January 26, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

10 killed as TFG, al Shabaab clash in Gedo region

26 Jan – Source: Shabelle – 204 words

At least ten people were confirmed dead and more than that number have been injured in heavy battle between pro-Somali government soldiers and al Qaeda affiliated insurgents of al Shabaab on the outskirts of Luq district in Gedo region, reports said Thursday.

Residents said, the fighting was fierce with both sides exchanging heavy artilleries and machine guns that could be heard across the town of Luq in Gedo province, which is close to the Somalia’s border with Kenya.

Reports say the fighting erupted after al Shabaab fighters attacked Somali government military bases and its allied Ahlu Sunna militia near Luq District of Gedo region, killing at least ten soldiers from both warring sides.

Sheikh Isaq Mohamed, the Defence Secretary of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a in Gedo region told Shabelle Media that TFG and his militia resisted the attack by al Shabaab militants on their bases in the town of Luq, near the Kenyan border.

Key Headlines

Somali government supports US Special Forces operation to rescue aid workers (TFG )
AU High Representative H.E. Rawlings mediates on the Somali parliament crises (AMISOM)
10 killed as TFG al Shabaab clash in Gedo region( Shabelle)
Al Shabaab says UNPOS violates Somalia interest (Radio Kulmiye Somali Midnimo)
100 days after Kenya military entered Somalia (Standard)
TFG and AMISOM Extinguish Fire Secure Site from Looters (Somalia Report Radio Kulmiye Radio Mogadishu)
UK Parliamentarians Table Motion on Safety of Journalists in Somalia (Star Africa)
German prosecutor urges jail in Somali piracy trial (Reuters)

PRESS RELEASE

Somali government supports US Special Forces operation to rescue aid workers

26 Jan – Source: TFG – 211 words

“ The safe rescue of the two aid workers, who have been kidnapped while helping make the playgrounds safe for our children, is a great joy to the Somali government and to all Somalis as well as to all right thinking people everywhere. Hitting them hard is the only language, kidnappers of innocent people, pirates and terrorists understand and every opportunity should be taken to wipe out this scourge from our country.

The Somali government will do everything it can to assist in the release of those still held as hostages in Somalia” The Somali Minister of Information Abdikadir Hussein Mohamed said to today in a statement to SONNA, the Somali National News agency.

“These kidnappers and pirates are the cause of untold suffering to our people, even more so than to the rest of the world; for they are kidnapping the very people who were helping our sick and hungry; and also devastated our trade by stopping international shipping in our waters.” The Minister continued.

“ Jessica Buchanon and Paul Thisted are kind souls and the Somali people could not have better friends in the world than them; For they braved to risk their lives to clear mines from our country and save our people, especially children, from losing their lives and limbs.” The minister concluded.

AU High Representative H.E. Rawlings mediates on the Somali parliament crises

25 Jan – Source: AMISOM – 131 words

The African Union High Representative for Somalia H.E. Jerry John Rawlings paid a one day visit to Mogadishu where he held meetings with various stakeholders as part of the AU’s continued efforts to resolve the current political standoff in the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP).

H.E. Rawlings held talks with the president of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) H.E. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Prime Minister H.E. Abdiwelli Mohammed Ali and UN Special Representative for Somalia Ambassador Augustine Mahiga at Villa Somalia before holding separate meetings with all the parties involved in the current political crises in parliament.

Speaking to journalists shortly after meeting President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, H.E. Jerry John Rawlingssaid that on behalf of the African Union, he is committed to help in resolving the current crises in parliament.

SOMALI MEDIA

10 killed as TFG, al Shabaab clash in Gedo region

26 Jan – Source: Shabelle – 204 words

Al Shabaab says UNPOS violates Somalia interest

26 Jan – Source: Radio Kulmiye, Somali Midnimo – 357 words

Al Shabaab press office has today issued a statement towards the openings of the United Nations political office for Somalia saying its openings in Somalia is to destablize the country’s own affairs, the statement says.

“United Nations political office for Somalia has been working to disrupt what they say as the expanding of Sharia law to the people of Somalia, and to hate the westren ideoligy which the United Nations is trying to inject the country said the statement,” said the statement

“The opening of UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) base in Mogadishu signals a renewed Western attempt to further destabilise the Somali nation. Since its establishment, UNPOS, and its numerous contractors, have persistently continued to act as an impediment to the attainment of lasting peace and stability in the country,” it added.

Al Shabaab accuses UNPOS of obsessively mobilising local clans against the establishment of Islamic Shari’ah in the country and actively financing different groups in order o revive the old hostilities engendered by tribal fiefdoms across Somalia

“Al Shabaab’s Office for Supervising the Affairs of Foreign Agencies (OSAFA), which has previously closed down UNPOS offices in the regions governed by the Mujahideen, hereby warns the Somali population not to be deceived by the obscure terminology and the clandestine initiatives presented by such organisations. OSAFA also encourages the Muslims of Somalia to take all necessary precaution to distance themselves away from organisations that seek to further exacerbate the political upheaval in the country,” it noted.

TFG and AMISOM Extinguish Fire, Secure Site from Looters

25 Jan – Source: Somalia Report, Radio Kulmiye, Radio Mogadishu – 124 words

A large fire broke out in Mogadishu’s Hamarweyne Market on Wednesday night and destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth goods. The clothing and food stores near Marwaas Mosque in the center of the capital were the hardest hit by the fire, according to eyewitnesses who spoke to Somalia Report.

Local residents and business owners in Hamarweyne district tried to extinguish the fire and were soon assisted by forces from Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and African Union peacekeeping (AMISOM) forces.

The TFG’s chairman of Hamarweyne District, Abdullahi Ibrahim Salah (Gardhuub), told local media the fire destroyed many businesses and that AMISOM troops are securing the site to prevent looting. He also confirmed that TFG and AMISOM troops assisted locals with extinguishing the fire.

Somalia: Parliament spoilers continue to hinder progress

25 Jan – Source: Garowe Online – 226 words

The unacknowledged Speaker of Parliament Nunow Mohamed has requested that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia bring forth the signed Roadmap within 3 days or the Parliament will be forced to act, Garowe reports.

The unofficial Speaker of Parliament stated in a press conference held in Parliament on Tuesday that he has given Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Gaas and his authority 3 days to produce the signed Roadmap document or the Parliament will be forced to take action.“The authority of TFG and its officials should bring hither the signed Roadmap agreement within 3 days,” stated Nunow Mohamed.

He added that the London Conference on Somalia that is planning to take place on February 23 should not be attended because it is not in the country’s best interest and will bring further disorder in Somalia. The MPs who have controversially chose Nunow Mohamed as Speaker, have been meeting despite the International community’s plea to keep Sharif Hassan as Speaker.

Drowned illegal Somali immigrants washed up on Libyan shore

25 Jan – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 179 words

A total of 16 bodies of illegal Somali immigrants and a small boat were washed ashore on the Libyan coastal city of Misrata on Tuesday, reports say.

The victims, 13 women, 2 men and a two year old child, were said to be part of 55 Somali immigrants who left Libyan coast two weeks ago in bid to cross to Italy for better life, according to Muwadin Arab, a Somali man living in Libya. Reports say the victims died when their boat developed mechanical problems deep inside the sea. The remaining immigrants could not be accounted for.

Many Somalis, in a bid to escape conflict or economical instability in their home country spend their whole lives’ savings on illegal human traffickers who overload small boats with them and sail across the sea to Europe and some Arab countries like Saudi Arabia.

The illegal human traffickers use small boats intended for 4 – 5 people, load 30 or more desperate Somalis and other Africans in them and set off for Italy from Libya, or from Bosaso to Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Fighting sparks exodus in Somali capital

26 Jan – Source: Shabelle – 129 words

Mass displacement began in some districts of Somalia capital, Mogadishu on Thursday after battles and shelling between TFG and al Shabaab fighters, reports said on Thursday.

Residents in Kahda village on the outer edge of Mogadishu’s Dharkenlay district told Shabelle Media that locals have begun fleeing from their houses in the result of the repeated overnight fighting and shelling which caused loss of lives and properties. Families are heading now to the safe location in and out of Mogadishu to escape from the growing insecurity in their villages.

Professionals welcome Turkish initiative in Mogadishu

26 Jan – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 221 words

Somali professionals in diaspora have rallied behind the proposed Turkish initiative to set up 94 modern schools in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
They said the initiative is worth praise as there are needs for such institutions in the country.
Abdiaziz Bashir, one of the Somali professionals in Sudan told Bar-kulan that the Turkish initiative opens up a window of hope for the Somali children in order to gains knowledge while inside their country.

Abdikadir Hussein Ibrahim, a university student in Sudan added his voice to the growing support for the Turkish initiative to set up schools in the war-torn city, saying it is a step forward in reviving public institutions in Mogadishu after two decades of chaos in the country. The 94 schools are part of Turkish initiative in implementing developmental projects in Somalia.

Apart fro, learning institutions, Turkey started modernising Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport mid last month. Nine Turkish experts were engaged in setting up of a modern control tower from which all flights over Somalia’s territory would be monitored.
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.

REGIONAL MEDIA

100 days after Kenya military entered Somalia

26 Jan – Source: Standard – 1188 words

Today is the 100th day since Kenya Defence Forces entered Somalia in pursuit of al Shabaab militia, but the exit is still closed and scorecard reportedly in favour of KDF.

The military top brass won’t call it an invasion, but an operation because the war is being fought alongside Somalia Transitional Government Forces. Nonetheless there is every sign both sides are in for the long haul.

Asked how long KDF intends to fight out in Somalia, a senior military officer responded their operation is indefinite. “There is no time limit. We are in Somalia for the long haul, and we are going to be operating according to international standards,” said Colonel Cyrus Oguna, the officer in charge of operations and information in KDF. KDF is transiting from its independence of operations in Somalia into the command of African Union Mission in Somalia, which the United Nations supports.

In the last three months following the October 24 intervention KDF says seven Kenyan soldiers have been killed in hostile action, with eight others slain in a helicopter crash on the first day of the intervention.

Unconfirmed reports indicated that two KDF soldiers were killed yesterday in a fierce fight with al Shabaab near Afmadow in the Central Sector of the Operation Linda Nchi. With the leaf turning in the 100th day, major townships in Jubaland, among them, Bilis Qooqani, Ras Kamboni, Bibi, Jilib, Tabda, Gherile and Bardere have been liberated from the militia, which uses guerilla-like tactics, and handed over to TFG’s police service.

Marital bliss cut short by al Shabaab militant’s bullet

25 Jan – Source: Daily Nation – 434 words

Less than a month ago, Mrs Doreen Magak took a vow with her newly-wed husband that they would stick together till death did them part. But it came sooner than she thought. They wedded on December 17 last year but she is now a widow barely a month on, after an al Shabaab fighter’s bullet cut short the life of Second Lieutenant Edward Juma Okoyo.

Mrs Okoyo’s husband, who was part of the Kenya Defence Force troops fighting al Shabaab militants in Somalia, died on Sunday night, just minutes after talking to her on phone. “He called me and asked me to call him since he did not have airtime and was in a place where he could not get it. So I loaded my phone and called him 45 minutes later,” says the Kakamega-based NTV reporter.

Mrs Okoyo says they talked for more than an hour before her husband suddenly disconnected the call. “Hecalled me again and when I called him back, he said that he had disconnected because he heard gun shots,” she explains, tears welling up in her eyes.

Her husband had initially told her that they were undertaking a week’s operation.
He later said the operation could last longer, she says. “When we talked again, he kept on telling me that the situation was not looking good but I asked him to have the courage of the soldier that he was,” Mrs Okoyo says.

UK Parliamentarians Table Motion on Safety of Journalists in Somalia

26 Jan – Source: Star Africa – 272 words

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcomes the decision of United Kingdom Parliamentarians to formally table a motion on safety of journalists inSomalia at House of Commons.

The National Union of Journalists of Great Britain and Ireland (NUJ) in close cooperation with its sister union in Somalia, NUSOJ, lobbied British MPs to submit this motion which was tabled on 24 January 2012.

The motion reads:

That this House is concerned about the ongoing threats to, and arrests and killing of journalists in Somalia; condemns the mass arrest of journalists without charge in Somaliland; believes that these arrests are an attempt to intimidate journalists into not covering news stories critical of the governing authorities; is appalled at the killing of journalist Abdisalan Sheikh Hassan, who was shot dead on 18 December 2011; equally condemns the killing of journalists Farah Hasan Sahel, Noramfaizul Mohd Nor and Abdiaziz Ahmed Aden, who were killed in 2011; supports the efforts of the National Union of Somali Journalists and its members who perform a crucial role in reporting in Somalia against a background of violence and intimidation for carrying out their jobs; and urges the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to raise the issues of organised and continuing threats against journalists in Somalia as a matter of urgency with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.

“We hail the tabling of this important motion which highlight the sustained and systematic risks that Somali journalists face,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. NUSOJ commends the five MPs that tabled the motion who are playing instrumental role. NUSOJ is glad its cooperation with the NUJ has resulted in such submission.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

German prosecutor urges jail in Somali piracy trial

25 Jan – Source: Reuters – 226 words

A Hamburg state prosecutor called for 10 suspected Somali pirates to receive jail sentences of up to 11-1/2 years on Wednesday at the conclusion of Germany’s first modern-day piracy trial. The 10 are accused of hijacking the German cargo ship MV Taipan in April 2010 as it sailed 530 miles off the Horn of Africa.

In her closing arguments, state prosecutor Friederike Dopke called for jail terms of seven to 11-1/2 years for the seven adults and four to five-and-a-half years for three youths. “The crime was typical of that seen in organised piracy,” Dopke said.

The charges against the Somalis – piracy and extortion by kidnapping – have a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail. The trial, which began in November 2010, was hampered by difficulties in establishing the ages of some of the Somali men.

Several said they were younger than expert forensic evidence requested by the court deemed possible. Under juvenile law the maximum sentence would be 10 years imprisonment. The poverty and hardship of living in Somalia, a country damaged by years of civil war, influenced the decision of prosecutors to opt against pressing for the maximum penalty.

The Somalis were captured by Dutch commandos after they freed the MV Taipan on April 5, 2010. They were brought to the Netherlands and later extradited to Germany. A ruling is expected soon.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

The Shabaab in Somalia: A very British execution?

25 Jan – The Economist Blog – 327 Words

BILAL AL-BERJAWI was British, but no friend of Britain. Lebanese, he grew up in London. He went to Afghanistan to fight as a mujahid. In 2006, he pitched up in Somalia. In recent years he was said to be involved in logistics for the al Qaeda linked al Shabaab militia. Last year, he was stripped of his British citizenship. His family deny the allegations. They say Berjawi wanted to appeal the decision but feared any phone call would be tracked and followed by a drone strike.

His fears were not entirely misplaced. Last year he was said to have been injured in an air strike on an al Shabaab base in south Somalia. His wife, who had been with him in Somalia, returned to Britain. Three days ago, she gave birth at a London hospital. Berjawi took a chance and called her. That telephone call seems to have been traced by British intelligence and the coordinates passed on to the Americans. Within a few hours, three missiles from an American drone were fired at an al Shabaab checkpoint on the edge of Mogadishu.

Berjawi was killed instantly, along with several other al Shabaab fighters. Al Shabaab issued their own propaganda. “The martyr received what he wished for and what he went out for, as we consider of him and Allah knows him best, when, in the afternoon today, brother Bilal al-Berjawi was exposed to bombing in an outskirt of Mogadishu from a drone that is believed to be American.” al Shabaab spokesperson, Ali Mohamed Rage, promised revenge.

Piracy and kidnapping in Somalia

25 Jan – Source: CNN Security Blog – 981 Words

Over the past several years, the pirates of Somalia have enjoyed what might be called a following wind. They operate in a country where government authority is weak and in many areas non-existent. They have the longest coastline of any African country to exploit (3,300 kms), and some of the world’s busiest sea-lanes within easy reach. They have a ready pool of recruits, desperate for a share of the millions that they garner from ransoming merchant ships and their crews. And they have had the time and space to get better at piracy, obtaining faster boats and establishing onshore bases – mostly in northern Somalia.

But piracy in Somalia, and the associated abductions, just may have seen its heyday. In the view of John Steed, former head of the UN Counter Piracy unit, Tuesday’s rescue is “potentially a turning point. The international community is saying enough is enough, and the Somali government and regional administration realize that piracy is preventing them from receiving the aid and support their people need.”

Tim Hart of Maritime and Underwater Security Consultants, which is based in the U.K., concurs. “This U.S. Special Forces operation will send a clear message to pirate gangs that states are prepared to take a more robust approach to their actions,” he told CNN.

But that also brings a new element of risk, he says. “When hostages are held onshore, pirates will move captives frequently, sometimes daily, fearing such a raid. The gangs will be concerned of similar attacks and will guard their hostages more closely and aggressively.” The number of successful hijacks has declined in the past year. In 2010 47 ships were hijacked; last year the figure was 25, according to the EU Naval Force, which co-ordinates naval patrols in the region. This year there have been nine attempted attacks but no seizures.

For Somalia rescue, look to legacy of Iran

25 Jan – Source: BBC Opinion – 577 Words

Anyone seeking to find the roots of yesterday’s successful rescue mission in Somalia should start by looking in the sands of Iran.
It was only following the disastrous attempt to rescue hostages there in the spring of 1980 that the US military invested in special operations capacities and capabilities that could better respond to contingencies demanding specially selected and highly trained forces.

Monday’s rescue reflects both the lessons learned over three decades as well as capabilities now organic to the US military that were not present during the Carter administration.

The United States was not the first nation to develop direct-action special operations forces capable of performing counter-terror and hostage rescue missions. The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Israel all had counter-terror forces before the United States stood up its first “special missions unit” within the US Army.

That unit was in Iran in 1980 with elite light infantry from the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment, but the operators and Rangers had little experience working together. They also had no complementary special operations aviation capability.
Due credit

Forum Post: Somalia and anarchy?

25 Jan – Source: Occupy Wall Street Org Forum

The “nation” of Somalia is essentially anarchy. Is this what you anarchists want for our nation? Why wouldn’t your way lead to this? How is it different?

Will the oil alleviate poverty in Somalia?

25 Jan – Source: Somali Net Forum

If Somali leaders are embezzling the funds donated to feed starving people, what makes you think they’ll spare the petro dollars?

Top tweets

@galacticasitrep Camp Lemonier in Djibouti Played Crucial Role in Somalia Rescue: nyti.ms/zFroR3

@AAMills UK Parliamentarians Table a Motion on Safety of Journalists in Somalia, news, StarAfrica.com starafrica.com/en/news/detail… via @star_africa

@zainverjeecnn Ethiopia’s PM tells CNN his country’s troops hope to pull out of Somalia in two weeks #somalia

@OakleyInc well Obama? American writer still being held in Somalia; US rescue for him? worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/…

@PJCrowley The #Somalia raid reinforces an emerging #ObamaDoctrine: discreet, measured yet decisive action to achieve a definable security objective.

@AJEnglish #Somalia is the fourt most remittance-dependent country in the world, thanks to the Somali #diaspora | aje.me/xfNbi0

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Image of the day

Image of the day African Union High Representative for Somalia, former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings talks to press in Mogadishu where he met Somali leaders