February 21, 2018 | Morning Headlines
Somali Army Repel Al-Shabaab After Attack In Qoryooley District
20 February – Source: Shabelle News – 138 Words
Somali government forces have repelled an attack by Al-Shabaab on Qoryooley, in Lower Shabelle region. The troops remained control of the town after Al Shabaab militants stormed an army base there last night, which led to an unknown number of casualties. “We repelled an attack by Al-Shabaab out of the town,” said a military officer, who spoke to Radio Shabelle, on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Sources in the town said at least two civilians were wounded in the fighting between Al-Shabaab and Somali National Army [SNA] forces and admitted to local a hospital. Residents confirmed fighting had ended and that the militants had left the town. Al-Shabaab carries out frequent attacks on government bases and the African Union peacekeeping troops station after losing large swathes of territory in Somalia.
Key Headlines
- Somali Army Repels Al-Shabaab After Attack In Qoryooley District (Shabelle News)
- Hirshabelle Arrests 17 Traders For Meeting With Al-Shabaab (Radio Dalsan)
- Mogadishu Mayor Urges Banadir Regional Court Officials To Improve Justice Delivery System (Jowhar.com)
- Somali National Army Deliver Confiscated Al-Shabaab’s Radio Equipment To Mogadishu (Radio Dalsan)
- Suspect Arrested After Al-Shabaab Attack On Wajir Teachers (The Star Kenya)
- Failure To Register New Somali Refugees Exposing Them To Risk (Daily Nation)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Hirshabelle Arrests 17 Traders For Meeting With Al-Shabaab
20 February – Source: Radio Dalsan – 136 Words
Somalia’s Hirshabelle administration arrested 17 traders for allegedly meeting with Al-Shabaab leaders. A resident in Jowhar told Radio Dalsan on condition of anonymity that the traders met with the militants at Gamboole village, 50 kilometres west of Jowhar, the administrative capital of Hirshabelle.
They were arrested at Jowhar town entry Police checkpoint on their way back. Reports says that the traders went to Gamboole on orders from Al-Shabaab and that some of them have notified the local administration of the same. Issues discussed in the meeting remains unclear. Hirshabelle authorities have not commented on the case. Last week, Hirshabelle administration in Hiiraan region issued a stern warning that action will be taken against anyone found to have sought redress in Alshabaab courts or even travelled to the militant-controlled areas. Al-Shabaab controls some parts of Hirshabelle state.
Mogadishu Mayor Urges Banadir Regional Court Officials To Improve Justice Delivery System
20 February – Source: Jowhar.com – 171 Words
The governor of Banadir region and Mogadishu Mayor, Abdirahman Omar Osman ‘Yarisow’ has appealed to the senior regional court officers to improve the justice delivery system. Speaking during a meeting with the top regional court judges led by the chair of Banadir regional court, Eng Yarisow said improving justice delivery system is one of the top priorities of his administration.
Expressing concern over the increase in land disputes, Eng Yarisow called upon the courts to shun fake land document owners while considering the rightful owners. ” The general public is looking upon the court system just judiciary and I am urging you to be a good example of the respect to the rule of law especially when it comes to the land dispute cases,” he said. “Justice system is key to the development of this country and you need to play a significant role,” he added. The meeting between the governor and the court officials was aimed at improving the cooperation between the regional court system and the new Banadir regional administration.
Somali National Army Deliver Confiscated Al-Shabaab’s Radio Equipment To Mogadishu
20 February – Source: Radio Dalsan – Words
The Somali National Army (SNA) has delivered equipment confiscated after dismantling of Al-Shabaab’s mouthpiece, Radio Andalus to the government. Somali Acting Information Minister Abdirahman Idan Yonis who spoke to the media in Mogadishu acknowledged the work of SNA. “The Somali National Army in an operation destroyed Al-Shabaab bases in Lower Shabelle. The army also took over Al-Shabaab’s main media Andalus. It was dismantled and brought to Mogadishu,” said Mr. Yonis.
“Al-Shabaab used to mislead the locals in Mubarak village and its surroundings through that radio station,” he added. Mr. Yonis also stressed on the government’s commitment to defeating the militants. “The government of Somalia is committed ideologically and military wise to defeat Al-Shabaab which is against peace and governance,” Mr. Yonis said. US-backed SNA launched an operation on Al-Shabaab controlled areas in the Lower Shabelle region destroying several militant bases, checkpoints and the Radio Andalus station. The Army also captured several villages from the militants according to the Federal government of Somalia.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Suspect Arrested After Al-Shabaab Attack On Wajir Teachers
20 February – Source: The Star, Kenya – 328 Words
A suspect has been arrested following the killing of four people by suspected al Shabaab militants in Wajir County. Three teachers and the wife of one of them were killed at Qarsa Primary School early last Friday morning. North Eastern Regional Coordinator Mohamud Saleh said a team of multi-agency security agents found the suspect. Two are on the run, he said at Garissa Government Guest House on Tuesday.
Saleh did not give the details of the arrest but noted: “Security apparatus are determined to ensure the arrest of those involved in the killing of innocent Kenyans. “I assure Kenyans that we will pursue this matter to the very end. Even if they cross over to Somalia we shall go for them. They will face the consequences. “Surely, how do you kill a teacher who is teaching your children? This is being heartless.” Saleh spoke when he opened a five-day training workshop for chiefs and assistant chiefs from the County. He warned the administrators against sleeping on their jobs, saying they will be sacked. At a press briefing last week, the Coordinator issued the names of Kenyans he said had been working with the Somalia-based terror group.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“The government must fulfil its obligations to refugees and respect court rulings upholding their rights. No one chooses to be a refugee. We all want to live in peace and dignity in our own countries, and to be treated with kindness and respect when we can’t.”
Failure To Register New Somali Refugees Exposing Them To Risk
20 February – Source: Daily Nation – 652 Words
It has been a year since the government’s plan to shut down Dadaab refugee camp was scuppered. The High Court deemed the decision unconstitutional and ordered the government to continue granting asylum to new Somali refugees. But if anyone thought the ruling would herald the end of years of suffering for the refugees, they will by now be bitterly disappointed. The government, while not overtly rejecting the ruling, has quietly disregarded it, mainly by denying refugees registration and much-needed identity documents. Ahmed (not his real name), a father of five, had no option but to flee his village in the southwestern bay region, which is suffering from severe drought.
Leave or die; When he saw his donkey die from lack of water, Ahmed knew he and his family had to leave or die. He was keen to find a place where his wife and children would be safe from drought and armed conflict that have left about 5.4 million Somalis – nearly half the population – in need of humanitarian aid and protection. Ahmed thought of going to Mogadishu where most humanitarian organisations are based, but feared running into Al-Shabaab and his 17-year-old son being conscripted by the terrorists. He travelled westwards to Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. After a long trek, Ahmed now finds himself in limbo in Dadaab.
The Kenya government’s refusal to register him as a refugee is denying him access to basics such as food and shelter for his family. And being returned to Somalia would put them at risk of death, injury or forced conscription by Al-Shabaab. And Ahmed is not alone. According to the UNHCR, at the end of last November, there were about 5,400 Somalis without registration papers in Dadaab, some of whom had been repatriated to Somalia but returned. NGOs say the number could be higher.
Insecurity; An NGO, which monitors border crossings, has reported that more than 24,000 Somalis crossed into Kenya last year alone, most of them citing insecurity and drought. Refugees who have not been registered lack access to the goods and services offered by charities, including food, shelter and medical care. They are left with no option but to beg from their registered counterparts, who have very little themselves, especially since the UN World Food Programme cut rations last October.
Legal aid; Lack of identity documents means refugees live in constant fear of being arrested and deported. In January, an NGO offering legal aid to refugees reported that 31 Somalis, including children, were arrested in Garissa and charged with being in Kenya illegally. The offence carries a penalty of three months in jail, or a fine of between $100 and $1,000, which most refugees don’t have.
Children who have travelled alone and those who have been separated from their families while making the arduous journey into Kenya from Somalia, are also at heightened risk of exploitation, child labour and early marriage. It is becoming apparent that the Refugee Affairs Secretariat, which is meant to register refugees, is only concerned with reducing their numbers in Dadaab.