December 29, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Wanted extremist leader surrenders in Somalia

Dec 27 – Associated Press – 344 Words
A leader with the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab, who had a $3 million bounty on his head, surrendered in Somalia, a Somali intelligence official said Saturday. Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi surrendered to Somali police in the Gedo region, said the intelligence officer, who insisted on anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the press. Hersi may have surrendered because he fell out with those loyal to Ahmed Abdi Godane, al-Shabab’s top leader who was killed in a U.S. airstrike earlier this year, the officer said. Hersi was one of seven top al-Shabab officials whom the Obama administration offered a total $33 million in rewards for information leading to their capture in 2012. It is not clear if the reward will be paid out for Hersi because he surrendered. Despite major setbacks in 2014, al-Shabab remains a threat in Somalia and the East African region. The group has carried out many terror attacks in Somalia and some in neighboring countries including Kenya, whose armies are part of the African Union troops bolstering Somalia’s weak U.N.- backed government.

On Christmas day al-Shabab launched an attack at the African Union base in Mogadishu. Nine people died, including three African Union soldiers, in the attack on the complex, which also houses U.N. offices and western embassies. Al-Shabab said the attack was aimed at a Christmas party and was in retaliation for the killing of the group’s leader Godane. Al-Shabab also claimed that 14 soldiers were killed but the group often exaggerates the number of people it kills.

Key Headlines

Somalia rejects handing over Al Shabaab commander to Kenya (Dalsan Radio)
Guriel deputy commissioner: Ahlu Suna hails every effort aimed to solve the differences between the sides (Radio Goobjoog)
Southwest state leader on visit to Jubaland (Garowe Online)
Four die after gunmen attack passenger bus near Hudur Bakol region (Radio RBC/Radio Bar-Kulan)
Puntland government ministers undergo performance review (Garowe Online)
Fallen UPDF soldiers flown home for burial (The Insider UG)
Dismantled al-Shabaab cells reveal group’s inner workings (Sabahi Online)
Wanted extremist leader surrenders in Somalia (Associated Press)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somalia rejects handing over Al Shabaab commander to Kenya

28 Dec – Dalsan Radio – 116 Words

The federal government of Somalia has refused to handover captured Al Shabaab commander Zakariye Hersi to Kenyan authorities. Col. Abass Gurey, a Somali security official in Gedo region, said they rejected a request from Kenyan forces in the area to handover Zakariye Hersi. Colonel Gurey said it was impossible to give up Hersi to Kenya since he was captured inside Somalia. The former Al Shabaab leader was captured by Somali security forces on Saturday after tip off from members of the public in Elwak. Hersi was on a U.S. most -wanted list, and had a $3 million bounty on his head. Sources say he is expected to be airlifted to Mogadishu today.

Four die after gunmen attack passenger bus near Hudur, Bakol region

28 Dec – Radio RBC/Radio Bar-Kulan – 81 Words
At least four people have been killed after gunmen attacked a passenger bus in Abal, near Hudur, the provincial capital of Bakol region, RBC radio reports. Armed men opened fire on a passenger bus, killing four civilians and injuring 11 others. Among the injured are some who have sustained critical injuries, and are receiving treatments in Baidoa General Hospital. According to Baidoa General Hospital Director Abdullahi Mohamed Adan, two people are in critical condition. One of the injured who spoke to Bar-Kulan said that the gunmen were dressed in Somali security forces uniform. The identity of the perpetrators has not yet been established.

Guriel deputy commissioner: Ahlu Suna hails every effort aimed to solve the differences between the sides

28 Dec – Radio Goobjoog – 222 Words

The administration of Ahlu Suna Wal Jama’a in Central Somalia welcomed ongoing efforts to resolve the tensions that resulted from clashes that embarked between forces loyal to the group and federal government forces in Guriel and Dusamareb districts. Guriel deputy commissioner of the Ahlu Suna administration, Ali Baashi Adan Diriye, told Goobjoog FM that the administration hails every positive step meant to end the differences between the sides, and improve the security in the region.

The deputy commissioner added that he hopes the committee mediating the sides will come up with positive outcomes at the end of the talks. Responding to a question about the central state formation conference that is expected to open in Adado, Mr. Diriye underlined that the proposed administration will unite the people in Galgaduud and Mudug regions. Finally he called the local people in central Somalia to devote themselves to the formation of an inclusive administration in the region. The final preparations to open the state formation conference are ongoing in Adado, the administrative capital of Himan and Heb administration. The administration earlier confirmed that most of the delegates reached Adado. The federal government of Somalia, on it’s side, finalized all the committees meant to facilitate the establishment of Central Somalia state.

Southwest state leader visits Jubaland

27 Dec – Garowe Online – 164 Words

The leader of Somalia’s newest federal state, southwest president Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan arrived in Kismayo, the capital of Jubaland, for an official visit on Saturday, Garowe Online reports. Jubaland President Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe), ministers, traditional leaders and banner-waving residents received Adan at Kismayo International airport. After a closed-door meeting in Jubaland presidential palace, Madobe and Adan spoke to the media on the outcome of their bilateral talks. “Prior to southwest state formation, Jubaland was set up and Puntland played a pivotal role in the process, today Jubaland is throwing support behind southwest state administration,” said Madobe, adding that the two states will closely cooperate with each other on trade and security. Meanwhile, the newly-elected president of southwest state, Adan thanked Jubaland citizens and administration officials for the warm welcome. Adan is making the second stopover in Kismayo after a trip to southwest state capital city and former Al Shabaab stronghold Barawe coastal town last week.

Puntland government ministers undergo performance review

Dec 27 – Garowe Online – 220 Words

The President of Somalia’s Puntland Government, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, has officially launched an annual performance review conference in the state capital of Garowe on Saturday, Garowe Online reports. The two-day conference at health ministry headquarters was televised live on the state broadcaster PLTV and local radio stations, with ministers and directors of ministries presenting their achievements and activities for year of 2014. “Today marks one of the final days of the year, it is mandatory to hold ourselves accountable and remain appraised for, [so] our people [can] put achievements and failures, if any, in our promises on display,” said President Ali, referring to his pledges in early 2014.

“We pledged a lot for the people, we pledged development, real commitment to improved healthcare, secure environs and to combat piracy, human trafficking and radicalism,” Puntland President noted in his remarks at the performance review conference. Government ministers and directorate heads including Education Minister Ali Haji Warsame, Women Development and Family Affairs Minister Anisa Haji Mumin, and Director of Puntland Petroleum and Minerals Agency Isse Mohamud Farah addressed participants on their achievements and the challenges being faced over the course of President Ali’s presidency. The public deliberation into the annual performance of state agencies marks the first, and has already received mixed reactions.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Fallen UPDF soldiers flown home for burial

Dec 28 – The Insider UG – 231 Words
Bodies of Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers serving on the AMISOM contingent in Somalia have been brought home for burial. The deceased including a one Lt Col Christopher Kaija and two others, were killed on December 25, 2014 while defending Halane AU military base in Mogadishu. The bodies were received at Entebbe airport by the Commander Land Forces, Maj Gen David Muhoozi.

Maj Gen Muhoozi hailed the soldiers for heroically defeating the Al Shabaab and denying them access to critical infrastructures at the base. He said five terrorists were eliminated on the spot as three were captured alive “It is unfortunate that some of the Ugandan comrades including a Lt Col lost their lives in the process,” he said. He observed that the deceased fell as they fearlessly made a huge contribution towards the world’s cause of liberating humanity from terrorism. “Uganda, Africa and the world will remember their enormous sacrifices…UPDF appreciatively receives the condolence message from the Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia and head of AMISOM, Maman S. Sidikou who also applauded the quick response and bravery of the Ugandan AMISOM troops in quelling the attack.” While sending his condolences to the bereaved families, Maj Gen Muhoozi said Uganda will continue to stand with Africa and the rest of the world in the fight against terrorism.

Dismantled al-Shabaab cells reveal group’s inner workings

26 Dec – Sabahi Online – 1,075 Words
The Somali government can learn a number of lessons about al-Shabaab’s plans and methodology from the captured members of three terror cells recently dismantled in Mogadishu, security analysts say. On December 3rd, Somali security agencies said they had successfully dismantled three al-Shabaab cells that were carrying out targeted assassinations, bombings and other attacks using vehicles. “The security agencies of Somalia have destroyed three terrorist cells that used to cause problems for the public,” said Ministry of National Security spokesperson Mohamed Yusuf Osman. “These three cells are al-Shabaab’s Amniyat cell, the cell that carried out drive-by shootings, which has been dismantled, and the one that planned attacks and explosions.” Osman assured the public that al-Shabaab has been dealt a heavy blow and it is no longer possible for them to carry out acts of terrorism.

He thanked Somali citizens for their help in ensuring the success of “the first phase of stabilising the country”. “The dismantling of al-Shabaab cells will deal a devastating blow to the destructive operations the group has carried out in the capital,” said Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled “Afrika”, a terrorism affairs reporter for SNTV and Radio Mogadishu. “This is a big blow to the terrorists because al-Shabaab has spent a lot of time planning the formation of these cells,” he told Sabahi.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Wanted extremist leader surrenders in Somalia

Hersi may have surrendered because he fell out with those loyal to Ahmed Abdi Godane, al-Shabab’s top leader who was killed in a U.S. airstrike earlier this year, the officer said. Hersi was one of seven top al-Shabab officials whom the Obama administration offered a total $33 million in rewards for information leading to their capture in 2012. It is not clear if the reward will be paid out for Hersi because he surrendered. Despite major setbacks in 2014, al-Shabab remains a threat in Somalia and the East African region. The group has carried out many terror attacks in Somalia and some in neighboring countries including Kenya, whose armies are part of the African Union troops bolstering Somalia’s weak U.N.- backed government.

On Christmas day al-Shabab launched an attack at the African Union base in Mogadishu. Nine people died, including three African Union soldiers, in the attack on the complex, which also houses U.N. offices and western embassies. Al-Shabab said the attack was aimed at a Christmas party and was in retaliation for the killing of the group’s leader Godane.Al-Shabab also claimed that 14 soldiers were killed but the group often exaggerates the number of people it kills.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“I see myself as a cultural broker, someone who understands the American health care system and the needs of low-income and immigrant communities,” said Noor.

New generation of Somali women is on the rise in Minnesota

27 Dec – Star Tribune – 1,398 Words

When Sahra Noor first visited People’s Center Health Services, she was a harried college freshman and the single mom of a toddler. She had arrived in the United States two years earlier after spending most of her teenage years in Kenyan refugee camps. She returned to the center last summer as the chief executive of what is now a network of clinics headquartered in the Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

In the 15 intervening years, Noor earned a graduate degree and rose rapidly in health care leadership. But she says she will draw heavily on her back story as a patient — at a time when the pressure is on for safety-net clinics to better track patient results and cut costs. The proud Somali community of Cedar-Riverside has high expectations of Noor, as well. “I see myself as a cultural broker, someone who understands the American health care system and the needs of low-income and immigrant communities,” said Noor. Over the past decade, a growing number of Somali-American women have launched successful professional careers. Now, some are aiming higher, eyeing new roles as decision makers.

“For most, it remains an impossible dream. But there is one legal way in which even those without wealth or connections can do it – getting a lucky break in the US Diversity Visa Program, better known as the green card lottery.”

Abdi and his golden ticket to the US

27 Dec – Source: BBC News – 2,204 Words

Abdi Nor Iftin fled Somalia only to land in one of Kenya’s worst slums. When he won the US green card lottery his problems seemed to be solved – but it turned out to be the start of a whole new struggle. In Somali slang, there is a special word for the daydream of starting a new life in a far-off land: it’s known as a bofis. And for millions of refugees across Africa, there is one bofis that obsesses people above all – the idea of moving to the West, and in particular to the US. For most, it remains an impossible dream. But there is one legal way in which even those without wealth or connections can do it – getting a lucky break in the US Diversity Visa Program, better known as the green card lottery. In 2013, nearly eight million people applied for just 50,000 winning tickets, which means that for every 1,000 applicants only six won the chance of a new life.

For the past year, I’ve followed the story of one of the winners – a young Somali refugee called Abdi Nor Iftin, living in the Eastleigh district of the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Known as Little Mogadishu, it’s one of the country’s toughest slums. And one thing I discovered is that becoming an American is not easy, even for those who do have a winning ticket.
There is no denying that there is something a little strange about the Diversity Visa Program. At a time when immigration to most Western countries is becoming ever more restricted, the US government still gives away 50,000 permanent resident visas each year to people chosen at random from across the world. Entries from most developing countries are permitted, and only a high school education, or a few years of work experience, are required. The stuff of a true bofis.