March 17, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report.
15 Children Die Of Measles In Southern Mudug
16 March – Source: Radio Ergo – 294 Words
A measles outbreak in parts of southern Mudug region has killed 15 children, medical officers confirmed. Speaking to Radio Ergo, Abdulkadir Dahir Mohamed, a local health worker in southern Galkayo hospital said the children died in Hobyo, Galkayo, Dagari, Gawan and Bajella in the southern parts of the region. Abdulkadir said 12 of the children died in rural areas, while the three others died in Galkayo hospital. Another 50 infected children have been hospitalized.
Ibado Mohamed Kadiye from Bajella settlement, 130 km of Galkayo, has been in the hospital with her baby for the last three days.“He is now recovering gradually and the doctors told me that he was suffering from measles. I brought him from a rural area on the outskirts of Bajella. He had a high fever and a cough, I later took him to this health centre for treatment. Our village doesn’t have any healthcare service,” she told Radio Ergo’s local reporter.Another mother Malyun Ahmed from Dagari village, 30 km west of Galkayo, also brought her small daughter, who had been sick for a week, to the hospital.
“My daughter has now taken medicine after being diagnosed with measles by the medical officers,” she told Radio Ergo. Sahra Abdullahi, a resident of Galkayo town, was also in the hospital with her infected daughter, indicating that measles had spread to town. Abdulkadir said children in affected areas had not been vaccinated. He said a local organization Mudug Development Organization (MDO) had initiated a vaccination campaign in the town but had not yet reached the rural areas outside town. Most of the areas affected by the measles outbreak have no health centre. The mainly pastoralists residents find it difficult to get their sick children treated, thus increasing the risk of deaths.
Key Headlines
- Baladweyn Commissioner Blames Hiiran Governor For Attack On His Home (Radio Goobjoog)
- Quran Teacher Shot Dead In Central Somalia (Shabelle News)
- Turkish Health Minister Visits Somali Deputy Premier In Ankara Hospital (Wacaal.com)
- IJA Applauds New Deal Initiatives (Radio Goobjoog)
- Garbage Collection Company Launched In Buhodle (Radio Bar-kulan)
- 15 Children Die Of Measles In Southern Mudug (Radio Ergo)
- Suspect Linked To Mandera Attack On Governor’s Convoy Arrested (Standard Media)
- Fix Security Or Else State Told (Daily Nation)
- North Kenya Official Says Security Situation ‘Hopeless’ (Yahoo News/AFP)
- ‘It Touches My Heart His Death’ Says Friend Of Edmonton Homicide Victim (Edmonton Journal)
- Strange How Kenya Is Silent As Somalia Lays Claim To Its Territory (Daily Nation)
- A German Mom’s Anguish Over Her Son In Somalia (Wardheer News)
- AMISOM Police Use Sports To Spread Peace In Somalia (KTN – Video)
SOMALI MEDIA
Baladweyn Commissioner Blames Hiiran Governor For Attack On His Home
17 March – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 89 Words
The district commissioner of Baladweyn Mohamed Osman Qalafow has blamed the governor Abdifatahm Hassan Afrah responsible for the attack on his home on Sunday.“On Sunday afternoon my house came under attack from Governor Abdifatah Hassan Afrah, AMISOM peacekeepers witnessed the attack,” said the commissioner. He said this came after he differed with the governor over issues of town’s administration. Attempts to contact the governor to seek his comment on this accusation were fruitless. Tensions have been simmering between the regional administration and Baladweyne local administration over tax collection.
Quran Teacher Shot Dead In Central Somalia
17 March – Source: Shabelle News – 136 Words
Unidentified armed assailants have shot and killed a Quran teacher in Baladweyne town of central Somalia’s Hiran region, witnesses said. The deceased whose name has been released as Mo’alin Ilmi Abdi known, also known as ‘Ilmi Tabliq’ was gunned down bb armed men near his home located in central town of Baladweyne. The killers are reported to have escaped from the scene of the shooting shortly after they carried out the murder against Mo’alin Ilmi. Armed soldiers reached the scene of the crime and launched an investigation. Baladweyne, a town situated some 206 miles (332 km) north of Mogadishu is under control of Somali National Army, along with AU forces from Uganda, Burundi and Djibouti.
Turkish Health Minister Visits Somali Deputy Premier In Ankara Hospital
17 March – Source: Wacaal.com – 127 Words
The Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia Mr. Mohamed Omar Arte who was injured in the Central Hotel terror attack in Mogadishu on February 22 is still under-going treatment at an Ankara hospital. Turkish Health Minister Mr. Mehmet Muezzinoglu and other top officials of his government paid him a visit in his hospital room and wished him quick recovery.
Arte thanked the minister for the visit and expressed his gratitude to the Turkish government who he said Turkey has always stood with the Somalia people and their government. Mr. Arte who was among the injured airlifted to Turkey and the UAE is recuperating very well according medics at the hospital. More than 30 people lost their lives in the blast while 60 others sustained injuries. Al-shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.
IJA Applauds New Deal Initiatives
17 March – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 135 Words
After the conclusion of two days of New Deal consultation meeting in Baidao, the representative from Interim Jubbaland Administration Ahmed Sheik Abdi has lauded the initiative. Speaking to Radio Goobjoog in Baidao, the official said he is very optimistic about the prospect of good future with the New Deal. He said the Somali people have finally something to be proud of that can yield results.
Ahmed said he is looking forward to the next meeting on the subject which will be held in Kismayo, the administrative capital of IJA. According to federal ministry of planning, all regional administrations would be accommodated to have their say in the disbursement of New Deal developmental projects. New Deal is an international aid package to Somalia with set goals and targets. It’s a model to help fragile states to recover.
Garbage Collection Company Launched In Buhodle
16 March – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 124 Words
A new company which deals with garbage collection that has been launched in Buhoodle town in the region of Toghdeer. This morning it has started a cleaning campaign in parts of the district. Garbage Organization of Buhodle is a privately owned company. Abshir aydiid Abdullaahi who is with the company told the media that the company amins to instil cleanliness in the area. He pointed that they will do daily collection of the garbage and that each household will pay a monthly fee of 3 dollars. He said they will do collection of garbage in the residential areas weekly while they will clean the town daily.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Suspect Linked To Mandera Attack On Governor’s Convoy Arrested
17 March – Source: Standard Media – 417 Words
Police have arrested one suspect over the attack on Mandera Governor Ali Roba’s convoy that left four people dead, including two police officers. Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said the suspect is believed to be part of the gang that attacked the convoy on Friday morning in which eight other people were wounded. “We are talking to a crucial person of interest in the attack and hope to know more for further arrests,” said Boinnet without elaborating. He made the remarks yesterday at the Nairobi West Hospital where he visited five people who are admitted there after the attack.
The IG also said the Government is considering an application by Roba to allow him use an armored vehicle for his safety. See also: Boinett pledges to stop Mandera attacks “His request for facilitation to enhance personal security is receiving due consideration at appropriate levels,” said Boinnet. The governor said he had complained to the Interior Cabinet Secretary and the Inspector-General of Police four times in the past seven months to be allowed to buy an armoured vehicle in vain. Other sources said Roba’s armoured vehicle is being detained by port officials because it had not been cleared by relevant authorities. Among those at the hospital is Abdi Aziz, who said he survived because he had worn a bulletproof vest and cap.“They even shot my cap and I know had I not worn it, I could be dead now,” he said.
Fix Security Or Else, State Told
16 March – Source: Daily Nation – 328 Words
You better deal with insecurity in northern Kenya or we will take matters in our own hands, was the message Mandera County leaders sought to pass to the national government on Monday.Led by Governor Ali Roba, the leaders accused the government of laxity in dealing with insecurity in the region and demanded immediate action. The leaders Senator Billow Kerrow and six MPs want the government to deploy Kenya Defence Forces along the border with Somalia to contain Al Shabaab militants who have been terrorising locals.They are uncomfortable that the border is manned by Ethiopian forces alone.“The problem is the border with Somalia in Mandera is manned by Ethiopian forces, yet KDF is just sitting in barracks while others are in Somalia,” said Mr Roba. The governor, whose convoy was attacked by suspected Al Shabaab militiamen accused security agencies of slow response to attacks.“This has exposed residents, including the leaders, to danger. It took five hours for help to arrive when my convoy was attacked. I lost two of my security guards and a local leader,” lamented the governor.
Mr Roba wants an overhaul of the security team in Mandera, accusing it of presiding over the massacre of over 100 people. “Despite the changes at the top, things remain the same.”The leaders expressed anger over spiralling insecurity in their county. Mr Kerrow said the leaders would not just sit and watch if the government fails to guarantee safety.“The government should state if it has officially neglected the area. This would then signal locals to take up arms and defend themselves. We are totally fed up,” he added.Meanwhile, the Council of Governors wants the national government to involve counties in the management of security. Chairman Isaac Ruto said this would reduce the insecurity that has plagued many parts of the county.“Counties have a bigger role in managing security. It’s high time the national government involved us,” Mr Ruto said yesterday in Bomet.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
North Kenya Official Says Security Situation ‘Hopeless’
17 March – Source: Yahoo News/AFP – 435 Words
The governor of northern Kenya’s Mandera county on Monday attacked what he called a “hopeless” security situation due to a wave of cross-border attacks by Somalia’s Al-Shabab militants. Speaking in the capital Nairobi, Ali Roba said he had survived six attempts on his life including an ambush of his convoy on Friday and questioned why Kenyan soldiers were part of an African Union force supporting Somalia’s government while leaving their own country unprotected.
Mandera, in Kenya’s far northeast, borders Somalia and is plagued by insecurity. The area has been the scene of a string of recent attacks by the Al-Qaeda-linked militants.”We can no longer stand before the public and assure them that the security is being beefed up,” he told reporters, describing the situation in the far north as “extremely hopeless” and warning that “residents will do what they have to do” unless the national government stops the attacks.”The government has a responsibility to protect the whole country, and there is no need for it to keep soldiers (in Somalia) to protect Somalis instead of protecting Kenyans,” he added.
In November, Al-Shabaab gunmen held up a bus outside Mandera town, separated passengers according to religion and executed 28 non-Muslims. Ten days later 36 non-Muslim quarry workers were also massacred in the area.Roba’s convoy was ambushed on Friday, an attack that left three dead, while a drive-by shooting in Mandera late on Sunday left one dead and three wounded.The Al-Shabab, who say they are retaliating for Kenya’s presence in Somalia, have claimed responsibility for the string of attacks in the region.
‘It Touches My Heart, His Death,’ Says Friend Of Edmonton Homicide Victim
16 March – Source: Edmonton Journal – 297 Words
Mohamed Ahmed Adam was set for his trip to Somalia to visit his mother, whom he hadn’t seen in a decade, when he was shot to death last week behind a restaurant.“He was always hopeful. He always talked about his life and what he wanted to be…He was a very charismatic and energetic guy. He was future oriented,” Bashir Ahmed, executive director of the Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization, saidMonday.
Ahmed has known Adam since 2011, when he came to the organization looking for work. The organization mentored him and helped him enrol in trades courses and land a job at a construction company, Ahmed said.He dreamed of starting a family and getting married, Ahmed said. “He was a law-abiding citizen.”Adam was grateful to the organization and dropped in regularly for coffee. Ahmed said he saw him a week before his death, when the 33-year-old visited the office to get his travel documents in order. He had already purchased his plane ticket to Somalia.“It was a shock when we heard the news that he’d been killed. It was a shock, not only for me, but the whole staff,” Ahmed said. “It touches my heart, his death. We lose a great guy, really.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
I expected the Senate, National Assembly and MCAs to debate the suit as a matter of serious national security.I expected Babu Owino, the chairman of the University Students Union, to lead his comrades in demonstrating against the suit. All those were not to be.
Strange How Kenya Is Silent As Somalia Lays Claim To Its Territory
16 March – Source: Daily Nation – 240 Words
On August 28, Somalia (not Al-Shabaab) sued Kenya at the International Court of Justice (again, not the dreaded International Criminal Court) at The Hague over the ownership of 100,000 square miles in the Indian Ocean.The area in dispute translates to about 88.3 per cent of Kenya’s land mass or 44 million acres. The infamous White Highlands were but 17,000 square miles or 15 per cent of Kenya. Should the suit at the Hague be determined in favour of Somalia, Kenya shall instantly become land-locked.
Attorney-General Githu Muigai led a delegation to go and defend Kenya. But his return was low key in relation to the gravity of the matter. I never heard him brief senators and MPs about his trip. I never read that he addressed the Press on the status of the suit.But I expected Kenya to summon and read the Riot Act to the Somali ambassador and put ice on, or cut off diplomatic relations with the country Kenyan soldiers have died defending.
“My son went to Somalia for his daughter’s sake,” insists Michaela. “He wanted her to live in a Muslim society.” Michaela does not believe her son is a terrorist. “He is not the fighting type,” she says, “and has never even touched a weapon. He wouldn’t kill a fly.” Before Andy left for Germany in 2011, he was a clean-living, law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and no history of violence.”
A German Mom’s Anguish Over Her Son In Somalia
16 March – Source: Wardheer News – 847 Words
“Doctors can’t help me,” she says.Any and his mother Michaele She and her husband are in their home country, Germany, but their son Andreas (“Andy”) Martin Muller, his Eritrea-born wife, and their nine-year-old daughter, are still missing after disappearing in the summer of 2011. They are believed to be in Somalia. Andy converted to Islam in 1999 and is believed to be with the Al-Shabaab group.“My son went to Somalia for his daughter’s sake,” insists Michaela. “He wanted her to live in a Muslim society.”Michaela does not believe her son is a terrorist. “He is not the fighting type,” she says, “and has never even touched a weapon. He wouldn’t kill a fly.” Before Andy left for Germany in 2011, he was a clean-living, law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and no history of violence.
However, in 2012 and 2013, Andy was the subject of two massive police hunts in Kenya and Uganda, and was reported to have sneaked in these countries to engage in acts of terror. “The Kenyan police has cause to believe that this man [Andy] has information about the activities of Al-Shabaab,” a police statement said.Then, in the fall of 2013, after Al-Shabaab’s devastating attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenyan police named Andy and British-born Samantha Lewthwaite, best known as “The White Widow,” as their main suspects. The police would later backtrack from that assessment. Four gunmen were involved in the attack and they all died. The Kenyan authorities also arrested and charged four Somalis in Eastleigh for providing material support to the attackers.
AMISOM Police Use Sports To Spread Peace In Somalia
15 March – Source: KTN – Video – 1:00 Minute
Sports, the world over is known to bring together even the fiercest of enemies. In Somalia however, the African mission has employed sports as a means of engaging idle youth while disseminating peace messages.
Top tweets
@AliMohamoud Saw new UK amb to #Somalia is a historian. I thought what!? and then realized we in NL have a historian PM who is doing just fine. So why not.
@calestous #Somalia‘s #windpower resource is comparable to#Denmark‘s. Sleeping #energy giant. More reason for #peace.
@SomaliPM PM Sharmarke closes 2-day Government workshop aimed at finalizing the administration’s priority activities.#Somalia
@FCONeilWigan I am delighted to announce that Harriet Mathews OBE will succeed me in July as UK Ambassador to#Somalia. https://www.gov.uk/
@amisomsomalia Basketball has a special place in Somalia.http://bit.ly/1Emc9TB #Somalia
@BBCMonitoring Somalia’s leading independent Radio Shabeelle resumes broadcasting six months after the government forced it off the air.
@MogadishuNews #Somalia Govt plans 2 release Z jailed Fmr#Alshabab leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir “Aweys” who was in prison since 2013.
Image of the day
Kids playing on Lido Beach, Mogadishu Somalia.
Photo: Ahmed Carter