August 11, 2014 | Morning Headlines.
Somali president addresses Somali community members in Minnesota
10 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/VOA Somali Service – 151 words
Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday night met with Minnesota’s Somali community members in Minneapolis. Minnesota’s Somali community chairman Fartun Abdulle Mohamed told Bar-ulan that the community members and the president discussed various issues including peace efforts, unity and development. She said the president briefed the community over his government’s progress as well as recent gains in the fight against Somalia’s Al Shabaab militant group. She also added that the president urged Somali community members in the US, especially those in the State of Minnesota to join hands with his government in its efforts to rebuild the nation. Meanwhile, some members of the community took to the streets in Minneapolis to protest against the president accusing him of corruption and failure to address security problems in the country. The president arrived in Minnesota following his three-day visit in Washington where he attended the historic US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC.
Key Headlines
- Somali president addresses Somali community members in Minnesota (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu)
- Government forces backed by AMISOM launch security crackdown in Marka town (Radio Goobjoog)
- Somalia donors must act now to avoid famine ‘catastrophe’ -U.N (Reuters/UN News Center)
- Parliamentarians from Puntland continue to withdraw following calls from Garowe (RBC)
- AMISOM Says al Shabaab militia is Weakened (Radio Dalsan)
- People carrying illegal weapons could face five years imprisonment (RBC)
- KDF prepares for another major offensive in Somalia (Standard Media)
- Money Remittance Improvement Act is signed into law by President Obama (Hiiraan Online)
- Kenya urges international community to support peace efforts in Somalia S. Sudan (Coastweek/Xinhua)
- Military court sentences a man to death for killing a local in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog)
- 250 Somali soldiers graduate from EU academy as US unveils special forces training programme(Defence Web)
PRESS STATEMENT
Minister of Information “Al-Shabaab terrorists defeated in Bulo-Burte”
09 Aug – Source: Ministry of Information – 306 words
H.E. Mustafa Duhulow, the Minister of Information today praised security forces’ success in defeating Al-Shabaab militia in Bulo Burte district in Hiiraan region. The terrorists attempted a number of attacks to security forces’ bases in Bule Burte and Somali forces with the help of AMISOM defeated terrorist’s attacks and killed a number of them including the leader of militia in the area.
Al-Shabaab tried to come back several times in order to take their dead bodies; however, they were defeated on all attempts. 6 of terrorists’ dead bodies were still there and security forces are looking into the identities of those killed.
The Minister praised the role of Somali security forces and AMISOM forces as they have been stabilizing Bulo Burte since the area was retaken from Al-Shabaab. There have been a number of attempts from terrorists without success. The Minister said “Al-Shabaab terrorists’ defeat in Bulo Burte is part of the continual success against terrorists in Somalia.
The Federal Government is committed to continue military operations against Al-Shabaab in order to eliminate threats from terrorists with a view to bring peace, stability and prosperity. Terrorists are denying public to enjoy peace, stability and prosperity as they are against government institutions to function in Somalia. Militia groups are against good governance, rule of law and prosperity in Somalia.”
The Federal Government is in the process to peace-building, stabilization and democratization process that can lead to a fair and free election by 2016, in order for people to decide their future leaders. The Minister appealed to public and said “It is a duty to all of us (Government and public) to support our security forces so that we can bring peace and stability. In order for security forces to end the tyranny of terrorists they desperately require our full and unconditional support.”
Weekly Press Conference on the Progress of the Government
09 Aug – Source: Ministry of Information – 1428 words
H.E. Mustafa Duhulow today addressed the media in Mogadishu, providing an update on the progress of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) over the last week. The Minister provided details on various issues including: new initiatives to empower young people; the progress of the Humanitarian Committee; the new Attorney General’s taking-over of office; Himin & Heeb becoming signatories in the formation of the Central Regions Administration; the draft law on illegal weapons; the capture of Hassan Hanafi (a senior al-Shabaab member); the progress of the stabilization process; and scholarships exams for Somali students.
The Minister of Information spoke on the importance of empowering young people: “On 4th August 2014 the President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, speaking in Washington DC, where he was attending the historic US-Africa Summit, announced several new initiatives aimed to empower Somali youth. The President said: “The Federal Government of Somalia will generate opportunities for young people that are positive alternatives to participating in violence and conflict.
I am very proud to announce several key initiatives that we are seeking to implement rapidly, which include: empowering, job creation programs, a university accreditation system, the strengthening of youth representation in civil, government and political activities, the appointment of two Youth Advisers to the Office of the President, the lowering the age limit of elected political representation to 18 and many other initiatives that will follow. The Federal Government of Somalia is committed to providing an environment that is encouraging young people to exercise their rights and responsibilities. Young people are the future leaders of Somalia.”
The Minister of Information spoke on the urgent humanitarian appeal: “On 7th August the Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Abdi Ahmed Mohamed Baafo, who is the Chair of the Ministerial Committee on Humanitarian Issues, closed a 3-day seminar to discuss the best ways to provide humanitarian assistance to those who desperately in need.
The Minister said humanitarian aid will be delivered within the next couple of days to areas affected by severe drought in the country. The Minister made a strong appeal to Somalis, as well as to donors, allies and friends of Somalia, to urgently provide the necessary humanitarian assistance in order to stop the looming humanitarian crisis in the country.
The Committee will start providing water to rural areas that are most affected with an initial pledge of 500k from the Federal Government of Somalia. The Federal Government of Somalia will deal harshly with those who obstruct the delivery of the humanitarian assistance as well as those who try to attempt corrupt practices during the delivery of the humanitarian assistance to people.
Those responsible for diversion, obstruction or corruption will be brought to court to face the severest punishment, as the government has zero tolerance on corruption”
The Minister of Information spoke on the progress of the reform of the justice system: “On 6th August 2014 the new Attorney General, Mr Ahmed Ali Dahir resumed his office and started work. This is huge progress towards the reform of the justice system in Somalia.
The new Attorney General stated that he will prioritize the rule of law, the reform of the judicial service and fighting corruption. There is no-one above the law, he added. The Attorney General promised to open a new Consumer Protection Service Office in order to safeguard the public from human rights violations. Finally, the Attorney General plans to open offices in all the regions and districts of the country and will provide training to staff in order to enhance their skills and expertise.”
The Minister of Information praised Himin & Heeb leaders for the signing an agreement on the formation of the Central Regions Administration: “On 6th August the Federal Government completed the signing of the agreement to form the new Federal Unit in Central Regions of Somalia. Following a series of discussions and negotiations the Federal Government convinced Himin & Heeb Authority to sign the agreement that other regions had signed previously.
The Acting President, the Speaker of the Parliament, Hon Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari, the Prime Minister, H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, ministers, MPs, and the SRSG Mr Nicholas Kay were present at the signing ceremony. The Acting President and the PM spoke at the event and praised the President of Himin & Heeb’s leadership in signing the agreement, which completes the signing by all parties in the agreement.
The signing of the agreement to form a new Federal Unit within Somalia is a huge step towards the Federal Government’s plan to implement federalism in Somalia. The President of Himin & Heeb, Mr Abullahi Ali Mohamed (Baarleex) thanked the Federal Government and all those who made it possible for today’s important agreement for the region. The Federal government is committed to implementing Federalism in Somalia and this agreement demonstrates progress towards the realisation of Vision 2016.”
The Minister of Information spoke on the importance of the draft legislation on illegal weapons: “On 7th August the Cabinet discussed the draft legislation on illegal weapons. After discussion and debate the council of ministers unanimously approved the draft legislation that will be forwarded to the parliament in the coming days. The legislation provides details on all arms and weapons and the way they can be owned and used.
This legislation prohibits people carrying illegal weapons and anyone found to be guilty of this by courts will face 5 years imprisonment and/or fines equivalent to the sentencing. This legislation also prohibits people importing, exporting, or selling of any arms or weapons that can kill people. The aim of this legislation is to minimize the use of weapons, which in turn helps the efforts to bring peace and stability in Somalia by the Federal Government of Somalia.”
The Minister of Information spoke on the capture of Hassan Hanafi, an al-Shabaab member: “On 7th August, the security apparatus provided an update to the cabinet in relation to the capture of a fugitive senior al-Shabaab member. As a result of surveillance by the Somali security apparatus the Kenyan security forces captured Hassan Hanafi Haji, wanted for the killing of a number of Somali journalists and other citizens. It is also alleged that he was also deeply involved in al-Shabaab’s propaganda machine. The Somali Military Court has officially asked the Kenyan Government to hand over Hassan Hanafi to them in order for him to face trial.
The military court is pursuing for Hassan Hanafi in relation to complaints from the relatives of those he is alleged to have killed including prominent journalists and other people. Other charges include looting of public properties as well as making regular and on-going threats to journalists. It is alleged that Hassan Hanafi terrorised media owners, editors and journalists, forcing them to tell lies and propagate Al-Shabaab propaganda.”
The Minister of Information spoke on the security forces’ progress in the stabilization process: “The security forces have been conducting stop and search operations in Mogadishu for some time as part of the stabilization process. During last week, security forces closed down a terrorist cell operating in the Hereryale area and found arms and weapons intended to cause terror amongst people of Mogadishu.
The security forces also captured 11 members of al-Shabaab, who are currently under investigation. Furthermore, security forces identified and captured two vehicles with arms and weapons. They also prevented terrorists detonating explosive devices at Liido beach. The Federal Government is intensifying security operations and the stabilization process with a view to eliminating all threats posed by terrorists groups.”
The Minister of Information finally spoke on the importance of scholarships for Somali students: “On 7th August, 354 students sat exams for scholarship grants from Yemen and Sudan. Yemen and Sudan offered 280 scholarships to Somali students. The Ministers of Education, Higher Education and Women & Human Rights were present during the exam in order to ensure that the system was fair and just. Ministers encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them to study at universities abroad.
The Minister of Higher Education stressed the importance of the exams and noted that the ministry had appointed an independent commission to administer all scholarships from abroad with a view to ensuring that all students have the right to apply. Based on a competence-based exam, the scholarships will be given to whoever scores the best marks.
The Minister said the system is transparent and is open to all students across the country. Minister for Women stated that she was very pleased to see so many girls sitting the exam and she encouraged all girls to redouble their efforts in order to get the quality education that will guarantee them a good future.”
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali president addresses Somali community members in Minnesota
10 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/VOA Somali Service – 151 words
Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday night met with Minnesota’s Somali community members in Minneapolis. Minnesota’s Somali community chairman Fartun Abdulle Mohamed told Bar-kulan that the community members and the president discussed various issues including peace efforts, unity and development. She said the president briefed the community over his government’s progress as well as recent gains in the fight against Somalia’s Al Shabaab militant group. She also added that the president urged Somali community members in the US, especially those in the State of Minnesota to join hands with his government in its efforts to rebuild the nation. Meanwhile, some members of the community took to the streets in Minneapolis to protest against the president accusing him of corruption and failure to address security problems in the country. The president arrived in Minnesota following his three-day visit in Washington where he attended the historic US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC.
Government forces backed by AMISOM launch security crackdown in Marka town
10 Aug – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 100 words
Federal government forces and African union peace-keeping troops launched considerable security crackdown in Marka district in Lower Shabelle region. The operations in the town started after AMISOM troops were targeted with land mine explosion in the middle of the town. Government forces were seen conducting door to door search in Rozi village while AMISOM troops blocked the main roads. Business activities in Marka town came to stand still as most people fearing to be affected by the operations stayed indoors. The number of arrested individuals is not clearly known.
Parliamentarians from Puntland continue to withdraw following calls from Garowe
10 Aug – Source: Radio RBC/Halgan Online/Allpuntland Online – 147 words
The second group of Members of Somalia’s Federal Parliament hailing from Puntland have reached today at Galkayo town, the capital of Mudug region in the Puntland state following calls from Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas. Weeks ago, President Gaas of Puntland called MPs of the Federal Parliament in Mogadishu to withdraw from the Parliament and return to Garowe for consultations. His calls followed after Puntland declared it boycotted the leadership of the Federal Government in Mogadishu. MP Mohamed Hussein Hagafe told RBC Radio that they comprised a group of 10 lawmakers, but only four of them returned to Puntland. “The other six MPs stayed for personal issues, but they will arrive in the coming few days.” MP Hagafe added.
AMISOM Says al Shabaab militia is Weakened
10 Aug – Source: Radio Dalsan – 132 words
The spokesperson of AMISOM, Col. Ali Adan Hamud said that al Shabaab are weakened that they are now running and confining themselves to certain towns in southern Somalia where they are a bit stronger such as Barawe, Jilib and Diinsoor. He said during the AMISOM operation dubbed as ‘Operation Eagle’, AMISOM took over ten districts previously occupied by al Shabaab including Yeed, Wajid, Buulabarde, Qoryooley, Eelbuur and Hudur. He however noted that AMISOM needs more helicopters for planned operations in the near future. He added that soon KDF’s AMISOM contingent will start operations in Middle Jubba especially at the districts in that region where al Shabaab controls. According to Sunday Standard newspaper from Kenya, UPDF’s AMISOM contingent said they were committed to occupy Baware whereas KDF is committed to force al Shabaab out of Jilib and Jamaame.
People carrying illegal weapons could face five years imprisonment
10 Aug – Source: Radio RBC – 216 words
The cabinet of the ministers of Somalia’s Federal Government passed a new draft legislation which prohibits holding and carrying illegal weapons after new security measures were put into practice. The Information Minister Mustaf Dhuhulow said the new draft legislation which becomes the first in its kind will allow security forces to apprehend any person found using illegal arms including arms dealers. “This legislation prohibits people carrying illegal weapons and anyone found to be guilty of this by courts will face 5 years imprisonment or fines equivalent to the sentencing.” the minister said. Minister Dhuhulow said the legislation provides details on all arms and weapons and the way they can be owned and used. The new legislation also prohibits people importing, exporting, or selling of any arms or weapons that can kill people.
Money Remittance Improvement Act is signed into law by President Obama
10 Aug – Source: Hiiraan Online – 332 words
Remittance companies breathed a sigh of relief in America as President Obama signed into law the Money Remittance Improvement Act championed by Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District U.S House representative Keith Ellison. The Money Remittance Improvement Act law improves regulation for nonbank financial institutions such as money service businesses by allowing federal regulators to rely on approved state exams. The law will reduce the regulatory burden on money services businesses which have come under the scrutiny of the government of the America and national and international banks both in the US and Europe which they currently have accounts with after disclosure rules were tightened due to high level compliance failures and large financial penalties for some major banks in the recent past.
Military court sentences a man to death for killing a local in Mogadishu
10 Aug – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 130 words
The military court of Somali National Army has on Sunday sentenced to death penalty one young man Ibrahim Abdullahi Ali for killing and giving assistance of al Shabaab members in Mogadishu. The court has also sentenced to life in prison to another four people Abdinasir said Farah,Ubah Muhidin Ali, Hanad Mumin Mohamed and Dini Ali Hussein after they plead guilty in front of the court. On the other hand Abdiaziz Mohamed Hussein and Abdinasir Said Farah were sentence to 10 years in prison for giving to shelter and refuge to al Shabaab members. The spokesman of Somali military court Abdullahi Mohamed Keyse told the media that there are some suspects that will appear before the court soon.
Somaliland opposition political National Parties calls on the creation of transitional government
10 Aug – Source: Somaliland Informer – 145 words
The two opposition parties of Justice & Welfare party (UCID), Wadani and in conjunction with National Consultation & Rectification Forum (NCRF) have jointly proposed that the formation of transitional government is a must if the current government led by Silanyo fails to live up to her pledges to hold free & fair presidential and parliamentary election in 2015 to prepare the holding of smooth elections. They expressed their concern that the Silanyo led government does not remain ready to hold elections on the agreed date. They stated that if elections are not held the blame will be put on the shoulders of the Kulmiye led government. This has been revealed in a press conference held at Ambassador Hotel on Sunday and senior officials of the two opposition parties plus NCRF were in attendance.
Al Shabaab militants attack army bases near Bulo Barde
09 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 94 words
Somalia’s Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militants attacked army bases in the outskirts of Hiraan regional district of Bulo Barde of central Somalia late on Friday night. Local reports say, shortly gun-battle erupted after Somali government forces along with Djiboutian peacekeepers returned fire. Bulo Barde residents woke up to sound of gunfire. Bulo Barde mayor Ahmed Abdi Weheliye told reporters that they repelled planned attack by Al Shabaab militiamen, adding that the allied forces killed 9 fighters. According to witnesses, six bodies in Al Shabaab uniform were spotted in the downtown on Saturday morning.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya urges international community to support peace efforts in Somalia, S. Sudan
10 Aug – Source: Coastweek/ Xinhua – 244 words
Kenya on Friday called on the international community to support peace and security efforts aimed at stabilizing Somalia and South Sudan. Presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu told journalists in Nairobi that the world should provide additional support in implementing the tripartite agreement signed between Kenya, Somalia and UNHCR on the repatriation of Somali refugees. The Tripartite Agreement which was signed by Kenya, Somalia and UNHCR in November last year established a legal framework and other support for Somali refugees in Kenya who might eventually wish to return to their homeland.
KDF prepares for another major offensive in Somalia
09 Aug – Source: Standard Media – 231 words
The Kenya Defence Forces ( KDF) is preparing for a major assault since the heroic capture of Somalia’s port city of Kismayu as they go for Jilip, another al-Shabaab stronghold. In newly-changed operational sectors that The Standard on Sunday can reveal today, KDF has been tasked with one of the toughest regions, still a bedrock of the militants. “There are now six sectors in our area of operation, with KDF responsible for Sector 2 that comprises Lower and Middle Jubba regions,” Colonel Ali Houmed, an officer from the Djibouti Army, who is the Amisom Spokesman, told The Sunday Standard in an exclusive interview. Amisom has added two more sectors to make them six, as a more effective way of dealing with the militants.
Conflicting interests impede war on al Shabaab
09 Aug – Source: East African – 521 words
Insufficient troops and the growing divergence in the interests by regional countries are posing a major challenge to plans by the government of Somalia and African peacekeepers to launch a major offensive against Al Shabaab. Investigations reveal that differences in perspectives among the troop contributing countries of Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia continue to widen stalling forward movement in the past six months, even as the peacekeepers maintain that the territory controlled by the militants is reducing drastically. In addition, the 22,126 combined troops of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) are not sufficient to police the vast territory of Somalia and to sustain the final push against Al Shabaab.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia donors must act now to avoid famine ‘catastrophe’ -U.N
10 Aug – Source: Reuters/UN News Centre – 467 words
War-ravaged Somalia is hurtling towards a second famine in three years that could be prevented if donors increased funding, Philippe Lazzarini, United Nations’ humanitarian coordinator for Somalia said on Sunday. Lazzarini said rapidly rising malnutrition and food shortages across the country resemble the warning signs which preceded the 2011 famine in which about 260,000 people died. “Only years after this famine where basically we said ‘never again’, a crisis is unfolding in front of us,” he told Reuters. “It would just be morally difficult to justify and to accept that a new crisis of this scope could unfold,” he said.
250 Somali soldiers graduate from EU academy as US unveils special forces training programme
08 Aug – Source: Defence Web – 530 words
250 soldiers of the Somali National Army (SNA) have graduated from a two-week long European Union-sponsored military training course focused on urban warfare and human rights. Media reports from Mogadishu quoted SNA spokesman General Abdulkader Nur saying the training, which is provided by the European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM), is part of the rebuilding of the national army so that it can defeat the Islamist Al Shabaab and other militias operating across the country. Nur said the new graduates will soon be deployed on special military assignments and intelligence gathering operations against Al Shabaab in urban centres across the Horn of Africa country.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“International community should not accept any more or run with it any progress shown on the paper without real progress being made on the ground. By doing so will only prolong the suffering of Somali people.”
Somalia: International community should focus progress being made on the ground instead of on the paper
10 Aug – Source: Horseed Media – 944 words
On July 30, 2014, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud presided a meeting in which it was intended to create central state consisting of Mudug and Galgaduud region while international community were present led by Nicholas Kay, United Nation representative for political affair in Somalia. In that meeting, it was reported that all the stakeholders in the central State including Hubin and Heeb, Galmudug and Ahlusuna Waljamaa representatives were present and agreed to intent to create Central State However, immediately after the announcement of creating Central State in Villa Somalia, it was expected, as usually seen in last two states formed, certain group of opposition would come forward claiming the meeting was not inclusive, but the reaction created by this announcement was much different from any other responses as result of earlier states formed.
“A genuine Somali federal government that shows a willingness to fight a truly national campaign against al Shabaab militants both strategically and militarily will need all the support it can get from the international community to better track down these terrorists, and to cut off both their domestic and foreign sources of financial support. The Somali society itself must decide if it will hide its head in the sand or recognize the existential threat that al Shabaab poses to the future of normalcy, free from suicide bombers and daily explosions in their midst.”
The Enemy Within: al Shabaab in Villa Somalia
09 Aug – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1456 words
When President Hassan Sheikh was elected almost three years ago, he was too quick to declare to the world at large that Al-Shabab terrorists were “on the path to defeat” and its surviving members were more concerned for their own safety rather than plotting against his government. That is why it is appalling sight to watch lately how al Shabaab terrorists repeatedly launch surprise attacks at the Presidential palace of Villa Somalia in Mogadishu, where the President, most of the cabinet ministers including the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament live and have their offices. Not to mention the recently tragic target killings of prominent members of the Parliament, with impunity. These sorts of assaults are tantamount to a “decapitation” of the federal government as we know it, which shows the serious security lapse in the country. It is also a testament how the government of Hassan Sheikh has completely lost its vote of confidence and support of the vast majority of the Somali population for the steady deterioration of their lives and the economy, as well as the apathy of the government in dealing with growing security threat. However, the government’s recurring reaction to the worsening insecurity in the capita has been so far to move around security officials like musical chairs, as though that’s going to fix the problem. The pragmatists argue the main reason that the federal government has terribly failed to eliminate the existential threat that al Shabaab currently poses to the country is that it lacks both national strategy to unite the country and a tactical maneuver in which the government and the AMISOM forces together fight against al Shabaab.