November 3, 2014 | Morning Headlines.
KDF liberates Somalia island from Shabaab
01 Nov – Source: the star – 94 words
Kenya Defence Forces working under Amisom and Interim Jubaland Administration troops yesterday liberated a strategic Somalia island that had been controlled by al Shabaab insurgents for six years.
The troops liberated the Island of Kudhaa, 45km south west of Kismayu. Kudhaa has been one of the main depots for the illicit charcoal exports that finance the insurgents’ activities.
Interim Jubaba Administration’s spokesman Abdinasser Seeraar yesterday said the operation was part of the interim government’s strategy to push al Shabaab out of all areas. “The operation coincides with IJA’s greater military liberation campaign,” he said.
Key Headlines
- Gunmen killed two female teachers in Mogadishu (Mareeg Media/Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan )
- Police commissioner’s body arrives home from Nairobi (Radio Mogadishu/Radio RBC/Radio Bar-kulan RBC/Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somali pop idol competition held in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog/Radio Mogadishu/Radio Danan )
- Puntland President returns home from int’l summits (Garowe Online)
- Security forces shot and kill a murderer of a soldier in Mogadishu’s Bakaro Market (Radio RBC)
- Somaliland authorities detain two TV journalists (Garowe Online )
- Somali Military court sentences two Al Shabaab members ( Radio Bar-kulan)
- Jawari welcomes the establishment of south western regional state (Radio Bar-kulan)
- KDF liberates Somalia island from Shabaab (The star)
- UN chief launches campaign to end female genital mutilation (Sabahi Online)
- Gunmen ambush police in northwest Kenya at least 10 dead (Reuters)
- Minneapolis mayor police chief listening tour highlights Somali community (myfoxtwincities.com)
SOMALI MEDIA
Gunmen killed two female teachers in Mogadishu
03 Nov – Source: Mareeg Media/ Radio Mogadishu/Radio RBC/Radio Bar-kulan – 92 words
Two Somali female teachers were killed on Sunday in Dharkeynley district in Mogadishu; this was verified by the local authorities. According to the eyewitness, to men armed with pistols were behind the killing of the two women teachers.
The militias who have committed the murder escaped from the scene immediately after. It is not known why and who is behind the killing of the teachers. The commissioner of Dharkeynley district, Adam Mohamed Omar said they have began investigation about the killing of the women teachers.
Police commissioner’s body arrives home from Nairobi
03 Nov – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio RBC/Radio Bar-kulan – 118 words
The body of the former Somalia police commissioner Gen. Mohamed Hassan Ismail which was under investigation in Kenyan capital Nairobi was today returned to Mogadishu. After post mortem examinations there were signs of poisoning as romours filled the air since Thursday when the commissioner died in Mogadishu.
The former Police is expected to buried in Mogadishu as government is preparing national funeral. It was flown from Wilson airport in Nairobi.
Somalia ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Ali Amerka and other officials of Somali embassy in Nairobi have seen off the body of the late commissioner Gen. Mohamed Hassan Ismail. Somali Prime minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has on Friday appointed an interim police commissioner to replace the deceased commissioner.
Security forces shot and kill a murderer of a soldier in Mogadishu’s Bakaro Market
03 Nov – Source: Radio RBC – 140 words
Security forces of Somali government on Saturday shot and killed a gunman who killed a police officer in Mogadishu’s main market of Bakaro during a tough operation.
The spokesman of the National Security Mohamed Yusuf said members of the National Security and Intelligence Agency [NISA] went on hunt down operation following the shooting of a police officer who was killed while on his duty by a gunman suspected to be an al Shabab member.
The well-trained NISA soldiers shot and killed the suspect and confiscated his gun. “Our security forces will be committed to making sure that the security of the markets and business places is good. These operations will be maintained until we feel safe enough in Mogadishu.” he added.
The shooting in Bakaro market came following when a car bomb killed at least one person in Hodan district of Mogadishu.
Somali pop idol competition held in Mogadishu
03 Nov- Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Mogadishu/Radio Danan – 188 words
A well executed competition of Somali pop idol was held in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia last night. The motive behind the ceremony is to expose and promote the talents of Somali youth. Four Somali youth, three boys and a girl took part in the ceremony and entertained the people who attended the competition with songs both old and new.
At the end of the conference the committee adjudicating the event including a famous musician Shimali Ahmed Shimal released the results of the competition.
Mohamed Ahmed Shaee won first position attaining 90% of the vote. Umu Sharif Ahmed won second place with 67%. And Saadiq Sharif Mohamu – third position 65% of the votes. Minister for information of federal government of Somalia Mustaf Sheikh Ali Dhuhulow who was in attendance of addressed the crowd said Somali pop idol is part of improvement of Somali music, culture, songs, poetry and arts.
The minister stressed that the competition will be held every month so as to upgrade the aptitude of Somali youth and give them good chance to come up with new things and ideas.
Somali Military court sentences two Al Shabaab members
01 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 95 words
Somali military court has sentenced two Al Shabaab militant group members to life in prison and ten years in jail. Hassan Muheydin Ali was sentenced to life in prison while his colleague Abdirashid Ibrahim Ahmed was given 10 years in prison.
The two were found guilty for being part of the outlawed Al Qaida linked militant group Al Shabaab who fighting to topple the government. The court has also released Mohmed Nur Kheyrow after insufficient evidence from the prosecution.
Several militant members who were found guilty of murder and other related cases by Somali military court were executed for the past months.
Puntland President returns home from int’l summits
02 Nov – Source: Garowe Online – 169 words
The President of Somalia’s Puntland Government Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas has come back to Puntland capital of Garowe after a week long visit to London and Dubai on Sunday, Garowe Online reports. Speaking at a press conference at Puntland State House, President Ali said that he attended Global African Investment Summit in London, and subsequently 4th counter piracy conference in Dubai.
On the political infighting between Federal Government of Somalia’s leaders, Puntland leader revealed that the dispute could affect bilateral cooperation. “The root cause of the political dispute isn’t visible but I hope, the infighting would safeguard the national interests”. Ali stressed the need for Constitutional solutions to Mogadishu bickering.
President Mohamud has been at odds with Prime Minister over cabinet reshuffle, protesting the removal of his right hand man from key post. Puntland Vice President Abdihakin Abdullahi Haji Omar, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Saed Mohamed Hirsi (SaedDheere), cabinet ministers, parliamentarians and flag-waving residents welcomed Ali at Garowe International airport where he inspected guard of honor by Defence Force division.
Somaliland authorities detain two TV journalists
02 Nov – Source: Garowe Online – 183 words
Somaliland authorities in Gebiley town Friday arrested two TV journalists – Mohamed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Jubba) and Mukhtar Nuh Ibrahim-who were working for UK-based Somali channels, SOMSAT and Horn Cable Televisions respectively, spurring local condemnations from Press Watchdog and Human Rights Commission, Garowe Online reports.
Mohamud and Ibrahim were detained for reporting on low-turnout ruling party conference and anti-government protests. Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) criticized the government for unconstitutionally silencing the independent media workers and called for unconditional release of two TV journalists on Saturday. “I contacted Gebiley Governor, former journalist and SOLJA member Mustafe Abdi Isse.
He said the reporters were arrested for covering Kulmiye party conference in Gebiley,” said deputy chairman of SOLJA Mohamed Abdi Urad, noting that the detained journalists filmed crowds setting Kulmiye flag on fire near the ruling party’s headquarters. Meanwhile, Somaliland Human Rights Commission on Sunday asked the government to respect the freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution. Somaliland.
Jawari welcomes the establishment of south western regional state
02 Nov- Source: Bar-kulan – 105 words
The speaker of the Somali national assembly Professor Mohamed Osman Jawari has welcomed governments’ efforts in the establishment of the new south western regional state. Professor Jawari lauded the efforts by Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed office to create a regional state by bringing together three provinces namely Bay, Bakol and lower Shabelle.
He urged politicians, residents and those involved in the process to work towards the interest and unity of the people in the area. Somali speaker also thanked members taking part in the meeting in Baidao and urged people in the area to exercise restraint and avoid anything that can result into violence.
REGIONAL MEDIA
KDF liberates Somalia island from Shabaab
01 Nov – Source: the star – 94 words
Kenya Defence Forces working under Amisom and Interim Jubaland Administration troops yesterday liberated a strategic Somalia island that had been controlled by al Shabaab insurgents for six years.
The troops liberated the Island of Kudhaa, 45km south west of Kismayu. Kudhaa has been one of the main depots for the illicit charcoal exports that finance the insurgents’ activities.
Interim Jubaba Administration’s spokesman Abdinasser Seeraar yesterday said the operation was part of the interim government’s strategy to push al Shabaab out of all areas. “The operation coincides with IJA’s greater military liberation campaign,” he said.
UN chief launches campaign to end female genital mutilation
31 Oct – Source: Sabahi Online – 204 words
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday (October 30th) launched a global campaign to end the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), AFP reported.
“The mutilation of girls and women must stop in this generation, our generation,” Ban said during a visit to Nairobi. “Men and boys must also be encouraged to support the fight against FGM — and they should be praised when they do.”
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Gunmen ambush police in northwest Kenya, at least 10 dead
01 Nov- Source:Reuters – 289 words
Unidentified gunmen ambushed and killed at least eight Kenyan police officers in Turkana county in the northwest of Kenya early on Saturday, with another 12 officers were feared dead, police said.
Two civilians were also killed, the police said, but did not provide details on their identities, nor did it say anything about a possible motive for the attack. Cattle rustling and clashes over grazing and farming land are common in arid areas of east Africa and these can escalate. An influx of weapons from abroad, in particular from Somalia, has intensified the ferocity of these conflicts in recent years.
Kenyan television stations reported that the number of dead police officers stood at 22 and that a truck they were traveling in was burned down.
Minneapolis mayor, police chief listening tour highlights Somali community
30 Oct – Source:.myfoxtwincities.com – Video – 06:12
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau continued their listening tourThursday night with a visit to the nation’s largest Somali community in the city’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.
For more than 20 years, the Somali community has been making a home for itself in the neighborhood, andThursday night was a real benchmark in how far they’ve come, and how far they still need to go.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The report by the UN monitors states: “Al-Shabaab continues to benefit from the revenue generated (from charcoal) on a scale greater than when it controlled Kismayu.”
Allegations about Kenya’s troops in Somalia big blow to war on terrorism
02 Nov – Source: Nation – 680 words
For more than two decades, the port of Kismayu in Somalia has been a lucrative source of illicit money for the country’s warlords, Islamist factions, and terrorists.
It is widely believed that drug trafficking networks and smugglers have been using this port to import narcotics and goods such as sugar into Kenya. Anyone who has sought to control Somalia and its unregulated economy has sought to have authority over this prized port.
It is, therefore, not surprising that the capture of this port from Al-Shabaab was a key goal of the Kenyan forces that invaded southern Somalia three years ago.
“You tend to go somewhere you can connect…Before people even arrive from Africa, they know they are coming to Minnesota.”
New Somali refugee arrivals in Minnesota are increasing
01 Nov – Source: Startribune.com – 1590 words
A week after the United States government resettled them in Connecticut this summer, Nur Ali and his wife, Mahado Mohamed, had decided: They were moving to Minnesota.
Tales of the state’s large Somali community had intrigued them back in the Kenyan refugee camp where they had married and had five children. Now, a Somali man they met in Hartford told them all recent arrivals head to Minnesota, home of “Little Mogadishu.”
After a major dip in 2008, the yearly numbers of new Somali refugees in Minnesota have rebounded steadily. The number of Somalis resettled in the state has more than tripled in four years. As resettlements nationally have picked up, more Somalis are also arriving here after brief stints in other states — often trading early support from resettlement agencies for the company of more fellow Somalis.