December 21, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report
Somalia Marks 72nd Police Anniversary
21 December – Source: Hiiraan Online – 303 Words
The countdown begins in the early hours of Sunday as hundreds of soldiers in brightly coloured uniform queued and immediately started marching at a police academy to mark their inaugural flag-blessing day: Police Day. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the ceremony, vowing his government would strive to prioritize the welfare of the Somali police. He received a honorary salute from the lead commander.
Units of the Somali armed marched through Mogadishu in a show of force in a country which is recovering from decades of war. “The police force is recovering, and that should encourage us to work together towards its improvement so that they can serve better.” Mr. Mohamud told the dignitaries and the city residents at the academy.
The chief of the Somali Police Force Gen. Mohamed Sheikh described the day as ‘magnificent’, hailing police forces who he said continue to maintain the country’s security despite security challenges from the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab group which continues attacks across Somalia. Despite security challenges, Somalia continues to rebuild its army. However, according to the International Crisis Group, powerful vested interests and corrupt commanders are the largest obstacles in the way of reforming the army.
Unlike 1980s when soldiers marched through the peaceful city streets, Sunday’s ceremony was held under tight security inside a police academy with troops from African Union and Somali police put large parts of the town on lockdown to prevent militants’ attacks. Attempts to improve the military’s equipment were impeded by allegations that some of those arms were sold by officers.
NATIONAL MEDIA
Central Bank Official Gunned Down In Mogadishu
21 December – Source: Wacaal Media – 73 Words
Somali President Appoints New Governor For Hiiraan Region
Unknown gunmen earlier today killed a senior central bank official in Mogadishu’s Wadajir district. Eyewitnesses confirmed the incident to Wacaal media. Two armed men accosted the late Abdullahi Mumin as he left his home in Nasteho estate for work. The suspect fled the scene but police arrived immediately and launched investigations. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack although Al-Shabaab is known to target government and aid agency workers in Somalia.
President Appoints New Governor For Hiiraan
21 December – Source: Goobjoog News – 108 Words
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appointed Yusuf Ahmed Hagar as the new Governor of Hiiraan region,on Sunday. Yusuf Ahmed Hagar who served as the region’s governor from 2006-2009 was reappointed for the same position, replacing Abdifatah Hassan Afrah who served as governor since 2012.
The appointment comes at a time the outgoing governor, Mr. Afrah is in Mogadishu for a criminal investigation related to the killing of a UN employee, according to reliable sources. The exact reason behind the firing of the former Hiiraan governor is not clearly stated but he government says it is part of its plans to promote the development of the region.
Federal Government Troops Clash With Militants In Central Somalia
21 December – Source: Garowe Online – 106 Words
Somali National Army (SNA) troops clashed with Al-Shabaab militants in Hiiran region of central Somalia on Sunday. Heavy gun battle flared up after militants ambushed an army convoy en route to Hiiraan regional district of Jalalaqsi countryside. Somali government forces were heading for areas that have been forced by Al-Shabaab to pay Zakat collections. .The Fighting led to deaths, however exact number of casualty figures have not been verified yet. Al-Shabaab was dislodged from large chunk of territories in central and southern Somalia in a joint onslaught by Somali National Army and African Union peacekeepers.
President Declares Bula-burde State Capital For Hiiraan And Middle Shabelle
21 December – Source: Goobjoog News – 135 Words
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared Bulla-burde as state capital city in a move that analysts say may deepen the already turbulent political crisis in a region known for clan rivalry. In a presidential decree dated December 19th, the president named the town as the capital administrative of the upcoming state which it’s conference is supposed to kick start soon.
“After critical talks with the region’s stakeholders, we have come to conclusion of declaring Bulla-burde as the capital of the regional state of Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions,” read the decree. This development comes stakeholders in the state formation process have been divided on multiple fronts.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
AMISOM Holds Advocacy Day On Ceebla Crisis Line
21 December – Source: AMISOM – 1,014 Words
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) held an advocacy day in the Somali capital Mogadishu, to sensitize the public about mechanisms of prevention of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) and also to popularize a crisis hotline, established for victims to report, seek assistance and the necessary referrals to appropriate front line services. Through this mechanism, victims can report violence and abuse in real time without fear of stigma or reprisal.
Launched in October, CEEBLA crisis line is a community owned initiative established by the Somali Women Development Centre (SWDC), a Non-Governmental Organization championing women’s rights in Somalia, with the support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Top government officials, senior AMISOM staff, members of civil societies, police and military taking part in the mission and sections of internally displaced persons (IDPs) attended the function meant to popularize the toll free line 5555, popularly known as CEEBLA.
CEEBLA crisis line is a mechanism that supports victims who have experienced violence and abuse or those who might be at risk of becoming victims, to seek assistance and support for relevant information and referrals to appropriate front-line services, on a 24 hours/seven days a week basis. CEEBLA crisis line as a milestone for the prevention and response to sexual violence, presents great potential for the elimination of violence against women.
It further contributes to breaking victim’s silence in an anonymous and confidential manner, allowing victims to speak out, to report and seek assistance without fear of prejudice or stigma. CEEBLA crisis line, the first service of its kind in Somalia has the great potential of empowering women and contributing to more peace and stability for a society free of women’s violence and abuse.
Two Dead, Three Injured After Gunmen Hijack Bus In Mandera
21 December – Source: The Star – 108 Words
Two people died and three others injured after a bus was hijacked by suspected al Shabaab between Kotulo and Daba area, Mandera county. “The militants separated the passengers into two groups Muslims and Christians but both groups took off,” a police officer who spoke under anonymity said. Sources say the death toll could rise.
Police said the bus dubbed Makkah left for Nairobi early Sunday carrying over 50 passengers and stopped overnight at Kotulo but left hurriedly without escort. Buses plying the route from Nairobi stop over at Kotulo before being escorted to Mandera due to insecurity in the region. Investigations into the incident have begun, police said.
Somali Youth Challenged To Play An Active Nation-building Role
21 December – Source: CCTV – Video: 2:45 Minutes
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“A core part of the vision for the Embassy is to change the narrative of Somalia and reshape the image of Somalia, so that its status as a “darling in D.C.” (as described by the moderator) serves as a first step to restore Somalia’s place in the world stage.”
Somalia Forward Foundation Held Open Forum In Washington DC
21 December – Source: Hiiraan Online – 531 Words
Somalia Forward Foundation (SFF) and the George Mason University Somali Student Association held an Open Forum hosting the Somali Embassy to the United States of America on December 19, 2015. The Open Forum brought together the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Somali Community and gave participants an opportunity to hear about the Embassy’s vision for the upcoming year as well as address questions to the Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad and Deputy Ambassador Thabit Mohamed Abdi. The moderator, Mohamed Ali (Afgoi) from SFF, began the event with a series of questions addressed to both the Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador.
The second half of the event included questions presented by members of the Somali community. A core part of the vision for the Embassy is to change the narrative of Somalia and reshape the image of Somalia, so that its status as a “darling in D.C.” (as described by the moderator) serves as a first step to restore Somalia’s place in the world stage. Members of the community asked questions regarding the Ambassador’s role as an agent for the reconciliation process in Somalia. T
he Ambassador recognized the role of the people as a voice for cooperation and reconciliation. He urged the people to speak up for peacebuilding and denounce violent acts whenever presented, to the point of shaming perpetrators of these acts. Members of the community also pressed for a timetable on when the consulate services will be reestablished at the Embassy. While the Deputy Ambassador could not give specific dates, he did acknowledge the need to establish a strong base at the Embassy and afterward be able to hire a director of immigration, and only then can the Embassy begin the process to serve as a consulate and reestablish the ability to distribute passports or visas in North America.
“My name is Hamza,” the post said. “I was 16 years old. What is my fault? Am I the wrong color? Do I worship the wrong God? Do I look different? Why is the world not mourning for me? Does my blood not matter?”
A Somali Teen Plummeted To His Death In Seattle — But Police Don’t Suspect Foul Play
20 December – Source: Vice News – 1,058 Words
When 16-year-old Hamza Warsame plummeted 60 feet from the balcony of a Seattle apartment building on December 5, rumors and speculation about what led to the Somali teen’s death started to spread almost instantly. “This was murder, this was not a suicide,” Warsame’s 18-year-old sister Ikram told a blog that covers the Capitol Hill neighborhood where the incident occurred. “He was content with his life, he had high hopes for the future.”
The son of Somali immigrants, Warsame had hoped to attend MIT and pursue a career in computer science. A high school student, he was enrolled in classes at Seattle Central Community College. The campus is not far from the building where he died, and he told his parents that Saturday afternoon that he was going to study at a friend’s apartment nearby.
Zamzam Fidow, another Somali student who attended college with Hamza, claimed on Facebook that his classmate was first beaten and then thrown from the rooftop deck of the residential building. “It was a hate crime,” Fidow said, “and considering the current attitude of this country towards Muslims and immigrants, I no longer feel safe in my own campus.”
“[If] the body of Hamza shows signs of him being beaten prior to his death, that clearly shows he was murdered,” another Facebook commenter added. “I would encourage the college students to go out and demand this case be investigated… then the police will be forced to reopen the case.”
TOP TWEETS
@Petrosecltd: #Somalia Al Shabaab fighters ambush #Djiboutitroops convoy in Qoryole village near #Jalalaqsi town
@Daudoo: Abdullahi Mumin, a govt official working at #Somaliacentral bank, shot dead by #AlShabaab assassins in#Mogadishu‘s Wadajir dist – Witness
@stability_fund: First ever Job Fair for Female Graduates held in #Kismayo #Somalia by @SomWomenGradshttp://fursad.so/somali-
@willswanson: Will Swanson Retweeted NationBreakingNews Another attack this morning in #Kenya‘s border region with#Somalia:
@RadioHambal: #Somalia information ministry confirms that security forces detained a murderer of late female-journalist#HindiHaji
@Abdulyaqub: What will be the impact of Ethiopian unrest on#Somalia Can we tackle Ethiopian Refugees. @JamaKadija@MacalinMohamed @xertadhexe
@Daudoo : More than 200 #AlShabaab fighters had crossed from #Somalia into NE #Kenya in the past 3 weeks – #ManderaGovernor Ali Roba tells media.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
The finishing touches on the Bosaso Airport which is set to open soon.
Photo: @somaliajunkie