August 6, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somalia’s president expects new military push to begin in days
06 Aug – Source: Reuters – 159 words
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Reuters on Tuesday he expected a new military drive by African Union and Somali forces to start in the next few days to push al Shabaab militants from more territory.
Al Shabaab ruled most of the southern region of Somalia from 2006 until 2011 when African forces drove them out of Mogadishu and then expelled them from most urban centers in a nation that has faced war and turmoil for more than two decades.
But the al Qaeda-aligned Islamists, who sought to impose a very strict version of Islamic sharia law, still hold swathes of territory. Mohamud said those areas would be the focus of the operation, building on successes from another push earlier this year that reduced al Shabaab’s territorial control.
“Operation Indian Ocean is going to start within the next few days,” Mohamud said in an interview during a visit to Washington, where he is attending a summit of African leaders.
Key Headlines
- Switzerland to help Somalia implement federal system (Hiiraan Online)
- Somalia’s president expects new military push to begin in days (Reuters)
- The President: Somalia actively taking steps to prevent transmission of ebola to Somalia (OP)
- Obama hosts dinner for dozens of African leaders in Washington (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan)
- Over 20 killed in clashes between government forces and al Shabaab in Bay region (Radio Goobjoog)
- Kenyan president criticises West over war on terror (Daily Nation)
- Security operations underway in Toosweyne village Bay region (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Kenya arrest suspect from Somalia’s al-Shabab group (BBC)
- Somalia warns of worsening drought and hunger in southern regions (Radio Ergo)
- Somalia deputy speaker opens seminar for permanent committees of federal parliament (Radio Mogadishu)
- Tensions high in Beled hawa town following rift within government officials (Radio RBC)
- “It is true my son joined ISIS”: Somaliland Opposition leader (BBC Somali Service)
- Roads and trade could be more effective weapons against Somali piracy (Seychelles News Agency)
- Puntland TV cleared after armed men siege (Somali Current)
- Court Martial: UPDF officer admitted at Bombo army hospital (New Vision)
- Living in fear Somali lawmakers struggle to serve country (Sabahi Online)
- Security operation launched after Mandera grenade attack (Standard Media)
- Al Shabaab territory targeted in Somali push (IOL News)
PRESS STATEMENT
The President: Somalia actively taking steps to prevent transmission of ebola to Somalia
06 Aug – Source: Office of the President of Somalia – 180 words
Speaking from the US-Africa Summit in Washington DC, The President outlined precautions Somalia is taking to ensure the ebola virus disease (ebola) does not affect Somalia.
The ebola outbreak first began in Guinea in March 2014. Since its initial outbreak, the virus has spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. The outbreak is the most severe in recorded history in regards to both the number of human cases and fatalities.
“We are very concerned about the outbreak of ebola in West Africa. I want to reassure Somalis that there is a very large distance that ebola would need to travel to reach Somalia.
Nevertheless, in recognition that this is a significant outbreak, the Federal Government and its partners have taken immediate steps to protect Somalia and AMISOM troops. This includes working with AMISOM to take the necessary precautions to ensure that ebola does not enter Somalia through troop rotations.
We recognise the severity of this terrible disease and its impact on our African friends. We stand by to support countries affected, and pray for swift resolution and recovery,” said the President.
SOMALI MEDIA
Switzerland to help Somalia implement federal system
06 Aug- Source: Hiiraan Online/Radio Mogadishu- 204 words
Switzerland, a country that has hundreds of years of federalism experience has pledged to assist the government of Somalia in implementing the federal system throughout the country.
The pledge was made by the Swiss ambassador to Somalia Dominik Langenbacher during a lengthy meeting with the parliament speaker Mohamed Sheik Osman Jawaari in Mogadishu on Tuesday.
The diplomat said that his country will increase its support to Somalia and in particular the implementation of the federal system in the country as well as other key development projects to be carried out in Somalia.
Mr. Jawaari for his part said that Somalia was ready to benefit from Switzerland and any other country interested in assisting Somalia in the creation of federalism.
Obama hosts dinner for dozens of African leaders in Washington
06 Aug- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan-248 words
President Barack Obama on Tuesday night hosted dinner at the White House for dozens of the African leaders attending the historic US-African Leaders Summit in Washington DC.
Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is among those African leaders in Washington for the summit which focuses on boosting economic and security ties between the US and Africa.
Obama welcomed African leaders to the White House saying that Washington has welcomed foreign envoys and leaders for more than two centuries but it has never hosted such an event which brought so many leaders and envoys together all at once.
Obama told about 400 guests at the White House that the United States and Africa have a shared task to keep on working for peace, prosperity and justice that American and African people seek and so richly deserve.
President Obama also spoke about taking his family on trips to the African continent that has overcome the legacies of slavery, colonialism and apartheid.
He said Africa has inspired so many people to achieve great things in life adding that modern generations in Africa have the talent and the drive to forge a new future for the continent.
Obama pledged $33 billion in private and public U.S. aid to Africa during a business forum earlier in the day and urged leaders to improve governance and security throughout the continent in order to aid economic development in which he said African people so richly deserve.
Over 20 killed in clashes between government forces and al Shabaab in Bay region
06 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 93 words
Over twenty people died and scores wounded after fresh clashes between al Shabaab and government forces erupts in Bardale district and nearby areas. The fighting started after government forces attacked al Shabaab bases in ToosWeyne locality as our correspondent in Bay region reports.
After fierce fighting between al Shabaab and federal government forces, ToosWeyne locality came to the government’s control. The security situation of area is now stable, public transport and business activities came back to normal. Al Shabaab is yet to comment on the clash with government forces in Bay region.
Security operations underway in Toosweyne village, Bay region
06 Aug- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 127 words
Security operations are underway for the second day running in Toosweyne village near Bardale district of Bay region after government forces and Al Shabaab militias Tuesday clashed in the area.
Bardale district commissioner Mohamed Isack Arra-ase told Bar-kulan that the security operations are jointly carried out by government forces and local vigilantes in a bid to drive al Shabaab fighters out of the area.
The commissioner vowed that the operations will continue until peace is restored in the area and al Shabaab fighters are driven out of the region once and for all.
More than 10 people have been killed and many others injured in confrontations between security forces and al Shabaab fighters in Toosweyne village of Bay region.
Somalia warns of worsening drought and hunger in southern regions
06 Aug- Source: Radio Ergo- 201 words
Somalia’s National Disaster Agency has warned of a worsening drought and food security situation in five regions in the country’s south. Mohamud Sheikh Hassan, head of the agency’s Drought Assessment and Evaluation, said the communities in Gedo, Galgaduud, Hiran, Lower Shabelle and Bakool regions were facing extreme water and food shortages threatening their lives and livelihoods.
The worst affected are pastoralist communities living in rural areas, who haven’t received sufficient rainfall in recent years, Hassan said. The water pans, boreholes and other sources of water have all already dried up. Radio Ergo correspondents report that pastoralist communities have been moving to urban areas to get closer to water sources. Farming families are also fleeing from their homes in Bay, Bakool, Lower Shabelle and Hiran regions, which are known as agro-pastoralist areas, due to successive seasons of poor rains and low food production.
“The situation could get worse if the drought is not quickly addressed,” Hassan told Radio Ergo’s local reporter in Mogadishu. The conflicts and al Shabaab blockade, he noted, are worsening the conditions of residents in many of the regions in southern Somalia. “The aid agencies should act fast to avoid a return to the 2011-2012 drought and famine,” Hassan said.
Somalia deputy speaker opens seminar for permanent committees of federal parliament
06 Aug- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog/Radio Risaala- 106 words
The first deputy speaker of federal government of Somalia Jaylani Noor Ikar opened seminar for permanent committees of federal parliament in kampala.
The aim of the seminar is to promote the knowledge and the expertise of the permanent committee of federal government.
Opening the ceremony, the first deputy speaker Mr. Ikar on behalf of the members sent condolence to the assassinated members of federal parliament.
Finally Jaylani thanked AWEPA organization that has organized the seminar stating that this seminar is the start of other seminars which the permanent committees will attend during their free time.
Tensions high in Beled hawa town following rift within government officials
06 Aug – Source: Radio RBC – 156 words
Tensions high in Beled hawa town of Somalia’s southwestern region of Gedo after rival militias exchanged fierce gunfire in the town on Tuesday. At least one person was killed and two others were wounded as government forces searching for renegaded soldier encountered heavy resistance from other rival soldiers in Beled hawa.
The gunfire broke out in the city centre causing fear and shock among the community in the town. The tensions continue to be high as rival militias continue to control different parts of the town.
Locals confirmed that the security of the border town has been deteriorating in the past days as the rival militias loyal to the regional administration of Gedo and the allied function of Ahlu Sunna continued to oppose each other.
Earlier this week, the Governor of Gedo Mohamed Abdi Kalil has joined to Juba Interim Administration in Kismayo shortly after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud paid visit to the regional capital of Garbaharey.
“It is true my son joined ISIS”: Somaliland Opposition leader
06 Aug- Source: BBC Somali Service/Radio Daslan- 162 words
The opposition leader of the self declared state of Somaliland has confirmed that his son has joined Islamic state of Iraq and Levant rebels fighting in Syria and Iraq. In an Interview with BBC Somali Service, Feysal Warabe said he son was born in Finland in 1992 and was not in contact with family since January 2013. “He come to Hargeisa last year with his newly married wife and wanted to cross over to Southern Somalia,”
He said his son Sayyid Hassan secretly came to Hargeisa but when discovered was taken to his fathers home however he later escaped to Garowe town to take new passport to continue with his journey.
Hussein Feysal alias Abu Shueyb appeared on propaganda posted on the social media network of YouTube while speaking in Finnish language and with ISIL fighters in Syria. Two other Somalis are known and confirmed to have joined the militants fighting for Islamic state in Syria and Iraq Among them blind Somali Dutch Taymullah Al Somali.
Puntland TV cleared after armed men siege
05 Aug – Source: Somali Current – 98 words
Puntland security forces granted workers safe passage out of the building that was taken over by armed men earlier today. According to reliable sources, said the soldiers were angry about President Abdiweli Gas sacking of top officials including the general director of Puntland TV and unpaid salaries.
The soldiers said they were unpaid for months and live in deplorable conditions as the result. They were also angry at mass sacking of top security chiefs including intelligence chief and head of presidential guard. Traditional leaders and politicians later intervened urging the soldiers to leave the state owned media building.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenyan president criticises West over war on terror
06 Aug- Source: Daily Nation- 289 words
President Uhuru Kenyatta has said the international community is not doing enough to support Kenya in the fight against terrorism. In an interview with CNN in Washington DC Tuesday, Mr Kenyatta said terrorism is not country-specific but a global problem. “The world needs to recognise the fact that this is a global threat which requires to be countered by a global partnership in order to defeat and secure, not just Kenya, but the world” he told Richard Quest, the host of a popular show ‘Quest means business’ .
“We recognise that security is key in ensuring long term stability and investment,” said President Kenyatta.
He noted that when the United States was attacked by terrorists, the whole world rallied behind the country. “This is what we would like to see in the East Africa,” he said.
Asked whether Kenya felt “a bit alone” in the war on terror, President Kenyatta said Kenyan forces were in Somalia together with troops from other African nations but added; “We would like to see the world rally behind us and fully support our mission in Somalia so that our forces can expand their operations and reduce the area of al Shabaab’s operation.”
Court Martial: UPDF officer admitted at Bombo army hospital
06 Aug- Source: New Vision- 89 words
The former commander of the 343 battalion of the Ugandan military contingent in Somalia has been admitted at Bombo army hospital in a critical condition.
Lt. Col. Benson Olanya, who is diabetic, according to military sources, was transferred from Makindye military facility to Bombo army hospital in Luwero district last week after his condition deteriorated. Olanya is among over ten senior UPDF officers facing trial over crimes they allegedly committed in Somalia where Uganda has peacekeepers under the auspices of the African Union.
Olanya is battling charges of sexual harassment, fuel theft, offences relating to guard duties, abuse of office and violence to his juniors and failure to execute his duties since last October. His attempts to secure bail have been futile so far.
The Military police spokesperson, Capt. Geoffrey Burushana, said Olanya who has a long history of diabetes was referred to Bombo hospital by doctors at the military police headquarters.
Brig. Michael Ondoga, the ex-commander of the Ugandan troop contingent in Somalia, who has also been in detention since October underwent a surgical operation at Bombo army hospital in May.
Living in fear, Somali lawmakers struggle to serve country
05 Aug- Source: Sabahi Online-847 Words
Somalia’s parliament has been officially in recess since July 24th, but the prospect of a 30-day vacation is not bringing much relief to lawmakers who are increasingly in al Shabaab’s crosshairs, with three lawmakers killed in less than a month. The latest victim, lawmaker Sheikh Adan Madeer, was gunned down in Mogadishu August 1st as he returned home from a mosque near his house.
In similar ambush attacks carried out by gunmen, al Shabaab killed lawmakers Saado Ali Warsame on July 23rd and Mohamed Mohamud Heyd on July 3rd. In April, in two attacks 24-hours apart, al Shabaab killed lawmakers Abdiaziz Isaak Mursal and Isaq Mohamed Rinow.
“It is clear why we are targeting these parliamentarians who call themselves lawmakers,” said al Shabaab spokesman Abdiaziz Abu Musab in a statement released on pro-al Shabaab websites after Madeer’s murder. “They are men who replaced God’s law with laws made by infidels and we will continue to kill these individuals who have welcomed the enemy in the country,” he said.
Security operation launched after Mandera grenade attack
06 Aug- Source: Standard Media- 454 words
A security operation has been launched in Mandera Tuesday following Monday’s grenade attack on the county government headquarters. Governor Ali Roba said although no one had been arrested in connection with the attack, he was optimistic the culprits would soon be apprehended.
Speaking during a security meeting, Mr Roba urged the youth to engage in gainful activities other than being used to carry out terror attacks. He was accompanied by County Commissioner Alex Ole Nkoyo.
Saying the county government had the interest of youth at heart, Mr Roba revealed that in the last one year the county government had employed more than 1000 youths. He warned that his government would not give in to threats by the militant al Shabaab group based in neighbouring Somalia.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia’s president expects new military push to begin in days
06 Aug – Source: Reuters – 159 words
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Reuters on Tuesday he expected a new military drive by African Union and Somali forces to start in the next few days to push al Shabaab militants from more territory.
Al Shabaab ruled most of the southern region of Somalia from 2006 until 2011 when African forces drove them out of Mogadishu and then expelled them from most urban centers in a nation that has faced war and turmoil for more than two decades.
But the al Qaeda-aligned Islamists, who sought to impose a very strict version of Islamic sharia law, still hold swathes of territory. Mohamud said those areas would be the focus of the operation, building on successes from another push earlier this year that reduced al Shabaab’s territorial control.
“Operation Indian Ocean is going to start within the next few days,” Mohamud said in an interview during a visit to Washington, where he is attending a summit of African leaders.
Kenya arrest suspect from Somalia’s al-Shabab group
06 Aug- Source: BBC- 274 words
Kenyan police have arrested an official from Somalia’s militant Islamist group al-Shabab, security sources have told the BBC.
Police believe the suspect is former journalist Hassan Hanafi, who is accused of killing journalists in Somalia, other sources said.
However, the man has denied under interrogation that he is Mr Hanafi, the sources added. Al-Shabab has carried out a spate of attacks in Somalia and Kenya.
Last September, 67 people were killed when the group’s fighters laid siege to the upmarket Westgate shopping centre in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
Somali security sources said Mr Hanafi was arrested a few days ago in Nairobi following co-operation between the intelligence services of the neighbouring states, reports the BBC’s Abdullahi Abdi from Nairobi.
Roads and trade could be more effective weapons against Somali piracy
06 Aug- Source: Seychelles News Agency- 1312 words
Villages situated along the coast of the Gulf of Aden in Somalia often have to make hard choices: give pirates and their captives’ safe harbour in return for desperately-needed funds or continue to battle against drought, poverty and a severe lack of infrastructure.
An economist at King’s College London, Anja Shortland, and a sociologist at the University of Oxford, Federico Varese, published a paper arguing that building roads and ports there could allow desperately poor Somali clans the freedom to be able to choose legitimate trade over harbouring pirates, and finally beat the scourge of piracy for good.
The poverty-stricken country, situated on the Horn of Africa, is finally beginning to show signs of political and economic recovery after being ravaged by decades of civil war, militant uprisings and even a complete absence of central government.
Al Shabaab territory targeted in Somali push
06 Aug- Souce: IOL News- 193 words
“Operation Indian Ocean is going to start within the next few days,” Mohamud said in an interview during a visit to Washington, where he is attending a summit of African leaders. “We have all the measures in place to make sure that Operation Indian Ocean will definitely succeed.”
The president dismissed a recent spate of attacks in Mogadishu – which include the killing of a lawmaker last week – as the “last kick” of a group he said was being squeezed by Somali and African Union forces.
He said the same of al Shabaab’s attacks overseas, which include an attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi last year which killed 67 people.
“This is a sign of weakness,” Mohamud said. “The geographic area of al Shabaab has (shrunken) and now they are changing their tactics.”
Mohamud said he felt confident in his own personal security despite attempts on his life over the years. Militants have repeatedly attacked the presidential compound, including a car bomb strike in July.
“Al Shabaab has been attempting to eliminate myself and other top leadership. But they couldn’t succeed in the past and they can’t succeed in the future,” he said.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“In the case of Somalia, a long term strategy should include providing educational opportunities for Somali youth. Education is the single most potent weapon with which to slay poverty. We must take a humanistic perspective driven by a concern for the future of the country’s youth, 75% of whom have no employment or means of earning income. It is no wonder that according to a UNDP report published in 2012, two-thirds of Somali youths would wish to leave the country. US-Africa summit has an opportunity to address this. Will they seize it?”
U.S.-Africa Summit Must Deliver for Africa’s Youth
06 Aug- Source: Hiiraan Online-834 Words
On August 4th – 6th, President Obama will welcome 41 heads of state from Africa to Washington DC for a three-day U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit, in what is being termed as the largest event organized by any U.S. President with African heads of state and government. According to the White House, this event ‘will build on the President’s trip to Africa in the summer of 2013 and it will strengthen ties between the United States and one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest growing regions. The theme of the Summit is “Investing in the Next Generation.” Focusing on the next generation is at the core of a government’s responsibility and work, and this Summit is an opportunity to discuss ways of stimulating growth, unlocking opportunities, and creating an enabling environment for the next generation.’
The timing and the theme of this summit is fitting given the significant opportunity that exist today in integrating the continent’s economies and opening up business and employment opportunities for the people, especially, the continent’s youth who are eager to embark on innovative projects that will improve the conditions of their people. During my last month’s visit to Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, I met with government and civil society leaders who all discussed the desire and the need for wealth generation and employment creation in order to achieve sustainable political and social-economic development.
“We need our elites on the long and difficult road towards a better Somalia but climbing the intellectual high horse and pouring scorn on everyone else is counterproductive. Instead, our Intellectuals need to start by applauding and encouraging those Somalis who are directly involved in reversing a great and long tragedy even if they don’t always get it right.”
Somali Diaspora: A two-edged sword
05 Aug- Source: Hiiraan Online-318 Words
The Somali Diaspora represents a crucial part of Somalia’s future. But what exactly that future will look like depends, in part, on what that diaspora contribute. In the past two years I have got the privilege to see first-hand the kind of positive impact that Somalia’s diaspora is capable of having on our war-ravaged land.
In my travels in and out of Somalia I have seen, with great admiration, Somali diaspora I will call the Returnees participating in the reconstruction of Somalia’s devastated economy and political spheres, needless to add at great risk to their lives. This kind of sacrifice is obviously inevitable in a country that remains unstable to say the least. But it also puts to shame the contributions of the second group of Somalia diaspora – call them the Somali Intellectuals.
Largely based outside Somalia, the Somali Intellectuals are quick to find fault, pointing out what everyone back in Somalia is doing wrong. Of course, when you are seated in the comfort of a peaceful suburb thousands of miles away from Mogadishu, it is easy to reason out the mistakes of others. Never mind that life in Somalia hardly subscribes to reasonable standards. Frankly speaking, this fault-finding approach is just as out of touch with the reality of Somali life as the fancy words these Intellectuals use in their articles.
Top tweets
@Oxfam EU pledges add’l €10 million humanitarian funding to help the victims of worsening crisis in #Somaliahttp://ow.ly/zWkgq
@DeeqAfrika HE Hassan Sheikh Mohamud & 1st Lady Qamar Ali Omar arrive at the the White House for a State Dinner#Somalia pic.twitter.com/VDxfHOZYZr
@lhammondsoas Timely report from @FeinsteinIntCenLessons a Learned from Somalia Famine 2011-12http://fic.tufts.edu/
@amisomsomalia Ag. SRCC Lydia Wanyoto after meeting with women in Dhobley. She pledged the support of AMISOM to their cause pic.twitter.com/ukrmvmCrey
@UNSomalia PHOTOS: Youth groups hold consultations with UNSOM in #Mogadishu https://flic.kr/s/aHsk1rCmpG
Image of the day
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and Mrs. Qamar Ali Omar, in the Blue Room during a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit dinner at the White House, Aug. 5, 2014. Photo: White House