27 Oct 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- Clarification Statement
- Pro-government demonstrations takes place in Mogadishu
- President Sharif insists on his verdict against Kenyan army in Somalia
- State Department confirms kidnapping of U.S. Citizen in Somalia
- Kenyan motives in Somalia predate recent abductions
- Somali government says no agreement on Kenyan troops
- Somali aid worker quizzed on Westerner kidnappings
PRESS RELEASE
Clarification Statement
26 Oct – Source: Ministry of Information Posts, & Telecommunications – 394 words
First of all, we need to underline the following:
• Kenya and Somalia have a long history of friendship and cooperation, and that continues today. • Kenya has long been an active supporter of peace and stability in Somalia. • The Transitional Federal Charter that created the TFG was agreed to in Kenya, and Kenya has long been a leading advocate of having the international community assist in the stabilization and rebuilding of our country.
Secondly, we thank Kenyan government for its working together with Somali transitional federal government to stabilize Somalia and for training good number of Somali soldiers as well as hosting huge number of Somali refugees.
In fact, the people of Somalia as well as many of friends in the region including Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, etc. have suffered at the hands of Al-Shabaab from their violence. We all share the need to defeat and destroy Al-Shabaab. No one wants to see demise of Al-Shabaab more than the people of Somalia. We also share the attitude that Al-Shabaab constitutes a common enemy to both countries and in this regard, the sovereignty and the Territorial integrity of both Somalia and Kenya should be respected. Therefore, to evolve a common security strategy, we agreed with our brothers Kenyan government on the following:
• Cooperation in undertaking coordinated security and military operations spearheaded by TFG soldiers trained by Kenyan government. • Cooperation and collaboration in sharing and exchange of information that is relevant to the fight against cross border crimes and operations. Somali Prime Minister is assigned to this issue and he is going to appoint a joint security committee led by the prime minister himself that will work with their Kenyan counterparts. We also need to clarify that as part of NSSP endorsed by the stakeholders the TFG will do the following:
- Liberating the whole country from the tyranny of al-Shabaab with the help of AMISOM, IGAD and friendly countries.
- Stabilizing all areas freed from Al-Shabaab.
- Establishing – in accordance with the Transitional Federal charter – local administrations in the liberated areas to avoid a vacuum.
We call on the international community to redouble its efforts to help those most in need once these territories are freed from the tyranny of al Shabaab.
Once again we welcome the support of the International Community in defeating Al-Shabaab and wish to emphasize the need to do this while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
SOMALI MEDIA
Pro-government demonstrations takes place in Mogadishu
26 Oct- Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA, SNTV- 190 words
Heads of the local Mogadishu municipality administration have today participated in a pro government demonstration that took place in Hamar Jajab district in Mogadishu in support of the latest Somali government advances against the al Shabaab extremists, with the residents chanting slogans in support of the Somali government and condemning the Kenyan military action of entering Somalia.
President Sharif insists on his verdict against Kenyan army in Somalia
26 Oct – Source: Mareeg Online – 131 words
Somali president, Sheikh Sharif Sh. Ahmed has on Wednesday repeated his call against neighboring Kenyan military’s operation inside the Somali territory state media said.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Suspected kidnappers arrested in central Somalia
26 Oct- Source: Radio Simba, Shabelle, Mareeg Online- 82 words
Police in Somali’s Galmudug regional administration said they have arrested suspects in connection with the kidnapping of two foreign aid workers in Gaalkacyo, central Somalia. Sources told radio Simba that “the hostages have been taken to Helbi Locality in Mudug Region where they would be handed over to pirates based there”.
Al Shabaab release dozens of prisoners
26 Oct- Source: Somaliareport- 51 words
The new administration of the al Shabaab militia in Middle Shabelle region in central Somalia has today freed dozens of prisoners, who were in custody in Jowhar district, in a bid to increase their dwindling popularity among Somalis. The militias recently approved the trading of khat, a mild stimulant herb chewed by many Somalis.
Al Shabaab arrest three aid workers in Beledweyne, Hiiraan region
26 Oct- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 126 words
Al Shabaab rebel group in Hiiraan region has reportedly arrested three local aid workers in Beledweyne town, for allegedly distributing money to needy mothers in parts of the region. The three, working for Save the Children UK were kept behind bars on Wednesday morning. The agency has reportedly suspended giving out the financial aid shortly after three of its staffs were arrested.
Somali MP welcomes Kenyan entrance into Somalia
26 Oct – Source: Mareeg Online – 84 words
Some parliamentarians of the TFG have warmly welcomed the Kenyan military’s inference into Somali territory fighting against al Shabaab, reports said. Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade was among Somali lawmakers who welcomed Kenyan government soldiers in Somalia.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Grenade man pleads guilty to terror charge
27 Oct – Source: Daily Nation – The Star – 150 words
A 28-year-old man arraigned in court in connection with an arms cache found in a house in Nairobi’s Kayole Estate has confessed to being a member of Somali terror group al Shabaab. ‘Yes, it is true’, Mr Elgiva Bwire Oliacha alias Mohammed Seif responded to the charge of being a member of the terror group.
Come clean on al Shabaab, Kenya tells Somalia
26 Oct- Source: Capital FM- 886 words
Kenya is now demanding a formal statement from the President of Somalia following conflicting reports that he is opposed to the military offensive against al Shabaab insurgents in the lawless country. Internal Security Minister Professor George Saitoti says Kenya would like to know the exact position of President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s fragile government after he issued a conflicting position on Monday.
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/
Somali President wants Kenya troops out
26 Oct- Source: Africa Review- 176 words
President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has maintained his opposition to the presence of Kenyan troops in Somalia. During a meeting held Thursday at Villa Somalia, President Sharif repeated that Kenya was wrong in sending troops into Somalia. The Head of State hinted that the action amounted to a breach of Somalia’s sovereignty and that Kenya was required to limit its assistance in Somalia to training government forces and providing logistical support.
Why Somali president wants Kenya army out
27 Oct – Source: The Star – 200 words
Somali president Sheikh Sharif Ahmed is opposed to the deployment of Kenyan troops in his country because he believes it is an attempt by Kenya to create an autonomous Jubbaland.
Somalia split over hunt for al Shabaab
27 Oct – Source: The Standard – 500 words
President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed of Somalia appeared isolated from international allies, citizens and some leaders of his country following his criticism of the Kenyan operation against al Shabaab militia.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
State Department confirms kidnapping of U.S. Citizen in Somalia
27 Oct – Source: Fox News – 207 words
A U.S. citizen has been kidnapped in northern Somalia, the U.S. State Department confirmed Wednesday. “We remain concerned about the individual’s safety and well-being. We are working with contacts in Kenya and Somalia to ascertain further information and have been in contact with the individual’s family to provide appropriate consular assistance.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/
Kenyan motives in Somalia predate recent abductions
26 Oct – Source: New York Times – 1,146 words
The Kenyan government revealed on Wednesday that its extensive military foray into Somalia this month to battle Islamist militants was not simply a response to a wave of recent kidnappings, as previously claimed, but was actually planned far in advance, part of a covert strategy to penetrate Somalia and keep the violence in one of Africa’s most anarchic countries from spilling into one of Africa’s most stable.
Somali government says no agreement on Kenyan troops
26 Oct – Source: Reuters – 275 words
Somalia said Wednesday it had not agreed with Kenya for its troops to enter the south of the Horn of Africa nation to fight Islamist rebels, but would form a security committee to work with Nairobi. Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed objected to the 11-day Kenyan incursion in comments on Monday and Kenya in turn demanded an official clarification of the Somali government’s position on Wednesday.
http://af.reuters.com/article/
Somali aid worker quizzed on Westerner kidnappings
26 Oct- Source: Reuters- 331 words
A Somali aid worker seized by gunmen along with two Westerners in northern Somalia was being questioned by police about the kidnappings, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) said Wednesday. An American and a Dane also were kidnapped Tuesday while on assignment with the Danish Demining Group which clears landmines in the Horn of Africa country, the second capture of Western aid agency staff in the region this month.
http://www.reuters.com/