August 27, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
US to re-open its embassy in Mogadishu
27 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb/SNTV – 111 words
The United States of America is willing to re-open its embassy in Mogadishu and resume its diplomatic mission in the war-torn country after more than two decades of absence, RBC reports from Mogadishu.
On Monday, Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud received the new U.S ambassador to Somalia James McNulty at the Villa Somalia presidential compound where the two men discussed the relations between the two governments.
According to Somali officials, Ambassador James McNulty and the Somali president discussed the diplomatic relations and way forward regarding the U.S assistance to Somalia while the Somali president briefed the Ambassador about the upcoming reconciliation and political national gathering in Mogadishu early next month which the U.S government has strongly supported.
Key Headlines
- US to re-open its embassy in Mogadishu (Raxanreeb/SNTV)
- Somali Airlines to begin flights soon (Radio Mogadishu/ Hiiraan Online/al Shahid)
- Land mine blast injured several soldiers in Kismayo (Radio Mustaqbal)
- 8 people including 4 alleged al Shabaab sympathizers arrested in Baidoa (Bar-kulan)
- Tension as Somali regions argue over border (Africa Reveiw)
- Turkish Firms Will Continue Somalia Projects Despite Militants’ Attack on Mogadishu Embassy (ENR News)
- Al Shabaab accused of killing civilians in Mustahil Hiiraan region (Shabelle)
- Addis Ababa hosting conference on Somalia reconstruction (Ethiopian News Agency/Walta Information Centre)
- Himan and Heb authority blames Somali federal government (Radio Mustaqbal)
- Doctors Worldwide helping people of Somalia (Todays Zaman)
- Al Shabaab seize Qura Jomo town after government forces vacate (Raxanreeb)
SOMALI MEDIA
US to re-open its embassy in Mogadishu
27 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb/SNTV – 111 words
The United States of America is willing to re-open its embassy in Mogadishu and resume its diplomatic mission in the war-torn country after more than two decades of absence, RBC reports from Mogadishu.
On Monday, Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud received the new U.S ambassador to Somalia James McNulty at the Villa Somalia presidential compound where the two men discussed the relations between the two governments.
According to Somali officials, Ambassador James McNulty and the Somali president discussed the diplomatic relations and way forward regarding the U.S assistance to Somalia while the Somali president briefed the Ambassador about the upcoming reconciliation and political national gathering in Mogadishu early next month which the U.S government has strongly supported.
Somali Airlines to begin flights soon
27 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Hiiraan Online/al Shahid – 79 words
The Somali government announced that the Somali Airlines wil soon begin flights and aviation services, after twenty years of interruption. Minister of Information and Communications Abdullahi Elmoge Hirsi said the company of Somali Airlines will start it is operations within three months, adding that the company currently has four aircraft and a number of employees to start work. The Minister expressed the hope that Somali Airlines will officially start Aviation Services before the end of 2013.
Land mine blast injured several soldiers in Kismayo
27 Aug – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 171 words
Reports from Kismayo Town say that a blast took place inside of the city early morning on Tuesday. The explosion was reportedly caused by landmine blast which targeted some of the forces controlling Kismayo. The explosion occurred in an area between the station and the hospital of Kismayo where the mine was planted according to eyewitnesses in Kismayo.
Some of the residents in Kismayo told us that the mine blast caused casualties with no precise number of victims known. The wounded forces were taken to Kismayo hospital where they are being treated. Source close to the administration said ” two soldiers died in the blast, while a number of others were wounded”.
The sound of the detonation could be heard in all the town before dawn. No comment has yet been given by the administration of Ahmed Madobe about the blast.
8 people including 4 alleged al Shabaab sympathizers arrested in Baidoa
27 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 121 words
At least 8 people including four alleged al Shabaab fighters have been captured in a major security operation conducted by the Somali Federal government forces in Baidoa city, capital of Bay region in southern Somalia. Weapons were also captured by the forces during the operation which was carried out on Sunday night.
Speaking at a press conference held in Baidoa, Bay region police boss Mahad Abdirahman Aden stated that police conducted a security operation after they received information from the public. Mr Aden thanked locals for working with the region’s security institutions, vowing that operations will continue until Bay region security is ensured. Waves of insecurity acts have occurred in the capital of Bay region in the past weeks.
Al Shabaab accused of killing civilians in Mustahil, Hiiraan region
27 Aug – Source: Shabelle – 65 words
Al Shabaab fighters launched attacks on Mustahil town in Hiiraan region yesterday, which resulted in heavy casualties including the death of civilians. Ahmed Abdalla Osman Inji, who is among the politicians residing in Hiiraan region said that al Shabaab fighters massacred civilians in the town. The politician added that no troops were present in the town when the fighters attacked the civilians who were mainly pastoralists and farmers.
Himan and Heb authority blames Somali federal government
27 Aug – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 145 words
The president of Himan and Heb authority Adado Abdullahi Ali Mohamed has blamed the Somali federal government on Tuesday night in an interview given to Mustaqbal radio. The president said Himan and Heb are suffering many issues due to the federal government of Somalia, including:
1. Assistance with education
2. The fact that the federal government didn’t consult with Himan and Heb about facing the piracy.
3. The government didn’t give a chance Himan and Heb to attend the program of New Deal for the State.
Al Shabaab seize Qura Jomo town after government forces vacate
27 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb – 90 words
Reports from Somalia’s Bakool region say that al Shabaab militants on Monday seized Qura Jomo town on the Somali-Ethiopian border after government forces vacated the town early on Monday. Eyewitnesses in the area said the militants poured into the town early morning after the government forces withdrew from the town without any fight.
Bakool regional administration confirmed the seizure of the town of Qura Jomo. The administration which is under the federal government of Somalia accused the militants of killing civilians in the town after having seized it.
The new government-appointed governor of Galgadud region reaches Dhusamareb
26 Aug – Source: Radio Mustaqbal – 115 words
The newly nominated governor of Galgadud region for the federal government of Somalia Husein Ali Wehlie Erfe accompanied by other delegates reached Dhusamareb district on Monday.
The new governor will meet officials from Ahlu Sunna, civil society and elders of Dhusamareb in Galgadud region in central Somalia.
Mr. Erfe was also accompanied by other members of Ahlu Sunna, while other officials of Ahlu Sunna refused to visit the governor in the areas they (Ahlu Sunna) control. The newly appointed governor and other memberson Sunday reached Gureil district where they were also welcomed.
President Silanyo appeals for increased HIV/Aids interventions
26 Aug – Source: Somaliland Sun – 133 words
The Somaliland government is intent on availing citizens an HIV/Aids free environment within five years. This was revealed by the president of Somaliland Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo during a meeting of the Somaliland National HIV/Aids Commission-SOLNAC which he chaired in his capacity as the commission’s chairperson in Hargeisa where an appeal for enhanced support to the commission was also made.
“We appeal to the international community, affluent citizens in and out of the country as well as other well-wishers to support either or both financially and materially the activities of SOLNAC’ said president Silanyo.
The head of state commended the Global Fund against Tuberculosis and Malaria-GFAT&M for sponsoring HIV/Aids interventions in the country over the years. He also revealed that diminishing funds from the body have necessitated an urgency hitherto.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Tension as Somali regions argue over border
27 Aug – Source: Africa Review – 405 words
Two breakaway regions of Somalia are quarrelling over disputed border regions. A visit by Puntland’s vice-president, General Abdisamad Ali Shire, to parts of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn – three areas on the borders of Somaliland and Puntland, has caused tension in the region. Both Somaliland, a self-declared republic and Puntland, a semi-autonomous authority in the north-eastern Somalia, claim jurisdiction over the area.
On Monday, Somaliland’s minister of Interior Affairs, Mr Ali Mohamed Waranadde, condemned the Puntland delegation saying: “We consider the visit by the Puntland vice-president at Taleh district in Sool region as a provocation against the independence of Somaliland.”
He added that the borders of Somaliland were marked by the frontier established by the British Somaliland Protectorate (before British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland merged in 1960).
Addis Ababa hosting conference on Somalia reconstruction
26 Aug -Source: Ethiopian News Agency/Walta Information Centre – 226 words
A consultative meeting said to reflect a unique opportunity to tackle the principal governance weakness and often promised delivery of sufficient financial support for Somalia’s reconstruction and recovery opened hereMonday.
Speaking on the occasion Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ahmed Abduselam urged the international community to strengthen the support for reconstruction of Somalia. The Somali Government is working in collaboration with the African Union and Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to rebuild stable and peaceful Somalia.
He urged the international community to help the Somali government in its efforts to restore peace and rebuild effective state institutions, he said. The Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute (HESPI) and the Economic Commission for Africa co-organized the three-day conference.
The conference aims to nurture a Somali centered approach to increase awareness and understanding of critical issues and challenges facing Somalia, thus informing policy makers and development partners of the best procedures for supporting locally-led initiatives in those domains.
Galgadud fights deforestation with charcoal production ban
26 Aug – Source: Sabahi Online – 488 words
Five districts in Somalia’s Galgadud region have joined forces to stop residents from indiscriminately cutting trees to make charcoal, a practice that threatens to turn the landscape into a desert.
The administrations of Abudwaq, Harale, Hananbur, Guri El and Dhusamareb districts have formed a new unit to combat charcoal production and established penalties for non-compliance, Hananbur District Commissioner Aideed Dhagajun told Sabahi. “We are fighting the charcoal makers … and this work will be undertaken by a special force,” he said.
The new operations are part of a deal signed by the five districts in February to jointly tackle deforestation caused by local charcoal production. The districts recently finalised the details of that agreement detailing how operations would be carried out and what punishments would be enforced, Dhagajun said.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Turkish Firms Will Continue Somalia Projects Despite Militants’ Attack on Mogadishu Embassy
26 Aug – Source: ENR News – 340 words
Construction by three Turkish firms of a new $10-million airport terminal in Somalia and a 23-kilometer road connecting it to the capital city, Mogadishu, will continue to completion despite a deadly late-July embassy attack by a militant group linked to al-Qaeda.
The July 27 attack on the Turkish embassy building in Mogadishu, which left one Turkish guard dead and three others seriously injured, has injected some uncertainty into protective measures that were agreed upon at a conference on Somalia. The conference, held in London in May, sought to assure investors and infrastructure companies that there would be calm in the war-ravaged country.
Turkey immediatedly issued a statement that indicated the country, which has poured an estimated $400 million in aid into Somalia, was aware the attack “may have been intended to undermine Turkey’s Somalia policy.” Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said, “Some terror elements are displeased by the normalization in Somalia.”
Doctors Worldwide helping people of Somalia
26 Aug – Source: Todays Zaman – 414 words
Refusing to give up on its activities in Somalia, Doctors Worldwide, in addition to the medical assistance it provides, creates projects to help Somalia become more self-sufficient so as to provide medical care for its own people. It even sent a health team to Somalia after a bombing attack on the Turkish Embassy under the scope of its Turkish-Somali health education project.
These doctors announced that they will always embrace Somali people and will not leave them to their fate. Helping to improve people’s welfare all around the world, Doctors Worldwide will continue with their activities to improve the conditions of health institutions.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Columbia Pictures’ action-thriller Captain Phillips stars two-time Oscar® winner Tom Hanks in the true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years. The film is directed by Oscar® nominee Paul Greengrass, from a screenplay by Billy Ray and based upon the book, A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea, by Richard Phillips with Stephan Talty. The film is produced by Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, and Michael De Luca”.
‘Captain Phillips’ International Trailer: Tom Hanks Faces Trouble at Sea
26 Aug – Source: Slash Film – 193 words
These days, the word “piracy” more readily brings to mind tech-savvy downloaders scouring Google than dangerous criminals sailing the high seas. But in 2009, the capture of the MV Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates served as an unhappy reminder that the latter kind haven’t entirely disappeared.
Paul Greengrass‘ Captain Phillips chronicles the dramatic hijacking and the events that followed, with Tom Hanks in the title role. The newest international trailer features just as much intense action as the earlier domestic ones have, but also offers some more insight into Phillips’ personal life. Check it out after the jump.
Greengrass’ grounded approach seems really effective here. Hanks is perfectly cast as an ordinary, decent man, and the fact that he’s no superhero action star makes his predicament that much more compelling. The Somali pirates aren’t evil villains, but desperate people with depth and personality. Barkhad Abdi, who plays leader Muse, seems especially charismatic. The action, too, looks even more exciting for being so realistic.
Top tweets
@UNSomalia #UN envoy for #Somalia: “One of my highest priorities is to work hand in hand with the AU” @AU_PSDhttp://bit.ly/1dIHeUD @Somalia111.
@mary_harper With #Jubaland talks faltering, #Puntland pulling away, #Somaliland doing its own thing, what can federal govt of#Mogadishu #Somalia do?
@USAforSOMALIA #U.S Special Rep for #Somalia, James P. McAnulty Meets with Somalia President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in #Mogadishu pic.twitter.com/bD8hcV1KIm.
@Mandamyth #Kenyan General Karanga, soon to go to#Mogadishu to discuss #KDF withdrawal from #Somalia ‘s#Kismayo:http://shabelle.net/?
@harunmaruf The new NSC will meet on weekly basis. The Pres also creates a Secretariat responsible for monitoring & implementing NSC decisions. #Somalia.
@yeswa360 As #China resume a mission in #Somalia & plans to rebuild National Stadium !http://j.mp/16KTIqV they should keep #handsoffourelephants.
Image of the day
Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang (R) meets with Somali Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fowsia Yusuf Haji Adan in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 26, 2013. Photo: Xinhua/Zhang Duo.