April 4, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Explosion hits Somali theatre in Mogadishu
04 Apr – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Kulmiye, Shabelle – 171 words
An explosion has hit the newly-reopened national theatre in Mogadishu on Wednesday during an event attended by senior government officials including Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohed Ali, witnesses said. Reports say the PM escaped unhurt but several other senior Somali officials including two MPs were injured during the attack.
There are conflicting reports of the number of deaths, with some reports saying over ten people were killed while others suggest only four people. Initial witness reports suggested a female suicide bomber was behind the blast in Somalia’s capital, but Bar-kulan could not independently verify that. No group has claimed responsibility of the attack, but suspicion is likely to fall on Al-Shabaab militant group which has been conducting similar deadly attacks on government installations in the war-torn capital.
Bar-kulan correspondent who was attending the event said he saw four people dead, adding that two MPs, Prof. Dalha and his colleague Mowlid Ma’ane were also wounded during the incident. Several journalists were also said to have sustained injuries, according to eyewitnesses in the theatre.
Key Headlines
- Explosion hits Somali theatre in Mogadishu ( Radio Bar-kulan Kulmiye Shabelle)
- Female bomber kills two at Mogadishu official function (AFP)
- Al Shabaab says behind Mogadishu theatre blast (Reuters)
- Prof. Samatar warns Somalis over re-electing current TFG officials (Shabelle)
- Somali MPs say presidential election will be held on April 30 (Hadhwanaag Times Shabelle Kulmiye)
- Ethiopian PM lauds EU peace efforts in Horn of Africa (Ethiopian News Agency)
- Somali Govt promises to tackle insecurity in Mogadishu (Shabelle)
- TFG denies al Shabaab’s assassination claims (Radio Mogadishu Somalia Report)
- Bomb blast in Somali nat’l theater kills many (Newsday/AP)
- Al Qaeda ‘could target UK youths’ (BBC)
SOMALI MEDIA
Explosion hits Somali theatre in Mogadishu
04 Apr – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Kulmiye, Shabelle – 171 words
An explosion has hit the newly-reopened national theatre in Mogadishu on Wednesday during an event attended by senior government officials including Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohed Ali, witnesses said. Reports say the PM escaped unhurt but several other senior Somali officials including two MPs were injured during the attack.
There are conflicting reports of the number of deaths, with some reports saying over ten people were killed while others suggest only four people. Initial witness reports suggested a female suicide bomber was behind the blast in Somalia’s capital, but Bar-kulan could not independently verify that.
No group has claimed responsibility of the attack, but suspicion is likely to fall on Al-Shabaab militant group which has been conducting similar deadly attacks on government installations in the war-torn capital.
Bar-kulan correspondent who was attending the event said he saw four people dead, adding that two MPs, Prof. Dalha and his colleague Mowlid Ma’ane were also wounded during the incident. Several journalists were also said to have sustained injuries, according to eyewitnesses in the theatre.
Prof. Samatar warns Somalis over re-electing current TFG officials
04 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 102 words
Professor Abdi Isma’el Samatar, professor of Geography at the University of Minnesota and a fellow at the University of Pretoria has warned Somali people over re-electing the current crop of leaders in TFG.
“Somali people have been in turmoil and civil war for more than two decades, they are in dire need of good and transparent governance to direct the country to developmental passageway,” said Mr. Samatar. Professor Samatar called on Somali MPs who have signed Kampala accord to correct mistakes in the past and work tirelessly elevate the suffering of their people.
Somali MPs say presidential election will be held on April 30
03 Apr – Source: Hadhwanaag Times, Shabelle, Kulmiye – 80 words
Some Somali lawmakers on Tuesday said presidential election will be held on April 30. Speaking to localmedia, Somali MP Suleiman Mohamed Ibrahim said they are working on how best the elections could be held to select new leader replacing the current leaders, including president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. He said the parliament is to form an organizing committee for the presidential elections. The lawmaker accused the current president of failing to live up to what he was mandated during his tenure in office.
Diarrhea kills 2 children in Somaliland
04 Apr – Source: Raxanreeb – 138 words
Acute watery diarrhea has killed two children in Maregaha village, 9km east of Hargeisa town of the breakaway Somalia region, RBC reports. Mohamed Aw Ali, the commissioner of Faraweine district told local media that the two children died on Tuesday and Wednesday as other children most of them under five in the suburb villages were also affected by the disease.
The commissioner alerted that there were no health posts and that victims could not get isolation places. “The whole region could be affected because poor sanitation” he added. “I call for the ministry of health to tackle the problem as soon as possible before the disease spread to others” The commissioner of Faraweine district suggested. The region has been facing dire droughts since April last year and local officials say that is was first time of watery diarrhea recorded in the area.
Balanbale district faces acute water shortage
04 Apr – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 124 words
A breakdown of the pumping machine at one of the three boreholes in Balanbale town has created critical water shortage in the district. Reports say water levels in the other two boreholes has significantly dropped, creating acute shortage of water.
The area district commissioner Mohamed Mohamoud Abdi told Bar-kulan locals in the district and its environs are therefore making desperate search for water at nearby districts, such as Guri’el and Abudwak. Erratic rainfall and dysfunctional pumping machines resulting in serious water shortages has compromised the lives of locals in the region.
South and central Somalia has recently endured the worst drought and famine related crisis forcing thousands of Somalis to flee into the neighbouring countries like Kenya and Ethiopia in search of humanitarian aid.
Somali Govt promises to tackle insecurity in Mogadishu
04 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 66 words
Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government has once again promised to tackle the alarming increase of insecurity in the capital Mogadishu. Warsame Mohamed Jodah, the Deputy security chief of Banadir regional administration told the media in the capital that the security forces were put on high alert to prevent the organized killings and assassinations against civilians and officials.
TFG denies al Shabaab’s assassination claims
03 Apr – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Somalia Report – 53 words
The chairman of the Somali National Security Forces, Ahmed Mo’alim Fiqi, has denied al Qaeda-linked militias claims of assassinating members of the security forces. Mr. Fiqi stated that the al Qaeda-linked militants are propagating baseless propaganda since the national forces have defeated them and cleared al Shabaab from the Somali capital.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Ethiopian PM lauds EU peace efforts in Horn of Africa
03 Apr – Source: Ethiopian News Agency – 265 words
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi lauded the efforts of the European Union (EU) in ensuring durable peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. While conferring with the EU delegation led by the Dannish Foreign Affairs Minister Villy Sovndal here on Tuesday the Premier said the EU has taken appropriate stand in ensuring peace and stability in the region.
PM Meles stressed the need for strong partnership to secure durable peace and stability in Sudan, South Sudan and in Somalia.He said besides the military support, political work is required to maintain peace and stability in Somalia. PM Meles said the ongoing efforts in the political spheres would help to establish stable government after the Transitional Government of Somalia hands over its mandate in the coming August.
Danish FM and EU representative Sovndal on his part said EU is keen on working with Horn of Africa countries in various sectors.He said the overall cooperation between EU and Africa is growing from time to time. EU is ready to provide support towards stability of Somalia, he said, adding, it would support the peaceful resolution of dispute between Sudan and South Sudan.
Turkey ramps up aid projects in Somalia
03 Apr – Source: Africa Review – 228 words
Some 30,000 Mogadishu residents will be smiling all the way to the tap after a Turkish government agency dug a number of boreholes around the Somali capital. News media Bosaso Press reported that the State Waterworks Authority (DSI) had dug wells that would mostly benefit internally displaced people living in camps, but that other city dwellers would also benefit, quoting DSI official Ahmet Sekerci. More wells would be dug, he said.
Turkey, which has been building its influence in the Horn of Africa region, has since last year pledge $365 million to assist famine-affected people in the country. Short term projects have included emergency aid while longer term ones have seen the country look to improve healthcare.
In March, Doctors Worldwide Turkey (DWWT) opened Shifa Hospital at Hodon district in Mogadishu. The new hospital has a 62-bed capacity and can provide health care to 300,000 patients yearly.
Sh7 billion spent on al Shabaab
02 Apr – Source: the Star – 283 words
Kenyan Labour assistant minister Sospeter Ojaamong has claimed that the government spent Sh7 billion in the war against the al Shabaab militia in Somalia. Ojaamong’s claims came even as al Shaabab claimed responsibility for the Sunday grenade attacks in Mombasa that killed one person and injured 33. The Amagoro MP blamed former Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta for diverting the money meant to employ teachers to fight “a non-existent war”.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Female bomber kills two at Mogadishu official function
04 Apr – Source: AFP – 211 words
A young woman strapped with explosives blew herself up Wednesday at a ceremony in the Somali national theatre attended by the prime minister and other officials, killing at least two.
She detonated her suicide belt as Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali was on a podium addressing 200 people gathered to mark the first anniversary of the country’s satellite TV network, an AFP reporter who witnessed the incident said.
The prime minister, and seven other ministers standing beside him, were unharmed but witnesses said Somali Olympic Committee Aden Yabarow Wiish and Somali Football Federation chief Said Mohamed Nur were killed in the attack.
“The bodies of the two people killed in the blast have been taken by the Somali police,” police officer Mohamed Abdi told AFP, without confirming the victims’ identities.
Bomb blast in Somali nat’l theater kills many
04 Apr – Source: Newsday/AP – 223 words
A suicide bomber walked into Somalia’s newly reopened national theater during a ceremony Wednesday and detonated his explosives. A survivor who witnessed the blast said he feared many people were killed.
The witness, Zakariye Osman, said he counted at least eight dead bodies, but that he feared there were many more. Osman’s clothes were covered in blood as he spoke outside the theater. Policeman Abdimalik Hassan said government officials and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.
Ali Muse, the head of the city’s ambulance service, said a casualty toll wasn’t immediately known.
The national theater reopened for the first time in 20 years on March 19 with a concert featuring musicians playing guitars and drums. Wednesday’s ceremony was held to mark the first anniversary of the start of a national TV station.
Al Shabaab says behind Mogadishu theatre blast
04 Apr – Source: Reuters – 62 words
Al Shabaab rebels in Somalia claimed responsibility for an explosion at the national theatre in Mogadishu on Wednesday that killed at least six people and wounded some government officials. “We were behind the theatre blast. We targeted the infidel ministers and legislators, and they were the casualties of today,” Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, the spokesman for al Shabaab’s military operations, told Reuters.
A Taste of Hope in Somalia’s Battered Capital
03 Apr – Source: New York Times – 1,300 words
Mogadishu, Somalia — Up until a few weeks ago, all visitors who landed at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu were handed a poorly copied, barely readable sheet that asked for name, address — and caliber of weapon. No more. Now visitors get a bright yellow welcome card that has no mention of guns and several choices for reason of visit, including a new category: holiday.
Outside, on Mogadishu’s streets, the thwat-thwat-thwat hammering sound that rings out in the mornings is not the clatter of machine guns but the sound of actual hammers. Construction is going on everywhere — new hospitals, new homes, new shops, a six-story hotel and even sports bars (albeit serving cappuccino and fruit juice instead of beer). Painters are painting again, and Somali singers just held their first concert in more than two decades at the National Theater, which used to be a weapons depot and then a national toilet. Up next: a televised, countrywide talent show, essentially “Somali Idol.”
Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, which had been reduced to rubble during 21 years of civil war, becoming a byword for anarchy, is making a remarkable comeback. Al Shabaab, the fearsome insurgents who once controlled much of the country, withdrew from the city in August and have been besieged on multiple sides by troops from the African Union, Kenya, Ethiopia and an array of local militias.
Now, one superpower is left in the capital — the African Union, with 10,000 troops (soon to be 17,000), tanks, artillery and armored personnel carriers that constantly chug up and down the street — and the city is enjoying its longest epoch of relative peace since 1991: eight months and counting.
“It’s a rebirth,” grinned Omar Osman, a Somali-American software engineer who worked for Delta Air Lines in Atlanta and just moved back here. “Call it Somalia 2.0.”
Clearly, this city and the rest of Somalia still have a long way to go. A suicide bomber recently struck at the gates of the presidential palace, and a stray mortar shell crashed into a refugee camp, killing six. A few warlords are still lurking around, and clan-based militias have reared their heads in some neighborhoods, a potent reminder of the clan-driven chaos that dominated Mogadishu for so long.
But people here are sensing the moment and seizing it. More than 300,000 residents have come back to the city in the past six months, local aid groups say, and many are cheerfully carting away chunks of rubble and resurrecting their bullet-riddled homes. The economic boom, fueled by an infusion of tens of millions of dollars, much of it from Somalis flocking home from overseas, is spawning thousands of jobs that are beginning to absorb young militiamen eager to get out of the killing business.
Given Mogadishu’s importance to the country, it all adds up to a huge opportunity. And though Somalia has self-destructed numerous times before, Augustine Mahiga, the head of the United Nations political office for Somalia, along with so many others here, insisted that this time really is different. Somalia, they contend, is finally turning around.
“For the first time since 1991, Mogadishu is under one authority,” Mr. Mahiga said from a new office that exuded the whiff of fresh paint. “It’s unprecedented.” All across town, people who have no connection to one another and who come from very different walks of life describe the same new, strange feeling: hope.
Al Qaeda ‘could target UK youths’
04 Apr – Source: BBC – 461 words
British youths from African communities could become radicalised as al Qaeda looks to Africa to build its strength, the Rusi think tank has suggested. It says such a development would pose new challenges for UK and other Western intelligence services. It warns of potential for new or greater radicalisation among British youths from the Somali and other east and west African communities. The government said it was tackling home-grown terrorist threats.
Radicalisation has already been seen during the past 15 years among some young members of the Pakistani, North African and Indian communities in Britain, the report published by the Royal United Services Institute suggests.
Report author Valentina Soria said: “Most significant is the potential for radicalisation and then mobilisation of a new subset of British youths.”
“The UK could soon be facing much greater radicalisation among the Somali minority and new radicalisation in some sections of other communities from east and west African countries.”
Life returns to streets of Mogadishu – in pictures
03 Apr – Source: Guardian – 26 words
The capital of Somalia is full of life for the first time in two decades following years of civil war and the absence of a government.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“As hopeful residents clear the piles of rubble away from the downtown streets, and choir music can be heard drifting out of the National Theater for the first time in decades, local political leaders stand by the belief that this time change is here to last.”
Mogadishu is making a comeback
03 Apr – Source: Smart Planet Blog – 310 Words
When you type “Mogadishu” into Google Image you get a very narrow impression of what Somalia’s capital city is like. Images of young men with guns, militia helicopters flying over the cityscape, ruined buildings and violently mutilated bodies suddenly stare back at you – as if you typed something far less benign as a city into the search engine. But Jeffrey Gettleman, the East Africa bureau chief for The New York Times, offered a very different glimpse into Mogadishu today.
Gettleman presents brief portraits of a fishmonger, banker, artist, and policewoman in the Somali capital. Each portrait illuminates a different aspect of the hopeful and unique moment Somalia finds itself in today – eight months of relative peace.
“When the 4.5 model was first imagined in 2000, the main intent was to bring about peace and stability in a society driven by communal conflict and clan tension. If peace, development, and democracy are to flourish and succeed in Somalia, an emphasis on Islamic values of brotherhood and solidarity that is capable of diluting clanism must be encouraged, an argument which has strong historical evidence and has produced results in the past.”
Traditional Power Sharing in Somalia: Implications and Future Prospects
03 Apr – Source: Hiiraan Online -1310 Words
Amongst the most pressing subjects for social scientists and perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing modern nation states are community violence and national integration. Despite homogenizing social, religious, and cultural forces, sub-national identities have superseded the overall national identity in Somalia. Even though there have been previous attempts during state formation in the 1960’s and subsequent Siyad Barre regime, they have not succeeded to produce the desired goals of national unity capable of eradicating traditional clan allegiances.
The main challenge for policy-makers now is how to achieve democratic stability in Somalia whose historic polities are primarily structured on clan divisions. This trial is further complicated in regions where group identity extends beyond state boundaries such as the Western part of Somalia known as Ogaden and the Northern Frontier District in Kenya. Moreover, the nature of this transnational identity has transformed domestic policies into regional predicaments involving several states such as Ethiopia and Kenya.
“Fartuun Abdisalaan Adan, one of the panelists, returned to Somalia, a country in the midst of what aid agencies say is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, to continue the work of the Elman Peace and Human Rights Centre, after her husband was killed by warlords. “The focus is always on what is wrong in Somalia, the violence, the warlords. But there is so much more to it. There are women in my country that have energy, who want change, but nobody talks about that because women are silenced,” she told me after the debate.”
Invest in women in conflict zones to promote change
03 Apr – Source: Reuters Blog – 430 Words
Where would you put your money as an investor? A leading campaigner against gender-based violence says there is only one answer – invest it in women in conflict zones. “Conflict zones have the biggest potential for change,” Eve Ensler, founder of V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women, told delegates at the Skoll World Forum for Social Entrepreneurship in Oxford last week.
Top tweets
@mary_harper Suicide attack reported at #Somalia‘s national theatre in #Mogadishu. Two senior officials reported dead and 5 others. http://bbc.in/HZ7Mym.
@Aynte #Somalia blast in the national theatre is a bid by #AlShabaab to show capital is still dangerous #MogadishuBlast.
@SimonPeach The heads of #Somalia’s Olympic committee & football federation have both been killed in a suicide bomb attack in Mogadishu..
@davidpaulbell Amazing story of hope. A country that has been through so much is now making steps in a positive direction. #Somalia http://
@MajorEChirchir #
@MajorEChirchir #Al–
@sahelblog This portrait of Mogadishu http://nyti.ms/
Image of the day
Singers perform at the Somali National Theatre in the seaside capital of Mogadishu. The theatre was latest target of al Shabaab’s suicide bombing campaign. Photo: Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP