22 Nov 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- President tours National Theater promises renovation (Source: Radio Mogadishu Universal TV Shabelle Kulmiye and SNTV)
- Bomb explodes prematurely killing 3 al Shabaab extremists (Source: Radio Mogadishu SONNA Somali Report and Mareeg Online)
- Ahlu SunnaWal jama`a closes radio station in Guriel (Source: Somalia Report Radio Shabelle and SONNA)
- Prisoners released from Mogadishu central custody (Source: Mareeg Online Radio Mogadishu and Bar-kulan)
- Al-Shabaab Selling Government Land (Source: Somalia Report)
- Troops set to carry out major assault on rebels (Source: Daily Nation)
- Kenyan Muslims oppose Israel intervention in war against Somali Islamists(Source: The Star ( Kenya)
- News Analysis: Somali military conflict turns into regional war against Al-Shabaab (Source: Xinhua)
- Somalia: UN envoy urges concerted global support for efforts to restore stability (Source: UN)
- Locals Unite Against Al Shabaab(Source: Strategy Page)
SOMALI MEDIA
Bomb explodes prematurely killing 3 al Shabaab extremists
22 Nov – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA, Somali Report and Mareeg Online – 184 words
Three al Shabaab fighters have been killed after a loud explosion rocked Wardhigley district, central Mogadishu.
The incident took place at around 7pm local time, 400 meters from the Wardhigley TFG police base, causing no civilian casualties, followed by the Somali police immediately securing the area.
“We carried the dead bodies and the injuries to a local clinic thinking the victims were civilians but we later found out that they were al Shabaab members”, General Garad Noor Abdulle, a senior TFG police official, told journalists. Witnesses in the area told SONNA that the explosion caused massive damage to buildings.
Security has been beefed up in that area following the Monday night’s blast. Three children also escaped unhurt in the premature blast. Al Shabaab still continues to cause harm to Somali civilians with no regards and respect to human life. In October alone the group massacred more than a hundred students outside a government building in Mogadishu.
President tours National Theatre, promises renovation
22 Nov – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Universal TV, Shabelle, Kulmiye, SNTV – 141 words
The Somali Head of State was on Monday evening entertained with plays and drama at an entertainment party held at the famous Somali national theatre in Mogadishu.
The evening party was attended by the Somali leader Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, TFG Minister of Information, Post and Telecommunication Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed among other high profile government officials. Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed addressed the large audience attending the event and praised Somali arts, entertainment and literature.
In his speech, the president requested governmental organizations and other interested partners to raise funds for the theatre so that it accomplish its mission of providing sufficient entertainment to the Somali citizens in Somalia an around the world.
The president also presented a cheque of 100,000 US $ to the theatre. The money will be used to refurbish the theatre and buy modern equipment.
Ahlu Sunna Wal jama`a close radio station in Guriel
22 Nov – Source: Somalia Report, Radio Shabelle, and SONNA – 100 words
Armed militias loyal to the Ahlu Sunna Waljama`a (ASWJ), which is supporting the Somalia government in the fight against al Shabaab, raided a Galgudud radio station in Guriel region in central Somalia late yesterday and ordered the staff to shut down the transmitters, computers and other equipment.
According to Galgudud radio editor, Abdifatah Hassan Farah who also reports for Somalia Report, the motive behind the order is unknown, but it comes as hundreds of Ethiopian military forces have been deployed in Guriel over the last two days.
Prisoners released from Mogadishu central custody
21 Nov – Source: Mareeg Online, Radio Mogadishu, and Bar-kulan – 149 words
About 50 criminals who have been in the central prison of Mogadishu have been released as a decree issued by Somali president Sharif’s office offered them to be forgiven. These prisoners were part of 74 criminals in the central jail, including district commissioner of Karan district, A/lahi Mohamed Roble, who was found guilty of diverting aid food last month.
Deputy Minister of Justice Sheikh Fanah said that most prisoners were released and others will soon be after Somali president Sharif extends them forgiveness. The Somali military court originally sentenced Mr. Roble to 3 years being in jail; his early release came as a surprise for many.
Somali premier Abdiweli Gaas said that his government would not tolerate government soldiers harming internally displaced people.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Somaliland: Ministry of Higher Education offers free education to low income females
21 Nov – Source: Somaliland Press – 235 words
Somaliland’s Ministry of Higher Education launched a free education program for low income female students whose parents cannot afford the small tuition fee. This program, which is funded by the European Union (EU) and UNICEF, is expected to increase the number of young girls attending schools in the count.
According to the Ministry of Education, Ms. Samsam Abdi Adan, the program will begin at the end of this month and her ministry will oversee the implementation of the project. Ms. Adan presented this new initiative at a press conference held at her office as she said “we inform the public at large that there is an education opportunity for all girls in Somaliland regardless of family income; the European Union funded the project and UNICEF facilitated the finding of funds for the project from EU. The scholarship will support young girls who cannot pay their school fees during these difficult economic times; female students are encouraged to submit an application to regional education offices in Somaliland in order to take advantage of this opportunity”.
Al Shabaab selling government land
22 Nov – Source: Somalia Report – 113 words
The cash-strapped Islamist fighters of al Shabaab have destroyed former Somali government buildings in Middle Shabelle region and are selling off the land to civilians, according to residents who spoke to Somalia Report.
“Al Shabaab began destroying old Somali government homes and offices, including the local prison, asking the people to buy the land underneath. It is clear that al Shabaab is seeking to make money to continue their war against the government” said a resident in Jowhar district who requested anonymity.
Al Shabaab, currently facing a financial shortage, is fighting on multiple fronts against Somalia`s Transitional Federal government (TFG), supported by local militants, as well as Kenyan and Ethiopian forces.
South African police shutdown 15 Somali shops in Cape Town
22 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 115 words
South African police officers have closed down 15 shops owned by Somali businesspeople in Yanga, Filimbi and Stlambush locations in Cape Town following a directive from the local government.
The South African local government claimed that the closed shops were not registered with their authorities and were found illegally operating in the said areas.
Sheikh Abdirashid Afi, a Somali businessman trading in South Africa said that businessmen have spoken to the local government authorities over the issue, urging his fellow countrymen to register their businesses before they start operating.
Most of the Somali businesspeople in South Africa do not register their businesses, causing the closure of their merchandise.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Troops set to carry out major assault on rebels
21 Nov – Source: Daily Nation – 412 words
Al-Shabaab militants have a tough fight on their hands as regional armies led by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) prepare to surround their remaining strongholds and flush them out.
Ethiopian troops crossed into Somalia at the weekend to back the ongoing military operation spearheaded by KDF and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) army to wipe out the terror outfit blamed for attacks in the region. TFG welcomed Ethiopian forces, but raised sovereignty concerns.
“We welcome Ethiopian troops — if they have entered Somalia — and any other country that contributes forces to fight against the Al-Shabaab militants, as long as they do not violate our sovereignty,” Mr Hussein Arab Isse said.
Media reports quoted local elders saying they had seen several convoys of Ethiopian troops moving into Somalia’s central Galgudud and Hiiran regions, while witnesses said lines of trucks also crossed to the war-torn nation via Kenya into the far south.
“We need help from the international community in the fight against the Al-Qaeda-linked militants,” Isse told reporters after returning from meetings in Ethiopia on Sunday.
But despite residents confirming independently that the Ethiopian forces had joined the war against Al-Shabaab, Addis Ababa maintained it had not sent troops to the war-torn nation.
“Ethiopia has not entered Somalia… In the past, people might have seen light reconnaissance teams and confused them with troop deployments,” Ethiopian government spokesman Bereket Simon was quoted as saying.
Kenyan Muslims oppose Israel intervention in war against Somali Islamists
22 Nov – Source: The Star (Kenya) – 299 words
The Council of Imams and Preachers in Kenya [CIPK] is opposed to the Israel military involvement in the war against Al-Shabaab due to what they term as “historical misunderstandings”. They claim it could contribute to more terror attacks and place Kenya as one of the targets by the countries opposed to Israel.
Both Kenya and Israel have shared experiences of terror attacks and it is feared that their intervention could cause more harm than good.
CIPK chairman and nominated MP Sheikh Mohamed Dor said the move could attract Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Palestine and other groups against the Jews, into the country.
Addressing journalists in Malindi, Sheikh Dor said Kenya should stick with its calls for support from the IGAD [Inter-Governmental Authority on Development] countries and vowed to fight back and prevent any attempt of interventions by the Israel military or marines.
Israel had promised to send experts to conduct anti-terror training to the Kenyan security personnel on how to prevent any attack by the Al-Shabaab in the country.
“As leaders we are 100 per cent in support of the Operation Linda Nchi [Protect the Nation] in Somalia and would like security forces in the sea to be increased and expanded. At the same time, we are opposed to the initiative by the Israel government to come to Kenya and offer anti-terror training,” he said. The nominated MP said the Muslim community want the Israel to keep off from the operations as there were already enough forces doing a good job.
He reminded the government of the Norfolk Hotel and Kikambala terrorist’s attacks that targeted Israel nationals saying the same could happen resulting to more loss of lives and property.
“As Kenyans, we do not want such operations. Kenya may turn out to be like Somali or Afghanistan if we are open to such infiltration,” he said.
Somali president grants amnesty to 74
22 Nov – Source: Africa News – 323 words
President of Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Monday granted an amnesty to 74 prisoners from a central prison camp in his country’s capital city, Mogadishu, an official said. The District Commissioner of Karan, in the capital, Abdullahi Mahamed Roble was among those who had luck to benefit from the official pardon.
A Somali martial court sentenced Roble to a ten year term in prison few weeks ago after he was arraigned before it over an allegation relating to misappropriation of humanitarian aid intended to hundreds of internally displaced persons in his area.
Speaking to journalists in Mogadishu the Deputy for TFG’s ministry of Justice and Religious Affairs Ahmed Abdullah Husein Fanah said that they sent 69 prisoners to their homes following the recent presidential pardon announcement.
“In the respect of a circular letter from the office of the president, 6th of this month, [November] which states that president Sheikh Sharif provided forgiveness to 74 prisoners we are now releasing 69 of them today. We shall free the rest a few days coming”, said Mr Fanah.
http://www.africanews.com/
Somali refugees wishing for quick end to war
21 Nov – Source: NTV – 3:21 min
The war in Somalia has no doubt created a huge humanitarian crisis as thousands of refugees flee the fighting in the capital, Mogadishu. The families are now camping along the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera and as NTV’s Ferdinand Omondi reports; they are hoping and praying that peace and quiet can return to their country soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Spanish warship Infanta Cristina completes Somali anti-piracy duties with EU NAVFOR
21 Nov – Source: Coast week – 197 words
20 November, the Spanish warship SPS Infanta Cristina completed operating under EUNAVFOR, after 81 days working for Operation Atalanta.
During her time in the Operation, SPS Infanta Cristina escorted one vessel chartered by the World Food Program (WFP), assisting the delivery of 15,789 metric tons of food aid to Somalia.
She also spent 18 days in escorting two logistic vessels chartered by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), thereby supporting the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.
Other tasking included counter-piracy patrols in the Somali Basin and Gulf of Aden. In his farewell signal to the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Angel Gamboa Perez-Pardo, and crew of the Spanish warship the EU NAVFOR Force Commander, Rear Admiral Thomas E.P. Jugel said:
“Your outstanding contribution to EU NAVFOR ATALANTA will long be remembered within our force, and rightly so.
“I wish you and your crew all the best for the future, fair winds and following seas.” EU NAVFOR conducts counter-piracy in the Indian Ocean and is responsible for the protection of World Food Program ships carrying humanitarian aid for the people of Somalia and the logistic support vessels of the African Union troops conducting Peace Support Operations in Somalia.
http://www.coastweek.com/3446_
Suspect nabbed over Somali passports seizure
22 Nov – Source: the Star – 68 words
A suspect has been arrested in connection with thousands of Somali passports and IDs seized at Mombasa port last week. Police say the suspect was arrested in Nairobi. Port CID boss Serenoy Kiberenge says the suspect will be charged in court today.
15 thousand passports and IDs of Somalia republic shipped from the United Arab Emirates were impounded on suspicion that they may be for use by terrorists.
Video- War on Al Shabaab – Somali Govt reprieve
21 Nov – Source: KTN TV – 2:22 min
War on Al Shabaab – Somali Govt reprieve
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
News Analysis: Somali military conflict turns into regional war against Al-Shabaab
22 Nov – Source: Xinhua – 938 words
What began a month ago as a temporary military expedition into Somalia by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to repulse a militia group is transforming rapidly into a major regional war against the Al-Shabaab after two other Horn of Africa states joined the fray.
The prospect of a major regional war looming is in the offing following revelations that the African Union is rallying more member-states to donate 20,000 troops to bolster its peacekeeping force in Somalia, whose mandate changed to peace-enforcers following repeated fatal attacks by the Al-Shabaab militia group.
With the United Nations and the African Union unable to provide a clear road map to securing lasting peace, Ethiopia has reportedly rolled its military tanks into Somalia to prop a one-month old campaign by its southern neighbour Kenya against the militia group.
AU now wants to build on the presence of Kenyan army in Somalia that seeks to root out Al Qaeda-backed Al-Shabaab militia that fights to unseat the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) led by President Sheikh Ahmed Sharif. However, the entry into fray of the Ethiopia and Djibouti came earlier than had been expected.
Deputy Special Representative of the African Union Chairperson Wafula Wamunyinyi who prior to the excursions had told Xinhua that the AU had given the three states the nod to move their troops into Somalia in a joint regional military offensive.
The special envoy said the Ethiopian military operation had been timed for December, while Djibouti would have come on board in January. Wamunyinyi revealed further that West African nation Sierra Leone had agreed to contribute 3,000 troops by next January.
Rwanda and Tanzania have too indicated willingness to send troops to Somalia to rein the Islamic insurgents, who in twin bombings that killed 80 people in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, in reprisal attacks for the latter’s support of President Sharif’s government.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/
Somalia: UN envoy urges concerted global support for efforts to restore stability
21 Nov – Source: UN – 371 words
The United Nations envoy for Somalia today emphasized the importance of the roadmap adopted in September setting out a series of tasks to be completed ahead of concluding the country’s political transition process, and called for coordinated international efforts to ensure the implementation of the plan.
“It is critical that the entire donor community understand the centrality of the roadmap to the political process and support its implementation with the necessary resources,” said Augustine Mahiga, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, writing in the regional weekly, The East African. The roadmap spells out priority measures to be implemented before the current transitional governing arrangements end next August, in the areas of security, the drafting of a new constitution, reconciliation and laying the foundation for good governance.
Mr. Mahiga stressed that Somali leaders must be made to understand that future assistance will depend on their willingness to play their role in the implementation of the roadmap.
The political developments in Somalia are underpinned by a major improvement of security, especially since August, when the insurgents of Al Shabaab were forced to withdraw from the capital, Mogadishu, under pressure from forces supporting the transitional Government and the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Mr. Mahiga wrote.
“This is a remarkable achievement and has led to roads being repaired, homes rebuilt and markets reopening. If Somalia – and indeed the international community – is to capitalize on these gains, and at the same time address the emerging challenges, then boosting AMISOM’s capabilities, especially in the areas of personnel, logistics, mobility, intelligence, aviation and disposal of unexploded ordnance, will be critical.”
A stabilization plan for Mogadishu addresses key reconstruction issues that will be critical to ensuring “political buy-in” from ordinary Somalis, Mr. Mahiga said.
Kenya’s decision last month to send its armed forces into Somalia to confront Al Shabaab militants is a demonstration of the importance the region attaches to Somalia’s instability and the broader risk of regional insecurity if the insurgency is not contained, he stated.
“Somalia remains the most challenging issues on the international community’s radar. One thing is certain – only sustained engagement by all stakeholders at the local, regional and international levels will ensure that this rare moment is fully exploited,” wrote Mr. Mahiga.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/
Somali rebels pull out as Ethiopian troops return
21 Nov – Source: Reuters, the Standard – 202 words
Al Shabaab militants have begun pulling out of at least two rebel enclaves in central Somalia after neighbouring Ethiopia sent hundreds of troops across the border, residents said on Monday.
Addis Ababa denied on Sunday that its forces had entered yet Somalia, but local residents and elders said scores of Ethiopian vehicles ferrying troops and weapons moved at least 80 km (50 miles) into the Horn of Africa country over the weekend.
Local people in Beledweyne and Eelbur, both close to the Ethiopian frontier and under insurgent control, said the Islamist fighters had abandoned checkpoints where they used to extort taxes and left their battle stations.
“I saw a convoy of al Shabaab troops vacating the front lines,” said a resident of Eelbur, who identified himself only as Ahmed. “I don’t know where (the fighters) are headed, but they aren’t in the town any longer.”
An Ethiopian foreign ministry spokesman said a decision on whether to join the assault against al Shabaab in some form would be taken on Friday at a meeting of east African heads of state.
However, the residents said the Ethiopian military had already arrived, five weeks after Kenya launched an operation to crush the al Qaeda-linked militants.
http://af.reuters.com/article/
Locals unite against al Shabaab
22 Nov – Source: Strategy Page – 744 words
Al Shabaab is reeling from multiple foreign attacks. There is the Kenyan force (about 2,000 troops) that crossed the border last month. Last week, a column of Ethiopian troops crossed the border. This is actually a regular occurrence, as the Ethiopians disrupt any hostile (to them) activities just across the border. Islamic radicals in Somalia have long sought to conquer the Ethiopian province of Ogaden, which contains a largely Somali population. The Ethiopians have been defeating these efforts for generations. That is not going to change, especially since oil and gas has been discovered in Ogaden, and drilling is underway.
Kenyan troops continue to establish positions around the towns of Kismayu (the major al Shabaab port) and Afmadow (a major trading center inland from Kismayu). Kenyan troops are moving to surround Kismayu, or at least control all the roads. Same with Afmadow, this is at the center of the local road network. Kenya is apparently reluctant to attack these two towns, preferring to control access and wait for friendly locals to expel al Shabaab.
Kenya says it will not leave southern Somalia until al Shabaab has been cleared out of the area. But al Shabaab continues to fortify Kismayu, determined to put up a fight. In over a month of operations, Kenya says it has suffered only about a dozen combat casualties, plus five killed in a helicopter crash. Kenyan forces claim to have killed, wounded or captured over a hundred al Shabaab fighters. In general, the al Shabaab gunmen avoid the Kenyan troops.
The local Somali clans, and their leaders, have been cooperating with the Kenyans, with the understanding that the Kenyan troops will withdraw once all al Shabaab have been eliminated from the border area. Kenya then promises to keep the border clans supplied with weapons, ammo and other supplies. Kenya wants the border clans to keep al Shabaab out of Kenya. Farther north, it’s unclear if Ethiopia is doing one of its regular border clearing operations, or is moving to clear al Shabaab from a large portion of Central Somalia.
Recent rains, and more success in getting food past bandits and al Shabaab gunmen, have reduced the number of Somalis in danger of starvation from 3.2 million to 2.2 million. In Mogadishu there is a growing problem with TNG (Transitional National Government) troops and pro-TNG militiamen stealing food aid. The AU has threatened to make arrests (and kill those that resist) if the stealing does not stop.
In Mogadishu, there are still several terror attacks a week by al Shabaab. Given the number of armed civilians in the capital, and the usual level of chaos, the Islamic terrorist violence does not stand out.
Somalia (the TNG), Uganda and Kenya have agreed to coordinate their efforts to defeat al Shabaab and bring some level of law and order to Somalia. Meanwhile, the U.S. and France are sending armed UAVs and aircraft over Somalia, providing intelligence for peacekeepers, TNG and Kenya. The UAVs have also been accused of making missile and bomb attacks, but no one will admit to that.
http://www.strategypage.com/
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS
We handed al Shabaab propaganda tool and envoy added fuel to the fire
21 Nov – Source: Daily Nation – 353 words
The military incursion in pursuit of al Shabaab extremists across the borders right inside Somalia is obviously of great significance for both regional and international security.
The jihadists from across the world, who have exploited the lack of effective government to make Somalia the base of Terror Inc., are a menace way beyond the borders of that lawless country.
Therefore, eliminating them cannot be just a Kenyan duty, but the responsibility of the international community. The regional security bloc, Igad, is showing strong support for the Kenyan initiative, as is the African Union.
From further afield, expressions of support from the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and various countries and regional blocs, must go beyond tepid words and “put their money where their mouths are”.
To be meaningful, support must translate into actual resources. The campaign needs money, bullets and soldiers on the battlefront.
However, even as we canvass international support, we must never forget that this military effort was launched primarily to secure Kenya’s security interests. Therefore, we must not allow others with their own agenda to hijack it. I have Israel in mind.
True, the Jewish State has for decades been a firm ally where security interests have converged. Israel has been a true friend and has always responded promptly when assistance was required.
For years, some of Kenya’s elite military and police units have benefitted from Israeli training and expertise. The Kenyan and Israeli security partnership has, for years, served for mutual benefit, but common sense and geopolitical reality demand that these links be managed discreetly.
The fact that Al-Shabaab claims to be pursuing Islamic Jihad does not make our necessary war against it part of Israel’s own campaigns in the Middle East and elsewhere.
In that regard, Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s visit last week to Israel and the pledge he secured of support on the battle against Al-Shabaab was a veritable PR disaster.
It provided the murderous group with the perfect propaganda tool, and it quickly went on the offensive with a campaign designed to depict the Kenyan incursion as part of a Christian-Jewish conspiracy against Islam.
http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/