December 30, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
U.S. strike in Somalia targets Al-Shabaab
29 Dec – CNN – 248 Words
The United States conducted an airstrike Monday in Somalia against Al-Shabaab, said Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary. The strike, which took place in the area of Saakow, was targeting a senior leader of the Islamist militant group.”At this time, we do not assess there to be any civilian or bystander casualties. We are assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information, when appropriate, as details become available,” Kirby said in a statement.The strike was carried out by an unmanned aircraft, and was an operation of the U.S. Defense Department, according to a U.S. defense official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
On Saturday, Somalia government forces captured a top Al-Shabaab commander, said two of the country’s military officials. Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi, Al-Shabaab’s intelligence chief, was captured in a house near the town of El Wak, Somali military commander Isack Hussein Mursal told state-run radio. He was a close associate of former Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike near Barawe city in September. The capture came after militants with the group, which is linked to al Qaeda, attacked a large African Union base in Mogadishu last week, killing three Ugandan soldiers and a civilian. Al-Shabaab has said that attack was revenge for the U.S. airstrike that killed Godane. The State Department had offered a $7 million reward for information on Godane’s location.
Key Headlines
- Kenyan army take over surrendered Al-Shabaab official (Radio Goobjoog)
- Somali army capture key town from Al-Shabaab (Shabelle News)
- Khatumo state vows to wage on Somaliland (Radio Goobjoog)
- Foundation of new hospital laid in Mahas district (Radio Goobjoog)
- Puntland chamber of commerce declares to boost fish and livestock export (Radio Goobjoog)
- The Government of Puntland holds annual retreat to review delivery of targets (Garowe Online)
- Somaliland interior minister meets Awdal leaders (Radio Bar-Kulan)
- Somalia’s Interim South-western Administration begins state-building process (Sabahi Online)
- UPDF investigates Christmas attack on Amisom (Daily Monitor)
- U.S. strike in Somalia targets Al-Shabaab (CNN)
- Egypt Somalia Discuss Terrorism Cooperation (Haberler.com)
SOMALI MEDIA
Kenyan army take over surrendered Al-Shabaab official
30 Dec – Radio Goobjoog – 130 Words
Reports from in Gedo region in Somalia state that Kenyan military have taken custody of senior Al-Shabaab official Zakariye Ismail Hersi who surrendered to government forces in Elwak district on Saturday. Zakariye was to be moved to Mogadishu for further interrogation by national intelligence. Khalif Noor Hiireey, a senior federal security official in Gedo region, confirmed to Goobjoog FM that Kenyan forces cornered the area where the officer was detained and took him by force.
Kenya had previously requested the senior Al-Shabaab official to be handed over, but government officials rejected the request. “Kenyan army officers came to Elwak, they asked the Somali army to have the Al-Shabab official for interrogation, but this could not be possible,” said Elwak District Commissioner Ibrahim Aden.
Somali army capture key town from Al-Shabaab
30 Dec – Source: Shabelle News – 139 Words
Somalia National Army along with Ahlu Sunna fighters launched joint offensive against Al- Shabab militants, and captured Godindhawe, a key town in southern Somalia, officials said. A Somali military official said that the joint forces liberated from Al Shabab, a strategic town, adding that Godindhawe had been a major base for Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia.
Ahlu Sunna fighters and Somali government pickup trucks were seen encircling the town and moving cautiously into the police stations and administrative offices in the town, a witness said. The Al-Shabaab fighters headed toward the nearby rural area that is their stronghold after being pushed out of the town, reports said. The rebels controls small rural areas in central and southern Somalia but are being squeezed out by Kenyan and Ethiopian troops which launched incursions inside Somalia.
Khatumo state vows to resist Somaliland
Dec 30 – Radio Goobjoog – 124 Words
The administration of Khaatumo state in Northern Somalia vowed to resist the breakaway state of Somaliland, to regain the control of the areas of Khatumo state under the control of Somaliland forces. The speaker of Khatumo parliament, Mohamud Sheikh Omar stated that the intervention will start from Lasanood district where the civilians face persecutions and other ill treatment by Somaliland forces. “The administration will not rest until the civilians in Sool region get peace,” he said. “We can no longer remain silent and watch the mistreatment the civilians face on their land.” The speaker gave details of clashes in the region, and clarified that the administration has made efforts to solve the difference between the warring clans.
Foundation of new hospital laid in Mahas district
30 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 153 Words
The foundation of a new hospital was laid in the Mahas district of Hiran region on Monday. This will be the first ever hospital established in that area and is going to cover the medical needs of people living in the area. A representative of the Tamkiin aid agency funding the construction of the hospital said during the opening ceremony that the hospital will consist of 25 rooms, 2 halls, an operation theatre, a pharmacy, outpatient and inpatient sections and a modern laboratory. One of the elders attending the ceremony said that they used to dream of getting hospital for the area and Allah made their dreams true. The District Commissioner of Mahas, Mumin Mohamed Halane, speaking at the ceremony mentioned that people in that locality used to risk death as they traveled over 200 kilometres for medical checkups, but that the new hospital resolved this problem.
Puntland chamber of commerce declares to boost fish and livestock export
30 Dec – Radio Goobjoog – 124 Words
The newly elected head of the Puntland Chamber of Commerce, Abdirahman Warsame Jama’a, told the media that the new leaders, and the board of the chamber will focus on strengthening the ties with the other chambers in the country so as to reach tangible economic stability. “ During our time in office, the chamber will strengthen the ties amongst the business people and chambers of commerce in the region” Mr. Warsame said. “ This will enable the business community to exchange their expertise and skills hence promote the business activities in the region.” He underlined that the chamber of commerce will facilitate fish and livestock exports to outside countries especially the neighbouring and Arab countries. Mr. Warsame was elected recently, after the Puntland administration dissolved the former chamber of commerce having failed to abide by the rule of law. Puntland Minister for Commerce and Industries, Mohamud Hassan Tima’ade, told the media that the extension period of the board expired, and called for new elections.
The Government of Puntland holds annual retreat to review delivery of targets
29 Dec – Source: Garowe Online – 251 Words
Chaired by H.E. President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, members of the cabinet, director generals, heads of departments and agencies, as well as other senior government officials met in a three day government retreat in Garowe (27-29 December) to review the delivery of the 2014 Government Action Plan, set priorities for 2015 and gauge strategies to improve performance and service delivery. The spotlight theme throughout the three-day interactive discussions, which was broadcasted live on the local media for the public, was about the delivery of the pledged government agenda through a process of open transparency and accountability across all state institutions. Described as the ‘’three-days of reckoning’’ by H.E. President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, the government retreat focused on reviewing the 2014 Government Action Plan, assessing progress, identifying challenges, priority setting for the upcoming year (2015), as well as, developing strategies to accelerate delivery on pledged political and socio-economic transformation in the next four years.
With targeted improvements in good governance, security, economic growth, infrastructure, healthcare, education, human rights, gender equality and democratization, the government of Puntland aims to achieve the set ambitious agenda by the year 2019. Achieving these objectives will require concerted efforts in on-going reforms (civil service, public finance, security and justice) improving revenue, enhancing human resource capacities and developing critical infrastructure to support development and economic growth. The session was the first of its kind in Somalia, and a demonstration of the change agenda pledged by President Abdiweli, to bring transparency and accountability to government in Puntland.
Somaliland interior minister meets Awdal leaders
29 Dec – Radio Bar-Kulan – 86 Words
The interior minister of the self-declared state of Somaliland Ali Waran Ade met with community leaders in Borama in Awdal province. Awdal Governor, Abdi Ahmed Ayir, told the media that the meeting was about how to strengthen security in the region. He said there are ongoing efforts between various communities living in the area to improve security. The interior minister urged residents in Awdal province to closely work together to improve security. His visit comes after anti-government protests in Borama.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somalia’s Interim South-western Administration begins state-building process
30 Dec – Source: Sabahi Online – 587 Words
Somalia’s newly formed Interim South-western Administration (ISWA) is seeking urgent solutions for prevailing insecurity and is working to bring communities which initially opposed its formation into the fold. On November 17th, delegates from Bay, Bakol and Lower Shabelle regions elected former transitional federal government parliament speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan to a four-year term as president of the new federal state.
But before Adan’s election, which was welcomed by Somali federal government and international stakeholders, there had been protests in Baidoa, the new administration’s seat. Tensions centred on the claims of two rival camps which separately advocated the creation of a six region state and a three region state, with each claiming its own president.
UPDF investigates Christmas attack on Amisom
30 Dec – Daily Monitor – 230 Words
The Ugandan People’s Defence Forces has launched an investigation into a deadly Al-Shabaab attack on an African Union base in Somalia that left three Ugandan soldiers dead, including a colonel. The army spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, said they are investigating how Al-shabaab infiltrated the heavily fortified camp on Christmas Day under Ugandan army control. “There is an inquiry that has been put in place to find out how that (attack) happened,” he said. The probe, according to military sources, would focus on whether there was laxity by Ugandan soldiers or collusion from Somalis working inside the camp, who could have aided the attackers to enter the AU camp.
“I would be speculating to tell you how the attack was carried out. Let’s wait for investigations to conclude,” he said yesterday when asked what the inquiry will focus on. Lt Col Chris Kaija, who was a doctor working with Amisom, is the second highest ranking Ugandan army officer to be killed in Somalia since UPDF deployed there in 2007 under the hospice of African Union. In 2010, Lt Col Patrick Tibihwa was killed in the fierce battle as Ugandan troops fought to capture offices of former Interior Ministry, which was the headquarters of foreign fighters in Al-Shabaab. Col Ankunda said bodies of the three dead Ugandans were taken to their ancestral homes yesterday.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
U.S. strike in Somalia targets Al-Shabaab
29 Dec – CNN – 248 Words
The United States conducted an airstrike Monday in Somalia against Al-Shabaab, said Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary. The strike, which took place in the area of Saakow, was targeting a senior leader of the Islamist militant group.”At this time, we do not assess there to be any civilian or bystander casualties. We are assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information, when appropriate, as details become available,” Kirby said in a statement.
The strike was carried out by an unmanned aircraft, and was an operation of the U.S. Defense Department, according to a U.S. defense official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. On Saturday, Somalia government forces captured a top Al-Shabaab commander, said two of the country’s military officials. Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi, Al-Shabaab’s intelligence chief, was captured in a house near the town of El Wak, Somali military commander Isack Hussein Mursal told state-run radio. He was a close associate of former Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike near Barawe city in September.
The capture came after militants with the group, which is linked to al Qaeda, attacked a large African Union base in Mogadishu last week, killing three Ugandan soldiers and a civilian. Al-Shabaab has said that attack was revenge for the U.S. airstrike that killed Godane. The State Department had offered a $7 million reward for information on Godane’s location.
Egypt, Somalia Discuss Terrorism, Cooperation
29 Dec – Harberler.com – 210 Words
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud on Mondaydiscussed Somalia’s efforts to fight “terrorist militias”, the Egyptian presidency said. It added in a statement that a meeting in Cairo between the two leaders also focused on latest developments on Somalia’s internal stage, and efforts made by the Somali government to take control of Somali territories and confront terrorist militias.
Al-Sisi told the Somali President that Egypt was ready to offer help to Somalia so that it could honor its commitments, the presidency said in a statement.It added that the Egyptian President had underlined the importance of security and stability in Somalia. Mohamoud arrived in Cairo late on Sunday, heading a high-level delegation from his country, for talks with al-Sisi and Arab League Chief Nabil al-Arabi.
The Somali President is expected to spend a few days in Egypt, according to the official Middle East News Agency.The Egyptian presidency said al-Sisi also asked his government to offer assistance to Somalia – in the light of the needs of the Somali side – especially in the fields of education, culture, justice, agriculture and health. Somalia has remained in the grip of on-again, off-again violence since the outbreak of civil war in 1991.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Liban’s short but incisive essay challenges Sheikh Saeed’s version on the origins of Al-Shabaab, and argues that Aynte failed to think historically about the alleged birthplace of Al-shabaab and who ruled it in 2003.”
Was Al-Shabaab founded in Las Anod in 2003?
30 Dec – Radio RBC – 303 Words
A new ebook, published today, brings to fore the debate about the birthplace of the Somali militant Islamist group, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen better known as Al-shabaab. Written by Liban Ahmad, a Raxanreeb contributor, The Cradle of al-Shabaab discusses an unpublished paper (The Anatomy of al-Shabaab) written in 2010 by Abdirahman Aynte, the director of the Mogadishu-based Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, who quoted a certain Sheikh A. Saeed– whose account Aynte had described as “authoritative” for calling “Laasa’aanood” the cradle of al-Shabaab. ” Laasa’ aanood” is the administrative capital of Sool region in ex-British Somaliland.
Liban’s short but incisive essay challenges Sheikh Saeed’s version on the origins of Al-Shabaab and argues that Aynte failed to think historically about the alleged birthplace of Al-shabaab and who ruled it in 2003. In a 2005 report, International Crisis Group stated that in 2003 “Somalia has witnessed the rise of a new, ruthless, independent jihadi network with links to alQaeda… [and] based in lawless Mogadishu and led by a young militia leader trained in Afghanistan.”
“Aynte has quoted a half-anonymous person— someone with an initial and a surname, and failed to challenge the person he had quoted and in the process allowed Sheikh A. Saeed to take advantage of Aynte’s credibility and credulity,” Liban said in an interview with Raxanreeb . According to Liban, “people of Las Anod are now paying price for an uncorroborated quote that Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ted Dagne of the Congressional Research Service used without attribution to Aynte in 2003 and 2010 respectively.”
“Increasingly, the Silanyo administration is using the coercive forces of the State to bully and intimidate the citizens. We are seeing the administration imprison members of parliament, members of municipal councils, and dispatching supporters to vandalize hotels and cars that belong to the opposition….while at the same seemingly creating a personality cult for President Ahmed Silanyo.”
Somalilanders for free & fair elections
Dec 30 – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1, 004 Words
The upcoming election must be in the minds of Somalilanders. Will the election, which will elect the President and members of Parliament, be peaceful, free and fair? “Free” means that everybody, who has reached the voting age, if he or she so desires, can vote while “fair” means that every voter casts one, and only one, vote and that each candidate gets exactly the votes cast for him/her. Will the seeds that were, and are being, planted today have a bearing on the type of fruit that will be harvested come Election Day? The following may impact the conduct and outcome of the 2015 Presidential election.
First, the 2012 municipal election, which utilized, for lack of voter registration list, a procedure where index fingers were dipped into ink to cast votes, ended up being anything but free and fair election. There were massive voting irregularities during the election and violence after the unfair results were announced. The massive fraud in this election ended the use of this procedure altogether in Somaliland. It must be added that under former President Dahir Rayale this procedure was used successfully in two presidential elections and one parliamentary election. The 2012 municipal election took place under the current administration of President Ahmed Silanyo. So if the 2015 biometric voter registration fails, not an improbable scenario, then Somaliland’s experimentation with electoral democracy will be aborted and Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Silanyo should be held responsible.
Top tweets
@DalsanFM_SOM: #Somalia BURUNDI, US FORCES ENHANCE REGIONAL SECURITY FOR #SOMALIA
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@Daudoo: Khadra Mohamed, 22, is the first and only female Somali police officer in United States. #Somalia #Minnesota
@ASSIYYA: Morning’s assembly today includes a talk on importance of hygiene and sanitation at school #Mogadishu#Somalia
@SomaliaNewsroom: #Somali military official says his forces are readying to oust #Shabaab from Bardheere in Gedo regionhttp://www.dhacdo.org/
@TheJamesBrandon: Interesting article on new generation of#Somali women in Minnesota. Educated, socially mobile & integrated. http://www.startribune.com/
@ferigom69: EU Naval Force Warship ESPS Rayo Strengthens Relationships with Local Seafarers @scoopithttp://sco.lt/5lUCHZ #somalia #piracy
Image of the day
A YEAR IN PICTURES: In 2014, UNSOM successfully assisted the Federal Government of Somalia in ensuring more donor coordination and humanitarian assistance for Somalis living in Tayeeglow, a former Al-Shabab stronghold that had recently been liberated. Photo: UN