August 1, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Another Somali Lawmaker Shot Dead in Drive-by Shooting

01 Aug- Source: Radio Shabelle/RBC/Kulmiye-213 Words

Gunmen have shot and killed well known Somali lawmaker Sheikh Aden Mohamed Mader in Mogadishu’s Hamarweyne district Friday, relatives and fellow parliamentarians confirmed, becoming the second member of parliament killed in drive-by-shooting in less than two weeks.

Gunmen using a car blocked the car of the lawmaker shortly after he left a mosque in Hamarweyne where he performed the Friday prayers around 12:30 pm. They then spread bullets on the car before fleeing.

“Gun men attacked my father and shot him on the head several times,” a nephew of the assassinated MP told RBC Radio. “They drove towards his car and blocked. They started shooting him on the head,” she added. “He went to perform the Friday prayers and he was intending to have lunch with his family today.”

Sources said that the armed attackers escaped from the scene soon after killing the lawmaker. Police reached the area but nobody was arrested yet. MP Dahir Amin also confirmed the death of fellow Member of Parliament as he said this is another tragic day for Somali lawmakers.

Late MP Sheikh Mader was a veteran legislator and has served as the current chairperson of parliamentary sub-committee of finance. He MP Aden Mader was also once the Somali State Minister of Finance in Prime Minister Abdiweli Ali Gaas’ cabinet.

The al Qaeda-linked group al Shabaab has vowed that it will continue assassinating Somalia’s Parliamentarians. Two lawmakers, among them famous singer Saado Ali Warsame were shot and killed in Mogadishu during the Ramadan month making the capital city the most deadly place for parliamentarians and government soldiers.

Key Headlines

Another Somali Lawmaker Shot Dead in Drive-by Shooting (Radio Shabelle/RBC/Kulmiye)
President: My government wants to strengthen regional states (Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan)
Government concludes training for 250 soldiers (Radio RBC)
Somalia: Puntland withdraws support for Federal Govt (Garowe Online/Bar-kulan)
Somalia: Foreign Minister meets parliamentary foreign committee (Radio Goobjoog)
Troops apprehended after forcefully boarding plane to Mogadishu (Radio Dalsan)
Somaliland: Suppression of the press is unacceptable- Former Public Works minister (Somaliland Informer)
Kenyan leader orders seizure of coastal zone (Al Jazeera)
China sends 18th escort fleet to Somali waters (Xinhua)

SOMALI MEDIA

Another Somali Lawmaker Shot Dead in Drive-by Shooting

01 Aug- Source: Radio Shabelle/RBC/Kulmiye-213 Words

President: My government wants to strengthen regional states

01 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan – 129 words

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said that his government will not undermine the regional administrations but will rather strengthen them while following the guidelines provided by the constitution of the country.

He said his government’s aim is to create regional administrations to establish a federal Somalia in accordance with the provisional constitution which provides the guidelines and the criteria on the formation of federal states in Somalia.

The president made the statement while speaking at a meeting in Mogadishu where representatives from Mudug and Galgadud regions signed an agreement in principle on the formation of a regional state in central Somalia.

President Mohamud said that his government is committed to the implementation of the national constitution as well as the restoration of peace and stability in the country.

Puntland’s 16th Anniversary celebrations held in Garowe

01 Aug- Source: Radio Garowe/Bar-kulan/Puntlandi-200 Words

A ceremony to mark the 16th Anniversary of the formation of Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland has been held in Garowe, the administrative capital of Puntland State. Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, top government officials, traditional elders, intellectuals and hundreds of ordinary people all attended the colorful ceremony in the regional capital.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Gaas said the semi-autonomous state of Puntland has achieved tangible success in peace and development sectors during the last 16 years and hailed the founders of Puntland State.

He also praised Puntland Armed Forces as well as its citizens for their role in Puntland’s quest for a more peaceful and prosperous future. The president finally said he will deliver a speech at the parliament building tonight as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 16th Anniversary of Puntland State.

Following the outbreak of Somalia’s civil war in 1991, Puntland’s political elite and traditional elders held a consultation conference in Garowe over a period of three months in1998 and formed a semi-autonomous state to deliver services and offer security to its population in northeastern regions of Somalia. Unlike its neighboring Somaliland, Puntland does not seek independence from the rest of the country.

Government concludes training for 250 soldiers

01Aug- Source: Radio RBC-185 Words

The Ministry of Defense of the Federal Government of Somalia has concluded two weeks-long training for 250 soldiers in Mogadishu which was sponsored by the European Union. The two-weeks training focused mainly on urban warfare and human rights as the government and its allied forces from the African Union Mission in Somalia [AMISOM] were planning to wage a major offensive against the al Qaeda-linked group al Shabaab.

“This is very important training comprising both war tactics and other human rights as well as humanitarian issues,” General Abdukadur Nur said. The new trainees were from Somali National Army intended to hunt down terrorist groups and conduct highly skilled and effective operations inside the main towns. “As the warfare against terrorism now changes its face, we have the responsibility to train our soldiers for this stage,” General Nur added.

Meanwhile, the head of EU’s training mission in Somalia Massimo Mingiardi said the training was very constructive and that EU’s mission to train Somali forces was meant to build the capacity and the quality of Somalia National Army so that they can defend their country from the enemy.

Somalia: Puntland withdraws support for Federal Govt

01 Aug – Source: Garowe Online/Bar-kulan – 154 words

Puntland Government in northern Somalia has on Thursday withdrawn support for Federal Government of Somalia in the wake of tripartite deal endorsement, Garowe Online reports. Puntland President Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas chaired an extraordinary gathering by cabinet ministers at state house in the capital, Garowe with Vice President Abdihakin Abdullahi Haji Omar Amey present.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference shortly after the cabinet meet, President Gaas declared that his administration strongly opposes an autonomous state consisting of Mudug and Galgaduud regions. “Having reviewed the agreement that led to the formation of administration in central Somalia, having considered Provisional Federal Constitution,” said Puntland leader.

Continuing, he further noted:”Puntland government opposes the deal which encourages the formation of new administration in central Somalia because it runs counter to constitution. Puntland government expresses dismay over the participation of international envoys in an agreement that went beyond clauses and articles in the Federal constitution”.

Somalia: Foreign Minister meets parliamentary foreign committee

01 Aug – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 121 words

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of federal government of Somalia took meeting with parliamentary foreign committee in Mogadishu to discuss the process of transforming Somali foreign embassies submitted by the ministry.

Abdirahman Duale Beile, Foreign Affairs Minister of federal government of Somalia told the media that the ministry’s meeting with the committee is aimed discussing in details the implementation of the government plan to reform foreign embassies and the diplomatic relations with outside world.

Mr. Duale said this kind of meeting will be routine in order to solve the upcoming challenges of government plan. The federal government has recently announced that all foreign embassies will be reduced to 31 so as to modify the diplomatic relations of Somalia with outside world.

Troops apprehended after forcefully boarding plane to Mogadishu

31 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan-95 Words

Government troops who allegedly forcibly boarded a plane from Wajid to Mogadishu were apprehended at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport.

Salaam Air management which manages the plane tipped off the airport guards in Mogadishu to apprehend the soldiers. There are no details whether those troops were armed even though they were wearing their uniforms. Later on they were handed over to the security agencies for further investigations

Some of the passengers of the plane who opted to remain anonymous said the airport officials at Wajid facilitated for those troops to illegally board the plane.

Somaliland: Suppression of the press is unacceptable- Former Public Works minister

31 Aug – Source: Somaliland Informer – 153 words

Somaliland Former Public Works Minister in Riyale presidency Mr. Said Sulub Mohamed has leveled an accusation to Silanyo administration has faced diplomatic isolation from the world. He added that the country cannot move forward once its press is gagged by the government and silenced all media outlets.

He made the reservations that the Kulmiye led government is intending to bring our reclaimed independence to South Somalia.

Mr. Said has ruled out the possibility for extending Silanyo’s term in 2015. He made scathing accusation that he also leveled against Silanyo leadership by saying the only thing that they are doing is that they are dealing with Somalia. He recommended that once Silanyo term expires by 2015 that Somaliland people will consult.

He added that the country‘s progress cannot be achieved once its media are suppressed and said that some of the reporters are languishing in jails and other media outlets revoked their publication license.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenyan leader orders seizure of coastal zone

01 Aug – Source: Al Jazeera – 199 words

Kenya’s president has ordered the repossession of land, stretching over 2,000 square kilometres, which he said was taken “under dubious and corrupt circumstances” by 22 companies between 2011 and 2012. Uhuru Kenyatta made the announcement on Thursday following evidence released in a report by the land ministry about the area in northeastern Lamu County.

Kenyatta said the vast coastal zone, nearly the size of Luxembourg and located around a proposed multi-billion dollar port area, had been stolen, fuelling a wave of massacres. Last month, more than 100 people were killed in a wave of attacks, largely claimed by Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab fighters, although Kenyatta has previously said those killings were the work of “local political networks.”

“This criminal conspiracy has dispossessed individuals and families living in this region of their land and opportunities for improving their well being,” Kenyatta said Thursday. “It has also helped fuel the current insecurity being experienced in the region, and frustrated our efforts in building cohesion in the country.”

The area, near Kenya’s restive border with war-torn Somalia, surrounds a planned $24bn port project zone intended to serve nations across east Africa, including oil pipelines to South Sudan, the AFP news agency reported.

Woman quizzed on Westgate link

31 Aug – Source: Daily Nation – 106 words

The owner of an identification card that was used to register a mobile phone line that investigators linked to the Westgate attackers Thursday distanced herself from terrorist activities.

Ms Catherine Nthia Kimunyi’s ID card number was used to register a line from which several calls were made during and after the shopping mall attack in which 67 people were killed, a court heard.

Ms Nthia, however, said she had never lost her ID card and denied knowing a Mr Abdiqadir Abdi Saccid, in whose name the line was registered, after she was shown a Safaricom subscriber form indicating she was the owner of the ID card.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

China sends 18th escort fleet to Somali waters

01 Aug- Source: Xinhua-91 Words

A Chinese fleet departed for an escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters on Friday
This is the 18th convoy fleet sent by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy for these missions since 2008. It comprises three destroyers, with three helicopters and 800 crew.

Chinese fleets have escorted more than 5,670 ships and successfully rescued or aided 60 ships from China and other countries. The fleet is expected to reach the Gulf of Aden before the middle of August to succeed the 17th escort fleet currently on mission.

US-Trained Somali Commandos Fight al Shabaab

31 Jul- Source: VOA News-961 Words

Of all the ways the United States is helping Somalia’s fledgling national government, none may be more important than training the country’s first rapid reaction force, known as “Gaashaan,” or “the shield.” When al Shabaab militants stormed the Somali parliament building on May 24, Gaashaan soldiers were quickly sent from their base at the Mogadishu airport to reinforce African Union troops.

According to witnesses, the Gaashaan team fought the gunmen at the main gates and a key staircase, and helped to clear the building room by room. When the fighting was over, eight attackers and a total of 10 Somali and AU soldiers lay dead, but the country’s legislature remained in government hands. It was a promising sign that the Somali government, long dependent on the AU mission AMISOM for security, may be developing an armed force capable of fighting Islamist insurgents on its own.

Recently, Somali officials have begun talking about the previously secretive Gaashaan, which they characterize as a U.S.-trained counter-terrorism commando force. Gaashaan comprises two units adding up to 120 men in total, according to officials very close to the Somali National Intelligence Agency, which commands the force.

Muslim Scholar Abhors Somalia’s Veil Murder

31 Jul- Source: ON Islam-412 Words

A Muslim scholar has deplored news about a presumed murder of a Muslim woman in the Somali town of Hosingow by gunmen claimed to belong to al Shabaab group for not wearing Islamic veil, adding that Islam never set death as punishment for not wearing hijab.

“The killing of this lady is condemned as wrong and not Islamic,” Dr. Wael Shihab, who has a PhD in Islamic Studies from Al-Azhar University, told OnIslam.net, adding that it is not confirmed yet if the Shabaab organization is responsible for this action or not.

“While wearing Hijab is an Islamic obligation that Muslim women should commit to in submission to Allah’s command for Muslim females that they “should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms…” (An-Nur 24:31), yet Islam never set death sentence as a punishment for not wearing Hijab in public.”

News report by the BBC said that Ruqiya Farah Yarow was killed outside her hut near the southern Somali town of Hosingow by gunmen belonging to the al Shabaab group. According to her relatives, the militants had ordered her to put on a veil, and then killed her after returning and finding she was still not wearing one.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Although the area in which the group operates is getting smaller, there is still a long way to go in order to prevent terrorism from flourishing in the region. By introducing anti-terrorism and counterterrorism measures, and by supporting the Somali population, al-Shabab can be prevented from controlling the region.”

Countering al Shabaab: Somalia needs a change of plan

31 Jul- Source: Fair Observer-1232 Words

Harakat al Shabaab al-Mujahideen, more commonly known as al Shabaab, originated and operates in East Africa and is very influential along the Horn of Africa in Somalia. The terrorist organization came into force in 2006 as a clan-based insurgent group.

In the early 1990s, Somalia plunged into violence after the overthrow of President Siad Barre in 1991. Consequently, the country saw years of fighting with warlords vying for the top position to rule. In 1994, the Union of Islamic Courts first appeared in Mogadishu to uphold law and order. This was a huge success, but there were still many years of violence ahead. In 2000, various strands of the group merged and formed independent courts. These spread from Mogadishu into other parts of the country, consolidating Islamist power.

During 2005, the influence of the Islamic Courts began to intrude on the power of warlords in Mogadishu. Consequently, the capital of Somalia saw a number of assassinations and disappearances, which were blamed on the United States. During this time, al Shabaab, a military force whose name means “the youth” in Arabic, was put together. At first, its role was seen as implementing the Islamic Courts’ legal authority for the distribution of justice. Later, al Shabaab started to kill security officers and politicians from the Transitional Federal Government.

“As part of our 15-minute radio show, Dhibcaha Nolosha (Drops for Life), we interview vaccinators like Asha alongside other features, such as interviews with parents and children who have been vaccinated and different experts. Our aim is to improve understanding about polio and challenge the negative attitudes towards vaccination that last year led to the first recorded outbreak of polio in Somalia for six years.”

Asha’s story: stopping polio in its tracks

31 Jul- Source: BBC Media Action Blog-735 Words

I knew this was going to be a story worth the 300km trip from my home town of Hargeisa to Burao in Somaliland. It was early morning and the sun was just about to set out from the east when I visited the brightly painted but crumbling Burao General Hospital in Somaliland. There in the courtyard I found Asha Farah Hersi, a remarkable 70-year-old woman who works to vaccinate people against incurable diseases like polio.

A tall woman stooped by age, Asha couldn’t wait to start work even at this early hour. When I met her, she had a small, portable fridge containing vaccines in her left hand and her pen in her right.
At first, she couldn’t understand why I would want to record an interview with her. She told me she had “nothing to say” and that she was only “serving my people.” But when I explained that I wanted to interview her for BBC Media Action’s radio programme about polio vaccination, Dhibcaha Nolosha (Drops for Life), she agreed.

Asha has worked as a vaccinator and health campaigner for almost 43 years – she was only 27 when she became one of very few female health workers in Somaliland.

Top tweets

@OCHASom Need info on #Somalia‘s food crisis? This#FollowFriday we recommend: @nnfrank @FAOSWALIM @faoinsomalia and @WFPSomalia

@MAGsaveslives #photogallery The gun-safe villages in Somalia http://bit.ly/1oMNxxw pic.twitter.com/LVXSPcEB9o

@bbcmediaaction Meet Asha: a remarkable 70-yr-old #poliovaccinator from #Somalia http://bbc.in/UD1KAz #c4d #mediadev pic.twitter.com/rOoWi6eTSE

@Omaar_nor PIC:#Somali president Hassan Sheikh pledges humanitarian aid to a drought hit #Gedo people during his visiton Thurs. pic.twitter.com/QYEeD1f7mB

@UNLazzarini Since mid-2012 @UNHCRSom & partners supported almost 11k displaced families in #Somalia to voluntarily return home: http://bit.ly/1myL83c

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Image of the day

Image of the day Turkish built Huge water reservoirs in Mogadishu. It seems big enough to serve a whole district of the city. #Somalia. Photo: @iamayanle