April 7, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Two UN workers, including one Briton killed in central Somalia

07 Apr – Source: Radio Galkacyo/Radio RBC/Horseedmedia/Radio Garowe/Radio Dalsan – 248 words

Two foreign nationals working for the United Nations Drug and Crime Agency were shot and killed in Galkayo town central Somalia, today on Monday. A soldier serving as the security guard at Galkayo main Airport shot and killed the two men as they entered the airport to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, according to Colonel Ali Yusuf who is head of the security of the Galkayo Airport.

The two foreign nationals included one Briton, according to Galkayo’s Abdullahi Yusuf Airport officer. The airport is located on the north of Galkayo, a portion administrated by Puntland State of Somalia. It was not immediately clear what the motive of the killing was related to but local officer at the airport told RBC that the soldier has suffered mental illness before and had a record of violent acts in the past.

The soldier who shot the two foreigners immediately escaped from the scene as the security forces started for his hunt. “The bodies of the two killed foreigners were taken to a small clinic inside the airport and will be transferred to Nairobi” Colonel Ali Yusuf said.

The incident happened as the president of Puntland, Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas was heading today to visit the town as part of his first local tour to Puntland regions. The UNODC is involved in transferring convicted Somali pirates from neighboring countries and taking back to Somalia. The agency also involved in the reconstruction of the prison facilities for pirates in Puntland and Somaliland.

Key Headlines

President Mohamud travels to Rwanda from Kenya (RBC/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
Two foreign UN workers shot dead in central Somalia (AFP/Yahoo News)
The Federal Parliament of Somalia questions commissioner of immigration (Radio Goobjoog)
17 people arrested in Mogadishu security operation (Bar-kulan)
Somali Parliament Condemns Eastleigh Operations (Horseed Media)
Al Shabaab says they have killed Ethiopian soldiers near Wabho town (Radio Dalsan/Radio Andulus/Somali Memo)
Kenya: Muslim leaders plan a retreat to discuss security (Star/Kenya)
World marks Health Day (Radio Mogadishu/Goobjoog)
Fighting erupts between SNAAMISOM and al Shabaab in Mahaday district (Radio Shabelle/Goobjoog)
Kismayo central prison reopened (Bar-kulan/Kismaayo News)
Kenya: Bungoma MP wants soldiers out of Somalia (Star/Kenya)
Puntland Parliament endorses 2014 Budget (Horseed Media)
Parliamentary committee to travel Yemen Kenya Saudi Arabia for refugee discussion (Al Shahid)
Kenyan police keep more than 1000 Somalis in Kasarani Stadium in the third day (RBC)
UK. Leading maritime intelligence agency calls for urgent dialogue to prevent Somali piracy resurgence in 2015 (Bym News)

PRESS STATEMENT

UN Special Representative for Somalia condemns murder of UNODC personnel

07 Apr – Source: UNSOM – 147 words

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, condemned the murder today of two UN consultants working for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The two international consultants were in Galkayo to support UNODC efforts in the region when they were shot by unknown gunmen at Galkayo Airport, Puntland, Somalia.

“I condemn the brutal murders. Our UN colleagues were working in support of the Somali people’s aspiration for a peaceful and stable future. There can be no justification for such a callous attack.

I call on the authorities to conduct a full investigation immediately and bring the perpetrators to justice without delay. I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims. The United Nations in Somalia remains committed to continuing our vital support to the Somali people as they emerge from decades of conflict” said SRSG Kay.

SOMALI MEDIA

Two UN workers, including one Briton killed in central Somalia

07 Apr – Source: Radio Galkacyo/Radio RBC/Horseedmedia/Radio Garowe/Radio Dalsan – 248 words

President Mohamud travels to Rwanda from Kenya

07 Apr – Source: RBC/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV – 206 words

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has wrapped up his visit to Nairobi, Kenya and departed to Rwanda’s capital, Kigali to attend the memorial of the 20-yrs anniversary of Rwanda genocide. During his two-day visit to Nairobi, President Mohamud met with his Kenyan counterpart, President Uhuru Kenyatta and held discussions on the ongoing operation against Somali citizens in Kenya in which the Kenyan police arrested more than 1,000 Somalis from the suburbs of Nairobi in the past two days.

The police continue to detain ethnic Somalis living in Nairobi suburbs, storming and raiding houses and business place while not taking care of those with valid identification cards or passports even the Somalis from Europe and USA.

While the Kenyan police are ruthlessly keeping more than 1,000 Somalis including women and children in Kasarani Football Stadium for the third day, the troubled people were expecting the president would at least visit the two detention places before he wraps up his tour to Kenya. Unfortunately, President Mohamud flew to Rwanda late on Sunday and the people were disappointed when hearing this news. But officials in the presidency say the president met with the local Somali community in Nairobi an expressed his feeling about the matter.

The Federal Parliament of Somalia questions commissioner of immigration

07 Apr – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 131 words

The Federal Parliament of Somalia called the Commissioner of Immigration and Nationality of Federal Government of Somalia Abdullahi Gaafow Mohamud. Gaafow will be asked few questions on the procedures people pass when taking national identity cards and problems people face in Mogadishu international airport.

Some members of federal parliament of Somalia asked the speaker of the Parliament to call the commissioner of immigration and nationality to come before the parliament. Members of Somali parliament considered crucial role in their agendas to address the problems the nationals encounter when taking National identity card.

Some MPs accused the government of Somalia that the registration fees of the ID is deposited in a private bank rather than directing it to the central bank of Somalia which might promote corruption and embezzlement of funds.

17 people arrested in Mogadishu security operation

07 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan – 98 words

According to the Ministry of Internal Security of the federal government of Somalia a security operation conducted in the capital of Mogadishu has led to the arrest of 17 suspects.

Assistant Minister for Interior Ibrahim Issack Yarow has told the press that the operation was conducted in Hodan, Darkeynley, and Karan suburbs in the capital Mogadishu.

He said that the suspects arrested were found in possession of police uniforms adding that they will be arraigned in court as soon as possible. He called upon the residents of Mogadishu to cooperate with the security forces to improve the security.

Al Shabaab says they have killed Ethiopian soldiers near Wabho town

07 Apr – Source: Radio Dalsan/Radio Andulus/Somali Memo – 114 words

The Al Qaeda linked militant group of al Shabaab said they have killed Ethiopian soldiers during a battle near Wahbo town in central region of Galgadud.

Al Shabaab’s spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage (Ali Dhere) presented two bodies in an identified village in central region of Galgadud late on Sunday. Ali Dhere claimed al Shabaab fighters killed the Ethiopian soldiers during a battle on Saturday. Pictures posted on Facebook showed, to bodies with the African Union sign, badges with Ethiopian script and at least three guns.

World marks Health Day

07 Apr Source: Radio Mogadishu/Goobjoog – 150 words

7th April every year world marks the Health Day. The festival this year is intended to build attentiveness of a detailed health theme to draw attention a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization.

Over the past 50 years this has brought to glow important health issues such as mental health, maternal and child care, and climate change. The celebration is marked by activities which extend beyond the day itself and serves as an opportunity to focus worldwide attention on these important aspects of global health.

In Somalia the day is marked with much importance as Union of doctors in Hargeisa in a press conference urged the public to protect themselves from vector-borne diseases like Mosquitoes, ticks and freshwater snails which bite.

Small bite, big threat is the theme of this year’s world health day celebrated on 7th April to mark the anniversary of WHO’s founding in 1948.

Kismayo central prison reopened

07 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan/Kismaayo News – 102 words

A ceremony to reopen Kismayo central prison was held in the capital of Juba Land Kismayo. The deputy president of the interim Juba Land administration General Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail has spearheaded the reopening function.

He said the prison was renovated by the administration and will operate from now onwards. This the first time since the collapse of the central government of Somalia 23 years ago that the Kismayu prison was reopened and set to be operational.

AMISOM forces have driven out Al-Shabaab militant group out of Kismayo two years ago where the group had stronghold due to the lifeline to the port.

Fighting erupts between SNA,AMISOM and al Shabaab in Mahaday district

07 Apr – Source: Radio Shabelle/Goobjoog – 90 words

Heavy fighting erupted between government forces backed by AMISOM troops and al Shabaab in Mahaday district last night. A local resident in Mahaday district told the media that the fighting started after al Shabaab attacked government forces base at the outskirt of the town.

The casualties of the fighting is not clearly known, the administration of Middle Shabelle has not yet given comment about this recent clash.

Kenyan police keep more than 1,000 Somalis in Kasarani Stadium in the third day

07 Apr – Source: RBC – 195 words

The Kenyan police are ruthlessly keeping more than 1,000 Somalis including women and children in Kasarani Football Stadium for the third day, RBC reports. The police continue to detain ethnic Somalis living in Nairobi suburbs, storming and raiding houses and business place while not taking care of those with valid identification cards or passports even the Somalis from Europe and USA.

According to voluntary Somali women who went to visit and provide food and water aid to the detained people, at least two women got birth in the detention places including Kasarani without getting access to the basic health service that a pregnant women could to get birth.

“Young children and elderly people were even taken to the two detention places. No one is caring them.” said a woman who visited the Kasarani Stadium (now Somali detention place) said. “Human rights is not cared here.”

People were not allowed to exercise their basic rights including the right to perform the five pryers in the day and night and getting clean water. “We have given them headache pills and small items such as bottles of clean water for drinking.” said another Somali woman from Nairobi.

Somali Parliament Condemns Eastleigh Operations

06 Apr – Source: Horseed Media – 78 words

The Somali Federal Parliament has condemned the on-going Eastleigh crackdown carried by the Kenyan Police forces which has seen many Somali refugees arrested and harassed.

Deputy Head of the Human rights Committee of the Parliament, Muse Sheikh Omar has called on Kenyan authorities to protect the rights of the Somalis. ‘’ We are urging the Kenyan government to protect the rights of the Somali refugees and not to discriminate them. Not all aliens are terrorists,’’ he said.

Puntland hunts convicted pirates after prison break

06 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 106 words

Puntland Police forces in northeastern Somalia have been on manhunt for two convicted pirates who managed to stage Bossaso prison break on Friday, Garowe Online reports.

Puntland Custodian Corps Chief Gen. Ali Nur Omar disclosed at media briefing in the state capital of Garoweon Sunday that the custodian corps officers are on manhunt for-Mohamed Ali Saed and Kedir Ahmed Yusuf- who were convicted of being pirates and escaped from Bossaso prison.

“Of the fifteen inmates who escaped from Bossaso prison last Friday, two are still on the run. Security agencies are hunting down the two escapees,” said Gen. Omar, presenting their photographic images to reporters.

Somaliland Electoral Body plans to carry Registration of voters by September

06 Apr – Source: Somaliland Sun – 146 words

The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has announced of plans to officially launch registration of voters by September this year as the commission is in final lapse of rehearsing modalities of hiring registration clerks.

presiding & returning officers who shall steer the exercise at designated electoral demarcations together with procuring ballot kits in measures intended as warm up to high public expectations confidante of the independent body.

This was revealed by the Spokesperson of the electoral body Mr. Mohamed Hersi Gelle when he was hosted by the state owned TV SLNTV on Sunday in Hargeisa assuring the public that the commission has contracted an expert in electoral matters to among other functions oversee award of tender to the most eligible, experienced & affordable bidder in the recently advertised tenders to a larger extent ensuring the ballot equipments are procured & destine in the country before the registration & elections are due.

Puntland Parliament endorses 2014 Budget

06 Apr – Source: Horseed Media – 108 words

Somalia’s Puntland Parliament has on Sunday endorsed the government’s budget following days of debates and discussions on the proposed budget bill.

Speaker of Parliament Hon Said Hassan Shire announced that 46 of the 50 present MPs voted for the approval of the budget. The 2014 budget passed by the lawmakers is $30.678.192 and was submitted to the parliament by the Ministry of Finance last week.

Puntland’s new administration led by President Abidweli Mohamed Ali has managed to pay the monthly salaries for January and February, after the previous administration led by Ex-President Abdirahman Farole had failed to pay the government workers rights for almost 14 months.

Humanitarian organizations suspend operations in Dadab refugee camp

06 Apr – Source: Somali Current – 131 words

Staffs of some Humanitarian organizations in Dadaab refugee camps have temporarily suspended their humanitarian operations following three successive bomb blasts targeted airplanes take off zone in the campon Thursday night.

United Nations official confirmed they have temporarily suspended their aid operations in the camp due to the increasing security threats emerged adding that they will discuss this new security threats with their security experts.

Three hand grenades targeted the airplane take off zone causing no casualties though it had increased insecurity sensitivity in the humanitarian agencies operating in the Dadaab refugee camps.

Dadaab refugee camp, world records counts it as the biggest refugee camp in the world hosts more than half million refugees many of them fled from Somalia, a country that faced two dacades of civil war and anarchy.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya: Bungoma MP wants soldiers out of Somalia

07 Apr – Source: Star-Kenya – 117 words

Bungoma Women’s Representative Reginalda Wanyonyi has asked that the government to pull out Kenya Defence Force soldiers from Somalia. She said it is ironical that Kenyans continue living under fear of terror attacks while those who are supposed to provide them with security are protecting the nationals of a foreign country.

”Kenyans should not suffer simply because our KDF soldiers are protecting other people elsewhere. They should move out and come to protect their country,” said Wanyonyi in Bungoma town on Saturday.

She said the presence of Kenyan soldiers in Somalia has only resulted in more attacks on innocent Kenyans. Wanyonyi said Kenyans will only be safe when all KDF soldiers are withdrawn from peacekeeping missions.

Parliamentary committee to travel Yemen, Kenya, Saudi Arabia for refugee discussion

07 Apr – Source: Al Shahid – 230 words

Nurani Bakar, Somali MP, and one of Parliamentary committee for foreign affairs on Monday told to media that the committee planed the near future to travel Yemen, Kenya and Saudi Arabia countries so they discuss the deteriorating situation of Somali refugees there.

“There are many Somali refugees who live in critical condition at the countries, Yemen, Kenya and Saudi Arabia. We can’t bear this horrible situation. Somali Parliamentary committee for foreign affairs agreed to send delegates to those counties so to make easy the harassment against our citizens there”, the MP reiterated.

He had no mentioned the exact time which the delegates will fly to Yemen, Kenya and Saudi Arabia but he underlined the securing Somali citizens is the most important step which all Somalis are wanted to do first.

Kenya: Muslim leaders plan a retreat to discuss security

07 Apr – Source: Star-Kenya – 34 words

Muslim leaders will go on a three day retreat at an undisclosed location to discuss security threats posed by radicalization of youth. Religious and political leaders are among those expected to attend the meeting.

US renews support to Yemen in counter-terrorism

06 Apr – Source: Yemen News Agency – 73 words

The United States has renewed its support to Yemen in counter-terrorism, and maintenance of security and stability.

In a statement, which the Yemen News Agency (Saba) received a copy of it, the United States stressed its commitment to enhance and develop its partnership with Yemen in defense and security fields, commending Yemen’s efforts in fighting terrorism and al-Qaeda. The statement also praised successes achieved by Yemen in reorganizing and modernizing its military institution.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Two foreign UN workers shot dead in central Somalia

07 Apr – Source: AFP/Yahoo News – 130 words

Two foreign UN workers were shot dead on Monday at an airport in Galkayo, central Somalia, officials and witnesses said.

A United Nations source confirmed the pair were international staff members with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

“Two white men have been shot inside the airport as they got off a plane,” local security official Mohamed Mire said. An airport official said the attacker was dressed in a police uniform.

“One of them died inside the airport and the other one was rushed to hospital where he later died of the injuries. Both of them were white men,” said witness Hassan Ahmed.

UK. Leading maritime intelligence agency calls for urgent dialogue to prevent Somali piracy resurgence in 2015

07 Apr – Source: Bymnews – 425 words

A White Paper published today, Monday 7th April 2014, by Dryad Maritime, the UK’s leading maritime intelligence agency has outlined how a shift in US foreign policy could spark a resurgence of piracy East of Suez and in the Indian Ocean in the next 18 months.

David Hunkin OBE, Commercial Director, Dryad Maritime; “With the US strategic focus now firmly fixed on the Asia Pacific region and Iran ‘coming in from the cold’, it is only a matter of time before western navies begin withdrawing the warships that have been so successful in suppressing piracy off the Somali coast.

With no convoys and no rescue forces, the commercial shipping industry could be left to fend for itself”. “Somalia will still be a largely lawless and ungoverned space and although the problem of piracy has been contained, it hasn’t been solved: removal of that containment means a return of piracy – and it could be argued that the problem will be worse than before.”

“NATO and EU maritime forces have been highly successful in suppressing Somali piracy in recent years and some of the most capable maritime platforms in the world have been deployed east of Suez primarily to deter and defend against potential Iranian aggression and a return to regional hegemony. But with the threat landscape changing, pressure is mounting to bring those forces home and over the next 18-months, the naval presence east of Suez will be very different to what we see today”.

Western nations pledge to help Kenya fight terrorism

06 Apr – Source: Xinhua – 317 words

Western countries on Saturday expressed their commitment to help Kenya’s government in its war against terror threats in the country.

British High Commissioner to Kenya Christian Turner, U.S. Ambassador Robert Godec, Australian High Commissioner Geoff Tooth and Canadian High Commissioner David Angell assured President Uhuru Kenyatta of their commitment to supporting his government in eliminating terrorists in the country.

“The new schemes being employed by the group (Al-Shabaab) are not only a threat to Kenya security but to the whole world,” the envoys said in a statement issued after their meeting in Nairobi.

“The four envoys expressed their governments’ willingness to help the Kenya government build its capacity in dealing with the group,” the statement said.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“ Somalia is at a cross Roads. Having just about defeated Alshabab with the assistance of Amisom and having liberated much of the hinterland, Somalia now faces multitudes of pressing challenges-governance and civil administrations building, peace building and the laying of the building blocks of the projected federation-as it begins structured stabilization processes in most regions. It is also going through growing pains as diverse actors in the newly liberated areas are advancing competing views on the governance configurations of the regions and the federating process, notwithstanding the fact that the Provisional Constitution contains a blue print designed to guide the process”.

Be Ware of Quick Fix Federalism, the Shot-Gun Wedding Type

06 Apr – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1622 words

As the combined forces of the Somali national Army and AMISOM are taking armed offensives to the last remaining strategic holdouts of Alshabab, a political storm is raging in most regions recently recovered from the grip of Alshabab forces-from the Jubba regions in the southern most area of Somalia, to Bay, Bakool, Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan, Galgaduud and beyond.

The genesis of these conflicts are centered around opposing views on governance configurations for these regions, and most particularly on competing interpretations of the federating process articulated under the Somali Provisional Constitution, which was adopted in August 2012.

The result is the chaotic manner in which various politicians/strong men are making a constellation of arbitrary claims on putative federal units that are merely and realistically mirages, and in processes that are not compatible with the relevant provisions of the constitution; hence, the claims and counter-claims of territories on overlapping regions: the six state South West state (Lower Shabelle, Bay, Bakool, Gedo, Lower Jubba and Upper Jubba) on overlapping territories of the Jubbas (Gedo, Lower Jubba and Upper Jubba,) Three State South West state (Lower Shabelle, Bay and Bakool) on overlapping territories of the South West state and the new Shabelle State( lower Shabelle and Middle Shabelle) on overlapping territories of the Three State South West state.

More worrying though for policy makers, is the fact that there is an undercurrent of clan chauvinism driving the proliferation of these copycat claims and counter claims for power and land that if not properly managed , could cause a renewed clan conflict and civil war.

“Tubeec although passes away will continue to reign as the ‘Father of Somali Music’ until such a time when an overwhelming new voice emerges within the Diaspora or inside Somalia-a voice that will unanimously appeal to all Somali speaking people and permeate the hearts of the young and old-men and women alike.”

In memory of Tubeec, king of Somali music

04 Apr – Source: Wardheer News – 503 words

Known in Somalia and in the Diaspora as ‘Boqorkii Codka’, ‘King of Vocals’ or ‘King of Music’, Mohamed Suleiman Tubeec (GBS) had the qualities of a modern musician. A soft-spoken man who polished his career through hard work in the Somali music industry, Tubeec had to his credit almost half a century of singing with numerous collections of songs in tapes and CDs.

With the advancement of technology and communication in modern times, many of his songs have been converted into music videos that are available in YouTube, DVD and VHS. His meteoric rise saw him play in Pan-African conventions most notably in Nigeria where he sang with the famous Magool (GBS) in the then capital city, Lagos.

Tubeec has been a source of inspiration among the young and old of Somalia in theatrical performances and in many popular social gatherings, in cafes, shops, in open and closed markets, in cars and buses, in private homes and in weddings. He could always be seen surrounded by uncountable number of fans who jostled for a glimpse of his natural image during national celebrations, Eid festivals, international events, and commemorations in the heydays of the central government.

Top tweets

@marsecnews Reports suggest two UN staff have been shot and killed by unknown gunmen at Galkayo airport. #Somalia.

@WFPSomalia WFP would like to thank @DFATD_DEV for their generous contribution in supporting our work in #Somalia.

@amisomsomalia #Somalia‘s fishing industry thrives as the country enjoys the longest period of sustained peace in over 20 years, pic.twitter.com/0IUOx8Bo0a.

@Hamza_Africa UPDATE: According to local media the gunman who killed the 2 white men in #Galkayo airport was dressed in police uniform. #Somalia #Puntland.

‏@ahmedwardigley #SOMALIA: #Insecurity in #Somalia affects return of #refugees, says #UNOCHA http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/04/somalia-insecurity-in-somalia-affects-return-of-refugees-says-unocha/ …

‏@hafsamohamed1 ‘Undocumented Somali-Kenyans will be deported back to #Somalia…’ — Amb. Maxamed Cali Nuurhttps://www.hiiraan.com/news/2014/Apr/wararka_maanta7-45988.htm …
#Kenya.

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Image of the day

Image of the day Somalia interior Minister Abdullahi Godah Bare and his Kenya counterpart Joseph Ole Lenku agreed to deport back undocumented Somalis in Kenya. Photo: @WhoseinMoulid.