April 11, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
Benadir Administration announce rehabilitation of Playgrounds, street lights in Mogadishu
10 Apr- Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA- 225 words
The Benadir Regional Administration announced the rehabilitation of six Playgrounds and street lighting in Six districts of Benadir Region. The Mayor of Mogadishu Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur ‘Tarsan’ unveiling the start of the project hailed it as ‘an important initiative to restore sports and social activities in those districts.’
The project in which the communities of six districts namely Warta-Nabada, Wadajir, Waberi, Dharkenley, Bondhere, and Hodan will see their district playgrounds rehabilitated, is part of USAID’s Transition Initiatives for Stabilization program, and is aimed to improve inter-district interaction through sports and games. Street lighting in some of the main roads in the six districts which will also be part of the project as unveiled today, seeks to enhance the public safety and security and the social mobility of the population in Mogadishu.
Key Headlines
- Somalia’s PM summons aid agencies in bid to double relief efforts (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
- U.S. extends emergency for Somalia ( Source: UPI)
- Deadly fight erupts on outskirt of Bardera town (Source: Bar-kulan)
- Kenyan lands second slot in Somalia peace force (Source: Africa Review)
- Kenya increases spending on defence (Source: Business Daily Africa)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali PM summons aid agencies in bid to double relief efforts
10 Apr- Source: Radio Mogadishu, Hiiraan Online, Jowhar Online- 297 words
The Prime Minister of Somalia Dr. Abdi Mohamed Ali summoned humanitarian aid agencies and they discussed on how to forge ahead the efforts of the agencies in helping the internally displaced persons in Mogadishu in getting a place for them where they could get the necessary services.
The attendees in the meeting included ministers of the office of the Prime Minister, deputy UN coordinator for humanitarian issues, mayor of Mogadishu, deputy head of committee for national disaster, head of humanitarian issues of the office of the prime minister and other officials from the different offices of the UN, AMISOM component of humanitarian affairs among others.
Al Shabaab pulls out of Mahas town
10 Apr – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 110 words
Al Shabaab militias have reportedly fled from Mahas town on Tuesday morning following reports that Ahlu Sunna militias who pulled out of the town recently were planning an onslaught against the militant group.
Reports say militants emptied their bases in the town and fled towards Moqokori village, some 40 kilometres south of Mahas town. Ahlu Sunna fighters are said to be approaching the town after regrouping themselves.
Government Soldiers Exchange Gunfire in Mogadishu
10 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 142 words
Somali government soldiers have exchanged gunfire at Taleh village in Mogadishu’s Hodon district on Tuesday, killing two people according to witnesses. Reports say that the fighting came as two government soldiers disagreed over extortion money taken from transport vehicles.
The incident caused the death of a police officer during the clash. Later, a civilian was killed and other wounded in another clash at Km4 junction, a busy road that links the airport to the presidential palace, Villa Somalia.
Benadir Administration announce rehabilitation of Playgrounds, street lights in Mogadishu
10 Apr- Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA- 225 words
Today the Benadir Regional Administration announced the rehabilitation of six Playgrounds and street lighting in Six districts of Benadir Region. The Mayor of Mogadishu Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur ‘Tarsan’ unveiling the start of the project hailed it as ‘an important initiative to restore sports and social activities in those districts.’
The project in which the communities of six districts namely Warta-Nabada, Wadajir, Waberi, Dharkenley, Bondhere, and Hodan will see their district playgrounds rehabilitated, is part of USAID’s Transition Initiatives for Stabilization program, and is aimed to improve inter-district interaction through sports and games. Street lighting in some of the main roads in the six districts which will also be part of the project as unveiled today, seeks to enhance the public safety and security and the social mobility of the population in Mogadishu.
Deadly fight erupts on outskirt of Bardera town
10 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan – 234 words
A fierce fighting between Somali troops backed by the allied Kenyan forces and al Shabaab militant group on Tuesday erupted on the outskirt of south-west Somali town of Bardera, Gedo region.
The fighting at an area called Mudale, 40 kilometres from the rebel held Bardera town occurred when the allied troops launched attacks on two rebel bases in the area, according to a Somali politician accompanying the allied forces.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenyan lands second slot in Somalia peace force
10 Apr- Source: Africa Review, Standard- 102 words
Kenya’s Maj. Gen. S. N. Karanja has been appointed deputy commander of the African Union (Amisom) peacekeepers in Somalia.
The appointment is, however, subject to approval by AU Commission on Thursday, official said.
Maj Gen Karanja’s appointment was contained in a statement from Kenya’s Presidential Service (PPS) sent to media houses
Kenya increases spending on defence
10 Apr- Source: Business Daily Africa- 555 words
Kenya increased spending on military equipment last year with the importation of eight war ships and six armoured vehicles, data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) shows.
Kenya’s overall military spend rose to Sh52.2 billion ($594 million) in 2010 from Sh47.5 billion ($580 million) in 2009. The figures are adjusted for inflation and are based on a mean annual exchange rate of Sh88 to the dollar.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
U.S. extends emergency for Somalia
10 Apr- Source: UPI- 223 words
U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday the security situation in Somalia posed an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States.
Obama, in an executive order, declared that a national emergency with respect to Somalia was extended for another year.
“Because the situation with respect to Somalia continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on April 12, 2010, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond April 12, 2012,” he said in a statement.
Chinese actress seeks to build bridges with Somali
10 Apr- Source: UNHCR- 853 words
Chinese actress Yao Chen has concluded her first visit to Africa as UNHCR’s honorary patron for China by hailing the courage of Somali refugees and the generosity of their hosts in Ethiopia.
Yao Chen travelled to Ethiopia last week to meet with Somali refugees in the Dollo Ado and Jijiga border areas. “I felt this situation deserves particular attention. These refugees need help now, this is where the needs are the greatest,” she said. “We hear about the drought, famine and suffering of people in the Horn of Africa from the news, but I wanted to see the situation with my own eyes.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The government of Puntland and oil companies should also assess the risks and costs of potential environmental disasters and erosions. Otherwise I fear that this discovery of oil may actually intensify instead of resolving the conflicts in our country. Furthermore, Somalia may be a third world country, but it has many undiscovered reserves of iron, copper, and natural gas. Its economy is surprisingly fruitful. The largest and most profitable sector was agriculture.”
Improving Somalia’s economy through oil and agriculture
10 Apr- Source: Dalweyn-555 Words
If Somalia is mentioned in mainstream western news, chances are it’s not for a good reason. Whether it is terrorism, piracy or natural disasters, the East African nation is rarely if ever discussed in a positive light. However newly discovered black gold might change that scenario.