June 9, 2015 | Morning Headlines

Main Story

Somalia President Calls For Talks To Resolve Jubbaland Stand Off

08 June – Source: Hiiraan Online – 296 Words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called for dialogue on the political crisis involving the country’s southern state of Jubbaland after the latter threatened to severe ties with federal government. In a statement issued in Mogadishu, Mohamud called for dialogue to resolve the misunderstanding between the Federal Parliament and the Jubbaland administration government. “This is not an overnight process; it is not the work of a day or two. “It is natural that people will have questions and will challenge processes and outcomes – this is a hallmark of democracy. “But dialogue must seek solutions,” said the president. The development comes three days after Parliament in Mogadishu declared the Jubbaland State Assembly illegal through a no- confidence vote. The Federal Parliament, through a motion, said the process in which Jubbland State Assembly was constituted was illegal, calling for its dissolution.

But in a swift rejoinder, Jubbaland said it is cutting off ties with the Federal government, threatening a political implosion given the significance of Jubbaland, not only for Somalia but for regional countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia that see it as crucial for its war on terror. The president said federalization process was the work in progress and bound to encounter such challenges. However, he said, there are clear constitutional mechanisms to resolve conflicts of such nature. He called for dialogue and speedy resolution to ensure the federalization process, and preparations for the elections in 2016 is not hampered. “I urge all parties to bring all issues to the table in order that we can together work through them and find a lasting resolution. “My commitment is that the federal government of Somalia will remain at the table until all issues are solved,” he said.

Key Headlines

Somalia President Calls For Talks To Resolve Jubbaland Stand Off (Hiiraan Online)
Kenya: MP Calls For Troops Withdrawal From Somalia (Somali Current)
New Garowe Mayor Assumes Office (Garowe Online)
Al-Shabaab Fighters Reportedly Set up Roadblock In Kenya But Government Denies (Somali Update)
Security Sweep In Muqa-Kori Locality Nets Several Suspects (Goobjoog News)
European Union Envoy To Somalia Meets Puntland President (Somali Current)
Two People Shot Dead By Unknown Gunmen In Northeast Kenya (Coast Week)
African Union Summit To Focus On Women Development (Z News)
Taekwondo Gaining Popularity Among Somali Youth (Shanghai Daily)
Rebellious Norwegians Find Life In Islam (OnIslam.com)
Have You Hugged Your ‘Ayeeyo’ Lately? (Sahan Journal)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Kenya: MP Calls For Troops Withdrawal From Somalia

08 June – Source: Somali Current – 153 Words

Withdraw Kenyan forces from Somalia if you want peace and security in the northern region of the country, Ijara MP Ahmed Ibrahim Abass has called on the Kenyan government. Speaking to the BBC Somali service, the MP said the Somali populated northern region of Kenya has seen unprecedented frequency of deadly attacks since the Kenyan Defense Forces crossed over to Somalia. “I am calling on the government [of Kenya] to withdraw its troops from Somalia since their stay in Somalia is putting the security of the country at risk,” he said. The Kenyan government has reiterated its commitment to keep the forces in Somalia as part of the internationally backed AMISOM forces. The Somalia based armed group Al-Shabab has launched deadly attacks in Kenya in the last two years, the deadliest being the Garissa University attack in early April where 147, mostly students, were killed.

New Garowe Mayor Assumes Office

08 June – Source: Garowe Online – 119 Words

The newly appointed mayor the state capital, Ahmed Saed Gelle has officially assumed office at a handover ceremony on Monday, Garowe Online reports. Puntland Government Ministers, Parliamentarians, and traditional leaders witnessed the event held at Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC) building. Former Mayor Abdiasis Nur Elmi (Kor) has addressed participants on his achievements during his tenure in office as the mayor of Garowe city, assuring his successor of cooperation and wishing him well. The incoming mayor on his side pledged that he would pay much attention to security and beautification of the city. On June 3, Puntland President dissolved Garowe municipal council and named the new Mayor, a diasporan from London Gelle.

Al-Shabaab Fighters Reportedly Set up Roadblock In Kenya But Government Denies

08 June – Source: Somali Update – 233 Words

Al-Shabaab militants reportedly set up roadblocks in Kenyan towns to collect money from locals, according to residents in Isiolo and Garba-Tulla. The residents in Isiolo mentioned that heavily armed fighters of Al-Shabaab have been entering their township and erected at least 10 roadblocks between Isiolo and Garba-Tulla where the fighters collected money from transporters using the main corridor between the two townships. “They were extorting money from transporters carrying Miraa and passengers between the two townships.” A resident in the area who wants not to be named said. But the news was strongly denied by Kenya’s Isiolo County Commissioner Wanyama Musiambo who said there were no said Al-Shabaab fighters in the area.

According to Nation Newspaper, the commissioner said that investigations had been launched to establish the identity of the armed men. According to locals the issue has been recurring since May this year when the fighters from Al-Shabaab started to storm several villages near the Somalia-Kenya border where the militants preached to locals and asked to refrain from collaborating with the local authorities. Al-Shabaab’s strategy to extort money as taxes from locals is common in many regions of Somalia including Puntland and Somaliland where the group threaten those who reject to pay them. Security analysts say Al-Shabaab plan to extort money from locals is a good source of income to continue their warfare.

Security Sweep In Muqa-Kori Locality Nets Several Suspects

08 June – Source: Goobjoog News -159 Words

Somali government forces have launched massive security operations for the last 24 hours in Mahas town and its surrounding areas. Among areas the security operation covered is Muqa-Kori locality where the soldiers carried out door to door inspections. The commander leading the soldiers who conducted the operation, Mohamed Mumin Saney said that operations were intended to tighten the security of the district and that they will be continuous till people live peacefully in their land. “The operations were intended to beef up the security of the town and as well as the whole district, the forces apprehended several suspected Al-Shabaab members and they will be investigated thoroughly” he underlined. Finally he called upon the public to work hand in hand with the security forces and forward any tips leading the arrest of those terrorising the town. The government soldiers backed by AMISOM troops have been conducting security sweep to tighten the security of the town.

European Union Envoy To Somalia Meets Puntland President

08 June – Source: Somali Current – 154 Words

President of Puntland and European Union’s top envoy to Somalia today met at Garoowe where they discussed an array of issues touching on different sectors. Speaking after he gave the president a courtesy call at his office, envoy Michele Cervone d’Urso congratulated Ali Gaas, saying Puntland has achieved a lot in the past few years. Speaking after their closed door meeting, President Ali Gaas said Michele Cervone d’Urso has reiterated European Union’s support for Puntland. “He declared the Union’s support in education sector, economic empowerment and the refurbishment of the highway that connects Garoowe and Galkaiyo,” he said, adding that the European Union would support Puntland’s conference on national dialogue. “We also discussed…Vision 2016 and the forthcoming election in Somalia,” he added. “I am here to bring goodwill message from the European Union. We will support Puntland and we are content of the strides made by the government,” Michele Cervone d’Urso said.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Two People Shot Dead By Unknown Gunmen In Northeast Kenya

08 June – Source: Coast Week – 297 Words

Kenyan authorities said Sunday they have launched investigations into the death of two people who were shot dead Saturday night by unknown gunmen in Wajir town in northeast region. Wajir County Police Commander Samuel Mukinda said the woman and man were shot at separate places in their homes, but simultaneously in the clash-hit region which has experienced increased attacks in the recent past. Mukinda said a third person is admitted in hospital with serious wounds. “We have not arrested any suspect so far, but witnesses say the gunmen stormed into the private compounds and opened fire before escaping without stealing anything from them,” said Mukinda. “We do not know who they were for now, but efforts to get them and know the motive are all ongoing,” the local police commander said of the area, which has been facing cases of attacks in the past days linked to terrorists.

The Somalia-based military group ‘al-Shabaab’ has carried out series of deadly attacks in northern Kenya and other towns, including the capital city of Nairobi since the East African country sent its military into Somalia in 2011 to subdue the Al- Qaida inspired group. The authorities have launched a sting operation in the region beginning with Garissa County to pacify it from terror gangs that have led to its insecurity. The security operation on Saturday resulted in the arrest of three high profile terror suspects in Garissa county. More than 600 new police officers from the region have been deployed in parts of Garissa, Mandera and Wajir counties to address the menace amid cries the region’s economy is badly affected. And over 300 police reservists are to be recruited to help in policing northern region from the ‘al-Shabaab’ terror gang.

African Union Summit To Focus On Women, Development

08 June – Source: Z News – 511 Words

The African Union (AU) opened its annual summit in Pretoria on Sunday with focus on issues concerning women empowerment and the continent’s long-term development. The summit is being held under the theme, “Year of Women empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.” Addressing delegates at a meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), PRC chairperson Albert Ranganai Chimbindi described the theme as pertinent and opportune. “We must remember that women constitute more than half of the African Union population, and that they make up 75 percent of our agricultural workforce,” Xinhua quoted Chimbindi as saying. Chimbindi added that the time has come for Africa to recognise women as equal to men, emphasising that this will result in the highest development of race and economy.

“Time is with us and we should make that extra effort to ensure the empowerment of the African woman in order to achieve the vision that is enshrined in our 2063 blueprint,” he said. Chimbindi, who is also the Zimbabwean ambassador to Ethiopia, challenged African countries to implement the many decisions already taken by the continent to attain gender equality. “The AU gender architect that must be implemented include the protocol to African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the Solem Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa, the Fund for African Women and the African Women’s Decade,” Chimbindi said. PRC deputy chairperson Erastus Mwencha outlined the core agenda of the 25th AU summit. These include improving Africa’s economy, infrastructure development, poverty, peace and security. “We will be looking at reports on the challenges in Burundi, South Sudan and others. However, we have made progress especially in Mali where a peace agreement was signed,” said Mwencha. He added that the summit will also take a close look at the rise of terrorism incidents in countries like Kenya, Nigeria and Somalia. “We now have a new challenges of terrorism, radicalization and extremism,” he said.

Taekwondo Gaining Popularity Among Somali Youth

08 June – Source: Shanghai Daily – 504 Words

It was a Sunday afternoon, a group of about 30 trainees were throwing jabs into the air as they learnt the Japanese style of defense, taekwondo. Ahmed Mohamed Hajji is the director who learned the skill in Ethiopia after fleeing the war-torn Somalia. “When I came back after being in Ethiopia for some years, I decided that it would be a good idea to introduce taekwondo to the youth in Mogadishu,” Hajji told Xinhua Sunday. Hajji said starting the training was not an easy task as financial resources were difficult to find and Somalis were not familiar with the sport. “At first I found it hard to convince the youth to join the training even though I was offering it for free. But after some time, they started coming along. Many young people are now interested in joining the training,” Hajji recalled the first days of his training career.

For Hajji, the acceptability of the game in Somali is not only an issue of money, but also the conservative nature of the Somali community meaning few women would be interested in his training. “I now have one lady who broke the tradition to attend the trainings. I hope more ladies will develop interests in taekwondo, ” said Hajji. Ugbad Hassan, the only lady among 29 men, said she is confident she can do well and be a role model to her female colleagues who view taekwondo as a male-only game. “I am the only girl taking this training and many people have not been happy about my plan to learn taekwondo. I am lucky that my family has been supportive of my ambition to be a professional taekwondo player,” said the lady player. Sadaq Ifrah, 18, said he has been following the trainings for the last five months and is excited to further enhance his expertise on the game. “I first joined the taekwondo class out of curiosity but have developed a lot of interests ever since. I hope one day I would be in a position to compete at professional level when taekwondo become a professional sport in Somalia,” Ifrah narrated his dream about taekwondo.

Rebellious Norwegians Find Life In Islam

08 June – Source: OnIslam.com – 589 Words

In what is perceived as a rebellion against Norway liberal society, a growing number of youth have been reverting to Islam, seeing it as offering a goal to their lives and showing guidelines and rules many of them miss in society. “I think people need that, guidelines and rules and consequences in the form of punishment or praise,” 26-year-old Norwegian woman named Elsa, who didn’t want to be identified, told Aftenposten, NewsinEnglish.no reported on Monday, June 8. “Something to believe in.” Offering an insight into the Norwegian Muslim community, Aftenposten newspaper launched a series of reports over the weekend about Islam in Norway. According to researchers, the number of ethnic Norwegians who reverted to Islam increased from around 500 at the end of the 1990s to around 3,000 today.

Though still representing a tiny percentage of the Norwegian population, the growth rate was regarded as significant, as is the perceived reason behind it. “Converting to Islam is perhaps the most extreme form of youthful rebellion today,” Anne Sofie Roald, a professor in religion, told Aftenposten. Islam, Roald noted, is a religion that can require a lifestyle for converts that’s “extremely different from the life they’ve lived earlier.” Reverting to Islam more than 30 years ago, Roald cited the larger Muslim population now in Norway and its heightened visibility as factors influencing Norwegians who are looking for a religious alternative. Those reverts usually launch into their new lives as Muslims wholeheartedly, she said in agreement with researcher Olav Elgvin of the University of Bergen. “In general, many converts become ‘more Catholic than the pope,’” Roald, who reverted to Islam in 1982, told Aftenposten. “The reality can be that the ideas about limits set by religion can be more appealing than the limits themselves.”

Surviving the massacre of July 22, 2011, on the island of Utøya was a changing point in the life of Morten Ibrahim Abrahamsen, now a 23-year-old man from Hamar. Going through hard times on the island, when the lone gunman Anders Behring Breivik killed 69 people at the Labour Party’s youth summer camp, Abrahamsen decided to revert to Islam. “I met a lot of resistance, also publicly, from people who thought I was vulnerable and had all but been forced to convert,” Abrahamsen said, after he’d declared his faith to representatives of the Islamic organization Islam Net in Oslo. “But now it’s been nearly four years (since the massacre and his conversion) and I’m thriving with my religion. “I have found the sense of calm I was looking for.”

OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE

“Amina is a walking encyclopedia of Somali culture and experiences. She has personally known several former high-ranking Somali government officials and a handful of famous singers and poets. Her conversation is littered with anecdotes and proverbs. ‘I do not have an education,’ she admitted, ‘but I have a vast reservoir of personal experience’.”

Have You Hugged Your ‘Ayeeyo’ Lately?

08 June – Source: Sahan Journal – 762 Words

Amina Mohamed is 77, the mother of seven, the “ayeeyo” (grandmother) of 42, and the great grandmother of seven. “In reality, I had 10 children but three died,” she said. “My youngest daughter was killed in Hargeisa during the civil war.” She was standing in front of the family house when she was struck on the heart by a wayward bullet. “No one knows the perpetrator,” Amina said, a hint of sadness in her voice. Amina was born in Hargeisa and her mother came from Jigjiga, a city in the Somali region in Ethiopia. Her father came from the Awdal region in northern Somalia. Amina and her husband spent most of their lives in eastern Ethiopia, where all her children were born. However, she speaks only a smattering of Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia. Amina has fond memories of the Somali region in Ethiopia and talks about it nostalgically. “Somalis there are cohesive because they live in a multicultural environment,” she explained. “What defines you there is your ethnicity, not your clan.”

Amina witnessed firsthand what Somali clans did to each other during the civil war, in the north and south. She saw innocent people killed and even elderly woman molested. “I saw a woman in her sixties raped,” she said, with tears in her eyes, “just because she belonged to the wrong clan.” Amina was fortunate to have escaped harm in Mogadishu because she told the armed militias that she was from Hargeisa. During the 1977-1978 Somali-Ethiopian War, Amina and her family fled Harar, Ethiopia, to Somalia. In the ensuing panic and chaos, her children scattered and for a while, their whereabouts were unknown. Amina, one of her sons, and two grandchildren escaped to the bush and trekked for 18 days toward Somalia to avoid the Ethiopian army. “It was the most dangerous and emotionally draining trip I have ever untaken,” she said. “I was worried about the well-being of my two grandchildren than my own.” Amina experienced starvation, constant fear of wild animals, and — after a snakebite — a week-long sickness. The fleeing group of relatives saw hyenas near Harar eating corpses. After 18 days of walking, Amina came upon an encampment of the Somali army inside Ethiopia.