05 Oct 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in Mogadishu
- White House calls attack in Somalia ‘cowardly’
- Somali Government condemns a suicide bombing in Mogadishu
- UK Foreign Office Minister condemns bomb attack in Mogadishu
- US UN slam Mogadishu bomb attack
- OIC Secretary General condemns bomb attack in Mogadishu
- Canada condemns terror attack in Somalia
- Somalia Presidency clarifies on suicide bomber’s identity
- 3 days of mourning in Somalia after bomb kills 70
PRESS STATEMENT
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in Mogadishu
04 Oct – Source: African Union (AU) – 123 words
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU) , Dr Jean Ping, strongly condemns the cowardly explosive attack today in Mogadishu, which killed and injured many innocent Somalis, mostly students who were waiting for the results from the scholarships from the Ministry of Higher Education.
The Chairperson notes that this barbaric attack comes at a time when the country was making remarkable progress towards peace and stability. He reiterates the commitment of the AU to continue supporting the Somali Government and the people in implementing the Transitional Roadmap agreed in early September.
The Chairperson conveys the AU’s heartfelt condolences to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and the bereaved families and prays for a quick recovery of the injured.
Somalia Presidency clarifies on suicide bomber’s identity
05 Oct – Source: TFG – 94 words
Somalia Presidency confirms that Asad Abdi Said was among the students waiting their results at the Ministry of Education compound and was not involved in any terrorist attack.
He was one of the students who passed a scholarship exam at the Somalia Embassy in Nairobi and came to Mogadishu to follow up his case with the Ministry.
Mr. Said was also a victim of this brutal attack and is now recovering at a hospital in Mogadishu. The identity of the suicide bombers will be revealed once investigations are completed. We regret any inconvenience caused.
Somali Government condemns a suicide bombing in Mogadishu
04 Oct – Source: TFG Statement – 121 words
The Somali Government strongly condemns a suicide bombing that killed 15 people and injured at least 20 more at a ministerial compound in the heart of the capital. A truck was used in the attack.
The casualties are mostly students and parents who were waiting for results of scholarships from the Ministry of Higher Education.
No senior Government official was hurt in the attack. The attack shows that the danger from terrorists is not yet over and that there are obviously still people, who want to derail the advances that the Somali people have made towards peace.
The Government conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and hopes that the injured make a fast recovery. We will provide updates as they become available.
SOMALI MEDIA
Puntland President condemns al Shabaab terrorist attack and sends condolences to families
04 Oct – Source: Somaliweyn, Bar-Kulan – 157 words
The President of the Government of Puntland State of Somalia, His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole), on behalf of the people and Government of Puntland, strongly condemns the heinous act of terrorism which the al Shabaab terrorist group carried out today in Mogadishu.
Using their barbaric methods of massive truck-loaded explosives and suicide bombings, the terrorists murdered and injured hundreds of innocent civilians. The victims included many young students and their parents awaiting exam results for scholarships to study in Turkey. The President, speaking live on the BBC Somali Service this afternoon, sent sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and to the Somali people everywhere.
President Farole sent a defiant message to the terrorists: “this heinous and subhuman terrorist attack will unite our people and the whole civilized world to fight and cleanse these criminals from our world.” The President called upon the people of Puntland to be vigilant of terrorist attacks.
http://www.somaliweyn.info/pages/news/oct_11/4oct18.html
OIC Secretary General condemns bomb attack in Mogadishu
05 Oct – Source: Radio RBC – 125 words
The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, has strongly condemned the deadly bomb blast outside a government compound in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, which killed at least 70 people and left many others wounded.
He offered his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, government and people of Somalia on the tragic loss of lives, damage to property and wished an early recovery to the injured people.
The OIC Secretary General said the attack was a cowardly and criminal act that runs contrary to the spirit and teachings of Islam. Prof. Ihsanoglu urged that the perpetrators of the bomb blast be identified and brought to justice immediately; he also hoped that this attack would not undermine the ongoing peace process.
UK Foreign Office Minister condemns bomb attack in Mogadishu
04 Oct – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Star FM – 129 words
Responding to today’s bomb attack on government ministry buildings in Mogadishu, Foreign Office Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham, said: “I strongly condemn today’s callous attack by al Shabaab in Mogadishu, which has cost so many lives. On behalf of the UK, I offer my deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of the innocent people who have lost their lives, and to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. “The shocking brutality of this attack is demonstrated by the fact that many of the victims were students and parents awaiting the results of scholarships for the Ministry of Higher Education. “It comes at a time when the country should be coming together, both to deliver political progress and to bring aid and relief to those facing famine across the country.”
Al Shabaab radio aired voice of the suicide bomber
05 Oct – Source: Radio Andulus, Somalia report, Somali memo, Jowhar, and Universal TV – 94 words
The al Shabaab radio of Andulus aired yesterday the voice of Bashaar Abdulahi Nuur, yesterday’s suicide bomber. The boys whose voice was released said he is going to fulfill a plan destroying the enemy and he called for the other youths to follow his footsteps. On the other hand, al Shabaab rebels vowed more attacks after the yesterday’s deadly attack, “We are promising that attacks against the enemy will be routine, more in number and will increase day by day,” spokesman of al Shabaab Ali Mohamud Rage said in speech broadcast Wednesday by radio Andulus.
Officials from TFG, AMISOM reach Galka’yo town Central Somalia
05 Oct – Source: Radio Shabelle – 108 words
TFG officials on Monday reached the central Somalia town of Galka’yo to meet with the selfstyled administration of Galmudug on security-related matters. Spearheaded by Abdulakadir Sheikh Ali Dini, Somalia’s Military Chief and accompanied by officials of AMISOM, the delegation held discussions and talks with military, police and political leaders of Galmudug. The officials who met in Galka’yo about 700 km north of Mogadishu focused on how the security could be assured and peace be brought back by helping Galmudug’s forces. After the talks, the delegation paid a fleeting visit to IDP camps in the town to examine the situation those people live in.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Al Shabaab claims deadly Mogadishu blast
04 Oct – Source: Aljazeera – 2:11 min
Al Shabaab has vowed to carry out more attacks in Mogadishu following a truck bomb blast that killed scores of people in the Somali capital. The warning came after the armed anti-government group claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s blast outside a government compound in Mogadishu, which killed at least 70 people and left many others wounded, in one of the country’s deadliest ever suicide attacks, officials and witnesses said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsckJ5aTcL0&feature=player_embedded
The al Shabaab terror
05 Oct – Source: the Standard – 106 words
As attacks within Kenya’s borders intensify, the government seems to be changing tactics from its usual mild mannered diplomatic response to challenges on Kenya’s territorial integrity, to a more combative approach. Recent declarations by senior government officials that the government would pursue militants from Somalia who kidnapped a French tourist inside Somalia is a clear indication that the government’s meek and talk- based approach to resolving crisis, especially where border incursions have taken place, is dying. We take a look at the security threat posed by al Shabaab and other militant groups to Kenya and what government has been trying to do away from the public eye.
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000044171&catid=541&a=1
Clinton strongly condemns Somalia attack
05 Oct – Source: Kuna News – 220 words
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton strongly condemned late Tuesday the “vicious” attack in Mogadishu, Somalia which was carried out by al Shabaab against innocent civilians. Clinton said in a statement that the US “strongly condemns today’s vicious attack by al Shabaab against innocent civilians in Mogadishu,” saying “many of the victims were students working to earn scholarships to continue their education and help them realize their potential”.
“This cowardly act of terrorism once again demonstrates al Shabaab’s complete disregard for human life and Somalia’s future,” she stressed. She added that al Shabaab “continues to threaten and kill aid workers. They have murdered the very people they claim to want to protect.”
She noted that “at a time when the world is focused on helping Somalis who are suffering from drought and famine, al Shabaab is ignoring calls by the Arab League, international community, and the people of Somalia to allow the uninhibited delivery of urgently needed relief to those desperately in need of assistance.”
“Our condolences go out to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims,” she remarked. Clinton affirmed that the US “is committed to standing with all Somalis who seek peace, including Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government, as they work toward stability in Somalia and throughout the region.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2194473&Language=e n
President Kibaki meets security chiefs over Lamu raids
04 Oct – Source: Daily Nation – 377 words
President Kibaki on Tuesday summoned the country’s top security organ following the abduction of two tourists on the coast.
The emergency National Security Council (NSC) meeting reportedly considered positioning the Kenya Navy in the area to counter attacks believed to be waged by al Shabaab militants from war-torn Somalia.
The meeting came as the tourism sector started feeling the effects of the attacks on two resorts in Lamu by Somali militants, with several Western nations issuing travel advisories to their citizens to keep off the Kenyan coast and urban slums.
UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned its citizens against traveling to parts of the Coast and Nairobi, saying: “we now advise against all but essential travel to coastal areas within 150km of the Kenya-Somalia border”.
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Kibaki+meets+security+chiefs+over+Lamu+raids+/- /1056/1248120/-/b5ea8lz/-/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
3 days of mourning in Somalia after bomb kills 70
05 Oct – Source: AP – 526 words
Somalia’s president toured hospitals and met with survivors Wednesday of a bombing by al- Qaeda-linked militants that killed at least 70 people and demonstrated how the group can still mount devastating attacks.
President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed declared three days of mourning and vowed late Tuesday that his government would put in place security measures to avert future bombings. His government is supported by some 9,000 African Union peacekeepers but they only control the capital.
“I’m sure the crime they committed against the Somali people will not go unpunished,” he said of the al-Shabaab militants. “God will punish them and the government will take appropriate measures to save the Somali people from those dangers.”
A truck loaded with drums of fuel exploded Tuesday outside the Ministry of Education on one of central Mogadishu’s busiest streets, where students and their parents were registering for scholarships offered by the Turkish government. It was the deadliest single bombing in Somalia by the Islamist insurgents.
Al-Shabaab immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, saying it was striking government officials and foreigners — referring to AU peacekeeping troops supporting the U.N.- backed government.
“It shows their barbarism and how hell-bent they’re to hit the public where it hearts most,” he said. “We can certainly say their ideology is directed at annihilating Somali people. What they’re targeting is the education.”
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gsS2kd2Xy- TSyxGftic3_z56wmSg?docId=2738d9f15f28448ebd2fc63836eb3d46
White House calls attack in Somalia ‘cowardly’
05 Oct – Source: AP/ CBS News – 129 words
The White House is condemning an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist attack in Somalia that killed at least 70 people. In Mogadishu, a truck loaded with drums of fuel exploded outside the Ministry of Education on Tuesday, leaving blackened corpses sprawled on the street. Al-Shabaab, which the U.S. considers a terror group with ties to al-Qaeda, immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
White House press secretary Jay Carney called the attack a “despicable and cowardly act.” Carney said al-Shabaab has shown a pattern of disregard for human life and dignity.
Carney said the United States, United Nations and international community will keep working to provide life-saving relief to Somalis and to support the leaders of the country.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jCZDbc7tk5y8vNszsgyiZPGO88g? docId=02de0696fe61404094646e0e337d0b92
US, UN slam Mogadishu bomb attack
05 Oct – Source: News 24 / Humanitarian News – 480 words
The United States and United nations have condemned a car-bomb attack on a government compound in Mogadishu which killed over 70 people in the deadliest attack by Somalia’s Shabaab rebels. Witnesses described the carnage from Tuesday’s attack as the worst they had seen in Mogadishu since Somalia plunged into chaos two decades ago and said the devastation resembled scenes from World War II.
The suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the compound housing four ministries at a strategic crossroads; two months after the al-Qaeda-linked rebels dismantled all their positions in the capital.
Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed condemned the attack which he said claimed “more than 70 people and [left] 150 injured; most of them were young students”. “I am extremely shocked and saddened by this cruel and inhumane act of violence against the most vulnerable in our society,” he said in a statement.
“At this time, when the country is in the midst of a worsening humanitarian crisis, the enemy could not have attacked the Somali people at a worst time,” the president added. The International Committee for the Red Cross said about 90 people had been hospitalized at Mogadishu’s Medina hospital.
Most of the casualties were reported to be civilians, with local residents saying the bomb went off as students were queuing for scholarships offered by Turkey.
Act of terrorism
The United States and United Nations were swift to join in the condemnation, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton describing the attack as a “cowardly act of terrorism” that “again demonstrates al-Shabaab’s complete disregard for human life and Somalia’s future”.
United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon expressed shock at the deadly bombing. “It is incomprehensible that innocents are being senselessly targeted,” Ban was quoted as saying by spokesperson Martin Nesirky.
“The secretary general is appalled by the vicious suicide bomb attack targeting government offices and ministries in Mogadishu today.” Somali police spokesperson Abdullahi Hassan Barise said the attacker was a Kenyan national, but a Shabaab-owned radio denied the suicide bomber was Kenyan, identifying him instead as a Somali.
The scene of the attack looked “like something from World War II. This was total devastation”, said local resident Abdullahi Aptidon. “It was a powerful explosion and at first I thought it was a landmine, but the magnitude of the explosion made me imagine something different. This is the worst tragedy since civil war began in 1991.”
According to witnesses, the bomber managed to sneak deep into Mogadishu under the cover of transporting displaced civilians from a nearby camp. A Shabaab official who did want to be named said one of their fighters carried out the attack.
“One of our Mujahidin made the sacrifice to kill TFG officials, the African Union troops and other informers who were in the compound,” he said. Tuesday’s attack was the deadliest by the Shabaab since multiple bombings in Kampala killed at least 76 people in July 2010.
http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/US-UN-slam-Mogadishu-bomb-attack-20111005
More than 70 killed in Mogadishu car bomb carnage
04 Oct – Source: AFP – 811 words
The United States and United Nations have condemned a car-bomb attack on a government compound in Mogadishu which killed over 70 people in the deadliest attack by Somalia’s Shabaab rebels.
Witnesses described the carnage from Tuesday’s attack as the worst they had seen in Mogadishu since Somalia plunged into chaos two decades ago and said the devastation resembled scenes from World War II.
The suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the compound housing four ministries at a strategic crossroads, two months after the Al Qaeda-linked rebels dismantled all their positions in the capital Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed condemned the attack which he said claimed “more than 70 people and (left) 150 injured; most of them were young students.”
“I am extremely shocked and saddened by this cruel and inhumane act of violence against the most vulnerable in our society,” he said in a statement. “At this time, when the country is in the midst of a worsening humanitarian crisis, the enemy could not have attacked the Somali people at a worst time,” the president added.
The International Committee for the Red Cross said around 90 people had been hospitalized at Mogadishu’s Medina hospital. Most of the casualties were reported to be civilians, with local residents saying the bomb went off as students were queuing for scholarships offered by Turkey. The United States and United Nations were swift to join in the condemnation, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton describing the attack as a “cowardly act of terrorism” that “again demonstrates al-Shabaab’s complete disregard for human life and Somalia’s future.” United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon expressed shock at the deadly bombing.
“It is incomprehensible that innocents are being senselessly targeted,” Ban was quoted as saying by spokesman Martin Nesirky. “The secretary general is appalled by the vicious suicide bomb attack targeting government offices and ministries in Mogadishu today.” Somali police spokesman Abdullahi Hassan Barise said the attacker was a Kenyan national, but a Shabaab-owned radio denied the suicide bomber was Kenyan, identifying him instead as a Somali.
The scene of the attack looked “like something from World War II. This was total devastation,” said local resident Abdullahi Aptidon. “It was a powerful explosion and at first I thought it was a landmine, but the magnitude of the explosion made me imagine something different. This is the worst tragedy since civil war began in 1991.”
According to witnesses, the bomber managed to sneak deep into Mogadishu under the cover of transporting displaced civilians from a nearby camp. A Shabaab official who did want to be named said one of their fighters carried out the attack. “One of our Mujahidin made the sacrifice to kill TFG officials, the African Union troops and other informers who were in the compound,” he said. Tuesday’s attack was the deadliest by the Shabaab since multiple bombings in Kampala killed at least 76 people in July 2010.
It was also their bloodiest in Somalia since the group formed around five years ago, largely in response to Ethiopia’s occupation. In a surprise move, the Shabaab abandoned their positions in Mogadishu in early August, after years of attempting and failing to break the AU’s defences and take over the capital. They had vowed however that it was a tactical move and that their struggle against the Westernbacked Somali government would continue.
They pulled back to areas they already controlled in the south and west and observers had warned that the Shabaab could be reverting to hit-and-run guerrilla tactics. “Although ough the extremists have left the capital, it is very difficult to prevent these types of terrorist attacks which we have consistently warned are likely to be on the increase,” said Augustine Mahiga, the UN representative for Somalia, also condemning the attack.
AU and pro-government forces had re-asserted their authority over most of the capital and the Shabaab’s withdrawal had led to a relative lull in violence. The Shabaab have rekindled their insurgency on several fronts almost simultaneously, with clashes also reported in western and southern regions.
They launched an attack late Monday in the city of Dhusamareb, which lies in western Somalia near the border with Ethiopia and is the main stronghold of Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa, a Sufi militia allied to the government. The UN refuge agency also reported violence in Dhobley, a town on Somalia’s southern border with Kenya and said the clashes were “further exacerbating the already severe humanitarian situation.”
“We have received initial, unconfirmed reports of deaths and scores of injured people,” said Adrian Edwards, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The UN Security Council last week urged the AU to increase its 9,000 troops propping up the Somali government.
The Horn of African country has lacked a central authority since plunging into a deadly civil war with the 1991 ouster of President Mohamed Siad Barre. Somalia is also the worst affected country by a harsh drought that has left some 13 million people in the Horn of Africa facing starvation.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jSFSnwEndl9BXLvvQzAe77U7WJpA? docId=CNG.fb99d992f0c3469f448ebf2b79bcf103.441
Al Shabaab tax move threatens livelihoods
04 Oct – Source: IRIN – 605 words
The prospect of permanent closure faced by two of Somalia’s main telecommunications companies and a major money transfer firm has alarmed officials and analysts concerned about the impact on livelihoods and aid distribution as much of the country grapples with a food emergency that in some areas amounts to famine.
On 30 September, the Islamist insurgency al Shabaab ordered the firms, Nation link, Telecom Somalia and Dahabashiil, the largest money transfer firm in the country, to cease operations. Although the order was rescinded a few days later, al Shabaab said they would only be allowed to continue functioning if they started paying it zakat, a form of charity and one of the five pillars of Islam. Zakat usually amounts to 2.5 percent of an individual’s annual earnings.
“Our services in south and central Somalia were interrupted but we are back on for now,” an official of Nation link, who declined to be named, said. Telecom Company Hormood, the country’s other large telecommunications firm, was spared closure.
According to a Mogadishu-based journalist, if the companies were to comply with al Shabaab’s demands, it would mean “hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not a million or more” in payments.
The journalist said that even though the companies were allowed to re-open, “the issue has not been resolved and if the companies don’t pay they could face closure”. Mark Bradbury, director of the Rift Valley Institute, told IRIN the action by al Shabaab was potentially devastating as money transfer and telecommunication companies were important for facilitating remittances.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=93885
Nigerian police officers in Somalia celebrate independence, get award
04 Oct – Source: the Guardian – 264 words
As millions of Nigerians celebrated the country’s 51st Independence anniversary last Saturday across the world, eight Nigerian police officers serving in Somalia enjoyed a twin celebration, as they were decorated for serving in the Africa Union Peacekeeping mission (AMISOM) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Isaac Sunday Obafaye, Chief Superintendent Nasiru Mohammed, Superintendent Saluna Muntua Saleh, Superintendent NanaGarba Bature, Deputy Superintendent Augustine Egim, Assistant Superintendent Marcus Nyams Bako, Assistant Superintendent Maryam Hamman and Inspector Ruth Ademakinwa received gold plated medals, courtesy of AMISOM, for their dedication and service to the Somali Police Force.
The award coincided with the country’s 51st Independence Day celebrations, which the officers from Nigeria, celebrated in style in war-ravaged Mogadishu. The twin party in Mogadishu started with a parade mounted by the smartly dressed police officers, comprising four female and four male. They patriotically sang and saluted as their national anthem reverberated in the background with the green, white and green national flag flying high next to Somalia’s sky blue flag and the green flag of the African Union (AU) Each of the officers was then decorated with a gold plated medal by the Deputy AU Special Representative in Somalia Mr. Wafula Wamunyinyi, at the AMISOM Force headquarters in camp Halane in Mogadishu.
The Nigerian police contingent later hosted Wamunyinyi, the AMISOM Force Commander Major Gen. Fred Mugisha and other senior AMISOM military and police officers from across Africa. At the event, kola nut was served in accordance with Nigerian traditions, amid drinks and chocolates, with the history of Africa’s most populous nation beaming from a computer-aided screen.
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63173:nige rian-police-officers-in-somalia-celebrate-independence-get-award- &catid=1:national&Itemid=559
Canada Condemns Terror Attack in Somalia
04 Oct – Source: Canada News Center – 121 words
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird issued the following statement condemning today’s deadly truck bombing in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu: “Canada condemns such acts of terror without reservation. This violent, deplorable and cowardly attack is deeply disturbing.
“On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed, and wish a swift recovery to the injured. Our thoughts are with the people of Somalia.
“Canada hopes that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Canada also hopes Somalia can continue moving forward in ensuring access to desperately needed aid while also making political progress for its people.” Canada listed al Shabaab, the group claiming responsibility for today’s attack, as a terrorist entity on March 5, 2010.