August 24, 2015 | Morning Headlines

Main Story

Car Bombings In Two Somali Cities Kill 21

23 August – Source: Al Jazeera – 260 Words

At least 21 people have been killed in car bomb attacks in two cities in Somalia, police and military sources have said. A car exploded in the capital Mogadishu at a busy junction on Saturday evening, killing at least five people. “So far we know five civilians died in this evening’s blast and seven others were injured,” Mohamed Yusuf, the spokesman for the interior security ministry told reporters at the scene. The explosion was close to the Internal Security Ministry and the Juba Hotel. Witnesses told Al Jazeera that they also heard gunfire during the incident. There was no immediate claim of responsibility Earlier on Saturday, Al-Shabaab claimed a suicide car bomb attack at Kismayo University, which is being used as a base for training government troops.

The attack by a member of the armed group, in which at least 16 troops died, was launched as soldiers were lining up for training, military officials said. Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, the spokesman for military operations for Al-Shabaab, said the group was behind the bombing in the southern port city. “A minibus loaded with explosives was detonated inside the training part of the military camp,” Mohamed Abisalad, a Somali military official in Kismayo, said. “The incident is still being investigated to establish how the suicide bomber managed to pass by several checkpoints outside the camp.” Al-Shabaab group, which is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu, has lost control of most of its territory to African Union troops in recent years, but has stepped up attacks in the capital and elsewhere.

Key Headlines

Death Toll Rises In Kismayo Bombing (Garowe Online)
Over 50 Somali Citizens Arrested In Angola (Horseed Media)
Somalis To Take Charge Of Security As AMISOM Rolls Out Police Training For Locals (Somali Current)
Terrorist Attacks Won’t Stop Somalia’s Army Building Says Defense Minister (Somali Update)
Possible Al-Shabaab Attack Foiled: Kenya Authorities Arrest Terrorist Suspects In Garissa Town Where Nearly 150 People Were Massacred In April (International Business Times )
Al-Shabaab Now Targeting Secondary School Students For Radicalisation Says Coast Police Boss Robert Kitur (Daily Nation)
China’s Aid Restores Hope For Orphanage Home In Somalia (Xinhua)
Somaliland’s Book Fair Opens The Country To The World (Quartz/Hiiraan Online)
The Hypocrisy Of Somali Politicians (RBC Radio)

PRESS STATEMENTS

AU Special Representative For Somalia Condemns Attack On Somali National Army Recruits At A Training Camp In Kismayo

23 August – Source: AMISOM – 170 Words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM Ambassador Maman Sidikou strongly condemns the attack on Somali Army recruits at their training camp at the old airport in Kismayo on Saturday, 22 August, 2015. Ambassador Sidikou has described the attack as a heinous act, meant to derail the government’s efforts to build strong security institutions. He said the attack has yet again robbed Somalia of some of the country’s most productive youths. “This barbaric act confirms that the aim of Al-Shabaab is to destroy and not to build. I commiserate with the families of those killed and wounded. To Al-Shabaab, I say, we will not relent. We will continue with the momentum to rebuild Somali National Army and other security institutions until the country becomes self reliant in that regard,” said Ambassador Sidikou. A Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) was exploded in the compound where newly recruited soldiers are being trained, killing several of them and injuring others.

Statement By The African Union Special Representative For Somalia And Head Of AMISOM Addressing The 31st July 2015 Incident In Marka, Lower Shabelle Region of Somalia

21 August – Source: AMISOM – 524 Words

Thank you for honouring my invitation at short notice.This afternoon I would like to talk to you about the incident involving AMISOM troops in Marka on 31st July 2015. You would recall that we issued a statement on the 4th of August in which we stated that the officer in charge of the troop detachment was recalled for questioning as a prelude to a possible further investigation. Indeed, we have established that, on that occasion, seven civilians died following an incident involving our troops. At this juncture therefore, I would like on behalf of the African Union, to offer my sincere apology for these deaths. We regret these deaths. And I would like to offer sincere and profound condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and indeed to the people and the Federal Government of Somalia.
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NATIONAL MEDIA

Death Toll Rises In Kismayo Bombing

23 August – Source: Garowe Online – 214 Words

More details are emerging of coordinated terror attack on a training site in the southern port city of Kismayo, with medics and officials confirming 25 dead and 30 others wounded. On Saturday, initial reports disclosed that at least 15 people died in the suicide bombing inside the training camp. Jubaland’s acting Vice President, Suldan Abdulkadir Haji Mohamud (Lugadhere) has told the media that they are in full control of the situation, stressing that they will remain vigilant against such terrorist attacks. The wounded army recruits in critical condition have been airlifted to Mogadishu for treatment, said Lugadhere. Meanwhile, Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has expressed condolences to the bereaved families of those killed and wished swift recovery to the wounded. He noted that the Toyota Noah bombing will lead to much attention at military facilities where new recruits are trained by regional and international advisers. Terror acts have been rare in Kismayo, the headquarters of Jubaland administration bureaus and the home of strategic Kismayo port. Mohamud opened the training for Jubaland soldiers set to be integrated into Somali National Army (SNA) as part of national integration programme last month. A series of military offensives saw militants grip on fewer areas in central and southern Somalia wane over the last two years.

Over 50 Somali Citizens Arrested In Angola

23 August – Source: Horseed Media – 156 Words

About 100 Somali nationals are reported to have been arrested by the Angolan Police after operations targeting illegal immigrants were launched last week in major cities. A Spokesman of the Somali community in Angola Mohamed Dek Diblawe told a local radio station that most of the people arrested were local traders and were accused by the Police of not documented.“Police detained them while they were doing their businesses and some of them were tortured and yet others are not able to get food while in prison,’’ he said. He added that the actual reason behind their arrests was after other foreign business rivals reached a deal with Police agents to move the Somali businessmen from the area due to their “successful businesses.” In the past two decades, many thousands of Somalis have fled conflict at home and moved to some countries in Africa like Angola, where many have opened small shops and kiosks in townships.

Somalis To Take Charge Of Security As AMISOM Rolls Out Police Training For Locals

23 August – Source: Somali Current – 152 Words

At least 200 Somali young men and women have been listed into a training session that will last for three months facilitated by AMISOM. The youths have been selected from South-Western states of Somalia as they will be trained on policing matters as well as paramilitary skills. According to a statement by AMISOM, the trained youths would be deployed in areas recently liberated from the militant group Al-Shabaab. “In the new future, these young men and women will fill as the national police to maintain law and order in the country,” the statement said. AMISOM, which is mandated to flush Al-Shabaab out of Somalia have earlier pledged that they would train over 600 youths as police officers to serve in South Western and Jubbaland administrations.The area residents and their leaders have welcomed the initiative and thanked the forces for the gesture.

Terrorist Attacks Won’t Stop Somalia’s Army Building, Says Defense Minister

23 August – Source: Somali Update – 176 Words

Somali Defense Minister Gen. Abdikadir Ali Diini has promised that the country’s troops integration and army building will continue even after Al-Shabaab’s deadly suicide attack on the army training camp in Kismayo on Saturday killing at least 10 soldiers. In a statement released by the minister, he said terrorists will not be able to derail the country’s efforts to restructure its army. “I tell the enemy that our army will stand on its feet and will be ready to take the lead in defending our country.” the minister added.

Minister Diini mentioned that African Union trainers were among those killed in the attack and that the government expressed condolences to their countries.”We will help those wounded get better health services, while we send our condolences to our men and women killed in the attack.” he said. The militant group Al-Shabaab which wages war on government and African Union forces in Somalia has claimed the responsibility of the attack. Al-Shabaab spokesman Ali Dheere has said the militants were long time planning the attack which described as successful.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Possible Al-Shabaab Attack Foiled: Kenya Authorities Arrest Terrorist Suspects In Garissa, Town Where Nearly 150 People Were Massacred In April

23 August – Source: International Business Times – 318 Words

Kenyan authorities said Sunday they have arrested suspected terrorists in Garissa County, the site of numerous attacks in recent years by al Qaeda-linked members of Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militant group “At least two suspected terrorists have been arrested in Garissa in [a two] day security inter-agency led operation,” Kenya’s Interior Ministry announced via Twitter. Authorities say they interrupted a terrorist plot hatched in neighboring Somalia. A cache of handguns, ammunition and grenades was discovered at an undisclosed location and authorities are searching for accomplices. Garissa County runs along Kenya’s border with Somalia and most of the county’s inhabitants are ethnically Somali. On April 2, Al-Shabaab gunmen murdered 148 people on the Garissa University College campus after taking hundreds hostage in the bloodiest attack by Shabab militants on record.

As they did in the September 2013 attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, in which 67 people were killed and more than 175 were wounded, Al-Shabaab gunman quizzed hostages about their religious background, freeing Muslims while executing Christians. Authorities raided the Garissa campus, killing the four gunmen involved in the assault. Five accomplices were later arrested. Kenya stepped up security in the capital of Garissa County following the university massacre. In June, 10 Al-Shabaab militants stormed a village in Garissa County unsuccessfully targeting nonlocal masons that were constructing a mosque as part of the militant group’s ongoing attacks inside western Kenya.

Al-Shabaab Now Targeting Secondary School Students For Radicalisation, Says Coast Police Boss Robert Kitur

23 August – Source: Daily Nation – 475 Words

Al-Shabaab militants have now changed tack and are targeting students for radicalisation, the government has warned.The militants have been luring Kenyan young men to join the group as combatants and women as Jihadi brides. Coast Regional Police Commander Robert Kitur acknowledged the phenomenon saying the terrorists have now shifted gears and are now radicalising students in secondary schools. However, he insisted that rapid response has been undertaken by the government including putting learning institutions in the Coast region under close surveillance to thwart such cases. He warned teachers and parents to be on the lookout and closely monitor their children.

He said terrorist groups especially Al-Shabaab are now focusing on radicalising Kenyan students in secondary schools. “Radicalisation is not only happening in mosques. We have since established they have shifted their focus to secondary schools. “We want to ensure there is no radicalisation in schools because they have shifted their focus from the mosques to other learning institutions but the government is very alert on that,” warned Mr Kitur. The police boss said security personnel have expanded their attention to learning institutions to ensure students are not radicalised. “We have reports; we want to ensure our students are not radicalised,” he added.

China’s Aid Restores Hope For Orphanage Home In Somalia

23 August – Source: Xinhua – 554 Words

A severe famine ravaged Somalia in 2011, wiping out the remaining hope after a decade of conflict that drove families into desperation and consequently death.Thousands held on to hope on their way to Mogadishu where they were settled in internally displaced people (IDP) camps and provided with humanitarian aid. However, many of those who arrived had lost some of their family members due to hunger and disease on the way. While many children found their way into Mogadishu streets, a new challenge was emerging in Mogadishu, the street children. It was also a time when warlords were fighting against each other over control of the city, further exposing these children to all manner of dangers. But Mogadishu was not lost of good Samaritans.

Yusuf Yasin came up with a good idea of setting up an orphanage to protect these children from further harm and more so the fear that they would one day be recruited by armed militias as child soldiers. Badbado Orphanage Center was born. “We collected children from the streets of the city and others from the regions to save them from an imminent dark future,” Yasin told Xinhua during an interview in Mogadishu.”We had to negotiate our way out through these challenges for the sake of these children whose future lay in our hands. It was the only and most noble thing we could do as the situation was fast running out of hand,” said Yasin.

OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE

“Ayan Mahamoud and Jama Musa Jama, the festival founders and executive directors, probably had no idea that when they set out to bring a book fair to Hargeysa they would become a vanguard of one of Africa’s most fascinating and complex cultures, bringing it to the world on it’s own terms and despite the Somali Civil war’s momentum of erasure ”

Somaliland’s Book Fair Opens The Country To The World

23 August – Source: Quartz/ Hiiraan Online – 571 Words

Book lovers from around the world gathered in Somaliland’s capital city of Hargeysa early August for the eighth edition of the Hargeysa International Book Fair. From its humble origins, the book fair has grown into the premiere cultural event in the country. This year’s fair on the theme “space” also featured a new partnership, as international organization Women of the World (WOW) partnered with the book fair to incorporate several women-centered panels into the event. Hargeysa Book Fair has evolved into a unique cultural space where visitors sample both classic and contemporary Somali culture—books, music, and artefacts—yet intended primarily for a local audience. The 5,000 capacity main hall at the Guleid Hotel was regularly packed to the rafters with local book lovers queuing up to purchase copies of their favourite books in Somali, English and even French, and listen to some of the authors discuss their experiences and processes. For the people of Hargeysa, the fair represents an opportunity to showcase the best of their culture without the shadow of the conflict that has defined international perceptions of the Horn of Africa for nearly 30 years. The fair represents a moment of defiance against the negative narrative that usually frames stories about the region.

“Somalia legislators are now attempting to conceal their miscarriages and deceive the public eyes by impeaching the president to dismiss; it is really a sickening nightmare and distractive move to the recovering governance process.”

The Hypocrisy Of Somali Politicians

21 August – Source : RBC Radio, 607 Words

Somalia has been acquainted with the sarcastic politics since its foundation of 1960. Let me quote the saying of Somali Quran teachers, when they are getting you joined their schools they say “Xininyaha banaanka soo dhigo” which they mean -leave your pride out, before you get in to the school”. Compatibly, when you are going to join the Somali politics- yes, it’s the easiest job to have in Somalia right now- but you should leave your sense of patriotism out due to the huge phony deals going on there. The practical example for it is that we have been witnessing for the last decade the interest-motivated conflicts that made the top officials collided against each other and the inauthentic way it has been solved. The provisional constitution of Somalia (2012) enlightens three government branches (Parliament, Ministerial Council and the Judiciary), the president is the head of the state and after the appointment of the prime minister he delegates the job to the executive house. The president has failed to admire his constitutional power and leave the executive house to exercise their work without his manipulation, and unfortunately there is no constitutional court and the parliament have changed to a house of just giving and taking-away the voice of confidence to the prime ministers, that’s the root of the conflicts we witness routinely.It took President Hassan Sheikh for one year just to understand the multidimensional sphere of Somalia politics since he was a newcomer. It was in August 2013, when he frankly realized that he should respect whatever happened before his reign and to start his move from where it was parked.