August 18, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report
Five People Died In Deadly Battle In South Of Somalia
18 August – Source: Shabelle News – 136 Words
At least five people have been killed and a dozen others wounded in deadly clashes that broke out in Wajid town in south of Somalia’s Bakool region.The clashes is said to have started after Al-Shabaab militants attacked a military base manned by government troops in Elbaar village just 10Km away from Wajid town. Somalia’s Regional Commander, Col. Abdurahman Tima’adde told Shabelle Media Network that at least 5 Al-Shabaab members had been killed in the raid. Col. Abdurahman declined to comment if any soldier was killed or wounded in the Al-Shabaab ambush attack. The situation is calm and things returned back to normal after the battle between government troops and Al Shabaab insurgents subsided. Somalia officials vowed to step up its military operation against Al Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab militants in south Somalia.
Key Headlines
- Five People Died In Deadly Battle In South Of Somalia (Shabelle News)
- Helicopter Attacks Destroy Al-Shabaab Vehicles In Central Somalia (Garowe Online)
- Somali Member of Parliaments Distance Themselves From President Motion Claim Their Signatures Forged (Wacaal Media)
- Prime Minister Appoint Yahya As The Permanent Secretary For Interior Affairs (Jowhar Online)
- Finance Minister Requests Somalia’s Foreign Debts To Be Forgiven (Radio Muqdisho)
- We Are Waiting For High Court Clearance Says Member of Parliament On Impeachment Motion(Goobjoog News)
- Growing Number Of Former Al-Shabaab Fighters Giving Up Arms To Lead A Normal Life (Somali Current)
- Inspector General Unveils Kenya’s Faces Of Terror (Mediamax/K24 TV)
- Foundation To Help Somali People (Gulf Today)
- St. Cloud Immigrants Get Global News In Unusual Ways (St. Cloud Times)
- Caribou Employee Apologizes For Post About Somalis (MPR News)
- Somalia: A letter from Jamaame (Horseed Media)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Helicopter Attacks Destroy Al-Shabaab Vehicles In Central Somalia
18 August – Source: Garowe Online – 134 Words
Helicopter attacks continue to pound fewer areas controlled by Al-Shabaab, destroying military vehicles in fresh barrages in central Somalia. On Sunday, residents reported that Ethiopian copters hit four vehicles carrying militants in Gadon village, 4km off Masagaway area in Galgadud region. Three of the four pickup trucks were reportedly leveled to the ground, leaving militants on board ‘dead and wounded’. Witnesses told local media that Al-Shabaab fighters closed areas where the airstrikes targeted to the public. Ethiopian peacekeepers in Baidoa, the provincial capital of Bay region of southwestern Somalia have been manning combat missions in a bid to see militants’ latest grip wane. Somali National Army backed by African Union troops managed to take back control of a string of strategic areas in central and southern Somalia.
Somali Member of Parliaments Distance Themselves From President Motion, Claim Their Signatures Forged
18 August – Source: Wacaal Media -141 Words
A section of Somali MPs have come out guns blazing against their colleagues who tabled a motion of no confidence on the President of the Federal government Hassan Sheikh Mohamud accusing them of tarnishing their name. Speaking at a press conference they held in Mogadishu, more than 25 legislatures claim their signatures were forged by their colleagues whom they say were up to no good. Member of Parliament, Abdalla Boos Ahmed said that they were going public against the ills of their colleagues in order for the public not to be hoodwinked. He said the signatures appended to the current motion was the one on a previous similar motion that they tabled against the head of state. However, it was shelved after the president settled their grievances. The announcement is a major blow to their colleagues who put their strength at 91 signatories.
Prime Minister Appoint Yahya As The Permanent Secretary For Interior Affairs
18 August – Source: Jowhar Online – 102 Words
The Prime Minister of Somalia, Omar Abdirashid has appointed Yahya Ali Ibrahim as the permanent secretary of the Ministry Of Interior in acting capacity. Yahya was the Chairman of Somali International University before his appointment. The appointment came after Yahya was recommended by the current Minister for Interior and Federal Affairs. The appointment letter in which the Prime Minister’s is apprehended is dated 15th of this month. Yahya was also an advisor to the Minister of Interior, and the university he headed was one of the prominent institutions in Mogadishu. The outgoing Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior is Ismail Jimaale.
Finance Minister Requests Somalia’s Foreign Debts To Be Forgiven
18 August – Source: Radio Muqdisho- 119 Words
The Minister for Finance, Mohamed Adan (Fargeyte) has said Somalia’s government is trying to ensure that Somalia’s foreign debts are forgiven, this he said will be done in close collaboration with the International Monetary Fund(IMF). “ We have a debt amounting to 5.4 billion US dollars which was taken during the previous governments and there is a lot of interest accrued, we need this debts to be forgiven,” said the Minister. Meanwhile, the IMF is working with the Somali Federal Government on how to strengthen the Somali shilling which has weakened. “ Other things we are working closely with the IMF includes the restructuring of the Somali shilling and the development of the Central Bank and financial reforms,” the minister said.
We Are Waiting For High Court Clearance, Says Member of Parliament On Impeachment Motion
17 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 349 Words
The impeachment motion against the president is set for debate once the high court clears it to proceed to parliament even as the president dismissed it as a waste of time, a lawmaker has said. Abdullahi Jama Hussein, one of the parliamentarians who lodged the motion at the high court has told Goobjoog News they are awaiting directions from the high court as a procedure before the motion is debated in the House. “The country has no constitutional court so in the absence of that the Provisional Constitution gives us the option of filing the motion at the high court and it is that court which establishes the legality of the motion,” Abdullahi said.
More than one third of Somali Federal Member of Parliament last Thursday submitted an impeachment motion against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud citing gross violation of the constitution and failure to realise a universal vote next year among a number of concerns. Procedurally, article 92 of the Provisional Constitution bestows upon the Federal Parliament as now constituted to propose the dismissal of the president if he/she is accused of treason, or gross violation of the Constitution or the laws of the Federal Republic of Somalia.The president last week dismissed calls for his resignation as a waste of time noting that there was a lot of work to be done instead of engaging in what he termed as political witch hunt.
If approved by the high court, the Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari will present the motion to parliament for debate. Article 92 (3) of the Provisional Constitution 2012 provides thus: If the Constitutional Court determines that the case has legal grounds, the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia may be dismissed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the total membership of the two Houses of the Federal Parliament.Since the Upper House (Senate) is not in place yet as contemplated in the Provisional Constitution, at least 183 out of 275 members of the current parliament will be required to vote in favour of the motion for the president to dismissed.
Growing Number Of Former Al-Shabaab Fighters Giving Up Arms To Lead A Normal Life
17 August – Source: Somali Current – 252 Words
A group of former Al-Shabaab fighters accompanied by a group commander have reportedly surrendered in Bardhere to the area government forces. The government welcomed the change of heart as more militants give up arms in defiance to the group’s continued attack in civilian area across the country, particularly the capital Mogadishu. A high ranking government officer in the town of Bardhere, Jama’a Muse told the local media that the latest group were part of a growing number of former Al-Shabaab fighter that are increasingly accepting government offer of absolute amnesty. Mr. Jama’a added that the fighters have been accorded full amnesty and were in their custody, perhaps for debriefing session.
“We have received four former Al-Shabaab members: three junior fighters and one Amir (Commander). We’ve welcomed them and are now under our custody. We have treated them well and will continue to welcome more Al-Shabaab fighters to give up arms and lead a normal life,” he said. He added that the government amnesty was working and that the growing defection was a clear sign of how the group is losing both territories and fighters simultaneously.This latest surrender of Al-Shabaab militants comes a week after a senior member charged with Zakat collection in the Bokol region defected and sought amnesty in the government forces that are based in Gedo region.The reports of the growing defections come at the wake of intensified AMISOM operation against the militant group Al Shabaab as the group continue to lose more territories in the country.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Inspector General Unveils Kenya’s Faces Of Terror
18 August – Source: Mediamax/K24 TV – 796 Words
Three extremists suspected to be running an underground radicalisation campaign to recruit Kenyan youth into Al-Shabaab and ISIS terror groups are today unmasked by the police. Police say the trio is behind the disappearance of young men and women suspected to have been spirited away to join the terror militia. Names of some of the young people recruited into extremism have also been released. Three of those on the police most-wanted list on suspicion of leading the radicalisation were named as Abdifatah Abubakar Ahmed, Ramadhan Kufungwa and Ahmed Iman Ali. Ali’s influence is reportedly felt in Nairobi’s Majengo slums, where he hails from, while Abdifatah and Kufungwa are said to have big influence in Mombasa county and the greater Coast region.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said yesterday many youth have ran away from their homes or dropped out schools and many are suspected to have travelled to as far as Syria to join the ISIS. Information about the recruiters and the disappeared youth is contained in a document provided by Boinnet, titled, ‘Tracing the Disappearing Kenyan Youth’, which sheds light on what has been happening in the shadowy terror gang world. Boinnet said Abdifatah is among the most wanted individuals responsible for a series of attacks in the Coast region. He was reportedly involved in planning and coordinating attacks in Lamu and Tana River county within Al-Shabaab and is suspected to be among commanders of Jesh Ayman hiding on Boni forest. Additionally, Abdifatah is said to have been part of the planners of the Westgate Shopping Mall attack in 2013.
Foundation To Help Somali People
18 August – Source: Gulf Today – 197 Words
A delegation from the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (KF) is visiting the East African country to assess the needs of the Somali people so as to alleviate their suffering as a result of the drought. This comes in view of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the orders of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to provide humanitarian assistance to the Somali people. A source at the KF stated that a team from the foundation would visit the drought-hit regions including Hargeisa, Salal and Awdal, to co-ordinate with local officials on purchasing relief material from the local markets to be distributed to the needy.
A number of Somali officials, during meetings with the KF team, praised the UAE’s honourable stance towards brotherly and friendly nations. They said the UAE extends a helping hand to those in need in different parts of the world. They also commended the humanitarian initiatives of the KF towards the needy.The KF, they noted, was the first to respond to the humanitarian appeal to help the Somalis.
St. Cloud Immigrants Get Global News In Unusual Ways
17 August – Source: St. Cloud Times – 905 Words
When Mohamed Jama Mohamud dashed through a busy parking lot on a recent afternoon at a small African business hub in north St. Cloud, some shoppers stopped him to ask, “When can you install my box?” Towering over each person he interacted with, Mohamud gave a soft smile and carefully chose his words as he explained his busy schedule. Then Mohamud, a bilingual communication support specialist at North Junior High, promised that he would call them over the weekend to install ethnic channels that connect the immigrant communities to their native countries.
For nearly a year and a half now, Mohamud has been involved in providing international television service, which installs foreign-language channels for the swelling St. Cloud immigrant population, many of them from Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. Mohamud explained how the process works: “I install the channels on Roku or Android TV streaming boxes, but mostly Roku. When installations are done, I take the boxes to whoever needs the service. And then, I connect it on their TV.” With customers in St. Cloud, Fargo and Willmar, Mohamud said he charges people about $250 per box, which has as many as 500 channels that carry entertainment programs, movies, sports and news.
Caribou Employee Apologizes For Post About Somalis
17 August – Source: MPR News – 249 Words
A Caribou Coffee supervisor in St. Cloud, Minn., has apologized for a Facebook post in which she described herself as a “racist against Somalis.” “I’m racist,” Rachel Teigland wrote on Aug. 14. “I want them all sent back to Somalia.” She alleged that a friend had been murdered by someone of Somali background. Teigland also said that when she was a child in school, her classes were interrupted by Somali translation. She wrote that the interruptions “impacted my learning.”The post has been widely circulated on social media since it surfaced four days ago.In a follow-up post on Facebook, Teigland said her comment has “falsely accused the Somali community of being violent and hateful.” She wrote that she has “caused an incredible amount of pain and heartache to an undeserving minority who already have to overcome so much discrimination.”
She also said she and her family had been harassed online because of the post. “Two wrongs do not make a right,” she said. “I was very wrong but there is a reason vigilante justice is not legal.” In an email statement, Caribou Coffee said it’s investigating Teigland’s comments. “These statements do not align with our core values of commitment to guests and communities,” said Caribou Coffee spokesperson Bri Bauer. “Her comments of condemnation to an entire community do not reflect Caribou Coffee values.” Bauer said Teigland’s employee status “has been handled internally,” but declined to elaborate. “We are not at liberty to discuss employment status of employees,” he added.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Jamaame the breadbasket of Lower Jubba, Somalia, is now a bread case, a worn out bread case with many holes. The ex-Margherita2 appears to be isolated and numb. Araara Bridge3 is blown up and the main road to the town is almost impassable.”
Somalia: A letter from Jamaame
18 August – Source: Horseed Media – 1,140 Words
The appearance of the town has completely changed. I cannot recognise the Jamaame I had known. I cannot believe that this is Jamaame, the vibrant town which used to be full of vitality with organised chaos and cultural evenings of Anyagow, Masawey, Tumburo, Kabeebey, Shabaay, and Saar. Few people are strolling aimlessly on the main road to the main mosque. The cinema building and the commissioner’s house lay in ruins, and so are many other important government offices and landmarks. Derelict and dilapidated. The only asphalted road in the town seems to have narrowed in width with potholes, mud covered sections and waterlogged segments.
Devastated and very depressing sight. A sight which has left a very painful feeling in my stomach during my entire trip in this once beautiful, fascinating, and remarkable town with its well renowned tolerance, clan diversity, and unity as one harmonious community: a microcosm of the Somali nation before the continual clan violence. Few cafes and shops along the road are open for trade. Few customers are lazily enquiring about prices of items in the shops and few customers are ordering food hesitantly in the cafes. Shop owners and waiters in the restaurants seem to be dillydallying when serving customers.
Life seems to be very stagnant and bone idle. It really is a dreary, tired old town. One can feel that many of its residents are in a state bordering on destitution. The long destructive internecine war in the 1990s has taken its toll on Jamaame more than on most of the other districts in Somalia. In the 1960s and 1970s the town used to boast a number of schools, mainly elementary and intermediate. The medium was English as well as Arabic. Schools were under the managements of a Mennonite Mission from North America and that of Al-Azhar Foundation of Egypt. There were also adult classes in Italian in the evenings funded by the Italian consulate in Kismayo. The North American charity was running the English medium boarding school.
TOP TWEETS
@Aynte: 3 years ago we dreamed about #Mogadishu Book Fair. Glad to see @MogBF take off under @NewHorizonNHremit. #Somalia
@Daudoo: BREAKING: Heavy fighting btwn Somali troops &#AlShabaab reported in El-Bar village near Wajid town in Bakool region, dozens killed.#Somalia
@Seauxmali; You can’t be blind to the fact that alienation of Somali youth here leads directly to gang affiliations and allegiance to terrorist groups.
@SomaliaNewsroom: #Kenya village residents flee after#Shabaab “raid” in #Lamu http://mobile.nation.co.ke/
@Somalia111: Met Amina Haji Elmi of Save #Somali Women & Children. Discussed how some countries reserve % of Parliament for women
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Members of the Somali Police band play at Konis stadium in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Photo: AMISOM