March 15, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report
Somali Forces Kill 7 Al-Shabaab Militants In South Somalia
15 March – Source: Xinhuanet – 129 Words
Seven Al-Shabaab fighters were killed Wednesday by Somali forces in the coastal city of Kismayo in southern Somalia. Somali military commander in Kismayo, Mukhtar Abdi, told journalists that the forces launched an ambush against the militants following a tip-off in Wirkoy area. “We got prior information that they were planning to attack us in Wirkoy area. We moved in fast and killed seven Al-Shabaab fighters.”
The commander added that one soldier was injured in the fight which lasted for a short time. The militant group has not commented on the development. Security forces have continued assaults against the militants in southern parts of the country. Kismayo port which was a major source of income for Al-Shabaab was captured by Kenyan forces in 2012, driving the militants to adjacent towns.
Key Headlines
- Somali Forces Kill 7 Al-Shabaab Militants In South Somalia (Xinhuanet)
- DP World Chairman Says Committed To Port Project In Somaliland (Shabelle News)
- Somalia In New Political Crisis As MPs Plot To Oust PM Khaire To Counter Motion Against Speaker Jawari (Radio Dalsan)
- Clashes Between Clan Militias And Al-Shabaab Claims Five People in Hiiraan Region (Halbeeg News)
- Kenyan Police Vow To Enhance Fight Against Terrorism (Xinhuanet)
- Political Bickering A Major Threat To Somalia’s Stability – Analyst (Goobjoog News)
NATIONAL MEDIA
DP World Chairman Says Committed To Port Project In Somaliland
15 March – Source: Shabelle News – 85 Words
DP World, one of the world’s largest port operators, said on Thursday it is committed to the port’s project in Somaliland, despite Somalia’s move to ban the ports operator from operating in Somalia. Djibouti’s decision to end a contract with DP World to run its Doraleh Container Terminal, will make it difficult for Africa to attract investment, DP World’s chairman Sultan bin Sulayem told a news conference after reporting full-year earnings. He said the company doesn’t know what motivated Djibouti to seize the container terminal.
Somalia In New Political Crisis As MPs Plot To Oust PM Khaire To Counter Motion Against Speaker Jawari
15 March – Source: Radio Dalsan – 274 Words
At least 40 MPs, on Wednesday night met to plot the removal Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, moments after the Deputy Speaker of the Somalia Lower House, announced that the motion of no confidence against Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari, was legitimate despite failing to proceed to the House.
Speaking to reporters, from the undisclosed meeting venue in the capital Mogadishu MP Mohamud Abukate, blamed PM Khaire, of being the mastermind of the motion of no confidence against Jawari. “Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and his government, were pushing hard for the motion through his Ministers and Deputy Ministers in Parliament, whom forty of them were signatories to the motion” said MP Abukate.
And as the MPs were plotting to oust Prime Minister Khaire, Deputy Speaker Abdiweli Mudey was holding a press conference in another part of the city, announcing that the motion of no confidence against Speaker Jawari was legal and will proceed to the House. Notably two government ministers were present at Mudey´s press release, but declined to be filmed by journalists. “The motion was brought to me by 107 MPs. I assessed its legality and I can say it is legitimate. I do not want people to be confused on the legality of the motion. Right now, how it will proceed to Parliament is my responsibility” Mr. Mudey told reporters.
On Wednesday, the motion against Speaker Jawari failed after 16 MPs who were signatories opted out, dropping the numbers to 91, one less signature to proceed to the House. The MPs behind the motion had accused Speaker Jawari of being an impediment to the constitutional review process, abusing power and suppressing MPs in Parliament.
Clashes Between Clan Militias And Al-Shabaab Claims Five People in Hiiraan Region
15 March – Source: Halbeeg News – 177 Words
At least five people have been killed and several others wounded in a fierce fighting between Al-Shabaab fighters and local militiamen in central Somalia. The fighting erupted at Buq-Gosaar village about 50km away from Beledweyne town of Hiiraan region, after residents took arms against Al-Shabaab over a tax levy.
Mr. Isack Sanay, a local resident in the village said that five people from both sides died in the battle, while several others sustained injuries. “Locals, including nomadic people, took up arms against Al-Shabaab fighters who wanted to loot our resources, including livestock,” Mr. Sanay said.
Al-Shabaab has not commented on the latest clashes with the locals in Hiiraan region. Similar confrontations occurred in central Somalia last year after locals rejected to pay taxes imposed by Al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab which once controlled large swath of land in South and central Somalia had lost many towns and cities to Somali forces back by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces. The group carries out hit and run attacks in major towns under government and deadly explosions in the capital and other towns.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenyan Police Vow To Enhance Fight Against Terrorism
14 March – Source: Xinhuanet – 663 Words
Kenyan police on Wednesday vowed to intensify the fight against terrorism and warned criminal groups with any form of affiliation to terrorist groups that they will not be spared. Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet admitted that Kenya remains under serious threat due to its proximity with Somalia which has remained unstable for more than two decades.
“Its instability has provided a rich ground for terrorism as evidenced by the presence of international terror cells of ISIS, Al-Qaeda and its local offshoots in Al-Shabab,” he told journalists in Nairobi.
He said that despite security officers remaining resolute in keeping the country safe from terror-threats emanating both within and outside the country, there have, however, been some isolated incidents of improvised explosive devices which Kenya has witnessed in the recent past along the Somalia border.
Boinnet said joint efforts between the police and other security agencies have disrupted numerous potentially devastating terror plots targeting Kenya in the past three years. He said three terror suspects who were arrested by the police from their hideout while in Isiolo on Feb. 15 were planning to bomb judicial buildings and a government office.
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“External meddling by foreign actors especially from the Gulf is also a major concern in Somalia’s stability, the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies director said. “Interference by others has ceaselessly muddied Somalia’s already troubled waters.””
Political Bickering A Major Threat To Somalia’s Stability – Analyst
15 March – Source: Goobjoog News – 432 Words
Political squabbling is the single most threat to Somalia’s stability, Mr. Abdi Hashi, director of Mogadishu based think tank HIPS told the US Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Wednesday. Testifying before the subcommittee, on the current security and stability of Somalia, Mr. Hashi said, the infighting among the political class, is compounding an already difficult situation thanks to terrorism and weak state structures.
“A winner takes all mentality reigns throughout the country, creating deep political instability,” Mr. Hashi said, as a motion against Lower House speaker Mr. Mohamed Jawari, was on the table in Mogadishu.
“Whenever we get an opportunity to move forward, our politicians, end up in unnecessary political infighting, which is going on in Mogadishu today.” “In a country where political and social reconciliation remain a work in-progress,” Hashi told the committee, “Somalia’s elite has failed to rise to the occasion, and unite against the common enemy — Al-Shabaab.”
The political analyst, noted politicians have instead opted to spend much needed resources and energy on political infighting at the expense of the country’s stability and progress. As he was being questions by the subcommittee, in Mogadishu reports were pouring in of a failed bid to unseat Mr. Jawari, through a motion backed by majority of government ministers. The motion failed to meet the quorum after 16 lawmakers pulled out last minute.
Speaker Jawari told reporters at a media conference attended by his deputy Mr. Abdiweli Mudey, the motion was illegitimate but in a suprise of outcomes, Mr. Mudey few hours later took a u-turn, telling journalists at his residence on Wednesday night, that the motion was within the requirement of the Standing Orders, and that it can only fail if the sponsors of the motion formally withdraw it from the floor of the House.
External meddling by foreign actors especially from the Gulf is also a major concern in Somalia’s stability, the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies director said. “Interference by others has ceaselessly muddied Somalia’s already troubled waters.” “The negative energies emanating from both state and non-state actors can be as damaging, as the mischief and mediocrity of Somali politicians and the mayhem of Al-Shabaab.”
Addressing the same committee, Tricia Bacon, assistant professor at American University’s School of Public Affairs warned the withdrawal of AMISOM from Somalia portended a grave risk to Somalia’s stability. “AMISOM withdrawal will almost certainly allow Al-Shabaab to re-gain substantial territory and influence and may even lead to the collapse of the Somali Federal Government.” Said Ms. Baco. “However, the funding for AMISOM remains uncertain, and it is that uncertainty, not the stability of the situation in Somalia and capability of the Somali National Army, which has motivated the withdrawal plans.”
TOP TWEETS
@DalsanFM: ONGOING: Demonstrations held across#Somaliland in support of the Tripartite Berbera port deal two days after #Somalia parliament nullified the agreement banning#UAE company DP World from operating within the country.
@qayd2012: Somali woman tasked to make key decisions on UN Peacebuilding Fund
@DalsanFM: Somalia In Political Crisis As Mp Plot To Oust PM Khaire To Counter Motion Against Speaker Jawari –http://radiodalsan.com/en/
@AbdirizakOm: The #SomaliParliament standing committee annulled the motion against the speaker after falling short by 1 of the require1/3 of MPs signatures. As per the parliamentary rules MPs will not be able table a motion against the speaker for the next six months
@AbdisalamAato: It’ll take another 6 months to table another motion against Jawaari.
Who’s gonna bite the dust, who is gonna survive in this game of#Somali politicking?. Jawaari survived and i heard he’s saying “è il mio turno”
@DalsanFM: BREAKING : At least 40 Mps are at this hour meeting at undisclosed location in #Mogadishu to deliberate for a vote of no confidence against #Somalia Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire. Mp Mohamud Abukate confirmed to Radio Dalsan the meeting is ongoing.
@Goobjoognews: The #Berbera Tripartite Agreement has degenerated into a diplomatic row between #Somalia and UAE as rift builds between Mogadishu and Hargeisa. In this video, we explore possible options for Somalia to address the matter. WATCH HERE:
IMAGE OF THE DAY
President of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs of United Arab Emirates, H. H. Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Dubai.
Photo: @DalsanFM