April 8, 2016 | Morning Headlines

Main Story

Somali Troops Kill 4 And Injure 30 Al Shabaab Members

07 April – Source: Xinhua & Prensa Latina News Agency – 130 Words

At least four Al-Shabaab militants were killed in a fighting between the Somali National Army backed by the African Union Peacekeeping mission (AMISOM) troops and the militants in areas close to Elbur town in Galgudud region, central Somalia on Thursday.The Somali army further injured 30 members of the Al Shabaab group in twin attacks, said military sources.

Colonel Mohamed Mohamud Saney confirmed that his troops destroyed two positions of Al Shabaab in the central region of Galgaduud. For nine years, Al Shabaab has controlled this community of Adan Yabaal, some 200 kilometers north of the capital city of Mogadishu.

The Al Shabaab terror group was kicked out of Mogadishu by the African Union allied forces in 2006. Al Shabaab, which seeks to overthrow the Somali government, is confronted in the south of the country by an offensive led by the Somali army and the African Union troops

Key Headlines

Somali Troops Kill 4 And Injure 30 Al Shabaab Members (Xinhua & Prensa Latina News Agency)
Motor Shell Attack Kills At Least Two Injures Ten In Mogadishu (Goobjoog News)
Foreign Forces Raid Al Shabaab Stronghold In Somalia (Shabelle News)
Flash Floods Kill 7 People In Awdal Somaliland As Drought Persists (Goobjoog News)
EU Foreign Policy Chief Welcomes Deal On Somalia Election Model (Garowe Online)
Three Kenyans Captured 100 Al-Shabaab Killed In Puntland Somalia (Daily Nation)
Minneapolis Donates Used Fire Trucks Crime Lab To Somali Sister City (Star Tribune)
Three Killed Tension High In Fresh Tana River Clashes (The Star)
Somali Famine Is Everyone’s Problem (Daily Nation)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Motor Shell Attack Kills At Least Two, Injures Ten In Mogadishu

07 April – Source: Goobjoog News – 114 Words

At least two people died and ten were injured in motor shell attacks in Wabari and Hamarjabab districts of the capital city of Mogadishu. Fire exchange between police and armed men in Makka Mukaram busy street followed the motor shell attacks. Tension was high in parts of Wabari and Hamar Jajab districts, according to one of the residents, who preferred not to be named. Ambulances immediately came into the scene to take the injured to various city hospitals. During the security operation that followed, Makka Mukara Street was closed as security forces exchanged fire with armed men in a runaway car. By the time of going to the press, no group had claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Foreign Forces Raid Al Shabaab Stronghold In Somalia

07 April – Source: Shabelle News – 99 Words

Foreign forces in warplanes attacked the Al Shabaab controlled Jilib district in Somalia’s southern middle Jubba region, sources said. Reports said the attack began with airstrike before special soldiers swooped into Jilib and engaged in a fierce gunfire with Al Shabaab fighters.

Details are scarce, but Al Shabaab has reportedly resisted the air and ground attack by the unidentified foreign forces, who have bombed Al Shabaab base in the town. The exact casualty figures of the attack remain unclear. US military has over the past few months stepped up special operations targeting top Al Shabaab leaders in south and central Somalia.

Flash Floods Kill 7 People In Awdal, Somaliland, As Drought Persists

07 April – Source: Goobjoog News – 173 Words

Seven people have been confirmed dead among them children in Awdal region, Somaliland following flash floods in the last few days. Awdal Governor Mohamud Ali Suleiman told Goobjoog News that heavy rains pounded the place for some days washing away the seven in Dilla village, some 30 kilometres south of Borama town, the capital of Awdal.

The deaths come even as the region battles with hunger, which has ravaged the region with further reports of human and livestock deaths. A local resident, Mohamed Hassan Sharti told Goobjoog News that people had started to celebrate the coming rains shortly before the deaths that were caused by the floods.

“We were very happy because the rains were coming after a dry spell, which had killed a number of people and decimated their livestock. However we are saddened to report of these deaths,” said Sharti. Humanitarian agencies led by UN Humanitarian Affairs agency, UNOCHA last week appealed for $105 million for emergency aid support to people in Puntland and Somaliland, who were facing acute food and water shortage.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Welcomes Deal On Somalia Election Model

07 April – Source: Garowe Online – 235 Words

The European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini has expressed her appreciation over the recent agreement signed between Somalia Federal Government and the northeastern State of Puntland. Mogherini hailed the deal on election model during a meeting with Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Tedros Adhanom.

Dr Adhanom assured the EU official that the 2016 election would be a reality in Somalia after parties agreed to a four-point deal that included blueprint for election modality, Upper House, democratic roadmap by 2020 and monitored implementation for the agreement. Seeking to foster strategic engagement in the continent, EU Foreign Policy Chief also praised Ethiopia’s role.

On Sunday, UN-backed national government and Puntland agreed to a pact that has entailed controversial 4.5 power sharing formula. Visiting regional and international diplomats applauded the agreement as a landmark following months of deadlock over whether Somalia should continue with the quota.Adhanom is the guarantor of the bilateral deal as the Chairperson of IGAD Council of Ministers.

In reaction at social media storm, Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali appeared on State Television, PLTV’, defending the balance struck between difficult compromises over the course of negotiations. Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has visited Puntland to ease challenges facing the national poll slated for August later this year over a week ago. Sharmarke listened to the views of government officials, politicians and civil society groups.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Three Kenyans Captured, 100 Al-Shabaab Killed In Puntland, Somalia

07 April – Source: Daily Nation – 374 Words

Three Kenyan youths are among Al-Shabaab terrorists captured while fighting government forces in Puntland. It is believed they are among many youths who have been reported missing from their homes after being lured to join the terrorist organizations.

During the fight 100 Al-Shabaab terrorists were killed and 59 others belonging to various nationalities arrested. The three Kenyans were identified as Abdullahi Arbow Mohamed, Idiris Muse Jirow and Yusuf Qabiro Makoma. Puntland is a semi-autonomous State in North Somalia and Al-Shabaab have been launching attacks in the area that has over the years enjoyed relative peace.

A police report in February revealed that Al-Shabaab have established a recruitment network that lures gullible youths with promises of money, a car and wives. The syndicate has roots in Mombasa and spreads to Isiolo, Nairobi and Lamu counties.Primary and secondary schools were the main targets of the network operated by radical clerics.

The identities of the youngsters became clear barely two days after a Kenyan was killed alongside six other Al-Shabaab commanders in Somalia.Sheikh Mansur was the chief trainer of the Somalia terrorist organization. Others killed are the head of Aminiya, Al-shabaab’s intelligence wing in lower Shabelle Hassan Ali Dole, a Yemeni bomb expert Abu Islam, the commander of Leego region Aden Bale and the “Judge” of Janaale region Mohamed Abribao.

In a statement, African Union Mission in Somalia said the commanders were killed in separate incidents in the last three days: “Al-Shabaab are more frequently resorting to hit and run tactics to avoid direct contact with AMISOM and remain relevant,” said the Contingent’s Commander in Sector 1 Brigadier General Sam Okiding.

Minneapolis Donates Used Fire Trucks, Crime Lab To Somali Sister City

07 April – Source: Star Tribune – 548 Words

Minneapolis officials say a gift of used fire trucks and a crime lab van to a city in Somalia are more than a practical donation to a sister city short on public safety equipment. Thursday, as members of the council’s intergovernmental relations committee voted to donate two trucks, a van and other used equipment to Bosaso, Somalia, they said the gesture is also a firm rejection of recent political commentary by presidential candidates.

Council Member Abdi Warsame, who helped organize the donation, said the move shows a willingness on the part of the city to strengthen ties with people from and in Somalia. Warsame and other Somali-Americans in the Twin Cities have spoken out publicly against comments made by candidates Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, who have called for closer monitoring of Muslims living in or coming to the United States.

“We as a nation are living through a period of time when the politics of hate and division are being trumpeted by some who seek to lead our country … We as a city of Minneapolis have an opportunity to defy this rhetoric,” Warsame said. Minneapolis added Bosaso, Somalia’s third-largest city, as its 12th sister city in October 2014. The move was praised by both council members and Somali-American residents as an important move to build relationships between the two countries in education, business and other areas.

Last month, Bosaso officials send a letter to their counterparts in Minneapolis, asking for any “material and intellectual support” they could offer to help the city with deficits in its ability to respond to emergencies. In 2011, a fire swept through the city’s main market and responders were slowed by a lack of equipment. The city is also trying to develop its first crime lab while building up enough resources to respond to other emergencies.

The letter said Bosaso would work with Kajoog, a Minneapolis-based Somali organization to help with any donations. Minneapolis officials researched the value of some aging equipment — the two trucks, the 2005 van, some 15- to 30-year-old emergency response tools and obsolete crime lab equipment — and agreed to help out. A city analysis of the vehicles and equipment put their total estimated value at $5,000. Kajoog, the outside organization, will oversee the transportation of the items to Somalia and cover those costs.

Three Killed, Tension High In Fresh Tana River Clashes

07 April – Source: The Star – 196 Words

Three people have been killed in fresh inter-clan clashes between warring communities of Somalia and Kenya’s Pokomo in Tana River County. Coast regional police boss Francis Wanjohi said the incident occurred after herders from the Somali community invaded a Pokomo farm within Galole area.

“Tension is high in the area amid reports of retaliation plans by both communities, we have deployed more officers to restore security”, the police chief said. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has issued a warning of possible violence in the County before or after the general elections. The NIS report indicates that there is growing discomfort among the warring communities of Orma ,Wardie and Pokomo that might trigger chaos ahead of 2017 polls.

“The Pokomo are unhappy with the current leadership led by Tana River Governor Hussein Dado that they claim is not all inclusive”, the report said. Wanjohi said they are aware of regrouping of some of the communities who feel marginalized and sidelined by the current county government. He warned those inciting their communities to violence that they will be arrested and prosecuted to avoid repeat of the 2012 massacre where more than 200 people were killed and thousands displaced.

OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE

“Fortunately, Al-Shabaab has little or no presence in the areas gripped by the current drought. That is the good news. But there is a real risk that failure to respond will make people more vulnerable to extremists” – Michael Keating, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia.

Somali Famine Is Everyone’s Problem

07 April – Source: Daily Nation – 731 Words

Severe drought five years ago triggered a famine that resulted in the deaths of about 260,000 people in Somalia. Drought is once again casting a long shadow over the people of Somalia. This time round, there is an opportunity to mitigate its impact and head off the possibility of another major disaster. The resources needed to tackle the problem are certainly much less than the costs of a greater catastrophe down the line — whether measured in terms of lives, health, security, or money.

We are at a tipping point. If the drought continues into this month, hundreds of thousands of people risk losing everything. Most of these people depend on livestock or crops for food and cash. If the rains fail once more, they face catastrophe. On top of acute food insecurity, continuing drought could have a negative impact on broader security — strengthening Islamist jihadists who are currently on the back foot — and increase the flow of migrants to Europe and elsewhere.

There is a very real fear that another call for urgent assistance for Somalia will fall on deaf ears. A multiplicity of crises, whether in Syria, Yemen, Libya, or the Mediterranean, could sideline a call for relatively modest sums for Somalia. Last week, an emergency Call for Aid was launched by the UN to cover a funding shortfall that currently stands at $105 million. This will allow humanitarian organisations to help over one million people in Somaliland and Puntland in the next six months — for life-saving activities and measures to prevent people from selling off livestock and other vital assets on which their income and ability to cope depends.

A robust response by the international community to this appeal will help avert a repetition of the horrendous events of 2011. At that time, many of the areas most adversely affected were under the control of Al-Shabaab militants who prevented emergency assistance from reaching the hungry and displaced.