May 18, 2015 | Morning Headlines
Patience Running Out In Puntland After Influx Of Refugees From Yemen
16 May – Source: Horseed Media – 369 Words
As thousands of refugees escaping the violence in Yemen continue to cross into Somalia by sea, the autonomous state of Puntland is feeling the strain. An estimated 5000-plus refugees have arrived in the port town of Bossaso since 1st of April when the conflict erupted in the impoverished middle-eastern country.
Puntland’s local administration in collaboration with residents have been widely praised the joint efforts to receive the refugees and provided makeshift camps though resource are insufficient. For new arrivals at the refugee camps, conditions remain difficult. The overcrowded camps are running short of resources. Humanitarian advocates are asking why the international community isn’t doing more to financially help refugees flooding out into the region, straining limited resources and threatening stability.‘’I don’t know why these International humanitarian organizations are not responding to this growing crisis while they have offices in Bossaso, Garowe and rest of Somalia,’’ says Ali Hassan, who works for a local NGO in Bossaso.
Puntland officials have also raised concerns on the impacts of the refugees on the region’s stability while al-Shabaab militants have increased attacks in the commercial hub city of Bossaso in recent weeks.In a generous move, clerics and local elders have stepped up a campaign to raise funds for the refugees. They have urged businesspersons and Somali diasporas living abroad to take part in the contribution. “ We have to not wait for the situation to get worse, everyone who can afford to donate something should do which will help the refugees in terms of feeding and proper housing,’’ says Sheikh Dahir Aw-Abdi.They expect a further 50,000 refugees to arrive in the town following the truce between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthis rebels which will enable for the trapped people to leave the country.As the number of refugees escalates,
Puntland is clearly running out of patience to handle the burden of the refugees.“Local communities are actually supporting the refugees but there might come a time when they could suffer from frustration and we don’t want to reach that level,” said the Deputy Interior minister of Puntland, as he appealed to the International Community for an immediate intervention on the growing refugee dilemma in the region.
Key Headlines
- Suspected US Drone Crashes In Burhakaba ( Radio Dalsan)
- H.E. Ms Mathews OBE Meets With Bristol Somali Community (Hiiraan Online)
- New Faces In Anti-Puntland President Caucus ( Garowe Online)
- Patience Running Out In Puntland After Influx Of Refugees From Yemen (Horseed Media)
- Illegal Fishing Disrupts Fishermen’s Livelihood In Former Somalia Pirate Hub (Garowe Online)
- Puntland Police Gives Details Of Saturday’s Security Sweep In Bossaso (Goobjoog News)
- Focus report: 15 Germans Fighting In Somalia For Al-Shabab (Deutsche Welle )
- The Militants Fight Back: First It Was Somalia’s Al- Shabaab Now Boko Haram Recaptures Key Town in Nigeria (Mail & Guardian )
- Minnesota’s Radical Experiment in Jihadi Rehab (The Newyorker )
- Somali President Extols FIFA (Soko25East)
- Somali Youth Ready To Migrate To Europe Despite Perils (Xinhua)
- Money Keeps Moving Toward Somalia Sometimes In Suitcases (Foreign Policy)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Suspected US Drone Crashes In Burhakaba
17 May – Source: Radio Dalsan – 106 Words
Suspected US drone has crashed near Burhakaba town in the south of the country. Eyewitness have confirmed to the media about the crash in the area which is controlled by the armed group Al Shabaab.Some reports say the surveillance device was shot down by Al Shabaab but cannot be independently verified for now.US drones are known to be part of war against Al Shabaab.The unmanned aircraft have previously carried out several attacks against Al Shabaab leaders.No comment from the federal government of Somalia officials concerning the report on drone crash.
H.E. Ms Mathews OBE Meets With Bristol Somali Community
17 May – Source; Hiiraan Online -335 Words
Members of the Somali Community in Bristol shared their ideas in the way forward for Somalia with the UK Ambassador designate to Somalia, Harriet Mathews OBE on Friday 15 May as part of series of meetings with Somali Diaspora Groups throughout the UK before H.E. Ms Mathews takes up her position in July.
Ms Mathews said that her main objective was to listen to the views of the Diaspora and to start a dialogue with British Somalis about the work of the British Government in Somalia. She outlined the UK Government’s priorities, took questions on a wide range of issues and met community leaders. She was accompanied by Claudia Garland of Somali Desk at FCO. H.E. Ms Matthews OBE visited Somali Businesses in Easton to Witness the contribution Somalis are making to Bristol.
Following the meeting Ms Mathews said: ”there were lots of ideas on how to rebuild Somalia, and a great willingness to help strengthen the UK-Somali relationship”.Mohamed Ahmed Cantoobo of Act for Somalia Group summed up the community’s view of the visit and said “we are delighted that the Ambassador visited us here in Bristol and we had a frank discussion on how Somalia can be rebuilt, I welcome how British Government is keen on rebuilding Somalia”.
Dr Eric Herring, professor in International Politics in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies, and Co-Director of Somali First, said, ‘It is a great honour to help Act for Somalia to host this visit. The UK is playing a very important role in Somalia and Bristol’s Somali community is the UK’s third largest. The University is committed to supporting the promotion of Somali-led development through the Somali First initiative and the University’s strategic partnership with Transparency Solutions. In hosting this event, we are aiming to help promote co-operation between the UK and the Somali people.’ The event was organized by Act for Somalia Group and Bristol University’s Somali First Imitative.
New Faces In Anti-Puntland President Caucus
16 May – Source: Garowe Online – 290 Words
At least 26 Members of Parliament in Puntland have joined an opposition camp that has criticised Puntland President Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas for “weak leadership and security failures”, Garowe Online reports. Puntland has a 66-member unicameral parliament with wide legislative powers and the authority to elect a president and vice president once every five years. The dissident MPs are demanding an emergency session, but Parliament Speaker Said Hassan Shire declined an emergency session request on May 12th after 21 MPs tabled a similar motion demanding an emergency session. Within 24 hours, however, six MPs withdrew from the opposition camp and sided with Speaker Shire, who argued against an emergency session suggesting instead that MPs wait until June 15th, when the official session commences. The group of MPs, led by MP Abdiaziz Ga’amey, are in their final push for an emergency session where they are expected to table criticism of President Gaas and his administration on “shortcomings on security, Somaliland’s capture of Tukaraq village near Garowe, Al Shabaab threat on Bossaso port city, and misbalanced Puntland-federal relations”, according to parliamentary sources.
Some MPs have expressed concern over alleged interference by Gaas administration officials who are attempting dismantle the growing political opposition. The Puntland presidency has not so far commented on the new development in parliament, which seems to be a worrying trend for President Gaas who was censured for his unclear relations with Somali Federal Government and the issue of Mudug region. Puntland Constitution stipulates that an emergency session can be opened if at least six MPs submit a motion and voting can occur once 22 MPs are present. Puntland State, a vast territory in northeastern Somalia, has been self-governing since 1998 with a constitution, security forces and presidential election
Illegal Fishing Disrupts Fishermen’s Livelihood In Former Somalia Pirate Hub
17 May – Source: Garowe Online – 262 Words
Fishermen in Northeastern Somalia coastal town and former pirate hub, Eyl are complaining about foreign trawlers proliferating at an alarming rate in the territorial waters, Garowe Online reports. In an interview with Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe on Saturday, Eyl Mayor Musse Osman Yusuf warned of the consequences of overfishing off the coast of Eyl, saying it could spur fresh surge in piracy activities. “The trawlers are increasing, and have posed challenges to the livelihoods of fishermen and depleted our marine resources,” Eyl Mayor told GO, adding that at least five foreign trawlers are in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). “Illegal fishing disrupted the economic activities of locals, and may drag many into illicit acts of piracy as a substitute,” warned Yusuf, referring to the unprecedented scale of overfishing.
Puntland’s Ministry for Fisheries officials previously pointed to the need for increased cooperation between the government and coastal communities on the regulation of catches made in territorial waters by foreign fishing vessels. Last year, Puntland leader Abdiweli Mohamed Ali labeled illegal fishing a ‘national disaster’ that led to the loss of millions to foreign vessels. In less than a year into office, former Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole cracked down on piracy activities, launching on-land raids and cleansing enclaves including Eyl of pirates. Puntland granted phantom company, allegedly linked to Ali a license to guard territorial waters against intruding vessels. Somalia’s 3300km coastline has been a coveted target for foreign trawlers since 1991 when armed opposition groups toppled the country’s long standing dictator, Mohamed Siyad Barre.
Puntland Police Gives Details Of Saturday’s Security Sweep In Bossaso
17 May – Source: Goobjoog News – 188 Words
Puntland police commission has given out details of Saturday’s search operations in the Gulf of Aden port city of Bossaso which netted a dozen suspects. Puntland Police Commander, Mohamed Saeed Jaqanaf who gave exclusive interview to Goobjoog News said that the security sweeps conducted in some of the towns of semi-autonomous regional state of Puntland are intended to beef up the security.“The police apprehended several suspects and investigations are underway therefore within the forthcoming hours the police will release those proved not guilty” he said.
Speaking about complaints lodged by Some of Bossaso residents who have expressed concern over how the police treat with public during operations, he said that those complaining about operations might be sympathisers but the work of the police is to maintain law and order. “I think those are sympathisers, to tighten the security is good for them, the soldiers do not disturb any citizen, they don’t take properties and so far we did not receive any complain from the public towards the police” he noted.The commander finally called the residents of Bossaso town to work with the police in peace maintenance.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Focus report: 15 Germans Fighting In Somalia For Al-Shabab
17 May – Source: Deutsche Welle- 265 Words
According to a magazine, about 15 Germans are fighting for the Somali terror militia al-Shabab. Focus reported the number after six residents of the western city of Bonn were indicted upon their return from Somalia.Munich-based magazine “Focus” reported on Saturday that about 15 Germans are currently fighting in Somalia alongside the Shabab terror militia. The magazine reported the number after federal prosecutors indicted six residents of the western German city of Bonn, following their return from Somalia.
According to an investigation, between 2008 and 2014 about 30 Germans traveled to the Horn of Africa to join al-Shabab, which has been accused of numerous deadly attacks in Somalia and neighboring countries such as Kenya. In April, al-Shabab managed successful high-profile attacks on a UN vehicle and Somalia’s Education Ministry. The United States has classified al-Shabab as a terror organization since 2008.
“Focus” reported that five of the accused in Bonn attended a month-long al-Shabab training camp in which they learned how to use heavy firearms and hand grenades. Then, according to the magazine, they were sent to the front to fight against troops from Somalia’s army. Some of them apparently planned to die in suicide bombings and had recorded farewell videos.
The Militants Fight Back: First It Was Somalia’s Al- Shabaab, Now Boko Haram Recaptures Key Town in Nigeria
16 May – Source: Mail & Guardian – 383 Words
BOKO Haram Islamists have recaptured the strategic town of Marte in northeastern Nigeria’s restive Borno state, a regional official said early on Saturday.“It is sad as we have been made to understand that Marte has today completely fallen under the control of the insurgents, which to us is a very huge setback,” said Mustapha Zannah, vice governor of the Borno state.The recapture would cap a week of fight backs by jihadist groups, thought to be in decline, on the continent.
On Friday Somalia’s Al-Shabaab fighters armed with machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades attacked two towns in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, culminating in the capture of the two neighbouring districts of Awdhegle and Mubarak, witnesses and combatants said.
An unidentified al-Shabaab commander told Radio Andalus, a Somali broadcaster that supports the militants, that they killed at least 10 government troops.
The al-Qaeda-linked group has been in retreat in the Horn of Africa nation since its fighters were forced to withdraw from the capital, Mogadishu, in August 2011 after a series of military defeats. Al-Shabaab still controls swathes of territory and stages deadly gun and bomb attacks.
Minnesota’s Radical Experiment in Jihadi Rehab
15 May – Source: The Newyorker – 831 Words
This past week, at a pre-trial hearing for five young Somali-Americans accused of attempting to join the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), U.S. District Court Judge Michael Davis announced that he would consider moving the men from prison to a halfway house while they awaited trial, provided that their lawyers could come up with a satisfactory “creative release” plan. The government’s prosecutors lodged no objections. Their silence must have surprised those assembled in the Minneapolis courtroom. Several months ago, when Davis suggested that a defendant named Abdullahi Yusuf receive similar treatment, prosecutors balked. “Someone who wanted to kill innocent people and is willing to travel abroad to do so needs to serve prison time,” Andrew Luger, the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, told me in January. “How do we lower the number of people travelling to Syria to fight? My first answer: You’ve got to prosecute people. Part of the reintegration in the community is serving time for what you did.”
On Thursday, an official in Luger’s office said that the U.S. Attorney’s thinking “is evolving.” He appears to have concluded, like Davis, that Minneapolis is well positioned for a grand experiment, one that this country has never tried: the de-radicalization of terrorism suspects. Until recently, U.S. counterterrorism officials had seen that strategy as irrelevant. The number of Americans who radicalized in the first place was always relatively small, so building a curriculum to defuse extremist ideology seemed unnecessary. Then ISIS happened, and dozens of U.S. nationals started departing for the battlefields of the Middle East. According to federal law-enforcement officials, the Twin Cities area alone is home to around forty young men and women who either are planning to travel to Syria to join ISIS, have been arrested while allegedly trying to do so (we don’t know about all of the arrests, because some of the cases remain sealed), or have succeeded in joining the group and are fighting in Syria now. It has become clear, in other words, that the U.S. government cannot incarcerate its way out of the problem.
Somali President Extols FIFA
17- May Source: Soko25East – 440 Words
The president of the Federal republic of Somalia, Professor Hassan Sheik Mohamud, has enthusiastically commended the world football’s governing body [FIFA] for its role in the promotion of peace and football development in the country.
President Mohamud, made the announcement after receiving a gold medal and a fair play flag from Somali Football federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab, at Stadium Banadir where the president of the republic arrived and watched a football match at the invitation of the Somali Football Federation on Friday.“On my behalf and on the behalf of the nation of Somalia, I acclaim FIFA and its leadership for helping the creation of peace and public integration through football for peace initiatives in the country” president Hassan Sheik Mohamud told the media.He said that FIFA was also praiseworthy for financing the construction of football facilities in the country which he said was encouraging thousands of youths to refrain from violence and join football.
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
Despite the warnings from people like Jamac, the flows of immigrations to Europe will go on until the problems of high unemployment and insecurity are tackled in Somalia and in many other African countries.No matter how Europeans try to take preventive measures to stop the mass immigration of Africans towards their continent, people like Khadar, will never stop their desire to look for a better life until they find secured life in their homeland.
Somali Youth Ready To Migrate To Europe Despite Perils
16 May – Source: Xinhua – 598 Words
Mohamed Khadar is one of the many young Somalis who are ready to join the mass immigration across the Mediterranean Sea despite the perils he will face.”Going to Europe is a means to escape from poverty,” the 19- year-old old Khadar told Xinhua in Mogadishu on Saturday.
Living in a country which has no a functioning government with prolonged insecurity and violence, Khadar determines to gamble his life crossing a burning desert, harsh climate and arduous journey to reach Europe. Khadar who was under the last minute preparation of his hazardous journey heading to Europe said his mission was to seek for a better life.When asked whether he was fully aware of the risks and suffering await to reach the shores of European countries, the teenager replied, “Anyone who lives in this hopelessness and harsh conditions of poverty that exist here will have no alternative but to look for a better life, no matter where it is on the earth.”
More than 40 percent of Somalia’s population depends on money transfers to buy food, medicine, and other basic needs, according to aid group Oxfam International. But the vital flow of support has been repeatedly threatened over the past few years amid an international counterterror crackdown against the Somali-based militant group al-Shabab.
Money Keeps Moving Toward Somalia, Sometimes In Suitcases
15 May – Source: Foreign Policy – 1089 Words
The closing of one of the few remaining U.S. banks to send money to Somalia set off alarm bells last February in the small but ever-growing community of Somali immigrants who moved to America in search of jobs to support relatives back home.
In the months since, however, remittance companies have found a way to get funds back to the increasingly desperate state in the Horn of Africa. The solution, it turns out, doesn’t require a bank — just a plane ticket and a large carry-on suitcase.
More than 40 percent of Somalia’s population depends on money transfers to buy food, medicine, and other basic needs, according to aid group Oxfam International. But the vital flow of support has been repeatedly threatened over the past few years amid an international counterterror crackdown against the Somali-based militant group al-Shabab.
That’s spooked banks from sending money to Somalia — where the terrorism risk is high and the capacity of the local government to police financial systems is low — for fear of potentially violating sanctions, and incurring multibillion-dollar fines, should the funds fall into the wrong hands.
Last week, Illinois-based First American Bank closed the accounts of several small remittance companies that had depended on the larger financial institution to process wire payments. That came on the heels of the Februaryshuttering of Merchants Bank of California, which handled an estimated 80 percent of the money flowing to Somalia.