December 4, 2015 | Morning Headlines
President Warns Of Consequences As Galmudug Accuses Puntland Of Truce Violation
03 December – Source: Goobjoog News – 346 Words
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has warned the leadership of Galmudug and Puntland states of dire consequences over civilian killings in Galkayo as Galmudug leaders accused their Puntland neighbours of violating the terms of the ceasefire pact signed on Wednesday: “It is unfortunate that with respect to the pledge made yesterday by leaders of both sides, the war has not stopped. I would like to remind the leaders of Puntland and Galmudug that the shedding of the blood of the people of Somalia will be met with consequences. This impunity must end, ” the President said in a terse statement.
The President, who was angered by eruption of fresh clashes only a day after the signing of a ceasefire pact, ordered leaders from the two states to work with the Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmake to resolve their differences and stop the fighting forthwith. The President’s statement comes barely 24 hours after he hailed the peace agreement as historic and instrumental in the restoration of peace in Galkayo:. “I welcome the historic peace deal signed in Galkayo . This deal demonstrates the level political maturity of our people and leaders towards promotion of peace and development,” he had said earlier. But soon both sides clashed again breaking the terms of the truce with reports of sustained shelling in Galkayo town.
Galmudug has accused Puntland of reversing gains made through the pact and resorting to mortar shelling: “Galmudug state hereby wishes to inform the Somali people, the Somali Federal Government and the international community that Puntland, despite signing the four-point agreement yesterday has violated the ceasefire,” read a statement from the Galmudug presidency. “The continued provocation by Puntland is part of a larger scheme designed to undermine Galmudug state- building efforts towards decentralization, security sector reform , dislodging Al-Shabaab and to continue the dialogue with ASWJ’s ( Ahlu Sunaa Wal Jamaa ) military wing in Dhusamareeb ,” said Galmudug. Earlier, European Union envoy Michele Cervone Durso warned the two sides of undisclosed consequences and called on them to abide by the terms of the agreement. In a tweet, Cervone Durso said both sides have to be serious and implement the terms of the pact to the letter.
Key Headlines
- President Warns Of Consequences As Galmudug Accuses Puntland Of Truce Violation (Goobjoog News )
- Shelling In Galkayo Despite Ceasefire (Garowe Online)
- KDF Jets Bomb Al-Shabaab Targets In Somalia (Shabelle News)
- Jubbaland Forces Engage In Deadly Gunfire In Kismayo City (Shabelle News)
- Somali Journalist Killed In Mogadishu Car Bomb Attack (Xinhua News)
- Somali Jailed Nine Months For Trafficking Cocaine Drug Money Donated To Charity (Malta Independent)
- Strathmore Drill Tragedy Could Have Been Worse ( Capital FM)
PRESS STATEMENT
UN, EU, AMISOM, IGAD Welcome The Signing Of The Gaalkacyo Agreement Between Puntland And Galmudug
03 December – Source: UNSOM – 334 Words
The United Nations, the European Union (EU), the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) welcome the signing of an agreement between Puntland and Galmudug yesterday and congratulate Presidents Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas and Abdikarim Hussein Guled for their commitment to restore peace to the communities living in Gaalkacyo.
We urge the two leaders to respect the Gaalkacyo Agreement and engage in dialogue to address the root causes of the recent fighting. There is a need to expeditiously implement the Agreement so that it becomes the first step towards addressing the outstanding issues between Puntland and Galmudug. We encourage Puntland and Galmudug to open dialogue and to negotiate in good faith with a view towards finding a lasting solution to their differences.
We call on President Gaas and President Guled to increase co-operation between Puntland and Galmudug and undertake initiatives aimed at building trust between the communities residing in Galkaacyo. We acknowledge the critical role played by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), particularly Prime Minister Omar Abdirishid Ali Sharmarke, and congratulate the FGS for its prompt mediation. We also commend the leaders of the other emerging states, President Ahmed Islam Madobe of Jubbaland and President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan of South West, who supported the signing of the Gaalkacyo Agreement.
“We call on the Somali stakeholders to continue to respect the aspirations of the Somali people and ensure full respect for human rights. They should maintain unity and cohesion and refrain from activities that could undermine the ongoing state-building process, as well as the preparations for the electoral process in 2016. Lessons should be drawn from the Galkaacyo crisis, particularly the need to accelerate the integration of regional forces and to decide on the national security architecture for a federal Somalia”. The partners also emphasized that spoilers, who undermine the Gaalkacyo Agreement or the wider national political process, including the 2016 electoral process, should be aware that the international community is watching and will hold them accountable.
NATIONAL MEDIA
Shelling In Galkayo Despite Ceasefire
03 December – Source: Garowe Online -206 Words
Heavy shelling has been reported in central Somalia town of Galkayo, a day after warring parties agreed to a ceasefire agreement, Garowe Online has established. Medics told Garowe Online that six people were killed after soldiers from Galmudug fired mortar shells into the vast north area. The casualty figures could rise as over a dozen people sustained injuries in the shelling.
Speaking to reporters in front of a building pounded by artillery, Puntland information Minister, Mohamud Hassan So’adde insisted they adopted a defensive position on the renewed conflict. He said, they still remain committed to the full implementation of the ceasefire. On Wednesday, Puntland and Galmudug leaders shook hands in an agreement to a four-point pact drawn up by Somali Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke. Galmudug has yet to comment on the deadly firing of mortar shells.At least 30 people are reported to have been killed in sporadic fighting over the last two weeks, with 40, 000 forced out of their homes according to a UN relief agency. Galkayo has potentially been a dangerous flashpoint since 1993, when local clans signed a long-holding peace pact.
KDF Jets Bomb Al-Shabaab Targets In Somalia
03 December – Source: Shabelle News – 108 Words
Kenyan forces’ airstrikes have reportedly bombed two camps belonging to the Al-Shabaab militant group south of Somalia’s Lower Jubba region, witnesses have said. The KDF military warplanes struck at the militant group’s strongholds in Yara-lafagari and Diif areas in the region, witnesses told Shabelle Media in Mogadishu. The exact number and extent of casualties of the bombing are yet to be established by Kenyan officials and leaders of the Al-Shabaab group. Kenya has struggled to stop the flow of militants and weapons across its porous 700-km border with Somalia, and the resultant violence has equally damaged the economy the country by scaring away tourists and investors.
Jubbaland Forces Engage In Deadly Gunfire In Kismayo City
03 December – Source: Shabelle News – 80 Words
Heavy fighting broke out among Jubbaland forces in the southern Somali town of Kismayo on Thursday, reports have indicated. At least two soldiers were killed in the armed confrontation which happened at Dalhis neighborhood near the Jubbaland presidential palace in Kismayo city. Reports from the city indicate that the battle involved Jubbaland Darwish Army and police, who clashed over an estate land in Kismayo.The situation in the port city is reported to be tense and local residents have voiced concern over the clashes of the uniformed officers..
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somali Journalist Killed In Mogadishu Car Bomb Attack
03 December – Source: Xinhua News – 222 Words
A veteran Somali journalist was killed in a car bomb attack at Hodan district in the Somali capital MogadishuThursday, officials and eyewitnesses said. Hindiya Haji Mohamed, who was working for Radio Mogadishu and National Television, was killed while driving home after studies at a local university.
Abdirahim Isse Addow, Director of Radio Mogadishu, confirmed to Xinhua that the journalist succumbed to injuries after she was rushed to Madina Hospital. Mario Ahmed, a female student who was travelling in the same car with the journalist, survived the attack which took place near the Turkish embassy: “I am very surprised at the incident. I heard huge explosion, and blood splattered in the car. I got out from the car only to see Hindiya bleeding profusely,” Mario said.
Somali Information Minister Mohamed Abdi Mareye has condemned the attack against the journalist, and blamed it on Somali militant group Al-Shabaab: “The Al-Shabab militants planted a bomb under the journalist’s car; the security forces are examining the attack and would bring perpetrators to justice and I hope this attack will not derail our efforts,” said the minister. Somalia is considered to be one of the most dangerous places for journalists. The latest death of the journalist brings the number of media practitioners who have been killed in the Horn of Africa state this year to seven.
Somali Jailed Nine Months For Trafficking Cocaine, Drug Money Donated To Charity
03 December – Source: The Malta Independent – 129 Words
A 19-year-old Somali was jailed for nine months and fined €600 after admitting to trafficking cannabis earlier this week. Abdi Ali Mahammed, who lives in Gzira, was arraigned before Magistrate Gabriella Vella. The court heard how the accused sold seven grams of cannabis for €140 two days ago at various clubs in Paceville. He had already spent €40 by the time he was arrested. Mr Mahammed initially pleaded innocent but later changed his plea. In handing down the sentence, Magisrate Vella considered the fact that the crime was committed in an area frequented by youths but also took note that the accused had collaborated with the police, leading to the arrest of another man. She ordered that the remaining €100 be donated to the Ursuline Sisters Crèche of Sliema.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“It is at this point the lady called us to run and exit through the SBS gate. We later learnt her sister, who was part of the catering team, lost her life as a result of jumping while escaping ‘terrorists’. Several other students sustained broken limbs and multiple fractures. A lecturer who was to teach us jumped from the fourth floor and broke both legs.” – Ken Macharia, Journalist
Strathmore Drill Tragedy Could Have Been Worse
03 December – Source: Capital FM – 919 Words
“Use the gate! Use the gate and run along the wall!” That was our saving call from a lady beckoning us from our hiding place near the Strathmore Business School (SBS) car park. She was standing near the gate, exposed and putting her life on the line to rescue scores of people avoiding the nearest clear exit. Very courageous, I thought later, considering the security guards were nowhere to be seen. Within 10 minutes a serene, calm university had been engulfed in panic and fear.
I was part of a dozen journalists attending a business journalism program in one of the basement lecture rooms. We were keenly following a lecturer expound the elements of a successful strategy for a company when we heard the first round of gunshots. We looked at each other and then at the lecturer. My initial thoughts were that there were robbers inside the SBS complex. Cautiously, we all headed towards the back entrance that leads to the car park. No sooner had we opened the door, the second more prolonged round of gunshots went off in what appeared to be nearer than the first gunshots, followed by loud screams. It was clear Strathmore was under attack and not by robbers.
That’s when we all lost our cool. We had been joined by students and faculty running towards the end of the corridor only to find a locked door. Someone was fast enough to break the glass where the key to the emergency door. Otherwise, we would have been holed up in the SBS complex with the only exit being the main entrance. Interestingly, some of my colleagues went back for their bags and laptops.
Meanwhile, the gunshots continued to rend the air as sirens neared the campus. We ran to the parking where we hid behind the cars. “Did you see them? They have bloodshot eyes,” two students huddled next to me were saying amidst sobs. To our right, a faculty member was being supported to walk by colleagues off the SBS building using the ramp that leads to the parking bay. His legs couldn’t support him and he was visibly in pain. He had to drag his feet on the ground.
Further on, about 500 metres from our hideout, we could see people standing and bending precariously on window ledges from as high as the fourth floor. I didn’t see anyone jump but I was convinced any slight glimpse of the ‘terrorists’ and most people would have jumped. Adjacent to this building is a construction site where workers were evacuating the site. I later saw some of them carrying injured students to safety outside the campus.