May 7, 2015 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali Islamists Kill Government Official, Bomb AU Convoy

06 May – Source: Reuters – 274 Words

Al-Shabaab Islamist militants shot dead a government official in Mogadishu on Wednesdayand, in a separate attack, bombed an African Union troop convoy outside the Somali capital, police and a spokesman for the group said. Abdifatah Barre, the deputy district commissioner of Mogadishu’s Wadajir district, was shot dead in his car. “Gunmen opened fire on the car of the deputy district commissioner this morning. The official died and the gunmen escaped,” Major Ibrahim Hussein, a police officer, told Reuters. Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab, which carries out attacks frequently in Somalia and in neighboring countries, claimed responsibility. The group wants to impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law in the region and overthrow the Somali government, which is backed by Western donors and African peacekeepers.

“We killed the deputy district commissioner and we shall continue killing the enemies. This is part of our operation in Mogadishu,” Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, its military operations spokesman, told Reuters. Also on Wednesday, an al Shabaab improvised explosive device damaged an armored vehicle in a convoy of African Union peacekeeping vehicles, Colonel Mohamed Abdullahi, a police officer, and the group said. The AU convoy was passing through Elasha town about 16 km (10 miles) north-west of Mogadishu when the bomb exploded. Police and residents said AU troops had surrounded the area. Details about casualties were not immediately available, but al Shabaab said there were many. It is usually hard to verify casualty numbers given by the group. Late on Monday, gunmen from the group stormed a police station in the country’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland and killed three policemen.

Key Headlines

Somali President Assures No Term Extension (Radio Danan)
Constitutional Review Commission Chairwoman Resigns (Garowe Online)
Women Dying In Childbirth In Gedo (Radio Ergo)
Famous Somali Songwriter Dies In Mogadishu (Goobjoog News)
Al-Shabaab Attack On Puntland Army Base Security Checkpoint – Updated (Garowe Online)
Somali Islamists Kill Government Official Bomb AU Convoy (Reuters)
Somalia Counterfeit Shillings Undermine The Currency (CCTV Africa)
UNHCR Boss In Kenya Over Refugees’ Fate (The Star Kenya)
Aid Agency Cautions On Mass Return Of Somali Refugees From Kenya (Xinhua News)
Journalism In The Most Dangerous Country On The Continent (Daily Monitor)
Why Dadaab Refugee Camp Is Still A Long Way From Closure 24 Years On (Daily Nation)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Somali President Assures No Term Extension

06 May – Source: Radio Danan – 128 Words

Amid calls of no term extension, Somalia’s president assured the public that he would not seek an office term extension before it expires next year. At a press conference in Mogadishu, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed speculation that he is going to attempt an ‘illegitimate’ term extension using the parliament. Somalia expects a presidential election in 2016, and donors have urged the government to fulfill its promises of holding election next year. The development comes one month after the UN envoy to Somalia Nicholas Kay warned Somali leaders not to extend their term, as rumors of president seeking one year term extension surfaced. The United Nations wants federal states established, a constitutional referendum held, and the creation of a National Independent Electoral Commission before the elections are held in 2016.

Constitutional Review Commission Chairwoman Resigns

06 May – Source: Garowe Online – 140 Words

The Chairwoman of Constitutional Review and Implementation Committee, Asho Gelle Dirie, resigned from her post on Wednesday, as Somali leaders insist on transparent elections by 2016, Garowe Online reports. Speaking to reporters in Galkayo, Dirie officially announced that she will no longer be in the post. “We can’t finalize more inclusive constitution in the remaining duration,” said Dirie, adding that shortage of funds, constant meddling in the work of committee, inactive commission members, and lack of a credible schedule compelled her to quit. Last week, at a consultative forum held in Puntland capital of Garowe, she said that persistent political infighting, and severe shortfalls in the budget have threatened the work of the committee. Somalia has yet to finalize the Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC) which Puntland says contains clauses and articles that have been tampered with.

Women Dying In Childbirth In Gedo

06 May – Source: Radio Ergo – 231 Words

The lack of maternal health services in parts of Gedo region has led to the deaths of 11 women from childbirth complications in the past two months. Sheikh Mohamed Derow, the health committee chairman of Dabley village, 35 km north of Garbaharrey, told Radio Ergo the women died of loss of blood, anaemia and related conditions. Derow said seven of the women died in his village and its environs in March and April. Deqo Hilowle Adan, a resident of Gariley village near the Somali-Kenyan border, told Radio Ergo that four women in her area died during delivery in April. Deqo said one of the women was from Fafahdun town, one from a remote rural village, and two from villages near Gariley.

All of the women apparently died of blood loss. “Our village doesn’t have a health centre or any health workers. The nearest medical facility is in Wajir in northeastern province of Kenya, which is 120 km away from Gariley, and we can’t cross the border because we don’t have travel documents,” she said. Bardere, Elwak and Burdubo, all in Gedo, have suffered acutely from the lack of health services in the past four years. Meanwhile, Derow said they were also experiencing outbreaks of diseases including measles and malnutrition affecting many local children. Some towns in the region are affected by the ongoing Al-Shabaab blockade.

Famous Somali Songwriter Dies In Mogadishu

06 May – Source: Goobjoog News – 154 Words

A well known Somali songwriter Mohamed Omar Noor aka Nidaamiye and father of seven has died after a long illness in Mogadishu. Reports confirmed that the Noor died from Polycystic liver disease at his home in the capital city of Somalia. Noor was a member of the national Waaberi Band , he was best known for his lyrics writing and music expertise. He joined the music company during first modern Somali political party, the Somali Youth League (SYL) which was subsequently established in Mogadishu in 1943. he was respected poet is to the Somalis and his poems and literary works reflect on all aspects of life such as social ills, politics, love, peace and the agony of the Somali people Many songs recitals by singers are now recorded on video and popular ones quickly circulate throughout the global community. Nidaamiye’s Well-known Songs included: Ilsha-baydhabo, Haboon, Maogiye jaceyl.

Al-Shabaab Attack On Puntland Army Base, Security Checkpoint – Updated

05 May – Source: Garowe Online – 301 Words

Somalia’s Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab group has claimed responsibility for grenade explosions in the Gulf of Aden port city of Bossaso and a raid on nearby army base, Garowe Online reports. Quoting senior Al Shabaab officials, a pro-militant news site said Al Shabaab claimed the two apparently coordinated terror attacks. Two Puntland government soldiers died in the raid on army base in Yalho village, some 45km south-east of Bossaso port city, with medics at Bossaso General Hospital telling Garowe Online that three soldiers, with one in critical condition, are receiving medical treatment. Al Shabaab militants destroyed an armoured fighting vehicle and a Toyota surf, and razed a building and a shallow water well which locals rely on for potable water.

US-trained Special Forces (Puntland Security Forces) recovered three soldiers who went missing from the Yalho army base during the deadly raid on Tuesday morning. Puntland Security Forces have pushed themselves deeper into jungles in units to track fleeing militants, residents told Garowe Online . With a limited military presence, Yalho — which is sandwiched between rugged terrain of the Galgala mountains and Sugure valley — is also a base for vigilantes used for temporary encounters against Al Shabaab fighters. At least three gunmen armed with hand grenades and AK-47 rifles attacked a strategic security checkpoint in New Bossaso neighborhood. A gun-battle following the grenade explosions left a civilian bystander killed and two others wounded. Conflicting reports indicate that one wounded attacker is being confined at Bossaso General Hospital. Some sources have confirmed to Garowe Online that the suspected Al Shabaab assailant in the hospital is believed to be an ordinary resident hit by stray bullets while hanging out at restaurant near Netco junction. On April 18, the Somali militant group claimed credit for attack on Balade police station in Bossaso.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia Counterfeit Shillings Undermine The Currency

06 May – Source: CCTV Africa – Video – 2:06 Minutes

Somalia’s Central Bank says the national currency is being destabilized by a wave of counterfeit money. As CCTV’s Mohamed Hirmoge reports, the dollar is the preferred currency in Somalia, given the weakening shilling, and the risks of running into fake local currency.

UNHCR Boss In Kenya Over Refugees’ Fate

06 May – Source: The Star Kenya – 205 Words

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres is in the country for talks over Kenya’s plans to repatriate at least half a million Somali refugees from the Dadaab camp. Guterres arrived yesterday accompanied by the Africa Bureau director Valentine Tapsoba. He is expected to hold meetings with President Uhuru Kenyatta and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed. His visit is prompted by Kenya’s threat to expel the refugees, citing threats of links to terrorism. Last month, Deputy President William Ruto gave the UNHCR three months to relocate the more than two-decade old camp.

“Top on the agenda will be discussions with the government on voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees and how to ensure security is maintained in the refugee camps,” UNHCR Kenya spokesperson Emmanuel Nyabera said yesterday. “He (Guterres) will hold discussions with the donor community on resource mobilisation to improve the living conditions in Somalia and support to the refugee hosting communities in Kenya.” Guterres will also visit Somalia tomorrow before leaving for Dadaab refugee camp on Friday to assess the situation. Kenya, Somalia and the UNHCR signed a tripartite agreement in 2013 with a lifespan of three years to voluntarily repatriate the Somali refugees.

Aid Agency Cautions On Mass Return Of Somali Refugees From Kenya

06 May – Source: Xinhua News – 461 Words

An international aid agency on Wednesday urged both Kenya and the UN refugee agency to ensure repatriation of 350,000 Somali refugees living in northeast region to be genuinely voluntary. Danish Refugee Council (DRC)’s Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) said most Somali refugees living in the Dadaab camps come from south and central Somalia, areas which remain highly volatile and warned such returns may pose humanitarian crisis. “Any mass movement of refugees from Kenya should be avoided, as it is likely to further worsen the already dire humanitarian conditions, and risk negating any gains made through the ongoing implementation of the pilot returns program,” ReDSS Coordinator Gemma Davies said. Davies said in a statement issued in Nairobi as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guteres begins a three- day visit to Kenya which mainly focuses on the planed refugee repatriation.

“Such a movement may undermine the search for safe and sustainable durable solutions for Somali refugees,” Davies added. The Kenyan government believes Somalia militants Al-Shabaab, who killed 148 people at Garissa University early in April are behind a spate of insecurity that has hit several parts of northern, Nairobi and coastal regions. Under international law Kenya cannot forcibly return the refugees. Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto said the government had given the UNHCR three months to close Dadaab or Kenya would “relocate them ourselves.” Dadaab was set up in 1991 to house families fleeing conflicts in Somalia. Some people have been living there for more than 20 years. Davies asked the government to boost security by strengthening community policing and intelligence gathering in border areas to ensure proper and targeted response to security threats. “ReDSS is committed to supporting the search for considered, long-term and sustainable solutions for refugees and IDPs in the region, and will continue to work alongside states, humanitarian and development actors to achieve this aim,” he said.

OPINION/ANALYSIS/CULTURE

“As the rest of the world marked press freedom this month, with the day falling on May 3, for the Somali journalists, the battle goes beyond the intricacies of newsrooms, the challenges of state intrusion to an actual fight for their lives. The celebrations in Mogadishu are about the courage to practice journalism against all odds and even more so, the realisation of the need to further utilise the tools at their disposal to consolidate peace in Somalia.”

Journalism In The Most Dangerous Country On The Continent

06 May – Source: Daily Monitor – 890 Words

“The force of the explosion lifted me into the sky and then I fell down, really hard. I tried to stand up twice without success. I realised then that I had been injured in the stomach. I looked around me; people were lying down, some injured; some dead. I can’t begin to describe how I felt,” narrates Sid Shire Warsame. He is a Somali journalist that survived an attack by al-Shabaab at a public event he was assigned to cover. His story is not an isolated one. Many of the practising journalists in Somalia have either had a close encounter with death or lost colleagues and loved ones to terror attacks in the line of duty. Ahmed Ali Kahiye, another journalist, has almost lost count of how many colleagues he has lost. “Many of my journalist friends have been killed. My brother was also killed. No one should ever have to die because of what they have said. It is against Sharia law and against Somali culture, to kill someone because of what they have said,” he passionately states. Despite such experiences, these journalists choose to remain on course. Since 1992, the Committee to Protect Journalists lists close to 60 journalists that have been killed in Somalia. It also ranks Somalia the deadliest country to work in Africa.

The major challenges faced by journalists here include targeted killings, abductions, censorship and lack of the requisite knowledge and skills, among others. According to the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), at least seven journalists were killed in Somalia while five others sustained life threatening injuries last year. Three journalists have been injured this year, luckily with no deaths reported so far. Some of the journalists have fled into exile after receiving death threats. The role played by the media in support of the relative peace now enjoyed in Somalia cannot be underestimated. They have been vocal, calling for peace, challenging extremists and their attempts to keep the country drenched in terror and hopelessness. This has unfortunately made them targets for the militants. “Being a journalist in Somalia is the most risky job you can do, even more dangerous than for the soldiers. This is because the journalists are seen as whistle blowers, the militant groups describe journalists as spies,” says Abdalled Ahmed Mumin Information and Human Rights Secretary, NUSOJ.

“There are about 50 NGOs in Dadaab involved in 17 areas of humanitarian work, ranging from health, education, sanitation, food supply, transportation and shelter to security. They employ an estimated 10,000 people, most of whom are Kenyans. The organisations spend at least Sh10 billion a year. Refugee camps are traditionally not eternal. “Twenty years is such a long time for anybody to be in a refugee camp. It was not a choice,” Somali Foreign Minister Abdusalam Omer told reporters in Nairobi in April.”

Why Dadaab Refugee Camp Is Still A Long Way From Closure, 24 Years On

05 May – Source: Daily Nation – 1,311 Words

The debate on whether to close the Dadaab refugee camp appeared settled on Monday evening when visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry said “fundamental problems” in Somalia are yet to be solved. Those fundamental problems, he argued, include eliminating the threat of Al-Shabaab, rebuilding Somalia’s security system and creating an environment for refugees to go back home. “I know some people here feel it is a burden…it is completely understandable; but on the other hand it shows, that Kenya has accepted people who are running away from terror in their countries.” “The key is to accelerate efforts to have a plan in place for the ability of refugees, not just in Dadaab but in all refugee camps, to be able to return home in a voluntary manner in dignity and safety,” he told a news conference in Nairobi. In short, Mr Kerry was telling the Kenyan government to forget about the 90-day notice it gave the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) last month to relocate the camp. “I am confident that Dadaab will remain open while we work through a plan on how people will be able to go home, by doing our job and finishing our task in Somalia and in South Sudan. “What the pressure of the refugee situation is doing is reminding everybody of the need to accelerate efforts to solve the underlying fundamental problems so people can go back to their homes in peace,” Kerry said.

So how long will it take to repatriate refugees? There are two perspectives about the Dadaab refugee camp. For one, it is the largest “asylum city” in the world, representing Kenya’s respect for international law on refugees. At 335,000, its population is larger than Kenya’s fourth-largest town, Nakuru. But the Kenyan government suspects it of being a breeding ground for terrorists, some of whom organised to massacre 148 people at the Garissa University College on April 2. Last month, Deputy President William Ruto, based on this suspicion, told the UNHCR to close the camp in 90 days, else Kenya forcibly relocate it. That directive elicited a fierce debate; the government on one side and aid and human rights groups on the other. “Closure of the camps and forced return of the refugees to Somalia would violate the right to seek and enjoy asylum and the principle of non-refoulement as set out in international laws to which Kenya is party,” Raouf Mazou, the UNHCR Kenya representative told the Nation. “Under international law, it is prescribed that return must be voluntary. Forced returns would amount to refoulement, which UNHCR cannot associate itself with,” Mr Mazou added. Although Kenya later backed down, insisting that the relocation will be done in conjunction with the UNHCR and Somalia, it argued the “bottom line” would be Mr Ruto’s directive. The camp, which at one time hosted up to 450,000 refugees, has been in existence since 1991, when Somalia fell among warlords, famine and later, terrorists.