April 23, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali Armed Forces marks its 52nd anniversary
23 Apr- Source: Bar-Kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV- 202 words
President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and his Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali today passed on their good wishes to the Somali Armed Forces as the force marks its 52nd anniversary. Speaking at a colourful ceremony held in Mogadishu’s Lido beach to celebrate this significant event, president Sharif praised the forces for the role they played in defending the country and liberating Mogadishu from al Shabaab militant group.
The president also acknowledged the role played by the African Union Peacekeeping force in the country in training and reshaping Somalia’s Armed forces after two decades of conflict in the country. TFG troops staged a military parade in honour of the day which is considered significant in the history of Somalia.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Ali said he was delighted to take part in such event in his lifetime, encouraging the forces to continue working hard in restoring the dignity of the country. The ceremony was also attended by Defence minister Hussein Arab Isse and commander of the armed forces, Gen. Abdulkadir Sheikh Ali Dini.
Key Headlines
- Somali Armed Forces marks its 52nd anniversary (Bar-Kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
- Somali security forces block Mogadishu streets (Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu)
- World Sea Piracy Drops 28 Percent in First Quarter (AP/ABC News)
- Wounded journalists receive Medical Assistance from DCMF through NUSOJ (Raxanreeb)
- France praises EU strategy in Somalia (Star)
- Somali army calls on al Shabaab youths to defect (Radio Mogadishu SONNA)
- Puntland forces conduct anti-al Shabaab operation at Galgala Mountains (Shabelle)
- Somali Prime Minister Gaas visits Mogadishu prison (Garowe Online)
- Land mine blast severely injures al Shabaab sympathizers (Radio Mogadishu/SONNA)
- Djibouti and Somalia Discuss Telecommunications Cooperation (Daily Ethiopia)
- Puntland forces conduct anti-al Shabaab operation at Galgala Mountains (Bar-kulan)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali Armed Forces marks its 52nd anniversary
23 Apr- Source: Bar-Kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV- 202 words
President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and his Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali today passed on their good wishes to the Somali Armed Forces as the force marks its 52nd anniversary. Speaking at a colourful ceremony held in Mogadishu’s Lido beach to celebrate this significant event, president Sharif praised the forces for the role they played in defending the country and liberating Mogadishu from al Shabaab militant group.
The president also acknowledged the role played by the African Union Peacekeeping force in the country in training and reshaping Somalia’s Armed forces after two decades of conflict in the country. TFG troops staged a military parade in honour of the day which is considered significant in the history of Somalia.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Ali said he was delighted to take part in such event in his lifetime, encouraging the forces to continue working hard in restoring the dignity of the country. The ceremony was also attended by Defence minister Hussein Arab Isse and commander of the armed forces, Gen. Abdulkadir Sheikh Ali Dini.
Somali security forces block Mogadishu streets
23 Apr – Source: Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu – 143 words
People in Mogadishu woke up on Monday morning to find hundreds of TFG security forces partolling the streets across Mogadishu a head of the anniversary of armed forces. Forces were seen patrolling street-to-street and ordering people to stay at doors until the operations ends. This has affected Business centers and educational institutions in Mogadishu.
“There were heavy armed forces patrolling this morning at KM4, Ex-control Afgoye junction as well as the airport street. People have been asked to remain in their houses. The police and military are jointly conducting search operations in houses to maintain security,” a resident told Shabelle Media.
Maintaining security of Mogadishu, which has been at the heart of a four-year insurgency between Islamist rebels and the Western-backed government, was meant to prevent al Shabaab from attacking government forces during their anniversary.
Wounded journalists receive Medical Assistance from DCMF through NUSOJ
23 Apr – Source: Raxanreeb – 265 words
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) delivered medical assistance to some of the journalists who were wounded at the Mogadishu’s National Theatre suicide bombing on Friday 20 April, 2012, donated by the Qatari-based Doha Center for Media Freedom (DCMF).
The Union’s Secretary General, Mohamed Ibrahim accompanied by some union executives, media bosses and journalists handed over $2000 to Said Warsame (Shuriyako) on behalf of Doha Center for Media Freedom (DCMF) among others.
“It is an honour for NUSOJ to hand over $2000 to our colleague Said Warsame (Shuuriyako) on behalf of Doha Centre for Media Freedom.” Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said, “This medical assistance was given to 6 wounded journalists among others, though Said Warsame’s condition is very critical and needs outside medical assistance, since doctors declared that he cannot be treated
in Somalia”.
Ethiopia kills four Somalis in Beledweyne town
23 Apr – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 119 words
Ethiopian troops in central Somalia town of Beledweyne on Monday killed four people after opening fire in response to a grenade attack against them. The four including a young man who allegedly threw hand grenades on the Ethiopian troops died when the troops opened fire on the direction where they were attacked from.
It is not yet known whether the Ethiopian troops also suffered any casualties following the grenade attack. The area regional authorities have not yet released any information regarding the incident. The incident is said to be the first of its kind since Ethiopia troops crossed again the border into Somalia early last November in a bid to boost the push against Al-Shabaab militants in southern Somalia.
Puntland forces conduct anti-al Shabaab operation at Galgala Mountains
23 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 148 words
Heavily armed forces from Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland have on Monday conducted major operations against al Shabaab fighters in Galgala mountainous hide outs in Barri region.
Abdullahi Mohammed Donyale, the security advisor of Puntland president Abdirahman Farole told reporters in Garowe town that Puntland has began this operations after al Shabaab has shifted its guerrilla- style warfare from southern and central Somalia to Galgala, a small town that strategically located 40 Km away south of port town of Bosaso.
“I call on people in Puntland to stand firmly with the forces to avert attacks from al Shabaab militants against government buildings and as well as civilian targets. Al Shabaab seems to be regrouping in Galgala Mountains after they were defeated in south and central Somalia,” he added. Hundreds of residents in Galgala area started fleeing from the town to save areas in Puntland in fear of battle between Punland forces and al Shabaab militants.
Somali army calls on al Shabaab youths to defect
22 Apr – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 149 words
Somali national army has assured the Somali public that the al Shabaab menace, once resolved, will never emerge again and appealed to the Somali youth to denounce violence. Somali Army Chief of Staff Abdulkadir Ali Dini told SONNA that he has instructed his forces stationed all across Somalia to welcome any al Shabaab fighter who wishes to surrender to the Somali government.
“We as the army welcomes al Shabaab fighters who surrender to us and we promise them safety and full protection” Dini told SONNA while touring battle fronts in Daynille district.
“2012 is the year of liberating Somalia, and it works like a triangle; the public, the government and the forces need to join hands and eliminate al Shabaab threats in Somalia” Dini added. At least 50 al Shabaab defectors have in the past week surrendered to Somali government forces in Gedo and Hiiiraan region of south and central Somalia according to TFG officials.
Somali Prime Minister Gaas visits Mogadishu prison
22 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 137 words
Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas visited a Mogadishu prison where inmates tried to escape on Friday, Garowe reports. On Sunday Prime Minister Gaas was accompanied by Minister of Defence Hussien Arab Issa, Director of the National Security Service Abdihakim Moallin Fiqi and other Transitional Federal Government (TFG) officials.
According to TFG officials on Friday, inmates at the prison which is located near the Mogadishu port attempted to escape. Somalia’s Correctional Officers Chief, Abdi Mohamed Ismail briefed Prime Minister Gaas on the incident and said, “On Friday inmates attempted to escape the jail but correctional officers stopped the inmates from escaping leading to one officer being injured.”
However the Al Shabaab terrorist organization had a different account of the incident. Al Shabaab claimed on Friday they had forcefully freed some of their fellow agents from the prison.
Somaliland President Meets with Envoy Mahiga
22 Apr – Source: Somaliland Press – 193 words
Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud on Sunday received the United Nation Secretary General’s Special envoy to Somalia and Somaliland Mr. Augustine Mahiga who arrived in Hargeisa a day after Somaliland government announced its decision to pull out of the proposed talks with Somalia. Mr. Mahiga said that the international community is ready to double its support to Somaliland, a country they see and deem as one that has set an excellent example in socio-economical and political circles in the region.
The envoy who is on a regular periodic visit to Somaliland had earlier on refuted a press query that he came to mediate on the special talks. According to a state house press release, the Head of State impressed upon his host the need for the international community to support this country in impertinent issues as security and bilateral ones.
The President further updated the UN envoy on the latest development in country. Apart from the top security issues discussed Mr Mahiga was informed of the political developments that so far has seen the electioneering processes in high gear such that the latest six parties to join the fray has been successfully identified.
Ten killed as pirates initiate clan conflict in central Somalia
22 Apr – Source: Somalia Report/Bar-kulan/Markacadey – 380 words
At least six are dead and seven were injured in clan fighting on Saturday [21 March] in the Daba-Galo village near Xarardhere, central Somalia, initiated by pirates fighting over hostages, according to officials, pirates and witnesses. The fighting has ended with 10 people dead, including the guards of the South Korean hostages, after local elders intervened, according to Yusuf Muhammad, a traditional leader from the region.
Galmudug officials confirmed the clan fighting. “Clan clashes occurred in the Daba-Galo village, with pirates causing the fighting. Our administration does not have complete authority in the region, so we hope that local elders will play a role in stopping the fighting,” Galmudug Interior Minister Ahmad Basto told Somalia Report.
The fighting began on Friday afternoon. Tur, a pirate from Xarardheere, explained how the conflict began over a group of pirates fighting over hostages. “Pirates from the Ayr sub-clan [of Hawiye clan], holding four South Korean hostages, were in Daba-Galo.
“Another group of armed pirates from the Salebaan sub-clan were passing through the Daba-Galo area, heading toward the Gushaaye group in Xarardheere. The Ayr clan pirates suspected a plot, and opened fire on the other pirates, friends of Guushaaye. Three pirates from the Saleeban sub-clan were injured. A lot of pirates from the Salebaan sub-clan attacked those from the Ayr clan early on Saturday, and the conflict has developed into all-out clan fighting,” Tur told Somalia Report.
Land mine blast severely injures al Shabaab sympathizers
22 Apr – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 134 words
Spokesman of Somali police force, Col. Abdulahi Hassan Barise has confirmed to Radio Mogadishu that three al Qaeda militants suffered heavy fatalities as they were planting landmines in a civilian populated area.
The incident occurred at Kasa bal balar (KPP) located in Hodan, south of Mogadishu. The three young men all sustained severe wounds and are currently being treated in various hospitals. Abdullahi Hassan Barise said that one lost both eyes in the blast and the other two suffered from blood loss.
This is not the first time roadside bomb has killed or injured al Shabaab militias as they try to plant it. Security forces have in the past months improved the security operations in Mogadishu districts following the exit of al Qaeda operatives in Somalia’s capital.
REGIONAL MEDIA
France praises EU strategy in Somalia
23 Apr – Source: the Star – 71 words
France has welcomed the European Union’s move to extend its mission against piracy into mainland Somalia. French ambassador Etienne de pocins yesterday said fighting pirates at sea alone is ineffective because the pirates also operate from land. “To be efficient, there is need for a large mandate. You need to block the funds transfer that is being done from the land. There is need for a comprehensive counter to the threats,, Etienne said.
Djibouti and Somalia Discuss Telecommunications Cooperation
21 Apr – Source: Daily Ethiopia – 202 words
President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Djibouti’s Minister of Culture and Communication, Abdi Hussein, recently held talks in Djibouti with Somalia’s Minister of Information and Telecommunications, Abdulkader Hussein Mohamed at the presidential palace in Djibouti on the issue of cooperation between the two countries in the field of telecommunications.
In a subsequent press conference the Somali minister described the visit as “fruitful” and said it would pave the way for better cooperation between the two countries in the field of telecommunications.
He also thanked his Djibouti counterpart for the visit which had enabled him to see for himself the modern equipment and technology that was in use in Djibouti in the telecommunications sector, and expressed the view that Djibouti has the most modern equipment and technologies. Mr. Abdi Hussein emphasized the importance of the meeting with his Somali counterpart which, he said, “reflects the will of the two countries to forge closer ties particularly in telecommunications”.
Saudi and Iran exchange accusations over Somali military recruitment in Yemen
22 Apr – Source: Yemen Times – 597 words
The flow of African refugees in Yemen, in particular Somalis, has sparked a wave of accusations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iranian and Saudi media outlets have accused each other’s countries of recruiting Somalis who flow into Yemen as fighters.
The Iranian military-run Fars News Agency (FNA) said last Thursday that 1,300 Somali refugees were transferred to Saudi Arabia to be militarily trained. They claimed that this is part of a Saudi plan to train hundreds of Somalis to fight the Houthis in Sa’ada, north Yemen.
The Tehran based news agency also said that the US government is involved in preparations of a plan to counter the Shiite Islamists in Yemen. “Saudi Arabia uses Somalis to fight the Houthis in north Yemen, and they are trained in Saudi military bases who take advantage of Somalis who infiltrate into Saudi Arabia through trafficking. They are trained to fight on behalf of them,” FNA said.
Six Sri Lankan fishermen held by Somali pirates rescued
22 Apr – Source: New Times/Xinhua – 152 words
Six Sri Lankan fishermen held by Somali pirates for ransom for more than eight months have been rescued by a Spanish battleship, an official said on Friday. A senior official from the External Affairs Ministry said that the fishermen were rescued by Spanish battleship “Infanta Elena” in the coastal belt 50 kilometers off Tanzania. Further details would be gathered by Sri Lankan missions in France, the official said.
Media reports quoted the Spanish navy as saying that seven others who were suspected to be Somali pirates had been occupying the vessel along with the six Sri Lankan fishermen. The pirates had asked for a ransom of 6 million U. S. dollars to release the fishermen and threatened to kill the fishermen unless the money was given.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
World Sea Piracy Drops 28 Percent in First Quarter
23 Apr – Source: AP/ABC News – 380 words
Sea piracy worldwide dropped 28 percent in the first quarter of the year as attacks fell sharply in Somalia’s waters thanks to international naval patrols, an international maritime watchdog said Monday. Pirate attacks intensified, however, in Nigeria and Indonesia.
The number of worldwide attacks in January to March dipped to 102, down from 142 cases in the same period in 2011, the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur said in a report. It said 11 vessels were hijacked and 212 crew members taken hostage, compared with 18 ships seized and 344 people taken hostage a year ago.
In Somalia, there were 43 attacks, including nine vessel hijackings, compared with 97 attacks a year ago. The agency attributed the decline to “disruptive actions and pre-emptive strikes” by navies in the region.
EU wants India to play greater role in battling pirates
22 Apr – Source: Deccan Herald – 492 words
At a time when the European Union (EU) is increasingly shedding its earlier mandate, essentially born and brought up as a trade block, to a more strategic political entity of sorts, the 27-nation group is vehemently pursing strategies to durably engage India to counter pirate attacks in the crucial Gulf of Aden and large parts of the Indian Ocean.
The developments unfold at a time when the EU, through a formal multi-lateral mandate put in place about a week ago, has armed itself with powers to blow off and neutralise pirate bases on shore in Somalia without actually putting its boots on the ground for an offensive against sea pirates.
The yearning to engage India more than ever before comes at a time when the Council of the EU recently decided to extend its flagship “operation Atalanta’’ under the European Naval Force Somalia (EU-NAVFOR) off the coast of Somalia and Indian Ocean by another two years up to 2014. Interestingly, the pullout deadline for the EU more or less coincides with the deadline set for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Clearly India will bide its time. But the EU has fired the first shot. The US is probably on board but may prefer to keep a low profile for now. Somalia’s neighbours are already involved. Ethiopia has troops in Somalia while Kenya has established a buffer zone stretching up to the port of Kismayu. Somalia Restore Hope-2 may not be long in the making.”
India may be part of Operation Restore Hope-2 in Somalia
23 Apr – Source: IBN Live Blog – 481 Words
Nineteen years after the failed attempt to restore hope in Somalia, it appears the West is getting ready for another crack at Africa’s Horn. The EU Naval Force tasked with anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden has had its mandate extended to cover “Somali coastal territory and internal waters”. This ends the policy of “no boots on the ground” in Somalia, opening the door to land and air strikes on pirate camps, transport and logistics.
Top Indian Navy officers, just back from the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium in South Africa, confirmed the development, one of them indicating that intervention is perhaps the only long-term and permanent solution left for the international community.
“The Somali youth have involved in so many ways in the development and peace building processes of Somalia. Currently, there are thousands of organizations led by young Somalis in the Diaspora and in Somalia whose objectives include making Somalia appear in the world stage again and to better the lives of their fellow Somalis.”
Somalia: The Role of the Somali Youth
23 Apr – Source: Qurbe Joog – 830 Words
Hopes are high in both the international communities and the Somalis around the world, and it’s a matter of time before Somalia is reconstructed again to the beautiful nation it once was. After the collapse of the last Somali state, Somalia entered a prolonged period of violent anarchy and warfare. This led to the destruction of all civil infrastructures, public and government institutions, and a division among the Somali people.
But recently Somalia got an international attention after the worst famine in 60 years hit the horn of Africa. Individual countries like the Turkish government and many Somalis, some of whom who have been contributing to the development of their home land begun to rebuild Somalia. In this article, I will discuss the role of the Somali youth in rebuilding their homeland: Has there been efforts by the youth? Why some have failed? And finally, I propose some strategies for the youth which they can help in rebuilding their home land.
“It’s a hard life with stocks diminishing not from toxic dumping or factory fleets but from overfishing the littoral regions. The confirmed sighting of RPG launchers, ladders, long ropes or heavy weapons would indicate that a fishing camp might be a pirate base camp considering fair game for expanded European Union mandate that allows attacks on equipment 2kms inland.”
Terrorists, Pirates or Fishermen?
23 Apr – Source: Neptune Maritime Security Blog – 4223 Words
Last week Somalia Report examined the contract-based attempts (and rumored attempts) to defeat piracy on land. The for-profit projects ranged from robust 1000 man armies with full air, vehicle and sea support like the Puntland Marine Police Force (PMPF) based in Bosaso to Bancroft Global Development’s well intentioned repair of an orphaned skiff abandoned in Mogadishu harbor to Halliday Finch’s yet to be funded income sharing plan. At the end of the day, the reality of land based piracy via contractors is still in the pitching and planning stages.
The only concrete action has come from the recent establishing of a PMPF post in Eyl and even more realistically from local communities forcing out pirates by themselves. That positive dynamic of locals pushing out pirates and waiting patiently for outside anti piracy to set up bases (and seen in Eyl and Qaw) is about to dramatically change. Normally the pirates were the unwanted violent elements but now a series of incidents is changing the fishing villages’ view of western attempts to fight pirates.
“In short, Somalis failed to rejuvenate a collective sense of national identity that would prevail upon the tribal identity and prevent the perpetuation of the inherently discriminatory and un-Islamic “4.5” formula. Alas, the Somali Diaspora, besides being an “ATM” and a vital economic lifeline, continues its role as vicarious participant of the events unfolding back in the troubled country with no ability to marshal any meaningful contribution in order to positively impact the clan-induced political stalemate.”
Refounding Somalia: Constitution & Islam
23 Apr – Source: Ogaalka – 4518 Words
Earlier this month, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG)-appointed Committee of Experts (CoE) on the Constitution held a “constitutional review” session in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a gathering that, given the stakes, I wish I had attended. Regardless, in what follows below, I will share my initial thoughts about the constitution–making process currently underway in Somalia.
Today, there is a broad regional and international consensus that successive reconciliation conferences on Somalia produced a cycle of ineffectual transitional “governments” leaving nothing in their wake but dashed hopes, squandered goodwill and unfulfilled mandates.
Top tweets
@robertstorlind A moving account of the role of mobile communications in Mogadishu (#Somalia). http://bit.ly/
@Chaumnt An Economic Policy Agenda for Post-Civil War #Somalia: How to Build a New Economy, Sustain Growth And Reduce Poverty http://tinyurl.com/
@dohafreemedia we sent assistance to Somali journalists injured in a suicide bombing. Here’s a report from the national union: http://bit.ly/Jza3Us.
@alguneid #Somalia Shabaab fight w/ South #Yemen #QAEDA while Somali Muslim Brothers paid by #KSA to fight #Huthis North. http://
@SomaliThinker Palestine ambassador Kamil Abdallah with #Somalia President Sharif @ Villa #Somalia in Mogadishu on April 21, 2012 http://pic.twitter.com/
@MonicaCharco Things are changing in #Somalia – Women are going to the gym http://bbc.in/Jf7to1 BBC News.
@Dopest_Outsider Imagine #
Image of the day
Somalia President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed receives new Palestine Ambassador to Somalia Kamil Abdallah at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu on April 21, 2012. Photo: via Twitter.