December 16, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somalia’s ambassador to US arrives Mogadishu
16 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 96 Words
A special plane carrying Somalia ambassador to United states Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmaarke who is expected to be named the new prime minister of federal government landed at Adan Adde international airport on Tuesday. He received warm welcome from politicians and members of federal parliament who were waiting at the airport since morning. Mr. Abdirashid was a former prime minister of transitional federal government but stepped down after a fall out with the president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. If a appointed, he will make history as the Somali politician to hold the post of prime minister twice.
Key Headlines
- Somalia’s ambassador to US arrives Mogadishu(Radio Goobjoog)
- Security meeting held in Mogadishu (Radio Dalsan/Radio Muqdisho)
- Dusamareb Administration calls for resident to work with the security forces (Radio Dalsan/Radio Muqdisho)
- Second batch of Somali refugees due to return home (Radio Goobjoog)
- Puntland Government frees two convicted al-Shabaab members (Radio Garowe)
- Holland to repatriate Somali refugees (Dalsan Radio)
- Central state formation sparks deadly clashes (Garowe Online)
- Police want terror probe of two Somalis (The Star Kenya)
- Yemen-President meets Somali ambassador (Saba News Yemen)
- Breaking the silence: Somali women speak out on issues surrounding Female Genital Mutilation(Gov.uk)
- Somali pirates are “not defeated but dormant” (Defence IQ)
- Further progress in human rights framework is the key to Somalia’s transition – UN Independent Expert(High Commision For Human Right)
SOMALI MEDIA
Second batch of Somali refugees due to return home
16 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 115 Words
The second batch of Somali refugees from Kenyan refugees camps in Dadaab is expected to return home on Tuesday. At least 93 refugees who registered voluntarily will be repatriated to their respective locations, UNHCR officials confirmed. The returning refugees will be resettled in areas in Gedo and Bay regions. Last week more than 90 Somali refugees have been repatriated from Kenya 23 years after conflict and famine drove them from their homeland.The Federal Government of Somalia through its Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs days before announced the launching of a new national agency for Refugees and IDPs (ARI) that will spearhead the resettlement program.
Security meeting held in Mogadishu
16 Dec – Source: Radio Dalsan/Radio Muqdisho – 95 Words
The Defence Minister and the Interior Minister were among the out-going government ministers who held a high security meeting in Mogadishu last night. The leaders discussed the security situation in Mogadishu and the regions and the fight against Al shabaab. The director of NISA Abdirahman Mohamed Tuuryare and other high-ranking security officials also attended the meeting. The spokesperson of the Security Ministry Mohamed Yussuf Osman said both his ministry and the director of NISA praised the way the operations of SNA are being conducted.
Dusamareb Administration calls for resident to work with the security forces
16 Dec – Source: Radio Muqdisho – 139 Words
The head of the Security Dept. of the Administration of Dusamareb Mr. Mahad Khaliif Rooble called for the residents to work together with the security forces in the district so that security challenges can be tackled. Mr. Mahad added that their administration has successful in repairing the police station in the town and the other government offices and buildings. Recently, there was a fighting there between SNA and Ahlu Suna Wal Jamaa’a forces. However, both SNA and ASWJ later on denied that they fought. “I call for all the residents to work on security. I would urge them to work in all areas of development so that we can attain a firm leadership”. Mr. Mahad said. Dusamareb which is the headquarters of Galgaduud region is currently under the control of the Federal Government of Somalia.
Puntland Government frees two convicted al-Shabaab members
16 Dec – Source: Radio Garowe – 370 Words
Puntland Government in northern Somalia has released two convicted Al Shabaab members from a prison in the state capital of Garowe on Sunday according to security sources, Garowe Online reports. The two-Abdirizak Hussein Tahlil and Mohamed Nuh Adan were found guilty of terrorism by Puntland military court on March 2, 2013, and sentenced to death after they were captured along with explosive devices.
Following intelligence briefings, security forces captured Adan (Abu Hafsa) while travelling to Somaliland capital of Hargeisa where he hails from in 2012. As a result of monitoring activities, intelligence service listened to the mobile phone of Adan (Abu Hafsa) who received a call from Tahlil ( Ilka Ase), Puntland military court prosecutor said during the criminal hearings in the court building. The colleague at the time questioned Adan (Abu Hafsa) on the type of explosive devices required for apparently coordinated terror operation.
“Tahliil showed off extreme reluctance to come to the bus station since he was known and in turn requested his accomplice [Abu Hafsa] to arrive in Barahley neighborhood which straddles the border [between Puntland and Galmudug],” added court prosecutor, citing testimonies.”Tahlil was red-handedly seized along with explosive devices on a wheelbarrow”. Gunmen from the clan that terrorist Tahlil belongs to, right away backlashed and kidnapped four Puntland civilians from Galkayo’s vast north. “The relatives of the kidnapped civilians discussed the matter with former Puntland President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Farole but Farole turned down the request as it might have paved the way for new ransom technique,” former Puntland government official told Garowe Online.
As of yet, the reasons behind the release of the two convicted Al Shabaab members remain mystery, with credible sources unveiling possible presidential pardon. Officials at Puntland’s ministry for security were not available for comments when contacted.Media workers in the region reported on the two men and their explosive devices on March 3, 2013. Puntland Defence Forces (PDFs) have battled Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militants in sporadic clashes on hideouts along Golis Mountain Ranges and in the rugged terrain of Galgala. In early October, 8-member panel of UN investigators accused Puntland administration of weak counter-terrorism policy and piracy links, allegations that have not been refuted categorically.
Holland to repatriate Somali refugees
16 Dec – Source: Dalsan Radio – 176 Words
In a brief statement the government of Holland announced that it will soon repatriate two Somali refugees for staying in that country illegally. The duo are youths and the Government of Netherlands says they arrived in the country as illegal immigrants. However, sources say the Government of Holland is doing arrangements to expel a total of 16 Somalis from its country. The government of Holland wants to deport those Somali refugees back to Somalia.
However, there are reports that some of those persons have sneaked into Germany to avoid the deportation to Somalia. In general, many Somalis in Holland express concern over the kind of life they lead in that country which according to them is becoming more difficult by the day. Some of them requested from the UN and other humanitarian organizations to assist them find other countries where they can live as asylum seekers. This comes shortly after last week’s meeting in which developed countries and the UN discussed how the developed countries would assist Syrian refugees and how they would give them asylum.
Central state formation sparks deadly clashes
15 Dec – Source: Garawe Online – 294 Words
The formation of Federal state consisting of Galgaduud and Southern part of Mudug in central Somalia has sparked deadly clashes between interest groups as loose federalization process continues to gain momentum, Garowe Online reports. Last Friday, Somali National Army (SNA) troops clashed with militias loyal to the paramilitary group of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamea in deadly battle in Galgaduud regional capital of Dhusamareb and Guri’el. A spokesman for Ahlu Sunnah claimed, they killed five government soldiers and accused Mogadishu-based central government officials of fomenting violence. On Sunday, former warlord Abdi Nure Siyad (Abdi Wal) said that Galgaduud Governor Hussein Ali Weheliye Irfo and Acting Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahad Mohamed Salad will shoulder the grim consequences of the hostilities.
On Monday morning, credible sources told Garowe Online that Siyad’s militiamen fled to Gel Jire village, 60km west of Guri’el following sudden seizure of his stronghold of Guri’el by pro-Somalia government fighters. Clan elders spearheaded by Ugas Hassan Ugas Mohamed Nur are said to have brokered a three-day ceasefire between the warring militias. “The opposing people are brothers, we have just made efforts to prevent futher blood from shedding and brokered a three-day ceasefire,” Nur told reporters. The fighting lasted three days ,and dragged into Monday morning after Somali government forces wrested control of Guri’el without resistance.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Police want terror probe of two Somalis
16 Dec – Source: The Star, Kenya – 290 Words
Police yesterday requested the court for twenty days to hold and investigate two Somali men over terrorism. In his affidavit, officer Philip Tuwei informed the court that he needs to complete his probe on the two suspects who were arrested on Jamhuri Day. He said Aweys Omar and Issa Matan are suspected of funding terrorism. “I would like the court to grant me my request, I believe that the two respondents, being Somali citizens are connected with the offence and have information which may assist me in my investigations,” Tuwei said. He saidthe two were arrested at Likoni Towers in Mombasa county and are being detained at the Port police station.
Tuwei said the investigations will require him to travel to Somalia hence the need for the 20 days. “Investigations are wide and complex which involves identifying possible hidden accounts within Kenya and abroad,” he said. However the suspects’ lawyer Jared Magolo objected the application. He said 20 days is a very long time for the officer to undertake his investigations. Magolo asked the court to be fair and give Tuwei five days to investigate his clients. Its illegal for my clients to be held in custody for more than seven days since they have not yet been charged.
Yemen-President meets Somali ambassador
15 Dec – Source: Saba News, Yemen – 115 Words
President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi received on Monday Somali ambassador to Yemen Ismael Kassem Naji on the occasion of ending his diplomatic terms in Yemen. During the meeting, Hadi reaffirmed the full support of Yemen to Somalia in order to restore its security and stability. He praised the efforts of the Somali ambassador during his tenure in Yemen, wishing him all success in carrying out his future tasks. For his part, Naji expressed his appreciation to President Hadi for his care and support for Somalia and its people, as well as the aid provided to the Somali refugees in Yemen. He praised the achievements in the path the political settlement and peaceful change in the country.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Breaking the Silence: Somali women speak out on issues surrounding Female Genital Mutilation
16 Dec – Source: Gov.uk – 645 Words
A UKaid funded Girls’ Club is providing a platform for young Somali women to speak out and engage on issues surrounding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and violence against women. “This club has helped us learn a lot about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Sexual Reproductive Health, Gender-Based Violence and the risks of early marriage. These were very sensitive issues to talk about with the other girls and the whole community, but now we share experiences and encourage our school mates to stay in school,” says Fatha.
Fatha is among the beneficiaries of Sahil Girls’ club, implemented by the Health Poverty Action (HPA) and funded by UKaid. The club was formed to educate adolescent girls on issues around Female Genital Mutilation and Gender Based Violence. FGM remains a taboo subject in Somaliland, where around 98% of women have undergone the practice. Violence against women is also common, and communities are often reluctant to discuss these and other sensitive subjects such as sexual and reproductive health. To address these issues, HPA has created four school girls’ clubs in the Sahil region of Somaliland. These clubs reach 133 girls and offer a platform to educate the girls on FGM, sexual and reproductive health and early marriage. The girls are then encouraged to carry out sessions themselves with their peers, both boys and girls.
Somali pirates are “not defeated but dormant,”
16 Dec – Source: Defence IQ – 1, 029 Words
Hon. Abdalla Jama Saleh is the Minister of Maritime Transport, Ports and Counter Piracy for Puntland. He is charged with leading the country’s counter piracy efforts by working with the international community to fight piracy inland and along the coast of Puntland. He spoke to Defence IQ about the decline of piracy off the Somali coast and how that has given rise to new maritime challenges in the Gulf of Aden…
Defence IQ: Piracy in the Gulf of Aden has fallen dramatically in the last few years – what are the main reasons for this? What have been the key lessons learned during this period?
Hon. Adballa Jama: The success against piracy is down to cooperation between at us and the international community. We fought with the pirates inland at their hideouts and points of gathering. We used force on certain occasions; we used religious guidance by preachers stating that piracy is forbidden and any income directly or indirectly is illegitimate and absolutely forbidden. We successfully reached the point that they could not buy properties or marry with the piracy money. Besides that anybody caught by the international armada was given a long prison term. The international navy presence in the area was a major factor too.
What else can be done to continue to reduce the threat of piracy in the region?
To totally eradicate piracy we must support and develop the livelihood of the coastal inhabitants and provide them wit fishing gear, market accessibility for their products, train them with better fishing techniques and help them educate their children and give them access to basic medical facilities. In many areas they don’t have potable water and lack all basic infrastructure. A lot of areas are landlocked and can only be reached by boat. Another important point is to build up the Somali Coast guard along the coastline to have stations with boats, communications, and radars to identify and intercept any illegal activity and at the same time have a database for all sea ferries. It will be the duty of this force to guard and help the fisherman and all sea travelers in their area of control. For instance, in Puntland we need at least eight stations to take complete control of our seas which stretches from Garad to Laskorey.
Further progress in human rights framework is the key to Somalia’s transition – UN Independent Expert
15 Dec – Source: High Commision For Human Right- 657 Words
The new United Nations Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Bahame Tom Mukirya Nyanduga, urged the Somali authorities and the international community to reinforce the country’s governance and safeguard its full transition to peace, stability and democracy.“The Federal Government of Somalia together with the international community need to allocate adequate resources to strengthen the rule of law institutions and ensure that the interim regional administrations benefit from the New Deal Compact,” Mr. Bahame Nyanduga said at the end of his first mission to the Federal Republic of Somalia, which took him to Mogadishu, Kismayo, Garowe and Hargeisa.
The Independent Expert noted that, despite severe capacity and resource constraints, the Government has made some achievements in the human rights sphere. These include the adoption of the National Action Plan to combat sexual violence, holding of stakeholders’ consultations on the implementation of the human rights road map.He also commended the Somali Federal authorities for “the gradual improvement in the political and security situation, the ongoing Federal and State formation process, and the peace and stabilisation measures in the newly recovered territories, all of which are critical in the attainment of the vision 2016.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Growing up, I used to see mentally ill individuals in the streets as kids chased them and called them names such as ‘nin waalan’ which translates to ‘crazy man’…This experience taunted me and left me with questions than answers. Many questions echoed in my head over and over as my mind refused to accept the harsh treatments of mentally ill individuals.”
My two cents on mental illness in the Somali community
16 Dec – Source: Somalicurrent.com – 1, 108 Words
As an individual of Somali decedent and a mental health professional it breaks my heart to see tragedies that can be prevented yet happen every day. The tragedies of mentally ill individuals who aren’t given the appropriate care in order to sustain their lives have scarred my community. As some of these individuals end up committing suicide, homicide, or petty crimes that would result on spending many years in jail. The number of Somali individuals who have proper diagnosis of mental illness is small; however, the number of mentally ill individuals receiving proper services such as medication, therapy, and support services are close to nonexistence. One would think this day and age in the first world mental illnesses are addressed appropriately.
Considering the fact that many Somalis came to the US as a result of civil war and most of them have witnessed horrific traumatic events pushed me towards wanting to learn about mental illness, yet emphasizing on PTSD and war trauma. “Immigrants and refugees experience multiple losses including loss of homeland loss of loved ones. Immigrants, and most certainly refugees, have likely endured one or more of the following traumatic events prior to resettlement: malnutrition or famine, violence, political persecution and torture. Past trauma and current adjustment challenges increase the risk of developing behavioral and mental health problems” (Psych world).
“Jeenyo United FC was one of Somalia’s oldest football clubs, founded in 1948 but disbanded in the aftermath of the collapse of Somalia in 1991, the club was revived in March 2012, several weeks before the death of former Somali FA president Said Mahmoud Nur, who had welcomed the old club back after more than two decades of absence.”
Risen from the ashes, Somalia’s Jeenyo triumphs in Super Cup
16 Dec – Source: Inside World Football – 327 Words
Somalian football took another major symbolic step forward this weekend with a Super Cup final that was packed with passion, historic significance, a penalty shootout, and hope for the future in front of a packed crowd at the recently refurbished Banadir Stadium in Mogadishu. In front of a packed house (the actual attendance is not but is described as tens of thousands) Jeenyo United, a club that was only reformed in 2012, triumphed 5-4 on penalties against Benadir Sport Club in the Hormuud Telecom sponsored match. The match had ended extra time tied at 2-2.
The Super Cup is played between the winners of the league (Banadir Sports Club) and the winners of General Da’ud cup (Jeenyo United). Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab thanked Hormuud Telecom for taking the decision to sponsor and support football in the country. “Football is now booming in Somalia and it gives me a great pleasure to see Hormuud Telecom having full involvement in football and on the behalf of Somali Football Federation I am fully lauding for such constructive decision by Hormuud Telecom,” he said.
“The African Union in Somalia (AMISOM) has been able to push back the Islamists in much of Somalia. But this comes at a high price. Al-Shabab has again gone underground.”
Al-Shabab’s trail of terror
15 Dec – Source: Deutsche Welle – 429 Words
The militant group al-Shabab originated in Somalia, but the Islamists are now terrorizing much of East Africa. Kenya has been hit particularly hard for its participation in the African Union military mission in Somalia. Al-Shabab means “The Youth.” The group was formed between 2004 and 2006, at a time when Somalia was mired in a civil war that had already been raging for about 15 years. Al-Shabab has its roots in two older Islamist organizations in the country, the Islamic Union and the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). Ostensibly to put an end to the lawlessness in the country, the ICU decided to found an armed wing, al-Shabab. It was initially led by Dahir Hassan Aweys from the Islamic Union and Aden Hashi Ayro.
In mid-2006 the ICU took over southern regions of Somalia. Its victory, however, was short-lived. In December neighboring Ethiopia, with the backing of the United States, declared war on the group and forced its members to flee within a matter of days. The al-Shabab militia went underground and continued to fight. By 2009 it was able to regain control over the areas it had lost. Under Ayro’s leadership, the militia broke with the ICU and expanded its contacts to international jihadist organizations such as al Qaeda. In May 2008 the United States designated al-Shabab as a terrorist organization; Britain and Canada followed suit two years later. From the beginning, the militia painted the West and especially Ethiopia as enemies conspiring to destroy Islam. Because the relations between Somalia and Ethiopia had been weighed down by old conflicts, it took the militia very little time to garner broad support within the country.
Top tweets
@Somalia111 Nice article by @Abdikarim_Abdi3. Future is bright with young people like him committed to #Somaliahttp://www.elmimag.com/2014/
@Goobjoognews #Somalia Second batch of Somali refugees due to return home http://goobjoog.com/english/?
MamanSidikou1 ·On behalf of @amisomsomalia I pay tribute to his selfless service to #Somalia and #Africa 2/2
@Aynte All you need to know about #Somalia‘s (likely) next Prime Minister, Omar A. Sharmarke.allgov.com/news/appointment
@radiogarowe #Somalia: Puntland Govt frees two convicted Al Shabaab members [Exclusive] http://bit.ly/13rBvSA
@MohamedMascud Risen from the ashes, #Somalia‘s Jeenyo triumphs in Super Cup http://fb.me/6nfMxpG6x
@amisomsomalia Training is also conducted in partnership with Cairo regional Centre for training on Conflict resolution peacekeeping in Africa
Image of the day
AMISOM’s Force Commander, Lt. General Silas Ntigurirwa shakes hands with the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia (SRCC), Maman Sidikou, before his departure from Mogadishu, Somalia. Photo: AMISOM