August 1, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Defense minister denies British soldiers presence in Somalia

31 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA- 140 words

Somali defense minister Hussein Arab Isse has denied that British soldiers are operating in Somalia. While answering question from reporters at Gen. Kahiye Police Academy where the national constituent assembly is taking place, Hussein Arab has categorically rejected claims that British forces are in Somalia, in particular the capital Mogadishu. However, he confirmed that there is only a group of military advisors from UK government who are in Mogadishu to offer specialised advise to the Somali national forces.

Key Headlines

SRSG warns against intimidation in the selection of the MPs (UNPOS)
Defense minister denies British soldiers presence in Somalia (Radio Mogadishu/SONNA)
Somalia to reconstitute task marine forces (Mareeg Online/Shabelle)
US Secretary Clinton to meet Somali leaders early August (Radio Bar-kulan)
Study: 85pc of refugees in Kenya are Somalis (Standard)
Gunmen Kill Somali comedian in Mogadishu (Radio Risaala/Jowhar Online)
Somali twins admit UK terror fundraising (AP)

PRESS STATEMENT

SRSG warns against intimidation in the selection of the MPs

31 Jul- Source: UNPOS- 726 words

Today is day 6 of the National Constituent Assembly and the anticipation and excitement of tomorrow’s voting day is evident. The transition in Somalia is coming to an end. A new, more representative era that the people of Somalia have yearned for over two decades is about to start. The road has not been easy. Setting up the NCA was demanding in both resources and energy but the dedication and the commitment of the Somalis made it happen. Tomorrow their 825 representatives will vote on one of the most important documents, a document that will set the legal base for the next years, the Provisional Constitution.

In that respect, the Elders have done an exemplary work on nominating the 825 members of the NCA as well as finalizing their own list of 135 through their Arbitration Board. The self-assessment exercise has finished and the list was submitted to the Technical Selection Committee. Although some contesting issues still remain I congratulate the Elders on the completion of this important task that moves forward the process. Through their good work, the Elders have proven their reputation as the custodians of the Somali nationhood and demonstrated their respect for a fair and legitimate process.

Now we enter a difficult period. The new Federal Parliament will be the real basis of good governance that we are all looking forward to. It also represents a test of integrity for the Elders, who must nominate the representatives that will work for the interest of the people of Somalia. A lot of good faith and trust has been put on the Elders by the Somalis.

As I have stated before, being a Member of Parliament (MP) and a leader is a vocation, a calling, and a service. Not a career. I trust that those aspiring to be the new MPs will truly abide by these principles.

SOMALI MEDIA

Defense minister denies British soldiers presence in Somalia

31 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA- 140 words

Somalia to reconstitute task marine forces

31 Jul – Source: Mareeg Online/Shabelle – 115 words

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, announced Tuesday that his government is set to reform the national naval forces in a bid to secure the overall security of the country’s territorial waters.“Somali government wants to re-establish a well-trained maritime force that is capable to patrol the coast and protect plunders from Somalia’s resources,” said Somali Prime Minister while speaking to reporters in the capital

Gunmen Kill Somali comedian in Mogadishu

31 Jul- Source: Radio Risaala/Jowhar- 66 words

Unknown gunmen has shot famous comedian Abdi Jeyalni Malaq Marshaale in Waaberi district in Banadir province. The actor was shot 6 times on the upper part of his body. His killers fled the scene immediately after inducing the injuries. The critical injured comedian was later pronounced dead at Madina hospital. Marshale is popularly known in the country and outside the country

US Secretary Clinton to meet Somali leaders early August

31 Jul – Source: Bar-kulan – 122 words

U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to meet Somali leaders early next month in Nairobi, reports say. The State Department said in a press statement that Hillary Clinton will meet President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and other signatories to the Roadmap aimed at ending the transition period to underscore U.S. support for completing the political transition in Somalia by August 20th. Clinton who is paying official trip to Africa will also held talks with Ugandan President Yuweri Museveni to reinforce Uganda as a key U.S. partner in promoting regional security, particularly in regard to Somalia.

TFG vows to clear al Shabaab from Galgadud

31 Jul – Source: Bar-kulan – 96 words

The government has promised to clear al Shabaab militants from Galgadud region and wrest control of the few areas still under the control of the militant group. In an exclusive interview with Bar-kulan, Galgadud governor Ahmed Yussuf Hassan said they will soon liberate areas in the region still under the militant group. He said once the existing militant rule in some areas is ousted, they will establish local administrations that will come under the Somali government. Hassan termed locals who are still living under the Al-Shabaab rule as captives of the militant group.

Blast targets Somali troops in Mogadishu

31 Jul – Source: Shabelle/Jowhar Online – 97 words

A roadside bomb blast hit Tuesday a military vehicle carrying with pro-government soldiers in the capital Mogadishu, killing at least one soldier, witnesses said. The explosion ripped through the truck at former Coca-cola factory, with some reports saying it also damaged another civilian car passing nearby the bomb site, but no civilian casualties was reported. “I heard at 10:30 a.m. local time a huge and many injured people could be seen evacuating from the area that were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment,” a witness told Shabelle Media by phone.

Puntland prepares to mark its 14th anniversary tomorrow

31 Jul – Source: Bar-kulan – 82 words

Preparations to mark 14th anniversary of Puntland regional State are now underway in Garowe, the area regional government headquarters. Puntland is expected to mark its 14thanniversary tomorrow, 14 years after the regional government was formed. Several other towns in the region including Bosaso, Qardo and northern part of Galkayo are also getting ready for the event which marks a significant day in Puntland’s history. Last year, the regional president Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamoud Farole led the semi-autonomous State in marking its 13th anniversary.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Study: 85pc of refugees in Kenya are Somalis

31 Jul- Source: Standard- 272 words

A new report shows Somalis account for 85 per cent of refugees in Kenya. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) report, Living on the Edge, noted that Kenya hosts over 600,000 refugees – 52,000 of these, mainly Somalis, live in Nairobi and its environs.Nearly 400,000 refugees live in Daadab and 90,000 in Kakuma, added the report.

Mombasa grenade attack suspect denies charge

31 Jul – Source: Business Daily – 137 words

A man suspected to have been behind the grenade attack on a Mombasa nightclub two months ago has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge against him.Mr Thabit Jamaldin Yahya on Tuesday appeared before Mombasa High Court Judge Maureen Odero and denied murdering a security guard, Ms Mary Cheptirim, at the Bella Vista nightclub.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali twins admit UK terror fundraising

31 Jul- Source: AP- 128 words

Two Somali identical twins living in London have pleaded guilty to raising funds to support terrorism in their war-torn homeland. The 25-year-old brothers, Mohammed Shabir Ali and Mohammed Shafiq Ali, accepted a plea-bargain deal Tuesday and will be sentenced Wednesday.

Somali refugees in the Netherlands protest

31 Jul – Source: Rnw News/Radio Netherlands – 144 words

Dozens of Somali refugees spent last night on the pavement outside the office of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) in the southern Dutch city of Den Bosch. The group are protesting about restrictions that have been placed on their freedom of movement. The 77 Somalis have all had their requests for asylum turned down and are waiting to be deported. However, the Dutch Council of State decided two weeks ago that Somalia was still too unsafe for them to be forced to return.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“…al Shabaab has become an official franchise of al Qaeda and the impetus for continued U.S. intervention, with President Obama for the first time admitting a U.S. military presence in Somalia in his most recent war powers letter to Congress.”

Why is the U.S. Still Meddling in Somalia?

31 July- Source: Reason Blog-386 Words

The United States entered Somalia with U.N. forces in late 1992 after the regime of Siad Barre collapsed and left by 1995 when it became obvious that no amount of U.N. intervention could help rebuild a state when there was a civil war going on. For some time, nothing happened U.S. intervention wise.