August 1, 2017 | Morning Headlines
Al-Shabaab Militant Killed In US Airstrike
31 July – Source: VOA – 350 Words
The U.S. military and the Somali government say an airstrike Sunday targeted and killed a senior member of the al-Shabab extremist group. Somali intelligence officials who asked not to be named identified the target as Ali Mohamed Hussein, who served as Al-Shabaab’s shadow governor for Mogadishu and has been one of the group’s most outspoken members.
Hussein, also known as Ali Jabal, was known for forcing Mogadishu businesses to donate money to the Islamist militants. Somalia’s information minister, Abdurahman Omar Osman, told VOA Somali that President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “approved an operation with international partners on 30 July near Tortoroow, killing a key Al-Shabaab leader behind Mogadishu bombings, assassinations.” Tortoroow is an al-Shabab stronghold in the Lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia. A brief statement on the attack from the U.S. Africa Command said the airstrike took place late Saturday, eastern U.S. time. The statement added no civilians were killed.
The statement added the airstrike was conducted in coordination with regional partners “as a direct response to Al-Shabaab actions, including recent attacks on Somali forces.” “The strike targeted two vehicles in which the militants were travelling in at Buula-Banin village near Tortoroow in the Lower Shabelle region,” said Hassan Husein Mohamed, the security minister of South West regional administration. “Missiles from foreign military planes struck the vehicles and we are still in the middle of confirming the result.”
Key Headlines
- Al-Shabaab Militant Killed In US Airstrike (VOA)
- President Farmaajo Summons Security Chiefs Over Clash Between Security Forces In Mogadishu (Goobjoog News)
- HirShabelle President Orders Seizure Of Illegal Firearms In Beledweyne (Goobjoog News)
- Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle Airport to Operate 16 Hours Daily Says Aviation Minister (Somali Update)
- AMISOM Recognizes Ugandan Police Officers For Their Contribution To Stability In Somalia (AMISOM)
- Somaliland: International Law Is Central To Any Decision Concerning Recognition (Somaliland Press)
NATIONAL MEDIA
President Farmaajo Summons Security Chiefs Over Clash Between Security Forces In Mogadishu
31 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 270 Words
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo today summoned security chiefs at Villa Somalia over last week’s clash between the elite presidential squad and intelligence officers which led to the death of at least four officers. In a statement released by deputy police commander Bashir Abdi Mohamed, the President sought to establish the circumstances under which the two units engaged in deadly exchange of gunfire at the central business district, a short distance away from Villa Somalia. “One of the issues discussed was the relationship among Somali armed forces in light of the friction this past week.
The talks centred on establishing a united and coordinated working relationship between the different security units. The President called for the formation of a multi-agency committee to device a coherent working relationship among the forces,” said Mohamed. At least four officers from the National Intelligence Service Agency (NISA) were killed this week when they exchanged fire with the presidential guard. Intelligence chief of NISA Abdullahi Mohamed termed the incident friendly fire and that investigations were underway.
The President was also impressed with the security chiefs in developing mechanisms to allow for taking over from the African Union forces (AMISOM) which is expected to leave the security task mission to Somali National Forces starting late next year. A joint Federal Government and AMISOM five day conference in Mogadishu this past week called for enhanced preparations to actualize the takeover which will also be hinged on the donor funding of the National Security Architecture. The meeting also comes a day after a deadly bomb explosion claimed at least five lives and injured more than ten others in Mogadishu.
HirShabelle President Orders Seizure Of Illegal Firearms In Beledweyne
31 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 185 Words
HirShabelle President Ali Abdullahi Osoble has ordered security agencies to confiscate all illegally held firearms in Beledweyne. Beledweyne mayor Adan Ahmed Hafow announced that president Osoble had instructed all the authorities to seize illegally held weapons as a measure to beef up security in the region. “Following a meeting convened by President Ali Abdullahi Osoble, it was collectively agreed that all illegal firearms in the hands of the public be impounded. I am asking members of the public to cooperate with the authorities and hand over weapons in their possession. Anyone violating this decree will face the law,” said Hafow.
Arms can only be possessed by the government. Any illegal arms found in the town will be impounded” added Hafow. This move comes in the wake of successive unresolved murder cases in the town recently committed by unknown people especially under the cover of darkness. The mayor said only security agencies will be allowed to carry firearms. The decree follows a security meeting presided over by President Osoble and attended by the local governor, regional military and police commanders among other top officials from the state.
Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle Airport to Operate 16 Hours Daily, Says Aviation Minister
31 July – Source: Somali Update – 214 Words
Somalia’s Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu has begun night time operation, the country’s Air Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Omar said. “From today, we are announcing that Aden Abdulle International Airport starts to receive night time flights” the Minister said in a press conference in Mogadishu on Sunday afternoon. “The airport will operate from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm evening local time.” he announced.
He said all commercial flights scheduled to arrive night time, will receive the airport services similar to daytime flights. Last week, the ministry finalized the installation of additional air traffic control equipment which includes night time signal lights to help aircraft landing after sunset. Meanwhile, the minister has given notice to telecommunication companies to install signal lights on their towers located near the airport vicinity. “All telecom operator companies in the city are required to urgently install and make sure all their towers in Wadajir, Waberi, Hamar-weyne and Hamar Jajab, Hodan and Warta Nabadda have properly working signal lights” Minister Omar added. Late May, the government announced the airport would resume night operations by receiving the first night flight on May 30th, since 1991 before the collapse of Somalia’s central government which had led to the destruction of public infrastructure including the capital city’s airport.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
AMISOM Recognizes Ugandan Police Officers For Their Contribution To Stability In Somalia
31July – Source: AMISOM – 447 Words
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has feted a contingent of Formed Police Unit (FPU) from Uganda who have completed one year of service in Somalia. The officers were decorated with African Union medals and awarded certificates in recognition of their commitment to restoring peace in Somalia. The ceremony held in Mogadishu was witnessed by senior military and police officers who included AMISOM Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Osman Noor Soubagleh, AMISOM Police Commissioner, Anand Pillay and Uganda Deputy Ambassador to Somalia, Maj. Gen. Nathan Mugisha. Also present were AMISOM Deputy Police Commissioner, Christine Alalo, and the Director of Peace Support Operations in the Uganda Police Force, Grace Turyagumanawe.
“Members of this unit have been exemplary, diligent, committed and dedicated in their selfless service to humanity in the quest to attain sustainable peace in Somalia. Furthermore, the officers and men of the Uganda FPU are highly commended for the adherence to the core values of the African Union, some of which are respect for diversity and teamwork, transparency and accountability, integrity and impartiality, efficiency and professionalism,” Maj. Gen. Fidza Dludlu, the AMISOM Head of Mission Support said in his remarks.
He praised the FPU contingent for their hard work during the electoral process which concluded early this year. Gen. Fidza’s remarks were echoed by the AMISOM Police Commissioner. “One of the highlights of their presence and achievements while they were deployed was the successful conclusion of the parliamentary and presidential elections that took place in Somalia,” Brig. Gen. Pillay noted.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“In truth the shadows of history are long and dark, and those that have any conception of what Somaliland went through in the recent past are bound to claim that Somaliland’s right to sovereignty deserves to be a considered a special case. Equally it is important not to marginalise Somalia. It is essential that all parties are given a fair hearing, and what is more, are seen to be heard. Ultimately International Law will play a decisive part,”
Somaliland: International Law Is Central To Any Decision Concerning Recognition
31 July – Source: Somalilandpress – 903 Words
To raise one’s head above the parapet in the debate concerning the international recognition of Somaliland is certain to invite criticism. For all the opprobrium that may come one’s way, it is still important that the subject be discussed and examined afresh. For many maintaining the status quo is the preferred option, either because they see Somaliland as a province of the Federal Republic of Somalia, or because they fear that recognition might embolden secessionist movements across Africa and further afield. As ever context is king, and it is important to appreciate the role that history has played in framing this emotive issue.
On 1st July 1960 Somaliland (formerly British Somaliland) voluntarily formed a union with the Italian known as Somalia. It is important to note that the British Somaliland was never a colony, but had been a protectorate, and officially became independent on 26th June 1960, thus crucially it had been a sovereign state prior to its merger with its southern neighbour. After a few years the initial optimism faded and following the 1969 coup the Union soured to such an extent that eventually civil war ensued.
Soon President Mohamed Siad Barre, or Jaalle Siyaad (“Comrade Siad”) as he styled himself, began to wage a ruthless campaign of suppression against the tribes of the north (The Isaaq clan suffering the worst of it). With the suppression verging on genocide the people of the former British Protectorate had had enough.
Somalilanders had suffered grievously, with many thousands killed and over 90% of buildings in Hargeisa having been damaged or destroyed on the orders of the Barre Regime. As Somalia imploded Somaliland set about decoupling itself, and reasserting its sovereignty, so in 1991 it unilaterally declared independence from Somalia. For many Somalis this separation flies in the face of local irredentism and the concept of a Greater Somalia (Soomaaliweyn), and as a consequence stirs up strong emotions. For all the emotion, it is important to examine the facts, more especially the legalities of Somaliland’s quest and right to nationhood administered Trust Territory of Somaliland (formerly Italian Somaliland) which henceforth became
When it comes to state recognition, it is useful to reflect on rights, powers and duties. The people of Somaliland assert that they have a right to territorial integrity, and as such it is important to examine the legalities around nationhood. There is much to learn from perusing the Montevideo Convention (1933), it features the four criteria of statehood that are as follows: i) A permanent population ii) Defined territory (including land, sea and air iii) A functioning government with the powers of control, and iv) The capacity to enter into legal relations with other states. When these criteria are examined objectively it soon becomes apparent that in this respect Somaliland has a strong case. The Federal Republic of Somalia such as it is would no doubt take exception to points ii), iii) and iv), especially point iv). As things stand Somaliland is a de facto state, with most if not all of the elements of one with de jure existence. Compared with Somalia it is better placed to protect its citizens and manifests a remarkable air of normality. That said, like the making of law, the recognition of a sovereign state is always highly political and an act that is certain to elicit strong emotions and polarised views.