October 22, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Seven Al Shabaab militants killed near Beled Weyn
21 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 121 Words
Seven Al Shabaab militants were killed during fighting between the militant group and Somali national army near Beled Weyn. Al Shabaab militant group attacked Somali national army fleet providing security to aid convoy meant for residents living in surrounding areas.
Seven Al-Shabaab militants were killed while three Somali national army soldiers were wounded in the attack according to Somali national army official Abdifatah Ahmed Elmi who spoke to Bar-Kulan after the incident.
He urged area residents to cooperate with the security forces to clear the threat of the group from the area. Al Shabaab militants carried out hit and run attacks against government backed forces since they were driven out of their last key stronghold port city of Barawe earlier this month.
Key Headlines
- Acute water shortage hits Gal-Gaduud region (Radio Danan)
- Siad Barre government implemented some important development issues says retired general (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Aid missions to drought and conflict affected areas to inform response (Radio RBC)
- Somali author awarded for his work (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Four detained in Dolow for suspected terror attacks (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Gedo hard hit with over two thirds of residents impacted by dry conditions (Radio RBC)
- Seven Al Shabaab militants killed near Beled Weyn (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Eight die of Hunger and Thirst in Southern Somalia (Horseed media)
- No terrorist killed in Moyale Government clarifies (Standard Media)
- A fragile peace in Mogadishu is allowing for an economic and cultural revival in Somalia (The Standard)
- Somali parliament discusses political parties 2016 elections (Sabahi)
- South Africa: Somalis shot in tuck shop terror (Daily News/IOL)
- Somalia plans to start producing oil offshore in six years (Bloomberg/Businessweek)
- Nordic Somali communities join forces to fight extremist recruitment (UUTISET)
SOMALI MEDIA
Acute water shortage hits Gal-gaduud region
21 Oct – Source: Radio Danan – 155 Words
Residents in villages in Galgadud region of central Somalia have been experiencing acute food and water shortages in the last two months and the humanitarian situation could be desperate, residents in the area say.
“Water scarcity was deteriorating, people in the village were utilizing two wells, but now they are not working and we don’t have another alternative” according to Dhubad village commissioner for the Somali federal government.
“We did our best to fix those wells twice within a short period; the government should help Dhubad people before they die for hunger and thirst” said Adam Abdulle Galaal. He called Somali federal government and the Diaspora community from the village to help the needy people.
Somalia was the country hardest hit by extreme drought in 2011 that affected over 13 million people across the Horn of Africa. UN humanitarian director for Somalia Phillippe Lazzarani severally warned the desperate humanitarian situation existing in the war-torn nation.
Siad Barre government implemented some important development issues, says retired general
21 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 107 Words
21st October known as revolution day during former Somali president Siad Barre regime means many things to many Somali people. But according retired general Mohamed Galal who was part of the Siad Barre regime, the government of Siad Barre spearheaded historic development despite its brutal crackdown.
According to retired general Galal the government improved the education sectors particularly the establishment of special faculty for Somali language in all the universities which didn’t existed before. The Siad Bare government also established free primary, secondary and university education. The construction of IGAD headquarters and AU summit in Mogadishu in 1974 was also a major development milestone for the government.
Somali author awarded for his work
21 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 94 Words
Somali writer and historian Dr. Mohamed Hussein Maalim was awarded for his exemplary work in an event held in Egyptian capital Cairo.
Dr. Mohamed received the award alongside 18 other Arab journalists from Egyptian PM Ibrahim Mahlab during an event to mark 50th anniversary of federal Arab journalist.
According to Judges Dr. Mohammed collected, preserved and stored publications which are instrumental in both Somali and Arab history thus deserved the award.
Dr. Mohamed was born in Mogadishu Somalia in 1964 and he received his education in Somalia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Norway.
Gedo hard hit with over two thirds of residents impacted by dry conditions
21 Oct – Source: Radio RBC – 196 Words
Humanitarian partners are scaling up response to cover the needs of people in drought- affected regions in Somalia, while the aid agencies say that more than two million Somalis are in emergency need of food in the fear of famine. Gedo region has been hard hit with 70 per cent of its population affected by drought conditions according to authorities and humanitarian partners. An estimated 1,500 people have been displaced from rural to urban areas within Gedo due to the drought.
About 77,000 people have received emergency water through water trucking in Baardheere, Ceel Waaq, Doolow and Luuq districts in Gedo region, while another 78,000 people will receive similar support in October in Buur Dhuubo and Garbahaarey. Over 47,000 people were provided with food in September and 130,000 people have benefitted from cash-for-work activities.
Meanwhile, the military offensive by the Somali National Armed Forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia to recover Al Shabaab controlled areas in southern and central Somalia continues. More than 7,000 people have fled their homes in August and September due to the military offensive, according to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
Four detained in Dolow for suspected terror attacks
21 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 70 Words
Four men suspected of planning terror attacks in Dolow were detained in the area. The four are said to be planning to attack a United Nation centre and a significant bridge in the area. The interim Juba land administration deputy minister for security Abdirashid Hassan has confirmed their arrest to Bar-Kulan Radio but did not give further details.
He promised to give full information once the ongoing investigation is complete.
Seven Al Shabaab militants killed near Beled Weyn
21 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 121 Words
Seven Al Shabaab militants were killed during fighting between the militant group and Somali national army near Beled Weyn.
Al Shabaab militant group attacked Somali national army fleet providing security to aid convoy meant for residents living in surrounding areas.
Seven Al-Shabaab militants were killed while three Somali national army soldiers were wounded in the attack according to Somali national army official Abdifatah Ahmed Elmi who spoke to Bar-Kulan after the incident.
He urged area residents to cooperate with the security forces to clear the threat of the group from the area. Al Shabaab militants carried out hit and run attacks against government backed forces since they were driven out of their last key stronghold port city of Barawe earlier this month.
Eight die of hunger and thirst in Southern Somali
22 Oct – Source: Horseed Media – 207 Words
Hunger and thirst has killed eight people in Somalia’s Southern region of Middle Jubba, as the drought situation in the war-ravaged nation worsens. According to the UN aid agencies, over one million Somalis are in danger to facing food crisis due to poor rains, conflict, trade disruptions and reduced humanitarian assistance across the country.
“They had gone to search for water in areas reported to have received rainfall, but they were misinformed and died while on the way. All surface water has gone, boreholes are running dry, and people are walking up to 70km (45 miles) in search of water,’’ said a local elder.
Water shortages are a chronic problem in Somalia, mostly affecting the rural population. The water shortage has forced many residents to walk for many kilometres in search of clean water to drink.
The region has one of the country’s two rivers, that plays a key role in providing water and income for the local communities. But its water resources are under growing pressure from both human and climate impacts.
REGIONALMEDIA
No terrorist killed in Moyale, Government clarifies
21 Oct – Source: Standard Media – 138 Words
The Government has clarified that the recent killings of terrorists by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and recovery of explosive materials had happened in Somalia and not Moyale as reported in major dailies.
Since Sunday, confusion gripped the border town after some dailies reported that KDF killed five terrorists and recovered explosive materials in Moyale. Moyale Assistant Deputy County Commissioner John Kipsiwa said the incident happened in Dolo, Somalia but not in Moyale.
A fragile peace in Mogadishu is allowing for an economic and cultural revival in Somalia
21 Oct – Source: Standard Media – Video – 2:46 Minutes
For more than two decades, the lives of most Somalis were changed by violence and instability. Today, fragile peace and instability in Mogadishu is allowing for an economic and cultural revival. But security remains a huge challenge.
Somali parliament discusses political parties, 2016 elections
22 Oct – Source: Sabahi – 301 Words
The Somali federal parliament on Monday discussed preparations for general elections in 2016 and the formation political parties, government-run Radio Mogadishu reported.
Somalia plans to transition from a clan-based political system towards multi-party democratic elections in 2016. At present the country has no legally recognised political parties. During the opening of the parliament’s fifth session, attended by 168 lawmakers, three new lawmakers were sworn in.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia plans to start producing oil offshore in six years
21 Oct – Source: Bloomberg/Businessweek – 602 Words
Somalia plans to begin producing oil and gas offshore for the first time within six years and is in talks with state governments about how revenue will be shared, Petroleum Minister Daud Mohamed Omar said.
The Horn of Africa country, which has been immersed in conflict for more than two decades, is proceeding tentatively on exploration to avoid creating new tensions, Omar said at the Somalia Oil & Gas Summit yesterday in London. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud said in August the government expects to complete an assessment of its oil and gas potential this year.
“The Somali government, even though it wishes to move forward quickly in these areas, will also move forward cautiously,” an interpreter for Omar said at the conference. “We do not intend to have the quest for oil and gas to re-ignite divisions and violence.”
South Africa: Somalis shot in tuck shop terror
22 Oct – Source: Daily News/IOL – 655 Words
Somalis in KwaZulu-Natal are living in fear after a spate of violent attacks on their community, including the alleged killings of five countrymen over the past three months.
They urge government to afford them the same protection as citizens.
In the latest attack, a man was shot dead in Inanda on Monday and another is fighting for his life in hospital. Police spokesman, Major Thulani Zwane, confirmed that two men were shot when four unknown men robbed them at gunpoint in their shop of cash, cigarettes and other items.
“A 32-year-old male died at the scene and the other one was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Inanda police are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder. No arrest has been made at this stage,” Zwane said.
Nordic Somali communities join forces to fight extremist recruitment
22 Oct – Source: UUTISET – 431 Words
Somali organisations from across the region gathered in Finland Tuesday to establish a cooperative aimed at heading off recruitment of their youngsters to join extremist groups. The community leaders expressed concerns about the growing radicalisation of Somali youth.
Reports of Finnish youngsters being recruited to join extremist Islamist groups and leaving to fight in conflicts abroad have shocked the local Somali community. It turns out that the problem spans the Nordic countries. A few dozen young people are known to have left Finland to engage in battle abroad, but countries like Sweden and Norway have also been troubled by youngsters engaging in war tourism.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“For Cedric Barnes, Horn of Africa director of the International Crisis Group, the 14 October deal “is symptomatic of the ad-hoc approach that is being taken to the federalism agenda, without a larger national dialogue…”
The state of state-building in Somalia
21 Oct. – Source: IRIN – 334 Words
A fence-mending deal signed this month by Somalia and Puntland has variously been hailed as a blueprint for stability and state-building in the wake of decades of civil war, and dismissed as a recipe for renewed inter-clan violence.
The 14 October agreement between the Mogadishu-based Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the autonomous Puntland State covers issues including bilateral relations, contentious political boundaries and national security. The self-declared independent republic of Somaliland, which lies to the west of Puntland, said it felt threatened by the prospect of the new joint military force outlined in the agreement.
Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, senior political adviser at IGAD, a grouping of regional states, explained the broader importance of the deal. “The major significance is that it normalizes the relations between the FGS and Puntland. Prior to this, relations were at an all-time low and characterized by suspicion, especially after the Mogadishu government supported the formation of the Central State,” he told IRIN.
“Hounded by the al-Shabab and other warlords at home, many Somalis continue to live under physical and psychological persecution, rising social stigma and ‘Islamophobic’ stereotyping in the region.”
Shukri: I am only a Somali!
21 Oct – Source: The Observer (Uganda) – 731 Words
As I write this piece, my teacher and friend, Shukri Ahmed Islow, is back to Mogadishu after twelve years of wandering the region for a home – six were in Uganda. “Let me go and die home than scavenge here. We are no longer welcome here [in Uganda],” she decidedly announced as we talked.
Although many Somalis dream of returning home, her decision was not prompted by the desire to return to a supposedly-peaceful Somalia and take part in its reconstruction. It followed September’s well-publicised anti-terrorism swoops in downtown Kampala, in which around 30 people were detained for allegedly “aiding and abetting terrorism and belonging to a terrorist group.”
Shukri was not detained. Neither was any of her family. But like in Kenya, the arrests profiled her [and all Somalis in the region], not just as Somalis, but also as potential terrorists, criminals, and proven security threats. Because these arrests are in the public interest, it should be striking that ‘public interest’ appears to exclude Somalis.
“For the very first time, government organizations and NGOs worked towards a common goal. This engendered a shared experience and collective memory.”
Turkey’s Involvement in Somalia: A State-Building in Progress?
21 Oct. – Source: Setav.org – 287 Words
This study primarily aims to provide an analysis on a regional and global scale while providing insight into the actions of Turkish institutions and organizations in Somalia.
Turkey’s involvement in Somalia and its success, so far, is a novelty in Turkish foreign policy. Turkey’s policy on Somalia over the past three years must be seriously evaluated and all aspects must be thoroughly analyzed.
A critical assessment of Turkey’s accumulated experience since 2011 by decision-makers and practitioners would open the doors to improve the organization and policy practices for the future. Additionally, learning from the previous mistakes would strengthen and expand Turkey’s policy on Somalia. Turkish policy on Somalia is made up of various “firsts” for Turkey. Turkey, for the first time ever, began to follow a strategy of state building within a continent where it has little experience. An additional first for Turkey is the shared experience with the entry of NGOs and government organizations to re-build Somalia as a country together.
Top tweets
@gloriamafigiri More political participation & leadership for women in Somalia. Women make better managers
@Daudoo Radio Shabelle ownr freed on bail, his #UK passport seized, 3 other journalists still in custody http://bbc.in/1vJvQ4r #Somalia #Journalism
@julianaruhfus interesting piece @AnthonyMorland on progress of #Somalia state buildingirinnews.org/report/100745/a
@afrilocen Muhoozi visits UPDF in Somalia http://ift.tt/1x7J0Xo
@ppg_movement_Immigration limits are a definitely must. Well done on government for taking up measures against #Ebola. – #Somalia
@alijira We need all working together for the common good of the community,our peace, security & reconciliation,#somalia.
Image of the day
The UPDF Special Forces Commander Brig. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has commended the Ugandan and Somali troops for their recent decisive operation against the Al-Shabaab.
Photo Credit: www.newvision.co.ug