April 23, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

AU peacekeepers donated medical equipment to Benadir Hospital of Mogadishu

21 Apr- Source: Radio Kulmiye, Somalia Report- 47 words

The African Union peacekeepers in Somalia known as AMISOM have donated medical equipment for Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu on Saturday. The Head of Banadir Hospital Dr. Abdirisak Hassan Ali thanked the AU peacekeepers for their humanitarian assistance to the Somali people by donating much needed medical equipment.

Key Headlines

AMISOM helps Somalia investigate theatre bombing (Source: AMISOM Force HQ)
Somali PM renews calls to pay taxes (Source: Shabelle)
Somalia’s president and premier cannot force public – professor 9Source: BBC/ Shabelle Media)
AU peacekeepers donated medical equipment to Benadir Hospital of Mogadishu (Source: Radio Kulmiye Somalia Report)
UN envoy Augustine Mahiga arrives in Hargeysa Somaliland (Source: Radio Risaala)
One is killed and ten others injured in Mogadishu prison riots (Source: Radio Shabelle)
Kenya Somalia border row threatens oil exploration (Reuters)
Al-Shabaab force Kismayo port employees to join war (Source: Radio Mogadishu)
Palestine names envoy to Somalia (Source: Radio Mogadishu)

PRESS RELEASE

AMISOM helps Somalia investigate theatre bombing

21 Apr – Source: AMISOM Force HQ – 283 words

A Joint Board of Inquiry consisting of investigators and bomb experts from AMISOM and Somali security agencies yesterday begun investigating an attack two weeks ago on the newly reopened National Theatre in Mogadishu in which 11 people lost their lives.

The Board was formed following a request from the Transitional Federal Government, and consists of experienced and professional investigators from the AMISOM Police Component, the Somali Police Force and the National Security Agency. It will also be joined by bomb experts from AMISOM’s military component.

Hon. Wafula Wamunyinyi, the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Somalia, the most senior AMISOM official in Mogadishu, urged city residents to cooperate with the team so that the probe is expedited.

“I call upon political leaders and the public to exercise patience and refrain from making statements that may prejudice the outcome of the investigation,” he said. “Unwarranted speculation can only hinder the effort to learn lessons and to ensure that the people of Mogadishu are better protected,” he added.

“With the help of AMISOM and the international community, the people of Somalia have made great strides towards lasting stability which all must come together to defend,” he said, noting that the country was on track to adopt a new constitution and complete the transition to permanent and representative government.

Hon. Wafula stressed that despite the attack on the Theatre, for which the Al-Qaeda affiliated terror group, al Shabaab, has claimed responsibility, the Somali capital was experiencing its longest period of relative peace since the collapse of central government in 1991. He thanked the public for providing information which has led to the majority of al Shabaab plots against the city being disrupted.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali PM renews calls to pay taxes

22 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 147 words

Somali PM Abdiweli Mohammed Ali has once again called on Somalia’s business community to pay the government taxes in order to achieve the security of the country and root out al Shabaab elements linked with Al Qaeda. The PM was touring frontline positions, including Deynile district, on the edge of the capital where AU and Somali soldiers made on Friday more gains against al Shabaab.

Al Shabaab force Kismayo port employees to join war

22 Apr- Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA- 167 words

Credible sources in Somali port city town of Kismayo suggest that al Shabaab fighters are forcefully recruiting port workers to join their baseless “Jihad” against the Somali national army. The source also reports that port workers are being kidnapped and others taken into al Shabaab training camps in Kismayo and Middle Shabelle regions.

President Sharif, Kenyan delegation hold talks in Mogadishu

22 Apr- Source: Radio Risaala- 135 words

President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed yesterday held talks with a Kenyan delegation led by its Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Richard Onyango.

Tanzania arrests 12 alleged Somali pirates

20 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan – 133 words

Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) and the Spanish Navy have arrested 12 Somali pirates at Ukuza Island near Mafia in the last two days. Naval Operations and Training Officer (NOT0) of TPDF Col. Abdallah Mwemnjudi told reporters in Dar es Salaam on Thursday that the army also rescued six Sri Lankan nationals suspected to be the owners of the two boats that were found with the pirates.

One is killed and ten others injured in Mogadishu prison riots

21 Apr- Source: Radio Shabelle, Somalia Report- 97 words

Prison officials say at least 1 person was confirmed dead and 10 others injured on Friday during a jail break followed by deadly gunfire at Mogadishu central detention center. According to witnesses, the clash erupted after some soldiers tried to release two other soldiers who were held in the prison by the Somali government. The soldiers also used grenades and gunfire in their attack which lasted several minutes, killing a prisoner and wounding ten other inmates who have been taken to hospitals in the capital.

Italy ambassador to Somalia says Puntland Convention was milestone

20 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 102 words

Italy’s envoy to Somalia Ambassador Andrea Mazzella has commended the Puntland Constitutional Convention that concluded in northern Somalia last week. Amb. Mazzella was among visiting foreign dignitaries at the Puntland Constitutional Convention which concluded on Wednesday.

Minister defiant to be sacked from his office by Somali president

22 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 121 words

Mohamed Muhidin Sheikh Mursal, the Minister of Labor, Youth and Sports for Somali government has refused a request for removal of his office by Somali president Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed.

Palestine names envoy to Somalia

21 Apr- Source: Radio Mogadishu- 113 words

Somali President H.E Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has welcomed the new Palestinian envoy to Somalia in a colourful event that took place at state house Mogadishu.

Kamil Abdullahi the Palestine envoy to Somalia praised the long standing relation between Somalia and his country and called for the need to improve bilateral relations.

AU peacekeepers donated medical equipment to Benadir Hospital of Mogadishu

21 Apr- Source: Radio Kulmiye, Somalia Report- 47 words

Tensions reported to be high in Afmadow, south Somalia

21 Apr – Source: Mareeg Online – 116 words

Tense fighting and military exercises reportedly rose on Saturday in parts of Somalia’s Lower Jubba region as both Somali and Kenya armies made more advances againts militant strongholds. Locals in Afmadow town, 620 Km south of Mogadishu said that heavily armed Somali soldiers together with the Kenyan military have moved to rebel-held areas near Afmadow which now under al Shabaab control.

UN envoy, Augustine Mahiga arrives in Hargeysa, Somaliland

20 Apr- Source: Radio Risaala-96 words

UN special envoy to Somalia, Augustine Mahiga arrived in Hargeysa where he was received by senior government officials from Somaliland.

Dr. Mahiga was escorted to the presidential palace where he was expected to hold meetings with senior government officials.

I did not come Somaliland to mediate, says UN envoy

20 Apr- Source: Somaliland press- 464 words

The United Nations special envoy to Somalia and Somaliland Mr Augustine Mahiga arrived in Hargeisa on Friday and was received by the Somaliland Foreign Minister Dr Mohamed Abdillahi Omar. Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in the VIP lounge Mr. Augustine Mahiga told reporters he was on a regularly periodic visit to Somaliland, and that he was happy to visit the country.

REGIONAL MEDIA

AU troops in Somalia makes gains against rebels

African Union troops in Somalia said on Friday that they took control of Al-Qaeda allied Al-Shabaab insurgent bases on the outskirts of Mogadishu, the latest loss for the extremist fighters.

Burundian troops with the AU force seized areas of the capital’s Banadir district late Thursday, including securing the Deynile airstrip, part of long-running efforts to drive the militants from the city.

Somalia and Palestine re-establish diplomatic relations

22 Apr – Source: Africa Review – 104 words

The Palestinian National Authority has appointed a new ambassador to Somalia, joining the Arab League members Sudan, Libya, Djibouti and Yemen in setting up representation in the increasingly stable country.

Envoy Kamil Abdallah Saturday presented his credentials to Somalia President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed at the state house in Mogadishu.

Fewer pirate attacks off Somalia in 2012

21 Apr – Source: East African – 170 words

The number of ships captured by pirates in the Indian Ocean has gone down in the first quarter of this year compared to the same time last year. There were only 27 pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean from January to April, compared with 91 attacks that occurred at the same period last year.

Pirates extend the ransom deadline for Dubai ship

21 Apr- Source: the National – 514 words

Somali pirates have extended yesterday’s deadline for payment of US$2.85 million (Dh10.4m) to release 22 crewmen from the hijacked Dubai cargo ship MV Albedo, a negotiator says.

The ransom deadline could be extended until next month, said Ahmed Chinoy, the chairman of Pakistan’s Citizens Police Liaison Committee, who is mediating on behalf of the families of hostages who have been held for 17 months.

Al Shabaab bullets will not slow or stop this musician

20 Apr- Source: Daily Naton- 423 words

Shiine Abdullahi Ali has weathered many storms in his quest to fight the ills that afflict the Somali people. Coming from a community more famed for its business acumen than music, the rapper is determined to make a mark on the Kenyan and regional music scene.

Apart from rapping in his vernacular Somali language, Shiine has also collaborated with several Kenyan artistes including Abbas Kubaf and Ukoo Flani.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia’s president and premier cannot force public – professor

22 Apr – Source: BBC/ Shabelle Media – 139 words

Prof. Abdi Muhammad Ismail Samatar, one of many Somali intellectuals living abroad has claimed that Sharif and Prime Minister Abdiweli Muhammad Ali cannot force the Somali public nor violate the country’s sovereignty by pushing a constitution that the Somali public do not like. Abdi Muhammad Ismail said that the constitution being pushed by the heads of the TFG and which is opposed by the Somali public could ignite popular rebellion.

Somali women escape to the gym

21 Apr – Source: BBC News – 194 words

Somalia is often described as one of the worst places in the world to be a woman, with violence, drought and restrictions from al-Shabaab Islmists, who controls much of the country. But the BBC’s Mary Harper found that some Somali women are doing surprising things, and their future may be looking a little brighter.

Kenya, Somalia border row threatens oil exploration

20 Apr- Source: Reuters- 769 words

A row between Kenya and Somalia over their maritime border may deter multinational oil companies from exploring for oil and gas offshore east Africa, and a Somali official warned that the argument could escalate.

The two coastal nations disagree over the location of their boundary line in the Indian Ocean. At stake are their legal claims to sell rights for exploration and collect revenue from any discovery.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“In more than two decades, Somalia has not been able to unburden itself of a host of political contradictions and confrontations that old and new powers, which benefit from the destruction, are not completely distanced from.It is thought that this new version of slavery, a cause of enormous suffering in the population, would find, as in the past, a solution that leads to the rebirth of this country that has fought so much for its unity and independence.”

Somalia tyrannised

22 Apr-Source: The Prisma-636 Words

When slavery is mentioned, the imagination is immediately transported to the thousands of men and women torn from their region and forcibly taken to America to be sold as slaves to owners of agricultural plantations.

But there is another form of slavery, practised by the colonial powers, that maintained whole populations in chains and subjected to a double exploitation: that of the person and that of the natural resources

“The truth is that it was after the southerners (Somalia) rebuilt and rehabilitated all the governance and institutional structures of the government and at the same time get a democratically elected representation was therefore then, and only after thence that the talks can be initiated.”

Somaliland; when agreeing to disagreeing

21 Apr- Source: Somaliland Press-408 Words

Whereas logic demands that every decision that is borne out of dialogue through disagreeing to agree, the optional vice versa comes about when rights are infringed upon.

In other words, Somaliland is always at the ready, thereof, when issues about her integrity crops up hence would agree to disagree all through.