December 16, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
IGAD appoints new envoy to Somalia
16 Dec- Source: Hiiraan Online/Somali Current/Jowhar Online/Shabelle/RBC/VOA Somali Service -83 words
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has appointed on Sunday Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Affey as its Special Envoy to Somalia.
In a press statement from IGAD, the Executive Secretary of the regional Authority, Ambassador Mahboub Maalim praised Affey’s critical role in consolidating the peace in Somalia and wished him well in this important assignment.
Affey, who is a veteran Somali-Kenyan Politician, worked as Kenya’s ambassador to Somalia in 2003. He also had an important role in Kenya hosted Somali Peace Process in 2004.
Key Headlines
- AU Special Representative welcomes the appointment of H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed as Prime Minister (AMISOM)
- PM designate to appear before parliament (Radio Dalsan/Hiiraan Online)
- Heavy Fighting erupts in lower Shabelle region (Radio Shabelle/Radio Risaala)
- Somali Natural Resources Minister arrives in Beledweyne (Radio Bar-kulan)
- New Prime Minister promises to visit Puntland region (Radio Dalsan)
- Security forces arrest 400 in Baidoa town Bay region (Radio Garowe/Radio Bar-kulan)
- IGAD appoints new envoy to Somalia ( Hiiraan Online)
- Somali Foreign Minister hails Somalia’s close ties with the US (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somaliland vice president French Marine Ship (Somaliland Informer/SLNTV)
- Two people killed near Jowhar amid clan based conflict (Radio Dalsan)
- Federal Govt forces and Al Shabaab clash in Mogadishu (Radio Garowe)
- Kenya: Blast toll rises to six as experts join probe (Daily Nation)
- Somali families in cyclone-hit Puntland get aid from QRC (The peninsula qatar)
- Al-Qaeda’s Africa wing dreams globally but acts locally (AFP)
- Al Shabaab launches another deadly terrorist attack in Kenya (Examiner)
PRESS STATEMENT
The African Union strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Nairobi
16 Dec- Source: African Union Peace - 130 words
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has learnt with shock and grief about the attack on a mini-bus in Nairobi’s Eastleigh suburb, which took place on Saturday, 14 December 2013, and claimed the lives of a number of innocent civilians while many other people sustained injuries.
The Chairperson of the Commission strongly condemns this cowardly attack and expresses AU’s most sincere condolences to the bereaved families, and wishes strength and a speedy recovery to the wounded.
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU’s unwavering support to the Government of Kenya in its efforts to combat terrorism. She also stresses AU’s commitment to continue working with Member States preventing and combating terrorism within the framework of the relevant AU and other international instruments.
AU Special Representative welcomes the appointment of H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed as Prime Minister
15 Dec- Source: AMISOM- 248 words
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamet Saleh Annadif has welcomed the appointment of His Excellency Abdiwelli Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed as Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia.
Ambassador Annadif while congratulating Dr. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed on his new position noted that the appointment comes at a right time to avoid creating a leadership vacuum. He said; “I applaud the move by President Hassan Sheikh Mohammud to fast track the appointment of a new Prime Minister thereby avoiding leadership vacuum. The position of the Prime Minister is very crucial in the running of the Federal Government especially at this critical point in Somalia’s political process.”
The AU Special Representative said that the background of H.E. Abdiwelli Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed gives confidence that he will ably handle the affairs of the office of the Prime Minister and propel the country during this critical political process to the future. “Having gone through his CV, I have no doubt that he has what it takes run the office of Prime Minister for Somalia.” He said.
Ambassador Annadif is optimistic that members of the Federal Parliament of Somalia will move with speed to approve the nomination of H.E. Abdweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed once his name is forwarded to the National Assembly. He reaffirmed the commitment of AMISOM to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia and looks forward to working with H.E. Abdiwelli Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed as Prime Minister.
SOMALI MEDIA
PM designate to appear before parliament
16 Dec- Source: Somali Current/Radio Dalsan/Hiiraan Online/Radio Risaala- 122 words
Newly nominated Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed will appear before Somalia’s Federal Parliament on Wednesday (18 December 2013), to ask their confidence, Parliament Speaker said.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud nominated Abdiweli as the country’s Prime Minister last week, after the outgoing PM lost the confidence of parliament earlier this month.
Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari who spoke to the press on Sunday asked the president to bring Prime Minister designate to the parliament to face vote of confidence.
Ahmed, who is Somali-Canadian economist with M.A. in Economics from the University of Ottawa and a Ph.D. candidate in International Trade and Development, will form a new cabinet with in 30 days if the parliament approves him as the country’s Prime Minister.
Somali Natural Resources Minister arrives in Beledweyne
16 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 130 words
Somalia’s Natural Resources Minister, Abdirizak Omar Mohamed has arrived in Beledweyne with a mission to broker a ceasefire between two warring clans in Kabhanley area in Hiran region.
The minister arrived in Beledweyne with a group of experts from his ministry to assess land boundaries since the two sides are said to have clashed over grazing land disputes in the area.
Mohamed expressed optimism over bringing a lasting solution to the clan warfare which claimed the lives of several people in the region. He added that his delegation will link up with other ministers, parliamentarians and elders who are already in the town to bring stability back to the area.
Inter-clan clashes have claimed the lives of several people and left many others injured in Kabhanley area in Hiran region.
Heavy Fighting erupts in lower Shabelle region
16 Dec- Source: Radio Shabelle- 164 words
Reports from the lower region of Somalia confirmed that a heavy fighting had erupted between rival militia groups in Lower Shabelle region.
Residents of Number-50 area confirmed to Shabelle radio that a heavy fighting broke out on Monday morning in which heavy artillery and Machine guns were used against each other.
The fighting between the two groups has been recurring for the past few days which caused various casualties including death, injuries and loss of property.
Residents of Number-50 confirmed to Shabelle radio that the former government administration withdrew from the town and the rival group are now in control of the area.
However intellectuals and Somali elders pleaded with the Somali government to intervene and reconcile the rival parties who frequently fight over resources.
The infighting between the fighting sides is said to be spreading to other districts in the province such as Busley and Janale district and the government is yet to intervene or take a tangible ceasefire between the warring clans.
New Prime Minister promises to visit Puntland region
16 Dec- Source: Radio Dalsan- 106 words
The new Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has promised that he will pat urgent visit to Puntland.
Addressing on the phone in a supporting demonstration in Galkayo town of central region of Mudug, the prime minister said that he will pay urgent visit to Puntland, a northeastern region of Somalia.
“I will urgently come and visit Puntland to build the relation between the Federal Government and Puntland administration.” Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh said.
The relation between the Federal Government and the Puntland administration has been cut off since Puntland declared it has suspended its ties with the Mogadishu based government.
IGAD appoints new envoy to Somalia
16 Dec- Source: Hiiraan Online/Somali Current/Jowhar Online/Shabelle/RBC -83 words
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has appointed on Sunday Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Affey as its Special Envoy to Somalia.
In a press statement from IGAD, the Executive Secretary of the regional Authority, Ambassador Mahboub Maalim praised Affey’s critical role in consolidating the peace in Somalia and wished him well in this important assignment.
Affey, who is a veteran Somali-Kenyan Politician, worked as Kenya’s ambassador to Somalia in 2003. He also had an important role in Kenya hosted Somali Peace Process in 2004.
Somaliland vice president French Marine Ship
16 Dec- Source: Somaliland Informer/SLNTV- 79 words
Somaliland vice president Hon. Abdirahman Saylici leading a delegation accompanied by the head of coastal guards has conferred on Sunday with anti-piracy organization officials EUCAP which is in charge of the European commission combat giants piracy on board on ship that docked to the port city of Berbera. The ship is owned by the French marine forces belonging to the NATO that are based in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean fighting piracy and instability in the region.
Security forces arrest 400 in Baidoa town, Bay region
16 Dec- Source: Radio Garowe/Radio Bar-kulan- 164 words
Somali Federal Government security forces arrested 400 suspects in door-to-door security operation in Bay regional capital of Baidoa of southern Somalia following an attack on pre-planned targets by Al Shabaab militants.
Baidoa Police Station Chief, Col. Mahad Abdirahman told the media that they are aiming to cleanse Al Shabaab remnants of Baidoa to combat organized crimes and insecurity incidents.
“Many Al Shabaab members have infiltrated into the town and this is clean-up operation to prevent Al Shabaab from carrying out bombings with the help of the residents,” said Abdirahman.
The security forces captured 600 people but those who are found not-guilty of the criminal activities will be released soon, the police commander added.
Eyewitnesses reported that soldiers in armoured personnel carriers were roaming on the main roads by interrogating the civilians.
Suspected Al Shabaab militants Thursday night attacked buildings housing Somali Federal Government officials including former parliament speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan and Sheikh Adan Madobe, court officials and Baidoa mayor.
Somali Foreign Minister hails Somalia’s close ties with the US
15 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 143 words
Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Fawzia Yusuf Haji Aden has hailed the arrival of Linda-Thomas Greenfield, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs to Mogadishu as an indication of improved ties between the two countries.
Aden on Saturday received Greenfield in Mogadishu as the two officials discussed on various issues including security, development process and the political situation in the country.
Aden called on the US government to continue its support to the government of Somalia and paid special tribute to the US envoy for her visit to the Somali capital.
On her side, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda-Thomas Greenfield praised Somali Foreign Minister for her warm reception promising that the US government will continue the support it gives to the Somali government.
Two people killed near Jowhar, Middle Shabelle
15 Dec- Source: Radio Dalsan- 115 words
As clan based conflict persists in Middle Shabelle region, reports from Jowhar town confirm that at least two people were killed near the town. Locals said that armed men shot and killed a businessman on the road to Mahaday after he has left from Jowhar on Friday. In a separate accident a farmer man was shot and killed by unidentified militias in his farm on the vicinity of Jowhar.
The killings are said to be related to clan retaliation acts which followed fierce clashes in the past weeks. Dozens of people were killed in the clan fighting in the region hampering humanitarian activities in the region where a flash floods were hit in early September.
Federal Govt forces and Al Shabaab clash in Mogadishu
15 Dec- Source: Radio Garowe- 146 words
At least seven persons from the opposing sides died when al Shabaab militants attacked a military base in Araf neighborhood of Mogadishu’s Yaqshid district late on Saturday night, Garowe Online reports.
Local reports say that heavily armed al Shabaab militants targeted the base with rocket propelled grenades leading to a heavy battle that lasted for nearly ’30 minutes’.
A spokesman for Federal Government of Somalia said they have repelled a planned al Shabaab attack. He told that seven people were killed in the attack but he didn’t give further comments on the casualty figures on both sides.
Al Shabaab military operations spokesman Sheikh Abdiaziz Abu-Musaab said in a recorded statement that the ambush was part of a series of attacks on Mogadishu military bases.
“Our militants targeted government troops base and killed soldiers and commanders. They have returned to their positions after the operation,” he noted.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya: Blast toll rises to six as experts join probe
16 Dec- Source: Daily Nation- 433 words
Forensic experts spent the better part of Sunday morning examining the site of Saturday’s matatu blast at Pangani, Nairobi, as the death toll rose to six.
Two of the 36 people admitted to various hospitals succumbed to their injuries Sunday.
Bomb experts, among them two foreigners, collected debris and soil residues from the scene, which was still littered with torn clothing, pieces of shattered glass and metal.
Somali families in cyclone-hit Puntland get aid from QRC
15 Dec- Source: The peninsula qatar- 336 words
Chairman of QRC, Dr Mohammed Ghanim Al Maadeed, (third right) receiving the AZF contribution from Aspire Zone’s Acting President, Khaled Abdulla Al Sulaiteen, at Aspire Zone headquarters.
DOHA: Qatar Alliance for the Relief of the people of Somalia and Philippines has distributed food and non-food items to 1,000 Somali families in cyclone-hit Puntland as part the first phase of emergency relief.
The aid allocated to each family consists of 25kg of rice, 25kg of flour, 15kg of sugar, 6lt of cooking oil, 2.5kg of infant formula and 2kg of dates, as well as blankets, cookware sets and tarpaulin sheets. The Alliance, which is led by Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has recently dispatched a delegation to Somalia to assess the needs of cyclone victims and determine the required support.
The delegation was received by the Somali Minister of Health, the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, the Minister of Environment, and the Deputy Minister of Livestock, the President of the University of Mogadishu, prominent tribal leaders and representatives of several local NGOs.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Al-Qaeda’s Africa wing dreams globally but acts locally
16 Dec- Source: AFP- 780 words
Armed extremist groups in North and West Africa may have pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda’s vision of global jihad, but they act independently of its core command and have yet to make good on threats to strike the West.
Counterterrorism experts meeting in Washington noted an increase in anti-Western rhetoric from groups in the Sahel, Nigeria and Somalia, but said that African militant groups were still fighting local wars.
And the United States and its allies should be cautious, they warned, of intervening in these struggles and giving African Islamists a reason to expand their campaigns to target European and American interests.
Al Shabaab launches another deadly terrorist attack in Kenya
15 Dec- Source:Examiner- 344 words
A terrorist attack on a city bus in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday killed five passengers traveling through a Somali-dominated neighborhood, according to Kenyan police. They claimed the terrorists used a grenade in the incident and believe the perpetrators are members of Somalia’s al-Qaeda affiliated Al Shabaab, according to an Israeli counterterrorism source, Lyle Prosman.
During 2012, Nairobi experienced a series of similar attacks in Nairobi that were also blamed on Somalia’s Al Shabaab Islamist group. The group staged an assault on a Nairobi’s Westfield Shopping Mall two months ago that left 67 shoppers dead, as reported by the Examiner.
Al Shabaab’s leaders claimed that this latest attack as with the September mall attack was meant to force Kenya’s government to withdraw its troops from Somalia where they are assisting African peacekeepers who are aiding the weak Somali government in its battle against the Islamists.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Populist calls to form a southwest regional administration based on six regions convention may undermine Baidoa Convention. There is a hope that the pragmatism of Sharif Hassan may win the day to boost political fortunes of Digil and Mirifle clan again”.
Baidoa Convention—Challenges and opportunities
15 Dec- Source: Raxanreeb- 383 words
The political and cultural leaders of Digil and Mirifle have gathered in Baidoa. They are divided on what the outcome of political meetings should be. A group led by former Speaker of Parliament, Sharif Hassan, favours the formation of a regional administration based on three regions- Lower Shabelle, Bay and Bakool. His rivals, led by Adam Madobe, a former Speaker of the former Transitional Parliament, opposes Sharif Hassan’s view. However, he has not fully committed himself to the six-region goal espoused by the Speaker of the Somali Parliament, Mr Jawari, who said the Addis Ababa agreement between Somali Federal Government and Jubba Administration was incomplete and should be looked at it again regionally.
Shairif Hassan has been accused of taking a little or no interest in entrenching or boosting Digil and Mirifle political power through early intervention to form a Southwest regional administration. He believes the accusation is baseless: “ Al Shabab ruled Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle when I was the Speaker of Parliament. We have to create something. We don’t have to destroy something,” Sharif Hassan told Royal TV reporter in Baidoa.
Top tweets
@amisomsomalia 1/ The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is holding a change of command ceremony today, December 16th 2013, in Mogadishu #Somalia.
@UNSomalia#UN Envoy for #Somalia pays farewell call to outgoing PM Shirdon, salutes his contribution to peace & state-building pic.twitter.com/eRjRMJfCEe
@amisomsomalia AU Special Representative welcomes the appointment of H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed as Prime Minister #Somalia http://bit.ly/1hdk9u5
@Hamza_Africa: #Somali rebel group, #AlShabaab, are back on twitter (@HSM_INFO) two months after their last account was suspended. #Somalia
@engyarisow#Somalia President hails strong ties and “special relationship” with US on landmark visit to Mogadishu
@Somalia11 Concerned by reports of renewed fighting in Lower Shabelle #Somalia. Dialogue needed, an investigation & those responsible to face justice.
Image of the day
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) holds a change of command ceremony, on Monday the 16th of December 2013, in Mogadishu, Somalia. Photo: AMISOM