December 16, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Over 200 arrested in Mogadishu security operation

15 Dec – Source: Horseed Media – 143 Words

A joint security operation by Somali security forces and African Union peacekeepers in Mogadishu has led to the arrest of 228 people. The security officers conducted house to house search in Hamarweyne district in which recently armed men killed and wounded members of Somali parliament. Somali Police Spokesman Col. Kassim Ahmed Roble has told the media that out of 228 arrested in the operation, 30 suspected Al Shabaab members are so far in the custody after investigation was carried out. Col. Kassim said the swoop was aimed at improving security in the capital after spate of attacks by Al Shabaab militants. Magadihsu is experiencing relative calm and basic government services are returning to normal after armed group Al Shabaab was pushed out of the capital Mogadishu and several key strategic towns in south and central Somalia by Somali national army and AMISOM.

Key Headlines

Over 200 arrested in Mogadishu security operation (Horseed Media)
Mogadishu residents positive about democracy (Radio bar-kulan)
Djibouti troops set to remain in Somalia (Somali Current)
Balambale administration says government buildings there in dire condition (Radio Dalsan – 97 Words
Ceasefire reached Dusamareb (Radio bar-kulan)
Somalia finds itself in the list of the most dangerous countries (Radio Dalsan)
Khaemba wants KDF pulled out of Somalia (Star Kenya)
Ten killed in al-Shabab attack in Mogadishu (Press TV)
A former al-Shabab fighter tells his story (Deutsche Welle)
Syracuse Somali-Bantu community’s desire to be self-sufficient drives federal grant (Syracuse.com)

PRESS STATEMENT

AU Special Representative bids farewell to Lieutenant General Silas Ntigurirwa

15 Dec – Source: AMISOM – 312 Words

Mogadishu-December 15, 2014; The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou on Monday joined senior AMISOM military officers to bid farewell to the immediate former Force Commander Lieutenant General Silas Ntigurirwa who has completed his tour of duty. Ambassador Sidikou thanked Lt. Gen. Ntigurirwa for his dedication and leadership during his tenure as AMISOM Force Commander and wished him well in his future endeavours.

“It is my pleasure and indeed that of the entire AMISOM family to say thank you and bid farewell to our immediate former Force Commander Lieutenant-General Silas Ntigurirwa who served AMISOM with dedication and zeal during his tenure, recording significant military successes against the Al-Shabaab extremists. We wish him well in his future undertakings,” Ambassador Sidikou said. A guard of honour – made up of African Union soldiers – was mounted at the airport to signify the end of his command of the 22,000 strong AMISOM forces in Somalia.

Major-General Jonathan Kipkemoi Rono of Kenya, who until recently was Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and Logistics, is now the Acting AMISOM Force Commander until a new Force Commander is appointed. Lt. Gen. Ntigurirwa was seen off by the SRCC-Ambassador Sidikou, the United Nations Special Representative for Somalia Ambassador Nicolas Kay, AMISOM Police Commissioner Anand Pillay as well as senior AMISOM commanders from Uganda, Ethiopia and other African countries and individual support staff at the AMISOM Force headquarters.

Lt. Gen. Ntigurirwa was appointed AMISOM Force Commander on December 16, 2013 taking over from Lt. General Gutti of Uganda. During his year-long command, the Mission recorded significant military victories against the Al-Shabaab militants by liberating many strategic towns, including the former stronghold of Baraawe, under Operation Indian Ocean and Operation Eagle.

SOMALI MEDIA

Over 200 arrested in Mogadishu security operation

15 Dec – Source: Horseed Media – 143 Words

Mogadishu residents positive about democracy

15 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 242 Words

According to a research by Heritage Institute of Policy Studies, majority of Mogadishu residents considers democratic elections in the city important, and intends to vote according to the findings of a poll of 1633 people across the 17 districts of Benadir Region. However, continued insecurity is seen as the greatest obstacle to democratic elections. On the other hand, Mogadishu residents are also deeply unsatisfied with the 4.5 clan power-sharing system, and want a greater role for women and minorities.The overarching issue of security in the city also appears to have a profound impact on attitudes towards elections.70 percent of all respondents claimed that continuing insecurity poses the greatest challenge to the successful holding of elections.

The nature of insecurity in Mogadishu has evolved in recent years and, though residents may feel generally safer than they did in previous years, indiscriminate suicide attacks, grenade attacks, and targeted killings continue to present great threat.16 percent of respondents consider democracy to be un-Islamic or secular. As suggested in focus group discussions, it is also arguably part of Somali culture to distrust external interference. This combined with the rise of radical interpretations of Islam in recent history may have resulted in an assumption among some that democracy is an inherently ‘western’ concept and thus incompatible with Somali culture and/or religion. This view was articulated by a focus group participant who suggested, “We are not against everything that comes from the west.

Djibouti troops set to remain in Somalia

15 Dec – Source: Somali Current – 109 Words

Djibouti government is planning not to leave Somalia until the African Union peacekeeping mission has removed Al-shabaab from the long troubled horn of African nation according to Djibouti foreign affairs minister Mohamud Ali Yusuf. “Our forces will remain in Somalia until Somalia government is standing on its own feet and also we are preparing to deploy additional troops in the region, “Mohamud Ali has told Anadolu news agency during his visit in Turkey. The Djibout troops serving under the African Union mandate has driven off Al-shabaab from key districts in central Somalia. “It’s our responsibility to beat terrorists and restore peace and law in central Somalia” Yusuf said.

Balambale administration says government buildings there are in dire condition

15 Dec – Source: Radio Dalsan – 97 Words

The administration of Balambale District is concerned about the condition of the government buildings in the district which saw dilapidation during the 20 years long civil war in the country. Jaal Ahmed Mohamed, the director of the Department of Social Amenities in the district said many social facilities in the district such as the police station are in ruins. He said no maintenance was done on them during the prolonged civil war which took 20 years. Mr. Jaal called for the federal government to support the administration of Balambale in repairing the government buildings in the district.

Ceasefire reached Dusamareb

15 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 106 Words

The traditional elders in Dusamareb have succeeded in bridging truce between warring parties in Dusamareb and Guriel in Galgadud. Ugas Hassan Ugas Mohamed has told the media that the two sides have agreed to unconditional truce following separate meeting by the traditional elders in the area. He urged the parties to respect the ceasefire so as to move forward and achieve long lasting peace in the region. He added that they are committed to working with the warring parties to prevent further confrontation saying unnecessary bloodshed in the area is unacceptable. Somali government forces and moderate Islamic group Ahlu Suna militia clashed in the area last week for undisclosed reasons

Somalia finds itself in the list of the most dangerous countries

15 Dec – Source: Radio Dalsan – 162 Words

A Britain based global risk and strategic consulting firm, Control Risks, issued a report in which it enlisted the most dangerous countries in the world which pose risks to the world trade, security and politics. Somalia was chosen as one of the countries. In the report by APS news agency, out of the over fifty countries in Africa only six managed to be in the list where such risks are minimal. Those countries include Morocco, Cape Verde, Seychelles, Namibia, Mauritius and Botswana. According to the report, Somalia and Central African Republic (CAR) are the most dangerous countries that pose risks to the world trade, security and politics. The report added that there are other countries which pose similar risks but not up to level associated with Somalia and Central African Republic.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Khaemba wants KDF pulled out of Somalia

15 Dec – Source: Star Kenya – 146 Words

The Kenya Defence Forces should not keep peace in Somalia when Kenya is not safe, Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba has said.Khaemba said there is a need to safeguard Kenyan borders first before sending security officers to take care of other countries.He cited the recent Mandera terrorist attacks, where more than 50 people were killed. Khaemba was speaking in Kitale town on Saturday during the launch of the Governor’s Corner, a platform for residents to engage the governor on county issues. He said insecurity has caused the deterioration of the country’s economy.Khaemba asked the national government to involve governors in security matters.He said governors can help improve security by helping in issuance of police vehicles and fuelling them to enhance patrols.The governor wondered why the judiciary frees criminal suspects on bond without involving residents of areas where such crimes are reported.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Ten killed in al-Shabab attack in Mogadishu (UPDATE)

15 Dec – Source: Press TV – 200 Words

At least 10 Somali government soldiers, including a senior commander, have been killed in a militant attack on an army base near the capital, Mogadishu. Al-Shabab militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns and tanks attacked the base near the town of Afgoye, located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of Mogadishu, on Monday, an unidentified commander said. Among those killed was senior commander, Mohamed Khalif, the official said. Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack. The development comes as al-Shabab continues launching assaults in Mogadishu. On December 4, al-Shabab militants attacked the convoy of Somali lawmaker, Mustafa Mayow, in the center of the city. The assault left Liban Abdullahi Nor, a former legislator, and two bodyguards dead. Mayow was injured.

A former al-Shabab fighter tells his story

15 Dec – Source: Deutsche Welle – 1, 101 Words

Despite a series of setbacks, the militant group al-Shabab remains one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations in Africa. A former al-Shabab member tells DW what made him join the group and why he left it.

DW: Hassan Ali, what is your life like at the moment?
Hassan Ali: I am, of course, a target for al-Shabab. One day they’ll kill me. They keep calling me and telling me that they’ll kill me. They have already killed several friends.

What made you join the group?
I was working at the market. At the time, I still thought al-Shabab was a good organization. I didn’t know they were completely different from what they purported to be. Once I got to know the organization from the inside, I realized that what they are doing is wrong. I’m an educated person and I can tell right from wrong.

What did you think was good about them at the time?
I thought that what al-Shabab was saying about true religion was right. Moreover, there were Ethiopian occupation troops in Somalia. I subscribed to the positions al-Shabab held.

Is money also a reason to join the group?
Most of the rank-and-file fighters do it for the money. There is no work in the country. That’s why al-Shabab provides one of the few opportunities for people seeking employment. There are only very few people who truly share their ideology.

Syracuse Somali-Bantu community’s desire to be self-sufficient drives federal grant

Dec 15 – Source: Syracuse.com – 308 Words

The Somali-Bantu Community Association of Onondaga County has received a three-year federal grant worth up to $450,000 to provide services to help refugees become self-sufficient. The money will be used to provide wraparound assistance to refugees in need of translation services, advocacy, job placement and other services throughout Onondaga County. The association already provides those services through volunteers, but the grant will allow it to hire five workers, including himself, said Executive Director Haji A. Adan.

The Somali-Bantu association was one of 18 refugee programs across the country that will receive nearly $3 million in Ethnic Community Self-Help grants from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement. The grants fund programs that help refugees help themselves become self-sufficient. The Somali-Bantu association’s initial grant of $150,000 is for fiscal year 2015 and the federal office expects to provide additional grants in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 for a total of $450,000 over three years, a federal spokeswoman said.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Al Shabaab is moving south for revenge as well as to get away from peacekeepers, anti-al Shabaab militias and the trained soldiers the government now has available. The al Shabaab forces along the border are not yet strong enough to go to war with the Kenyan Army and the local Somali militias, but terrorism is another matter.”

Somalia: vengeance is in the air

15 Dec – Source: Strategy Page – 1, 764 Words

More and more al Shabaab groups are leaving central Somalia and heading for the Kenyan border, where they have access to the large number of Somali refugees (in well supplied Kenyan camps) and ethnic Somalis long resident in northern Kenya. These Somali Kenyans are easier to convince or coerce into cooperating with the Islamic terrorists than the Kenyans belonging to one of the many black African tribes native to East Africa south of Somalia. Al Shabaab is still angry at Kenya for sending troops into southern Kenya and, with the aid of local clan militias, set up a new government in the area that had long been under al Shabaab control.

Traditionally Somalis invade Kenya not the other way around and the fact that the Kenyans got away with their “invasion” of southern Somali still annoys al Shabaab (and a lot of other Somalis.) So al Shabaab is moving south for revenge as well as to get away from peacekeepers, anti-al Shabaab militias and the trained soldiers the government now has available. The al Shabaab forces along the border are not yet strong enough to go to war with the Kenyan Army and the local Somali militias, but terrorism is another matter. So groups of al Shabaab gunmen have been crossing the border and murdering non-Moslem civilians they come across. This has angered Kenyans who are demanding that their government do something. In response Kenyan warplanes have bombed suspected al Shabaab camps and Kenyan troops are aggressively seeking out al Shabaab men on both sides of the border. Despite that there is panic among non-Moslem Kenyans living near the Somali border and thousands are leaving.