August 27, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
AMISOM Spokesman: Joint forces are prepared to carry out final assault against al Shabaab controlled areas
27 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 165 words
African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia stated that massive operations to push al Shabaab out of their last territories is due to start.
Speaking to Radio Goobjoog, AMISOM spokesman Ali Adan Humud said AU troops are fully prepared to carry out final assault against all al Shabaab controlled areas.
Humud confirmed that the recent takeover of Tiyeglow district in Bakol region by SNA and AMISOM troops was a good start and the other areas under the group’s control will follow suit.
He added that al Shabaab have withdrawn from couple of areas in South and Central Somalia adding that the joint forces will take full control of the areas and maintain its security.
Al Shabaab has lost over 10 areas of its strongholds to government forces and AU troops since the military offensive started earlier this year.
Al Shabaab controls areas in South-central Somalia but federal government vows to reduce group’s territorial control in the country
Key Headlines
- British ambassador to Somalia meets traditional elders in Baidoa (Radio Kulmiye)
- President Hassan due to jet off to Turkey (Radio Goobjoog)
- Somali AMISOM forces to reopen blocked roads in Hiran region (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Three die of hunger in Gedo (Radio Ergo)
- AMISOM Spokesman: Joint forces are prepared to carry out final assault against al Shabaab controlled areas (Radio Goobjoog)
- Military tribunal withdraws judgment against parent of al Shabaab member (Radio RBC)
- Qatari charity donates fishing boats to Somalia (Radio Dalsan/Somali Current)
- Ahmed Daa`i militiamen freed from prison (Radio Dalsan)
- Somalia ready for business – AU chief (Observer)
- Somaliland army takes control of Saaxdheer locality (Radio Goobjoog)
- Water cut for IDP families in Jowle (Radio Ergo)
- Business resumes at Mogadishu’s Bakara market following merchant strike (Sabahi Online)
- Wabari team to play in final of the Banadir tournament (Radio Dalsan)
- AFM soldiers back from Somalia mission (Times of Malta)
- UNHCR gears up for voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees (Xinhua)
- American born ISIS member killed in Syria was school friends with fellow militant killed in Somalia in 2009 (Daily Mail/Examiner)
SOMALI MEDIA
British ambassador to Somalia meets traditional elders in Baidoa
27 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Kulmiye- 105 words
British ambassador to Somalia Neil Wigan who arrived Baidoa is meeting the traditional elders of Bay and Bakol in the town. Their meeting focuses on speeding up the establishment of South west Somalia administration of three regions and easing the political tensions in the region.
On the other hand the administration of South West Somalia of six regions announced that its ready to open dialogue with the government recognized administration of three regions so as to get a lasting solution for region, Dr. Adan Osman Sujuu, minister for commerce and industries of Madobe Nunow’s administration said. The visit of Neil Wigan comes after anti Somali government protest was held in Baidoa.
President Hassan due to jet off to Turkey
27 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Goobjoog – 99 words
The president of federal republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and delegates are due to jet off to Turkey. President Hassan and his delegates will attend the inauguration ceremony of president- elect of Turkey Mr. Erdogan after he was officially invited by the government of Turkey.
In his visit to Turkey president Hassan is accompanied by foreign minister Abdirahman Duale Beilah and other government officials. The preparations of the inauguration ceremony is actively going as senior Turkish officials confirmed to the media. Recep Tayyip Erdogan swept to a landslide victory in Turkey’s first direct presidential election earlier this month.
Somali, AMISOM forces to reopen blocked roads in Hiiran region
27 Aug- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 117 words
Hiran Governor Abdifatah Hassan Afrah has stated that he and AMISOM officials have discussed new measures to reopen blocked roads in Bulo-burte town in Hiran region. Afrah said in an interview with Bar-kulan that forces to carry out the operations are already in place promising the operations will start next week.
He added that the operations will be carried out by Somali security forces and African Union troops in Hiran region in collaboration with the local communities. Al Shabaab militant group blocked off major roads entering Bulo-burte town in Hiran region since the group lost the control of the town to the allied forces five months ago.
AMISOM Spokesman: Joint forces are prepared to carry out final assault against al Shabaab controlled areas
27 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Garowe- 165 words
African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia stated that massive operations to push al Shabaab out of their last territories is due to start.
Speaking to Radio Goobjoog, AMISOM spokesman Ali Adan Humud said AU troops are fully prepared to carry out final assault against all al Shabaab controlled areas.
Humud confirmed that the recent takeover of Tiyeglow district in Bakol region by SNA and AMISOM troops was a good start and the other areas under the group’s control will follow suit.
He added that al Shabaab have withdrawn from couple of areas in South and Central Somalia adding that the joint forces will take full control of the areas and maintain its security.
Al Shabaab has lost over 10 areas of its strongholds to government forces and AU troops since the military offensive started earlier this year. Al Shabaab controls areas in South-central Somalia but federal government vows to reduce group’s territorial control in the country.
Three die of hunger in Gedo
27 Aug- Source: Radio Ergo- 209 words
Three people have died of hunger and malnutrition in rural areas around Gedo’s regional district of Garbaharey. Sabriye Rashid Haji, the chairman of Dabaaley village, said the three members of one family died over the weekend in his village which is about 15 km Garbaharey. They were two adults and a six-year-old child.
The family lost their livestock in the drought. Gedo is one of five regions that Somalia’s National Disaster Agency warned could face a repeat of the 2011-2012 drought and famine and is facing extreme food shortage and hunger.
Dozens of people, most of them children, are reported to have died of starvation in recent months. Last week, five children died in the district of Burdhubo, blockaded by al-Shabaab for more than six months.
The water pans, boreholes and other sources of water have dried up in rural areas and livestock herders have been moving to Lower and Middle Juba regions and into Kenya’s northeastern province seeking water.
Radio Ergo’s local reporter said a barrel of water in rural areas of Gedo increased from less than 50,000 to 140,000 Somali shillings. Our reporter said many pastoralist families were at risk ofstarvation fatal water shortage if the blockade affecting many villages continues.
Military tribunal withdraws judgment against parent of al Shabaab member
27 Aug – Source: Radio RBC – 161 words
Somali Military Court has withdrawn a verdict against a parent of al Shabaab members who was alleged to have taken part of the killings of killings in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.
The Martial Tribunal of the Somali federal government of Somalia has sentenced a father of al Shabaab member to six months of prison and his son, who was an element of the Somalia based al Qaeda linked militants al Shabaab to an execution.
The tribunal has withdrawn the judgment against this parent of a member of the terrorist network after alleged of hiding his son who the court termed criminal and danger to the security of the capital and the people of Somalia.
The Military Tribunal Chief Col. Abdirahman Mohamud alias Turyare has repeated that any person who hides criminal is a criminal and will face charge. This came after the tribunal earlier this year warned the parents of the members of al SShabaab, who are the part of the insecurity in the country.
Somaliland army takes control of Saaxdheer locality
27 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 186 words
The security forces of the breakaway state of Somaliland in Northern Somalia have captured Saaxdheer locality in Sool region on Tuesday evening.
The commander of Somaliland forces who attacked Saaxdheer col. Mohamed Mohamud Dhuunkaal locality told Radio Goobjoog that Somaliland forces are in full control of the locality adding that one senior officer died from their side during a brief confrontation between Somaliland and Khaatumo forces.
The commander also stated that the forces arrested five officials of Khaatumo state led by Ali Khalif Galeyr.
Mr. Dhuunkaal reiterated that the forces have prevented the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected president of Khaatumo state Ali Khalif Galeyr that was to be held on Thursday in the area.
On the other hand Khaatumo parliament speaker Mohamud Sheikh Omar who contacted Radio Goobjoog stated that Khatumo forces resisted the attack of Somaliland forces adding that Saaxdheer is now in full control of their administration (Khaatumo).
Mr. Omar stated that the inauguration ceremony of the elected president will be held in Saaxdheer locality.
Qatari charity donates fishing boats to Somalia
27 Aug – Source: Radio Dalsan/Somali Current – 121 words
Qatari Charity Organization has donated 40 modern fishing boats to the federal government of Somalia. The fishing boats was received from the organization by Benadir administration which is included by Mogadishu municipality and is expected to be given out to fishermen to improve their fishing skills.
Somalia has one of the longest coastline in the African continent that is Indian ocean and the red sea. Qatar charity organizations are heavily involved in the war torn country mainly in the provision of humanitarian activities such as building of health facilities and education institutions.
Qatar officially opened its embassy this week to closely work with the federal government of Somalia after absence of more than two decades of civil war in the country.
Ahmed Daa`i militiamen freed from prison
27 Aug- Source: Radio Dalsan- 73 words
More than 14 militiamen of former war lord Ahmed Daa`i who were arrested during operation in Mogadishu were released from prison. According to sources the release was facilitated by clan elders within the community.
Somali security forces backed by AMISOM troops raided the former warlord home for disarmament operation targeted at those still in possession of arms which is considered by the government as threat to the security of the capital Mogadishu.
Water cut for IDP families in Jowle
27 Aug- Source: Radio Ergo- 153 words
About 2,000 displaced families living in the Jowle camps on the outskirts of Garowe are facing serious water shortages after the potable water supply in the camps was cut off.
A privately owned company which used to provide water to the camps has cut eight of the 10 potable water sources in the camps due to a disagreement over water bills in the past three months.
Osman Abukar, the chairman of displaced families in the camp, said the IDPs used to pay water bills by themselves through the water company’s agents. He said the company was now claiming not to have received the money for the water bill payments for months.
The water crisis has worsened the IDPs’ tough life in the camps, some 20 km outside Garowe and far away from water wells. Some of the displaced families have now begun to use unclean water for drinking as they have no available alte.
Wabari team to play in final of the Banadir tournament
27 Aug- Source: Radio Dalsan- 143 words
Kaaraan and Wabari teams fought for the entry of the final match of the Banadir tournament of this season Tuesday. The match was a very interesting one as the two teams are very big giants in the tournament. And when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. The spectators were cheerful among them being the two DCs of those districts and the fans were eager to see their team won the match. Team Kaaraan scored at first but Wabari equalized immediately. First half came while the two teams was each having one 1 goal. Nothing has however changed in the match up until the normal time of 90 minutes was up. Penalty shootout was therefore inevitable in which team Wabari won 5-4. On Friday, Wabari will play the final match with either Abdulaziz or Hamarweyne who are playing their semifinal match.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somalia ready for business – AU chief
27 Aug- Source: Observer-1557 words
Two months ago, Lydia Wanyoto-Mutende was appointed deputy special representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission DSRCC in Somalia. With the head of mission having left, Wanyoto-Mutende has been the acting head and has toured Somalia. In Kampala last week, she spoke to Benon Herbert Oluka about the situation in Somalia.
As DSRCC, what exactly do you do?
I represent the mandate of the African Union in the mission and provide leadership. I also implement the decisions and rules and regulations of the African Union from Addis, [linking] the African Union to the Federal Government of Somalia.
I also coordinate that with the international community. We also have some UN resolutions which we are implementing on behalf of the African Union.
Two months into the job, what are your impressions of the situation in Somalia?
The impression I got is that Somalia is largely peaceful because there is activity in many areas which the federal government of Somalia and AMISOM have cleared of al Shabaab. Life has come back to normal and people are going about their business. Somalis are very good businesspeople; they are beginning to put up shops and you can see a lot of ships docking at the coast.
When an area has been cleared of al Shabaab, people are resettled and there is an interim administration, you know, like the Local Council system [in Uganda]. Then we also come in and try to support with what we call ‘quick-impact projects’ – water, health, education and road infrastructure.
We begin with our own troops because among our troops we have professionals such as medical doctors and engineers. They are the ones who start the work; clearing the ground, treating people…
We have been able to do an assessment and, now, where al Shabaab is remaining is near the sea.
Business resumes at Mogadishu’s Bakara market following merchant strike
26 Aug – Source: Sabahi Online – 127 words
Business returned to normal in Mogadishu’s Bakara market on after merchants held a two-day strike in protest of the illegal levy of taxes on their goods.
Merchants complained that armed men in army and police uniforms were forcing traders at multiple points along the road from Mogadishu’s port to the Bakara market to pay illegal taxes on their goods.
“We have been in talks with the government for the last three days and we are still meeting with officials in order to stop this problem,” Director General of the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abdi Abshir Dhoore told Sabahi on Tuesday.
“The administration has reassured us all the grievances we have reported will be resolved and we have agreed to re-open the market today,” he said.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
American born ISIS member killed in Syria was school friends with fellow militant killed in Somalia in 2009
27 Aug- Source: Daily Mail/Examiner- 421 words
An American rapper who is thought to have been killed in Syria while fighting for ISIS was a school friend of an Islamic convert who joined the terrorist group al Shabaab, it has emerged.
It was confirmed by a state official on Tuesday that Douglas McArthur McCain travelled to Syria to join a militant group, most likely the Islamic State, and had been killed fighting over the weekend.
Now it has been revealed that McCain, who had most recently lived in San Diego but grew up outisde Minneapolis, attended the same high school as Troy Kastigar, who died in 2009 aged 28, while fighting for al Shabaab in Somalia.
Both men were said to have struck up a close friendship with each other during their time at Cooper High School in the town of New Hope, where they graduated in 1999.
Kastigar’s mother Julianne Boada told the NY Daily News: ‘They both were sort of searching, it seemed like. ‘It’s just like who would ever have predicted this outcome. For Troy, he was so bright again. It was really a path that was so wonderful to him.’They had quite a few friends in school who were Somali immigrants and an African American friend whose family was Muslim.’
AFM soldiers back from Somalia mission
27 Aug- Source: Times of Malta -78 words
A contingent of 21 AFM soldiers are back from Somalia where they formed part of an EU-mandated anti-piracy mission. The contingent worked with Dutch forces on the warship De Zeven Provincien. They performed various boarding missions of suspicious vessels.
The four officers and 17 men were away for 16 weeks and were lucky to escape unharmed when a hand grenade was thrown as a restaurant in Djibouti which they had just left.
UNHCR gears up for voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees
26 Aug- Source: Xinhua-383 words
The UN refugee agency said Tuesday it plans to start a pilot project to support ongoing spontaneous returns of Somali refugees living in Kenya’s refugee camp.
UNHCR Country Representative Raouf Mazou emphasized that the planned repatriation will be voluntary and expressed the agency’s commitment to support spontaneous return movements.
“Most of the refugee population in Dadaab is of Somali origin, the majority of whom are from South and Central Somalia. The volatile situation in these parts of the country has hindered the refugees from considering a return home,” Mazou said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
According to the UNHCR, many Somalis have expressed interest in going back, and are following the political and security situation closely.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“With 70 percent of Somalia’s population made up of young people under the age of 30, youth is not only critical for Somalia’s future, but for the direction it takes today. Education and employment opportunities are paramount.”
Somalia’s Future Hinges On Its Youth
26 Aug- Source: Huffington Post-649 Words
Jamel Egal was born the year it all fell apart. 1991. Somali President Siad Barre was overthrown and anarchy overtook the east African nation of Somalia. Warlords filled the void of a central government as lawlessness reigned and war became the norm. Jamel was 8 when conflict descended on his family’s home in Baidoa in south-central Somalia. “We lost everything — our house, our cattle,” he says.
Now 23 years old, Jamel is part of the generation of Somalis who know nothing but war. Yet the future of their battered country rests in their hands. Decades of conflict have robbed many of even a basic education, and few employment opportunities exist. With scarce alternatives, many young people fall into violence themselves.
This is something Jamel knows firsthand. “I know people who got involved [in the fighting], even some of my friends,” Jamel says. He lifts up his pant leg to reveal a round scar, the remnant of a bullet wound from a shootout he got caught up in. He doesn’t go in to details, but simply says, “I had no skills and was not able to manage my life.”
“It is clear that the structures onshore in Somalia that support Piracy are still very much intact, with an estimated 40 seafarers still held captive; where piracy might easily return at short notice.”
The State of Piracy
26 Aug- Source: Maritime Executive-860 Words
Piracy’s gone away, right? You’d be forgiven for thinking that. The predominant narrative for the Indian Ocean is that Piracy has been suppressed to an extent that ship-owners are requesting fewer guards, even unarmed in some cases. Certainly private security team composition has adjusted beneath the “rule of four” and the nationality of guards has shifted significantly away from the UK only model. But given the recent attacks in South East Asia and the prevailing amount of maritime crime and piracy off the Gulf of Guinea, Piracy hasn’t been eradicated at all; it’s simply evolved and will continue to change as it has done for hundreds of years presenting a threat to global maritime trade.
The increased profile of South East Asia/Gulf of Guinea maritime crime and Piracy presents a challenge for PMSCs to offer a global client base effective risk management/mitigation services that can meet their needs. These threats can range from Somali style kidnap of crew and vessel for ransom, to Nigerian style extended duration robbery and kidnap to violent robbery in the Malacca straits. They are all very different and PMSCs must have a range of capabilities in order to advise shipowners properly. The challenge for the ship-owner is to select their PMSC carefully and build a long-term relationship based on detailed mutual understanding and trust.
Top tweets
@AbdirashidMuse SOMALIA: Defense minister meet his Turkish counterpart in Ankara http://bit.ly/1tIQGPlpic.twitter.com/OHSjVLbpRJ
@mukhtaryare Somali woman shot outside bar in downtown Calgary remembered as dedicated young professionalhttp://bit.ly/1t7sQiq pic.twitter.com/vrulC6n3Qu
@Abdikarim_Abdi3 Judge of Military Court today met w/ senior UNSOM officials incl. DSRSG in #Mogadishu – pledged to strengthen ties. pic.twitter.com/gVMkXwZuws
@amisomsomalia Read #AMISOM Force Commander’s brief to the media about the new offensive ‘Operation Indian Ocean’pic.twitter.com/OyRdbiFRoe
@Somalia111 Very concerned by loss of life in #Baidoa. Full investigation & proper action needed. Progress needs dialogue & reconciliation not violence
Image of the day
Turkish Defence minister Ismet Yilmaz, (left) hosts his Somali counterpart Mohamed Sheikh Hamud (right) in Ankara, Turkey on Tuesday, August 26, 2014. Photo: @jalalaqsicity1