April 18, 2016 | Morning Headlines
Over 200 Somali Youth Feared Dead In Boat Tragedy
17 April – Source: Goobjoog News – 206 Words
Ghastly images of dozens of bodies of young men, most of them reported to be from Somalia, are circulating fast on social media following the capsizing of a boat from Alexandria, Egypt, heading to Italy. Though the numbers are yet to be confirmed, there are reports that the boat was carrying about 500 people, majority of them being Somalis. Goobjoog News spoke to a survivor Awale Warsme Sandhol in Greece who said most of his friends drowned.
“I thank God that I am alive. We were about 500 in the boat and almost all of my friends died. We were rescued by Greek coast guards and I am now safe here in a Greek island,” said Sandhol. The Somali national said the boat left Alexandria in April 7 and capsized on April 12. The coastal guard whose phone Goobjoog News used to reach Sandhol did not allow for a further interview.
Somalis online have expressed concern and shock at the development with many calling on the government to address the root causes of the immigration. Many Somali youth have in the past been killed trying to cross the Mediterranean sea to Italy in search for better opportunities in Europe.
Key Headlines
- Over 200 Somali Youth Feared Dead In Boat Tragedy (Goobjoog News)
- Somali President Attends 5th Tana High Level On Security In Africa In Addis (Goobjoog News)
- Sudanese President To Visit Somalia (Shabelle News)
- Woman Killed And Two Others Injured In Drive-by Shooting (Goobjoog News)
- AU Troops Mistakenly Kill 4 Civilians In South Somalia (Xinhua News)
- Al-Shabaab Commander Surrenders In Central Somalia (Xinhua News)
- Muslim Woman Removed From Plane After Flight Attendant Said She Didn’t ‘Feel Comfortable’(The Epoch Times)
- Over 1500 Poor Families Benefit From Sharjah Charity International’s Humanitarian Aid In Somalia(Emirates News Agency)
- Rehab Center Gives Hope To Street Children In Mogadishu (Xinhua News)
PRESS STATEMENT
AMISOM Regrets The Loss Of Civilian Lives In Bula Marer
17 April – Source: AMISOM – 314 Words
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has learned, with great concern, that an incident in which civilian lives were lost has taken place in Bula Marer, Lower Shabelle Region, where AMISOM troops are involved in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants.
Preliminary reports indicate that earlier today, in an operation to neutralize suspected Al-Shabaab insurgents in the area, AMISOM forces set up a roadblock. A speeding vehicle approached the roadblock and failed to adhere to repeated warnings to stop. Assuming the car to be a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), the troops opened fire resulting in the death of four occupants of the vehicle.
AMISOM profoundly regrets the loss of Civilian lives that occurred during the operation and presents its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. In the fulfilment of their obligations in the battle front, AMISOM personnel are bound by the International Humanitarian Law as well as by the African Union Peace Support Operations Code of Conduct. In line with the AMISOM Rules of Engagement (RoE) which are in consonance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL), AMISOM troops are obligated to exercise maximum restraint, strictly respect human rights and avoid civilian casualties even in situations of imminent attack. The matter has been referred to the appropriate department of the AU Commission.
In accordance with AMISOM’s standard operating procedures in such situations, a board of inquiry will immediately be set up and, working very closely with the Federal Government of Somalia and South West Regional Administration, it will seek to clarify, in the minute detail, the exact circumstances in which the incident occurred and propose the action to be taken. CCTARC, a body set up on recommendation by the United Nations Security Council to track and analyse situations and circumstances in which civilian casualties have occurred in AMISOM operations and make the required amends, will also be involved.
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somali President Attends 5th Tana High Level On Security In Africa In Addis
17 April – Source: Goobjoog News – 276 Words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the opening of the fifth Tana High Level Forum on Security in Africa, which kicked off Saturday evening in Bahir Dar town of Ethiopia, under the theme “Africa in the Global Security Agenda.” Speaking at the conference, Mohamud said the forum would offer a solution to Africa’s myriad problems including fighting radicalization.
Over 230 participants, including Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemriam Desalegn, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former UN Chief Kofi Annan, policy makers, academicians and distinguished guests are taking part in the two day forum which is deliberating on Africa’s role and responsibility within the international security arena.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister said Africa should have African solutions to its problems through collecting and analyzing knowledge as well as upgrading local institutions. Obasanjo, who is Chairperson of the Tana Forum Board observed that as a continent, Africa needs to prioritize its security: “You cannot have peace, security and development without security, rule of law and respect for human rights.”
Kofi Annan said building a strong national security force is an important input for Africa to assert her role in the global security agenda. The former UN boss further stated that Africa must have a strong and consistent voice in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Munich Security Conference (MSC) Chairman, Wolfgang Ischinger, said Africa has a legitimate right to expect a permanent seat or two at the UNSC. He further called on Africa to focus on conflict prevention, resolution and postconflict reconstruction by involving more women.
Sudanese President To Visit Somalia
17 April – Source: Shabelle News – 126 Words
Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir has accepted an invitation by his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to visit Mogadishu. President Al Bashir’s office has confirmed without further giving details the date of visit but said the ministry of Foreign Affairs of the two states will organize the trip. .
The announcement follows the recent official visit of Somali President and his huge delegation to Khartoum. The two states have signed various agreements of cooperation mainly in the areas of security, economy and development. A sixteen-point communiqué was read to the press mainly on strengthening the diplomatic relations between the two members of Arab league and Organization of Islamic cooperation OIC. Somalia and Sudan enjoyed strong relations before the collapse of central government of Somalia in early 1990s.
Woman Killed And Two Others Injured In Drive-by Shooting
17 April – Source: Goobjoog News – 248 Words
A woman was killed and two other people injured in drive by shooting by two motorbike riding assailants in Dharkeynley district, in the capital city of Mogadishu. Banaadir region spokesman Abdifitah Halane said Fauzia Jamal Hassan and Shankaron Jamal Hassan, both sisters were travelling in an auto rickshaw when they were sprayed with bullets by unknown assailants, who had reportedly been trailing them. Fauzia Jamal Hassan, who was killed in the attack has left behind three children.
Halane said the two sisters were students although other reports indicate they were working for a non governmental organisation in the city. A local resident who witnessed the attack told Goobjoog News that the attack happened outside Taqwa mosque in Dharkeynley district.
“Two unknown people on a motorbike attacked two women traveling in an auto rickshaw. One of the women died on the spot and the other one and the driver were injured,” said a witness who sought anonymity. The security forces reached the scene and immediately launched an operation to pursue the perpetrators though no arrests have been made so far.
For the last two months there have been a string of drive-by shootings in Mogadishu that have claimed lives of over ten people. Early this month a federal member of parliament identified as Mohamed Ali Dahiye was injured, but two of his staffers including a driver and bodyguard were killed in a drive by shooting incident at El Gaabta junction in Mogadishu.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
AU Troops Mistakenly Kill 4 Civilians In South Somalia
17 April – Source: Xinhua News – 278 Words
African Union peacekeeping troops on Saturday mistakenly killed four civilians during a security operation against militant group Al-Shabaab in Bula Marer, Lower Shabelle Region of southern Somalia. In a statement issued in Mogadishu on Sunday, AMISOM regretted the incident which took place during an operation to neutralize suspected Al-Shabaab insurgents in the area.
The statement said AMISOM forces had set up a roadblock during the operation to flush out the militants when a speeding vehicle approached the roadblock and failed to adhere to repeated warnings to stop: “Assuming the car to be a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), the troops opened fire resulting in the death of four occupants of the vehicle,” the statement said.
“AMISOM profoundly regrets the loss of civilian lives that occurred during the operation and presents its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” it said. The Pan African body said its personnel are bound by the International Humanitarian Law as well as by the African Union Peace Support Operations Code of Conduct which obligates the troops to exercise maximum restraint, strictly respect human rights and avoid civilian casualties even in situations of imminent attack.
AMISOM pledged to offer clarification on the details, the exact circumstances in which the incident occurred and propose the action to be taken. The militants have recently increased their attacks against AU and Somali forces in the Lower Shabelle region, which has seen a surge of attacks that resulted in the loss of several strategic towns although the militants mainly held those towns briefly. The AMISOM and Somali forces have also increased airstrikes in southern Somalia in the recent past, resulting in the killing of several militants in March.
Al-Shabaab Commander Surrenders In Central Somalia
17 April – Source: Xinhua News – 47 Words
A senior Al-Shabaab commander surrendered to Somali army at a village near Galcad town in Galgudud region of central Somalia on Sunday, officials said. Somali National Army Commander in the region Col. Ahmed Mohamed told reporters that Ahmed Mohamud Afrah accepted amnesty and surrendered to the government.
Muslim Woman Removed From Plane After Flight Attendant Said She Didn’t ‘Feel Comfortable’
17 April – Source: The Epoch Times – 279 Words
A Muslim woman of Somali descent was kicked off a plane after a flight attendant said she didn’t feel comfortable with her. Hakima Abdulle was told to get off a Southwest Airlines plane at a Chicago airport after she asked a passenger next to her if she could move to the aisle seat. He agreed to her request.
As a result, the Council on American Islamic Relations, or CAIR, called for an investigation into a possible “bias move” on behalf of the flight attendant. The woman was wearing a headscarf. Abdulle was traveling alone to help a pregnant family member in Seattle, CAIR said. After she swapped seats, a flight attendant informed her that they weren’t allowed to do that, which contradicts the airline’s open seating policy. Seats aren’t assigned. Abdulle was rebooked onto another flight.
Police asked the flight attendant, who was not named, about the incident. She replied that she did “not feel comfortable” with the passenger. The attendant didn’t give a reason why she was removed. Zainab Chaudry, who is the Maryland Outreach Manager at CAIR, told CBS Local: “It really does create alarm among Muslims.”
CAIR said that Southwest Airlines staff needs to undergo diversity training. Abdulle’s husband Abukar told the station: “She was humiliated because of her religion and the way she dressed. She was crying in front of everybody,” he said.
The couple’s lawyer, William Burgess, said it’s a violation of federal law to discriminate against passengers over their religion. Burgess said he’s gotten about six reports from Muslims in 2016. Southwest, meanwhile, said that its “employees followed proper procedures,” and added: “We are not in the business of removing passengers without reason.”
Over 1,500 Poor Families Benefit From Sharjah Charity International’s Humanitarian Aid In Somalia
17 April – Source: Emirates News Agency – 75 Words
The Sharjah Charity International (SCI) delegation has distributed humanitarian aid to over 1,500 needy families across the Horn of Africa country of Somalia. Led by Mohammed Hamdan Al Zari, Director of External Projects, SCI, the society’s delegation visited the Somali capital, Mogadishu, to inspect the humanitarian projects carried out by the charity there. He added that the visit follows the directives of Sheikh Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Board of SCI.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“I was brought to this rehab center by my uncle who was concerned about the painful experience I was going through as a young and twice divorced mother who was hooked to drugs,” — Deqo Abdisamad Farah, a 25-year-old former street child.
Rehab Center Gives Hope To Street Children In Mogadishu
16 April – Source: Xinhua News – 483 Words
Hundreds of homeless street children who roamed the streets of Somali capital Mogadishu have a reason to smile thanks to the establishment of a rehabilitation center. The center that has been operational since 2015 is a brainchild of the the Horn of African state’s First Lady, Sahra Omar Hassan, and senior government officials concerned by the worsening plight of poor and neglected children.
Mubarak Ibrahim, manager of the rehab center, told Xinhua in an interview this week that former street children have relished their new home that provides them with material and emotional support: “We have 220 street children, and seven of them are girls here at moment. We started with 70 street children, but the number has increased gradually,” Ibrahim said.
He revealed that the First Lady and senior officials from the Federal government have been contributing funds to help run the center: “Even lawmakers make regular financial contribution to help run this facility that has provided a respite to homeless children,” Ibrahim told Xinhua. Dozens of former street children who spoke to Xinhua hailed the rehab center for providing them a home.
“I used to sniffle glue, smoke cigarette and other harmful substances and on many occasions, I was a victim of violent gangs that roamed the streets of Mogadishu at night. Life in the streets is a hell hole for both the young and old,” Mohamed Mohamud Nor almost broke down as he narrated a life of chaos in the streets of Mogadishu. He thanked the government for supporting the rehabilitation program for street children in Mogadishu, and vowed to support similar venture in future.
“At least I am now able to sleep in a secure environment and have no worries about what to eat or wear. I am currently pursuing formal education and hope to become a responsible member of the society,” Nor said: “I was pushed to the streets at a tender age due to family problems and on many occasions had a close shave with death after encountering criminals,” said another former street child, Abdisalan Said Omar. The 13-year-old said the center gave him a second chance in life.