December 10, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
African Union, Somali troops capture Islamist stronghold
08 Dec – Source: AFP- 329 words
African Union troops and Somali forces seized the formerly Islamist-held town of Jowhar Sunday, wresting control of one of the largest remaining towns held by the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab, officials said.
“We took control this morning and are now establishing security in Jowhar,” Colonel Ali Houmed, a spokesman for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), told AFP. “AMISOM troops alongside Somali National Forces entered the town, there was little fighting as the Al-Shabaab largely fled ahead of us.”
Key Headlines
- UN Special Representative’s statement on the IGAD Grand Stabilization Plan for South Central (UNPOS)
- President Hassan jets back to the country Somalia (Radio Risaala/Universal TV/Somali Chanel)
- Kenyan police arrest 300 Somalis in Nairobi (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Sudanese extremist cell members planned to fight in Somalia(Source: Sudan Tribune)
- Illegal checkpoints re-erected in Dharkenley (Shabelle)
- President Mohamud welcomes Japan’s direct engagement with Somalia (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Puntland Instability Underscores Somali Militants’ Staying Power (VOA)
- USA pledges to equip Somali forces ( Radio Risaala)
- FAO official arrested in Baidoa for al Shabaab affiliation(Hiiraan online)
- Kenyan MP injured 5 killed in grenade blast (Africa Review/Daily Nation/Citizen TV/NTV)
PRESS STATEMENT
Somali Forces, AMISOM secure Jowhar
09 Dec – Source: AMISOM – 233 words
The Somali National Army, with the support of AMISOM troops, has today captured the town of Jawhar, 90 km northwest of the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The joint forces faced little resistance as they entered the town, which has served as a major base for the al Shabaab as they have been pushed out of other areas in Southern Somalia.
“The capture of Jawhar will go a long way towards improving security for the civilian population in Hiiran and the Lower and Middle Shabelle regions,” said AMISOM Force Commander, Lt Gen Andrew Gutti. “Our joint forces are now consolidating the city’s defences and I appeal to the residents to remain calm,” he added.
Gen Gutti congratulated the Somali National Army troops on the achievement noting that AMISOM was continuing to enhance the capability of the Somali national security forces through training and mentoring . “AMISOM is building up the capacity of the Somali National Army to train its troops within Somalia and we have already begun courses for Somali trainers at the Al Jazira Military Training Base.”
Commercial activity across the country has picked up as businesses take advantage of the remarkable improvements in the security situation over the last eighteen months. Yesterday, commercial flights were launched between Mogadishu and the Beltweyne, the regional capital of Hiiran. This follows the launch last week of similar flights between Mogadishu and the southern port city of Kismayo.
UN Special Representative’s statement on the IGAD Grand Stabilization Plan for South Central
Dec – Source: UNPOS – 318 words
Somalia The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga welcomes the statement issued by the Joint Committee of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on the Grand Stabilization Plan for South Central Somalia and recognizes the importance of the initiative under the auspices of the IGAD Facilitator for Somalia Peace and Reconciliation.
“Stabilization of South Central Somalia is a key component in the vision of the Federal Republic of Somalia as outlined in the President’s six pillar policy and in the Prime Minister’s stabilization plan” said SRSG Mahiga. “We welcome the fact that Somalia was represented in the recent meeting of the Joint Committee in Addis Ababa at a high-level in the spirit of inclusion and Somali-owned and led processes. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) issued provides the framework to strengthen and expedite the implementation of the plan” SRSG Mahiga added.
Political reconciliation, establishing local administration, developing the country’s security capacity, establishing rule of law and delivering necessary assistance and basic services to communities in need are key components of the MOU. “The initiative empowers the population at all levels in the newly recovered areas of south central Somalia to determine administrative and political arrangements in the Federal Republic of Somalia” said SRSG Mahiga adding that this is in line with the Government’s policy.
“We are aware of the significant human, financial and technical resources towards achieving this effort. The international community needs to encourage and support these endeavours of the Federal Government and IGAD regional partners to urgently fill the space left by the Al Shabaab
to stabilize the areas and promote lasting peace and stability in Somalia and in neighbouring countries.
This welcome initiative comes in the wake of remarkable security achievements by the Somali and AMISOM forces and historical political strides by the Somali people to end the transition.
SOMALI MEDIA
Jowhar falls into government and AU command
08 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA/Kulmiye/
National forces of the Somali federal government backed by the African Union peacekeeping forces have fully taken control of Jowhar, the capital of middle Shabelle region without any resistance from al Shabaab this morning. The National forces and the African union peacekeeping forces captured Burane, Mahaday, the airport before finally taking control Jowhar city.
President Hassan jets back to the country, Somalia
Dec – Source: Radio Risaala/Universal TV/Somali Chanel 113 words
Somali President Prof Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud landed in Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport where he was received by high dignitaries including the Prime Minister, Abdi Farah Shirdoon and House Speaker, Prof. Osman Jawari. The president had been in Turkey for the past few days where he held high level talks with Ankara’s top leadership including Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan and President Abdullahi Gull. Upon his arrival, the president condemned the Nairobi blast near a mosque that killed and injured several people including Kenyan MP Yusuf Hassan.
Kenyan police arrest 300 Somalis in Nairobi
Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Jowhar Online – 80 words
Kenyan police have arrested more than 300 Somalis in Nairobi’s Eastleigh district after conducting a massive operation following the Friday night attack that left area MP Yusuf Hassan hospitalised with fractured legs. According to Nairobi police Chief Moses Ombati, most of the suspects arrested did not have identification documents. Five people died, and 37 others, including Mr Hassan, were injured in the 8 pm explosion outside Al-Hidaya Mosque on Friday night. The victims were leaving the mosque after evening prayers.
Illegal checkpoints re-erected in Dharkenley
09 Dec – Source Shabelle – 153 words
Public transport drivers shuttling in Dharkenley neighbourhood in south west Mogadishu are reporting that illegal check points which were dismantled under a recent order by the Somali president have re-emerged in that district again. The drivers say that militias manning these check points charge public transport busses excessive extortions and are calling the authorities to take actions in dismantling them again.
Traditional elder killed in El-bur district
08 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA – 107 words
The dead body of a very familiar traditional elder who was beheaded was found in the city of Elburi district in Galgudud regiom central Somalia run by al Shabaab, reports said.
The Traditional elder was named Abdulahi Mohamud Farah and had been taken from his house in Elbur district two nights before he was beheaded, according to the residents there. Reports say that Abdullahi Mohamud Farah had rejected a financial demand by al Shabaab.
President Mohamud welcomes Japan’s direct engagement with Somalia
08 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 112 words
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has welcomed Japan’s decision to directly support the government of Somalia. A statement from the president’s directorate of communications said Japan’s move to directly engage with his government is an example of improving confidence in the engagement between the two countries. “The significance of a direct engagement with our government and not through other organizations will be the foundation for a strong relationship between Somalia and Japan,” said the statement while quoting the president.
Security operations underway in Beledweyne
08 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 163 words
Residents in the city of Beledweyne say that a joint security operation by Somalia and Djibouti forces who are part of African Union mission in Somalia is underway in that city. The security sweep is aimed at removing any security hurdles that may exist in the city as residents in Beledweyne, who spoke to Shabelle, say. Eyewitnesses say that the joint security operations are underway in the neighbourhoods of Hawa Tako and Kooshin where Somali forces and their allies from Amisom are seen moving around and carrying out search operations.
USA pledges to equip Somali forces
08 Dec – Source: Radio Risaala- 105 words
United States of America has pledged to play a more active role in training and equipping Somali Security forces. The US ambassador to Uganda, Scott H DeLisi made the announcements in a meeting attended by his Somali counterpart, Dr. Sayd Ahmed Shiikh Daahi. Scott H DeLisi noted that Somalia was now in post transition period and there was need to have well trained and well equipped police force. He also praised AMISOM for its tangible success in restoring peace to the region.
FAO official arrested in Baidoa for al Shabaab affiliation
08 Dec – Source: Hiiraan Online – 362 words
An FAO official was arrested for having alleged connections with the al Shabaab in Baidoa, a city in south central Somalia. According to Baidoa police Chief Col. Mahad Abdirahman Adan, the suspect, Mr. Idris Abdi Dhakhar, was arrested after receiving reports that he has been aiding the insurgency group in the operation within the region. Col Mahad said that the FAO official was arrested at his home in the Horsed area in Baidoa.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Sudanese extremist cell members planned to fight in Somalia
09 Dec – Source: Sudan Tribune – 517 words
Members of an extremist cell uncovered in East Sudan were planning to travel to Somalia and join ranks of Islamic insurgents there, Sudan Tribune has learned. The group who ran a training camp in the southeast region told police during investigations that they intended to launch “jihad” in Somalia.
http://www.sudantribune.com/
Kenyan MP injured, 5 killed in grenade blast
08 Dec – Source: Africa Review/Daily Nation/Citizen TV/NTV – 295 words
Yusuf Hassan, a member of Kenya’s parliament representing the Kamukunji constituency in Nairobi, was last night injured in a grenade attack that killed two people in the Eastleigh suburb of the city.
By Saturday morning, the death toll among the injured had risen to five. The MP was said to have been holding a discussion with his constituents after evening prayers at Hidaya Mosque when a man hurled a grenade at them, injuring nine people.
Investors ready to pump billions of dollars into calm Somaliland
08 Dec – Source: East African – 542 words
As Somalia starts to emerge from instability and chaos, 20 years of relative peace and stability are starting to pay dividends for its close neighbour Somaliland. This November, it struck its first major oil deal since seceding from Somalia in 1991. Anglo-Turkish company Genel Energy received its licence from the Somaliland government in early November to explore and develop oil and gas reserves after pledging almost $40 million for exploration activities.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
African Union, Somali troops capture Islamist stronghold
08 Dec – Source: AFP- 329 words
African Union troops and Somali forces seized the formerly Islamist-held town of Jowhar Sunday, wresting control of one of the largest remaining towns held by the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab, officials said.
“We took control this morning and are now establishing security in Jowhar,” Colonel Ali Houmed, a spokesman for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), told AFP. “AMISOM troops alongside Somali National Forces entered the town, there was little fighting as the Al-Shabaab largely fled ahead of us.”
Puntland Instability Underscores Somali Militants’ Staying Power
09 Dec – Source: VOA – 595 words
Al Shabab militants attacked last week an army post in the Galgala mountains of Puntland, killing at least 10 soldiers, in one of the deadliest strikes by the group in months. The attack underscored the growing presence of al-Shabab in northeastern Somalia and the real security threat still posed by the militants. After being defeated by African Union, Ethiopian and Kenyan forces in the south, and expelled from the commercial hub of Kismayo in October, the militants have reportedly been seeking refuge in the mountainous regions of Puntland.
Somalia’s former UK embassy home to hundreds of people
08 Dec – Source: AFP – 02:04 min
As Britain prepares to open a new embassy in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, AFPTV takes a look at the UK’s former embassy which is now home to hundreds of people.
Rebuilding Kismayo after al Shabaab
09 Dec – Source: Daily Beast – 1500 words
Retro white-metal-and-wood hospital beds—arranged in a cluster in the dappled shade of a broad tree—serve as the main emergency ward at Kismayo General Hospital. Emergency is the only kind of care the small team of hospital staff can provide with so few resources. For the past three years they’ve operated under the rule of Somalia’s al Qaeda–linked militants, al Shabaab. “Explosion wounds and C-sections—that’s all we can cope with right now,” says the hospital director.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“While the crackdown on illegal aliens is commendable, what begs for answers is why the police had to wait this long for them to crack the whip”.
Police took too long to act
08 Dec – Source: Daily Nation – 130 words
Following the sporadic grenade attacks launched in Nairobi, North Eastern and Coast provinces this year, security agencies should by now have made it their business to intercept trouble makers before they strike. After the Friday night Eastleigh attack in which five people were killed and 37 injured, police launched a major swoop and arrested more than 300 people. As we have reported elsewhere in this edition, police said that most of those arrested were found to be living in the country illegally. While the crackdown on illegal aliens is commendable, what begs for answers is why the police had to wait this long for them to crack the whip. State security agencies no doubt have the information that some of the attackers have sneaked into the country from neighbouring Somalia.