August 24, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report

Three Al-Shabaab Fighters Die After Attack On Somali National Army Military Base

24 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 237 Words

At least three Al-Shabaab fighters were killed by the Somali National Army after they lodged an attack on a SNA military base in the outskirt of Garbaharay town during the early hours of Monday morning. Al-Shabaab fighters are said to have attacked the base from different direction prompting hours of fighting. Heavy gunfire was reported as residents near the incident started fleeing. SNA commanders in Garbaharay told Goobjoog News that their soldiers resisted fiercely and killed three of the attackers. A local resident in the town confirmed the attack and said SNA soldiers are still at their base.“The group engaged gun battle with government soldiers for hours before they retreated” the resident in Garbaharay said.

This comes three days after Al-Shabaab fighters set three SNA technical vehicles on fire before they killed the commander of SNA soldiers in an attack in Geriley locality. Al-Shabaab have previously carried out several deadly attacks on government institutions, army camps and hotels. On Saturday the group has conducted two separate suicide car attacks in Somalia, one in Mogadishu and another at a military training base in the southern port city of Kismayo that claimed lives of more than thirty people. AMISOM and Somali National Army have been recovering Al-Shabaab controlled areas, the latest being Bardhere town that used to be the largest stronghold for Al-Shabaab’s top officials and its foreign jihadist fighters before they fled after heavy military assault by the joint forces.

Key Headlines

Three Al-Shabaab Fighters Die After Attack On Somali National Army Military Base (Goobjoog News)
Jubbaland Bars Universal TV From Operating In Its Territories (Wacaal Media)
German Deputy Ambassador To Somalia Arrives In Bossaso (Villa Puntland)
Somali National Army Overpowers Al-Shabaab In Lower Shabelle (Radio Muqdisho)
Scores Of Wounded Victims Airlifted To Mogadishu (Shabelle News)
Bardhere Town Comes To Life After Liberation From ‘Al-Shabaab’ (Xinhua)
Somali President UAE Envoy Talk Mutual Interests (Gulf Today)
Australian Aid Money Misused Says Canberra (Bernama.com)
Albayrak Group To Operate Somalia’s Mogadishu Port (Daily Sabah)
An Insider’s Guide To Mogadishu: ‘There’s No Life Without Peace’ (The Guardian)
Disposition of Impeachment Motion Will Shape Somali Politics (Hiiraan Online)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Jubbaland Bars Universal TV From Operating In Its Territories

24 August – Source: Wacaal Media – 130 Words

It has emerged that the Jubbaland Administration has barred Universal TV from operating in its territories. The State’s Minister of Information accused Universal TV of jeopardizing the stability of Jubbaland by airing alarming and baseless reports. The statement added that Jubbaland has previously protested and lodged complaints with the station’s headquarters but were met with dead silence. Following the dead silence the state took the drastic measure to bar the media house from operating within its territories. Although the statement fell short of disclosing the exact piece that attracted their wrath, analysts point at ‘Faaliyaha Qaranka’ a satirical program that also covers politics and politicians after it aired a segment about Jubbaland State President, Ahmed Madoobe.

German Deputy Ambassador To Somalia Arrives In Bossaso

24 August – Source: Villa Puntland – 102 Words

Germany Deputy Ambassador to Somalia Christian Resch, today received a warm reception in Bossaso, the commercial hub of Puntland State. A plane carrying the delegation which consisted of senior international diplomats led by the German Deputy Ambassador landed in Bander Qasim International Airport, receiving warm welcome from senior Puntland officials including the Minister of Ports Abdullahi Jama Salah. Speaking to the media shortly after the arrival of the delegation, Minister Abdullahi Salah said that the deputy ambassador is expected to open major renovations for the main prison in Bossaso. The delegation is expected to remain in Bossaso in the next coming days.

Somali National Army Overpowers Al-Shabaab In Lower Shabelle

24 August – Source: Radio Muqdisho – 117 Words

The Somali National Army has been successful in an operation to lodge out Al-Shabaab out of certain districts in the Lower Shabelle region. A spokesman for the security ministry, Mohamed Yusuf Osman has told Radio Muqdisho that operation are underway in the Lower Shabelle region to remove Al-Shabaab from areas under its control. “Yesterday NISA soldiers have gone to aid the Somali National Army who fought with Al-Shabaab in Mareeray district in Lower Shabelle region and they have significantly weakened the power of the terrorist group there, “ he said. He added that the forces killed a number of Al-Shabaab militia in the area explaining that efforts to fight Al- Shabaab will continue.

Scores Of Wounded Victims Airlifted To Mogadishu

23 August – Source: Shabelle News – 125 Words

Over 20 government soldiers, who were seriously wounded in the deadly bomb attack on military training base in Kismayo, were flown to Mogadishu for further treatment. The wounded were airlifted from Kismayo town which lies 528 km southwest of the Somali capital, a military officer told Shabelle Media based in Mogadishu. Several other wounded victims including some African Union peacekeeping trainers and Somali government commanders are expected to be airlifted to Nairobi for medical treatment.These victims were seriously injured in the coastal town of Kismayo after a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) hit the military training base in the town.The radical group of Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had killed over 100 cadets including Somalia army and African Union troops

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Bardhere Town Comes To Life After Liberation From ‘Al-Shabaab’

24 August – Source: Xinhua – 712 Words

Bardhere town, recently liberated by the Somali National Army and troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), is teeming with activity after years of subdued life under the ‘Al-Shabaab’. The town, situated in the Gedo region and liberated in July 2015, is an important agricultural centre living up to it’s name; Baar meaning “palm tree”, and Dheere meaning “tall”; a reference to the ubiquitous palm trees that have grown expansively in the area. The river banks are lined by beautiful palm trees and so are the farms of this town that lies at an intersection of all major roads that links Somalia to Elwak and Mandera in Kenya, Kismayo, Baidoa, Barawe and Dinsoor within Somalia.

The town is also known as the centre of Islamic scholarship, as it is for agricultural production. The climate is ideally suited for year-round crop production and boasts of farms of sorghum, corn, onions, beans, sesame plants, tobacco, and fruits such as bananas, watermelon, oranges, papayas, and mangoes. Entry and exit to and from the town is through an imposing metallic bridge, the Bardhere Bridge, built over the giant Jubba River, which is a year-long source of water in the region. It is at this bridge that the battle for Bardhere was won when AMISOM troops came calling and ‘Al-Shabaab’ experienced a humiliating defeat . “The bridge is strategic utility for ‘Al-Shabaab’, they are using the bridge to cross over from the other part of town and go east into the regions around Gedo and the Kenyan border towns of Wajir, El-Waq and Mandera, so this is a major crossing point for ‘Al-Shabaab’. Controlling the bridge controls ‘Al- Shabaab’ movements in Bardhere,” said Colonel.

Somali President, UAE Envoy Talk Mutual Interests

24 August – Source: Gulf Today – 100 Words

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of Somalia has received Mohammed Ahmed Al Osman, UAE Ambassador to Somalia, at the Office of the President. The meeting reviewed bilateral ties and discussed a variety of topics of common interest. President Mohamud expressed thanks and appreciation to the UAE government for its efforts to support Somalia’s stability. Emphasising the UAE-Somalia’s strategic ties, he also commended efforts being made by the UAE in various fields, particularly the development projects that aim to support the people of Somalia. The UAE envoy thanked the Somali president for his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.

Australian Aid Money Misused, Says Canberra

24 August – Source: Bernama.com – 139 Words

Australia’s Foreign Affairs Department has revealed it had investigated the misuse of Australian aid money in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Afghanistan and Somalia. According to ABC News, in one case the head of the PNG Law and Justice secretariat gave himself and his staff an unauthorised 23 per cent pay raise worth close to A$577,300. Staff who resigned received excessive entitlements and assets worth A$40,000 went missing. The PNG government subsequently paid back the money in 2012. ABC said the details of the case and others elsewhere in the region have come to light after the department disclosed them on its website in response to a Freedom of Information application. In a ministerial submission in October 2013 the department insisted there were strong measures in place to combat fraud and corruption risks.

Albayrak Group To Operate Somalia’s Mogadishu Port

23 August – Source: Daily Sabah – 246 Words

A signing ceremony was held for the transfer of operations of Mogadishu International Port, located in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, to Turkey’s Albayrak Group, which was attended by Somali Ports Minister Abdurrahman Muallim and Deputy Minister Cemal Buru, representatives from the Albayrak Group and officials from the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu. Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Minister Muallim said: “The Somali government has officially transferred the operating duty of the port to the Albayrak Group today. We hope the port will develop and reach the standards of world ports in this process.” Stating that employees currently working in the port will continue to work, Muallim noted that the Albayrak Group would contribute to Somalia’s economic development.

Albayrak Group Chairman Ahmet Albayrak said that they aimed to attract international trade networks to Somalia by supporting Mogadishu Port with modern equipment. He also emphasized that 55 percent of the revenue earned from the port would be delivered to the Somali Treasury and the rest would be allocated to development of port services. No further details were shared about the agreement and profit sharing.The Port of Mogadishu was closed in 1991 after the central government fell, and it was re-opened in 1992 by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, which was sent to the region due to the ongoing civil war. The port, which was closed again in 1995 after the UN Peacekeeping Force left the country, was re-opened in 2006 by the Islamic Courts Union that controls south Somali.

OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE

“After decades of war Mogadishu is tentatively relaxing. From sourdough pancakes to traditional bum-shaking Niiko dance and political hip-hop, Sadia Ahmed speaks for the delights of Somalia’s capital”

An Insider’s Guide To Mogadishu: ‘There’s No Life Without Peace’

24 August – Source: The Guardian – 895 Words

Sound of the city?
It has to be the preparation of the traditional Somali breakfast, canjeero – a sourdough breakfast pancake. Similar to the Ethiopian injera – its preparation is a nostalgic sound for almost every Somali. Rich or poor, virtually every family eats this for breakfast. Canjeero is made from a mixture of flour, water and yeast. The batter is prepared in the early evening and is beaten to a porridge like consistency by hand. The unique sound can be heard throughout the city, adding to Mogadishu’s cacophony.

Everyone’s tuning into …
Everyone is tuned into Universal TV’s Saameyn Ku Yeelo Soomaaliya (Inspire Somalia) show. The first of its kind, Inspire Somalia gives three entrepreneurs from Xamar (Mogadishu is know locally as Xamar and it’s citizens are called Reer Xamar) the chance to pitch their business idea to a panel of four successful businessmen and women. Similar to Dragons’ Den in the UK, the individual with the winning idea gets advice on how to take the idea forward. If the panellists can’t come to a decision the audience votes for the winning business idea.

Best venue?
Posh Treats is the newest venue in the Zobe area of Mogadishu. It is the first country club to be opened in the city after more than two decades of war. It houses a restaurant, spa and en-suite guest rooms for short or long stays. It also boasts luxury amenities such as a gym, a shisha spot and a snooker table. On Sunday evenings live solo performances of traditional music played on a Kaban, a Somali guitar similar to the Arabic Oud, take place. These are usually accompanied by dinner, story-telling or games.

“The disposition of President Hassan’s impeachment motion will shape Somalia’s future politics. If the motion fails, the President will enjoy free hand to consolidate his power base and marginalize others and improve his chance for reelection. If the motion passes, new political leadership will emerge.”

Disposition of Impeachment Motion Will Shape Somali Politics

23 August – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1,375 Words

Since 2012, Somalia experienced series of political turmoil: The unforgettable resignation of Former Central Bank Governor of Somalia, Yusur Abrar, for protest against corruption peddling and abuse of power; polarizing and costly “no-confidence” motions against former Prime Ministers Abdi Farah Shirdon and Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed; Call of more than 100 Parliamentarians for the voluntary resignation of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for leadership failure and gross violations of the constitution. Those political crisis have diminished the reputation of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and seriously ruined Somalia’s partnership with the International Community.For the first time in the Somali history, on August 12, 2015, on the basis of articles 92 and 138 (2) of the provisional constitution, one third (1/3) of the members of the federal parliament, about 93 deputies, submitted an impeachment motion against President Hassan to the parliament as a last “corrective political measure.” The motion lists sixteen serious charges detailed under three major headings. The Sponsors released Press Statement as part of the submission of the impeachment motion. President Hassan responded angrily and denigrated the promoters of the motion.

The impeachment motion, initiated and judged by the parliament, deals with the crimes of public official and the Supreme Court determines the compliance with the Constitutional standards. The managers of President Hassan’s impeachment motion claim that after submission additional members of parliament endorsed the motion, while other members protested for the inclusion of their names as sponsors of the motion. Quickly, the International Community for Somalia-UN, EU, IGAD, AU, UK, and US, issued familiar joint statement which labels the impeachment motion as an” impediment to the progress of peace and state building goals” and demanded its rapid resolution. The statement rules out term extension for the executive and legislative bodies after August 2016. The requirements for high standards and integrity in the impeachment process, misuse of extremely valuable time, and absence of essential legal bodies are cited as reasons for throwing out the motion. Thus, the international community either undervalues the significance of the allegations or doubts the evidence or understandably impugns the integrity and transparency of the Supreme Court (Constitutional Court), the decisions of which are enforced on Somali Citizens or believes that the parliament is after term extension.

TOP TWEETS

@stability_fund :Building the next generation of researchers & research leaders in #Somalia & #Somaliland http://bit.ly/1Ls933X

@amisomsomalia: The Africa Leadership Dialogues programme (@AfricaLD) will air on Citizen TV Kenya tonight,August 24th at 10pm. #Somalia

@Daudoo: #AlShabaab fighters preaching to Marerey residents, 2 dead soldiers seen in the village, #Somalia govt troops retreated to Afgoye – Witness

@Talliye: Eng. Yarow Sharif Aden (Cosmopolitan Democratic Party) interview with Universal TV. #Somalia http://youtu.be/SMEgVI2y0NE

@Omaar_nor: #AU envoy 2 #Somalia Maman Sidikou says#Alshabaab attacks Won’t deter the effort of @amisomsomaliato restore peace

@lasoco: German deputy ambassador in Bosaso to open development projects http://j.mp/1h8gZwG #Somalia

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IMAGE OF THE DAY

Football fans eagerly watch a match in Banadir Stadium in Mogadishu.

Photo: ‏@SalahOsman0