May 14, 2015 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somalia Executes Two MP Assassins

13 May – Source: BBC News -146 Words

Two suspected members of the Islamist group al-Shabab have been executed by firing squad in the Somali capital.A military court in Mogadishu found them guilty of killing five people, including four members of parliament.One of the MPs was the popular female singer, Saado Ali Warsame, who was killed in a drive-by shooting in July. Al-Shabaab advocates the strict Saudi-inspired Wahhabi version of Islam and is battling the UN-backed government to create an Islamic state.This is not the first time Al-Shabab suspects have been executed by the Somali authorities. At the time of Ms Ali Warsame’s death, an al-Shabab spokesman told the BBC that the singing MP was targeted for her politics and not her music. Al-Shabab often target politicians, bombing the hotels in which they stay in Mogadishu, and have attacked the presidential palace at least four times in the last three years.

Key Headlines

Refugees Continue To Stream Into Puntland Overwhelm Camp Amid Short Supplies (Horseed Media)
UN Envoy To Somalia Concerned About Somaliland Elections Postponement (Garowe Online)
Closed Money Transfer Companies Express Optimism To Resume Business (Wacaal Media)
UNICEF Representative Somalia Visits Puntland (Horseed Media)
Somali President Opens UAE Funded Military Training Facility In Mogadishu (Radio Dalsan)
Al-Shabaab Leaflets Warn Of More Garissa-Like Attacks On Kenya’s Christian Schools (Christian Post)
High Commissioner Guterres Wraps Up Visit To Kenya And Somalia to Discuss The Future Of Dadaab Refugee Camp (Reuters)
Al-Shabaab Militants Kill Policeman In Garissa (Standard Digital)
Somalia Executes Two MP Assassins (BBC News)
Somalia’s Al-Shabaab Hold Iran Fishing Boats (World Bulletin)
The Love-Hate Relationship Between Mengistu Haile-Mariam & Abdullahi Yusuf: Declassified (Wardheer)
Mogadishu’s Oldest District Welcomes AMISOM Community Policing Drive

NATIONAL MEDIA

Refugees Continue To Stream Into Puntland, Overwhelm Camp Amid Short Supplies

13 May – Source: Horseed Media – 208 Words

Boats carrying over 1, 500 Somali refugees fleeing the ongoing violence in Yemen arrived in the port town of Bossaso on Wednesday as resources in makeshift camps dwindle. They become the first refugees to arrive in Somalia from Yemen since the ceasefire deal reached by the Saudi-led coalition and Houthis rebels came into effect yesterday. After arriving at the port, the refugees were transferred to the makeshift camps which have since become crowded and suffering from a funding shortfall. Puntland officials have said that the huge influx of the refugees was larger than the anticipated and appealed to humanitarian organizations to intervene in the situation. “We need help from the international community and aid organizations to deal with the refugee crisis,’’ said the deputy Interior Minister of Puntland, while addressing journalists at the port. Large numbers of refugees are expected to arrive in the region in the upcoming days. So far, over 5,000 refugees have arrived in Puntland and Somaliland regions on their own by boats from Yemen. Preparatory work to remove more Somali nationals trapped in Yemen is being done by the Somali government in collaboration with IOM during the ceasefire deal.

UN Envoy To Somalia Concerned About Somaliland Elections Postponement

13 May – Source: Garowe Online – 145 Words

United Nations envoy to Somalia Ambassador Nicholas Kay has expressed deep concern over the postponement of Somaliland elections by 22 months on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports. Ambassador Kay said on his twitter handle that the move by Somaliland House of elders to extend presidential term by a year and ten months needs reconsideration. “Deeply concerned by move to postpone Somaliland elections by 22 months. Urge reconsideration,” tweeted Kay while stressing that it is a time to set positive example for democracy. The fresh concerns come a day after Somaliland’s forum for tradition extended President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud’s term in office for a year and ten months. The term extension sparked strong opposition with Wadani, main opposition party leader and Abdirahman Irro calling the decision ‘illegal’. Police forces have stormed offices of Wadani party, arresting figures and breaking up anti-government demonstrations, in the second largest city, Burao.

Closed Money Transfer Companies Express Optimism To Resume Business

13 May – Source: Wacaal Media – 110 Words

The management of some of the Somali money transfer companies whose accounts were frozen by the Kenyan government for alleged involvement in terror activities expressed optimism to resume business soon. Speaking to our Nairobi correspondent in an exclusive interview, the management of Amal and Olympic said that they will resume services within this week. On the other hand, unconfirmed reports indicate that Tawakal, Dahabshil and Iftin may not resume as they are subjected to further investigations. The money transfer companies were in the list of 86 entities whose accounts were frozen by the government following the deadly Garissa University College attack that left 147 people dead, most of them students.

UNICEF Representative Somalia Visits Puntland

13 May – Source: Horseed Media – 181 Words

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative to Somalia Mr. Steven Lauwerier paid an official visit to the Somalia’s autonomous state of Puntland, his first since last month’s bomb attack on the organization’s staff members. Mr Lauwerier on Wednesday met Puntland’s Vice President Mr. Abdulhakim Amey in the state house and held talks on the organization’s mission in the region. According to a press release from the Vice President’s office, the UNICEF Official underlined that the organization is determined to bolster its work in the region.

He further stated that this year’s plans of UNICEF are to reach all areas in Puntland and make sure that all mothers and Children receive basic needs, it was said in the statement. Mr. Amey who is also the acting President lauded UNICEF’s role in the region, despite of the terrorist attack. Last month, an Al-Shabaab suicide bomber attacked a van carrying UNICEF workers in Garowe, killing 7 staff members including four foreign nationals. Despite of the attack, UNICEF said that it was not planning to evacuate from the region.

Somali President Opens UAE Funded Military Training Facility In Mogadishu

13 May – Source: Radio Dalsan – 130 Words

The President of the federal government of Somalia has opened new military training facility in the capital Mogadishu on Tuesday. The project was funded by United Arab Emirates and is expected to host trainings for Somali National Army during the process. The President and other senior security officials including defense minister, army chief and also members of the diplomatic corps have presided over the graduation of the first batch of Somali National Army personnel who completed their training. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud thanked United Arab Emirates for the support. UAE Ambassador in the country Mohamed Ahmed Osman who also spoke at the event has reiterated his country continued support to Somalia, specially on the rebuilding of the national army.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Al-Shabaab Leaflets Warn Of More Garissa-Like Attacks On Kenya’s Christian Schools

13 May – Source: Christian Post – 458 Words

Authorities in western Kenya have found that the Somali terror group al-Shabaab has circulated leaflets threatening to carry out more attacks on schools, just as its militants killed nearly 150 students, mostly Christian, at Garissa University College last month. Security officials in Elgeyo-Marakwet County’s Rift Valley province said the leaflets carry a message of attacks in the area’s four primary schools, according to allafrica.com. The local government has tightened the security in the area, and investigative agencies are looking into it and are trying to verify the source of the leaflets. Meanwhile, Kenya’s newspaper, Daily Nation, reports that a Christian girl has been arrested on suspicion of being part of al-Shabaab.

The girl, identified as a student at a Catholic school, Precious Blood Kagwe High School in Kiambu County, was earlier attending the Pentecostal Church of East Africa, but then reportedly converted to Catholicism. It remains unclear how she joined the Islamist terror group. Rumors and false threats have followed the April 2 Garissa attack, the newspaper suggests. In the Garissa attacks, the students at the targeted site were praying. They were lined up by four al-Shabaab gunmen and made to wait for their turn to be shot. Some of the students were speaking to their parents on the phone when they were shot dead. The militants had asked them to tell their parents that their aim was to force Kenyan troops to leave Somalia. The terror group said the attack was to retaliate Kenya’s troops fighting its militants in Somalia. Kenya’s troops have been in Somalia, which shares a long border with Kenya, since 2011.

“No amount of precaution or safety measures will be able to guarantee your safety, thwart another attack or prevent another bloodbath from occurring in your cities,” the group said in an emailed statement days later. The al-Qaeda-affiliated group called it a long and gruesome war with Kenya, saying its cities will “run red with blood.” It is estimated that al-Shabaab killed at least 400 people and injured over 1,000 in more than 100 attacks between 2011 – when Kenya sent its troops to Somalia – and 2014. On Sept. 21, 2013, al-Shabaab attacked Nairobi’s Westgate Mall, leaving at least 68 dead and 175 wounded.

High Commissioner Guterres Wraps Up Visit To Kenya And Somalia to Discuss The Future Of Dadaab Refugee Camp

13 May – Source: Reuters – 574 Words

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres last night completed a visit to Kenya and Somalia where he met with the Presidents of the two countries, as well as Somali refugees and returnees. Speaking in Nairobi Mr. Guterres said, “We reached a common understanding with the Presidents of Kenya and Somalia on three things: firstly the need to ensure return from Dadaab is voluntary and that it takes place in safety and dignity, and in accordance with the Tripartite Agreement; secondly, on cooperation to boost security in Dadaab; and thirdly, the expansion of additional areas for people to return to in Somalia. The High Commissioner expressed deep appreciation to President Uhuru Kenyatta for his “courage and wisdom” regarding the necessity to make return to Somalia attractive and sustainable even as emotions in the country are high in the wake of the reprehensible attack on Garissa University last month. He pledged to mobilize the international community to boost security in Dadaab, which has a population of nearly 350,000. In Somalia, Mr. Guterres met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Sharmarke in Mogadishu to discuss the possibilities of future return for Somali refugees currently in Kenya. In Kismayo, a key refugee return destination in South Central Somalia, he met regional leader Ahmed Madobe on the way forward to scale up the current voluntary return project and ensure that returns are sustainable.

Mr. Guterres emphasized the need create conditions for a growing number of people to return to Somalia by scaling up investment to improve socio-economic conditions for the benefit of returning refugees and internally displaced Somalis, as well as local communities. Expressing his full commitment to the goals of Somalia and of the region he pledged to mobilize the international community to improve access to shelter, education, health and other basic services as create realistic livelihood opportunities. “These are some of the instruments needed to stabilize Somalia, which already has a clear political and security plan,” he added. In Dadaab, the High Commissioner met with local officials, refugees and host communities. He condemned the Garissa attack noting that the entire region has suffered the effects of terrorism. Reiterating his commitment to strengthen security in Dadaab he said, “It is in the interests of the international community to support the Government of Kenya to protect its citizens and the refugees it has so generously received.” Noting that to date some 2,000 refugees returned with UNHCR support to Luuq, Baidoa and Kismayo since the Tripartite Agreement, the High Commissioner said that when basic conditions are conducive those numbers will grow exponentially. “I’ve seen babies who have been born from parents who have been born in Dadaab. This is not how we want people to live.”

Suspected Al-Shabaab Militants Kill Policeman In Garissa

13 May – Source: Digital Standard – 217 Words

Gunmen believed to be Al-Shabaab militants attacked a police camp in Hamey, Garissa County near the Kenya-Somalia border Tuesday night killing a police officer. Colleague of the deceased officer shot back and killed two of the attackers in the midnight incident, police said. According to police, the attackers tried to carry away body of the deceased officer but were overwhelmed. “They managed to run for almost ten kilometers away with the body where they abandoned it,” police said. According to police who asked not to be named, the gunmen who were about 20 staged the attack at about midnight when most of the officers were asleep. They opened fire waking up those who were asleep. “The gunmen were repulsed after the attack. The officers managed to kill two of the attackers but they had also killed an officer,” said an officer who asked not to be named. Hamey is in Garissa County and is on the border of Kenya and Somalia. The bodies of the officer and the attackers were later taken to Garissa for identification and preservation, officials said. The attack is the latest to happen in the area sinceApril 2 when Al-Shabaab gunmen staged a raid on Garissa University College killing 148 people including 142 students.

Somalia’s Al- Shabaab Hold Iran Fishing Boats

13 May – Source: World Bulletin – 175 Words

Several Iranian sailors – along with their fishing boat – are reportedly being held by Somalia’s Al-Shabaab armed group in the port town of El-Dheer in Somalia’s Galgadud region.”The Puntland Coast Guard has been alerted to the capture of the boat in El-Dheer,” Omar Abdisamad, a Somali government official, told in a Wednesday phone interview.”The information we have so far is that the boat was captured early Wednesday; it is an Iranian fishing boat carrying ten to 14 sailors,” he said. Maalin Ugas, a resident of El-Dheer, confirmed the fishing boat’s presence in the small port town. “Al-Shabaab fighters surrounded the vessel with speedboats,” he told by phone.”The sailors are all foreigners who look like Arabs or Indians. They were all taken to land,” Ugas said. According to him, the fishing boat may have developed a mechanical problem before stalling near El-Dheer.Al-Shabaab has yet to comment on the report. Iranian authorities were not immediately available for comment. El-Dheer in Galgaduud is one of the few remaining seaports still controlled by Al-Shabaab.

OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE

“The first uncomfortable realization by the two men of their incompatibility to work together showed up when then Col. Abdullahi Yusuf, among Somali Army Officers, came to Addis Ababa early in 1978 through the facilitation of Somali Democratic Action Front (SODAF) and under the invitation of Col. Mengistu immediately after the failure of the April coup d’é·tat against the Regime of Siyad Barre.”

The Love-Hate Relationship Between Mengistu Haile-Mariam & Abdullahi Yusuf: Declassified

13 May – Source: Wardheer – 1, 012 Words

The mutual love-hate working relations between Abdullahi Yusuf, the late President of Somalia, a former leader of now defunct Ethiopia-based exile Somali armed opposition front, the SSDF, to the Military Dictatorship of Siyad Barre, and Mengistu Haile-Mariam of Ethiopia, the Late Chairman of the Derg, the leader of Marxist oriented Military Junta that overthrew Emperor Haile-Selassie in 1974, represent and historically characterize the antagonistic-admiration relationships between the two neighbouring countries in the Horn of Africa.

On the one hand, Ethiopians despise the bold and prompt decision-making character of the Somalis, while admiring their creative, adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit, on the other hand. Somalis can’t stand the passivity, tolerance of servile and ever-delaying attitude to personal decision-making, lack of taking action and individual responsibilities of the Ethiopians, while admiring the extreme patience and deliberative character of the Ethiopians. There is a school of thought, among them, that the merger and diffusion of the two characteristics would give these countries in the Horn an advantage over other African countries to provide the competent leadership the rest of the continent needs so badly.

Col.Mengistu and Ethiopian Army Generals of the time were quite impressed by Col. Yusuf’s records of Somali Military victory in defending Somali sovereignty and territorial integrity against Ethiopian military provocations at frontiers. They wanted to learn what made him tick. Col. Abdullahi Yusuf, exceedingly politically ambitious as he was, was understandingly mesmerized by the improbable seizure of power by Mengistu, who came from very humble origins even in Ethiopian standards, to lead one of the most important countries in Africa by deposing the king of Kings, the Lion of Judah, and Emperor Haile-Selassie 1st.

“The only way to get peace is for the public and police to work together. The police alone cannot improve security, they need to work with the public who are required to report anything suspicious they see to the police and that is the only way they can work together.”

Mogadishu’s Oldest District Welcomes AMISOM Community Policing Drive

13 May – Source: AMISOM – Video – 3:09 Minutes

The sea side picturesque district of Hamarweyne, which means Old Mogadishu in Somali, has joined community policing efforts to rid the city of criminals and other undesirable elements.