19 Dec 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- Somali PM meets with US officials in Nairobi (Source: Radio Mogadishu Bar-Kulan and Shabelle)
- Somali government offers condolence to the family of the killed Journalist (Source: TFG)
- High-Level Conference on the Constitution 21 – 23 December 2011(Source: UNPOS)
- Somali President officiates inter-district football fete (Source: Radio Mogadishu Hiiraan Online)
- Joint Statement on the parliamentary crisis in Somalia (Source: UNPOS)
- Turkish Airlines to start Mogadishu flights in 2012(Source: Radio Mogadishu Somaliweyn)
- Information Minister: The journalist killer to face the law(Source: Radio Mogadishu Jowhar Online and Bar-Kulan)
- Iran to increase Humanitarian Assistance to Somalia (Source: Far News)
- Kenya threatens air strikes on three Al Shabaab controlled towns( Source: Al Shahid )
- Blast in Kenya refugee camp kills at least three police (Source: Reuters)
PRESS RELEASES
Joint Statement on the parliamentary crisis in Somalia
19 Dec – Source: UNPOS – 404 words
On 17 December 2012, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Amb. Boubacar Diarra, the IGAD Facilitator for Somalia, Amb. Kipruto arap Kirwa, and the Deputy SRSG of UNPOS, Christian Manahl, travelled to Mogadishu in a bid to defuse the crisis that had emerged in the wake of a motion of no confidence against the Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP).
They met with President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, as well as with the group of parliamentarians who had put forward the motion. The day before, they travelled to Garowe to meet with the President of Puntland State of Somalia, Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole).
To all interlocutors, they conveyed the serious concern of the international community about this crisis, about the potentially adverse impact it could have in the implementation of the Roadmap, and about the determination of the international community to act against political moves aimed at derailing the peace process.
Following these consultations, the three representatives issued the following statement:
• We appeal for moderation to the leadership of the Transitional Federal Institutions, parliamentarians and to all stakeholders, and call upon them to act in the spirit of the Kampala Accord and avoid any statement or action that could exacerbate the already tense situation and further aggravate the crisis;
• We commend the leadership of the TFIs and the parliamentarians for their expressed commitment to the Kampala Accord and to the Roadmap to end the Transition;
• We acknowledge the wish of the parliamentarians to discuss the Roadmap in the TFP, following their previous endorsement of the Kampala Accord, and the intention of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to present the Roadmap to the TFP for deliberation and approval; we acknowledge that this should happen as soon as the present crisis is resolved;
• We commend and strongly encourage continued consultations among the top leadership of the TFI’s in order to address and resolve the crisis expeditiously in accordance with the Transitional Federal Charter, the Djibouti Agreement, and the Kampala Accord; and should they face any more challenges they should resort to the collective wisdom and valuable advice of the Guarantor of the Kampala Accord in consultation with the regional political initiative;
• We welcome the commitment of all parties to pursue the process of implementing the Roadmap and specifically to hold the Garowe conference without delay.
Somali government offers condolence to the family of the killed Journalist
18 Dec – Source: TFG – 83 words
The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia was saddened by the death of Abdisalam Sheikh Hassan (Hiis), a journalist worked for Horn Cable TV. Mr. Hassan was shot and killed at approximately 4pm under unclear circumstances near the Madina Hotel in Mogadishu.
The Government is investigating the incident and will issue a detailed statement once the Investigations are complete.
At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mr. Hassan. His Contribution to the Somali media fraternity will be sorely missed.
High-Level Conference on the Constitution, 21 – 23 December 2011
19 Dec – Source: UNPOS – 60 words
Following consultations with the Somali Transitional Federal Institutions and other stakeholders, the United Nations Political Office for Somalia announces that a high-level Conference on the Constitution will take place in Garowe, Puntland State, from 21 to 23 December 2011.
This conference follows the Consultative Meeting on Ending the Transition, which took place in Mogadishu from 4 to 6 September 2011.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali PM meets with US officials in Nairobi
19 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Bar-Kulan and Shabelle – 156 words
The Prime Minister of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government TFG, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, is due to meet on Monday with senior US officials to talk about the joint Somali-Kenyan military operations in southern war-wrecked horn of Africa nation, officials said.
Abdiweli Mohamed Ali is seeking US government full support of the Kenyan military incursion into Somalia to defeat and flush out the Islamist militant group of al Shabaab which Kenya blames for a string of kidnappings and killings against foreign tourists and aid workers in Kenya.
Somali PM Visit in neighbouring Kenya is accompanied by a number of TFG officials, including his Minister for Defence and the Force Commander of Somali government military army, according sources.
Kenya has recently accepted by AU request its army operating in Somalia to join the African union peace keeping troops known as AMISOM, which makes the third African nation to contribute troops into Somalia besides Uganda and Burundi.
http://www.shabelle.net/
International delegation, senior Somali officials discuss parliament feud
17 Dec – Source: Jowhar Online – 272 words
An international delegation has arrived in Mogadishu a short while ago and is currently in talks with senior Transitional Federal Government of Somalia [TFG] officials. Travelling with the delegation led by the United Nations Deputy Envoy to Somalia, Christian Manhal, is the African Union’s envoy to Somalia, Aboubacar Diara as well as representatives of European Union, IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority for Development], the Arab Leagues and others from a number of countries that closely follow the situation in Somalia.
Reports indicate that a meeting between the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia [TFG] President and the international delegation has been concluded a short time ago.
One of the main issues that this delegation are seeking to discuss are recent dispute in the Somali parliament in which some of the MPs said they have dismissed the Speaker, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan, on the 13th of December.
They are now said to be meeting with the Speaker of Parliament, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan and are also expected to hold separate talks with MPs led by Madobe Nunow [who are opposed to the Speaker].
Somali President opens inter-district football fete
18 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Hiiraan Online – 125 words
Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has on Sunday officially opened the inter districts tournament in the capital Mogadishu. The inter district tournament will be played at the Konis stadium located in the Abdi Aziz district, North of the capital Mogadishu.
Players from all 16 districts were present in a show of unity barely three months after the exit of the al Shabaab extremists from Mogadishu.
Mogadishu Mayor Mohamud Ahmed Nur Tarzan praised the teams and the Somali national army for making it possible for players and Somali leaders to meet in one field.
Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on his part praised the security agencies for making such the event was possible and called on the security forces to maintain the security state of the capital.
Uganda tough on Somalis illegally staying in the country
19 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 189 words
Somalis illegally staying in Uganda have until tomorrow to get relevant documents to allow them stay in the country or face jail, fine and deportation, Ugandan Interior Ministry say.
In a statement, the ministry said those found in the country with no valid documents after the deadline will face two years jail term, a fine of Ugandan sh. 1.5 million (around $635) and deportation to Somalia.
The statement copied to the Somali embassy in Kampala and to the offices of the Somali community in Kampala demands that all Somalis with no legal document to stay in the country to get their permits before December 20, 2011.
The ministry said the Uganda government will issue permits to Somali refugees for free, threatening to take legal action against defaulters.
Somali students in the country were also asked to get student permits to allow then continue with their studies. The new regulation also demands that Somalis with foreign passports who arrives in the country to give details of their trip into Uganda.
Turkish Airlines to start Mogadishu flights in 2012
18 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Somaliweyn – 240 words
The Turkish Airlines this week said it will add flights to and from the Somali capital at the beginning of January in 2012 as it tries to draw more African passengers.
Turkish Airlines (THY) CEO Temel Kotil told Anatolia news agency that THY will fly to Mogadishu twice-daily. The announcement follows Turkish government deployment of engineers to renovate and modernize the airport in Mogadishu.
The Turkish government announced dozens of development projects for Somalia including hospitals, schools, scholarships, roads and other key infrastructures. Ankara says its vision for Somalia is more than just the infrastructure.
The Somali public has hailed the Turkish initiatives and expressed their gratitude to the Turkish government and people for their generous support. Somalis are excited about the THY’s expansion plans.
Heavy clash between al Shabaab, Ahlu Sunna takes place in central Somalia
18 Dec – Source: Mareeg Online – 98 words
At least 10 people were killed and number of others wounded in a bitter war between rebel group of al Shabaab and Ahlu-Sunna militias that rocked Dhusamareb city, Galgudud region, reports said.
The battle started late this afternoon at outskirts of the city and warring side entered the city, exchanging huge weapons that claimed 10 and wounded number of others mostly the warring sides, reports said,
Spokesman of al Shabaab for military operation Abdi Aziz Abu Mus’ab told reporters that the war was highly planned and retreated from the city after the battle.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Somali gunman kills a veteran broadcast reporter in Mogadishu
18 Dec – Source: Radio Shabelle, Kulmiye – 151 words
An armed man dressed in Somali government military uniforms has on Sunday afternoon shot and killed a veteran broadcast reporter worked for Horn cable TV, witnesses said.
Abdisalan Sheik Hassan Hiis, the diseased journalist, was shot dead in Mogadishu’s Hamar Jajab district, on his way to the Horn cable TV station in the capital Mogadishu.
Yahye Ali Mohamed, a cameraman for Horn cable TV confirmed to Radio Shabelle that an armed man dressed in military uniforms shot the journalist repeatedly in the head then he was rushed to local hospital Madina, but later died from his injury at the hospital.
The exact reason behind the killing of this Somali journalist was not immediately confirmed, but it is a part of a spate of killings against journalists who are currently working in the lawless capital, Mogadishu, which is the most dangerous country in horn of Africa for journalists to work in.
Somaliland: President attends State Tournament Games
18 Dec – Source: Somaliland Press – 363 words
Somaliland president Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo marked the end of Somaliland national youth games in Togdheer’s provincial capital of Burao on Sunday evening. The president crowned Marodi Jeeh as country’s national champions after they won all events in basketball, cross country and football tournament. Abdiriyad’s first half goal proved decisive as Marodi Jeeh defeated Haud 1-0 to win the state football title on Sunday afternoon.
After the final whistle was blown, president Silanyo delivered speech to spectators and supporters at Alamzi stadium. He said he was pleased with the way the games were organized and that sport was close to the hearts of everyone in Somaliland.
“I send congratulatory message to all teams representing their states that took part in the tournament, spectators and soccer fans that showed their passion for sports and zeal. I am delighted that the Somaliland youth have turned to sports,” he said.
The president further reiterated the government’s commitment to fulfil its campaign promises and develop sport in the country.
http://somalilandpress.com/
Information Minister: The journalist killer to face the law
19 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Jowhar Online and Bar-Kulan – 90 words
Somali Information Minister said the man who killed the journalist will be brought to face the law as soon as investigation is complete. The minister said the TFG forces have already started hunting for the man who killed the TV reporter and investigation is still going on.
The minister also added that the killing of the TV reporter is very painful to the media fraternity. The information minister who is also the deputy prime minister Abdikadir Mohamed Hussein has also condemned the killing of the prominent TV reporter Abdisalan Sheikh Hasan.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Turkey starts work on modernizing Mogadishu airport
18 Dec – Source: Daily Nation – 214 words
Turkey has started work to modernize Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport. Nine Turkish experts have been engaged in the setting up of a modern control tower from which all flights over Somalia’s territory would be monitored.
“Mogadishu’s airport operates under the old system and is mainly used by aircraft from Kenya,” said Mr Aydin Sarik, the head of the Turkish team. Mr Sarik told journalists on Saturday that Turkish planes will start flights to Mogadishu after the airport’s infrastructure and systems are raised to world standards . “It will ease the delivery of humanitarian assistance and development aid,” he said. For nearly a year, a Dubai-based private company has been handling the airport services in Mogadishu.
SKA Air & Logistics officials have stated in the past that the company had plans to modernise the airport, named after Somalia’s first president, Aden Abdulle.
In late November, during a two-day visit to Mogadishu, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag officiated a number of projects his country would implement in Mogadishu.
Immediately after landing in Somalia, Mr Bozdag laid the foundation stones for a modern tower and a fortified perimeter wall to improve the airport’s security.
During a visit to Mogadishu in August, Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised that his country would implement multiple projects in Somalia, including in infrastructure and social services.
Iran to increase Humanitarian Assistance to Somalia
19 Dec – Source: Far News – 297 words
Iran’s Red Crescent Society (IRCS) will ship a 540-ton cargo of humanitarian aid to Somalia tomorrow to help the famine-stricken people of the African country, senior Iranian Red Crescent officials announced on Sunday. “Tomorrow the fourth vessel of the Iranian Red Crescent Society’s aid containing 540 tons of food purchased with the Iranian people’s cash donations will be dispatched to Mogadishu port in Somalia,” Head of the IRCS Relief and Rescue Organization Mahmoud Mozaffar told FNA.
Mozaffar said that the food cargo includes 500,000 tuna fish conserves, 180 tons of liquid oil, 120 tons of rice, 35 tons of grains, 77 tons of chocolate, 18 tons of juice as well as cubic sugar, powder milk and mineral waters.
The Islamic Republic of Iran was among the first countries which rushed to the aid of the Somali people and it has dispatched over 14 aid cargos to the African nation thus far.
http://english.farsnews.com/
Kenya threatens air strikes on three al Shabaab controlled towns
18 Dec – Source: Al Shahid – 189 words
Kenya’s army has announced its intention to pursue al Shabaab militants with air raids deeper inside Somalia.
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Operations Commander, Colonel Cyrus Oguna said Saturday that air raids will target al Shabaab territory, including the ports of Merka and Barawe on the southern coast, and the town of Afgoye near the capital Mogadishu.
“We want to send a message to those living in areas that are close to al Shabaab infrastructure to try and stay away from those infrastructures because we are developing them as legitimate objectives.” Oguna said.
Oguna said the air attacks would continue until al Shabaab is completely removed. The militant group has been fighting AU and Somali government forces in an effort to take over power.
Kenya sent troops into Somalia in October, accusing the al Qaeda-linked group of abducting foreigners from its soil – charges denied by the militants.
http://english.alshahid.net/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Blast in Kenya refugee camp kills at least three police
19 Dec – Source: Reuters – 99 words
an explosion on Monday in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee complex near the border with Somalia killed three police officers and destroyed their vehicle, two witnesses said. “I saw the bodies of three police officers that had been torn apart lying outside the vehicle,” Suado Ali, a refugee community leader in the complex’s Hagadera camp, told Reuters.
The exact cause of the blast was not immediately known.
Kenya has been beset by a wave of low-level bomb and grenade attacks in areas close to Somalia after it sent troops inside the anarchic Horn of Africa country to fight al Qaeda-linked Islamist rebels.
http://af.reuters.com/article/
Somali journalist killed by man in soldier uniform
18 Dec – Source: Reuters – 143 words
A journalist with a Somali television channel was shot dead in the capital Sunday by a man wearing a government soldier’s uniform, witnesses said.
Abdisalan Sheikh Hasan worked for the Horn Cable TV channel, colleagues and locals said. “A government soldier in uniform with an AK47 ordered us to stop our car and, without further questions, he opened fire direct to my colleague,” Zakariye Abdulahi, who also works for the television channel, told Reuters.
“We rushed him to the hospital, but he died in the operating room – I could not identify (the killer), but he was among government troops in the capital.” Government spokespeople could not immediately be reached for comment.
Somalia, without a fully functioning government for 20 years and in the grip of civil war, is ranked the most dangerous country in Africa for journalists by media rights group Reporters without Borders.
http://www.reuters.com/