December 14, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
One wounded in bomb blast at Kenyan poll registration centre
14 Dec – Source: AFP – 276 words
Insurgents in Kenya’s giant Dadaab refugee camp set off a bomb at a centre registering voters for Kenya’s March 2013 elections, an AFP reporter and Kenya’s Red Cross said Friday. The blast, in the world’s largest refugee camp complex of Dadaab in the remote northeast bordering Somalia, home to over 468,000 Somali refugees, injured one person, Kenya Red Cross officials said.
Kenya has suffered a string of attacks in recent months — including grenade and bomb explosions — but this is the first attack on an election centre. The attacks are regularly blamed on members or sympathisers of Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab fighters, although they have made no claim to the series of blasts, which escalated after Kenyan troops invaded Somalialast year.
Police have since launched a tough crackdown focussing largely on refugees, including mass arrests sweeping up young men of Somali origin suspected of being connected to the attackers. Earlier this week Kenyan officials ordered all refugees to return to remote refugee camps, including over 33,000Somali refugees living in the capital Nairobi. However, more than 2.3 million Kenyans are ethnic Somalis, some six percent of the population. Their traditional homelands make up around a fifth of the country, and many live around the Dadaab region.
Tensions are already high across the country ahead of elections due in March, five years after deadly post-poll killings that shattered Kenya’s image as a beacon of regional stability. The heavy handed police crackdown risks alienating Kenya’s ethnic Somali community, adding to existing areas of concern ahead of the elections, including a coastal separatist movement, militant Islamists and tensions between ethnic groups. Voter registration closes on Tuesday evening.
Key Headlines
- Child vaccination campaign to kick off in Mogadishu (Bar-Kulan)
- Italy concerned over growing al Shabaab presence in Puntland (Bar-Kulan)
- Khatumo State gains access to international air travel (Somaliland Press)
- KDF troops help re-build Somalia (Daily Nation)
SOMALI MEDIA
President Hassan: Jubbaland is part of Somalia
14 Dec – Source: Radio Risaala – 138 words
Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has reiterated that Jubaland is part of Somalia and will remain so. He said Kenyan troops in the region were taking part in the stabilization process and that there is no rift between the two countries.
On a different story, the president called on the youth to fully participate in Government-initiated programs and rehabilitation processes. The president was referring to the demolition of roadblocks which has adversely affected hundreds of youth who operated them albeit to the benefits and relief of the general Somali public.
The president urged them to be useful instruments of peace and to take part in the nation-building process. The President’s address is coming at a time when many Somalis are discontented with Kenya’s direct involvement in the political affairs of Somalia’s Juba region.
Child vaccination campaign to kick off in Mogadishu
14 Dec – Source: Bar-kulan – 83 words
Vaccination of under-five children will soon kick off in Mogadishu, mayor Tarsan has told Bar-kulan. In an exclusive interview with Bar-kulan, the mayor said the campaign is aimed at preventing child diseases. He said the exercise will be conducted in all districts of the region.
Tarsan said the newly established Social development ministry will conduct the exercise instead of non-governmental organisations. The mayor however said the ministry in conjunction with UNICEF and WHO will conduct the vaccination campaign in entire Benadir region.
Italy concerned over growing al Shabaab presence in Puntland
13 Dec – Source: Bar-kulan/Garowe Online – 154 words
The Italian government has expressed its concern over al Shabaab’s growing presence in parts of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland after the militia group has been squeezed out of its strongholds in the southern regions of Somalia.
Al Shabaab fighters have in recent months moved north to the Galgala mountains and around Puntland’s commercial town of Bosasso in Bari region. In a press statement from the office of the ambassador and special delegate of the Italian government to the Somali Republic, Andrea Mazzella, Italy promised to continue providing assistance to the Puntland authority through the appropriate stabilization programs and by supporting the security sector.
Italy commended the government of Puntland for showing great determination and spirit of sacrifice in fighting terrorism in the region. At least ten people were killed last week and dozen others injured in a deadly fight between al Shabaab militias and Puntland forces at Galgala Mountains, some 40km southwest of Bosaso city.
Khatumo State gains access to international air travel
13 Dec – Source: Somaliland Press – 144 words
The recent opening of Taleh airport in Khatumo State of Somalia with its first inaugural arrival flight on 4th Dec 2012 has ushered in a new phase in the development of region. The flight originated from the capital city Mogadishu, which in itself is enjoying a rebirth of freedom and security.
This is the first flight of many planned by Khatumo officials who were responsible for planning and organizing the air travel facility for the region. Taleh airport has been named after the great Somali Nationalist hero Sayyid Mohamed Abdalla Hassan, who was the leader of the liberation movement to oust the colonial British rulers from Somalia.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Police on high alert over possible terror attack
14 Dec – Source: Standard – 357 words
Police in Nairobi are on high alert after they were informed that a car packed with explosives was headed for a mission in the city centre. The navy blue Subaru Forester car registration number KAQ152E, said to be carrying ready bombs for detonation then, drove through dragnets on Thursday as police sounded an alarm saying they wanted it.
It has not been found since then and it is not clear if the information on it carrying the explosives is indeed credible. This was after it emerged that the same gang of three had changed the explosives to another car on Thursday night.
Detectives have been put on alert in the city and want the public at large to be vigilant and help them in tracing it. The car was spotted in Ngara area and Tom Mboya Street in the city but sped off as police chased it on foot because of the heavy traffic jam that was being experienced then.
Kenyan court charges 6 with possession of illegal firearms
14 Dec – Source: Sabahi Online – 148 words
Kenyan Court charged six Somali nationals with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, as well as planning to disrupt December festivities in Garissa, starting with Wednesday’s Jamhuri Day celebrations.
The suspects were arraigned before Garissa Principal Magistrate John Onyiego. They were also charged with travelling without refugee documentation and residing outside their designated areas without official authority. Mohamed Jiro Hassan, Ali Hassan Aden, Ismail Noor Ahmed, Ali Mohamed Ali, Zeinab Beina and Sameyi Iftin denied the charges and appealed for leniency.
The six were intercepted in a vehicle on Tuesday in Amuma near the Kenyan-Somali border. Upon searching the vehicle, police found two pistols, two hand grenades and 85 bullets. Four other suspects escaped during the operation, according to Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim. The suspects told Onyiego that they hitched a ride in the vehicle and were heading to Hagadera refugee camp in the Dadaab refugee complex.
KDF troops help re-build Somalia
13 Dec – Source: Nation.co.ke/News – 154 words
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in charge of Sector II of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) will remain in Kismayu, Somalia until a leadership vacuum is solved and security in the country stabilises.
KDF Information Officer Col Cyrus Oguna, said on Thursday the troops will be spending another Christmas in Somalia where they are involved in efforts to restore peace in the war-torn country.
“The troops will not be coming home for Christmas. They are there to get the work done and will only move out once leadership issues are handled and the Jubaland region is handed over to widely accepted leaders,” Col Oguna, told Nation. Kenyan troops have been carrying out a military operation in Jubaland, since the Somalia incursion in October last year.
Somali kills Zambian ‘houseboy’ in Ndola over K Sh 400, 000 salary
14 Dec – Source: Zambian Watch News – 162 words
A Somali based in Ndola has shot dead his domestic worker for demanding a two month salary amounting to K400,000 (USD$75). Holland Kabaso from Chipulukusu compound, who is a house servant, went to ask for his salary from his employer when the Somali got angered. The Somalian who was staying in Zamtel Flats then pulled his gun and shot Kabaso in the head and died on the spot.
The incident was happening in broad daylight in full view of many passer-bys and neighbours. The neighbour said she had earlier warned Kabaso to be careful with his boss saying he possessed a gun and was a violent man.
The incident caused commotion at the crime scene until police officer came and picked up the Somalian only identified as Omar for detention at Ndola Central Police Station. While police had taken the Somali to police, the residents forced their way into the house and looted whatever they could lay their hands on.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
One wounded in bomb blast at Kenyan poll registration centre
14 Dec – Source: AFP – 276 words
Insurgents in Kenya’s giant Dadaab refugee camp set off a bomb at a centre registering voters for Kenya’s March 2013 elections, an AFP reporter and Kenya’s Red Cross said Friday. The blast, in the world’s largest refugee camp complex of Dadaab in the remote northeast bordering Somalia, home to over 468,000 Somali refugees, injured one person, Kenya Red Cross officials said.
Kenya has suffered a string of attacks in recent months — including grenade and bomb explosions — but this is the first attack on an election centre. The attacks are regularly blamed on members or sympathisers of Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab fighters, although they have made no claim to the series of blasts, which escalated after Kenyan troops invaded Somalialast year.
Police have since launched a tough crackdown focussing largely on refugees, including mass arrests sweeping up young men of Somali origin suspected of being connected to the attackers. Earlier this week Kenyan officials ordered all refugees to return to remote refugee camps, including over 33,000Somali refugees living in the capital Nairobi.
However, more than 2.3 million Kenyans are ethnic Somalis, some six percent of the population. Their traditional homelands make up around a fifth of the country, and many live around the Dadaab region. Tensions are already high across the country ahead of elections due in March, five years after deadly post-poll killings that shattered Kenya’s image as a beacon of regional stability.
The heavy handed police crackdown risks alienating Kenya’s ethnic Somali community, adding to existing areas of concern ahead of the elections, including a coastal separatist movement, militant Islamists and tensions between ethnic groups. Voter registration closes on Tuesday evening.
Fishermead drugs shootings: Defendant blames co-accused for murders
14 Dec – Source: BBC – 143 words
A man accused of murdering two teenagers in Milton Keynes in a row over drugs has blamed a co-defendant for the killings. Mohammed Abdi Farah, 19, and Amin Ahmed Ismail, 18, were shot in an alley on the Fishermead Estate in a dispute over “drug turf”, Luton Crown Court has been told.
Sharmake Abdulkadir, 22, told jurors he saw Fuad Awale, 25, kill the teenagers. Mr. Abdulkadir and Mr Awale both deny murder. Mr. Awale, of no fixed address, Mr Abdulkadir, of The Fleet, Springfield, Milton Keynes, each face two counts of murder carried out with two other unknown people.
Yahya Harun, 22, of Fishermead Boulevard in Milton Keynes, faces the same charge, which he also denies. The two victims and three defendants are all of Somali origin. Mr Farah had handed out Mr Awale’s cannabis free of charge, the court was told.
Somali rebels: up to $8K to kill Kenyan forces
13 Dec – Source: ABC News – AP – 539 words
An intelligence message intercepted from an al-Qaida-linked Somali militant group shows that the rebels are being offered up to $8,000 as a reward for killing Kenyan security officers, a Kenyan official said Thursday. The rewards are enough incentive to motivate some youths in the eastern Kenya town of Garissa to carry out attacks against security forces, Garissa County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed said.
Chronic unemployment in Garissa makes the offer from the al-Shabab Islamist extremists attractive to young men, Mohammed said. Garissa is populated mostly by ethnic Somalis, many of whom are Kenyan citizens. Mohamed said local residents are complicit in recent attacks on Kenyan security forces that have caused the deaths of 10 police officers and four soldiers in northeastern Kenya.
An army sergeant on vacation and a civilian were shot dead Sunday in Garissa by gunmen. Mohammed said Sunday’s attack could have been perpetrated with help from the locals. “How else would attacker have identified the soldier who was in civilian clothing?” he said. The assassination-for-pay offer by al-Shabab varies with the security officer’s rank, Mohammed said. Kenya has experienced a string of gun and grenade attacks since it sent troops into Somalia to pursue the al-Shabab extremists.
Three Kenyan soldiers who stopped at the army camp in the town on their way to Somalia were killed last month. One woman was shot and hundreds of shops were burned to the ground as the Kenyan army responded to the killings. Witnesses said Kenyan troops opened fire at random and torched the town’s main market. Mohammed said the militants’ communication was intercepted on a VHF radio frequency.
Kenyan military spokesman Col. Cyrus Oguna said the military knows al-Shabab is offering a reward for the death of Lt. Col. Jeff Nyaga, who has been critical in Kenya’s successful push against the militants in southern Somalia. Oguna said the militants are offering $8,000 for Nyaga’s death. “These are kicks of a dying horse. It’s not something to take lightly but we also do not want to pay much attention to it,” he said. A human rights official said monetary gain is not the motivation behind the youths from Garissa and northern Kenya being sympathetic to al-Shabab.
Al-Amin Kimathi, the chairman of the Muslim Human Rights Forum, said research has shown that many of the youths who join al-Shabab did so out of religious conviction, Somali nationalism and a feeling of marginalization from the rest of Kenya. “They think they are doing this because of jihad and will go to any extent to defend their positions, however misguided, “Kimathi said.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“I’m happy in here and love my education; soon I’ll go to college. Thanks to everyone who has supported me to change my life.
From Somalia to Minnesota: A new life for a woman with hearing loss
12 Dec – Source: Tc Daily Planet /Blog – 281 words
I’m from Somalia in East Africa; I grew up in North Somalia. I was born able to hear, and throughout most of my life I could hear. When I was 14 years old I began to have hearing loss and I don’t know what caused it. I have an auditory neuropathy kind of hearing loss.
I went to many doctors and I didn’t get any help. I dropped all my education because I couldn’t hear anything. I didn’t know any sign language and my whole family can hear and don’t know sign language. I felt isolated and alone everywhere I went. I loved my education and when I became deaf I dropped out. Every few months I would go back to school and pay much money without learning anything because I couldn’t hear and there was no sign language.
For five years I had no communication. I was communicating with gestures and universal sign language. I tried to hear what people were saying but I couldn’t hear. I also tried to lip-read, but people wouldn’t look at me while they talked, so their faces were looking the other way. It was too difficult to live in there. I even went to doctors without communication, with no writing and using sign language just to talk only.
After being depressed for so many years I came to the United Staes in 2008. I went to a deaf school and I started learning sign language and English, but my family still didn’t learn except for my second oldest sister, who is ten years old. She can spell A-Z and knows a little ASL, but my mom communicates with my by writing my native language.
Dreams of rights, Human Rights dreams and challenges
12 Dec – Source: Wardheer News – 240 words
This poem commemorates Human Rights Day which was celebrated Monday 10TH December 2012. We use the term “celebrate” because Human Rights are worth celebrating but we are cautious and encourage the rationing of the use of the term due to the enormous challenges we face today in asserting our basic rights.
The poem is to be read and interpreted as one likes but the point of it is that the rhetoric and the reality concerning Human Rights are too far apart. The day is symbolic but action on education and securing these valuable rights for the citizens of the world are more important.
Top tweets
@SomaliaDirect #Somalia – EU Announces New Education Program in #Puntlandhttp://goo.gl/40zl9.
@SingoeiJoylene At least one person injured in a #blast at Ifo refugee camp near Kenya-Somalia border.
@KenTrade_G2B Kenyan firm makes inroads in Somalia as peace opens business window http://bit.ly/11OHV7W.
@MohamedMascud #Somalia’s #alShabaab Group Offer Reward Of $8,000 For Killing Kenyan Security Forces – #Kenyahttp://fb.me/243IL1kJi.
@AbdisalamAato Piracy Group: Make Sure #Somali Pirates Aren’t Paid – #Somaliahttp://fb.me/2jwuVHsEx
me/2mkRucljT.
Image of the day
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday received Djiboutian delegation visiting the country at his Villa Somalia, a day after their arrival in Mogadishu. Photo: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Mogadishu.