January 5, 2015 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Suicide bomber kills 4 people in Somalia’s capital

4 Jan – Source: Associated Press – 303 Words

A suicide car bomber blew himself up near a moving convoy of Somalia’s U.S.-trained elite forces in Mogadishu, killing at least four people, a Somali police officer said Sunday.
Somali militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the group’s Radio Andulus. The attack on the airport road in the capital killed mostly pedestrians walking along the road, said Capt. Mohamed Hussein. Mohamed Yusuf, the spokesman of Somalia’s National Security Ministry, said the government had information about the attack, and the car bomb was detonated while the attacker was being pursued.

“We shall continue preventing such attacks, however we ask people to work with us,” he told reporters in Mogadishu. The Alpha Group troops are part of Somalia’s intelligence forces and often carry out operations against militants in Somalia. Al-Shabab is an ultra-conservative Islamic militant group that is linked to the al-Qaida terrorist network and wants to run Somalia by its strict interpretation of Shariah law. Despite militants suffering huge losses in recent years, including the killing of their leader in a U.S. airstrike earlier this year, al-Shabab remains a threat. Al-Shabab leader Ahmed Godane was killed in a U.S. airstrike in September…Sunday’s blast comes days after a U.S. airstrike killed al-Shabab’s intelligence chief, Abdishakur Tahlil.

Key Headlines

AU envoy to Somalia: Humud is no longer AMISOM spokesman (Radio Goobjoog)
Southwest State leader unveils new cabinet (Garowe Online)
President Erdogan is going to 12 African countries as his first visits of 2015 (Mareeg)
Six-month training for women concludes in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog)
Somalia denies registering first Ebola case (Daily Sabah)
Suicide bomber kills 4 people in Somalia’s capital (Associated Press)
UN Points to progress in battling Al-Shabab in Somalia (VOA)
Ban congratulates Somalia’s new Prime Minister urges creation of inclusive Government (UN News Agency)

SOMALI MEDIA

AU envoy to Somalia: Humud is no longer AMISOM spokesman

04 Jan – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 363 Words

The special representative of the chairperson of African Union ambassador Maman Sidikou held press conference in Mogadishu briefing on the situation in Somalia. He talked about wide range of issues during the media briefing. Hee begun with Al-shabab’s attack on Halane base in Mogadishu on 25th December. “The incident has only strengthened our resolve to continue fight Al-shabab so that Somali people can enjoy peace and be free from terrorism” Ambassador Sidikou said. “ We shall not be derailed nor our resolve is shaken” He added.

He sent his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends who lost their loved ones during the attack at Halane, AU’s main base in Mogadishu. Sending clear message to Al-shabab the ambassador said, “The sacrifices of gallant Somali and AMISOM soldiers to take over Somalia will not be in a vain” Shedding light on the achievements of the allied forces over the past year the ambassador stated that the forces recovered 10 strategic towns in the first phase of joint operations dubbed Operation Eagle while in the second phase dubbed Operation Indian Ocean the forces seized 8 other towns including Barawe which was a stronghold and a major economic base of Al-shabab.

The ambassador noted that AMISOM will further support the federal government to ensure that the newly recovered areas will remain secure and receive the support they need. He appealed to international community to come to the aid of Somali people. “Their needs are immediate, they cannot wait until tomorrow or the other day” he said. Responding to question about the firing of AMISOM spokesman Ali Adan Humud the ambassador confirmed that Mr. Humud is not a spokesman of AMISOM without further details. After the attack on Halane base late last year, a statement from AMISOM declared that the spokesman Mr. Humud was sacked a move which Humud denied and described it as propaganda.

Southwest State leader unveils new cabinet

04 Jan – Source: Garowe Online – 166 Words

The president of Southwest State administration Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan has unveiled a 20-member cabinet lineup on Sunday, Garowe Online reports. In a press statement released to the media, politicians and former officials including Bay Governor Abdifatah Ibrahim Geesey, Chairman of Alliance for Democracy and Peace Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan, and political opponents secured portfolios in the cabinet lineup. Geesey was named as Security Minister, Hassan became Minister for Commerce and Industries, while Abdulkadir Nur Arale who held a ministerial post in the transitional governments was assigned to the ministry of Reconciliation and Constitutional affairs.

Today’s lineup makes a total of 24 cabinet ministers, as President Adan named Mohamed Hassan Fiqi, his close rival in presidential election, as Minister of Agriculture, Abdirahman Ibrahim Adan (Sate) as Minister of Internal Affairs, Ahmed Sheikh Hassan (Garrow) as Minister for Justice, and Sheikh Hassan Ibrahim (Lug-Bur) as Finance Minister. 373 delegates representing Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions elected Adan to Southwest State Presidency on November 17, 2014.

President Erdogan is going to 12 African countries as his first visits of 2015

04 Jan – Source: Mareeg.com – 96 Words

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Africa in his first overseas trip of the new year. Erdogan will go on four separate tours, and will visit a total of 12 countries in Africa. According to sources, Erdogan’ first round, which will be in January, will include Ethiopia, Tanzania and Somalia. Erdogan visited Somalia in 2011 as Turkish prime minister, and will visit as president in hsi 2015 tour. Erdogan’s most important visit in the new year will be to Iran, where he will meet Iranian President Rouhani.

Six-month training for women concludes in Mogadishu

04 Jan – Source: Radio Goobjoog -147 Words

A ceremony to conclude six month training for 30 women who completed office work and trade Management was held in Mogadishu. The ceremony was attended by officials from the National Women’s Association and officials of SOWDA, a local NGO operating in Somalia. The training which was going on for six months was funded by SOWDA. The participants were selected from all Benadir districts as organizing officials confirmed to the media. The chairman of SOWDA, Fatuma Abdullahi Moalim, who was training these women, urged them to turn to action and assist their fellow citizens with what they were taught. The chairlady of the National Women’s Association, Batuula Sheikh Ahmed Gaballe, who concluded the ceremony stated that the association will support these women to pursue their potential.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia denies registering first Ebola case

3 Jan – Source: Daily Sabah – 339 Words

Somalia denied reports on Saturday about registering its first deadly Ebola virus infection, a short time after local media had claimed that a man from Buulo Sharey town had contacted the virus. “We acted quickly and decisively to isolate the alleged victims as soon as we heard the rumors,” Somali Health Minister Ali Mohamed Mahamud said. He added in a press briefing in the Somali capital that the man was identified as Abdulkadir Jinow Barow. He said the man’s family had also been isolated. “It very quickly became apparent that the man did not have the Ebola virus,” the minister said. He added that he was nonetheless moved to Mogadishu as a precautionary measure and put through a rigorous series of tests by Health Ministry doctors. The minister added that the man was already cleared by the Health Ministry. “We can state categorically that there has been no outbreak of Ebola in Somalia,” Mahamud said. Barow, who attended the press conference to substantiate the remarks of the minister, said he had returned from Guinea in late December and gone through all tests in the countries he had passed through before entering Somalia”I was given a clean bill of health at each stage of my return,” Barow told the media. “So I am very confused and upset by the rumor that I was carrying the Ebola virus.” The Somalia government, meanwhile, said that it would investigate the rumor, vowing to bring to account those who stood behind it.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Suicide bomber kills 4 people in Somalia’s capital

4 Jan – Source: Associated Press 303 Words

UN points to progress in battling Al-Shabab in Somalia

3 Jan – Source: VOA News – 192 Words

The top U.N. envoy to Somalia says U.S. airstrikes and major ground offensives by pro-government forces have led to the liberation of nearly 20 Somali towns from al-Shabab militants and have brought the country closer to full federal control. Special U.N. representative Nicholas Kay, speaking to VOA, cited “considerable success” in the 2014 push against the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab. He also noted political progress in ending the nearly nine-year uprising.

Kay’s interview came as regional news outlets reported the January 1 killing of al-Shabab commander Ibrahim Filey near the southern town of Kurtun Waarey. U.N.-backed radio Bar-Kulan said three other militants were also killed in the confrontation with Somali forces, but the report did not provide details. On Tuesday, Somali authorities said al-Shabab fighters killed six Somali soldiers in Baidoa, in an attack on a military checkpoint about 250 kilometers west of Mogadishu. Separately, the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday that a U.S. airstrike killed al-Shabab security chief Tahil Abdishakur on December 29 near the town of Saakow. A U.S. airstrike in September killed al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane.

Ban congratulates Somalia’s new Prime Minister, urges creation of inclusive Government

2 Jan – Source: UN News Agency – 159 Words

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called the new Prime Minister of Somalia, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, to congratulate him on his recent appointment, expressing hope that he will move quickly to form an inclusive Government, with the full participation of women. According to a readout of the phone call provided by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban called on the Somali leadership to work closely together to “regain momentum in the political process,” including the formation of federal states and a participatory constitutional review process.

Recent gains by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army against the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab should be complemented by the delivery of basic services and the rule of law, the UN Chief said. Further, Mr. Ban reassured the Prime Minister of the UN’s full support in Somalia’s efforts towards peace, development and the full respect for human rights.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Given the severe legal consequences that could result from his alleged involvement in these violations of international law…it is perhaps not surprising that [Erik] Prince would be highly motivated to deny his personal involvement in contracting for and financing the Somalia Report in this case.”

Was the U.N. targeting Blackwater founder Erik Prince on Somalia?

2 Jan – Source: Washington Post 435 Words

Was Blackwater founder Erik Prince trying to avoid legal trouble with the United Nations when he allegedly distanced himself from a Web site called “The Somalia Report?” It depends on who you believe in a marathon legal battle being waged in a Northern Virginia court between Prince, founder of what was once the world’s most notorious security contracting firm, and a former business partner, journalist Robert Young Pelton. Each man claims he is owed $1 million by the other.

In his lawsuit against Prince, Pelton claims that Prince made an agreement in 2010 to invest in the writer’s “The Somalia Report,” a news source on piracy and kidnappings. But Prince denies he ever made the agreement, and Pelton thinks he knows why. In his court documents, Pelton argues that a U.N. monitoring group’s 2012 report implicated Prince of “suspected violations” of the United Nations 1992 arms embargo on Somalia. His motion argues that Prince was “suspected to have been affiliated” with a private security contractor called Saracen International Lebanon that helped establish the counter-piracy Puntland Maritime Police Force in Somalia. It was dubbed “the most brazen violation of the arms embargo by a private security company” in the U.N. monitoring group’s report.