December 2, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Al Shabaab militia kills 36 in fresh Mandera quarry attack

02 Dec – Source: Star-Kenya/Reuters – 421 words

Thirty six people have been confirmed dead after suspected Al Shabaab militia attacked them in a quarry in Korome, 15 km from Mandera town. The gunmen executed them while they were sleeping in tents at about 12:30 am Tuesday.

So far only one survivor has been found after the gunmen attacked them in 15 tents where they had retired after extracting building stones. The victims are said to be from Nakuru, Nyeri and some from Kamba land.

“It is sad that we have another 36 people who were attacked and killed late last night in the same manner it happened on a bus recently. It happened at a quarry about 15 km (10 miles) from Mandera town,” Mandera county governor Ali Roba told Reuters by telephone.

Key Headlines

SNA & AMISOM forces seize El-Deer (Radio Mustaqbal)
Somali students fly to Sudan for undergraduate studies (Radio Mogadishu/Al Shahid)
Al-Shabaab claims responsibility for deadly Koromei attack in Mandera leaving at least 36 dead(Somalimemo online/Harar24 Online)
Burdubo bridge on verge of collapse (Radio Ergo)
Today’s parliament session closes after distribution of the no confidence motion (Radio Goobjoog)
Arrest of former mayor sparks clashes in Borama (Somaliland Informer/ BBC Somali Service)
Somali women discuss how to curb FGM (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Muqdisho)
Al-Shabaab militia kills 36 in fresh Mandera quarry attack (Star-Kenya/Reuters)
Igad urged to devise new strategy to fight al-Shabaab (Daily Nation)
Kalonzo wants KDF withdrawn from Somalia former VP campaigned for the deployment in 2011 (Star-Kenya)
One killed dozen wounded in northeast Kenya attack (AFP/Daily Mail)
Public health nurse two sons identified as East York homicide victims (The Toronto Star – 574 Words)
Last seven offenders jailed for sex crimes against young girls (Bristol Post)

PRESS STATEMENT

Somalia Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed condemns the latest attack and expresses his condolences to the families of friends of those killed today near Mandera

02 Dec – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 135 words

The Prime Minister of Somalia, H.E.Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed condemns the latest terrorist attack and expresses his condolences to Kenya following today’s killing of 36 workers in a Mandera county quarry in Kenya.

“Again my heart goes out to those who lost family members, friends and comrades,” said H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed. “I offer my sincerest condolences to the people of Kenya. We share your grief and together we must remain strong and determined to prevent those criminal and illegal acts.”

“Somalis and Kenyans share a common commitment against terrorist tugs. Saving lives and alleviating unnecessary suffering must remain our first priority and collective responsibility. As well, I wish to remind all military and security forces commanders conducting operations on Somalia’s soil to make every effort to eliminate unnecessary collateral damage involving civilians,” said H.E. Abdiweli.

SOMALI MEDIA

SNA & AMISOM forces seize El-Deer

02 Dec- Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 61 words

The Somali National Army (SNA) and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces seized the al-Shabaab-held village of El-Deer 75 km west of Beletweyne town in Hiran region. AMISOM confirmed the seizure of the key village in a post on its official facebook page. The capture of El-deer marks a key stage in efforts to clear Al-shabab fighters from the region.

Somali students fly to Sudan for undergraduate studies

02 Dec- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Al Shahid- 246 words

The director of Somali Ministry of Culture and Higher Education, Ismail Yusuf Osmaan, on Monday held a press conference inside Adan Abdule Osman airport in Mogadishu and confirmed that 105 Somali students who won scholarship who are flying to Sudan to start their studies.

“One hundred and five Somali students who passed examination for under-graduate scholarship from Sudan government are flying today from Adan Abdulle Osman airport to Khartoum. We thank Sudan for its effort. I will accompany the students to their departure. I will come back to home after to make sure that the students start studying smoothly”, Ismail Yusuf Osmaan…I am encouraging the students not to lose this opportunity”. Some of the students at the airport said that they are very happy for scholarship opportunity which they won after examination.

The Department of Higher Education is responsible for the accreditation, quality control and development of both public and private higher educational institutions. “We will do everything we can to help the local universities and institutes to become of international standing through regulation and continuous development.” The Department also runs higher education scholarships awarded to Somalia by friendly countries.

The transparent management of scholarships is part of the mandate of Somali Ministry of Culture and Higher Education. Recently, Somali students travelled Ethiopia and Iraq for scholarships after they passed examination.

Al-Shabaab claims responsibility for deadly Koromei attack in Mandera leaving at least 36 dead

02 Dec- Source: Somalimemo online/Harar24 Online- 204 words

Al-Shabaab have claimed responsibility for yet another deadly attack in Mandera, which left at least thirty-six people dead, after the militants attacked them at a quarry near Koromei last night.

In a statement released by the group the militants said they had killed nearly forty people after attacking them atmidnight. “In another successful operation carried out by the Mujahideen, nearly 40 Kenyan crusaders met their demise after a unit from the Saleh Nabhan brigade raided them in the midnight hours of Monday at Koromei, on the outskirts of Mandera” the statement which was distributed to media outlets read.

The group cited the attack was to serve “as a response to Kenya’s occupation of Muslim lands and their ongoing atrocities therein, such as the recent airstrikes on Muslims in Somalia which caused the death of innocent Muslims and the destruction of their properties and livestock, as well as the continued suffering of Muslims in Mombasa”. This attack comes less than two weeks after a previous attack by the militants in Mandera left at least twenty-eight people dead, while the Kenyan government claimed to have killed a hundred of the attackers.

Burdubo bridge on verge of collapse

02 Dec- Source: Radio Ergo- 135 words

Burdubo has been cut off for two days after damage to the main bridge over the river Juba during heavy rains and flooding. People, trucks and livestock have been unable to cross the river. The bridge links Burdubo to supply routes with southern Gedo parts, northeastern towns on the Kenya border and Mogadishu, where locals receive goods. Local residents and business people called on the local administration to immediately repair the bridge.

The head of Burdubo’s development programmes, Ali Bishar Dahir, said the rain had caused structural damage and trucks should not try to use it until it was fully repaired. The rains have affected roads in the area, leaving some of them impassable.Burdubo bridge was constructed in 1984, and has not been renovated since then, according to Hajji Mohamed Dorre, a local businessman.

Today’s parliament session closes after distribution of the no confidence motion

02 Dec- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 154 words

The speaker of federal parliament Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari opened today’s parliament session in Mogadishu. 207 members of parliament were present during the opening of the session as our reporters in the parliament building confirm.The agendas of the meeting include, distribution of the no confidence motion against Somali premier; the swearing in of a new MP Abdikadr Hassan Sheikh Adan to replace his father, the elect president of South West Somalia Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan; and a debate on 2015 budget and electoral commission and federal bill.

The no confidence motion against PM Abdiweli was smoothly distributed, the speaker said the debate of the motion will start on Thursday adding that he informed the prime minister on the issue. Somali PM is expected to appear before the parliament on Thursday during the debate of the no confidence motion. The parliament session was immediately closed.

Arrest of former mayor sparks clashes in Borama

02 Dec- Source: Somaliland Informer/ BBC Somali Service- 144 words

Protesters have clashed with police in Awdal’s provincial capital, Borama, after security forces put the former Mayor of the town behind bars. Mr. Abdirahman Shide Bile has served as the mayor for six years. Roads leading to the heart of the city have been blocked by angry protesters and burned old tyres.

The situation turned ugly when police tried to disperse the crowd by using force and later used live bullets as the last resort. Reports coming from Borama confirmed that there are no casualties.

Police have arrested 12 youngsters who are believed to be the instigators of the violent protests that the rock the city. Police have also arrested three practicing journalists. Somaliland government has not commented on the demonstrations. Deputy Regional Governor told Somali BBC in an interview that the former city mayor has been put behind bars for his own security.

Somali women discuss how to curb FGM

01 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Muqdisho – 114 words

A two day meeting to discuss how to limit the practice of female genital mutilation among the Somali community has opened in Mogadishu. Somali minister for women and human rights affairs Khadijo Mohamed Diriye has opened the conference which was attended by more than 100 women leaders.

Tangible measures to limit female genital mutilation in the war torn nation are expected at the end of the two day meeting. Somali women affairs minister has said FGM affects 98 percent of Somali women and there is urgent need to curb the old tradition in the conservative community. Mrs. Diriye has appointed Mina Hassan Mohamed as the director of anti FGM campaign in the country.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Al Shabaab militia kills 36 in fresh Mandera quarry attack

02 Dec- Source: Star-Kenya/Reuters- 421 words

Igad urged to devise new strategy to fight Al-Shabaab

01 Dec – Source: Daily Nation – 313 words

Somaliland is now appealing to Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) states to devise a long-term approach to dealing with increased terrorism activities in the East African region

Somaliland’s diplomatic liaison officer in Kenya, Dr Mohamud Jamma, on Monday said the war against regional terrorism needed to be reviewed to ensure an effective approach to contain Al-Shabaab activities.

“Somaliland welcomes high-level consultations at (the) Igad level among all actors. These consultations could explore and lay a foundation for peaceful resolution of the Somalia and Somaliland disputes,” Dr Jamma said. The diplomat said in a statement Monday that his government condemned the recent attack in Mandera and any other forms of violation on Kenyan territory.

Kalonzo wants KDF withdrawn from Somalia, former VP campaigned for the deployment in 2011

01 Dec – Source: Star-Kenya – 339 words

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has advised the strategic withdrawal of KDF from Somalia as a measure to curb the rising insecurity in the country. Kalonzo said the deployment of Kenyan forces to Somalia was a “hot pursuit” and is only a temporary security measure.
Kalonzo however campaigned for the mission during his tenure as vice president. In 2011, he further urged other African countries to join in to support Kenya and the AU forces backing the transitional government’s military in its quest to restore peace.

“We should think of a strategic withdrawal from Somalia. There is nothing to fear or to be ashamed of,” Kalonzo said on Sunday, noting that KDF’s continued stay in Somalia contributes to the rampant insecurity, exposing Kenyans to more danger.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

One killed, dozen wounded in northeast Kenya attack

01 Dec – Source: AFP/Daily Mail – 358 words

Gunmen killed one person as they hurled grenades and sprayed bullets at a bar in the northeastern Kenyan town of Wajir late Monday, the latest in a series of attacks, the government said. Kenya’s National Disaster Operation Centre said one person was killed in the attack, while at least 12 others were rushed to hospital with wounds, said the Kenyan Red Cross. The Red Cross reported “three blasts and gunshots” at a club in the town, where Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shebab and other militia have carried out a string of raids.

Gunmen appeared to have targeted a bar popular with workers from outside the majority Muslim town, which lies close to the border with war-torn Somalia. The gunfire follows an attack last month in which Islamists executed 28 non-Muslims who were grabbed from a bus in the far northeast of the country, near the town of Mandera. The Shehab said the bus attack was carried out in revenge for police raids on mosques in Kenya’s key port of Mombasa. Kenya has suffered a series of attacks since invading Somalia in 2011 to attack the Shebab. Kenyan forces have since joined an African Union force battling the Islamists. No claim of responsibility for Monday’s Wajir attack has been made.

Public health nurse, two sons identified as East York homicide victims

2 Dec – Source: The Toronto Star – 574 Words

A Toronto public health nurse and her two young sons were identified Monday as the victims of the triple homicide in East York. Zahra Mohamoud Abdille, 43, and her sons Faris, 13, and Zain, 8, were found dead in a third-floor unit at the Thorncliffe Park Drive apartment complex about 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Abdille was working as a public health nurse for the city, Toronto Public Health spokeswoman Lenore Bromley confirmed late Monday night. “We have just become aware of this tragedy. Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues affected by devastating news,” Bromley wrote in an emailed statement to the Star.

Osman Ali, director of the Somali-Canadian Association of Etobicoke, told the Star he fielded at least 10 callson Monday from concerned members of the public wanting to know what happened to the family. Ali did not know the Abdilles, but said he was told by callers that they were from Somalia and that Zahra Abdille was a “good person.” “I’ve been with the association 28 years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” he told the Star.

Last seven offenders jailed for sex crimes against young girls

1 Dec – Source: Bristol Post – 576 Words

THE final offenders caught by Operation Brooke have been jailed, bringing their prison sentences to more than 100 years. In all, 13 Somali men have been jailed for committing 31 sex crimes against seven vulnerable girls in Bristol. The victims were aged between 13 and 17 when they were preyed upon and used by the men as sexual objects.

Sentencing the final seven defendants at Bristol Crown Court, Judge Lambert said: “You have brought deep shame on your families, along with all the damage you have done to your victims and their families. You were all brought up to know what proper standards of behaviour are.” All of the men will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register, some for life and some for 10 years.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“We should think of a strategic withdrawal from Somalia. There is nothing to fear or to be ashamed of.”

Security is Uhuru’s job – Kalonzo

Dec 2 – Source: The Star – 245 Words

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has advised for a strategic withdrawal of the Kenya Defence Forces from Somalia to prevent rising insecurity in Kenya. Kalonzo said the continued stay of KDF in Somalia is contributing to the rampant crime in Kenya, thus exposing innocent Kenyans to more danger. “We should think of a strategic withdrawal from Somalia. There is nothing to fear or to be ashamed of,” Kalonzo said

He said every nation looks after its interests in any move or mission and Kenya’s interest is to safeguard its tourism industry, which is dwindling due to attacks by the al Shabaab. Kalonzo said the responsibility to ensure security for all Kenyans rests with the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

The Wiper leader said insecurity affects all Kenyans and the Jubilee administration should be bold enough to consult other leaders to ensure safety of Kenyans. He said the grand coalition government’s Security Council approved the Somalia mission as a temporary measure, but not a long-term stay.

“The more charcoal exported from Kismayu, the more sugar comes into Kenya, the more the border policy in Kenya is distorted, the more the smuggling of other things takes place, and the more dangerous Kenya becomes.”

Is the lack of a security strategy a ploy to benefit certain business interests?

30 Nov – Source: Daily Nation – 682 Words

It is no secret that smugglers, human traffickers, and terrorists have been using ports in Somalia and Kenyan border towns to bring illicit goods and undocumented visitors into the country. These goods are allowed to enter Kenya by corrupt police officers and administrators, who may even be letting in Al-Shabaab fighters.

Mandera is on the border with Somalia. One would expect that, given that Kenya has boots in Somalia, this town would be heavily guarded and monitored. But as the events of last week have shown, Mandera was not being properly policed or monitored. What is worse, intelligence reports and warnings by Mandera Governor Ali Roba, of an imminent terrorist attack were ignored.

Could it be because business interests are overriding security concerns in the area? Stories of the illegal sale of charcoal from Kismayu by Kenyan forces, in spite of a UN ban, have been making rounds, not just in Somalia, but also within the international community. A regional intelligence source has also alleged that some members of Kenya’s political elite may be benefiting from the smuggling of other goods, such as sugar, from Somalia and, therefore, prefer our borders to remain porous and insecure.

“Despite the hardships of war, Somalis have over the last two decades proved their entrepreneurial ingenuity – whether in their home country or in the diaspora. And Minnesota is no exception. One notable entrepreneur is Korad “Sadia” Abdi, who is the owner of Sadia’s Gourmet Hot Sauce.”

10 Things You Need to Know About Somalis in Minnesota

30 Nov – Source: Sahan Journal – 1, 416 Words

On Wednesday, SAHAN published an article about Abdullahi Ali Anshoor, a longtime Minnesota resident, who was killed in Mogadishu on Nov. 17. After more than a decade of living in the Twin Cities, Anshoor went to Mogadishu to participate in the rebuilding of Somalia. But what do you know about the Somali community he left behind in Minnesota?

The largest concentration of Somalis live in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) and its suburbs, and other cities such as Rochester, St. Cloud, Willmar and Faribault. Somalis have firmly planted their roots in these towns by establishing community centers, opening shops, mosques, malls, restaurants and day care centers. In recent years, Minnesota has became a mecca for Somali leaders and politicians.

Since he was elected to president office in 2012, for example, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has visited the state twice. But what else do you know about this vibrant and growing community in snowy Minnesota? Here’s SAHAN’s list of 10 things – both good and bad – you need to know about this community.

Top tweets

@cnbcafricaSTORY: Gunmen kill 36 workers in a #Kenyanquarry near #Somalia border http://cnbcafri.ca/1rR32rP

@amisomsomalia #Somalia forces supported by #AMISOMhave liberated a key village in Hiiran region called El-Deer 75 km west of Beletweyne town.

‏@Hamza_Africa Worth noting that more civilians have died in#AlShabaab attacks in #Kenya than in #Somalia in the last two months. #Mandera #KOT

@waithash Foreign invasion has never been effective in restoring peace in most countries. #Iraq #Afghanistan #Somalia #Libya

@BeilehMofa Interview with @mary_harper about #turkeysrelationship with Somalia @Somalia111 @MFATurkey

@GrantBrooke What I’d say: 1) Pullback from Somalia 2) Ask UN to secure border 3) Beg Martha or Ransley member to oversee police overhau

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Image of the day

Many Mogadishu residents take part in voluntary HIV testing in Banadir Hospital to mark World AIDS Day Photo: AMISOM