August 23, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali government calls on UNSC to lift sanctions on Somali businessman
23 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Dalsan – 194 words
Council of Ministers meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon condemned the attack targeted the Swedish politicians in Mogadishu and sent condolences to the families of the victims, Swedish government the people. The council of ministers also requested from the UN Security Council to lift sanctions against Somali businessman Mr. Ahmed Ali Jim’ale former chairman of Barakat Bank.
“I condemn the attack in the strongest terms and send my condolences to the families of the Swedish politicians attacked in Mogadishu yesterday. I urge the security forces to protect our friends and partners visiting and working in Somalia,” Prime Minister said. He stated that they are very important for the speedy recovery of Somalia and that such an attacks will leave no stone unturned to keep our citizens safe.
Somalia Interior Minister Abdikarin Hussein Gulled briefed the council of ministers on a comprehensive investigation carried out on Mr. Jim’ale’s UNSC Sanctions Committee allegation dating back on February 17, and 25 August, 2012. The minister reported the findings of the independent committee consisting of; Somali Government officials, religious leaders, business community leaders, nongovernmental organizations and officials from neighboring country Djibouti.
Key Headlines
- Somali government calls on UNSC to lift sanctions on Somali businessman (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Dalsan)
- Technical Committee says Somalia Media Law will protects rights of journalists (Raxanreeb/Dalsan)
- ‘Somalia detains 3 over Mogadishu attack’ (Press TV)
- Ethiopia’s Somali state president meets with FSG Jubaland representatives (Shabelle)
- Somali militia leaders’ bank assets to be frozen (Khaleej Times)
- UNESCO chief deplores murder of Somali radio journalist (UN News Center)
- Kenyan forces fight Al Shabaab near Somali border (Garowe Online)
- Kenyan police warn of militant attacks in Mombasa over slain cleric (Reuters)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali government calls on UNSC to lift sanctions on Somali businessman
23 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Dalsan – 194 words
Council of Ministers meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon condemned the attack targeted the Swedish politicians in Mogadishu and sent condolences to the families of the victims, Swedish government the people. The council of ministers also requested from the UN Security Council to lift sanctions against Somali businessman Mr. Ahmed Ali Jim’ale former chairman of Barakat Bank.
“I condemn the attack in the strongest terms and send my condolences to the families of the Swedish politicians attacked in Mogadishu yesterday. I urge the security forces to protect our friends and partners visiting and working in Somalia,” Prime Minister said. He stated that they are very important for the speedy recovery of Somalia and that such an attacks will leave no stone unturned to keep our citizens safe.
Somalia Interior Minister Abdikarin Hussein Gulled briefed the council of ministers on a comprehensive investigation carried out on Mr. Jim’ale’s UNSC Sanctions Committee allegation dating back on February 17, and 25 August, 2012. The minister reported the findings of the independent committee consisting of; Somali Government officials, religious leaders, business community leaders, nongovernmental organizations and officials from neighboring country Djibouti.
Technical Committee says Somalia Media Law will protects rights of journalists
23 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb/Dalsan – 142 words
The Technical Committee on Somalia Media Law held its regular meeting in Mogadishu on Thursday to review the media law.
Representatives included the Deputy Minister of Information, Posts, Telecommunications & Transport, Senior Advisor & Spokesperson of the Office of the President, Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, Secretary General of NUSOJ, Representatives from SMSG, IST, UNSOM and a lawyer from the Office of the Prime Minister. After the meeting the technical committee issued the below press release.
Somali Media Law will be Somali owned and protects the rights of journalists. Mogadishu, 22 August 2013 – The Federal Government of Somalia is pleased to report on the progress of the stakeholder consultation in the preparation of a draft Somali Media Law, and to correct the number of misrepresentations and misunderstandings that have recently been reflected in the press about this process.
Dhusamareb hospital is running out of medical supplies
22 Aug Source: Bar-kulan – 97 words
Dhusa-mareb general hospital management stated that the hospital has been hit by a shortage of drugs following the arrival of large numbers people suffering from Malaria and Measles.
Speaking to Bar-kulan, Dhusa-Mareb hospital’s deputy managing director Dr Ahmed Abdikadir Ali stated that the hospital is running out of medicine as this increases fears of deteriorating situation in the area.
Dr Ahmed appealed to the Somali Federal government and the other international humanitarian organizations to do something about the matter. He added that the hospital is now run by some Somali Diaspora members who hail from the town.
Ethiopia’s Somali state president meets with FSG, Jubaland representatives
22 Aug – Source: Shabelle – 106 words
The Federal government representatives and their counterparts who represent Ahmed Madobe’s administration met with Abdi Mohamud who is the president of the Somali state in Ethiopia.
The president invited both parties to pave way for a peaceful administration and urged the opposing sides to come to a final agreement which will benefit all Somalis residing from the region which has been merged by political unrests for the past 6 months.
Talks between the two parties are currently underway as hopes to reach a final agreement which will end the long running political skirmish seem to fade and opposing sides are seen coming closer to each other.
Nugal regional administration seize fake banknotes
22 Aug – Source: Radio Dalsan – 101 words
The Nugal regional administration under the semi-autonomous state of Puntland said they have seized fake banknotes entering the town of Garowe, the region’s capital.
Nugal governor of Puntland Abdi Ali Hersi said the security forces burnt down some millions of fake Somali bank notes which were smuggled into Puntland regions to cause inflation.
The governor did not specify the amount of the banknotes they have seized but he said that the fake notes were brought from the central regions of Somalia and were designated to exchange with the dollar notes from Puntland markets creating economic inflation.
Kenyan forces fight Al Shabaab near Somali border
22 Aug – Source: Garowe Online – 105 words
At least ten al Shabaab fighters were reportedly killed in heavy clashes between Kenyan security forces and Al Shabaab militants late Wednesday night in a Kenyan vicinity bordering Somalia, Garowe Online reports.
According to Garissa county commissioner Harun Rashid, militiamen suspected to be al Shabaab fighters attacked a Kenyan security patrol with grenades, mortars and gunfire, resulting the battle that lasted for nearly an hour, residents said.
“The battle occurred in North Eastern Kenya after al Shabaab tried to raid security forces lying in ambush and Kenyan forces killed 10 al Shabaab militiamen,” said Mr. Rashid. On their side, al Shabaab officials declined to comment on the fighting.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somali militia leaders’ bank assets to be frozen
23 Aug – Source: Khaleej Times – 393 Words
The Central Bank of the UAE has asked banks and financial institutions in the country to immediately search and freeze any accounts, deposits or investments owned by branches and leaders of Somalia’s al Shabaab militia. The Central Bank’s action came in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 1844 (2008) and subsequent resolutions, which call for stern action against the militant group.
In a letter dated August 21, the head of money laundering and suspicious cases unit at the Central Bank issued instructions through letter No. 234/2013 to all financial institutions to “immediately search for and freeze any accounts or deposits or investments and inform us of any credit facilities or safe deposit boxes”.
Al Shabaab group, which operates out of Somalia, has engaged in acts that directly or indirectly threaten the peace, security or stability of not only Somalia but the whole region, according to the United Nations. The group has carried out dozens of attacks on the government forces and civilians. The insurgent group is alleged to be extorting money from private companies and recruiting young people, including children, as soldiers to join the fight against the government in Mogadishu.
Somalia, one year later
23 Aug – Source: Africa Review/AFP – 745 Words
Hopes that Somalia may soon turn the page on decades of anarchy have been dealt a string of blows, giving the internationally-backed government little to cheer as it marks its first birthday. Al Qaeda-inspired fighters, breakaway regions, rival clans and an ongoing climate of rampant insecurity have conspired to ensure the Horn of Africa nation remains saddled with its basket case image.
The new government was the first to be given global recognition since the collapse of the hardline regime in 1991, and billions in foreign aid has been poured in. But in a major blow this month, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) — an aid agency used to working in the world’s most dangerous places — pulled out after two decades in the country. The agency said it could no longer put up with a “barrage of attacks”, including kidnappings, threats, lootings and murder.
“It came at a moment when world leaders, for the first time in decades, began making positive noises about a country on the road to recovery and with a stable government,” said MSF president Unni Karunakara. “For them, the timing of our decision could not have been worse.”
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
‘Somalia detains 3 over Mogadishu attack’
23 Aug – Source: Press TV – 268 Words
Somalia says it has detained three people in connection with an attack in Somali capital Mogadishu, in which a Swedish politician was injured and two other men were killed.
“So far three people who are confirmed to have been involved in that failed operation, which was a kidnap attempt, have been captured and detained for further interrogation,” said government spokesman Ridwan Xaji Abdiwali on Thursday. “The security forces are searching for two others who are believed to be the masterminds behind the attack,” Abdiwali added.
The attack occurred on Wednesday in a busy area in central Mogadishu near the Turkish Embassy, after the gunmen ambushed a car carrying the Swedish politician known as Ann-Margarethe Livh, group leader of the Left Party in Stockholm city council.
Following the attack, Swedish Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Lena Tranberg issued a statement saying preparations were under way to transfer the women to a hospital in Kenya.
UNESCO chief deplores murder of Somali radio journalist
22 Aug – Source: UN News Center – 139 words
The Head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today denounced the murder of Ahmed Sharif, a Somali journalist killed in Mogadishu.
“I condemn the murder of Ahmed Sharif,” said the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova. “He joins an already lengthy list of media professionals who have lost their life in Somalia.
Mr. Sharif, who worked for Mogadishu radio, was gunned down last Friday. He is the fifth journalist to have been killed this year in Somalia. Last year, 18 journalists were killed in direct or indirect attacks in the country.
“These criminal acts are a serious violation of the right to freedom of expression and press freedom, both of which are particularly important in a country seeking to rebuild after so many years of conflict,” Ms. Bokova said.
African troops thwart al Shabaab attack in south Somali port
22 Aug – Source: Yahoo News/ AFP – 166 words
African troops in Somalia said they thwarted an attack Thursday by Islamist al Shabaab fighters on their base in the southern port city of Kismayo. The African Union troops repulsed the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab when they first attacked on Wednesday evening, the force, AMISOM, said in a statement.
In the early hours of Thursday morning “the militia returned to attack … but were engaged before they disembarked from their vehicle,” the statement went on, adding that the al Shabaab “suffered several casualties.”
The vehicle used by the assailants — the type of four-wheel drive favoured by NGOs but mounted with a machine gun — was destroyed, AMISOM said. AMISOM troops wrested control of Kismayo from the Shebab in October 2012.
Several rival factions are battling for control of the port city, a strategic and economic hub in the southern Jubaland region. They include former Islamist chief Ahmed Madobe, who in May appointed himself “president” of Jubaland, and Bare Hirale, a former Somali defence minister who also leads a powerful militia.
Kenyan police warn of militant attacks in Mombasa over slain cleric
22 Aug – Source: Reuters – 357 Words
Al Qaeda-linked militants may be planning attacks in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa to mark the anniversary of the assassination of a Muslim cleric, police said on Thursday. Mombasa, which is Kenya’s second-largest city and lies on the Indian Ocean coast, is a magnet for tourists and a trade gateway to the east and central African region.
Muslim cleric Aboud Rogo, accused by the Kenyan government and the United States of helping Islamist al Shabaab militants in Somalia, was killed on Aug. 27 last year when unidentified gunmen sprayed bullets into his car. His killing sparked days of deadly riots in the city, where about 70 percent of residents are Muslim. Police, who have not yet arrested the cleric’s killers, said that al Shabaab may be planning to mark the anniversary of his death with violence.
“We have received intelligence information and are aware of threats by the al Shabaab terrorist network to launch attacks in sections of Mombasa city, to commemorate the killing of Sheikh Aboud Rogo last year,” Robert Kitur, Mombasa county police chief, told Reuters. “We are specifically alert about next week because that is when it will be exactly one year since his killing.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The response of the international community at this conference will no doubt continue to encourage Somalia’s political leaders to abide by their national reconciliation and reconstruction commitments.”
Supporting the New Deal for Somalia
23 Aug – Source: Independent Online – 1158 Words
In my recent contribution on Somalia, published in the Malta Independent on Monday 12 August 2013, I may have sounded to many readers too optimistic about the new prospects for Somalia.
After tracing Somalia’s misfortunes over the past four or five decades, I argued that the huge investment and political engagement by the international community, especially the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union, to create a stable and secure Somalia are giving results, as can be gathered from the conclusions of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting of 22 July 2013, and from the on-going preparations for a “New Deal Compact” for Somalia. In order to substantiate this optimism I shall go into more detail about the engagement and achievements of the international community in Somalia since lack of space prevented me from doing so in my last contribution.
The main international actors in Somalia – the UN, the EU, the AU, and IGAD, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in Eastern Africa – are pursuing a comprehensive policy based on political engagement, active diplomacy, security support, promoting good governance and the rule of law, development assistance and capacity building, and humanitarian aid.
“After years of sport being banned by the ousted al Shabaab, kids can now enjoy a good kick around again. And FIFA’s return to the war-torn country and the training course on a brand new artificial pitch at the Banadiir stadium is an encouraging step in helping to bring football in Somalia back to life.”
Bringing football back to life in Somalia
22 Aug – Source: Euronews – 286 Words
The Banadiir stadium in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu was built in 1956, four years before the country’s independence from Italy. Only until recently it was under the control of al Shabaab, the Somalia-based cell of al Qaeda. Their time their is still clearly visible as bullet holes pepper the surrounding stands and walls. But things in the previously war-ravaged city and certainly the stadium are slowly but surely changing.
Since the Somali National Army kicked the al Shabaab militants out of Mogadishu and other towns and cities, with support from the African Union Peacekeeping Force, football’s world governing body FIFA has returned after a 25-year absence. With FIFA’s return the country’s aspiring footballers have also been back in action.
Kids between the ages of 6 and 12 were treated to an afternoon of fun and games at a football festival organized by the body in conjunction with the Somali Football Federation. The football camp is the finale of a five-day grassroots training course by FIFA for local coaches in the Horn of Africa nation.
Top tweets
@petermartell #Somalia govt one year on: ‘surreal bubble of optimism’ amid MSF pullout, Shebab still strong, rape rampanthttp://www.news24.com/Africa/
@OCHASom Take a look, latest #Somalia Humanitarian#Funding Snapshot highlighting 2013 #CAP and #CHF funding levels & gaps – http://bit.ly/16eOHmT.
@mondatoportal How Will the Barclays Shutdown Impact Remittance Providers & the Diaspora? http://bit.ly/14TDsQt @Dahabshil #Remittances #Diaspora #Somalia.
@IOM_news Photo: Sports for peace, Anyone? http://ow.ly/obIfu @SayNO_UNiTE @OCHASom @UNDPSomalia #Somalia.
@SomaliaEnviron Could this be replicated in #Somalia?#Congo forest villages repair damage from #charcoal business | Reuters http://bit.ly/16Ze7HR.
Image of the day
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, centre, cuts the ribbon at the opening of a school in Jazeera area, in Mogadishu as African Union’s representative for Somalia, Amb. Mohamed Salah Anadif, right, looks on. Photo: Hiiraan Online.