August 12, 2016 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali Cabinet Endorses New Policy On Al-Shabaab Defectors
12 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 241 Words
Somalia’s Cabinet has endorsed new of policy on Al-Shabaab defectors, barely three days after thirty former Al-Shabaab combatants completed an intensive rehabilitation programme in the Baidoa Rehabilitation Centre in South West State of Somalia.
The policy was submitted by the Ministry for Internal Security Affairs in a bid to attract more Al-Shabaab defectors and discourage recruitment of new members for the Al-Shabaab group.The move comes a day after Somali Commandos Division conducted special operation in GalKayo town in Mudug region where five Al-Shabaab members, including a foreign commander captured.On Wednesday, thirty former Al-Shabaab combatants graduated from the Baidoa Rehabilitation Centre.The ex-combatants, who received vocational training and psychological support, expressed confidence, saying they were ready to contribute positively to the development of Somalia.
Ibrahim, a former Al-Shabaab combatant, said he was ready to turn a new chapter in life, thanks to the Baidoa Rehabilitation Centre.“We received full education. I was taught carpentry and tailoring. I can sew my clothes and those of my family. I can do carpentry work with ease, and make a chair, a bed and other household furniture. I am perfectly suited for such work. I can say I am ready to face the world,” said Ibrahim, one of the 30 graduates. Al-Shabaab was pushed out of Mogadishu by the African Union peacekeeping force (AMISOM) in 2011. But it has remained a potent threat in Somalia, launching frequent attacks aimed at overthrowing the government.
Key Headlines
- Somali Cabinet Endorses New Policy On Al-Shabaab Defectors (Goobjoog News)
- Al-Shabaab Attacks Somali Military Base In Southern Somalia (Radio Dalsan)
- Somalia Ethiopia Discuss Regional Security (Radio Kulmiye)
- After Big Win Former Somali Refugee Now The Favorite To Win Minnesota State Senate Seat (New York Times)
- 12 Sentenced To 5 Years For Piracy (Pulse Magazine)
- Did BBC Radio Presenter Go Too Far With ‘Racist’ Somali Olympic Sailing Team Joke? (The Mirror)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Al-Shabaab Attacks Somali Military Base In Southern Somalia
12 August – Source: Radio Dalsan – 138 Words
Al-Shabaab militants claim to have killed at least 10 soldiers after an attack on Somali military base, located in the outskirts of Afgoye town, in Lower Shabelle region Wednesday night.The militants bombed the military base using a hand grenade before heavy gunfighting erupted between the soldiers and the militants.
Mohamed, an Afgoye resident, said in an interview with Radio Dalsan that he heard a loud explosion and then saw a thick smoke emanating from the military base. He then heard heavy gunfire exchange.The fighting started minutes after Al-Shabaab members bombed the soldiers’ base in the outskirts of Afgoye district. Two civilians, who were in the area, are reported to have been killed during the fighting. Government officials have launched an operation in search of the unlawful group that carried out the attack.
Somalia, Ethiopia Discuss Regional Security
11 August 2016 – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 138 Words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, have held high level discussions on major regional and bilateral issues, with specific focus to forging closer security cooperation between the two Horn of African countries.During the meeting Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, the two leaders also discussed the latest state-building developments in Somalia, where the National Leadership Forum stakeholders recently agreed on a consensus-based electoral roadmap to end a longstanding political deadlock in the country. They further resolved Addis Ababa’s role in the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia, with regard to ensuring free, fair and peaceful electoral process in 2016.The visiting Somali government delegation also met with high profile representatives from the Somali regional state of Ethiopia during their official visit in Jigjiga, with the cross-border security cooperation on top of their agenda.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
After Big Win, Former Somali Refugee Now The Favorite To Win Minnesota State Senate Seat
12 August – Source: New York Times – 391 Words
A former refugee from Somalia made history this week in Minnesota when she knocked off a long-serving legislator in the state’s primary election. Ilhan Omar, 33, handily defeated incumbent Phyllis Kahn, who had served as a state representative for 44 years, on Tuesday.
The historic victory made Omar the first Muslim American woman of Somali descent to ever win a state primary and it puts her on the cusp of becoming the country’s first Somali-American legislator. Omar, a Democrat, is the favorite in the November election, and her opponent is also an immigrant from Somali. “Tonight we made history,” Omar told supporters following her big win on Tuesday night. “Tonight marks the beginning of the future of our district, a new era of representation.” She delivered her victory speech in both English and Somali.
It’s been a long road for Omar, a community activist and mother of three. As a child, her parents fled Somalia and she lived with them for four years in a Kenyan refugee camp. Eventually, the family was granted the opportunity to become U.S. citizens when Omar was 8. After a brief stay in Virginia, the family settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they began a new life.
Nowadays, the Somali immigrant population has exploded to the point where her neighborhood is known as Little Mogadishu. Constituents there were largely overjoyed with her ascent. In Minneapolis, Somali immigrants have had recent successes being elected to local government posts, but Omar’s election on November would be a real breakthrough. Her grandfather, she said in her nomination acceptance speech, instilled in her what has become a deep interest in local politics. She also discussed some of the challenges including sexism and misogyny that she encountered through her campaign. Some community leaders, she said, “bought into the narrative of misogyny” and told her it was impossible for a Somali woman to win that seat. She was happy to prove those skeptics wrong, she told supporters.
12 Sentenced To 5 Years For Piracy
11 August – Source: Pulse Magazine – 244 Words
Twelve Somalis who attacked a container ship in the Indian Ocean were sentenced to five years in jail in Mauritius Thursday, a reminder of the region’s battle against piracy.The men were accused of firing on the MSC Jasmine, a Panamanian-flagged container ship, in January 2013 before being captured by naval anti-piracy forces and transferred to Mauritius for trial.They were found guilty of sea piracy on July 14, and sentencing themThursday a judge said the three years they have already served will be taken off their jail time.
Foreign navies that capture suspected pirates have handed over hundreds to regional nations including Mauritius, as well as Kenya, Seychelles and Tanzania, though the criminal industry in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden has largely died out.The men, aged between 22 and 47, had been acquitted in November 2014 but prosecutors appealed, and in December last year a new trial was ordered.
Somali piracy reached its peak in 2011 when Somali pirate gangs attacked 237 vessels, seizing 11 vessels and 216 hostages, earning on average more than $2 million (1.8 million euros) for every ship ransomed.Anti-piracy patrols by international warships and armed guards aboard commercial vessels which now sail faster and further away from the Somali coast have largely suppressed incidents of piracy.Although Mauritius was not directly affected, the Indian Ocean island nation feared for its maritime trade as well as the many luxury cruises that feed its economy.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Several social media users have quoted the joke on Twitter during several different sailing events without comment. However one user wrote: “Savage,” in response to the joke. Another added: “No one likes a racist. Stop making such insensitive comments”
Did BBC Radio Presenter Go Too Far With ‘Racist’ Somali Olympic Sailing Team Joke?
11 August – Source: The Mirror – 377 Words
A BBC radio presenter has made reference to Somali pirates while discussing the Somali Olympic team’s results at a sailing event in Rio. The joke was made on BBC Cumbria’s late show with Ian Timms on Tuesday, August 9.
But now it’s being questioned whether the joke was a little too controversial, with some calling it “savage” while others think it’s just a bit of fun. In the clip, Ian says: “We’ve got some sailing results from the Olympics in Riotonight. Team GB have taken gold, Denmark have taken silver, and Somalia have taken a middle-aged couple who were sailing around the world.
He adds: “The Somali Olympic coach has had to apologise to officials on behalf of the team after realising that shooting and sailing were, in fact, different events.” Without another word, Timms then plays the next song.
Several social media users have quoted the joke on Twitter during several different sailing events without comment. However one user wrote: “Savage,” in response to the joke. Another added: “No one likes a racist. Stop making such insensitive comments against a poor country.”
Mirror.co.uk has approached the BBC for comment. The incident comes after the BBC were forced to apologise after an Olympic commentator’s ‘homophobic’ remark sparked outrage online. Tennis presenter Paul Hand joked “let’s hope they don’t go on to two blokes sat next to each other” during kisscam footage of couples in Rio.
TOP TWEETS
@SomaliaNewsroom:Amid local protests in #Ethiopia,#Somalia‘s President is in Jigjiga hanging out with #Ethiopiapuppet master Gebre.
@US2SOMALIA is seeking mid-career #Somalia professionals for Humphrey Fellowship Program. Apply until 31 Aug
@amisomsomalia:AMISOM’s Quick Impact Projects have enabled #SomaliYouth kick off educational goals.#InternationalYouthDay #Somalia
@Kadarnouh;”In #Somalia, 63% of the population are under 25. Today we celebrate their commitment to peace and stability “@HarrietLMathews #SomaliYouth
@Eye_on_Somalia:#hiiraan Who is Fadumo Dayib, Somalia’s first female presidential hopeful?: Fadumo Dayib was only 14…http://bit.ly/2b1LtOR #somalia
IMAGE OF THE DAY
The Somali Police Force Commissioner for Kismayo, Col. Hassan Khyere Ahmed receives office equipment and stationery from AMISOM police.
Photo:AMISOM