August 3, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report
Deadly Assault On Army Base Kills 10 Al-Shabaab
03 August – Source: Shabelle News – 157 Words
Somalia officials say at least 10 Al-Shabaab members have been killed in deadly attack on army base in Mokoqori area in central Somalia’s Hiiraan region. The clashes flared up when Al-Shabaab agents armed with rocket, grenades and machine guns assaulted an army base in central Somalia. At least 10 fighters from Al-Shabaab militants are said to have been killed. Somali military officials said government troops had warded off the militants’ raid on their army bases, adding that a number of Islamist militants had injured during the ambush offensive. The African Union troops serving under AMISOM banner, backed by Somalia army flushed Al-Shabaab militants out of several towns and urban areas in central Somalia’s Hiiraan region, according to military officials. The allied forces from Somalia and AMISOM launched a new military offensive during which strategic towns had been seized from Al-Shabaab insurgents by Somalia troops backed by AMISOM forces.
Key Headlines
- Deadly Assault On Army Base Kills 10 Al-Shabaab (Shabelle News)
- AU Soldiers Arrested Over Civilian Killings In Marka Town (Mareeg Media)
- Somali President Appoints Deputy Police Commissioner (Goobjoog News)
- Britain Lauds African Union Mission In Somalia (Shabelle News)
- Low Funding Has Left 1.5 Million People Without Primary Healthcare Services (Somali Update)
- Somali Government To Probe Alleged AMISOM Mass Killings (Somali Current)
- No New IMF Loans For Somalia Till Debts Paid (East Africa Business Week)
- Somali Official Says Friendship Between Two Countries Intact (China Daily)
- Leaders Urge Government To Reopen Garissa University College (Daily Nation)
- Tribalism: My Peoples’ Satanic Doctrine ( Hiiraan Online)
NATIONAL MEDIA
AU Soldiers Arrested Over Civilian Killings In Marka Town
03 August – Source: Mareeg Media – 304 Words
At least two African Union soldiers have been arrested in connection with allegations of civilian murders after three incidents in which soldiers allegedly killed nearly two ‘dozen’ of civilians after bomb attacks on their convoys in the coastal town of Marka, officials said on Sunday. The arrests of the two Ugandan soldiers were made after military commanders met with local elders in the town to discuss the killings that sparked outrage across Somalia and beyond. According to elders who attended the meeting, AU military commanders reported the arrest of two soldiers who are facing murder charges while others are still under investigations.
The separate killings took place after armed soldiers walked into residential houses and allegedly shot dead residents after suspected militants targeted their convoys with bomb attacks. The civilian deaths put the soldiers in spotlight as they faced questions whether they could have done more to prevent the murder of ‘innocent’ civilians. Countless Somalis took to social media, censuring the African Union soldiers for what they called reckless civilian murders and that they enjoyed full immunity from criminal jurisdiction. The African Union earlier denied civilian killings and insisted their troops have only shot dead militants behind bomb attack on their convoys.
During the meeting, the elders urged the army to avoid ‘collateral’ damage during operations which if continued they warned would create mistrust that would further strain relations between residents and AU forces, a scenario that may make it hard for the forces to pacify the volatile Lower Shabelle region. The region has seen heavy fighting between allied forces and Al-Shabab fighters over the last few months. The Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab group often uses such incidents as war propaganda to draw support from locals to prop up its deadly guerilla war against AU forces in Somalia.
Somali President Appoints Deputy Police Commissioner
03 August – Source; Goobjoog News – 155 Words
Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has made appointments of two posts namely, first and second deputy Police Commissioners through a presidential decree. At a ceremony held in Mogadishu, the president named Muktar Hussein Afrah as the first deputy police commissioner while Bashiir Abdi Mohamed was appointed second deputy police commissioner. The event was attended by Somali police commissioner, Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamoud, ministers and other dignitaries. Their appointment comes at a critical time. The security of Mogadishu has been worsening since the beginning Ramadan following deadly attacks launched by the Al-Shabaab. Despite efforts by the Somali government to beef up security in the country, the death toll in the last three months has gradually gone up. On July 26, 14 people including a journalist, Mohamed Abdikarim were killed and 28 others injured after suspected Al-Shabaab fighters rammed a lorry full of explosives into the gate of Jazeera Palace hotel near the city’s airport.
Britain Lauds African Union Mission For Somalia
02 August – Source: Shabelle News – 213 Words
The British Ambassador to Somalia Harriet Mathews has commended AMISOM Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) troops for playing a pivotal role in the fight against Al- Shabaab. This, she noted, has greatly improved the security situation in Sector 3 which is their area of responsibility, and in the rest of Somalia by extension.The Ambassador was speaking at AMISOM Sector 3 Headquarters in Baidoa when she paid a courtesy call on the Sector Commander Col Yemane Gabre Mikael. She was accompanied by the President of Interim South West Administration (ISWA) Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan.
Amb. Harriet further said that the United Kingdom was committed to partnering with the Federal Government of Somalia and all players of goodwill to ensure there is sustainable peace and security in Somalia. “The UK Government is also planning to play a role in providing, as appropriate, technical and other support to enhance the capacity of Somali State institutions, one of which is the Somali National Army,” she added. On his part, the ISWA President recognized the role played by AMISOM troops in the liberation of Baadheere and Diinsoor. He praised the troops for their sacrifice and dedication, adding that because of their resilience, the Federal Government of Somalia had further expanded and consolidated control over its national territory.
Low Funding Has Left 1.5 Million People Without Primary Healthcare Services
02 August – Source; Somali Update – 213 Words.
Humanitarian funding levels remain low as of mid-year, only US$336 million was received, of which $240 million, or 28 per cent, is directly against the $863 million Somalia humanitarian appeal, and an additional $96 million was reported outside the appeal for humanitarian activities.
According to new report by the humanitarian partners in Somalia, the funding across all the life-saving clusters remains critically low. The Food Security Cluster has received 24 per cent of its request, while other critical life-saving clusters such as health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and shelter/NFIs and protection have received below 10 per cent of their requirements. Education and nutrition clusters received 15 per cent and 18 per cent of their requirements, respectively.
This funding shortfall has left 1.5 million people without primary healthcare services, including 300,000 children under age 5. Hospitals in Dhobley, Gaalkacyo, Jowhar and Kismayo are on the verge of completely suspending healthcare services. This comes against a backdrop of an already deteriorating health care situation as a result of the closure of 20 health facilities in 2014 due to limited funding.Furthermore, the UNOCHA says about 400,000 vulnerable Somalis are at risk of not receiving much needed food and nutrition assistance as early as August 2015 due to similar funding constraints.
Somali Government To Probe AMISOM Mass Killings
02 August – Source: Somali Current – 174 Words
Somalia Cabinet on Sunday formed inquiry team to undertake a fact finding mission intended to probe alleged AMISOM mass killings. The cabinet took decision at the end of its debate on the recent killings in Marka and and Hudur by AU troops. The team is expected to undertake a fact finding tour in the coming days and are scheduled to visit Marka and Hudur towns where AU troops have allegedly killed several civilians. On Friday, AMISOM soldiers were accused of killing at least six civilians after attacking wedding ceremony in the town of Marka. Last week, the same troops were accused of killings scores of people in the same town. AMISOM troops have categorically denied these the allegation saying the people they killed were Al-Shabaab insurgents. Locals say the forces often open fire indiscriminately at pedestrians whenever suspected Al-Shabaab militants hurl grenades at AMISOM passing convoys. Many analysts warn that AMISOM killings could trigger anti-foreign sentiment in the country, adding it will create strained relations between the locals and the African Union forces.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
No New IMF Loans For Somalia Till Debts Paid
03 August – Source: East Africa Business Week – 321 Words
Somalia – Somalia owes the International Monetary Fund (IMF) $328 million and no new loans will be given until some arrangement is agreed upon on how this debt is to be serviced. writes JOHN SAMBO. Recently an IMF mission led by Rogerio Zandamela was in the country. He said last week, “The IMF is for now precluded from providing new loans to Somalia, pending clearance of the country’s arrears of about $328 million. “But we can advise the authorities on appropriate macroeconomic policies, including in the context of a staff-monitored program, which is a kind of ‘shadow program’ involving a dialogue with the IMF on economic policies but which offers no financing.” Zandamela said Somalia has much potential. “They have natural resources, including gas and petroleum, fisheries, and more. Proper management of these natural resources is vital to the country’s success.” For two decades now, Somalia has been plagued by instability. Presently an African Union peacekeeping force (AMISOM), with troops from Burundi, Kenya and Uganda is helping to maintain security.
Somalia, along with Zimbabwe, are the two African countries that currently do not get any assistance from the multilateral institution that helps provide countries with balance of payments support. However Zandamela said in a release that the situation in Somalia has improved., “Economic conditions improved rapidly in 2012-14, with real GDP rising by 3.7 percent during 2014.” He said, “The recovery was led by growth in livestock and fisheries, and a very active private sector resurgence of the services industry, notably telecommunications, construction, and money transfer services, mainly associated with the return of diaspora Somalis. “If security improvements continue, the entrepreneurial private sector will continue to be the most dynamic contributor to economic growth,” he said. He said their Mission were able to compile and analyze core data to conduct the first ‘health check’ of the Somali economy in 26 years.
Somali Official Says Friendship Between Two Countries Intact
03 August – Source: China Daily – 609 Words
The recent al-Shabaab terrorist attack in Somalia that killed a member of the Chinese embassy’s security staff and seriously damaged embassy facilities will not affect the friendly relationship between China and Somalia, and the Somali government will offer all necessary support to help relocate the embassy to a safe place, Somalia’s foreign minister said on Thursday. Abdusalam H. Omer, minister of Foreign Affairs & Investment Promotion of Somalia, also said Somalia has made great strides in fighting al-Shabaab, which claimed to be responsible for the attack. The country is expecting more cooperation from the international community, including China, in its fight against the al-Qaida-linked militant group and in stabilizing towns and villages that have been liberated, Omer said.
He made the comments after an attacker drove a car rigged with bombs next to the Jazeera Palace Hotel, where the Chinese embassy is based, setting off an explosion at about 4 pm local time on July 26 in Mogadishu. The blast killed 15 people, including a member of the Chinese embassy’s security staff. Dozens of others were injured. “I am very sad and sorry, as the Chinese man paid the highest price anyone can give – his life,” Omer said, adding that the Somali government is working out plans to put the embassy in a secure place. “We will propose to the Chinese government and ambassador specific places that the government knows are safe,” he said.
“Also important is the grief of the Chinese people and government, and making sure that it doesn’t happen again,” he said. “The China-Somalia relationship has stood a test of time, and it will stand for another 100 years. I have no doubt about that in my mind. “Most importantly, China is a power, it’s an international power. For them to come and live with Somalis, that’s a big support. We hope that will continue, and I hope we can find a suitable place for the embassy in the city,” he said. Praising China’s support, Omer said he has signed an agreement with the Chinese ambassador calling for a Chinese team to visit to evaluate projects China completed in the last century, with a view toward upgrades. One of the projects aided by China in Somalia is the 967-kilometer North-South highway from Mogadishu to Belet Huen, which was constructed in the 1970s.
Leaders Urge Government To Reopen Garissa University College
03 August – Source: Daily Nation – 526 Words
Non-governmental organisations and leaders from Garissa County have demanded for the reopening of the ill-fated Garissa University College that was attacked by Al-Shabaab militants four months ago. Garissa Governor Nathif Jama said by permanently closing the institution, the government was accepting defeat in the war against terror. He was speaking during celebrations to mark four months since the attack on the university. 148 people, most of them students, were killed in cold blood on April 2, 2015 of after Al-Shabaab attacked the only university in the region. “The government must treat the root cause of this entire problem which is corruption which is also contributing to insecurity in the region. If the government doesn’t reopen the university it clearly shows that terrorists have beaten us which is totally unacceptable,” said Lagdera MP Mohamed Shidiye.
He said that the government must reopen the university so as to send the message that Kenya remains strong despite the imminent threats noting that Al-Shabaab menace will soon be over. The Garissa leaders at the same time faulted the Jubilee administration for what they said was ignoring the region during the hour of need claiming that the president and his deputy never visited the region despite numerous terrorist attacks that claimed many innocent lives. “We have seen the president at Westgate to prove to Kenyans that terrorism will not deter our way of doing things. He should show the same to Garissa University College,” said the Lagdera MP.
Governor Jama on his part said his county administration has set aside Sh200 million to help the National Government fight the runaway insecurity in his county which he said has been grounded economically since the second terrorist attack. “The responsibility of security is solely with the National Government and as the county administration we have shown our willingness to cooperate and help them where possible. “We demand the reopening if the university and adequate security to all institutions and government installations,” he said.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Bias, nepotism, opportunity-centrism and power concentration to clan affiliations are what drives the whole nation. A captain without proper navigation system had sailed off the ship of my people with no lifeboats and left floating unattended for more than two decades. People are suffering and had been suffering from a pain the causation of which was diagnosed (tribalism) but kept uncured.”
Tribalism: My Peoples’ Satanic Doctrine
02 August – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1660
I have seen it hijacking my people towards unknown future; I have seen it destroying the moral values of my culture; I have seen it growing considerably bigger in the hearts and minds of the upcoming generations; yet, I have seen it affecting every single aspect of my peoples’ lives. Why TRIBALISM? Glancing back at centuries in my people’s patriarchal lives, warrior-lifestyle coupled with artistic creativity by nature in the form of poetry and ballads was the only fashion(s) someone or some tribe would demonstrate their status all and sundry. Livestock possessions especially the camel was the epicenter for tribal pride and magnanimity over their peers in their socio-pastorals community dispersedly lived across swaths in the horn of Africa. Forceful displacements for land expansion(s) and confiscations of the possessions (livestock) in the form of robbery amongst the major clans were the reason to wage wars on each other, where the literature “a more propagandistic than realistic” was also the mere mainstream media.
This lifestyle prior to the centuries however, had been gradually conformed into a low profile driven civilizations, where the tribes from the same ancestral-roots had formed small villages fitted for their existence. This was the unpopular villageization evolution, where those who bankrupt their livestock due to the tough seasonal droughts or wars were the class to venture village adventures. Strict cultural norms and values amongst the societies was the rule of law at the time. Though, the people were 100% Muslim; the Muslim theology was relatively lesser, as the Dervish (a sufi Muslim ascetic path) known for their chants to commend Prophet Mohamed (Pbh) were the major source of the religion.
Yet again, it is undeniable that this was a good ground that had preserved the people from the deceitful and daring influences of the Christian ideologies. Sultans, tribal chiefs and elders were the only leadership elite class that would broker, arbitrate and decisively reach a resolution towards any issues. Strong cultural based conflict practices were the binding principles for achieving a lasting resolution to any problem(s) so happened between the tribes. Any breach of the resolution or any failure to comply with such cultural norms by a tribe or individual__ forfeiting of wealth (livestock), social ostracism or complete disenfranchisement were like the penalty-codes to be slapped with. Where as on the contrary, full compensation(s) to the loss so happened, exchanging brides and creating new affinities between the hostile tribes were like cementing the resolution to perpetuate the peaceful coexistence of the society.
TOP TWEETS
@UNSomalia @Somalia111 joins 1st consultation workshop on human rights for the #Somalia Universal Periodic Review.
@Rooble2009 Somalia’s debt is 93% of its GDP, and 15 other things you didn’t know about its cash situation http://mgafrica.com/
@AmbAmerico Good morning having good time with my friend Gen Muhiyadin Sayid, enjoying the beutiful valley in Kismaio#Somalia
@Somalia111 Congratulations to people and government of#Puntland on 17th anniversary. Great contribution to a strong, united federal #Somalia
@Fatumaabdulahi Fatuma retweeted Nanjala Nyabola Hmm…I expected literature talk, not another political rant against#Somalia! Disappointing. #HIBF2015
@ygaraad Breakfast at Jazeera Hotel in #Mogadishu. Reconstruction is on fast track. #Somalia
IMAGE OF THE DAY
An AMISOM Sector II nurse attends to a patient at Dhobley District Hospital during a medical camp for local residents. Dhobley is a town in the southwestern Gedo region of Somalia.
Photo: AMISOM