August 16, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

AMISOM is politically neutral, says Wamunyinyi

15 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 159 words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has said it is politically neutral when it comes to the forthcoming presidential election in Somalia. In an exclusive interview with Bar-kulan, The Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, Wafula Wamunyinyi said they are not siding with any candidate contesting for Somalia’s top seat. He urged politicians campaigning to clinch to the presidency to work on developing promising future for their country, assuring that there will be no outsiders interfering with this process aimed at ending the transitional period.He also appealed to them to uphold the rule of law during their campaign period and maintaining peace as they continue drumming up supports for their presidency.

Key Headlines

AMISOM to continue Somalia operations despite helicopter crashes (AMISOM)
AMISOM is politically neutral says Wamunyinyi (Radio Bar-kulan)
Artillery Fire Mortar Shells Rain down on Kismayo (Shabelle)
Somali forces conduct security operation in Mogadishu (Radio Mustaqbal/Caasimada Online)
President rebukes cabinet decision to rescind his decree (Radio Kulmiye)
Former Kenyan President urges Somalia candidates to foster stability (Capital News)
TFG to set up rehabilitation funds for militant defectors (Radio Bar-kulan)
Plane brings Somali pirates to Garowe (Radio Mustaqbal)
3 al Shabaab suspects killed in Kenya’s coastal region (Xinhua)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM to continue Somalia operations despite helicopter crashes

15 Aug – Source: AMISOM – 289 words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ambassador Boubacar Diarra, has said that the AU Mission in Somalia will continue its operations against the al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists in Somalia despite the unfortunate loss of three Ugandan helicopters en route to reinforce the mission.

The three helicopters were part of a group of four being sent to Somalia to support AMISOM – the first time that the 5-year old mission was to be equipped with an air component. They went down in bad weather in the Kenyan highlands on Sunday, killing at least two on board. 14 survivors have so far been found and a search and rescue operation has been launched by the Kenyan authorities to locate 5 others.

“At this time our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the bereaved, as well as with the people and Government and security forces of Uganda,” said Ambassador Diarra. “We are gravely concerned for the safety of those still unaccounted for and continue to pray that they will be recovered unharmed,” he added.

He said that despite the setback, AMISOM remained committed to improving the security of the people of Somalia and urged the UN and the international community to expedite the training and deployment of replacement helicopters and crew.

“As AMISOM continues to expand into open country, the deployment of these long awaited enablers, authorized under UN Security Council Resolution 2036, remains critical for operational, as well as logistical support and medical evacuation,” he said.

He paid tribute to the Government of Uganda for its continuing commitment to the cause of peace, security and reconciliation in Somalia.

He added that AMISOM would continue to monitor developments in the search and rescue operation.

SOMALI MEDIA

AMISOM is politically neutral, says Wamunyinyi

15 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 159 words

Artillery fire, mortar shells rain down on Kismayo

15 Aug – Source: Shabelle – 80 words

Heavy artillery fire and mortar shells rained on Somalia’s southern strategic port city of Kismayo controlled by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants, reports said on Wednesday. Local residents in the rebel-held seaside city reported that at least 10 mortar shells have rocked the city in the early hours on Wednesday, hitting on militant bases and residential areas. No deaths were reported, however, a woman was wounded after a mortar shell was fired into a crowded neighborhood, according to witness.

Somali forces conduct security operation in Mogadishu

15 Aug – Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Caasimada Online – 114 words

Somalia’s security forces conducted security operation in Mogadishu’s Yaqshid district. The operation was aimed at maintaining the security, stability of the district.A resident told to radio Mustaqbal that the forces made search operation in the neighbourhoods. The resident indicated the forces seized suspected people in the operations.

President rebukes cabinet decision to rescind his decree

15 Aug – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 124 words

Speaking in at a press conference in Mogadishu, Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has expressed disapoitment over decision by council of ministers led by the prime minister Abdiwali Mohamed Ali Gaas to rescind a decree he issued to elevate status of some towns into full district. The president termed the cabinet decision as selfishness. Cabinet recently rescinded President Ahmed’s degree to accord small towns across the Bay and Bakool region district status.

TFG to set up rehabilitation funds for militant defectors

15 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 111 words

The government will set aside $19 million for the rehabilitation of defected al Shabaab militants who surrender to its side and that of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).The proposed programme which will be facilitated by the AMISOM and other donors from the internationally community is aimed at shaping militant defectors in order to reintegrate them back into the society. The programme is also part of the government strategy to fight the militant group.

Clan fighting renews in Lower Jubba region

15 Aug – Source: Shabelle – 64 words

Fighting broke out Wednesday between two clans in Lower Jubba region, south Somalia, claiming at least three people and wounding five, all of them from warring sides, witnesses said. Reports from the village called Waraq 10 kilometers from Hosingow town, near Kenyan border, indicated that the fighting erupted when two armed clan militias disagreed over the ownership of water wells.

Plane brings Somali pirates to Garowe

15 Aug- Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 68 words

Airplane carrying some Somali pirates landed at an airport in Garowe, the headquarter of Puntland regional administration.The plane brought pirates who are part of dozens suspected sea gangs detained in Seychelles. Puntland officials who received the pirates at the airport told the journalists the decision to relocate pirates to Somalia came after talks between Seychelles and Puntland.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Former Kenyan President urges Somalia candidates to foster stability

15 Aug- Source: Capital News – 377 words

Retired president Daniel arap Moi has challenged Somalia leaders seeking for elective positions in the upcoming elections to exploit the chance and unite the country.Moi challenged the people of Somalia to focus their strengths on re-building their nation rather than fighting one another.Somalia heads to elections next Monday after the term of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) expires.“We hope that this election will bring lasting peace and that Somalia will no longer be associated with war, violence, starvation and crime,” he said.

Third Uganda soldier confirmed dead in chopper crash

15 Aug – Source: Africa Review – 342 words

A third Ugandan soldier has been confirmed dead following a trio of helicopter crashes in thick mountain forest in Kenya on Sunday.It is feared that all seven soldiers in the wreckage of one of the crashed choppers may have perished as the aircraft was the only one that burst into flames.The crew in the other two aircraft were all rescued Tuesday, while two dead soldiers were retrieved Tuesday.The four helicopters were on their way to to Somalia to support African Union troops battling al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents in what is expected to be a final assault on their nerve centre of Kismayo in the south.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

3 al Shabaab suspects killed in Kenya’s coastal region

15 Aug – Source: Xinhua – 634 words

Kenya’s security forces have killed three suspected al Shabaab militia from Somalia in the coastal region of Lamu as the East African nation enhances security along its borders with the Horn of Africa nation.Coast Provincial Commissioner Samuel Kilele said they were killed on Tuesday night by a joint security operation conducted by Kenya Defense Force (KDF) and the police at Boni forest in the archipelago.The regional administrator said three AK-47 rifles and 60 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspects in the raid.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“A patchwork of diesel generators provides electricity for people who can afford it. Somalia’s warlords and militias have been the chief beneficiaries. The cost has been far out of reach of the poor. And it has been exceptionally bad for business. There is no shortage of entrepreneurs in Mogadishu. But it is difficult to make money without affordable electricity.”

Somalia: Power is as valuable as peace

14 Aug- Source: The Economist Blog-486 Words

AT THE start of August, a gathering of Somali leaders in Mogadishu, their country’s capital, backed a new constitution, paving the way for a new government to be sworn in on the 20th. The vote came shortly after two bombers tried to attack the meeting, so it is not surprising that concerns over the country’s fragile recovery focus mainly on politics and security. But Somalia faces another sort of power struggle which may be just as big a brake on development.