February 13, 2015 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

President in Germany for a private medical treatment

12 Feb – Source: Geeska Afrika – 228 Words

Contrary to official claims that President Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud traveled to Germany on a private visit, security sources authoritatively [stated] yesterday that the president actually took ill and left for Germany to seek a minor medical care. Efforts to get a confirmation from the Presidency failed up until the time of going to press, as several calls to his spokesman did not go through and he didn’t respond to an email enquiry from Geeska Afrika Online. Similarly, the senior special assistant to the president on security affairs, did not pick or return several calls as well to his mobile number last night.

President Hassan left for Germany yesterday after conducting the opening ceremony in a regional visit to the central Somali town of Dhuusamareeb on Wednesday to help the formation a regional Central Administration. Prior to his departure, presidential spokesman had issued a short terse statement saying the president would be making a private visit to Germany from Wednesday and would be accompanied by some of his principal presidential aides. It was gathered that the president, on arrival in Germany, headed for a private hospital for medical check-up. It could not, however, be confirmed to the Geeska Afrika Online security reporter whether he went as a result of the same medical problems he had last year when he faced some health challenges.

Key Headlines

Somalia replaces intelligence chiefs (Hiiraan Online)
President in Germany for a private medical treatment (Geeska Afrika)
Fighting continues as government troops Islamist militia battle for Central town (Horseed Media)
Somali PM’s mother dies in Canada (Dalsan Radio)
Famous Somali musician dies in Dubai (Radio Goobjoog)
Horn of Africa states will strengthen their campaign against polio (Coastweek)
Ethiopia distributes its cargo among neighbouring countries’ ports (Addis Fortune)
US bank shuts down informal remittances to Somalia (ABC News/AP)
Three Somalis shot dead in Cape (IOL News)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somalia replaces intelligence chiefs

12 Feb – Source: Hiiraan Online – 162 Words

Somalia’s government has replaced two senior intelligence commanders Thursday, in a new security shake-up in the Somali capital which faces increasing attacks by the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab group, sources told HOL. The replacement of Col. Mohamed Aden Jimale (Koofe), the Mogadishu commander for the spy agency and his deputy Abdifatah Shaweye comes amidst rumors that Col. Koofe is seeking an asylum in Belgium after security trainings in Europe. Other reports say Mr. Koofe was nominated for another position; however, there were no immediate details about his new position. Abdifatah Farey, a commander in the intelligence agency took over Mr. Aden’s position, while Mohamed Hassan takes Shaweye’s position. Mr. Farey, the former presidential guards’ chief was fired by the government in 2013 after attacks on the state house. Somali intelligence and police chiefs often come under fire for ineffectiveness after high profile attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.

President in Germany for a private medical treatment

12 Feb – Source: Geeska Afrika – 228 Words

Fighting continues as government troops, Islamist militia battle for Central town – UPDATE

12 Feb – Horseed Media – 214 Words

Fierce clashes have resumed between Somali government forces and members of the Ahlu Sunna waljama’a in Somalia’s central town of Guri’el, leaving several people dead. Reports coming out of the town on Thursdaysaid government troops had made a new attempt to capture Guri’el. This came after Ahlu sunna waljama’a militia had gained control of the strategic town on Tuesday following a fierce clash with the Somali government troops. Ahlu Sunna waljama’a is a group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to the radical Islamist groups such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia. It became prominent in 2008, when it took up arms against al-Shabaab after the radical group began destroying the tombs of the country’s Sufi saints.

Over the years, the group has been famous for supporting the Somali government but the group recently accused the government for marginalizing it. In the latest fighting, at least six people have been confirmed to have died from both sides, according to credible sources in the town. Somalia Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid had earlier called for both sides to stop the fighting and immediate truce to be reached. On Tuesday’s battle, more than 15 people including civilians were reported to have died and almost 40 people wounded.

Somali PM’s mother dies in Canada

12 Feb – Source: Dalsan Radio – 77 Words

The mother of Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke passed away in Canada. 90 year-old Rukiyo Maalim Dahir was living in Canada for a long time before her sudden death. Deputy PM has sent his heartfelt condolences to bereaved family. Somali cabinet members have also sent their condolences to the family and friends of PM Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke following the death of his beloved mother.

Famous Somali musician dies in Dubai

12 Feb – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 88 Words

Well-known Somali musician and father of five, Mohamed Weli Hasan, died in Dubia on his way to Kuwait for work. Reports confirmed that the musician Mohamed Weli Hasan died on Dubai transit last night on his way to Kuwait for a concert. Mohamed Weli Hasan was a member of the national Waaberi Band, and was best known for his lyrics writing and music expertise. The outgoing minister of Information Mr. Mustaf Dhuhulow has sent condolences following the sudden death of the musician.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Horn of Africa states will strengthen their campaign against polio

12 Feb – Source: Coastweek – 341 Words

Horn of Africa countries will mobilize resources and share best practices to strengthen the fight against polio, senior officials has said. Policy makers and researchers who met at a summit in Nairobi agreed that polio remained a public health risk that would derail sustainable development in the region. “Our original goal of polio eradication is still elusive as cases recur in the Horn of Africa region. “This calls for collective effort to fight the epidemic more effectively,” said Kenya’s cabinet secretary for health, James Macharia
The Horn of Africa region has been described as a polio belt where conflicts, uncontrolled migration and poor hygienic practices have fuelled the spread of the viral disease. Macharia noted that Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan have reported a spike in polio cases in the last two years. “The Horn of Africa region must step up surveillance and routine immunization to avert polio outbreaks. These interventions require funds that should be mobilized from governments and development partners,”Macharia told health experts.

Ethiopia distributes its cargo among neighbouring countries’ ports

12 Feb – Addis Fortune – 701 Words

In the wake of Ethiopia issuing bonds, it has come to the realization that it may need alternative ports aside that of Djibouti. Ethiopia is to start using the Port of Berbera, [Somalia] this month on an agreement reached between the two countries on January 29, 2015, while the use of Port Sudan has started by the importation of 50,000tn of fertilizer. Ethiopia had expressed its dependence on Port Djibouti as a concern when it issued a one billion dollar sovereign bond in October 2014. The move towards issuing the bond came after Ethiopia got a ranking of B+ by foreign rating companies namely, Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. It seems that the effort to reverse the full dependence of the country on Djibouti by finding alternative ports is bearing fruit. “Five to 10pc of the country’s imports are planned to come through the port of Berbera, and we will be looking for proper ports for different areas of the country,” said Workineh Gebeyehu, minister of Transport when reporting his office’s six months’ performance to the Parliament. “But the Port of Djibouti continues to be the major one.”

Considering the annual average growth rate of Ethiopia, that is 10.1pc through the five years of the Growth and Transformation (GTP) period, Djibouti has started 9.8 billion dollars of expansion of Port Djibouti. The expansion, which is meant to be completed by the end of 2017 is planned to increase the capacity of the port 15 times. Ethiopia is also undertaking construction of a 98Km railway that will stretch from Somali, a region in eastern Ethiopia, to Djibouti. It is being constructed by a Chinese firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). The 1.98 billion dollars project, according to the CCECC website, is financed by the Chinese Export Import (EXIM) Bank.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

US bank shuts down informal remittances to Somalia

12 Feb – Source: ABC News/Associated Press – 362 Words

A man raises his cane in anger outside Somalia’s largest money transfer company. He is furious that the Merchants Bank of California has announced it will shut down accounts for informal money-remittance services in Somalia that have been a lifeline to many Somalis who receive money from families abroad. “If they close the hawala (Somali for money transfer agency), will they pay our bills? I’m totally hopeless.” said Zahra Hussein, a mother of nine in Mogadishu, outside an agency where she received the news. Money transfer services have operated for years, but they are now under intense scrutiny as many countries, especially the U.S. and U.K., have accused the agencies of helping fund Islamic extremist terrorist groups. That concern has forced some international banks to terminate business with them — anti-terror laws hold banks responsible if they transfer money to criminal or terror elements.

In 2013, Barclays, one of Britain’s largest banks, cut ties with Dahabshiil, a Somali company that brings in the majority of the country’s $1.2 billion in yearly remittances, according to the U.N. Merchants Bank of California informed Somali-American money transfer operators that it would discontinue their relationship in late January. The decision will likely affect more companies that allow transfers of money from the U.S. No formal banking system exists in Somalia, and making such transfers is the only realistic way many Somalis can receive cash. Somalia’s prime minister, along with aid workers and experts, have asked banks to back down on these decisions. “We need to find a permanent solution to keep open this vital humanitarian lifeline,” said Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke.

Three Somalis shot dead in Cape

12 Feb – Source: IOL News – 326 Words

Cape Town – Three Somali men were shot dead and another wounded by a lone gunman who went on a shooting spree near a popular shopping area in Mitchells Plain on Wednesday. Witnesses, however, said five people were shot, three of whom died. The shooter, also a Somali, was arrested on Wednesday night. A spokesman from the Somali Association of South Africa said the shooting was “an isolated incident” and not linked to sectarian fighting among Somalis living in the area. Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said they had received a call about a shooting at Town Centre in Eastridge on Wednesday evening. When they arrived they found that four men had been shot. The body of a man, aged 40, was found riddled with bullets. The other three victims were rushed to hospital, but two died overnight. Witnesses said the shooting started around5.30pm when a “bearded man” barged into a cellphone shop. They said he was “intent” on shooting one of the customers inside. When another customer tried to help, he was shot in the leg. The gunman then turned his weapon on his alleged target who was shot in the neck. Witnesses said the shooter then rushed from the store towards an informal restaurant frequented by Somalis. There he was confronted by a group of three men at a table outside. Customers said he opened fire on them, wounding them. Two of the men died in hospital overnight.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Omitted from the Military Balance is any indication of where Al-Shabab obtains its funding. Asked whether the IISS has any evidence of Qatari financing of the movement (or of Boko Haram in Nigeria) Don Chipman, the centre’s director, said they had none. If this is really the case it is a strange lapse.”

What has happened to the fight against Somalia’s Al-Shabab?

12 Feb – Source: New Statesman – 786 Words

News on Somalia has gone strangely quiet in recent weeks. Somali piracy is in retreat. Since 2009 the high risk area off the Somali coast suffered over 700 attacks from pirates, but last year there were only 11 pirate incidents and not a single ship hijacking. Attacks have driven the al-Qaeda affiliated Somali rebel movement (al-Shabab) out of Somali cities and ports. The operation, under the auspices of the African Union, has been a remarkable success. A detailed report in the Military Balance – just published by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) – indicates how this was done. Operation Indian Ocean, from August to November last year, saw troops from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Burundi undertaking co-ordinated operations against al-Shabab. Linked by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) it succeeded in displacing the rebels from key strongholds.

But, as the Military Balance points out, “the group still has the potential both to slow AMISOM’s progress through its use of asymmetrical tactics and to conduct attacks on Somali and foreign targets”. To show just how much the African forces still have to do to defeat al-Shabab, a helpful map is included showing large areas of the country in a dark grey – regions in the north, centre and south of Somalia are still firmly under rebel control. The real problem is that AMISOM is – as the report makes plain – “about 15,000 troops short of the strength believed required for concurrent operations to clear Somalia of al-Shabab.” At least as worrying is the fact that international donors are beginning to tire of the burden. Running the operation is costing $50m a month, and given the demands of Ukraine, Syria, Nigeria and the other international crises, this is a budget drain western militaries would love to be rid of. But the International Institute of Strategic Studies report is as opaque as it is helpful.