01 Dec 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- AMISOM condemns the string of attacks and explosions in Mogadishu (Source: Radio Shabelle)
- Resettlement of drought-displaced families in Mogadishu begins (Source: Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somali PM meets the Amir of Qatar(Source: Office of the Prime Minister)
- Al Shabaab fighters surrender to Somali government (Source: Radio Shabelle)
- Somalia’s al Shabaab claims suicide attack in Mogadishu (Source: Mareeg Online)
PRESS STATEMENT
Somali PM meets the Amir of Qatar
30 Nov – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 192 words
The Somali Prime Minister had a private meeting with the leader of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. The PM, who was on an official visit to the Doha, discussed a number of issues with the Amiir like security situations, reconciliation, rebuilding of the country, humanitarian among others. The leaders discussed about the relations of the two countries and also how they would cooperate on several issues. The PM thanked the Amiir for his cordial invitation and welcome. The PM said he is hopeful that the Qatar government will stand by the people of Somalia in their efforts to stabilize and re-establish law and order.
The PM was accompanied in his visit by the Minister for housing and planning Jeylani Nur and other government officials. On the other hand, His Highness Sheikh Hamad was accompanied by the deputy prime minister of Qatar. The Somali PM was lately holding meetings with officials from the Qatar government where he met with the deputy PM of Qatar and officials of the humanitarian agencies of Qatar. The PM also visited the Aljazeera TV stations where he was met by the Executive director Bin Jassim Al- Thani.
SOMALI MEDIA
Al Shabaab claim suicide attack in Mogadishu
30 Nov – Source: Mareeg Online, Radio Shabelle – 269 words
Details are emerging on an attack which al Shabaab Mujahidin Movement have claimed to have carried out against government forces in Villa Baydhabo in Mogadishu yesterday morning. A man dressed in a military uniform carried out the attack early this morning at Villa Baydhabo which is the largest military base in Somalia. The soldiers on duty repulsed the attack after they suspected the attacker.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
AMISOM condemns the string of attacks and explosions in Mogadishu
30 Nov – Source: Radio Shabelle – 111 words
The African Union peace keeping soldiers command in Somalia has on Wednesday the increasing waves of attacks and explosionsby al Shabaab fighters in Mogadishu. Fred Mugisha, the commander of AU forces said, while speaking journalists in Mogadishu that they denounce the latest deadly blasts by al Shabaab militants in the capital, in which many innocent civilians lost their lives.
Resettlement of drought-displaced families in Mogadishu begins
30 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, IRIN – 142 words
Resettlement of tens of thousands of drought-displaced Somalis in Mogadishu is under way, with aid agencies organizing voluntary returns to several areas in southern Somalia, reports say. The director of the United Arab Emirates-Red Crescent Society in Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Hussein is quoted as saying that they have started a project to resettle some 4,000 families back to their homes “in time for them to take advantage of what is left of the rainy season”.
Puntland talks with Mudug Community concludes in Garowe
30 Nov – Source: Garowe Online – 545 words
A well-organized ceremony was held Tuesday evening at State House in Garowe, capital city of Puntland State of Somalia. The ceremony marking the conclusion of talks between Puntland Government and some community leaders was attended by senior Puntland Government leadership, traditional elders (known as Issims), Islamic clerics, business leaders and other members of civil society in Puntland.
Al Shabaab attack bases in Gedo
30 Nov- Source: Somalia Report – 38 words
At least four people were killed and more than ten injured as TFG troops and Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) fought al Shabaab in Dhamse village of Gedo region on Tuesday night, an official and resident said.
Al Shabaab fighters surrender to Somali government
30 Nov – Source: Radio Shabelle – 132 words
The security agencies of the TFG said on Wednesday that a number of al Shabaab defectors surrendered to government. Ahmed Mo’alin Fiqi, the director of the TFG security agency told reporters in Mogadishu that eleven young al Shabaab fighters who defected from the group in the past 24-hours have surrendered them selves to the government. Fiqi said that two of the defectors were sent to make suicide attacks in Mogadishu, but they repented from those bad actions and joined the government of Somalia .
REGIONAL MEDIA
UNHCR cites concerns over Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia
30 Nov – Source: Kuwait News Agency – 746 words
The UN high commission for refugees UNHCR expressed on Wednesday its concernes about al Shabaab’s announcement yesterday, permanently revoking work permissions to a number of UN organizations including UNHCR in parts of Somalia under their control. “This comes at the time of a dire humanitarian crisis in southern and central parts of Somalia. After drought and famine, continued fighting and heavy rains further aggravate already dramatic condition of displaced Somali civilians,” said UNHCR Spokesman Andrej Mahecic in press release.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/
Many needs remain in Somalia famine
30 Nov – Source: al Shahid, VOA – 272 words
A bit of good news – and just a bit — emerged from the Horn of Africa recently when a United Nations study team determined that famine conditions have eased in three hard-hit areas of Somalia. The humanitarian situation there remains very serious, though, and three other areas, including locations in the capital, Mogadishu, that host internally displaced people have improved, but remain classified as famine.
http://english.alshahid.net/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somali Islamists urged to lift ban on aid groups
30 Nov – Source: Reuters – 203 words
Al Shabaab rebels must lift their ban on 16 aid agencies to save lives in Somalia, the top U.N. humanitarian official for the country said on Wednesday. In an interview with Reuters, U.N. humanitarian coordinator Mark Bowden also warned that intensified fighting in Somalia, marked by incursions by Kenyan and Ethiopian troops to crush the Islamist militants, could have dire consequences for civilians.
http://af.reuters.com/article/
Somali ‘pirates’ apologise as Paris trial heads to verdict
30 Nov – Source: AFP – 392 words
Six Somali men accused of taking a French couple hostage on their yacht apologised to their victims on Wednesday as their unprecedented piracy trial wrapped up in Paris. A verdict in the trial — the first time France has prosecuted alleged Somali pirates — was due later Wednesday. Prosecutors have asked for the men, aged between 21 and 36, to be sentenced to between six and 16 years in prison on the charges of hijacking, kidnapping and armed robbery.
Somali pirates release Singapore ship, keep 4 crew captive
01 Dec – Source: Reuters / Washington Post – 169 words
Somali pirates released a chemical tanker owned by Singapore shipping company Glory Ship Management, but broke an agreement to release all the crew, keeping four South Korean seamen including the captain captive, the company said on Thursday.