January 8, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
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Minn. hawala to re-open with small money transfers07 Jan – Source: AP – 127 words A money transfer business that sends remittances from Minnesota to Somalia is re-opening to allow transfers in small dollar amounts. Garad Nor is head of Tawakal Money Express. He says he’ll allow transfers in amounts up to $500 — for emergencies only. Fifteen Minnesota hawalas stopped accepting wire transfers to Somalia last week because the bank that handled most of the transactions closed their accounts. The bank feared it was at risk of violating rules designed to clamp down on terror financing. |
Key Headlines
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PRESS RELEASEAMISOM To Investigate Mosque Incident08 Jan – Source: AMISOM Force HQ AMISOM has said it will investigate the circumstances surrounding an incident in which a mosque in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, was hit by bombs from unknown source allegedly killing at least one Muslim cleric and wounding several other people. It is reported that the Alhidaya mosque was hit on Saturday evening during an attack by the terror group al Shabaab. AMISOM Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Fred Mugisha, extended his sympathies to all who had lost their loved ones during the incident. He also wished the injured a quick recovery. “This is testing time for Somalia and we shall continue to do all we can to improve the situation,” he said. “We take allegations of inadvertently causing civilian harm extremely seriously and we shall let the investigations proceed to their logical conclusion.” Gen. Mugisha noted that AMISOM troops are bound by their Rules of Engagement and Standing Operating Procedures which require that they distinguish between civilian objects and legitimate military targets. “Alhidaya mosque is 2km away from the AMISOM positions that were under attack and would not have been a target,” he said. “AMISOM troops in all their areas of deployment enjoy a cordial relationship with the civilian community and we strive to protect this relationship in all ways,” he added. In the past, AMISOM has investigated incidents where its troops have been accused of causing harm to civilians and taken appropriate action. TFG introduces strict measures to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers07 Jan – Source: TFG – 328 words The Somali Transitional Federal Government reaffirms its position that Somalia’s long-term security is Furthermore, the Government is convinced that the protection of children should be an integral part of a comprehensive Security Sector Reform and to this end the TFG reiterates its primary role in providing protection and relief to all children in Somalia, in particularly those affected by armed conflict. To this end, the Government is committed to developing and signing an Action Plan with the United Nations ensuring the release, demobilization and reintegration of any child associated with Somali Armed Forces and allied militia groups if found. This step reflects a concrete commitment undertaken by the TFG during the recent visit of Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict, to Mogadishu on 23 November 2011. This is also a demonstration of the TFG’s adherence to the UN Security Council Resolutions 1539 (2004), 1612 (2005), 1882 (2009) and 1998 (2011) on children in armed conflict. Subsequent to the SRSG’s visit and in follow up to these agreed commitments, the TFG has taken immediate steps to advance the process by appointing a high-level focal point officers to work with the The TFG calls on the international community to support programs for all the children affected by the armed conflict, including the creation of opportunities for their education and livelihood and support for their mental health and well-being. These initiatives are considered as a vital part of the national security strategy in the UN Special Representative concerned about continuing dispute in Somali Parliament06 Jan – Source: UNPOS – 290 words The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga today expressed deep concern over the continuing parliamentary dispute in Mogadishu. He called on all parties to refrain from violence of any kind and to resolve whatever disagreements they may have through peaceful political dialogue and legal procedures as provided for in the Transitional Federal Charter, upon which the credibility of Parliament is based. SOMALI MEDIADemo against Somali PM takes place in Beledweyne city08 Jan – Source: Hiiraan Online, Mareeg Online – 118 words Hundreds of people took to the streets in Beledweyne city of Hiiraan region to protest against a call from Somali PM Abdiweli Mohamed for administrating that region, supporting instead Doha Shabelle Administration. Elders in central Somalia seek charitable aid08 Jan – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Sonna, Radio Shabelle – 112 words Numerous elders who hail from Galgadud area in central Somalia are crying foul over what they term as lack of foodstuffs on Saturday, sources say. The elders added that the continuous drought in the area have prompted the area’ residents to go through increased level of poverty leading to lack of food. They also added that the majority of the residents are displaced and currently in dire need of aid. Al-Shabaab orders children to enrol as militia in their strongholds07 Jan – Source: Mareeg Online – 185 words Al Shabaab fighters in southern regions of Somalia on Saturday issued strict orders against the young boys living under their control- a move that, locals said, would further tighten the livelihood of the youngsters in that area, residents said. Residents also said that al Shabaab militants ordered the young boys in Lower and middle Shabelle region in southern Somalia to join the ongoing battle against the UN-backed Somalia government and AU peacekeepers in Mogadishu. Somali gov’t seizes explosive equipments in Mogadishu07 Jan – Source: Shabelle, Radio Mogadishu – 217 words Defense minister calls to lift arms embargo in Somalia08 Jan – Source: Radio Kulmiye, Radio Risaala, Radio Mogadishu – 154 words Speaking in a press conference in Mogadishu the TFG’s current minister of Defence Hussein Arab Isseh has called to the United Nations security council to lift the rooting arms embargo imposed earlier by the security council. Rallies held in Mogadishu to support for Somali speaker08 Jan – Source: Shabelle – 149 words Rallies held Sunday in capital, Mogadishu to show support for the newly-elected Somali parliament speaker Madobe Nunow Mohamed. Hundreds of people, including women, children and youngsters congregated in parts of Mogadishu streets to show support for the new Somali speaker Madobe Nunow Mohamed, who was recently appointed by MPs at the parliament hall. TFG ignores existence of Shabelle Valley Administration07 Jan – Source: Radio RBC,Raxanreeb – 144 words Somalia PM Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has opposed the Shabelle Valley Administration [SVA] which is currently dominating Beletweyn town, the capital of Hiiraan region. “The transitional government does not know any functioning administration in Hiran region. You know if you read the constitution it says only two or more regions can form an autonomous administration,” the prime minister said. Somali PM: I don’t recognize the new speaker08 Jan – Source: Radio Shabelle, VOA Somali Service – 176 words The prime minister of the TFG, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, on Sunday announced that he does not recognize the newly elected parliament speaker Mudobe Nunow Mohamed. MSF condemns attacks on aid workers and calls for release of abducted08 Jan – Source: Shabelle – 373 words Two Médecins Sans Frontières colleagues, Phillipe Havet and Andrias Karel Keiluhuo, were killed last week by a gunmen while implementing emergency assistance projects in Mogadishu. Three months ago, two MSF aid workers, Montserrat Serra and Blanca Thiebaut, were abducted in Dadaab refugee camp in Northern Kenya while carrying out emergency assistance for the Somali population. Fighting kills three in Mogadishu08 Jan – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 140 words At least three people have been killed in street fighting in Mogadishu’s Darkenley district after troops in government uniforms tried to dismantle a militia checkpoint which lies in the street line of that district; at least three people were killed while others were wounded in the incident after the troops fired at each other. Al Shabaab compels Koran teachers in Jowhar to join its militias08 Jan – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 146 words Al Shabaab rebel group in Jowhar town is reportedly recruiting local Koran teachers in the area in its effort to counter government forces in the parts of southern Somalia. Area rebel leader Yussuf Kaba-kutukade has ordered Koran teachers to immediately register themselves together with their students with relevant authorities in order to join other rebel fighters in the region. Al Shabaab vacates Gedo region over airstrikes08 Jan – Source: Somalia Report – 250 words The militant group al Shabaab has vacated its bases in Gedo Region following a string of airstrike attacks by the Kenyan military, locals said on Sunday. According to the residents, the Islamist fighters left their bases in Burdubo district of Gedo Region on Sunday after Kenyan defense forces launched coordinated air attacks on their areas recently. REGIONAL MEDIAAl Shabaab war drives new Ethiopia-Kenya-Uganda intelligence alliance08 Jan – Source: the East African – 534 words The war in Somalia has led to closer intelligence collaboration between Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda that is thought to have thwarted plans by the al Shabaab militia to launch terror attacks in the region over Christmas and New Year holidays. The first public indication of this increasingly tight-knit intelligence networking from countries with troops in Somalia came during the November 2011 extraordinary session of Igad, held to discuss the Somalia crisis. KDF: We have killed 700 militants07 Jan – Source: Daily Nation – 201 words About 700 al Shabaab militants have been killed since the launch of Operation Linda Nchi. Kenya Defence Forces spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna said many others have been injured in the operation which started three months ago. Col Oguna said only four civilians had been killed in the operation after an al Shabaab vehicle exploded as militants fled into an IDP camp to seek refuge. Kenya waits on AMISOM verdict07 Jan – Source: NTV – 154 min Kenya will soon know whether its troops can join the AMISOM. The United Nations Security Council is expected to rule on the country’s request in the coming week. The country has in the meantime admitted that the threat of possible al Shabaab terror attacks inside Kenya have not been contained fully, as Operation Linda Nchi intensifies. Kenyan jets kill ’60 or more’ Somali Islamist insurgents07 Jan – Source: Capital FM, AFP – 909 words Kenyan fighter jets killed at least 60 Islamist al Shabaab insurgents in southern Somalia in the latest assault by regional countries to heap pressure on the extremist rebels, officials said Saturday. “Levels of casualties were very high in air strikes on Friday,” Kenyan army spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna told reporters, adding the bombing raids hit rebel positions in Garbahare in southern Somalia’s Gedo region. INTERNATIONAL MEDIABritain warns of militant attacks in Kenya07 Jan – Source: Reuters – 164 words Britain believes militants are completing plans to attack Kenyan institutions as well as places frequented by expatriates and tourists, the British Foreign Office said on Saturday. Kenya stepped up security after sending troops into neighbouring Somalia last October to pursue Islamist al Shabaab rebels, whom it blames for a string of kidnappings and cross-border attacks, often targeting tourists. Somalia: Ethiopian troops ‘to hand over to AU force’06 Jan – Source: BBC – 475 words Ethiopia is to withdraw from areas it has recently captured in neighbouring Somalia with its troops to be replaced by AU soldiers. The decision was made by the AU’s Peace and Security Council, which met to finalise boosting its Somali force. It wants the UN to approve a new figure of 17,731, which would include the absorption of Kenyan troops. Minn. hawala to re-open with small money transfers07 Jan – Source: AP – 127 words A money transfer business that sends remittances from Minnesota to Somalia is re-opening to allow transfers in small dollar amounts. Garad Nor is head of Tawakal Money Express. He says he’ll allow transfers in amounts up to $500 — for emergencies only. Fifteen Minnesota hawalas stopped accepting wire transfers to Somalia last week because the bank that handled most of the transactions closed their accounts. The bank feared it was at risk of violating rules designed to clamp down on terror financing. Somalia: the permanent battlefield08 Jan – Source: The Guardian – 685 words Kenya talks glibly about al Shabaab’s spine being broken, but the geographic reach of the war is spreading. On Friday, Kenyan jets inflicted what its military spokesman confidently described as one of the biggest losses to al Shabaab, a Salafi jihadi group which controls much of southern and central Somalia. SOCIAL MEDIACULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDSIn Somalia, it’s a dog’s life even for pirates08 Jan- Source: The East African- 999 Words Narratives featuring strange lands with scintillating beauty, unexpected adventures with buxom brunettes, Gothic gardens with sunken treasures and billowing sails underlie smash hit movie series like Pirates of the Caribbean. Likewise, when thinking of Somali pirates, we imagine adventure-loving characters emerging from ships, chewing khat and playing with their expensive phones. Indeed, Somali pirates have been painted as “womanisers with lavish tastes and an eye for Nairobi real estate.” Yet the pirates of Somalia are a complex phenomenon. Nuruddin Farah’s latest novel, Crossbones, published in September 2011, tells the other side of the story. Farah wrote in “The Truth about Somali Piracy,” that, “Unlike many peoples of the sea — including the Greeks, the Danes, the Swedes and the English — who saw the lucrative potential of piracy and pursued it as a vocation, Somalia did not engage in thievery at sea until recently… The same time, untruths about piracy in Somalia are perpetuated in print and on TV and radio. When I visited the country, I discovered that Somali pirates do not live the high life, nor do they receive the sums being mentioned, because much of the money stays either in Abu Dhabi or London, where it is banked.” |
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