November 14, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Workshop to improve media and society relations held in Mogadishu

14 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-klan/Alshahid.net – 110 words

A workshop aimed at improving the relationship between Somali media and the community was today held in the capital Mogadishu. More than 40 journalists will participate in the training which is supported by Relief International, European Union and National Union of Somali Journalists NUSOJ.

The workshop is part of an ongoing process to improve media and its audience according to Relief International media relations officer Abdulaziz Mohamed Diriye. He said his organization has facilitated training for selected Somali journalists and sent abroad. NUSOJ secretary general Mohamed Ibrahim Pakistani has welcomed the move saying there is great need to improve the image of Somali media in the eyes of the public.

Key Headlines

Baidoa: UN officials meets technical committee (Radio Goobjoog/Badoa Media)
Al-Shabaab suspects arrested in Jowhar (Radio Mogadishu/ Radio Bar-kulan/Jowhar Online/RBC)
Somali students who won scholarships depart for Ethiopia (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog/Kismaayo News)
Workshop to improve media and society relations held in Mogadishu (Radio Bar-klan/alshahid.net)
Father and his son were shot dead in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog)
Government promises 50000 jobs for youth (Radio Ergo)
Kenya Ethiopia and Somalia agree on mega projects on River Dawa (Standard Media)
Ethiopian ministerial delegation arrives in Hargeisa (Horn Times/BBC Somali Service/Somalilanad Informer)
Uganda: Lt. Col. Olanya denies sale of AMISOM fuel (New Vision)
Westgate mastermind ‘White widow’ feared dead ( Daily Monitor)
Somali forces conduct security crackdown in Mogadishu (Sabahi Online)
Al-Shabaab kidnaps residents beheads 2 women in Kudha (Sabahi Online)
Bollywood icon appointed as first-ever male UN Women Goodwill Ambassador (un.org)
More illegally dumped radioactive waste found on Somalia’s coast (Ecolocalizer.com)
Yemeni Coast Guard Royal Saudi and US Navy join in Pakistan led maritime anti-terrorism Focused operation (Combinedmaritimeforces)

SOMALI MEDIA

Baidoa: UN officials meets technical committee

14 Nov – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Badoa Media – 110 words

Large UNSOM delegates reached Baidoa, the headquarters of Bay region earlier today, the officials took meeting with the technical committee facilitating the formation of the regional state of South West Somalia-three regions.

One of the traditional elders in Baidoa Ali Abdirahman Shiino told Goobjoog FM that the UN officials and the committee discussed in details the election of the leader of South West Somalia and the exact time of the election. “ They called us to immediately conclude the election” Mr. Shiino said. “ Initially the committee planned to hold the election today but it was postponed to Monday and the UN officials agreed with us” The elder added.

Responding to a question about the recent suspension of the conference by the top leaders the elder said there is no reason for leaders stopping the conference adding that the joint statement issued will not affect their activities.

Al Shabaab suspects arrested in Jowhar

14 Nov- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan/Jowhar Online/RBC – 95 words

Somali security forces in Jowhar have said they arrested suspected Al Shabaab members during a operation to strengthen the security. Jowhar police commander Mohamed Siyad Ali has said the operation was part of the ongoing effort to improve city security but did not disclose the number of suspects detained.

He said security forces are searching vehicles, business centers and houses suspected of hosting Al Shabaab militants which is fighting to topple UN backed government. He added that the suspects will be arraigned in court as soon as possible.

Somali students who won scholarships depart for Ethiopia

14 Nov – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog/Kismaayo News – 156 words

About 50 Somali students departed today for Ethiopia after getting scholarships granted by Ethiopian. They were seen off by the Somali minister for education Du’ale Adan Mohamed at the Adan Ade International airport in Mogadishu.

The minister reminded the students the need to stay steadfast in their education and come back to the country equipped with much need skills and knowledge. They will be attending a university in Addis Ababa, and this marks the first time Somali students receives scholarships from Ethiopia through the federal Somali government.

Some of the students were asked about their feeling and they expressed joy and delight; they said they are eager to join the university. Previously only Somaliland and Puntland Somali states sent students to Somali regional state of Ethiopia’s Jig Jiga University for scholarships. Other countries that granted scholarships to Somali students are Turkey, Sudan, Yemen and Iraq.

Workshop to improve media and society relations held in Mogadishu

14 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-klan/Alshahid.net – 110 words

Father and his son were shot dead in Mogadishu

14 Nov- Source: Radio Goobjoog – 61 words

Unknown gunmen killed a father and his son in Moalim Nur neighborhood of Dharkeyley district. The father named Dahir Dhere was a member of the guards for Somali Prisons. The armed men immediately fled from the scene before the security Officials reached the area. This is part of the attacks and assassinations taking place in Mogadishu for the last few days.

Government promises 50,000 jobs for youth

14 Nov – Source: Radio Ergo – 114 words

Somalia’s minister for youth and sports said he would create 50,000 new jobs for unemployed young people. Qalid Omar Ali said his ministry’s plans included building a vocational training centre for youth to be trained in welding, construction, farming, fishing and electrical engineering.

He said the ministry would launch the project in January. Qalid said the ministry was also leading awareness-raising campaigns to deter youth from engaging in illegal activities, such as migration and joining armed groups and piracy. Large numbers of young people graduate from universities each year but few manage to find jobs in the limited number of public and private sector companies in the capital.

Ethiopian ministerial delegation arrives in Hargeisa

13 Nov – Source: Horn Times/BBC Somali Service/Somalilanad Informer – 212 words

A high level Ethiopian government delegation has arrived in Hargeisa. It was led by the minister of finance and economic development Mr. Sufian Ahmed and his entourage included the minister of transportation Mr. Workneh Gebeyenu,state minister of finance and economic development.

Mr. Ahmed Shide, director of maritime and logistic services Mr. Ahmed Tusa, ambassador Solomon Abebe Ethiopian foreign affairs ministry’s Director of Africa and the director of train services are on a working tour to Somaliland.

The Ethiopian delegation was received at the Egal International Airport by a group of Somaliland ministers which was led by the minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation Mr. Mohammed Bihi Yonis.

The Ethiopian delegation is expected to hold talks with Somaliland government officials over the use of Berbera port, Berbera Corridor, the expansion of Ethiopian electricity to Somaliland, Berbera port fuel facility storage, trade and airports.The delegation is due to stay in Somaliland for three days and is expected to tour major areas that they are interested.

Foreign Affairs and Finance Ministers who greeted the delegation at the airport told that the delegation is on development mission to Hargeisa. He stated that they will talks about a number of projects. Somaliland and Ethiopia share a cordial relation and share cultural and economic bond that is unbreakable.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Uganda: Lt. Col. Olanya denies sale of AMISOM fuel

14 Nov – Source: New Vision – 343 words

The former UPDF commander under African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), Lt. Col. Benson Olanya has denied sale 720 litres of fuel. Olanya made the rebuttal on Thursday at the General Court Martial as he started his defense during his trial. Olanya 52 is accused of diverting 420 litres and 300 litres of fuel, respectively, meant for his battalion’s operations.

Appearing before the court martial chairman Maj. Gen. Levi Karuhanga, Olanya said he used the fuel for joint operations with the Somali National Army (SNA). “My Lord it is not true that I sold fuel, we held a joint operation with the SNA on 28th July 2013 where they requested us to help them with fuel so that they assemble their troops for the operation. I gave them 300 litres for that mission,” Olanya explained.

Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia agree on mega projects on River Dawa

14 Nov – Source: Standard Media – 235 words

Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to construct a multipurpose dam and a hydro power station on River Dawa in Mandera County, which is aimed at harnessing and promoting sustainable use of the resource.

The three countries also proposed construction of a bridge to link Kenya and Ethiopia on the river, which will promote cross-border movement across the seasonal river.

The countries representatives who met at Sarova Panafric hotel in Nairobi during a three day meeting organized by IGAD also called for cooperation in the management and sustainable use of River Dawa.

Westgate mastermind ‘White widow’ feared dead

14 Nov- Source: Daily Monitor- 398 words

Wanted British terrorist Samantha Lewthwaite, commonly known as the “White Widow”, has reportedly been killed in Ukraine, British newspaper Daily Mirror reported yesterday.

The paper, quoting unverified reports from a Moscow news agency, Regnum, claimed that the notorious terrorist who has operated from Kenya was gunned down by a Russian sniper two weeks ago.

“One of the world’s most wanted terrorists Samantha Lewthwaite who fought as part of a Ukrainian battalion has been killed by a volunteer sniper,” the news agency reported. “According to our information, the White Widow fought on the side of Ukrainian volunteer battalion Aidar as a sniper”. She is believed to have run terrorist cells operating between Mombasa and Somalia for many years.

Somali forces conduct security crackdown in Mogadishu

13 Nov – Source: Sabahi Online – 169 words

Somali security forces searched private and public vehicles in Mogadishu on Thursday (November 13th) following a series of attacks on government officials, Somalia’s Goobjoog News reported.

Searches have been conducted on roads near Daljirka Dahsoon and the National Theatre, and security forces also have been securing government institutions along Maka al-Mukarama Road. Meanwhile, Minister of National Security Khalif Ahmed Ereg convened a closed-door meeting of top security officials in Mogadishu, Somalia’s Radio Danan reported Wednesday.

Al-Shabaab kidnaps residents, beheads 2 women in Kudha

13 Nov- Source: Sabahi Online- 362 words

Al-Shabaab beheaded two women and kidnapped more than 20 civilians it accused of spying and opposing its views after briefly re-taking control of Kudha island on November 8th. “I can guarantee that the two women beheaded by al-Shabaab and the more than 20 civilians they [kidnapped] had nothing to do with the accusations levelled against them of spying for the Interim Jubba Administration (IJA),” said Colonel Urdan Kilas Gurase of the IJA security forces. “The women were under the age of 20, and what these men are doing is barbaric,” he told Sabahi.

Al-Shabaab fled Kudha Monday (November 10th), three days after attacking the island and killing at least 15 members of the IJA forces. IJA forces are now back in control of the island, Gurase said.Al-Shabaab militants had conducted house-to-house searches on the island and transported the kidnapped civilians to an unknown location, according to local media reports.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Bollywood icon appointed as first-ever male UN Women goodwill ambassador

14 Nov – Source:un.org – 437 words

The United Nations body focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment today announced that it has appointed its first male Goodwill Ambassador ever – Bollywood superstar, Farhan Akhtar – who will focus his efforts on South Asia.

“We are pleased and honoured to have Farhan as our Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia, for we believe his work and values represent the core values of UN Women,” UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, announced today during her visit to Mumbai, India.

“Farhan started his own campaign, MARD – Men Against Rape and Discrimination – that aims to sensitize men and create awareness about the safety of women. That kind of engagement is essential,” Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka continued. “We need creative and committed men like Farhan to push the gender equality and women’s empowerment agenda.”

Yemeni Coast Guard, Royal Saudi and US Navy join in Pakistan led maritime anti-terrorism focused operation

13 Nov – Source: combinedmaritimeforces – 328 words

Naval ships from Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the United States have taken part in an exercise under the Command of Commodore Sajid Mahmood SI(M) of the Pakistan Navy. On 9 Nov 14 Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) ship HMS Yanbu, Yemeni Coast Guard boat YCG Sana’a and USS Dewey, participated in a multi-national maritime anti-terrorism Focused Operation named Taawun al Behr, meaning Maritime Cooperation.

All the units were under the command of Pakistan-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) based at Combined Maritime Forces headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. Commodore Sajid Mahmood SI(M) of Pakistan Navy Commander of CTF-150 expressed his satisfaction over the planning, coordination and successful execution of the Operation which had been one of his primary objectives since taking over command of the task Force on 14 Aug 14.

Conducted in the rough waters of Gulf of Aden it was aimed at CMF objectives, those of developing cooperation and building anti-terrorism capacity between regional states. Over the course of the exercise, Officers from Royal Saudi Naval Forces and Yemeni Coast guard and Navy spent time onboard the American ship USS Dewey as sea riders to help improve interoperability between the ships staffs and to improve their understanding of maritime counter-terrorism operations.

More illegally dumped radioactive waste found on Somalia’s coast

13 Nov – Source: Ecolocalizer.com – 202 words

Yesterday the BBC reported that radiation levels at the crippled Fukushima reactor site are ten million times normal levels. As the oceans near the damaged nuclear plant are becoming contaminated with increasing amounts of nuclear radiation, concerns are growing about how much radioactive poison the planet’s seas can withstand.

However, although it is not receiving anywhere near as much attention as the unfolding disaster in Japan, the massive amounts of illegally dumped radioactive nuclear waste that are still being thrown into Somalia’s oceans potentially could prove to be an even more deadly catastrophe.

“Safely” Disposed Nuclear Waste? For decades members of organized crime syndicates and other western companies have been freely dumping tons of radioactive nuclear waste into the unregulated shores off Somalia’s coastline, poisoning the seas and devastating the local population. Somalia has not had a functioning government for many years; the scores of rusty leaking hazardous waste tanks that have been washing up on their shores prove just how many criminals have been exploiting the nation’s inability to protect their own waters. Project Censored and Boing Boing have been reporting on this horrific situation that is unfolding in the African country.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“The issue has shot up the agenda after a number of high-profile cases highlighted the impact of the banks’ increased risk aversion, notably on the flow of remittances to poor countries such as Somalia. This issue is likely to be discussed at meetings of G20 countries this week in Brisbane, Australia, where ministers will also tackle the problem of lenders that are “too big to fail”.

Regulation: banks count the risks and rewards

13 Nov – Source: Financial Times – 2159 words

Every week, roughly $1bn is sent out of the US by people helping to support their families in other countries – mostly in Latin America and Africa. And every week, armoured vans pick up millions of dollars worth of these cash “remittances” and drive hundreds of miles to deposit the money at the nearest branches of the US Federal Reserve.

When the vans reach the Fed branches, the funds are wired to a tiny West Coast bank called Merchants Bank of California, the last US lender still doing business with many of the small companies that handle remittances.

Aden Hassan, an executive at Minnesota-based Kaah Express, says remittance companies like his are forced into this time-consuming and costly process because they have been almost completely excluded from the banking system. “Since 2004 and 2005, major US banks have started dropping money services businesses, so they became reliant on smaller state-based banks until they also started closing accounts and it was only Merchants Bank of California left,” he says.

As regulators have cracked down on money laundering and terrorist finance, banks have severed their ties with many clients in developing nations in an attempt to limit the risk of being hit by massive fines. The banks and other critics say this carries an unintended humanitarian cost by adding charities and non-governmental organisations to the ranks of the “de-banked”.

“The best book about recent events in Somalia is undoubtedly “Clan Cleansing in Somalia,” by Lidwien Kapteijns, a must-read for anyone wanting to unravel the complicated nature of our civil war.”

Nuruddin Farah: by the Book

13 Nov- Source: nytimes.com – 857 words

The author of “Hiding in Plain Sight” wasn’t much of a reader as a child: “Books were hard to come by . . . where I grew up, but also because there were no books for children in those days.” What books are currently on your nightstand?

I have the novels “Shame,” by Salman Rushdie, and “Snow Falling on Cedars,” by David Guterson, on my night stand, because I am teaching them this term at Bard.

And what’s the last truly great book you read?

I have most recently reread a truly great novel, “In the Castle of My Skin,” in view of the fact that a friend of mine and I were preparing to interview George Lamming in Barbados for an African/Afro-Caribbean archive that we are in the process of setting up as soon as we find it a home.

Top tweets

@amisomsomalia .@HodanTV @BeilehMofa @Somalia111 @IntegrationTV awesome! Its good to see people working together around the world to restore Somali

@UNHCRSomNew reports to UNHCR of 20,599 displaced by heavy rains/floods in Jowhar & Jamaame districts in #Somaliafrom 3-9 Nov http://goo.gl/nAjPgM

@LailaInNairobi A gem of a story about #Somalia 1st art fair since the fall of Siad Barre. http://bit.ly/11n623d via@robynleekriel #Mogadishu

@IRWorldwide IR have handed-over a National Eye Hospital and a Teachers Training Centre in #Somal ia http://bit.ly/14haX6O

@BeilehMofa With Copenhagen a few days away, the Somalia government has achieved much but challenges remain@Somalia111 @amisomsomalia @UNSomalia

‏@Tommy_Africa #Somalia SOMALIA: Media Awareness Campaign in Mogadishu held by NUSOJ in partnership with RI (Photos) http://ow.ly/2QFkXe

‏@MOALIMUU 8m8 minutes ago #Somalia Sec forces say they captured explosive devices ,a vehicle,jackets and young armed men after storming overnight a house in Wadajir.

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Image of the day

Islamic Relief have handed-over a National Eye Hospital and a Teachers Training Centre in Somalia. Photo: IRW ‏@IRWorldwide