October 16, 2018 | Morning Headlines
US Military Airstrike In Somalia Kills 4 Al-Shabaab Fighters
15 October – Source: Washington Post – 130 Words
The U.S. military says it has conducted an airstrike that killed four Al-Shabaab extremists after “partner forces came under small arms fire.” The U.S. Africa Command says Sunday’s airstrike was carried out near the community of Araara in Lower Juba region in the south. The statement says no U.S. service members were on the ground during the Somali-led operation and that according to its assessment no civilians were injured or killed in the airstrike.
The U.S. military has carried out more than two dozen airstrikes, including drone strikes, this year against the Al-Qaida-linked Al-Shabaab, the deadliest Islamic extremist group in sub-Saharan Africa. Somalia on Sunday marked the first anniversary of Al-Shabaab’s deadliest attack, a truck bombing in the capital, Mogadishu, that killed well over 500 people.
Key Headlines
- US Military Airstrike In Somalia Kills 4 Al-Shabaab Fighters (Washington Post)
- Federal Government Expresses Solidarity With Saudi Arabia (Garowe Online)
- Southwest Senators Appeal For Peace Call For Speedy Formation Of Polls Body (Goobjoog News)
- Investors Keen To Grow Mobile Money In Somaliland (Daily Nation)
- DP World Starts Construction Of Berbera Port Expansion In Somaliland (Ship Technology)
- A Year After Somalia’s Deadliest Attack Fireball Still Torments Survivors (Reuters)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Federal Government Expresses Solidarity With Saudi Arabia
15 October – Source: Garowe Online – 255 Words
The Federal Government of Somalia has on Monday expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia in the face of criticism and threats over Jamal Khashoggi disappearance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the Federal Republic of Somalia said, in a statement that it rejected any move to undermine the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“The Federal Government of Somalia reiterates its solid stance in support of stability and sovereignty of fellow Arab countries, and expresses its full solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, against all those who seek to undermine its role and economic interests,” read the statement in part. The comments comes in as Saudi Arabia rejected punishment threats over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, Turkey, saying it would retaliate against any sanctions with tougher measures.
The decision followed the recent two-day visit by Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Khaire to Saudi Arabia which he held meetings with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince, Mohamed Bin Salman in Riyadh this week. The PM’s trip which was the first since taking office last year, is aimed at easing diplomatic tension between Mogadishu and Riyadh that soured after Somalia declared neutrality in the ‘Gulf crisis’ back in July 2017.
Last August, Somali Government declared support for Saudi Arabia in its decision to cut off ties with Canada and to expel the Canadian Ambassador over Ottawa’s urge to free arrested Saudi civil society activists. The Gulf nation is facing pressure over the case of Khashoggi who is reportedly killed in Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.
Southwest Senators Appeal For Peace, Call For Speedy Formation Of Polls Body
15 October – Source: Goobjoog News – 202 Words
Senators representing Southwest state called on the federal government to provide adequate support to the victims of Saturday bomb attack in Baidoa, while urging leaders and stakeholders in the region to support efforts at ensuring security, and stability in the state. In a statement to newsrooms on Monday, the Senators also sent condolences to the families of those killed in the October 13 bombing, which claimed over 20 lives and injured at least 15 others.
All stakeholders including presidential candidates in the upcoming elections and security agencies, must work together to ensure security of the state and in particular the capital Baidoa, the lawmakers said. They in particular urged presidential candidates and their supporters to avoid any actions, which can compromise the security and stability of the region. Regarding the upcoming state presidential elections, the Senators called for the speedy composition of the electoral body to oversee the elections and ensure the process is transparent and conducted within stipulated timelines.
The lawmakers however warned against any attempts to interfere with the elections noting that the people of Southwest, must be given the chance to choose their own leader, without any compulsion. Elections to choose a new state president are slated for November.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Investors Keen To Grow Mobile Money In Somaliland
15 October – Source: Daily Nation – 475 Words
On the dusty streets of Somaliland’s capital Hargeisa, Mohammed Ahmed Ismail is arranging paper money in his tidy, waiting for clients who wish to exchange foreign currency. Ismail has more than five years experience in the trade. Together with his colleagues, they stack notes in wheelbarrows and move around looking for clients who want to exchange foreign currency for Somaliland shilling. But lately, there clientele has been waning and the business losing lustre. Reason? Technology.
The emergence of mobile money service has promoted efficiency and at the same time limited the use of cash. Telecommunications company Somtel and eDahab (mobile money service provider established by funds transfer company Dahabshiil) have transformed the financial system. “Instead of going to the streets to exchange currency, eDahab has eased that pressure by creating a solution where one can exchange currency using the electronic money platform,” Mr Fuad Ahmed Nuh, e-Dahab director, explained.
He adds: “What we have done is to ensure the electronic money exchange is registered within the electronic service. We have registered dealers who have floats in foreign currency in their eDahab accounts. “All a client needs to do is to enter the dealer’s code and the amount to be changed and it will happen within seconds.” The platform is receiving accolades, Ismail being one of them. “I will not walk around with these bulk of notes forever. Things are changing. We must move with the new ideas,” he said.
DP World Starts Construction Of Berbera Port Expansion In Somaliland
15 October – Source: Ship Technology – 274 Words
United Arab Emirates (UAE) based port operator DP World has begun the construction of the first phase of the Berbera port expansion in Somaliland. Development of the first phase will be carried out with an investment of $101m and will include a 400m quay and 250,000m² of new yard. A free zone will also be built in the first phase to create a new regional trading hub.
DP World Berbera, a joint venture company at Berbera Port, will serve landlocked countries in the Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia, which has a 19% interest in the project. Shafa Al Nahda Contracting, a partner of DP World, has won the contract for the port expansion. Previously, it was involved in the Port of Dakar expansion in Senegal and also the Port of Maputo expansion project in Mozambique.
DP World group chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: “This is all part of our vision to act as an enabler of trade and to encourage growth by helping African countries develop their economies with access to global markets. “Investment in this natural deep-water port and free zone will act as a catalyst for the growth of the country and the region’s economy, and create jobs at many levels. “Alongside physical assets, we are investing in the development of the people who work here through training and skills development across our network.”
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“Mohamed’s wife was killed in the explosion. He suffered severe burns across his head and body that shriveled one ear and deformed his hands. He was unable to work for six months and still panics when he hears loud noises.”
A Year After Somalia’s Deadliest Attack, Fireball Still Torments Survivors
15 October – Source: Reuters – 513 Words
A year after their father was among nearly 600 Somalis killed in a fireball, the 32 children of Abdullah Mohamud plunged into poverty by his death are among the thousands still suffering the aftershocks what may be history’s deadliest suicide bombing. A bomb-laden truck heading for a base of African troops exploded instead in the center of the Somali capital Mogadishu on Oct 14, 2017. The blast took place next to a fuel truck, creating a storm of flame that incinerated victims. Two other car bombs also detonated in the city.
The attack was far and away the deadliest to hit the country, which has experienced a quarter century of civil war, clan conflict and Islamist violence. Even many of those far from the epicenter of the explosion are still reeling from the effects. “We are suffering a lot and we cannot cope, because we all depended on him,” said Nadifo Ahmed, one of the four wives who had depended for support on Mohamud, a livestock trader, who was killed in the blast. With no breadwinner, the 32 children are effectively outcasts. They cannot afford school. They live in corrugated metal shacks, with no money for rent or medicine, she explained, seated on a mat under a tree, some of the children sitting quietly by her feet.
“Sometimes a relative may send me a small amount but it cannot fill the gap…. These are the burdens we are facing, and there is no one to help these families.” The Islamist insurgency al Shabaab was blamed for the blasts. On Sunday, the anniversary of the explosion, the government executed a militant found guilty by a military court of participating in the attack plot.
Hundreds of residents wearing white and red headbands gathered at the site of the blast to commemorate the first anniversary of the attack and remember the dead. The headbands have become a symbol of public fury over the attacks and anger at the Islamist fighters blamed for them.
Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire unveiled a memorial to mark the attack at the site where bombed out buildings have since been rebuilt, one hosting a supermarket and a bank. But survivors like Ali Mohamed have yet to rebuild their lives. Mohamed’s wife was killed in the explosion. He suffered severe burns across his head and body that shriveled one ear and deformed his hands. He was unable to work for six months and still panics when he hears loud noises.