September 11, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali president chairs national security meeting in Mogadishu
11 Sept- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan/SNTV- 141 words
Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday chaired a security meeting in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, with the country’s national security commission over the security situation and the ongoing military offensive against al Shabaab militant group.
The president and the security commission raised several issues including the progress and the achievements of the ongoing military offensive dubbed Operation Indian Ocean against al Shabaab militant group and the overall security of the country.
The president called on the armed forces to continue their offensive against the militant group to ensure peace and stability in the country and praised the armed forces for their courageous and relentless efforts in the fight against Al Shabaab militant group.
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed and ministers for defense, national security, interior and justice were all in attendance.
Key Headlines
- Somali president chairs national security meeting in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu)
- AMISOM congratulates Ethiopia as it celebrates its New Year (AMISOM)
- Somaliland president Speaks out about the death of al Shabaab leader (Horn Newspaper Online)
- Somalia Federalism Row (CCTV)
- Galmudug official urge security forces to maintain security of Galkayo (Radio Goobjoog)
- US strategy against Islamic State to mirror counterterrorism efforts in Yemen Somalia (Long War Journal)
- Somali ambassador to Kenya forgives man who killed daughter two decades ago (Radio Dalsan)
- War-torn Somalia faces starvation (East African)
- Hundreds flee clashes in Bay (Radio Ergo)
- Somali Drought Puts Millions of Lives at Risk (CCTV)
- Highest number of Malaria victims hospitalized in Lower Shabelle region (Radio Goobjoog)
- Two men suspected of planting explosives arrested in Kismayo (Radio Bar-kulan)
- UN delegation visit Kismayo ahead of peacebuilding gathering (Radio Garowe)
- Balanbale administration appeals for humanitarian agencies to support drought hit people in the region(Radio Goobjoog)
- UNHCR Gets Plan to Repatriate Somali Refugees from Yemen (Radio Dalsan)
- Turkish government condemns recent attacks near Somali capital (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somaliland President Silanyo attends Gollis Graduation Ceremony (Somaliland Informer)
- Kenyans welcome end of al Shabaab leader’s ‘killing career’ (Sabahi Online)
- UN cuts compensation for Kenyan troops in Somalia (East African)
- Kenya police Step Up Security After Fresh Somalia al Shabaab Attacks (K24TV)
- Female Somali Cop On the Beat in St. Paul (AFP)
- Somalia: Security agency arrests journalists closes radio stations after banning coverage of al-shabaab(Reporters without borders)
PRESS STATEMENT
AMISOM congratulates Ethiopia as it celebrates its New Year
11 Sept- Source: AMISOM- 232 words
The Acting Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Mission to Somalia (DSRCC) Hon. Lydia Wanyoto has congratulated the Federal Republic of Ethiopia on the occasion of its New Year celebration.
“On behalf of the mission, I extend our warm wishes and message of goodwill to the people of Ethiopia on the occasion of their New Year. We join Ethiopians in celebrating this important day of their proud history,” said Hon. Wanyoto.
“We also acknowledge the immeasurable sacrifice that the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) has made in the peace efforts in Somalia. The troops rely on immense support at home thanks to Ethiopia’s national spirit of unity with its African brothers,” added Hon. Wanyoto.
Ethiopia is one of six troop contributing countries in AMISOM and has the third largest contingent in the mission. The troops are currently in charge of AMISOM Sector 3 which covers the Bay, Bakool and Gedo regions as well as have a presence in parts of sector 4 jointly with the Djiboutians in Hiiraan region of Somalia.
Even though the rest of the world celebrates the New Year in January, the Ethiopians celebrate theirs on the 11th of September according to the Ethiopian calendar which is known as the Ge’ez calendar. Thus the first day of the Ethiopian year, 1 Mäskäräm, usually falls on September 11. According to that calendar, today is January 1, 2007.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali president chairs national security meeting in Mogadishu
11 Sept- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan/SNTV- 141 words
Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday chaired a security meeting in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, with the country’s national security commission over the security situation and the ongoing military offensive against al Shabaab militant group.
The president and the security commission raised several issues including the progress and the achievements of the ongoing military offensive dubbed Operation Indian Ocean against al Shabaab militant group and the overall security of the country.
The president called on the armed forces to continue their offensive against the militant group to ensure peace and stability in the country and praised the armed forces for their courageous and relentless efforts in the fight against Al Shabaab militant group.
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed and ministers for defense, national security, interior and justice were all in attendance.
Somaliland president Speaks out about the death of al Shabaab leader
11 Sept- Source: Horn Newspaper Online- 107 words
Somaliland president Ahmed Mohammed Mohamud (Silanyo) has spoken about the recent killing of al Shabaab henchman Mr. Ahmed Abdi Godane by an American drone.
In a brief statement through his twitter account the president reiterated that the world and Horn of Africa are at peace following the demise of Mr. Godane. “The world is a safer place the region is more secure.” He said.
He added that Somaliland and Somalia can now work together for peace and security in the region. ,”Somaliland and Somalia can finally guard the region with the demise of Ahmed Godane.”
Galmudug official urge security forces to maintain security of Galkayo
11 Sept- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 122 words
The administration of Galmudug in Central Somalia has encouraged the security forces to speed up the security of Galkayo, the headquarters of Mudug region.
The speaker of Galmudug parliament Hassan Mohamud Hayl while visiting the bases of Galmudug forces urged the troops to be vigilant and prevent the security threats in the region. He stated that the forces have severally foiled planned attacks against civilians and senior officials in the region especially Galkayo.
Galmudug leaders say they are committed to peacefully live with their neighbours by maintaining the overall security of the region. Galmudug forces are in hot pursuit of armed men who killed a woman in Galkayo last week.
Somali ambassador to Kenya forgives man who killed daughter two decades ago
11 Sept- Source: Radio Dalsan/BBC Somali Service/Somali Current- 221 words
Somali ambassador to Kenyan Mohammed Ali Nur has forgiven a man who killed his daughter 22 years ago in Mogadishu Somalia. Ambassador Ali Nur narrated the incident in his facebook page on Monday saying a man approached him and narrated how he and other attackers killed his daughter during the raid.
He said he was sitting at a restaurant at Lido public Beach in Mogadishu when a man approached and told him he was looking for him for some time.
“I was part of a gang that invaded your dad’s home, we stole a lot of money and shared among ourselves,” the man said. “Your one-year-old daughter was at home at the time and was killed in the attack. May God have mercy on her,” the man added.
Ambassador Ali Nur who said was angered by the narration of the incident in the first place said he has forgiven the man for the crimes stressing the need of forgiveness among the Somalis.
The man who later fled to Saudi Arabia was sentenced to 21 years in jail for illegal stay.
Hundreds of Somalis have praised Ambassador Ali Nur for the move while commenting in the incident posted in his facebook timeline. Nur said: “I remembered how my young and innocent daughter’s life was sniffed away by a brutal gang.”
Hundreds flee clashes in Bay
11 Sept- Source: Radio Ergo- 218 words
Hundreds of people have fled their homes in and around Tosweyne village, about 18 km south of Bay’s Bardale district, following clashes between Somali government forces and Al-Shabaab fighters in the past two weeks. The people, mostly women and children, have arrived in Bardale, where there is no assistance for them.
Bisharo, an 80-year old woman, told Radio Ergo’s local reporter that she had lost four family members during the conflict, in which hundreds of houses had been burnt down.
“I have lost my son, my brother and two of his children,” Bisharo told Radio Ergo. Her house was one of more than 300 properties burnt to the ground in the last two weeks. Bisharo said she was struggling to get the basics including food, water and shelter and water. There are no aid agencies operating in the area to help displaced people.
Another survivor of the conflict, Abdirisaq Adow Isaq, was inside his house when it was set on fire. “I jumped from the window while the fire was spreading,” Isaq told Radio Ergo. He managed to escape with his family members to Bardale district. He said he was uncertain when they would be able to return home.
Tosweyne is an agriculturally productive part of Bay, and most people affected are farmers.
Highest number of Malaria victims hospitalized in Lower Shabelle region
11 Sept- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 149 words
The highest number of children suffering from Malaria have been noted and hospitalized in Lower Shabelle region. The administration of Marerey locality reports that a good number Of people mostly children were hospitalized the last few weeks.
Marery administrator Sidii Mayow Baale speaking to Radio Goobjoog pointed out that the area has only one health center that is not capable of offering proper services to the people due to shortages of drugs. Mr. Sidii said that the number of patients reaching the health center increases day after day.
The administrator added that most of the patients cannot afford to pay the cost of the medicine and not yet received any support from aid agencies. He appealed to the Federal Government of Somalia and aid agencies to respond to the outbreak of Malaria immediately before it goes out of hand.
Two men suspected of planting explosives arrested in Kismayo
11 Sept- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 114 words
The security forces of the Interim Jubba Administration have arrested two men suspected of planting explosives on one of the major roads in Kismayo, the administrative capital of the interim administration.
Abdullahi Abdirahman Nasri, one of the security officers in Kismayo told Bar-kulan that the two men were arrested in ongoing security operations aimed at improving the security of the city.
He added the two men, whom he said are suspected members of al Shabaab militant group, will be taken to court in due course.
The security of the city has been heightened in the past few weeks ahead of the upcoming reconciliation conference which is part of a reconciliation process for Jubba communities.
UN delegation visit Kismayo ahead of peacebuilding gathering
11 Sept- Source: Radio Garowe/SNTV/Dhanaan Online- 195 words
A delegation led by the Deputy Special Representative of the UN secretary-General for Somalia Fatiha Serouron Wednesday visited the southern port city of Kismayo to speed up of Jubaland peace process.
The second Vice President of Jubaland administration Abdulkadir Haji Mohamed Luga-Dhere and other high ranking officials received Serour at Kismayo International airport.
The upcoming peace-building conference and the fight against al Shabaab militants in Jubaland were high on the agendas during a bilateral meeting between UN delegation and Jubaland administration.
Meanwhile at Kismayo’s Hadhwanaag hotel, a gathering that brought together representatives from Gedo, Middle Jubba and Lower Jubba regions is underway with participants including clan elders, youth and women groups discussing the ways forward for the fledgling state over the coming years.
Jubaland’s Minister for Social Affairs Moallim Mohamed, Spokesman Abdinasir Seraar Mah and Kismayo Mayor Ibrahim Tima Jilic have also been attending the meeting.
Former warlord, Col. Bare Adan Shire (Barre Hirale)-the vocal opponent of Jubaland-agreed to join ongoing peace process and officially laid his arms down after lengthy mediation efforts. Mogadishu hosted the first phase of reconciliation conference in November 2013.
Balanbale administration appeals for humanitarian agencies to support drought hit people in the region
11 Sept- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 93 words
Many families who were displaced by the prolonged droughts in Galgadud region reached Balanbale district. Balanbale district commissioner Mohamed Mohamud stated that the families were affected by acute shortages of food and water adding that they are desperate for emergency help.
The commissioner also stated the families have not received any support from humanitarian agencies since they reached Balanbale except a small amount of assistance they got from their neighbours.
He called the aid agencies and, the federal government and well-wishers to deliver emergency support to the drought hit residents in the region.
Turkish government condemns recent attacks near Somali capital
10 Sept – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 182 words
Turkish government has strongly condemned Monday’s deadly suicide attack on the outskirts of the Somali capital, Mogadishu which killed around 20 people and injured many more.
“We strongly condemn the terrorist attack perpetrated on 8 September near Mogadishu which aimed at the African Union Peacekeeping Force (AMISOM) and Somali government officials and resulted in the death of 16 Somali civilians,” the government said in a press release.
We wish God’s mercy upon those who lost their lives, wish condolences to their families, and hope for a speedy recovery to the wounded AMISOM soldiers and Somali civilians,” the statement added.
The Turkish government said recent al Shabaab attacks highlight the group’s existing threat despite the recent losses suffered by the militant group at the hands of the Somali forces and AMISOM troops.
It reiterated its continuous support for the government and the people of Somalia as they attempt to restore peace and stability in their country. Turkey will continue to support the people of Somalia and the efforts of the Somali Government targeting to ensure peace and stability throughout the country.” It said.
UNHCR Gets Plan to Repatriate Somali Refugees from Yemen
10 Sept- Source: Radio Dalsan- 109 words
The Yemeni Deputy PM who is also the director of the refugee affairs in Yemen Amir Al-aydaruus and UNHCR representative in Yemen Johannes Klaaw discussed how the Somali refugees should be assisted to return to their country voluntarily. The Yemeni department for refugees will coordinate the project which the Somalis will return to Somalia on their own willingly. Elsewhere, the 65th Conference of UNHCR Executive Committee will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 29thSeptember to 3rd October. During this conference, the members of this UN Refugee Agency committee will discuss how the project to assist the refugees in Yemen who want to return to Somalia willingly will be implemented.
Somaliland President Silanyo attends Gollis Graduation Ceremony
10 Sept – Source: Somaliland Informer – 180 words
Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo has presented awards to the 10th batch of Gollis university graduates that graduated the various faculties of the university. A highly and well organized ceremony held at Mansor Hotel on Wednesday saw the attendance of Somaliland president H.E Ahmed Silanyo, Education Minister, Minister of Interior, Mayor of Hargeisa, Golllis university authority, and the graduated students, their parents and other invited guests.
President of Gollis University Mr. Said has told at the venue that the university has branches in Hargeisa, Berbera, Buroa and Erigavo and their students will see their graduation ceremonies held within the days to come. He praised the Head of State’s unwavering commitment to standby university students in Somaliland.
Minister of Education, Interior, and Mayor of Hargeisa also made speeches.
President Ahmed Silanyo of Somaliland sent felicitations to the new graduates and told that being the Head of State is happy with country’s youth completing their tertiary education in the country and hoped that they will invest knowledge in the country. Finally, President Ahmed Silanyo has presented awards to the new graduates.
REGIONAL MEDIA
War-torn Somalia faces starvation
11 Sept- Source: East African- 503 words
Somalia is staring at a fresh food crisis due to delayed rains, rising food prices and persistent conflict. The fragile food security situation in the Horn of Africa country is expected to deteriorate in the next few months. A population of close to three million people is staring at starvation, according to the United Nations.
Speaking while releasing the Somalia Food Security Results, Phillipe Lazarrini, the UN’s humanitarian chief for Somalia, said: “It is terrible to think that with almost 2.9 million people in need in Somalia, the aid appeal is only 30 per cent funded with $658 million still needed to end 2014.”
“The situation today is worse than 2010, the year before the last famine. We raised the alarm three months ago and have since raised early response mechanisms. So far we haven’t seen the response we need and this is making the situation dire.”
The UN said that despite the slow response from aid groups and governments, it has started distributing food aid in several areas within Somalia.
Kenyans welcome end of al Shabaab leader’s ‘killing career’
10 Sept – Source: Sabahi Online – 173 words
With less than two weeks away from the first anniversary of the Westgate shopping mall terrorist attack, Kenyans say justice has finally been served for the atrocities that al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane orchestrated in September 2013.
Godane, who was killed on September 1st in a US airstrike in Somalia and was the mastermind behind the deadly four-day siege at the mall, taunted Kenyans after the attack and promised that more bloodshed was on the way unless the Kenyan military withdrew from Somalia.
“His death is retribution for the innocent lives lost and the bloodshed at Westgate mall and other terror attacks by al Shabaab across Kenya,” said Sophia Kinuthia, a 29-year-old who worked as a waitress at Westgate’s Art Cafe shop at the time of the attack. “I was relieved when I learnt that finally [Godane’s] killing career had come to an end.”
Kinuthia, who now works at Java Coffee House in downtown Nairobi, said she hopes Godane’s killing will persuade al Shabaab followers to renounce the terror group and embrace peace and reconciliation.
UN cuts compensation for Kenyan troops in Somalia
10 Sept- Source: East African- 350 words
The United Nations cut compensation for Kenyan troops fighting al Shabaab militants in Somalia by a fifth to Sh4.69 billion. Treasury documents show that the reimbursement for the year to June was lower than the Sh5.82 billion that it received from the UN the previous year. The refund is linked to money spent by its troops in Somalia under the African Union Mission (AMISOM). The Treasury is targeting Sh6.1 billion in the next fiscal year starting July.
The repayment also signals faster disbursement from the UN after delays last year prompted Kenya to issue a protest to the Security Council, saying failure to reimburse Kenya the money was not only “unacceptable”, but also “unsustainable.”
“Security is necessary for encouraging investment, accelerating growth and creating more jobs for our youth. To this end, the following allocation has been provided; Sh6.1 billion for Amisom,” read a document submitted by the National Treasury secretary to Parliament.
Kenya police Step Up Security After Fresh Somalia al Shabaab Attacks
10 Sept- Source: K24TV- 2:12 mins
Security agencies are on a high alert over a possible terror al Shabaab militants on Kenyan territory after the Somalia-based group warned of revenge attacks in East Africa and the United states to revenge the killing of its former leader Ahmed Godane. Police have issued the alert after the al Shabaab launched two attacks in Somalia over the last two days killing close to 30 people. The heightened security comes ahead of the 13th anniversary of the September 11th 2001 terrorist attack in the U.S and just days ahead of the first anniversary of the Westgate mall attack.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
US strategy against Islamic State to mirror counterterrorism efforts in Yemen, Somalia
11 Sept – Source: Long War Journal – 168 words
President Barack Obama has announced that the United States will “degrade and ultimately destroy” the Islamic State (or Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL) with “a comprehensive and sustained counterterrorism strategy.”
The strategy, presented in a speech to the nation on Sept. 10, will rely on local forces to do the bulk of the fighting while the US provides air strikes, intelligence and other support. This is America’s current plan of attack for al Qaeda’s regional branches in Yemen and Somalia.
“But I want the American people to understand how this effort will be different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will not involve American combat troops fighting on foreign soil,” Obama said. The president made it clear that the strategy he envisions for confronting the Islamic State will center around US air power supporting “partner forces on the ground.”
But US troops, including special operations forces, as well as operatives from the CIA, have been spotted on the ground in Yemen and Somalia.
Somalia: Security agency arrests journalists, closes radio stations after banning coverage of al-shabaab
11 Sept- Source: Reporters without borders- 414 words
Taking its fight against the Islamist militia Al-Shabaab to the airwaves, Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has been arresting journalists and closing news media since 2 September, when it issued a ban on national media coverage of all Al-Shabaab activities.
In one of its latest operations, the NISA raided Radio Kulmiye and stopped its broadcasts on 7 September. It also arrested Radio Kulmiye director Osman Abdullahi Guure and the head of the state radio broadcaster, Abdirahim Isse Addow, for broadcasting a statement by Al-Shabaab’s leader confirming the death of its leader and naming his replacement.
The two journalists were released three hours later and Radio Kulmiye was allowed to resume broadcasting.
Radio SIMBA suffered the same fate the previous day for the same reason, broadcasting the Al-Shabaab spokesman’s statement.
Female Somali Cop On the Beat in St. Paul
11 Sept – Source: AFP – 227 words
Kadra Mohamed walks into an old haunt, the Grocery and Meat Market on the city’s north side, where as a girl she shopped with her mother. She breathes in the heady smell of Somali spices, halal meat and the bread she has loved since growing up in a nearby public housing project.
Two girls in silky abaya gowns rush to embrace her, their mother standing back shyly. The market’s owner, Abdi Mohamed, steps from behind his shelves. “Kadra, it’s you,” he says in the lilting Somali language. He asks about her mother, then pauses. “It’s good to see you in uniform.”
At 22, Mohamed is a newly minted cop on the beat, a community liaison officer making a courtesy call to a merchant, a time-tested neighborhood policing method. Still, this visit — and each one she makes in this immigrant bastion — breaks new ground.
In March, the St. Paul Police Department hired Mohamed, its first female Somali officer, a move designed to improve the sometimes tense relations with 80,000 Somali Americans in the Twin Cities — more than half of them in St. Paul — the nation’s largest Somali community.
Each time she wears her crisp blue police uniform with its thick black leather belt and handcuffs, the 5-foot-1 Mohamed also dons her hijab, the traditional head scarf worn in public by many Muslim women.
Somalia Federalism Row
10 Sept- Source: CCTV- 2:27 mins
Somalia’s provisional constitution envisions a federal set up where 2 or more regions could form a state. It however, must get formal backing from the central government in Mogadishu. The federal government in Mogadishu negotiated a pact to form the Mogadishu regional administration; the proposal has faced stiff opposition. The formation of the South West state is however key to the stabilization of the region. Mohamed Hirmoge reports
Somali Drought Puts Millions of Lives at Risk
10 Sept- Source: CCTV- 2:13 mins
Droughts in various regions in Southern Somalia could precipitate into famine conditions; twice the expected rains failed affecting seasonal agriculture and livestock. An ongoing conflict in some regions further worsened the already dire situation. Mohamed Hirmoge report
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“For the Somali public, the systematic terror by al Shabaab is not likely to abate no matter who is at the helm of the group. Dirie has already proven that he will not let up the violence.”
Al Shabaab’s Latest Leader: New Face, Old Tactics
10 Sept- Source: Wardheernews-954 Words
Al Shabaab’s new leader, Ahmed Dirie Abdikarim, did not even wait a day after his selection as the new emir to bomb Mogadishu and kill 12 innocent people. The militant organization announced him as “Ahmed Umar Abu Obeidah” which is a pseudonym, a tactic revolutionaries and jihadists are well-accustomed to using. Former and current members of al Shabaab know the new emir as “Ahmed Dirie.”
In his early 40s, Dirie hails from the Dir clan and was born in Qalaafe in the Somali region of Ethiopia. He spent many years in Kismayo, the key southern port city that al Shabaab lost to Kenyan forces on Sept. 2012, , where he taught Qur’an to children. Ahmed Dirie is not new to jihadism. When he was in his early twenties, he was a member of the now defunct Al-Ittihad Al-Islami movement. Dirie was a loyalist of Godane, the former emir of the group who was killed by an American drone on September 1.
Top tweets
@Hamza_Africa Pic: #Mogadishu‘s new $20m, 5000 people & 70 flights per day capacity airport is to be completed in November#Somalia pic.twitter.com/yXxkVSUYjd
@GenoWorldview 20.6 MILLION people in East Africa need food aid due to drought & conflict. #Somalia included – http://www.
@amisomsomalia Members of the SPF undergoing training by the AMISOM Police. Institutional building at the heart of AMISOM operations pic.twitter.com/jT3UCZYUQZ
@SomaliaNewsroom PHOTOS: Did the Somali government sign off on a Turkish drug dealer’s diplomatic passport?pic.twitter.com/uZvEGROa2n
@WFPgovts US$1m contribution from @mfa_russia@emercom_press allows @WFP to help rebuild food & nutrition security in #Somalia pic.twitter.com/06FGtjNr5j
Image of the day
Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Fatiha Serour, accompanied by the Interim Jubba Administration’s Minister of Interior, Gen. Mohamed Warsame Darwish, walks to meet disengaged combatants in Kismayo on 10 September 2014. Photo: UNSOM