April 3, 2015 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

70 People Killed In Garissa University Attack, Says Kenya’s Interior Ministry

02 April – Source: Standard Media – 226 Words

The Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery has said that 70 people have died during the ongoing siege at Garissa University College.He also announced that four of the terrorists had been killed and added that the number of the attackers had not been established. The Ministry had earlier announced that two terrorists had been killed before Nkaissery revised the toll to four. “Two terrorists have been neutralised in the ongoing operation. Security agencies intensify rescue operation,” read a post on the Ministry’s twitter handle. The terrorists have been holding hostages at the university since Thursday dawn.

While addressing the press in Garissa, Nkaissery commended security forces for the effort they had put to rescue hostages and expressed optimism that the students still held in the hostels will be safely evacuated. The CS said that 500 out of the 850 students in the institution are already accounted for. Military tanks were spotted headed for rescue operation at the institution. At least 97 people have been wounded and evacuated and nine airlifted to Nairobi in critical condition. The Ministry also warned against the circulation of gruesome images from the terror attack, saying action will be taken against those found guilty. “We are putting on notice those publishing gory photos of victims from the #GarissaAttack. Legal action will be taken,” read a tweet by the Ministry’s spokesperson Mwenda Njoka.

Key Headlines

Galmudug Police Break Down Illegal Structures (Goobjoog News)
United States Condemns Attack On Garissa University (Somali Current)
Somalia’s Longest-Serving Ambassador To Kenya Replaced(Horseed Media)
Former MP Abdiwali “It’s Not Bad Idea To Be In the Opposition”(Radio Goobjoog)
Shabaab Claims Responsibility For Garissa Carnage (Capital FM)
Kenya President Vows To Speed Up Police Recruitment After University Attack (Reuters)
Six Arrested After Somali Shop Owner Killed (News 24)
Job Fair Takes Aim At Somali Unemployment (MPR News)
Sexual Terror And Impunity In Somalia (Foreign Policy In Focus
A Complex Crisis: Conflict And Climate Affecting Somalis (EU Humanitarian Aid)

PRESS STATEMENT

AU Special Representative Condemns Today’s Terrorist Attack At Garissa University College In Kenya.

02 April – Source: AMISOM- 169 Words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou has condemned the killing of innocent people by Al-Shabaab terrorists in Garissa, Kenya.
Ambassador Sidikou expressed indignation at what he describes as Al Shabaab’s attempt to destroy the fabric of our common existence as sisterly neighbours by perpetrating violence against innocent youths studying to improve their lot and their future for the overall benefit of their country in particular and the region at large. He notes that this is another act of desperation by Al Shabaab, which has significantly been destroyed inside Somalia, and that such despicable attacks will not deter the collective effort to improving the situation in Somalia in order to contribute to a more safer region. While reiterating the African Union’s support to the government and people of Kenya, Ambassador Sidikou also condoles with the relatives and friends of these innocent victims of outrageous terrorism and prays for the quick recovery of the injured.

SOMALI MEDIA

Galmudug Police Break Down Illegal Structures

02 April – Source: Goobjoog News – 72 Words

The Galmudug police, together with municipal workers have embarked on an operation to clear illegal structures and houses from Galkacyo town in Mudug region. This came after the administration announced an initiative to dig sewage and drainage pathways in the city’s suburbs, and said the illegal structures are standing in the way. Galkacyo mayor Bille Dini Ali told Goobjoog News that the operation would go on until the intended results are achieved.

United States Condemns Attack On Garissa University

02 April – Source: Somali Current – 132 Words

The United States has said that it strongly condemns the Al Shabaab terrorist attack on Garissa University, terming the attack an act of ‘cowardice.’ “We are saddened and angered by today’s terrorist attack .Our deepest condolences to family/friends of victims,” the US embassy in Nairobi posted on its Twitter account.An officials US statement followed a visit to the scene by senior Kenyan government officials including Interior Minister Joseph Ole Nkaiserry, who demanded more reinforcements be sent to the university. In the wee hours ofThursday morning, Al Shabaab gunmen stormed Garissa University killing at least 70, and leaving others in critical condition. The attack could be a blow to the ailing Kenyan tourism sector, especially after President Uhuru reiterated that Kenya was safe despite a new travel advisory issued by the UK and Australia.

Somalia’s Longest-Serving Ambassador To Kenya Replaced

02 April – Source: Horseed Media – 218 Words

In a surprise move, the Somali government appointed a new ambassador to neighbouring Kenya, replacing Mohamed Ali Nur ‘Americo’, the longest-serving ambassador to the East African nation. The move was revealed on Thursday following a high-level ministerial meeting held in Mogadishu. Jamal Hassan, a senior diplomat in the Somali embassy in the US, was named as Americo’s replacement. In a press release from the Somali government, there was no clear verification on the reason behind the change. Four other ambassadors were also named without identifying the countries they will be serving in.

Mr Americo, a veteran diplomat, was appointed as the Somali envoy to Kenya in 2004 by the former late TFG President Abdullahi Yusuf. Speculations has been rife that the diplomat will be appointed as the Mogadishu Mayor. Neither government officials nor the ex-ambassador have commented on the rumours. During his tenure, Mr Americo managed to regain the embassy premises sold to an investor 15 years ago, after opening a case in Nairobi high court in 2010. Somalis across the globe celebrated after the case was won. Further, the government decided to reopen its embassies in Malaysia, Burundi and Germany which it had closed due to lack of enough budget.

Former MP Abdiwali “It’s Not Bad Idea To Be In the Opposition”

02 April – Source: Goobjoog News – 175 Words

The former Somali Prime Minister Abdiwali Sheikh Ahmed who is the head of the newly formed Forum of Unity and Democracy said that he is in the opposition with valid reasons to advance the betterment of Somalia. He talked at length about the Forum ,which he said was formed to protect Somalia’s best interests and stave off what he termed ‘corrupt tendencies’ by the current leadership.

“This forum is the idea of MPs, politicians, and parties, they held hands together to unite their energy and resources, and the aim is to advance the interest of this nation,” Abdiwali Sheikh Ahmed said. When asked about the public perception that they are now the de facto official opposition to the current government, Abdiwali responded by saying “It’s not bad idea to be in the opposition, as long as you want to correct things. I can tell you that these people come together in the interest of this nation.” His comments come as the Forum called upon the government to honor the target goal of holding elections in 2016.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Shabaab Claims Responsibility For Garissa Carnage

02 April – Source: Capital FM – 339 Words

Somalia’s Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s terror attack at the Garissa University College that left at least 20 dead and scores injured. Al Shabaab Spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage was quoted by Agence France Presse (AFP) saying the attack was a response to Kenya’s military intervention in war-ravaged Somalia. “Kenya is at war with Somalia… our people are still there, they are fighting and their mission is to kill those who are against the Shabaab,” AFP reported Rage as saying. He also confirmed, at the time he spoke to the news agency, that their agents had indeed taken students hostage. “When our men arrived, they released some people, the Muslims, and it is they that alerted the government… we are holding the others hostage,” he was quoted saying. According to Rage, those who were killed were selected because they were non-Muslim. He did not however give an estimate of how many they had hit with their explosives and gunfire but boasted, “there are very many.”

Kenyan authorities have placed a Sh20 million bounty on Mohamed Mohamud, alias Dulyadin alias Gamadhere’s head as he is believed to be the mastermind of Thursday’s attack. The Ministry of Interior also claimed to have killed two terrorists believed to have taken part in the attack and arrested one. President Uhuru Kenyatta said additional security forces, led by his newly appointed Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, had also been dispatched to the area to help arrest the situation. “We continue to pray for the quick recovery of the injured and the safe rescue of those still being held hostage,” he said in a televised address from State House. He also announced the recruitment of 10,000 to the police force, in contravention of a court order, putting Thursday’s attack down to an overstretched police force. Thursday’s attack was reminiscent of the September 2013 Westgate mall attack and the second such mass murder incident since the Mpeketoni killings of June, 2014.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Kenya President Vows To Speed Up Police Recruitment After University Attack

02 April – Source: Reuters – 113 Words

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta said the recruitment of 10,000 new police officers would be speeded up after Somali Islamist gunmen attacked a university campus in the northeastern town of Garissa and killed at least 14 people on Thursday. Kenyatta, in a brief state of the nation address, directed Kenya’s police “to take urgent steps and ensure that the 10,000 recruits whose enrolment is pending” be speeded up. Other than urging Kenyans to remain calm and provide information on the attack, Kenyatta did not outline any other measures about how the security services would prevent future attacks by al Shabaab militants.

Six Arrested After Somali Shop Owner Killed

02 April – Source: News 24 – 132 Words

Six people have been arrested following a Somali shop owner’s murder in Soshanguve, Gauteng police saidon Thursday. The shop owner and another man were killed in the incident on Tuesday night, said Colonel Katlego Mogale. She said the attack on the man and his assistant in their shop in an informal settlement was not motivated by xenophobia, but was “sheer hooliganism”. “It’s those people who hide behind the fact that it’s foreigners against locals,” she said. A group of people came to the shop and an altercation broke out. The owner fired shots and one man was fatally wounded. Residents then arrived and attacked the owner and his assistant, killing the owner. The assistant was taken to hospital. The six were arrested on Wednesday.

Job Fair Takes Aim At Somali Unemployment

01 April – Source: MPR News – 753 Words

As the economy picks up across Minnesota, the state’s Somali-born population continues to battle higher than average unemployment. The most recent figures, for 2011-2013, put Somalis’ unemployment at 21 percent, about three times the rate for the general population during the same period of time. Some Somali community leaders are concerned that the lack of opportunities can fuel despair, especially among young people. Organizers of a job fair this week in the heart of Minneapolis’ largely Somali Cedar-Riverside neighborhood say they worked hard to get the word out within the community. Their efforts paid off: Twice as many job seekers showed up this year from last year. Kadra Jama, 20, has been looking for a job for a year. “I applied for Kmart, Walmart, Mall of America, different jobs,” she said. “Still I didn’t get that call. They didn’t hire me.” Mohamed Abubakar, 27, moved to Minnesota from Tennessee a month ago, but has only been able to find two days’ worth of temporary jobs. “A lot of places I applied,” he said, “but they didn’t call me.” Abubakar said he can park cars and knows how to run a forklift.

Amano Dube, who runs the Brian Coyle Community Center, where the job fair was held, said 60 people had lined up for the event before employers even set up their tables. “This shows how much people are hungry for a job,” he said. Dube, who came to the United States from Ethiopia, said immigrants in this neighborhood often face language barriers or lack work experience in the U.S. Some don’t have the skills that employers are looking for. Census numbers show that of Minnesota’s five largest immigrant groups, Somali unemployment is the highest. More than half of the state’s Somalis live in poverty. “We have the highest unemployment rate than any other groups — including the newcomers,” Mohamud Noor, Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota executive director, said in February. He was speaking at a news conference held in response to a White House address on countering violent extremism. Social problems — including unemployment and a lack of opportunity — can fuel sympathy for international extremism, he said: “Almost 30 percent [unemployment]. Nobody’s talking about that.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“The Somali government should take this responsibility seriously. A thorough investigation should be conducted as to which troops have been involved in sexual violence, and those found liable for committing or abetting these rapes should be held to account. Additionally, the donor countries that fund AMISOM — including the United States — bear partial responsibility for these crimes if they don’t put mechanisms in place to prevent them.”

Sexual Terror And Impunity In Somalia

01 April – Source: Foreign Policy In Focus – 1,056 Words

Two summers ago, a Somali mother publicly recounted a harrowing experience of sexual abuse and humiliation at the hands of African Union troops in Mogadishu. Somali troops, she said, had violently kidnapped her, ostensibly to investigate whether she had ties to the terrorist group al-Shabaab. However, when the troops delivered her to an African Union base in Mogadishu, she was brutally gang raped and tortured. No one has been held responsible for this crime. And there’s evidence to suggest that it might just be the tip of the iceberg. As international tribunals from Rwanda to Yugoslavia have attested, rape is used as a weapon of war in a variety of conflict situations. In Somalia, according to the United Nations, sexual violence remains “one of the most serious and recurrent human rights violations.” Although atrocities committed by al-Shabaab are more likely to make headlines, much of this violence appears to occur at the hands of the troops charged with protecting the country from the al-Qaeda-linked militia. In a report released last year entitled “The Power These Men Have Over Us,” Human Rights Watch meticulously detailed widespread sexual exploitation and abuse by soldiers from the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM.

According to the report, AMISOM troops in Mogadishu “have abused their positions of power to prey on the city’s most vulnerable women and girls. Soldiers have committed acts of rape and other forms of sexual abuse, as well as sexual exploitation — the abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes.” Perhaps most egregiously, according to Human Rights Watch, some AMISOM troops — who are charged in part with “facilitating humanitarian assistance” — have used their access to aid as bait to abuse vulnerable women, especially internally displaced persons. The report documented that girls as young as 12 had gone to AMISOM bases in search of medicine or water, only to be raped or sexually exploited with impunity. On paper, international and regional organizations operating in Somalia have policies on the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation. The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia, or UNSOM, for example, has a strong human rights mandate to monitor, investigate, and prevent “violations of international humanitarian law committed in Somalia, including through the deployment of human rights observers.” Speaking in a forum on the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation held in Mogadishu for AMISOM personnel, Mane Ahmed — the mission’s gender officer — told participants, “The Mission has a zero-tolerance policy to sexual exploitation and abuse, and this is the message I would like to pass on to you and everybody.”

A Complex Crisis: Conflict And Climate Affecting Somalis

01 April – Source: EU Humanitarain Aid – Video – 3:28 Minutes

The humanitarian crisis in Somalia is one of the most complex in the world. People are affected by the combined shocks of conflict, droughts, floods, disease outbreaks and displacement.