December 10, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Al-shabab re-takes a locality on the border of Kenya

09 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 153 words

Reports from Gedo region states that Al-shabab has taken over the control of Gadoon-dhawe locality in the outskirts of Bula hawo district after Kenyan Defense forces(KDF) withdrew from the area. Al-shabab claim that they seized the area after heavy confrontations with Kenyan defense forces under AMISOM adding that the KDF advanced towards their border. Last week Kenyan defense forces have attacked and seized the area after it deployed thousands of forces in the in the border town after Al-shabab intensified their attacks. Similarly Kenyan fighter jets carried out air strike in the region that reportedly killed many civilians and herds of livestock. After the attacks Kenyan deputy president Wiliam Ruto addressed the media claiming that the forces destroyed several bases of the group and hundred members. These attacks came after Al-shabab claimed the responsibility of deadly attacks in the outskirts of Mandera county where over 50 people were killed.

Key Headlines

Al-shabab re-takes a locality on the border of Kenya (Radio Goobjoog)
Tens arrested in Baidoa amid security swoops (Dalsan Radio)
Somali information minister: we need to fully empower our young people (Mareeg Media)
British Ambassador to Somalia visits Baidoa (Radio Goobjoog)
Extradited senior al-Shabaab media rep to face justice in Mogadishu (Radio Bar-kulan/Dalsan Radio)
UAE contribute $500000 to UN’s Department of Political Affairs fund (The National UAE)
105 refugees from Daadab camp voluntarily return to Somalia (Standard Digital)
China helps fight piracy off Somalia (Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide)
Shooting of Forest Lawn shopkeeper sparks concern (Calgary Herald)

SOMALI MEDIA

Al-shabab re-takes a locality on the border of Kenya

09 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 153 words

Tens arrested in Baidoa amid security swoops

09 Dec – Source: Dalsan Radio – 64 Words

Somali security forces arrested tens in Baidoa. Reports say close to a hundred people were arrested. The security forces also confiscated vehicles in the second day of the operation. Bay Region police boss Mahad Abdirahmaan Adan told the media that many Al-shabaab suspects were apprehended during the operations. The Somali security forces engage in similar swoops frequently in the areas under their control.

Somali Information Minister: we need to fully empower our young people

09 Dec – Mareeg Media – 584 Words

Mustafa Duhulow, the Minister of Information of Somalia was a keynote speaker of today’s Global Communications Expo in Abu Dhabi, that brings diverse experts to collaborate in developing and implementing innovative Counter Violent Extremists communications activities. The Minister said “We need to fully empower our young people, so that they can take part the political and democratization process in Somalia.” The Minister of Information during his stay in Abu Dhabi had a meeting with H.E. Ambassador Faris Al-Mazoui, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Defense & Security of the United Arab Emirates. Both ministers discussed bi-lateral relations of Somalia and the UAE. Minister Duhulow thanked the UAE’s unwavering support to Somalia and stated that Somalia is now moving forward and asked UAE’s continual support in order to bring peace and stability.

The Minister speaking at the conference said “I am pleased to see that emphasis has now shifted to communications in countering violent extremism. It has been known for some time that the information component is critical in both counter terrorism and counter insurgency. In Somalia, we have actually put information in the lead: we are not just saying it, we are actually doing it. Our approach is population centric, as we are engaging with the narratives of al-Shabaab head on by deconstructing their narratives pillar by pillar while concurrently building up our own capabilities both in reality but, more importantly, in public perception.” The Minister continued, “in Somalia the reason we are focusing on the information war is to win the hearts and minds of Somali people. When the people believe the government is delivering basic services, then we can truly win the hearts and minds of the people. No one country can defeat an ideological challenge on their own because these challenges do not recognize borders. In Somalia, we know partnering with other governments who also have an interest in a stable and democratic Somalia can geometrically increase our efforts.”

The Ministry of Information, is leading the strategic communications for the Federal Government of Somalia. We have at our disposal a number of organic capabilities: Somali National Television (SNTV), Radio Mogadishu, the Somali National News Agency (SONNA) and a major web presence. We dedicate whole sections of our output to the Somali National Army to publicise their successes on the battlefield but also their growing capacity. I deliver a weekly update to the media across a range of topics to show how the government is progressing. A typical update might cover progresses on the ground in terms of service delivery, progress on education, health, implementing federalism, reconciliations and negotiations in the regions, developments and the latest security forces’ recovery of a town from al-Shabaab. We also share social issues, such as a singing competition and entertainment news – Somalis, like anyone, like to be entertained.”

The Minister continued to say “We also understand the importance of youth, and we fully engage with them in public awareness campaigns. We need to provide jobs, vocational training and education to our young people. We need to fully empower our young people, so that they can take part the political and democratization process in Somalia.” The Minister concluded: “We are also doing a lot to develop the capabilities of our private media. We also engage with civil society groups, religious groups and women groups in order to win the hearts and minds of the people. The Ministry of Information not only encourages civil society groups but also works with them in partnership.”

British ambassador to Somalia visits Baidoa

09 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 81 Words

High level delegates led by British ambassador to Somalia Neil Wigan landed at Shatigadud Airport in Baidoa earlier today, the security of the town was tightened. Neil Wigan British Ambassador to Somalia and his delegates took closed door meeting with the newly elected president of Southwest Somalia Shariif Xasan Sheekh Aadan. They discussed wide range issues of great concern including security, development and the fight against al-shabaab. The British Ambassador urged President Sharif to finalize his administration as soon as possible.

Extradited senior Al-Shabaab media rep to face justice in Mogadishu

09 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Dalsan Radio – 118

The extradited senior Al Shabaab media representative who was detained in Kenya earlier in august was presented to media in Mogadishu today. Hassan Hanafi is believed to be behind the killing of several Somali journalists during height of Al Shabaab insurgency in Somali capital Mogadishu. Hanafi was arrested in Kenya while undergoing treatment after a tip off from Somali national intelligence agency to its Kenyan counterpart. Somali National Intelligence and Security agency has said it will carry out more investigations on Hanafi before transferred to judiciary to face justice. The arrest of Hanafi is a significant step towards the fight against Al-Shabaab in Somalia after its leader Ahmed Godane was killed by America drone strike on September.

REGIONAL MEDIA

UAE contribute $500,000 to UN’s Department of Political Affairs fund

09 Dec – Source: The National, UAE – 119 Words

The UAE’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, announced at a meeting on Tuesday that the UAE has contributed US$500,000 (Dh1.8 million) to the UN’s Department of Political Affairs fund for activities in Afghanistan and Somalia. The ambassador was participating in a donors’ meeting for current and prospective contributors, chaired by the UN’s under-secretary-general for political affairs, Jeffrey Feltman. This contribution marks the first time that the UAE has donated to the DPA, and a portion of the funds will be assigned and used towards the Department’s Rapid Response efforts, allowing flexibility in responding to sudden crises in 2015 in addition to building on the work it is doing in Somalia and Afghanistan.

105 refugees from Daadab camp voluntarily return to Somalia

09 Dec – Source: Standard Digital – 397 Words

105 refugees in Daadab camp in Kenya on Tuesday returned voluntarily to their home country in Somalia. The refugees who left Tuesday afternoon were escorted by the camp officials to their country following a pact between Kenya and Somalia signed last year. The agreement was signed on the 10th of November 2013 between the ministry of Kenya Foreign affairs, Prime Minister and minister for foreign affairs for the Somalia government and UNHCR. Kenya has a responsibility of exempting all goods of the returnees, personal effects and livestock from customs and duties which may apply. In the pact, the government of Somalia shall put in place administrative, judicial and security measures to ensure safe return and integration of refugees.

Commissioner for the Department of Refugees Affairs Harun Komen said the families voluntarily accepted to go back to Somalia to develop their country. See also: Stable Somalia only way to end terrorism He said they each received 100 USD from the Kenyan government upon commencement of their journey and another 100 USD on arrival to Somalia. “The returnees were presented with food and non-items that help them last for more than three months and will be expected to blend in their new home as well as champion for peace,” he asserted. Somali government will be mandated with ensuring there is freedom of movement of returnees as provided in the country’s national legislation as well as with international human rights standards,” said Komen.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

China helps fight piracy off Somalia

09 Dec – Source: Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide – 749 Words

A senior US State Department official praised China’s efforts in global counter piracy in the waters off Somalia, a busy sea lane where attacks and hijacking of commercial ships worry many nations. Todd Chapman, principal deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs of the State Department, said it was reassuring to see China prominently represented in the battle against piracy. “China’s spokesperson stated very clearly their commitment to this issue and they want to continue the long-standing partnership with other members of the Contact Group, so I think it’s an encouraging sign,” Chapman told a press briefing in Washington on Friday.

He was referring to a late-October meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, of the 17th plenary of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS), an international forum launched in 2009. Chapman, who began his current job in September, attended that conference. He called it “a fantastic example of the international community coming together to address the common problem” and “a model of 21st century partnership”. The rise of piracy off the coast of Somalia spurred the creation and passage in 2008 of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1851, which authorizes states to work more closely in the fight against piracy there. On Nov 12, the Security Council passed a new resolution reaffirming its condemnation of all acts of piracy and robbery at sea off Somalia.

Shooting of Forest Lawn shopkeeper sparks concern

09 Dec – Source: Calgary Herald – 569 Words

The shooting of a Forest Lawn merchant during a robbery last week has rattled the community. The incident has shaken many local Somalis, who rely on the money exchange shop as a lifeline to their homeland, and it’s sparked a wider concern over safety along the diverse International Avenue corridor. Police are still looking for the two men who robbed the Dahab Exchange at 5012 17th Ave. S.E. on Friday night. The bandits shot owner Yusuf Mohamed before fleeing.

A friend of Mohamed’s said Monday the shopkeeper is out of a medically-induced coma but still faces surgery to remove a bullet lodged near his neck. “Hopefully he’s going to get better,” said Mudhir Mohamed, a longtime friend who also owns a business on 17th Avenue S.E. The shooting dominated discussion among members of the Somali diaspora who gathered for a weekly meeting on the weekend, Mohamed said. Many local Somalis rely on Yusuf Mohamed’s business to transfer money to needy relatives back home via an informal money exchange network known as hawala. Unlike commercial money transfer networks such as Western Union, hawala operates mainly via an honour system that relies on brokers with ethnic, regional, clan or family connections to make transactions. In a country like Somalia, where there is no stable government, the hawala system gets money to people in ways no bank can.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“The group is rapidly losing ground inside Somalia, which is well embarked on an admittedly rocky road towards decentralisation and federalism. A general peace has been struck between the various clan-based factions that had been tearing the country apart for decades – and this is slowly and steadily leading Somalia towards a functional political system grounded in local government. Given where the country has been, the results are remarkable.”

Al-Shabaab is failing in Somalia, but Kenya’s chaotic response could keep it alive

09 Dec – Source: Theconversation.com – 938 Words

On December 2, 2014, gunmen from the militant Islamist group al-Shabaab crept into a labourers’ camp in Mandera in Kenya and killed 36 people. In the same all-too-familiar modus operandi seen in the same area in the November bus attack, in Mpketoni in June and at the Westgate mall in Nairobi in September 2013, Christians were singled out for execution. This time, the attackers demanded that the victims recite Quran verses; if they failed, they were executed.

These massacres appear to indicate a increase in the severity of attacks near Kenya’s border with Somalia. Violence is not new there; there have been frequent outbreaks of violence in the northern part of the border region for some years, often featuring Somali guerillas and clan fighters. This was the area of the so-called Shifta Wars between Kenyan- and Somali-supported insurgents before the collapse of the Somalian state.

But during the past year, the attacks have grown in scale. The mass killings of the last few months are not a part of the usual modus operandi of the border clashes, which often resemble raids rather than executions. And sure enough, as with the Westgate attack and the Mpketoni attack, al-Shabaab took responsibility quite quickly for these recent incidents.