September 26, 2018 | Morning Headlines

Over one thousand officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), have been merged into Somali Police in a move that will pave the way for far-reaching changes in the administration and command in security forces. Slightly over 1,700 NISA officers will leave their initial core duties including covert operations and data collection through intelligence to join police to mantain law and order. The aim of merging a section of NISA officers and the police force is to come up with new structural reforms to tighten the security of the country.

Following a directive from the Cabinet, which ordered heads of the agency to merge the armed section of the agency into police forces, the deputy Director of NISA, Fahad Yasin, handed over the officers to the police chief. “Acting on the directive from the Council of Ministers, the deputy Director of NISA has handed over 1727 officers (who will be merged into the police force). He also handed over 25 vehicles, including 13 technical vehicles to the police chief,” read a statement issued by Yasin’s office.

According to sources privy to the development, the move is intended to eliminate overlaps and duplication of functions. The new framework will assign specific and distinct functions to the police chief. NISA will on its part be responsible for the collection, analysis, and use of information in support of law enforcement, national security, military, and foreign policy objectives.

Key Headlines

• Radical Changes As More Than 1,000 NISA Officers Join Somali Police Force (Halbeeg)
• Somali army in major operations to open Mogadishu-Marka roads – GOOBJOOG NEWS (Goobjoog)
• Foreign Affairs CS Stresses Cooperating In War Against Terror (nation.co.ke)
• Kenya Military Gets Nine Aircraft (theeastafrican.co.ke)
• Inter-district Soccer Tournament Ends In A Pulsating Floodlit Match In The Capital Mogadishu (AMISOM)

NATIONAL NEWS

Somali army in major operations to open Mogadishu-Marka roads – GOOBJOOG NEWS

25 September – Source : Goobjoog – 150 Words

The Somali National Army (SNA) has launched a major operation in the Lower Shabelle region to open the roads linking the two coastal towns of Marka and the Mogadishu. Yusuf Ragge, a senior commander of the Somali National Army, who spoke to a local national army radio said, “The troops have successfully conducted the operations to decimate the Al-Shabaab in the region and open up routes.”

He pointed out that the Al-Shabaab has been a major problem for the residents who are travelling between Mogadishu and Marka. The military official added the soldiers in collaboration with AMISOM were working towards eliminating Al-Shabaab in other parts of the country. Al-Shabaab has for a long time maintained a grip on main supply routes both for the military and civilians but sustained joint operations have opened up a number of routes in the Lower Shabelle region.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Foreign Affairs CS Stresses Cooperating In War Against Terror

25 September – Source : nation.co.ke – 214 Words

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma is calling on the international community to place integration of terror merchants who quit the vice, at the heart of sharing information on violent extremism. On the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly in New York, Dr Juma said countries like Kenya who continually face the threat of terrorism must improve sharing information on the evolution of terror groups, even as they keep an open door for those who want to convert back to normal society life. “We need to enhance cooperation in sharing information and movement of returnees even as they are integrated back to the society,” she said. “This, including the degree of documentation about these people, is useful as we try to rehabilitate them to the society.”

Dr Juma spoke at a sidelines meeting with the UnderSecretary General and Head of the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Mr Vladimir Voronkov, and the Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), where they discussed strategies to combat changing violent extremism. Kenya, whose troops are fighting in Somalia as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), has also faced threats back at home from militant group Al-Shabaab and their allies.

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Kenya Military Gets Nine Aircraft

24 September – Source : theeastafrican.co.ke – 214 Words

Kenya has acquired nine Fennec helicopters from the United Arab Emirates as it ramps up its security measures amid increased threats from Al Shabaab insurgents in Somalia. Last week, Cabinet Secretary for Defence Raychelle Omamo and the Commander of the Kenya Air Force Maj-Gen Francis Ogolla received the helicopters at the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki. Ms Omamo said the aircraft would be used “to support combat operations, search-and-rescue and medical evacuations, and escort heavy lift helicopters.” Fennec, an Airbus AS350, is a single-engine light utility helicopter originally designed and manufactured in France by Airbus Helicopters.

It is capable of anti-tank operations, air-to-air combat, ground support, utility transportation role and training missions. It can also be pre-fitted with guns, rocket launchers. The UAE Army Aviation Brigade and the Air Force Special Operations Command operate a number of AS550C3 Fennec helicopters. The country received the helicopters from Airbus in 2008. Kenya will now join France, Singapore, Thailand, Australian, Brazil, Denmark and the UAE militaries, which are currently using the helicopter. It is also the first African country to own this kind of combat helicopters, which entered the market in 1990. The aircraft, with a grey paint scheme, were received in Nairobi early this month before they were moved to Nanyuki.

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OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE

“Al-Shabaab militants which held reign over the city before 2011 banned sports and other recreational activities. However, the presence of the AU troops has ensured that young people openly enjoy such activities, which are key to their development and well-being.”

Inter-district Soccer Tournament Ends In A Pulsating Floodlit Match In The Capital Mogadishu

25 September – Source : AMISOM – 467 Words

Somalia’s capital city of Mogadishu exploded into excitement last night, as two football teams from Benadir Region, where the capital lies, tussled it out for the final place in the month-long district soccer tournament. Abdiaziz district, which hosted the final game, came alive under floodlights, which illuminated the match, played at the fall of darkness, inside a fully packed Koonis Stadium.

The match was attended by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo’, several senior Federal Government officials and thousands of soccer enthusiasts. It was the second match held under floodlights in the Horn of Africa country, in 30 years, since the outbreak of the civil war in 1991; a clear demonstration of the outstanding progress made towards the stability of the country. “It gives us much pleasure to witness such a historic night. It proves the naysayers wrong – those who claim that such activities cannot be held at night.

I believe there will be many more nights like this one,” said the Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Benadir Regional Administration, Abdirahman Omar Osman (Eng. Yarisow). Waaberi district clinched the winning trophy for the second year running, with a 1-0 win against Shibis district. The district also took the cup in another exciting floodlit match against Hodan district last year. “The purpose (of the tournament), is to prepare the youth to develop and advance in sports and peace; and promote their inclusion in the involvement of activities aimed at rebuilding Somalia,” remarked Eng. Yarisow.

The annual tournament kicked off on August 24, pitting 17 district teams against each other. “The important takeaway from this month-long tournament is that this final game is taking place at night, in Mogadishu, in Abdiaziz district and with thousands of soccer fans in attendance, a feat worth celebrating,” noted Abdifatah Omar Halane, the Director General of Public Works of Benadir Administration – the organisers of the inter-district tournament. For the coach of the winning team, this feat was worth the sacrifices and hard work by his players. “My team has reached the finals for four consecutive years; 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. You can understand the hard work that has gone into this,” said a thrilled Mohamed Abukar Noor ‘Bakar’.

The objective of the annual tournament is to give young people an opportunity foster peace and unity by interacting, socializing and sharing positive experiences. It also serves as a platform to identify talented soccer players. “These tournaments are of great importance to the communities living in Mogadishu,’ explained Hassan Adan Yabarow Wiish, the head of Benadir sports. “These are golden opportunities for the young people to showcase their talent. Benadir Regional Administration encourages youth to partake in such sporting activities,” Hassan added.

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