June 23, 2015 | Morning Headlines

Main Story

Senior Al-Shabaab Figure Killed In South West Somalia

22 june – Source: Dalsan Radio – 177 Words

According to Somali National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA) a senior Al-Shabaab figure has been killed in attack in Bardere town in Gedo region. In a confirmation message posted in the official twitter account, NISA said Yussuf Hajji was killed in response to Al-Shabaab’s Sunday attempted attack on NISA’s training centre in the capital Mogadishu. Three fighters and one soldier were killed in the foiled attack, according to security officials. But what is unclear is the ownership of the aircrafts used for the attack since Somalia has no established air force. Interior ministry spokesman Mohamed Yusuf has earlier told the media that there are ongoing efforts between Somalia and its allies to receive drones to intensify attacks against armed group Al-Shabaab. US drone strikes and Kenyan air force jets have previously carried out attacks against the terrorist group in which senior officials like the founder Ahmed Abdi Godane were killed. The group vowed to intensify attacks against internationally backed government during the holy month of Ramadan.

Key Headlines

Senior Al-Shabaab Figure Killed In South West Somalia (Dalsan Radio)
Gunmen Murder Traditional Elder In Central Somalia (Hiiraan Online)
Head Of Afgooye Revenue Collection Shot Dead (Wacaal Media)
Government Spokesman Ridhwan Haji Resigns (Somali Current)
Somali Police Force And AMISOM Conduct Joint Patrols In Mogadishu (Goobjoog News)
Operation Atalanta Warship ESPS Galicia Welcomes Somali Leaders On Board (Dalsan Radio)
Kenya’s Opposition Leader Blasts Government For Its Handling Of Al-Shabaab Menace (Wacaal Media)
Somalia Bombs Al-Shabaab From The Air For First Time (DPA International)
Kenya Lifts Ban On Key Somali Money Transfer Company (AFP)
Turkish Aid Agency Delivers Cleaning Vehicles To Somalia (Video News)
St. Cloud School Board Will Choose From 6 Finalists (SC Times)
Kenyan Smugglers Sweeten Al-Shabaab Coffers (Business Report/Reuters)
Border Services Must Lift The Veil Of Secrecy: Editorial (The Toronto Star)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Gunmen Murder Traditional Elder In Central Somalia

22 June – Source: Hiiraan Online – 264 Words

Unidentified gunmen have murdered a well-known Somali traditional elder in the central Somali town of Beledweyne on Monday, the second elder to be killed in the town in the past two days. According to eyewitnesses who spoke to Hiiraan Online, Hassan Aden Ibrahim was shot dead near his home in the town after two armed men approached him as he walked towards his home in Bundoweyn, a neighborhood in the town. A well-respected traditional elder, Mr. Ibrahim who was the brother of the town’s commissioner Omar Aden Ibrahim has long been advocating for peace and equality in the region.

No group has immediately claimed the responsibility for the murder, however, it comes as the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab group fighting in somalia stepped up attacks across the country during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. His murder comes one day after unidentified gunmen have shot dead another traditional elder Mumin Barre in the town on Sunday, highlighting challenges and security threats facing traditional elders who have long been the face of the country’s clans.

Beledweyne, an agricultural strategic town that straddles between central Somalia and the neighboring Ethiopia has seen a relative stability since the African Union forces kicked militants out of the town. However, militants have since carried out deadly attacks including bombings and assassinations in the town. The latest murder has sent shockwaves across Somalia which has a tradition of respecting traditional elders during the decades old clan warfare. Many are worried about the dangers facing traditional elders in Somalia.

Head Of Afgooye Revenue Collection Shot Dead

22 June – Source: Wacaal Media – 69 Words

News reports coming out of Afgooye indicate that unknown gunmen have today shot dead the town’s head of revenue collection. The slain official was identified as only Lafjebiye. He was reportedly killed in the Hawo Taako neighbourhood of Afgooye as he went about his daily professional activities in the town. The local administration has yet to commented on the incident..

Government Spokesman Ridhwan Haji Resigns

22 June – Source: Somali Current – 267 Words

Somali government spokesman, Ridwan Haji has today tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister, Omar Sharma’arke two years after he took up the position under the former premier. In his resignation letter that he shared on his social media accounts, Ridwan did not disclose his reasons of leaving the post, saying it was a personal reason.“Today, I declare that I have resigned from the post of the spokesman for the government and media advisor to the Prime Minister’s office,” he wrote, adding that, “it was an honour serving the people of Somalia at a time they the country is going through a significant political transition.”

Ridwan stated that the country “has seen development under the three Prime Ministers I served under: Mr. Abdi Farah Shirdon, Abdiweli Sh. Ahmed and the current Premier Omar Sharma’arke. He also pointed out that the government was going through a lot in terms of underperformance in the areas of reconciliation, unity and the basic human rights.“Somalia is on the path of democracy and development, but the leaders have to own up the vision of the Somalis and must strive to always return the power to the people,” he urged. Ridwan, who is a journalist by profession, thanked the government leaders and the media fraternity for their cooperation throughout his stay at the office. He also thanked his family and friends. Ridwan Haji was appointed as the government spokesman in 2013 and was a presenter at Universal television that is based in London at the time of his appointment.

Somali Police Force And AMISOM Conduct Joint Patrols In Mogadishu

22 June – Source: Goobjoog News – 291 Words

The Somali Police Force and African Union Mission in Somali (AMISOM) Police unit say joint patrols are to be conducted through the Ramadan period, aiming to beef up security in Mogadishu. The patrols are held under operation ‘Secure Mogadishu’, which was launched as part of the joint AMISOM/SPF Police initiative on June 17, 2015 in response to the threat of terror attacks during the holy month. The patrol teams are to operate on a 24-hour basis, to provide both proactive and reactive responses to security situations.

The Minister of Internal Security, Abdirisak Omar Mohamed has stressed the need to provide the best possible security to the public and dissuade would-be criminals with deployment of uniformed and plain-clothed police officers. The Somali Police Commissioner Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan has also indicated that the team would be relentless in combating crime.“This is not the first time that that the joint operations unfold; but it’s the first time the word is out. We will be using officers from various departments to crack down on the rag-tag gang activities and pick up unwanted elements with due diligence to human rights,” he said.

Anand Pillay, the AMISOM Police Commissioner said, “terrorism is currently at a peak and we are conscious that the city has been targeted in the past. There has been no specific threat yet due to increased policing; but we cannot afford to become complacent. Thus a decision will be taken as to whether the special operation will continue even long after the Ramadan season.” A march-past parade that involved a display of capabilities was conducted to flag-off the operation with vehicles donated by partners.The team mapped out the priority areas for increased policing, including covert operations to maintain security.

Operation Atalanta Warship ESPS Galicia Welcomes Somali Leaders On Board

22 June – Source: Dalsan Radio – 121 Words

Whilst conducting counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia, Operation Atalanta flagship, ESPS Galicia, hosted a number of local leaders on board. Meetings such are meant to build mutual trust and understanding between counter-piracy forces and the Somali population. The leaders were greeted and welcomed on board by the ESPS Galicia’s Commanding Officer and the EU Force Commander. During the discussions, the Somali leaders highlighted a number of issues that they are facing, including the negative impact that the crisis in Yemen is having on their local economy and concerns about illegal fishing off the coast. The Somali leaders stated they were truly grateful for the work that Operation Atalanta was doing to deter and disrupt piracy off the coast.

Kenya’s Opposition Leader Blasts Government For Its Handling Of Al-Shabaab Menace

22 June – Source: Wacaal Media – 160 Words

Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga has lashed out at the government for failing Kenyans as far the war on insecurity is concerned. In a statement to newsrooms, the CORD leader expressed frustrations at the government’s response to the Al-shabaab menace. “Jubilee (the ruling coalition) has relied on chest thumping and militarization of its response to the Al-Shabaab phenomenon at the very time it is morphing from ‘foreign Somali-based enemy to a locally based fledging insurgency,” said the former Kenyan Prime Minister in the statement. Raila blamed the ongoing security challenges on graft, a vice he says the government has miserably failed to curb. But in a quick rejoinder, Majority leader in the National assembly Aden Duale dismissed Raila’s statements saying they were uncalled for. “Mr. Odinga, in his usual analogue fashion, goes on to complain about the Jubilee government’s use of technology in the fight against terrorists” Duale said.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia Bombs Al-Shabaab From The Air For First Time

22 June- Source :DPA International – 173 Words

Somalia on Monday bombed positions of the Islamist terrorist group l-Shabaab from the air for the first time, killing a senior commander and several other people, security officials said. The attack targeted the southern town of Baardheere, a key Al-Shabaab base. Bombs hit a location where al-Shabaab members were meeting, as well as a nearby police station. Those killed included senior al-Shabaab commander Yusuf Hagi, said an intelligence officer who asked not to be named.The bombing was in retaliation for a foiled attack on a compound of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Mogadishu on Sunday, security officials said. A senior al-Shabaab official declined to comment.The Somali army, which is being rebuilt as the country gradually recovers from two decades of clan warfare, does not yet have bomber planes. The attack was carried out by Somalia’s US-trained counter-terrorism unit, NISA spokesman Mohamed Yusuf Osman said. Analysts said the war planes may have been supplied by the United States, which has previously used its drones to fight al-Shabaab in Somalia.

Kenya Lifts Ban On Key Somali Money Transfer Company

22 June – Source: The Guardian, Nigeria/AFP – 265 Words

Kenya has lifted anti-terrorism restrictions on the biggest money transfer company working in Somalia put in place after April’s Garissa university massacre, the company said Monday. “We are delighted to resume our services in Kenya,” said Abdirashid Duale, chief executive of Dahabshiil, the biggest of 13 companies banned more than two months ago. After decades of conflict Somalia has no formal banking sector. Money transfer companies that enable the quick and easy movement of cash in and out of the country keep many families and businesses afloat.

President Uhuru Kenyatta promised last Thursday to lift restrictions on the 13 remittance companies as soon as the Central Bank of Kenya had issued new guidelines for regulating their operations. It was not immediately clear if restrictions had been lifted on the other companies, nor whether the much smaller companies would be able to comply with the new rules. The money transfer companies were on a list of 85 entities proscribed by Kenya days after gunmen from the Somali-led Al-Qaeda group, Shebab, killed close to 150 people in an attack on a university in the town of Garissa. The restrictions were aimed at choking off Shebab financing, but aid agencies criticised the shutting down of transfer services, warning it would hit the poorest hardest and jeopardise their operations.

Turkish Aid Agency Delivers Cleaning Vehicles To Somalia

22 June – Source: Video News – 89 Words

The Turkish Red Crescent has delivered urban cleaning vehicles worth a million dollars to Somalia’s Banaadir region. The aid agency continues to provide assistance to Somali in dressing the wounds of a decades-long civil war. Earlier, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Turkish Red Crescent completed a three-year training for Banaadir’s local staff in charge of cleaning services. The vehicles delivered to the local administration include a water tanker, 6 garbage trucks, 2 earth movers, a vacuum truck and a street sweeper.

St. Cloud School Board Will Choose From 6 Finalists

22 June – Source: SC Times – 1, 872 Words

The St. Cloud school board is expected to appoint a member Tuesday night to fill a seat vacated by Cindy Harner’s resignation last month. The 11 applicants were narrowed to six finalists earlier this month. On Tuesday night at Apollo High School, each finalist will get half an hour to interview with the board. After that, the six-member board is expected to select a new member, who would be seated for the next meeting on Thursdayat City Hall. The Times contacted each of the candidates and compiled the information below from interviews and the information they submitted to the board.

Hudda Ibrahim, aged 31 is the Editor-in-chief of www.somalicurrent.com. She also is a researcher for the Central Minnesota Community Empowerment Organization’s St. Cloud Community Building Project. Ibrahim was born in Somalia and came to the United States in 2006. She earned an undergraduate degree in peace studies and English from the College of St. Benedict in 2013 and a master’s degree in international peace studies from the University of Notre Dame this year. She received scholarships to return to Somalia to conduct independent research on education. She said she’s unique among her college friends in that she stayed in Central Minnesota when most others moved to the Twin Cities. |

“One of the reasons I am applying for this job is that there is a need for collaboration and communication between the schools and the community,” said Ibrahim, who previously worked as an interpreter at Apollo. “That way we can educate our students and hopefully benefit from their education when they become adults.” She said the gap in communications between different parts of the community is one of the biggest opportunities for the district to overcome. “I believe education is the key to success,” said Ibrahim. “I have always wanted to work in schools where I can connect with communities and make an impact. I believe all children should have an equal opportunity. Educating children means educating community. … I can bring a new perspective. I was born in Somalia and I am a woman, but I’m also Somali-American. I would bring that perspective to the board. I am for all children — regardless of their color or their religion.”

Hassan Yussuf, aged 34 is the owner of tax and immigration services business; co-founder of Eradicating Achievement Gap & Learning Empowerment Yussuf spent the first 10 years of his life in Somalia then lived in Kenya for nine years. He earned a degree in social science from St. Cloud State in 2009, a master’s in public administration from Minnesota State University-Mankato and is pursuing another master’s in teaching English as a second language at St. Cloud State. He ran for the school board in 2010 and was eliminated in the primary. Last fall, he finished sixth of six candidates in the general election after advancing from the primary by one vote following a recount. “This community has given me a lot,” Yussuf said. “I went to school here. St. Cloud has brought me up, actually. This (serving on the school board) would be a good way for me to give back.”

OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE

“The sugar barons pay illegal levies – or protection fees – to the al-Shabaab who in turn uses the proceeds to fund terrorist activities/operations,” says the “secret” document, drawn up by the government on April 25.”

Kenyan Smugglers Sweeten Al-Shabaab Coffers

22 June- Source: Business Report/ Reuters – 571 Words

When Kenyan police arrested six men in the vast Dadaab refugee camp near the Somali border last April, their ultimate aim was to dismantle a decades-old sugar smuggling trade that is funding Somali militants waging war on Kenya. The arrests, coming weeks after four al-Shabaab gunmen massacred 148 people at nearby Garissa university, were part of Nairobi’s new strategy to choke off the flow of money to Islamists whose cross-border raids have hammered Kenya and its tourism industry. While cash from sugar smuggling may amount to only a few million dollars, experts say such sums are enough for attacks that need just a few assault rifles, transport and loyalists ready to die – such as the Garissa raid or the 2013 assault on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall that killed 67 people.

“It’s like the government is awakening,” said a senior Kenyan security source from Garissa region, adding the authorities had previously often “turned a blind eye to all these things because a lot of people were benefiting – but at a cost of security.” However, if a lasting impact is to be secured more must be done, say security and diplomatic sources. That includes rooting out corruption in the police force and going after smuggling cartel bosses as well as the middle men detained so far. The move to tackle the cross-border trade may prove as vital as the military offensive against al-Shabaab inside Somalia by African Union peacekeepers and Somali soldiers that has pushed the group into smaller pockets of territory. “Unless al-Shabaab sources of revenue are chopped off, we are not going to see the end of instability in south Somalia and the region,” said Rashid Abdi, a Somalia expert based in Nairobi. President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government has taken steps to halt the trafficking of sugar from the southern Somali port of Kismayu to Kenya’s frontier and has set up a special unit in the National Intelligence Service to dismantle smuggling cartels, the security source said.

“They are locking us up and forgetting about us,” says Francis Davidson, who has been held by CBSA for four years. “I have seen four people held in detention with me pass away.”

Border Services Must Lift The Veil Of Secrecy: Editorial

22 June – Source: The Toronto Star – 649 Words

The death of Abdurahman Ibrahim Hassan in Border Services custody highlights the need for more transparency, accountability and humanity in Canada’s immigration policies. Abdurahman Ibrahim Hassan was a troubled young man afflicted with a bipolar disorder that causes dramatic mood swings, and was a diabetic as well. A teenage refugee from war-torn Somalia in 1993, he was granted asylum in Canada but never became a permanent resident because of his illness. Eventually he got into trouble with the law, was ordered deported, declared violent and was being held by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay. He died at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre on June 11, after he became agitated during treatment, and was restrained.

As the Star’s Nicholas Keung reports, we know most of this because his family chose to make public Hassan’s name, plus the details of his life and years in custody, a week after he died. But until they spoke out a veil of secrecy shrouded his death. Officials refused to make public his name, or provide any real detail. To this day the family hasn’t a clue as to what happened to Hassan, who was 39, why he was in hospital, and what caused his death. The CBSA invoked the Privacy Act and refused to talk, apart from issuing a short bulletin 18 hours later saying a man had died in custody. The hospital did not respond to Keung’s requests for comment. Neither did the provincial ministry of community safety and correctional services. And the Special Investigations Unit, the agency that probes civilian deaths involving police, released a few details but not Hassan’s name, saying the family wanted it withheld. This looks like hushing up a man’s death, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government, which oversees the CBSA, must answer for it.

People in Canada do not disappear into gulags. Respect for a grieving family cannot be allowed to trump the public’s interest in knowing about the circumstances of the death. The state must account for the well-being of those it detains, to prevent abuses from going on behind closed gates. Correctional Service Canada, which runs the prison system, rightly provides that basic information as a matter of course. So should the border services agency. However harsh the Harper government’s attitude toward unlawful immigration may be, the CBSA cannot be a law unto itself. And bureaucratic practices, laws or regulations that stand in the way of greater transparency and accountability should be revoked. The CBSA held 8,400 people last year, for an average of 20 days each. But some, like Hassan, are held for years. And there have been a dozen deaths in CBSA/immigration custody in the past 15 years.