December 5, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Explosion targets Puntland marine police force in Bosaso
05 Dec- Source: Horseed Media/Puntland Voice/Halgannet Online/Markacadeey- 66 words
Reports from Bosaso in Puntland say that huge explosion targeted Puntland marine police force in the commercial port town of Bosaso. Local media report says the explosion is a possible suicide bombing.
Officials in Bosaso hospital confirmed that a number of casualties have been brought in, however, the actual casualty figure from the explosion is not yet known.
Although no one has so far claimed responsibility for the latest incident, al Shabaab militia have carried out attacks in the town, targeting security forces bases.
Key Headlines
- Queen Elizabeth receives Somalia ambassador’s Credential Letters ( RBC Radio/Somalia Today)
- Explosion targets Puntland marine police force in Bosaso (Horseed Media/Puntlandvoice)
- Somaliland Journalists express concern over free press violations (Radio Bar-kulan/Universal TV)
- UN Mission pushes to improve the role of women in Somalia (Somali Current)
- Somali soldiers passed out in Uganda (New Vision)
- Landmine explosions in El-Waq town ( Radio Garowe)
- Muscat Governor receives message from Mogadishu Mayor (Oman News Agency)
- Hiiraan pastoralists fight back against al Shabaab banditry (Sabahi Online)
- Somalia asks Ummah to tap natural resources (The Nation/Pakistan)
- Oxfam Humanitarian Response In Lower Shabelle Somalia 2013 (Oxfam in Somalia)
- Somaliland ministerial level delegation visits UK (Somaliland Informer)
- US delays prison for Somali man as officials tell of ‘intelligence watershed’ (The Guardian)
- Interview with UN envoy for Somalia Nicholas Kay (Universal TV)
- Somalis discovered adrift in Maldivian waters repatriated (Sun-Maldives)
- Somaliland Finance Minister reshuffles heads of Customs regional Office (Universal TV)
- Youth unrest blamed on generational war (Standard Media)
SOMALI MEDIA
Explosion targets Puntland marine police force in Bosaso
05 Dec- Source: Horseed Media/Puntland Voice/Halgannet Online/Markacadeey- 66 words
Reports from Bosaso in Puntland say that huge explosion targeted Puntland marine police force in the commercial port town of Bosaso. Local media report says the explosion is a possible suicide bombing.
Officials in Bosaso hospital confirmed that a number of casualties have been brought in, however, the actual casualty figure from the explosion is not yet known.
Although no one has so far claimed responsibility for the latest incident, al Shabaab militia have carried out attacks in the town, targeting security forces bases.
Queen Elizabeth receives Somalia ambassador’s Credential Letters
05 Dec- Source: RBC Radio/Somalia Today/ Hiiraan Online/al Shahid-172 Words
Somalia’s ambassador to UK, Abdullahi Mohamed Sanbalolshe has become the first Somali ambassador to UK in more than two decades after Queen Elizabeth of the Great Britain has received his credential letters on Wednesday afternoon. Ambassador Sanbalolshe, who was appointed in early September, has been waiting to present his credentials to the Queen.
“I am happy and would like to share with the entire Somali people.” he told Somali media after meeting in London’s Buckingham Palace. “We have now to face great tasks ahead. Opening our embassy offices and recruiting our employees here,” he added.
Ambassador Sanbalolshe said his main vision is to restore effective diplomatic relation between Somalia and the UK, as the UK’s embassy has started to operate again in Mogadishu since 1991 after the civil wars broke in Somalia capital.
Somalia had not any official embassy in London despite several transitional governments installed their ambassadors to UK. The British embassy in Mogadishu was officially reopened this year.
Somaliland Journalists express concern over free press violations
05 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Universal TV- 87 words
Somaliland Journalists Association has expressed concern over separate incidents of press violations including harassments and arrests against Somaliland journalists.
Somaliland Journalists Association General Secretary Mohamed-Rashid Mohamed Farah told the media that journalists face series of harassments in a move to discourage them from exercising their rights.
He requested Somaliland authorities to respect the rights of journalists and the press freedom.
Mohamed-Rashid also called on the Somaliland authorities to set free two journalists arrested on Wednesdayon Hargeisa for expressing their concern over journalists being harassed in Somaliland.
Somaliland ministerial level delegation visits UK
05 Dec- Source: Somaliland Informer- 130 words
Three Somaliland ministerial delegation is on working visit to UK after they received an invitation. Foreign minister, Mohamed Biihi Yonis, Interior minister Ali Mohamed Warancade and the Mining and Energy minister Hussein Abdi Du’ale left for a UK trip.
The government of Somaliland has not released a statement on the visit embarked upon by ministers to the UK but it is believed that their mission is to further hold talks with Genel Energy officials on issue of security. They are expected to further hold talks with UK government officials.
It is said that UK intelligence gathering is to be briefed by UK officials to Somaliland ministerial delegation. UK government officials have issued an alert informing all its citizens not to travel to Somaliland due to security threats from extremist groups.
Landmine explosions in El-Waq town
04 Dec- Source: Radio Garowe- 58 words
Two landmine explosions left 3 people including Somali government soldiers and civilians dead and seven others wounded on Tuesday evening in El-Waq town of southern Somalia. Residents tell Radio Garowe that communication lines were severed shortly after government troops launched investigations.
El-Waq district of Gedo region is located near Somalia-Kenya border and it has since been chronically unstable.
UN Mission pushes to improve the role of women in Somalia
04 Dec- Source: Somali Current-620 words
The UN Mission in Somalia has on Wednesday hosted the Women and Peace Security Open Day, an event meant to foster the role played by women in society. The event brought together several stakeholders and women from different walks of life who shared their experiences and ideas on how the lives of women in Somalia can be improved.
Speaking at the event, the UN Special representative of Secretary-General for Somalia Nicholas Kay expressed the commitment of the UN to empower the women and ensure that they play an active role in their country’s affairs.
“The whole point of this event and the whole objective of the United Nations support of gender in this country is to make sure that the women’s voice is heard more loudly more often and in more places. We need to ensure that women’s voices and women participation is strong in the federalism process, in the review of the constitution, in the democratization and elections process. Women must have a strong place, a strong voice in all of those processes and we shall make sure that that happens,” he said.
Somaliland Finance Minister reshuffles heads of Customs regional Office
04 Dec- Source: Somaliland Informer/Universal TV/Hadhwanaag News- 185 words
Somaliland Finance Minister Mr. Abdiasis Mohamed Samale issued a decree on Tuesday on which he transferred or named some of the new heads of Kalabaydh Customs Office.
The minister transferred the heads while appointing new heads to the country’s Custom’s Offices while relieving others from their duties.
The decree had impact on the Customs of Asha Ado, Saylac, Borama, Kalabaydh, Balligubadle, Las Anod, Erigavo, Beer and Buroa. This is the third time that the finance minister has made such major reshuffle ever since he assumed the treasury.
Interview with UN envoy for Somalia Nicholas Kay
03 Dec- Source: Universal Somali TV-25:57mins
UK-based Somali TV channel, Universal holds one on one interview with United Nations Special Representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay in Mogadishu.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somali soldiers passed out in Uganda
05 Dec- Source: New Vision- 128 words
A total 139 Somali soldiers were passed out on Wednesday at Bihanga in the western district of Ibanda. The training was conducted by personnel from 9 European Union countries. The European Union has trained Somali soldiers in urban combat skills in preparation for deployment back to Somalia to maintain peace and order.
The aim is to build capacity of the Somali Armed forces and improves security in Somalia. Ever since it plunged into chaos in the 1990s, Somalia has destabilised the region, serving as a hub for Islamic extremists and pirates who plunder some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
Muscat Governor receives message from Mogadishu Mayor
05 Dec- Source: Oman News Agency/Oman Observer-119 Words
Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidy, Minister of State and Governor of Muscat, received a written message from Mahmoud Ahmed Nur, Mayor of Mogadishu, Governor of Benadir Region related to the existing relations between the two countries and the desire of Mogadishu to benefit from the experiences and potentials available in the Sultanate, particularly in the field of town development and services.
The message was handed over by Hassan Mohammed Seyad, Ambassador of the Republic of Somalia to the Sultanate when Sayyid Al Busaidy received him in his office. During the meeting, cordial conversations on a number of topics of common concern were exchanged. Sayyid al Busaidy stressed the deep existing relations between the two brotherly countries.
Kenya: Westgate terror suspects fail to secure bail in court
05 Dec- Source: Star-Kenya/Daily Nation/Standard/Aljazeera- 482 words
A Nairobi court yesterday declined to grant bond to the four suspected terrorists linked with the terror attack at the Westgate Shopping Mall. In his ruling, chief magistrate Kiarie Waweru Kiarie of Nairobi, Milimani law courts said that prosecution had given compelling reasons in respect of bail application by the four accused persons.
The magistrate pointed out that he concurred with objection by the prosecution led by senior state counsel James Mungai Warui. Mungai had argued there had been numerous terror attacks in the country and releasing the accused persons could deter the justice process.
Kiarie said that the prosecution had also informed the court that investigations were still underway and that the accused had no fixed residence since they were refugees.
Youth unrest blamed on generational war
04 Dec- Source: Standard Media-1019 Words
Followers of slain Sheikh Aboud Rogo are being blamed for Tuesday’s violence when youths tried to take over the Umar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque in Kisauni. Various sources confirmed that radical Imams are supporting the youths in an attempt to force a change of leadership in the Council of Imams and Islamic Preachers of Kenya (CIPK). It was the second mosque targeted by youths in less than a week after similar incidents at Sakina and Liwatoni mosques.
Security authorities and moderate Muslim leaders also revealed that Islamists linked to the late Rogo have been preaching his radical messages to the youths. However, independent voices believe the violence is a rebellion against traditional clerics with ties to the Government who have held positions for decades without challenge and have become alienated from the impatient youth.
Returnees from Somalia with ties to al Shabaab and inspired by hardline Wahhabi doctrines have also been linked to the incidents at the mosques. Hussein Khalid, Executive Director of Hake Africa, claimed the rebellion is revealing that the radicalised youths are trying to force a change of guard in Muslim leadership.
Hiiraan pastoralists fight back against al Shabaab banditry
04 Dec- Source: Sabahi Online- 535 words
Pastoralists in the rural areas near Mahas in Somalia’s Hiiran region have started fighting back against al Shabaab, and are taking up arms against militants who have been robbing civilians of their livestock.
After launching a successful attack against al Shabaab to retrieve their stolen livestock in late November, local residents told Sabahi they are preparing for another battle.
“We are in the midst of organising a campaign in Mahas, which al Shabaab knows nothing about, that aims to help rural residents whose livestock is looted by al Shabaab all the time,” said a 57-year-old traditional elder in Mahas district who asked not to be identified for security reasons.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia asks Ummah to tap natural resources
05 Dec- Source: The Nation/Pakistan- 608 words
Federal Republic of Somalia Ambassador Ali Sheikh Abdullahi has said that Muslim countries are blessed with tremendous natural resources but unfortunately they cannot tap the potential which is the main hurdle in the ways of its progress and prosperity.
He was talking to University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan here the other day.
The envoy also called for strengthening cooperation among the both countries especially in academia and agricultural sectors. He said that “Somalia is largely dependent on livestock and fisheries.” The areas of agriculture, veterinary, pharmacy and engineering need to be strengthened.
He sought cooperation of the University for building capacity of Somali students in this regard. He said that as many as 500 Somali students were enrolled to various institutions of Pakistan including UAF at present.
US delays prison for Somali man as officials tell of ‘intelligence watershed’
04 Dec- Source: The Guardian- 1099 words
A Somali man who secretly pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in New York two years ago continues to provide information to the US government in what officials describe as an “intelligence watershed”, the Guardian has learned.
Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame has yet to be sentenced and transferred to federal prison for his inevitable incarceration, something lawyers say is rare so long after pleading guilty.
But Warsame’s extended co-operation, confirmed to the Guardian by his lawyers, helps underscore why US officials consider his bizarre saga a potential template for counter-terrorism that relies less on targeted killings and more on captures, as Barack Obama pledged in May. At least one recent capture operation in Libya appears modeled on Warsame.
Somalis discovered adrift in Maldivian waters repatriated
04 Dec- Source: Sun (Maldives)-103 Words
The Somalis who were discovered adrift in Maldivian waters over the past three years have been repatriated to Somalia. The police said in a statement that 40 Somalis who were discovered since 2009 were sent back yesterday, following collaborative efforts by the Maldivian government and UNODC.
The operation to send back the Somalis was carried out by the Maldives Police Service Serious and Organised Crime Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration Department, and Aviation Security.
The police said that they were under police supervision in Dhoonidhoo until now, and that they were sent to their homeland on a charter flight with tightened security.
Oxfam Humanitarian Response In Lower Shabelle, Somalia 2013
04 Dec- Source: Oxfam in Somalia-281 Words
Somalia was without a formal parliament for more than two decades and did not enjoy peace and stability. The decades of fighting meant that the country was ill-equipped to deal with natural disasters such as drought and floods. A combination of persistent shocks triggered by conflict, drought, inflation and massive displacement eroded people’s coping capacities, after severely depleting their assets and livelihoods.
The situation improved in 2013 although 870,000 people are still in crisis and in need of humanitarian assistance. The majority of the affected population was in Southern Somalia, where insecurity poses challenges for access to humanitarian assistance.
In Lower Shebelle, the effects of calamities, such as drought and floods, as well as crop and livestock diseases pose a serious threat to the livelihoods of residents. There has been deterioration in human security in the region, which affects the running of public institutions as well as the provision of social services and infrastructural development.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Overall, piracy increases operational and investment risk and is a drag on economic development. Piracy distorts trade and a range of contractual obligations beyond shipping. Such costs are passed on to consumers, particularly those in developing economies which do not have much countervailing power.”
Guest post: grappling with maritime piracy
04 Dec- Source: Financial Times-1058 Words
Tom Hank’s portrayal of Captain Richard Phillips’ encounter with the pirate Abduwali Muse aboard the MV Maersk Alabama has focused public attention on an issue threatening an industry that, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), handles more than 90 per cent of global trade.
Of the two forms of piracy – armed robbery and hijacking – the latter receives the most media attention. However over the period 2000–2012, 86 per cent of the 3,926 recorded attacks were acts of armed robbery. Of the vessels involved in the 3,926 incidents, 364 had been robbed twice and 73 had been robbed three times! In 2012, 174 ships were boarded by pirates and 28 were hijacked, with 611 people taken hostage. Six crew members were killed and 32 were assaulted. Of the 176 reported attacks so far this year, just 10 have been hijackings.
Figures suggesting a decline in hijackings are often wrongly interpreted as showing an overall reduction in piracy. Yet this is not the case. Incidences of armed robbery, which at times involve the murder of a ship’s entire crew, continue to rise and are not reported. Pirates in west Africa, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, tend to be more violent than those on the east African coast. This is what makes the October 24, 2013 abduction of a US captain and chief engineer of the oil supply vessel C-Retriever intriguing – pirates involved in armed robbery do not normally take hostages.
Top tweets
@UNSomalia Video piece on the Open Day on Women, Peace and Security in #Somalia, held in Mogadishu on 4 December:http://bit.ly/1eY4gH4 #gender
@evolvingprimate The UNDP’s @UNLazzarini tours flood affected regions of #Jowhar district on boat to see the scale of#flood impact pic.twitter.com/2JL7PXOew3
@byiga European Union closes its Ugandan training camp. Shifts to Jazeera-Mogadishu in Somalia. UPDF spokesperson#Paddy Ankunda confirms
@albanyassociate Report of the Secretary-General on Somalia (S/2013/709) http://shar.es/DEdmg via @sharethis
@harunmaruf #BuckinghamPalace finally receives the credentials of the Ambassador of #Somalia Abdullahi Mohamed Ali “Sanbalolshe” pic.twitter.com/83y4AY9ZK7
Image of the day
UN Special Representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay, seated centre, hosts the Women Peace and Security Open Day held in Mogadishu on Dec 04, 2013. The event meant to foster the role played by women in society was also attended by the President of the Federal Republic of Somali H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and AMISOM Chief of Staff, Ambassador Epiphanie Ntamwana. Photo: AMISOM