July 21, 2015 | Morning Headlines
Al-Shabaab Shuts Down Andalus Radio Amid Imminent Clash With Allied Forces
20 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 332 Words
Al-Shabab has shut down Andalus radio branch in Bardhere town and set free 18 prisoners from its custody,Goobjoog News has learnt. The development comes at a time the group is facing sustained offensive from joint Somali National Army and the African Union backed force AMISOM. Meanwhile, over ten thousand people are reported to be fleeing from Bardhere town since Somali National Army (SNA) backed by AMISOM troops headed for the town. Eyewitnesses told Goobjoog News on Monday that residents are evacuating from the town using donkey carts and other available means of transport. “We fear fighting could erupt at anytime because Al-Shabaab moved to the frontlines to defend the town from joint forces led by Somali military forces,” said a resident. Rukia Ali a mother of 10 who fled her home in fear of the imminent fighting told Goobjoog News the situation is very tense and she had to flee with her children to safe places.
“I and my children are heading for Garbahaaray town, you know I have been displaced following reports of impending clash between government forces and Al-Shabaab. Life is becoming hard there (Bardhere) as the foodstuff and other essentials have run out amid ongoing blockade by joint troops” she said. The Al-Shabab, meaning “youth” in Arabic, emerged out of a bitter insurgency against Ethiopia, whose troops entered Somalia in a 2006 in a US-backed invasion to topple the Islamic Courts Union that was then controlling the capital Mogadishu. Al-Shabab fighters continue to stage frequent attacks, seeking to counter claims that they are close to defeat after losing territory in the face of repeated African Union and Somali government offensives, regular US drone strikes against their leaders and defections. In a message marking Muslim Eid celebrations on Friday, Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Diriye — also known as Ahmed Umar Abu Ubaidah — outlined plans for the group to increase its operations outside of Somalia and particularly in Kenya.
Key Headlines
- Al-Shabaab Shuts Down Andalus Radio Amid Imminent Clash With Allied Forces (Goobjoog News)
- Somalia President Receives Credentials From UK Ambassador (Horseed Media)
- Parliament Fails To Swear In Independent Commissions As House Fails Quorum (Goobjoog News)
- Government And AMISOM Forces Capture Key Entry Point As Battle To Liberate Diinsoor Gains Momentum (Wacaal Media)
- Dozens Of Somali Refugees In Denmark Fear Deportation (Horseed Media)
- Somali Prime Minister Returns To Mogadishu (RBC Radio)
- Deploy KDF To Guard Waters MP Tells State (Standard Digital)
- Kenya And Somalia Feuds Far From Over (The Star Kenya)
- US Policies In Somalia Doomed To Failure: Activist (Press TV)
- Is Puntland’s Ali Gaas Slowly Becoming Unpopular? (Somali Current)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia President Receives Credentials From UK Ambassador
20 July – Source: Horseed Media – 226 Words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud received credentials from the newly-appointed UK ambassador to Somalia Ms. Harriet Mathews on Monday. In their meeting, the President and ambassador discussed the strengthening bilateral relations as well as pressing international and regional issues. President Mohamoud congratulated Ms. Mathews on the appointment and wished her success in her diplomatic mission. He also thanked the UK government for supporting the Federal government and Somali people. The UK Ambassador noted that the relations between the two countries are close and added that she would do her utmost to further and strengthen the political and economic relations.
“I have been delighted by the warm welcome that I have received from the President and Somali people. I am honoured to have been chosen to take on this important role, based in Mogadishu. I look forward to deepening the strong relationship between our two countries and addressing our common priorities including security, development, humanitarian progress and political stability. The United Kingdom has been instrumental in helping to bring peace and security back to Somalia, and remains committed to helping the Somali people and government to rebuild the country,” said the ambassador after meeting the President. In June 2013, Britain appointed its first ambassador to Somalia in 21 years since the country’s central government collapsed and reopened its embassy in Mogadishu.
Parliament Fails To Swear In Independent Commissions As House Fails Quorum
20 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 202 Words
Parliament today failed to swear in the Independent Electoral Commission and Federalism and Boundaries Commission due to lack of quorum. Only 126 MPs showed up failing to meet the minimum threshold of 139 needed to conduct house business. There are 275 lawmakers in total. The speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Osman Jowari lashed out at the MPs warning them against failing to live up to their constitutional mandate. Jowari also warned the lawmakers that disciplinary action would be taken against them if they continued with the same trend. However no action has been taken before against any MP despite failing to attend sessions on a number of times. The Federal parliament will mark its third anniversary next month but there will be little to write home about since there is a huge backlog of parliamentary business yet to be disposed of. A number of key legislations necessary for the federalization process and preparation for elections in 2016 have not been passed. With a year remaining before its term comes to a close, serial absenteeism from the house is likely to bog down not only parliamentary business but development in the country at large.
Government And AMISOM Forces Capture Key Entry Point As Battle To Liberate Diinsoor Gains Momentum
20 July – Source: Wacaal Media – 154 Words
South West Somalia’s state forces assisted by their AMISOM colleagues earlier today fully took over Raamo-adey location, 40KM to Diinsor. The forces left Dharqo town on their way to Diinsor and met with no resistance as they took over Raamo-adey which is an entry point to Diinsor, a rebel stronghold in the radar of the combined forces. Sources told Wacaal media that the progress of the combined forces resulted in mass exodus of civilians from Diinsoor and surrounding area. They are fleeing to avoid being caught in the crossfires. The militants are coming under increased pressure from AMISOM and government forces who want to dislodge them from their two remaining strongholds of Baardheere in Gedo region as well as Diinsoor in Bay region. They have tried to put up resistance but are unable to match the firepower of the re-energized allied forces.
Dozens Of Somali Refugees In Denmark Fear Deportation
20 July – Source: Horseed Media – 209 Words
Dozens of Somali refugees in Denmark fear they could soon be forcibly deported from the Scandinavian country. Some of the asylum seekers who have speaking to local media outlets have raised their concerns over the deportation program of the Danish government. One man insisted that it was not the right time for them being deported and protested in front of the Danish Parliament, demanding for postponement to the deportation plans. “We came here to live peacefully and in a search of a better life than the one we had in our country,’’ said Abdi Ali. Somalia government clearly refused to receive refugees who have been forcibly deported.
Human rights and advocacy groups have voiced their concerns on deportation of Somalis seeking for asylum, saying that it represents a clear violation of international refugee conventions. The United Nations high commissioner for refugees has continuously said that many parts of the war-ravaged country remains unsafe due to threats from the militant group and human rights violation such as rape. Across Europe, tens of thousands of Somalis are in legal limbo, waiting to have asylum claims processed, or under threat of return to the war-torn nation t if their applications have been rejected.
Somali Prime Minister Returns To Mogadishu
20 July – Source: RBC Radio – 132 Words
Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmaarke along with a large delegation has taken off for Nairobi after wrapping up week-long visit to Puntland, RBC Reports. Somalia’s Premier leading a large delegation including cabinet secretaries, members of of Somalia Federal Parliament and Veteran politicians has returned to Mogadishu, Somali capital. Lengthy talks between Somalia Federal Government, Puntland and Jubbaland were believed to be the aim of the Premier’s visit in Puntland although no the talks have reportedly ended with failure according to reliable sources who talked to Raxanreeb Online on the condition of anonymity. The most contested topics in discussion were matters pertaining to interventions of the Federal Government to the current transitional Somali Federal constitution, Jubbaland Parliament complaints, and the recently-announced Gal-mudug state.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Deploy KDF To Guard Waters, MP Tells State
20 July – Standard Digital – 431 Words
The National Assembly Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations has advised the Government to deploy Kenya Defence Forces to guard Kenya’s territorial waters in the Indian Ocean, which are being claimed by Somalia government. Committee chairman Ndung’u Gethenji said Kenya should vigorously defend her territory, which Somalia is laying claim to. He said claimed Somalia, which is home to Al Shabaab, is planning to grab the territory. “Somalia’s action to move to claim the continental shelf is in bad faith, especially at a time when Al Shabaab is spreading terror in Kenya,” said Mr Gethenji. He said Somalia was claiming maritime wealth and waters that belong to Kenya. “The continental shore is Kenyan and KDF should be deployed to the region to ensure our maritime shelf is well guarded,” he said.
He said the move was meant to deny the country maritime wealth. The triangle of the disputed ocean territory stretches for more than 100,000 square kilometres and the portion lies in an oil-rich territory. About a week ago, Somalia rejected a request to solve the border dispute out of court and announced that it was submitting documents to the United Nations International Court of Justice. Bilateral talks Somalia’s Information Minister Mohammed Maareeye said their case was to be deposited in court on Monday last week, after the Somalia cabinet decided that the dispute be arbitrated through the court and not bilaterally. “Both Kenya and Somalia have attempted in the past to resolve the matter bilaterally but those attempts were unsuccessful. That is why we decided to take the matter to the United Nations court,” Mr Maareeye told Radio Mogadishu, the official mouthpiece of the Somalia Government. According the court rules, Kenya will have eight months to respond to the application by Somalia after which hearings will begin formally. If everything goes according to plan, the hearings will begin in March next year.
Kenya And Somalia Feuds Far From Over
20 July – Source: The Star, Kenya – 252 Words
Kenya and Somalia are headed for a legal duel at the International Court of Justice regarding the maritime delimitation of the Indian Ocean. Somalia wants the boundaries redrawn in a move that could see Kenya become a landlocked state and lose at least five oil-rich petroleum blocks. ICJ yesterday told the Star Somalia submitted documents to back its claims to the maritime territory, dashing hopes of an out-of-court settlement. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed recently told Parliament the two countries agreed to resolve the dispute out of court. “The Information Department of the International Court of Justice can confirm the Memorial of the Federal Republic of Somalia was filed within the deadline set by the court,” ICJ said in an interview.
The Court fixed July 13 for the filling of the initial pleadings for Somalia. Kenya has up to May, 27, 2016, to respond to the suit. The pleading in which Somalia claims large maritime territory — rich in oil deposits and fish stocks — will remain confidential, the court said. “You are reminded that written pleadings remain confidential until the court decides to make them accessible to the public,” ICJ said. Tests have shown potential reserves of gas in the disputed ocean territory that stretches more than 100,000sq km. The dispute that has gone on for six years has kept investors away. Meanwhile, Somalia opposed the construction of a perimeter wall on its border with Kenya, setting the stage for another confrontation.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“In 2007, the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was created. And many of the states that were involved in that mission are allied with the US foreign policy in central as well as eastern Africa. But we see now, it represents the failure of this policy in Somalia and it extends as well into Kenya.”
US Policies In Somalia Doomed To Failure: Activist
20 July – Source: Press TV – Video – 2:39 Minutes
Press TV has conducted an interview with Abayomi Azikiwe, an editor at The Pan-African News Wire from Detroit, to get his take on the continuation of Al-Shabaab terrorists’ attacks in Somalia.
“Latest comments he made for or against the federal government has poised Ali Gaas as a political figure who is slowly degenerating to petty clan politics, political analyst Warfa opines. “It’s a way of shrugging off the difficult, but important political reality in Puntland. It’s not what is expected of a man who led the old administration in the country.”
Is Puntland’s Ali Gaas Slowly Becoming Unpopular?
18 July – Source: Somali Current – 431 Words
When it come to Somalia politics , Abdiweli Gas is loved and loathed in equal measures. President Gas brought many things to Somalia but harmony was not one of them. From his never ending wrangle with the former President Sheikh Shariff Sheikh Ahmed to his current divide and rule style of politics, the man is never short of controversy. He was and remains, the most divisive and controversial political figure in modern Somalia. President Ali Gaas of Puntland administration in Somalia has lately bounced back into national political arena but not as a Prime Minister of the interim Federal government of Somalia, a position he once held, but as the president of the Puntland administration.He often blasts at the federal government, a move seen by many as attempts to overshadow a growing political upheaval at his backyard.
Puntland is the mother of federalism in Somalia and has always had a good case to lead but is now losing the moral courage to hold its forward position. It seems President Ali Gaas is diverting attention of serious political issues, including the state military payment problems, like those facing the federal troops,” Abdullahi Warfa, a Somali political commentator, says. He continues, “Moreover, current president, a one-time prime minister, is neither able to feel the big shoes left behind by former president Farole, who unlike Gas, was able to show a definitive leadership on where Puntland stood.” Farole, his predecessor, has pushed for transitional federal institution and has created a reasonably functioning state institution. He similarly introduced tax collection while ignoring the strong clan politics.