August 22, 2016 | Morning Headlines
Twin Suicide Bombs Claimed By Al-Shabaab Kill 20 People In Somalia
21 August – Source: Reuters – 250 Words
More than 20 people were killed on Sunday when suicide bombers from the militant Al-Shabaab group detonated two car bombs at a local government headquarters in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region, witnesses and officials said.
Residents of the town of Galkayo in north central Somalia said they heard two loud blasts in quick succession followed by heavy gunfire: “There were two huge bombs. The first one was a truck bomb, followed a minute or so (later) by another car bomb. My brother was injured at the scene,” Halima Ismail, a local resident, told Reuters.
Islamist Al-Shabaab, which has carried out a series of deadly attacks in the Horn of Africa country as it seeks to topple the Western-backed government, claimed responsibility for the bombings: “There were two suicide car bombs,” Abdiasis Abu Musab, the group’s spokesman for military operations, told Reuters.
Police initially put the death toll at 10, including civilians and security forces personnel, but a medical official said that number had doubled: “Death toll is over 20 and it may rise further,” said Ahmed Sugule, a doctor at Galkayo hospital. He said another 30 people were wounded in the attack.
Al-Shabaab has become more active in Puntland, a large part of northern Somalia, since moving more forces there after being pushed out of strongholds farther south by an African Union force and the Somali National Army, experts and officials say. The group controlled Mogadishu for several years until 2011 when African Union forces drove it out.
Key Headlines
- Twin Suicide Bombs Claimed By Al-Shabaab Kill 20 People In Somalia (Reuters)
- Three People Injured In Mortar Shell Attack At Transport HQs In Mogadishu (Goobjoog News)
- Amid Concerns Somaliland Insists ‘Timely’ Presidential Election (Hiiraan Online)
- First Mobile Court Established In Jowhar District (Goobjoog News)
- UN Urges Somalia To Abide By Poll Calendar (The Gulf Today)
- NSSF Staff Arrested Over Terror Links (The Standard)
- Uniformed UNSOS Personnel Honored For Distinguished Service (UNSOM)
- General Mohamed Ali Samatar- A history Of Survival And Firsts Through The Storms (Goobjoog News)
PRESS STATEMENT
SRSG Keating Condemns Terrorist Attack In Gaalkacyo
21 August – Source: UNSOM – 186 Words
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) in Somalia, Michael Keating, strongly condemned the twin explosions in the city of Gaalkacyo this morning that killed at least 12 people and injured over 25.
Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the attack carried out in two vehicles laden with explosives that targeted a municipal government building near a crowded market. Among the victims were schoolchildren who died in the second blast.
“Extremists have once again demonstrated their disregard for human life,” said SRSG Keating. “This act of terror highlights the vulnerability of Somali civilians including children to actors who continue to use violence to achieve their objectives.”
Mr. Keating commended the quick reaction of Puntland security forces who opened fire on the second vehicle, thereby preventing the suicide bomber from reaching the government building and inflicting even more casualties.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the loved ones of the victims, especially the parents of the children who have suffered the worst tragedy that can befall a family,” he said. “We wish the wounded a full and speedy recovery from the injuries they sustained in the attack.”
NATIONAL MEDIA
Three People Injured In Mortar Shell Attack At Transport HQs In Mogadishu
21 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 115 Words
Several mortar shells landed near the headquarters of Somalia’s transport ministry in Mogadishu on Sunday, hours after two blasts occurred in Galkayo.Three people were injured and two vehicles destroyed in the attack at the Ministry of Transport headquarters in Mogadishu’s Shibis district.
Mogadishu local government spokesman confirmed the incident to the media noting that a firefighting team was able to extinguish the fires, though the vehicles were destroyed by fire. A source at the Transport ministry told Goobjoog News that one of the mortars hit the parking lot of the Minister. His driver was injured and a fuel storage area was also destroyed. The capital city has lately witnessed such mortal shell attacks with some targeting the presidential palace.
Amid Concerns, Somaliland Insists ‘Timely’ Presidential Election
21 August – Source: Hiiraan Online – 269 Words
The breakaway northern Somalia republic of Somaliland has affirmed its readiness to hold the upcoming presidential election ‘in accordance with the planned schedule’. The assurance comes amid claims by opposition that the President is seeking a new term extension.
The government had earlier announced it would hold the presidential election on March 17 next year, rescheduling the timetable from its initial date of July this year. Opposition parties have repeatedly accused the incumbent, President Ahmed Silanyo, of seeking a new ‘unconstitutional’ term extension, echoing previous warnings by the European Union, UK and the US governments, all who have cautioned against political instability in the region. Somaliland is often referred to as an oasis of peace in a volatile region.
“The timetable for the election remains unchanged and it will be held in accordance with the planned schedule.” said Saeed Ali Muse, the chairman of Somaliland’s electoral commission at a press conference in the capital of Hargeisa on Saturday.
“There’s nothing about term extension for the President and such reports are merely baseless.” he added. Last year, opposition parties subsequently boycotted the presidential election after a controversial term extension following endorsements by the two houses of the Parliament. Opposition parties have since called for the dissolution of the two upper houses as the result of the endorsement for the president’s term extension, accusing their members of failing to perform their duties diligently without fear and favour.
First Mobile Court Established In Jowhar District
21 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 105 Words
The first mobile court has been established in Jowhar district of Middle Shabelle region. The head of appeal court in Lower Shabelle, Sheikh Ahmed Haji, has stated that they have put in place a mobile court in Jowhar district, which will move from one place to another to carry out its duties of execution of judicial service.
He noted that the court comes at the right time when the district is in high need of judicial services. He called upon people Jowhar town to work hand in hand with the court officials. It comes at a time when members of the public have complained about increased cases of robberies by gunmen in the town
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UN Urges Somalia To Abide By Poll Calendar
21 August – Source: The Gulf Today – 349 Words
The United Nations’ Security Council has expressed disappointment that elections in Somalia were delayed and urged the internationally backed government to stick to the new timetable.
The troubled African country, which was supposed to hold national elections this year, has instead scheduled a limited franchise election in which ordinary citizens do not participate. The UN-sponsored election team recently announced a delayed presidential vote on Oct.30, following parliamentary elections from Sept.24 to Oct.10. The exercise had been scheduled to take place in August.
In an unanimously approved statement, the UN Security Council stressed the importance of Somalia preserving the momentum seen in political and security progress since 2012, when the last polls were held. “The Security Council regrets the delay to the original timeline, and calls on all Somali stakeholders to work constructively to implement the revised calendar without further delay,” the statement said.
It added that the Council “underscores the need to maintain the momentum towards democratic governance, with an inclusive, transparent and credible electoral process in 2016 as a stepping stone to universal suffrage elections in 2020.”
The 15-nation council welcomed the government’s decision to allow representation of minority clans in the electoral process. And it noted the commitment to reserve 80 per cent of the seats in the upper and lower chambers of parliament for women. Clan elders will select parliamentarians, while each of Somalia’s federal states will choose representatives to a new upper house. The two houses of parliament will then vote for a president.
NSSF Staff Arrested Over Terror Links
21 August – Source: The Standard – 197 Words
Detectives from Kenya’s Anti-Terror Police Unit have arrested two National Social Security Fund (NSSF) officials on suspicion that they were linked to a terror group. The staff, in their late 20s, were arrested on Thursday over claims of recruiting youth in Isiolo to join Al-Shabaab.
The duo were posted to Isiolo recently from the NSSF Garissa branch. Yesterday, Isiolo District Criminal Investigation Officer Peter Ndubi said, “The suspects were arrested over claims of recruiting the youth. We are currently interrogating them.”
The suspects allegedly visit madrassas (Islamic religious schools) in estates in Isiolo town to recruit and radicalise youths. The arrest comes hot on the heels of revelations that six youths left for Elwak in Mandera County en-route to Somalia to join Al-Shabaab.
Uniformed UNSOS Personnel Honored For Distinguished Service
20 August – Source: UNSOM – 311 Words
Uniformed personnel serving the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) were today honored for their distinguished service.
The 17 uniformed personnel drawn from the military, police and corrections components of the Mission were awarded the UN Special Services Medal by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG), Michael Keating, at a function held in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
Speaking at the medal award ceremony, SRSG Keating saluted the uniformed personnel for their commitment and bravery while working in an extremely challenging environment.
“Thank you for what you have done. You are making a very significant contribution both to the United Nations, the African Union Mission in Somalia and indeed to this country. Congratulations,” he said. The United Nations medal parade ceremony was attended by the Director of UNSOS, Amadu Kamara, the UNSOM Police Commissioner, Christophe Buik, and several senior officials of the Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia.
The service rendered by the uniformed personnel, SRSG Keating observed, was critical, especially in a country like Somalia which is undergoing a major political transition after prolonged civil war: “This country is going through a totally extraordinary political transformation after 35 years of conflict,” said the SRSG. “They are trying to put a state together, one that will be very unique and very Somali and not put together by the rules that we recognize, but that are distinct and suited to Somalia’s clan history. This is an extraordinarily difficult task both for the Somalis and for those trying to help them.” The SRSG said he was fully aware of the complexities faced by uniformed personnel serving in a country like Somalia.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Many consider Samatar’s long survival especially in a military regime to his relationship with Siad Barre in the 1950s while others attribute it to his unequivocal loyalty to General Barre. He died on Friday, August 19, 2016, leaving behind children among them current Gender and Human Rights Development Minister Sahro Samatar.”
General Mohamed Ali Samatar- A history Of Survival And Firsts Through The Storms
20 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 530 Words
General Mohamed Ali Samatar, Somalia’s first and only vice president passed on Friday at the age of 81 in Virginia, US after a checkered career spanning a half a century which culminated into ascension to number two position in the land and senior most military man-Lieutenant General, a fete no other military officer has attained in Somalia’s history.
Born in 1935 in the coastal city of Kismayo, young Samatar joined the colonial police in 1950 shortly before he left for Italy to join Casano di Roma Infantry Academy where he learnt military craft between 1954 and 1956.
He returned to Somalia a time the build up to independence was almost at its peak and worked under the tutelage of a man who would until the end of his life in the public service be his boss- General Siad Barre. But Samatar was not to stay long at his post in Marka town when he was sent to Frunzi Academy in the then Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR, an elite institution reserved for the most qualified officers of the Warsaw Pact armies and their allies.
In post-colonial Somalia, General Samatar joined Siad Barre’s government in 1971 which was then three years old after a military coup in 1969. Thanks to the close working relationship he had nurtured with Siad Barre during the colonial period, General Samatar would serve continuously as Defence Minister and Vice President from 1971 to 1981 surviving 11 cabinet reshuffles in between.
But tables turned against him in April 27, 1981, when Siad Barre launched a major shakeup of government officials dismissing four of his closest henchmen including Samatar. But the army man was to resume his position a year later. Samatar would serve as the country’s second senior most man until February 5, 1987 when a new portfolio was added to his office- he became the country’s fourth Prime Minister.