescue a girl held hostage by al Shabaab
05 Sept- Source: Radio Bar-kulan-161 Words
At least two al Shabaab fighters have been killed and three others injured after Somali forces backed by AMISOM troops clashed with al Shabaab fighters in an area between El-garas and Odweyne villages in Somalia’s central region of Galgadud.
Nur Hassan Gutale, a senior government official in El-bur district told Bar-kulan that Somali security forces and AMISOM troops launched an offensive against the militant group after the clashes and rescued one of two girls abducted by al Shabaab militant group six months ago.
Gutale vowed that the military offensive against the militant group will continue until the allied forces take full control of the rest of the region adding that the road between El-bur and Dhusamareb districts in now open for the public following the removal of al Shabaab roadblocks.
Somali and AMISOM forces last week launched a military offensive against al Shabaab strongholds in several fronts and have so far seized a number of strategic small towns in the country.
Herders desperate to sell off thin animals to survive drought
05 Sept- Source: Radio Ergo- 182 words
Livestock prices across markets in Mudug region have dramatically declined largely due to the drought intensifying in rural areas. Herders and traders say there is no pasture nor water for the animals, which are all extremely thin.
“We used to sell a goat for two million Somali shillings before, but the price has been going down since the drought began,” Abdi Isse Sahal, a livestock trader told Radio Ergo’s local reporter in the largest livestock market in Galkayo. “We now hardly sell a goat for one million shillings.”
As many pastoralist families are desperate for money to survive during this time of drought, they have being trying to sell off some of their animals. The number of livestock brought to the market for sale has more than doubled. However, only about a third of the animals on sale in the market find a buyer, Sahal said.
He estimated that at least 300 head of livestock were sold every day in the town’s livestock market prior to the drought, but at the moment fewer than 100 are being bought on a good day.
SNA Captures Eel Garas and Eel La Helay
05 Sept- Source: Radio Dalsan- 93 words
The Somali National Army backed by AMISOM captured Eel Garas and Eel La Helay in Eastern Galgaduud Region. Col. Mohamed Adan Kaariye aka Dhagadheere who is the commander of SNA forces in Eelbuur told Dalsan Radio that the SNA forces took over those areas near Eelbuur without any bloodshed. He said al Shabaab abandoned the areas before the arrival of SNA.
He however blamed al Shabaab for striking other villages near Eelbuur with rockets. The government troops and AMISOM captured Galhareeri and other places which were previously under the control of al Shabaab.
Fierce battle in Bulo-marer between Allied forces, al Shabaab
05 Sept- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 116 Words
Fierce battle on Thursday erupted between Somali National Army (SNA) backed by the African peace-keeping forces (AMISOM) in Bulo-marer Lower Shabelle region. The fighting took place in military bases at the outskirts of the town, leaving unspecified casualties from both sides.
Our reporter from lower Shabelle says the situation is now calm, as the forces have full control of the area. On 30th August, Somali Government Forces aided by African Union peacekeepers have taken control of strategic town of Bulo-marer, southern Somalia after heavy battle with al Shabaab.
A week ago, Somali and African Union forces have launched a long-awaited offensive against al Shabaab fighters aimed at capturing remaining port towns in the hands of al Shabaab.
Religious scholars vow to lure Somali youth away from al Shabaab
05 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan/SNTV – 132 words
A statement released by Somali Council of Religious Scholars stated that they were taking steps to lure Somali youth away from al Shabaab militant group. Sheikh Nur Barud Gurhan, a member of the council stated that they decided to act following the recent government calls to the scholars to play their part in the fight against al Shabaab ideology.
Sheikh Gurhan added the religious council welcomes the recent military offensive launched by Somali government forces and AMISOM troops on al Shabaab strongholds. Somali Council of Religious Scholars issued a fatwa last year condemning al Shabaab’s use of violence and stating the group to have gone astray from the right path of the Islam. They also said the ideology the group poses serious threat to the Islamic religion and the people of Somalia.
Hundreds of people in the newly liberated areas are in desperate humanitarian conditions
04 Sept – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 143 words
The administration of Lower Shabelle stated that the people living in the seized areas of the region are in poor humanitarian conditions desperate for immediate assistance. Lower Shabelle social services deputy chairman said the most affected areas are Bulo-marer and other nearby localities.
The vice chairman also stated that the residents have no access to essentials services since
Hundreds of families who fled their houses after the offensive military against al Shabaab started in the region reached other areas including the capital city, Mogadishu. No immediate help delivered to the displaced people.
The administration of Lower Shabelle called the aid agencies to deliver emergency support to the affected people in the region. Federal government forces and African union troops have captured three areas in the region including Bulo-Marer district and still advancing to Barawe district, the major stronghold of al Shabaab in Southern Somalia.
Somalia: Three journalists appear before Mogadishu court
04 Sept – Source: Garowe Online – 84 words
Three journalists working for Shabelle and Sky FM stations have appeared before Banadir court on charges of defamation and state-threatening moves on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.
Abdimalik Yusuf Mohamud, Shabelle and Sky FM founder, Mohamud Mohamed Dahir (Arab) and Ahmed Abdi Hassan were arraigned in Mogadishu’s Banadir court with prosecutors saying the defendants are in breach of national unity, presidential dignity, violence stir and journalistic integrity principles. Two lawyers lobbied for the three but court judges adjourned next trial for unspecified number of days.
Somaliland: Pilgrims to Use New National E-Passport
04 Sept – Source: Somaliland Sun – 138 words
The Impact of the One Million Dollar expenditure on an E-passport by the Somaliland government shall be accrued starting with the next pilgrimage. This was stated by the Somaliland interior minister Ali Mohamed Waran’ade while revealing that the long awaited e-passport is finally available for issue to interested citizens among them pilgrims to the holy sites in Mecca.
“While the Saudi Government has in the past forced pilgrims to use non Somaliland passports during Hajj, the newly acquired Somaliland e-passport is now a valid travel document in Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage and other purposes” said Waran’ade in Hargeisa.
For a number of years Somaliland citizens have undertaken the annual pilgrimage under duress having been forced to utilize passports from either the neighbouring Somali republic or other countries worldwide thence the huge sigh of relief on this new development.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Concerns rise over freedom of press in Somalia after crackdown on journalists
04 Sept- Source: Sabahi Online-1216 Words
Following the arrest of several Somali journalists in recent weeks, media organisations are crying foul and urging government branches to protect the freedom of the press and ensure due process is followed in criminal cases against journalists.
In the latest round of arrests on Wednesday (September 3rd), security services arrested Dalsan Radio staff manager Abukar Moheydin, who was released a few hours later without charge, and Hassan Ali Gesey, the radio’s director and chairman of the Somali Independent Media Houses Association (SIMHA), for criticising a directive issued by National Security Agency Benadir commander Mohamed Adan Kofi to curb media coverage on security and al-Shabaab related operations.
In a meeting with directors of local media held at Hotel City Plaza in Mogadishu on Tuesday, Kofi said effective immediately media houses could only publish or air official statements from the Ministry of National Security when covering security related news. Gesey, who remains in custody, was arrested after he denounced Kofi’s directive during a number of interviews he gave in his capacity as SIMHA chairman.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
75 pct achieved in Somalia’s peacekeeping activities: AMISOM chief
05 Sept- Source: Xinhua/China.org-175 Words
The African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has achieved at least 75 percent of peacekeeping activities in Somalia from February 2013 to date, AMISOM Commander Lieutenant General Silas Ntigurirwa said here in a press conference on Thursday.
“With regards to military operations we (AMISOM troops) have made and localities captured from the hands of al Shabaab insurgents, we can say that at least 75 percent of peacekeeping activities in Somalia have been achieved from February 2013 to date,” said AMISOM Commander Lieutenant General Silas Ntigurirwa.
According to General Ntigurir wa, ten Somali localities were liberated from al Shabaab hands in what he termed “Eagle Operation” from February 2013 to March this year.
‘DNA tests on body thought to be of Somalia terror chief’ Godane, says African Union
05 Sept- Source: Mail & Guardian Africa-524 Words
AN African Union source in Mogadishu told Mail & Guardian Africa late Thursday that tests are being carried out on a body thought thought be that of feared al Shabaab leader Islamist Abdi Godane. He declined to give details about how either the Americans, African Union, or Somali government forces secured the suspected body of Godane, and where the tests are being done.
The fate of Godane remains unclear; three days after a US missile strike targeted his convoy. However an AU security officer speaking on condition he is not identified because he is not authorised to comment on the matter, said, “there is a body, I can confirm that. We all think it could be Godane’s, but I can tell you it’s him 100% after DNA tests confirm”, he told Mail & Guardian Africa. “Strange things happen in war, and in Somalia.”
The commander of African Union troops in Somalia said earlier Thursday the continent would celebrate if the death of the chief of extremist al Shabaab rebels in a US missile strike was true. General Silas Ntigurirwa, commander of the 22,000-strong AU force (AMISOM), said the killing of Godane—if confirmed—would be a “proud and happy moment for all Africa”.
Al Shabaab’s Finances: The Militant Group Gets Funding From Local Businesses, Sources Abroad
04 Sept- Source: International Business Times-1157 Words
A complex finance network that includes everything from fake charities to kidnapping has supported the East African militant group al Shabaab’s activities over the past few years. It’s difficult to know specifics because the group doesn’t exactly file quarterly reports, but experts say these sources of capital have been essential to al Shabaab’s growth, and will be much harder to wipe out.
Islamist militant group al Shabaab is battling the U.N.-backed government in Somalia and is suspected of links to a string of attacks in neighboring Kenya. U.S. airstrikes this week in Somalia targeted the group’s leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, in an effort to deal a “significant blow” to the militant group responsible for large amounts of violence in the region, and best known for its attack on Kenya’s Westgate shopping center that killed 68 people last year.
While his death leaves a leadership void to be filled, the group depends on much more than the men leading it. While the group has been around for nearly a decade, things began to change in 2012. They were forced out of many major cities and a vital port, which meant al Shabaab had to start looking elsewhere for financial support. Members once had control of the vital port city of Kismayo, where they profited from millions of dollars worth of charcoal exports. But in 2012, Kenyan forces ejected them, dealing a major blow to their finances.
Somali Government Regulates Reporting on al Shabaab
04 Sept- Source: VOA-341 Words
The Somali government is on the offensive to take more ground from the militant group al Shabaab. And in the capital Mogadishu, the government is putting pressure on local media as to how they can report the offensive – and warning against broadcasting anything from the terror group.
At the beginning of this week, Somali forces, backed by African Union troops, launched another push against al Shabaab dubbed “Operation Indian Ocean.” Then on Tuesday, Somali security officials in Mogadishu convened all Somali media directors and owners and issued directives on how they will be required to do their journalistic work.
The officials specifically warned against interviewing and broadcasting any news related to the insurgent group. They also demanded broadcasters contact only the internal security spokesman on matters related to the security operations in the country.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“What prompted these sweep operations against the terrorist group is international and regional pressure to eliminate terrorism, neighboring countries cannot stay alive or survive if Somalia is burning, accepts neighbors today, while extremists are stretching their radical missions out of Mogadishu. Indian Ocean can be taken as an important step forward in the right path, if the government comes up with a clear strategy afterward the mission.”
Is “Indian Ocean” operation a waste of Time?
05 Sept- Source: Horseed Media-520 Words
International and regional political analysts believe the current Somali government’s fate depends how it tackles the ongoing combat against al Shabaab insurgents, which they assume as the only epidemic problem remaining in the country following decades of lawlessness and civil war amid grinding poverty have long made Somalia a target for extremist groups.
Somali government forces backed by AMISOM troops had recently been launching military offensives against the militants in a bid to eradicate the lefts overs of al Shabaab elements as they seized new towns from the group following direct gunfire confrontations that triggered a number of casualties in the warning sides.
Indian Ocean operation is the first call mission that the federal government spearheads since AMIOSM operation in the south started and is intended to re-capture main strongholds from al Shabaab. Wonderful! The Islamists give a deaf ear to a golden offer from the government, which appealing for amnesty particularly misled youths within the militants as the Somali government cabinet indicate.
“Watching Somalis accumulate does not trigger such encouraging thoughts. They seem, after all, to come from another world. They do not want to make friends. They do not want to make SA their home. They want to make money. That is what they do — all the time. They leave their shops only to restock. Otherwise, they work.”
Somalis caught between devil and spaza shop
05 Sept- Source: BDLive-816 Words
WHEN the story of our times comes to be written, a place will surely be reserved for the Somali traders in our midst, for their experiences allow us to hold up a mirror to ourselves. To be Somali in SA is to face a stark choice. There are urban enclaves where Somalis outnumber South Africans and one can be both foreign and safe — Mayfair in Johannesburg, Bellville Town Centre in Cape Town, Marabastad in Pretoria. But earning a living in these places is tough. Business is oversubscribed, wages are low, conditions of work are awful.
To make good money, one must set up shop in the townships or the shack settlements and live among South Africans. Business here is easy. Most of SA’s informal retailers are survivalists; what they do is more a form of welfare than entrepreneurship. They are no competition for serious accumulators.
“The process of auditing and reviewing the achievements of individual government ministries is a step in the right direction which can only be built upon in the future. It is the clearest sign that Somalia is ready to turn the corner and address its past demons which crippled it with war, corruption and ultimately poverty and shame. Despite all these positive signs, things can easily go wrong if this process is not promoted and continued with the support of the most senior members of government, civil society and the public”
Warning: accountability ahead
04 Sept- Source: Hiiraan Online-1129 Words
For the best part of the month of August, Somali government departments have been frantically working on presenting their last six months achievements before the Prime Minister’s office and representatives from the Ministry of Planning. There were slideshows, oral presentation, paper reports and even a few poems accompanying verbal reasoning before a tough and independent body of analysts who asked many difficult questions of senior Ministry staff such as Permanent Secretaries, Policy advisers and Deputy Ministers. This is to be followed very shortly by Ministerial presentations backing up the early process before motion prone parliamentarians who distrusts them at the best of times.
The process of auditing all the Somali Ministries was initiated and led by the Prime Minister and not as many thought, NGO’s, the United Nations or donor nations. This was a home grown policy which was welcomed by all stakeholders including individual ministry staff who were given targets for improvement for the next six months which they must report back on before another tough, inquisitive panel in the near future.
“Al Shabaab’s silence could be either a sign of “extreme confidence” in the knowledge the top leadership is intact and nothing needs saying, Maruf wrote, or a signal that “something went wrong” and an “orderly transition” with the approval of al Qaeda is in progress. One thing everyone agrees on is that in the short term the violence is set to worsen.”
If the US just killed al Shabaab’s No. 1, things could get more violent, not less
04 Sept- Source: GlobalPost-614 Words
Tuesday, the world learned that a US missile strike in southern Somalia on Monday had targeted Ahmed Godane, the leader of al Shabaab, a terrorist with a $7 million bounty on his head. Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said the Sept. 1 attack followed “actionable intelligence” on Godane’s whereabouts but it remains unknown whether the attempt to kill Godane was successful.
In 2008 a US missile strike killed Godane’s predecessor, Aden Hashi Ayro. Far from destroying al Shabaab, his death allowed its takeover by Godane, who transformed it from a nationalist Islamic insurgency into a transnational al Qaeda affiliate capable of administering large parts of southern Somalia.
So what are the likely outcomes of this latest US military intervention in Somalia? Godane could be alive: He has survived assassination attempts in the past even as US missiles have winnowed his organization’s top leadership. Or he could be dead, with important ramifications for al Shabaab, Somalia, and the East African region.
“Without Godane as its leader, however, it is difficult to imagine al Shabaab remaining a cohesive entity. He made no obvious attempts to groom a successor. Long-standing rumors of ideological differences within the group are likely to manifest further as remaining senior members vie for control. Indeed internal competition for control may now prompt the disintegration of al Shabaab. What emerges in its wake, however, may offer little comfort to those welcoming the unconfirmed news of Godane’s death.”
Al Shabaab after Godane?
04 Sept- Source: Hiiraan Online-863 Words
For over six years, Ahmed Abdi Godane has led al Shabaab with a macabre mix of unbridled brutality and striking charisma. He fostered the spectacular growth of a militia recently splintered from the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) to an effective, if ruthless, administration controlling roughly half of Somalia and most of the capital, Mogadishu. Paradoxically, however, he also contributed to its rapid decline in recent years by eliminating his rivals and dismantling the structure of the group that precipitated its grip on Somalia. If reports of Godane’s death are confirmed, al Shabaab will never again be as it was under his leadership.
The U.S. airstrike on the night of 1 September was not the first attack targeting the reclusive leader. Still, reports of his death have been met with surprise in Somalia. With few verified sightings or photographs of him for many years, the camera-shy but media savvy Amir of al Shabaab has been something of an enigma in Somalia, his existence only apparent to most via sporadic sermons released on the internet. If confirmed, his death will also, strangely, serve to verify his existence.
Top tweets
@Somalia111 Met with new @TC_Mogadishu Ambassador to#Somalia, HE Olgan Bekar. #Turkey a strong partner in the country’s progress pic.twitter.com/xJXgUx4MKA
@SomaliPM Press Statement: #Somali PM made historic visit to Bay and Bakool regions https://madmimi.com/p/ab5045?
@amisomsomalia FGS delegation visits Baidoa & Tiyeglow town which was recently liberated from al Shabaab by SNA &#AMISOM http://bit.ly/1AdlNDC
@UNLazzarini For Somali women in business, education, specialized support & enabling environments key to success, says @UNDP study http://bit.ly/RAlEKU
@UNHCRSom NEW: Alarming reports to @UNHCRSom on#ForcedEvictions in #Mogadishu: 4296 more evicted IDPs late AUG & 4758 on 2 SEP http://goo.gl/HBdSjC
Image of the day
Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed (right) and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari embrace after meeting in Baidoa, regional capital of Bay in southwestern Somalia. Photo: @SomaliPM