April 7, 2016 | Morning Headlines
Somali Security Forces Nab 17 Al-Shabaab Suspects
07 April – Source: Xinhua News – 179 Words
Somali security forces backed by African Union troops on Wednesday arrested 17 Al-Shabaab militants in an operation conducted in Yakhshid district in the north of the capital Mogadishu. Spokesman of the Ministry of Internal Security Abdikamil Moallim Shukri said that 17 Al-Shabaab suspects were among 550 people who were nabbed during the operation.
Shukri however said the suspects will be interrogated by the security officers for their role in the spate of terror attacks in the restive capital: “Big operation has been carried out in Yakshid district last night and ended on Wednesday morning by forces of National Intelligence and Security Agency together with Amisom, 550 people were arrested, after initial investigation there, 17 Al-Shabaab suspects were detained for further investigation while the rest were released,” Shukri said.
He vowed to extend security operation across every district in the Horn of Africa nation which has been facing near daily attacks from the Islamist militants. The latest arrest comes after Al-Shabaab militants who have upped their frequent attacks against government officials killed two policemen and wounded a lawmaker on Tuesday.
Key Headlines
- Somali Security Forces Nab 17 Al-Shabaab Suspects (Xinhua News)
- AU And Somali Troops Retake Adan Locality Following Al-Shabaab Withdrawal (Goobjoog News)
- Gunmen Attack Army Chief Residence In Mogadishu (Shabelle News)
- EXCLUSIVE: Somalia Approved Of 1.5 Million Metric Tonnes Of Waste From Lebanon In January(Goobjoog News)
- IMF Somalia Deepen Engagement Pave Way For Donor Aid (Reuters)
- 5 Bodies Recovered Off Egypt’s Coast Of Kafr El Sheikh (The Cairo Post)
- It’s Been Tough But I am Learning To Live And Love Again (Daily Nation)
NATIONAL MEDIA
AU And Somali Troops Retake Adan Locality Following Al-Shabaab Withdrawal
06 April – Source: Goobjoog News – 178 Words
African Union allied Ethiopian and Somali National Army forces have captured Adanyabaal town from Al-Shabaab militants following the withdrawal of the group. The group, which wants to overthrow the internationally recognised government of Somalia, has been forced out of its major strongholds by the African and Somali forces but continues to launch bomb and gun attacks against officials and politicians
“We captured Wanlaweyn as our first key town on our long advance to Baidoa. No resistance registered, no casualty,” said Adanyabaal chief, Mohaud Sheikh Hassan who has been outside of the town since Al-Shabaab took control of the area. The troops with battlewagons and tanks have been staying near the village for the last two days, according to locals in the area.
In recent years, Somali and AMISOM forces have pushed Al-Shabaab fighters out of major cities, but the group has continued to launch attacks on the government and other targets. The group still controls large swathes of territory in rural areas.
Gunmen Attack Army Chief Residence In Mogadishu
06 April – Source: Shabelle News – 139 Words
At least one person was critically wounded when unknown gunmen attacked the house of a Somali army commander in Mogadishu on Tuesday night. Assailants believed to be members of the Al Qaeda-linked Al shabaab stormed the residence of Abdullahi Mo’alin Nur, who is in charge of the armed forces’ logistics in Mogadishu.
The security guards of the commander’s house fought off the attackers and no casualties were reported in the overnight attack. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the assault. The attack comes as there is a growing security concern in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia, following a series of attacks, including assassinations of high-ranking government, officials by Al shabaab militants. The latest attack targeted a federal MP, who has survived an attempt on his life after gunmen sprayed his car with bullets in Mogadishu on Tuesday. His bodyguards were killed in the incident.
EXCLUSIVE: Somalia Approved Of 1.5 Million Metric Tonnes Of Waste From Lebanon In January
06 April – Source: Goobjoog News – 898 Words
The government of Somalia through the Ministry of Environment in January approved a proposal by Chinook Urban Mining, a British company to dispose 1.5 million metric tonnes of hazardous waste in Mogadishu from Lenanon, Goobjoog News has established.
In a leaked approval letter purportedly from the Ministry of Environment dated January 14, 2016 and addressed to a Mr Tarik Alhadairy the chairman of Chinook, the Ministry notes it had approved the proposal by Chinook to dispose hazardous household waste in Mogadishu. Further, the letter read the Ministry was in the process of issuing a minimum of two years license to Chinook Urban Mining International jointly with two local companies to ‘to conduct the business of waste import and municipal waste disposal pending final review.
Waste composition The approval indicates Chinook would be licensed to dispose of 1.5 million metric tonnes of mixed municipal waste with 52% being organic, 12% plastic, 16% paper, 6% metal, 4%glass and 10% indicated as others. The Ministry also enlisted two other local companies namely Somali Water Treatment and Waste Management Company (Sowatco) and Africa Waste and Disposal Management Company Limited for Somalia. These companies would work with Chinook in disposing of the 1.5 million metric tonnes of waste.
The Ministry also said it was expecting Chinook to build a biogas plant which would produce gas upon recycling of the waste. This, it indicates is based on earlier discussions with Africa Waste and Disposal Management Company Limited Chairman, a Mr. Abdibashid Sharif. “Chinook Urban Mining International will be permitted to dispose of any other wastes or substances under this license agreement,” the letter reads.
In a rebuttal, Chinook did not categorically deny the existence of such a contract but instead noted Lebanon had cancelled waste export deal: “Chinook is not involved in any project with the Lebanese Government as they have taken a decision not to export the waste,” Chinook said. Goobjoog News also sought the response of the Ministry of Environment but to no avail. However Trade Minister Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed told Goobjoog News the two companies,
Somali Water Treatment and Waste Management Company (Sowatco) and Africa Waste and Disposal Management Company Limited for Somalia do not exist in government records. Sierra Leone contract Chinook is not new to issues of transboundary waste disposal controversy. In January 2016, the government of Sierra Leone issued a statement denying a waste disposal deal with Chinook.
It noted: “Government wants to make it abundantly clear that it has not agreed to accept waste from Lebanon and has not authorised any official of state to convey approval to that effect. It went ahead to indicate it was fully aware of the danger posed by hazardous and non hazardous waste and gives assurance it will never expose the public to such long term risks to health and environment.
Transboundary waste disposal at global and continental level is guided by the Basel Convention of 1989 and the Bamako Convention which came into force in 1998 respectively. The Basel Convention regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes and obliges its Parties to ensure that such wastes are managed and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. The Bamako convention which came into force in 1998 is more specific in the sense that it prohibits the import into Africa of any hazardous (including radioactive) waste.
“Somalia lacks the institutional capacity and established legal framework to cushion the citizens and environment from potential adverse effects which may result out of the disposal of these wastes from Lebanon. This requires some legislation and government body which will not only provide the guidance but also insulate the country from any adverse effects,” said Aynte. “People living near the waste disposal site could be exposed to physical and biological conditions and diseases such as cancer, neuro development disorders, skin cancer, malformations and even birth rates affected,” says Aynte
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
IMF, Somalia Deepen Engagement, Pave Way For Donor Aid
06 April – Source: Reuters – 221 Words
The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday that its staff have agreed to deepen the Fund’s engagement with Somalia through a 12-month program to assist and monitor the country’s reforms of government operations and fiscal management: “This is a significant milestone for Somalia, marking the move toward normalizing relations with international financial institutions,” IMF mission chief Rogerio Zandamela said in a statement.
“The program will focus on policies to improve governance and fiscal management, strengthen institutions, foster financial sector development and fill considerable data gaps. Technical assistance and capacity building will be an integral part of the program,” Zandamela said. The so-called Staff-Monitored Program does not involve financial support to the war-torn African country, but is a necessary step toward a potential IMF loan program. It is expected to start in May pending IMF approval.
It sends a positive signal to international donors about Somalia’s commitment to improve its governance. A similar program for Afghanistan has helped to mobilize billions of dollars in donation pledges. Somalia is one of the least developed countries in the world and is in the process of building a fully functioning government. The program will aim to devise ways to increase government revenue and help its budgeting process. It will also initiate currency reform and strengthen licensing and regulation of commercial banks and money transfer businesses.
5 Bodies Recovered Off Egypt’s Coast Of Kafr El Sheikh
06 April – Source: The Cairo Post – 119 Words
Dead bodies of five persons (four Somalis and an Egyptian) were recovered off the coast of Mediterranean city of Kafr el Sheikh in Egypt’s Beheira governorate on Tuesday, The Cairo Post has reported. The migrants were on board a boat heading from Egypt to Europe last Thursday; of 131 persons of different nationalities, 105 were rescued by Egyptian coastal guards. Since then, a total of 16 dead bodies (13 Somalis and three Egyptians) were recovered. Relatives of the drowned people went to Kafr El sheikh Public Hospital to identify the victims, said Moahmed Atef Shalabi, the city security office chairperson. A total of 22,026 people of different nationalities were arrested over illegal immigration attempts in December, according to military spokesperson Mohamed Samir.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Doreen Bruno Karugi was fetching water for a bath at Garissa University College when bullets fired by Al Shabaab attackers whizzed past her and hit a wall.”
It’s Been Tough, But I am Learning To Live And Love Again
06 April – Source: Daily Nation – 1,967 Words
On Thursday, April 2, 2015, gunmen stormed our university at about 5am. Official reports indicated that 148 people were killed. The attack was said to be the deadliest in Kenya since the 1998 bombing of the United States Embassy. I survived the massacre. I’d say it all started in August 2013, when the Joint Admissions Board (JAB) informed me that I had been admitted to Garissa University College for a bachelor’s degree in education, majoring in business studies and geography.
I had had limited options in selecting a university, and had put down Garissa University as a last resort. When the admission letter arrived, my parents, friends and other relatives expressed concern, urging me not to take up the spot. Their sentiments were largely influenced by media reports saying that northern Kenya, especially Garissa, had become a hotbed of terrorism.
“We fear for your safety,” my parents explained their fears. I tried to get a transfer to another college, to no avail, so in September 2013, I reported to Garissa University, a constituent college of Eldoret-based Moi University. My freshman year was blissful. I grew into the town, learning to appreciate its unique social culture that predisposed locals to be extra friendly and welcoming to strangers.
Garissa became a home away from home as I made friends and got down to studying. Save for sporadic shootings and grenade attacks, we students had little to worry about regarding our safety. It might sound odd, but we had actually learnt to love Garissa and were determined to make the most of our time there.
Then, during my second year, Al-Shabaab stepped up their heinous activities around the town and the students became apprehensive. Sometime in December 2014, rumours of an attack had been so rife that we defied the administration’s order to stay put and left the campus before sitting our end-of-semester examinations. We returned to college in 2015, and this time there appeared to be no threat to the institution.
The day before the attack had been a momentous one for us. We had just bought a new college bus, and the excitement among the students and staff was palpable. The bus made several trips around Garissa Town, with a bunch of excited students on board every time. Had someone warned that a gruesome attack would take place the next day, we would have dismissed them because we were so engrossed in the excitement about our new bus.
Isn’t it ironic how sometimes a person’s life is cut when it is sweetest? Besides, it was April Fools’ Day, and such a person would have been easily dismissed as a joker. I usually woke up a few minutes to my first class for the day, but on April 2 I had a continuous assessment test (CAT) and had decided to wake up at 6 am to revise. But for some strange reason I woke up at exactly 5am and couldn’t go back to sleep. My five roommates, Veronica, Stella, Maureen, Sheila and Doreen (my namesake), were still fast asleep as I made my way to the bathroom.
As fate would have it, there was no water in the bathrooms, so I decided to go downstairs to an ablution block whose water was supplied by an emergency tank. It was while I was fetching water that all hell broke loose. When I heard the first gunshots from a distance, I dismissed them as one of the common occurrences in Garissa. But in less than a minute, I heard footsteps going up the stairs and sensed that something was seriously amiss. I looked up and saw streaks of shiny metals heading in my direction. I thought it was a grenade.