October 3, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

National Security Ministry unveils new security measures in Mogadishu

02 Oct- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio RBC/SNTV/Universaltv- 221 words

The National Security Ministry of Somalia’s Federal Government on Thursday unveiled new security measures to avoid Al Shabab attacks during the festival days of Eidul Adha which is due to start on Saturday. National Security Spokesman Mohamed Yusuf Osman said the security forces conducted successful operations in the past weeks in which they nabbed more than 50 suspected Al Shabab members. He said those arrested in the operation are being interrogated in the National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA) centre in Mogadishu. “During the operation, NISA confiscated security uniforms, small arms and ammunition which we believe were used for terrorist attacks in the city.” Mr Osman said. Amid the security alerts to avoid terrorist attacks ahead of the largest Muslim Eid Days in the coming week, the spokesman announced that new security checkpoints were set up inside and outside the capital city to deny access of suspected young men and those are under 40. “Any young man who is under 40 years old will be denied access to the capital city unless otherwise he receives guarantor who can confirm his innocence.” Spokesman Osman added. He said the parents should know the whereabouts of their young sons as security officers will arrest any young man who is found trying to enter the capital city in the coming days.

Key Headlines

Somali Foreign Minister sees bright future for his country (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan)
National Security Ministry unveils new security measures on Mogadishu (Radio RBC/SNTV)
SNA and AMISOM prepares to attack Al-shabab controlled areas in Lower Juba (Radio Goobjoog)
Kenyan fighter jets bomb Al Shabaab bases (Somali Current Online)
Politician Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan appears before Court (Radio Dalsan)
Rapist sentenced to 20 years in prison in Nugal (Radio Ergo)
Ethiopian FM holds discussions with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs (Walta)
Islamist Terror Group Recruits Members With $50 And A Cell Phone Study Finds (Huffington Post)
High Level Partnership Forum on Somalia to take place in Copenhagen (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali Foreign Minister sees bright future for his country

02 Oct- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/Alshahid- 137 words

Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdirahman Duale Beileh has said that he sees a bright future for Somalia and believes his country will be in a better position come 2016. He said that his country is slowly recovering from years of civil war and chaos and called on Somali people to support the government in its efforts to restore peace and stability to the country. Beyle made the statement after his return to Mogadishu from the United Nations General Assembly in New York where he was a member of the president’s delegation at the UN Summit. He said he had separate and productive talks with international community leaders during his time in New York on Somalia’s drought and humanitarian challenges. He added a number of governments including Italy and Holland made pledges to help Somalia.

National Security Ministry unveils new security measures in Mogadishu

02 Oct- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio RBC/SNTV/Universaltv- 221 words

SNA and AMISOM prepares to attack Al-shabab controlled areas in Lower Juba

02 Oct- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 131 words

The security forces of interim Juba administration in Southern Somalia and African Union peacekeeping troops are fully prepared to carry out heavy assaults against Al-shabab. Reports from Kismayo states that heavy military presence is felt inside the town as the joint forces advanced to areas in Lower and middle Juba regions under the control of Al-shabab. On other hand, Kenyan warplanes have carried out airstrike against Al-shabab bases in Jilib district according to sources. The casualties of the airstrike are not known. Our correspondent in the region Masuud Abdullahi says many families fearing the airstrike and the offensive military against Al-shabab are fleeing from their houses in Jilib district, a stronghold of the group. Al-shabab declined to comment on the airstrikes in Jilib district.

Kenyan fighter jets bomb Al Shabaab bases

02 Oct- Source: Somali Current Online/RBC- 158 words

Fighter jets believed to be from neighboring Kenyan air force have bombed Al Shabaab bases in Jilib in central Somalia. Reports say the aircrafts struck two Al Shabaab bases simultaneously. Eyewitness who had confirmed the bombing say there were several Al Shabaab militants present in the targeted areas at the time but no immediate number of casualties were established. The group has closed all the roads entering the town while forcing the residents to stay away as they conducted rescue operations. There are no official comments from both Al Shabaab and Kenyan government concerning the airstrikes.

Politician Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan Appears Before Court in Mogadishu

02 Oct- Source: Radio Dalsan- 126 words

The chairperson of Peace and Democratic Party, Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan who is also a politician was brought before a court in Mogadishu today. The politician was arrested by police at Aden Adde International Airport yesterday where he landed after a journey abroad. Abdullahi spent last night at Godka Jilicow jail. He was brought before Banaadir Regional Court. However, Mr. Hassan has denied all allegations against him. Following his court appearance, he was ordered to return to Godka Jilicow jail. The court said his case will be heard at a later date but did not set a specific timetable.

Rapist Sentenced to 20 years in prison in Nugal

02 Oct- Source: Radio Ergo- 108 words

Puntland’s regional court of Nugal on Monday sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for raping at knifepoint a young female herder in September. Mohamed Jiite was convicted of three rape charges, which the court said he committed during the past six months. Nugal regional court prosecutor, Abdi Farah, said Jiite was found guilty of abducting and raping 16-year old Safia on 2 September 2014, in his most recent attack on a woman. Jiite pleaded guilty to all three rape charges against him. The court heard that Jiite abducted Safia from Sarmayo village in Sool region and held her captive in parts of Eyl district for two weeks.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Ethiopian FM holds discussions with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs

02 Oct- Source: Walta Information Centre- 365 words

Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Tedros met with Jeffrey D. Feltman, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs on Tuesday September, 30 in New York. Discussions covered regional and global matters of common interests. Dr. Tedros thanked the UN for its continued efforts to deliver peace and maintain stability in the Horn of Africa, and Somalia. He noted that considerable progress had been made in encouraging the full participation of all stakeholders to establish civilian administrations to deliver services and undertake development activities, though there was still more to be done. He mentioned that implementation of the Jubba agreement was going smoothly. AMISOM and the Somali National Army were working well together in the fight against Al-Shabaab and that AMISOM now held more than two-thirds of the country. However, the need for consolidation remained significant. Dr. Tedros also underlined that the drought that affects more than a million people needed to be addressed immediately. Overall, however, the situation in Somalia was positive and changing for the better.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Islamist Terror Group Recruits Members With $50 And A Cell Phone, Study Finds

03 Oct – Source: Huffington Post – 342 Words

The typical terrorist in Somalia was recruited when he was young, poor and afraid. In some cases, he just wanted $50 and a cell phone. These are the findings of a new study published this week by the Institute for Security Studies, examining how the Somali extremist group al-Shabab recruits new members. Through a series of interviews with 88 former recruits, researchers Anneli Botha and Mahdi Abdile have created a multifaceted profile of the type of person who is prone to join Somalia’s largest terror organization.

High Level Partnership Forum on Somalia to take place in Copenhagen

03 Oct- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark- 324 words

On the 19 and 20 November, Denmark will host the international High Level Partnership Forum on Somalia – a Ministerial Meeting, co-chaired by Somalia and the United Nations. The goal is to bring together Somalia and its international partners among governments and international organisations to promote the vision of a peaceful, stable and democratic Somalia. Denmark will host a Ministerial Meeting on Somalia on the 19-20 November 2014 in Copenhagen. The meeting, co-chaired by Somalia and the United Nations, will follow up on the ambitious Somali Compact endorsed in Brussels last September. Gathering up to 60 delegations and 300 international participants from a wide range of countries and international organisations, the meeting aims to pave the way for a more peaceful and stable Somalia.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Its strategic location means it is well placed to be a regional gateway as well as a strategic trading centre. It is also worth noting that it is blessed with a topography that means it is ideal for harnessing both wind and solar energy.”

Somalia: Puntland State – Seeing Somalia Differently

02 Oct- Source: Horseed Media- 502 words

It is one of those curious things about entrepreneurs that they have the ability to see potential where others see nothing. When it comes to countries and regions that have passed through periods of conflict rather than seeing nothing, many see worse than nothing, they see RISK, risk screaming at them in big bold red letters. Risk is a part of everyday life and it is something we consciously or subconsciously assess on a daily basis. In reality some of our fears are rational, others exaggerated, whilst others are based on insufficient factual evidence and can often appear totally irrational. In truth, sometimes we need to re-calibrate and re-appraise, and in so doing we may well find ourselves seeing things differently. In my experience, business and commerce are just as susceptible to preconceptions and misconceptions as any one. Those familiar with the notion of confirmation bias will appreciate that the world of business is filled with irrational decisions and decision makers. Whilst some people are quite content to buy into the status quo, there are those willing to venture forth and see whether what they are being told bears up to scrutiny. Such enterprising souls have much to teach us all.