December 9, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Government forces and AMISOM seize new areas in Gedo region

09 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 170 words

Federal government forces together with African Union peacekeeping troops have taken over new areas in Gedo region from Al-shabab. The joint forces have advanced to the areas and finally seized through confrontations with al-shabab. Col. Osman Nuh Haji, among the senior security officials told Goobjoog FM that the joint forces reached areas Bula Hawo district. He added that they killed three Al-shabab members during the seizure of the areas under their control.

Mr. Haji stated that the joint forces are in full control of Bulo Haji and will advance to new areas including Bulo Barwaaqo, a stronghold of Al-shabab in the region. The joint forces have vowed to smoke out Al-shabab from the region and avert the planned attack of the group around the border of Somalia and Kenya. On their side Al-shabab claimed victory over the clashes with the allied forces in outskirt of Bula Hawo district. These operations come at time when Al-shabab took credit of two deadly attacks in Mandera county where over fifty non-Muslims lost their lives.

Key Headlines

Government forces and AMISOM seize new areas in Gedo region (Radio Goobjoog)
MAP condemns threats of arrest by Nugal Police Commander (Garowe Online)
Attorney general admits widespread corruption in government offices ( Radio Goobjoog)
Denmark resettles nine Somali nationals (Radio Bar-kulan)
Delegates from the federal government visit Dusamareb (Radio Dalsan/Radio Muqdisho)
Somali police to be deployed to al-Shabaab liberated areas (Radio Bar-Kulan)
Three Jubaland soldiers found dead near military base (Garowe Online)
Mandera smugglers cost Kenya Sh2bn (Star Kenya)
Ahmed accepts defeat urges lawmakers to remain united for sake of Somalia( Sabahi Online)
Mandera profiles land houses in hunt for Shabaab sympathisers (Star Kenya)
International Anti-corruption Day 2014: 5 most corrupt countries in the world (International Business Times)
Number of Somalis in crisis surges 20 percent: UN (AFP/Daily Mail)
Two Somali journalists killed and three injured in twin bombings (Committee to Protect Journalists)

SOMALI MEDIA

Government forces and AMISOM seize new areas in Gedo region

09 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 170 words

Denmark resettles nine Somali nationals

09 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 85 Words

The Danish government has resettled nine Somali citizens who were in its prisons without being charged in a court of law. According to Danish authorities the nine Somalis were detained last November while trying to hijack Danish ship along the shores of Indian Ocean. The men also received £2,073, in compensation for the 13 days in jail without trial according to Danish chief justice spokesman. According to Danish law a suspect should be brought before a court of law within the 24 hours.

Delegates from the federal government visit Dusamareb

90 Dec – Source: Radio Dalsan/Radio Muqdisho – 58 Words

The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Mahad Mohamed Salaad and his delegates visited Dusamareb, Galgaduud where they met with area leaders.The objective of the visit was to try to work on the quality of the Somali National Army in that region. The regional state government started reconciling communities in the region who fought each other in the recent past.

Attorney general admits widespread corruption in government offices

09 Dec – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 330

December 9th the world commemorates the international anti-corruption day, Somalia joins the rest of the world marking the important day. Ceremonies are going on in different parts of the country and senior officials are expected to take part in the events and warn the public on the effects of corruption. The day was designated by the General Assembly of the United Nations to serve as an opportunity for all organizations and individuals worldwide to create awareness about corruption and to promote anti-corruption activities.

The attorney general of the republic of Somalia Dr. Ahmed Ali Dahir gave exclusive interview to Goobjoog FM in which he admitted that there is widespread corruption in all government institutions. He stated that he will fight corruption at his own level through awareness campaign to public that will focus on the effects of corruption on education, health, management, justice, development and all aspects of life, he added that they will come up with proper strategies of combating the corruption level in the country. “ Nobody can hide the facts on the ground, that is why I have to shed light on what is going in government offices so to be avoided, corruption in Somalia is becoming the order of the day to an extent it challenges the smooth running of the normal activities” he said.

He called the public to unite and stand for the fight against corruption in order to restore the dignity of the country and avoid the predisposition of Somalia being named as the defending champion of corruption. This comes a time when Somalia ranked first as the most corrupt country in the world for the third year in a row, according to Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index released last week.

MAP condemns threats of arrest by Nugal police commander

08 Dec – Source: Garowe Online – 366 Words

Media Association of Puntland (MAP) strongly condemns the intimidation and threats of arrest unleashed on radio journalist, Ali Abdi Du’alle (Ali Fantastic) by Nugal regional Police Commander Col. Ahmed Abdullahi Samatar (Layli) on Sunday. Du’alle, who works for Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe and Puntlandpost news site, was threatened by Col. Samatar while broadcasting daily news on the station’s FM in the capital, Garowe. “I was at work when police commander along with security forces arrived at the station building, he informed me that police oppose publishing of a report on mini-van drivers’ protest on Puntlandpost,” said Ali.

“In response to his complaints over the balance of the report, I told [Nugal regional police commander] that I have not taken sides but also reported on government’s reaction to the protest of drivers”. “He didn’t listen to my remarks, he intimidated me, and threatened me with arrest saying I will be detaining you. I was forcibly hurdled into his car but he shortly ordered his bodyguards to disembark me from the car,” Du’alle added MAP sees the move as a serious violation to independence of Puntland media and freedom of speech: “It is unfortunate that police commander has intimidated a journalist, the move overshadows the right to freedom of speech and independent media operations in the region.

I urge Puntland authority to exercise restraint and remain cautious against such steps in the near future,” said MAP Chairman, Faysal Khalif. MAP is deeply concerned with the increasing threats and constant intimidation being perpetrated against media workers by local authorities as Du’ale marks the third latest journalist to be mistreated. On August 7, security forces arrested Fadumo Yusuf Saed, a female journalist for covering seizure of Puntland state TV building by striking soldiers. Golis, Puntland’s largest telecommunications company has blocked five websites, puntlandtoday.com puntlandnow.com, puntlander.com, galgalanews.com, and jidbaale.com from being read in Puntland following intense pressure from the government, a move that runs counter to regional constitution. In light of the prevailing circumstances, the fraternity once again reiterates calls for respect to independence media, and calls on Puntland authority to set greater value on truly democratic state where journalists can operate with ease without fear.

Somali police to be deployed to al-Shabaab liberated areas

08 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 128 Words

The federal government authorities have said contingent of Somali police force will be deployed to areas liberated from al Shabaab militant group in Hiran province. Hiran region Police Commissioner Col. Issack Ali has told the media that Police officers will be deployed to the areas in Hiran that was pushed out of armed group Al Shabaab. He said they are aiming to deploy police to Bula-burte, Mahas,Mataban and Jalalaqsi to strengthen peace and foster law and order. Col. Issack said the forces will be deployed to the respective areas in the end of month of December with full equipment to start operation. Relative calm is returning to several parts of Somalia following armed group al Shabaab was pushed out of several key areas by African Union peacekeepers.

Three Jubaland soldiers found dead near military base

08 Dec – Source: Garowe Online – 123 Words

Three Jubaland soldiers were found dead in the outskirts of the southern port city of Kismayo, Garowe Online reports. The three bodies were found on Sunday near a military base that lies a few kilometers away from Kismayo presidential palace according to witnesses. Jubaland officials could not be reached for comments but independent sources disclose that the three soldiers, two men and a woman identified as Hawo Wiilo fought alongside former warlord-Col. Barre Adan Shire (Barre Hirale)-militias. In early September, Barre Hirale surrendered to African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) following a two-month long IGAD-brokered mediation efforts. Jubaland forces alongside Kenyan-AMISOM battalions are battling Al Shabaab militants in remote areas near Kismayo. Mogadishu-based Federal Government gave Jubaland official recognition in August 2013.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Mandera smugglers cost Kenya Sh2bn

09 Dec – Source: Star Kenya – 249 Words

THE government loses close to Sh2 billion every year on the Mandera border as smugglers exploit insecurity to escape tax, an official has said.Industrialisation CS Adan Mohammed yesterday said the economy loses Sh30 million a day after the Kenya-Somali border was closed in 2011 due to deterioration in security.“We lose millions of shillings on this border as cartels take advantage of insecurity to fill their pockets,” he said.He was speaking during the launch of Operation Okoa Mandera in Geneva Grounds.

Mohamed said all the Kenya Revenue Authority officers have been evacuated because of insecurity.“When I arrived, I called Kebs officers and was told all of them have gone to Nairobi after the concurrent killings,” he said.“This is a clear indication that the security systems have failed in their responsibility,” Mohamed said. He said six officers on motorbikes will be deployed to ensure imported goods are safe for consumption and all taxes are paid.

Ahmed accepts defeat, urges lawmakers to remain united for sake of Somalia

08 Dec – Source: Sabahi Online – 1, 412 Words

After less than one year in office, Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed was ousted from his post in a no-confidence vote Saturday (December 6th). By a show of hands, 153 lawmakers voted to remove Ahmed from office, while 80 supported the continuation of the cabinet’s work and two abstained. “The motion against the government has won,” announced Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari.

Jawari, who spoke briefly after the parliament’s decision, called on lawmakers to remain united and move past the conflict that resulted in the parliament’s inability to hold sessions. “Parliament is the only governmental institution where each member is free to vote his conscience and take responsibility for his view and where the conflicting views of the Somali public can be democratically resolved,” he said. “I thank the members of parliament for carrying out their duties peacefully and responsibly.” He also called on the president to name a prime minister as soon as possible so that the government’s work does not come to a halt.

Mandera profiles land, houses in hunt for Shabaab sympathisers

09 Dec – Source: Star Kenya – 194 Words

Mandera county government has announced plans to profile land and houses to establish genuine owners and catch up with al Shabaab sympathisers. Launching the Okoa Mandera Campaign at Geneva Sports Ground yesterday, Governor Ali Roba said the move was decided on after a series of security meetings. He said most residents are covering up for the al Shabaab and withholding information on their hideouts.“We have reached our elasticity limit of tolerance. The two recent Mandera killings are a sanction on our economy,” Roba said.

Senator Billow Kerrow said it was not time for blame games but to fight as a community to defeat the enemy.“These militiamen claim to be fighting for Muslims in Kenya by killing our Christian brothers, yet in Somalia where they are all Muslims there is no peace. Why don’t they fix their problem instead of disturbing our peace?” Kerrow said.He urged youths to form vigilante groups to spy on the militiamen and relay the information to security officials.”Militia groups are depicting Muslims and this county in a negative way. Let them be warned that we shall catch up with them,” county commissioner Alex ole Nkoya said.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

International Anti-corruption Day 2014: 5 most corrupt countries in the world

09 Dec – Source: International Business Times – 279 Words

Corruption affects all countries, undermining democratic institutions, stunting economic development and contributing to governmental instability. It is the single greatest obstacle to economic and social development in the world. Every year, $1tn (£640m) is paid in bribes, while an estimated $2.6tn is stolen annually through corruption. In developing countries, according to the United Nations Development Programme, funds lost to corruption are estimated at 10 times the amount of official development assistance.

This year’s theme for International Anti-Corruption Day, observed annually on 9 December, is “break the corruption chain” – a campaign fronted by the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. It focuses on human rights violations, distorts markets, erodes quality of life and allows threats to human security to flourish. IBTimes UK looks at the world’s five most corrupt countries – and why the phenomenon is rife.

Somalia:
Conflict-torn Somalia faces one of the longest instances of state collapse in recent years, with rampant corruption in key sectors such as ports and airports, tax and custom collection, management of aid resources and immigration. Corruption is further exacerbated by the absence of a functional central government, weak leadership structures and a lack of resources and administrative capacity – as well as a limited ability to pay public officials, according to Transparency International. Piracy off the Somalian coast, which has posed a threat to international shipping since the second phase of the Somali Civil War in 2009, along with the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab, also contribute heavily to state corruption.

Number of Somalis in crisis surges 20 percent: UN

08 Dec – Source: AFP/Daily Mail – 299 words

More than three million people in war-torn Somalia- 20 per cent more than last year- need urgent help because of malnutrition, war and other crises, the United Nations said today.The warning came three years after more than 250,000 people died of hunger in the troubled east African country.”The people of Somalia continue to face a severe humanitarian crisis. Over one million Somalis are unable to meet their basic food requirements, an increase of 20 percent since February 2014,” the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) said in a statement.”This is the first time the number of people in need of life-saving assistance has increased since the end of the devastating famine in 2011,” OCHA added, with 3.2 million people now in need.

Thousands have been affected by fighting between Al Qaeda-affiliated Al Shabaab insurgents, government forces and African Union troops, while the crisis has been exacerbated by both drought and floods.Some 319,000 children aged under five are being treated for acute malnutrition, the UN added, while the largest number of people in need are concentrated around the capital Mogadishu, double the number of any other region.UN chief Ban Ki-moon, on a visit to Mogadishu in October, warned Somalia risks returning to famine without urgent aid.

Two Somali journalists killed and three injured in twin bombings

08 Dec – Source Committee to Protect Journalists – 282 Words

Two journalists were killed and three were wounded in a twin bombing in the south-central Somali town of Baidoa on December 5, which targeted a restaurant where journalists and officials frequently congregate. The attack, which Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for, killed Abdulkadir Ahmed Mayow, a 27-year-old reporter for Somali Channel TV and Star FM, and Mohamed Isaq Barre, a 25-year-old cameraman for Kalsan TV, local journalists told CPJ. Kalsan TV reporter Abdulkadir Hassan Jokar, Dalsan Radio reporter Mohamed Adan Socdaal, and SomSat TV reporter Abdulkadir Hassan Ibrahim were injured, the same sources said.

The journalists, who all worked for privately owned news outlets, were among at least 15 victims killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up before a car containing explosives was driven into the restaurant, according to local journalists and reports. “This is the deadliest attack against the Somali press this year,” said CPJ East Africa Representative Tom Rhodes. “We urge authorities to do their utmost to target the masterminds and end a cycle of impunity for journalist murders in Somalia.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Speaking on the theme of the night, Nuruddin addressed the need for Somali culture to change, and particularly Somali men to engage in a dialogue on the rights of women. He also denounced any violence against women.”

An inspiring and insightful night on Gender Equity, Security and Honoring Basra Farah

08 Dec – Source: Hiiraan Online – 51 minutes

On December 5th, the Somali Women’s Circle Network (SWCN) in Collaboration with the Institute of African Studies and Department of English and Literature at Carleton University hosted a social justice focused event entitled “I Matter, Gender Equity Matters”. This event was the fourth annual event on women’s issues sponsored by the SWCN. As well, it was the SWCN’s second commemoration of the 16 days of Activism to stop Gender Violence in support of the advocacy campaigns around the world which highlights awareness and galvanize grassroots actions to curb gender-based violence. The UN’s International Days to End Violence against Women begins on November 25, and ends on December 10th which is the International Human Rights Day.

“The border is very porous and it’s a long border, so the chances of effective closure of the border are something that is really almost impossible.”

Security expert calls Kenya reply to al-Shabab attacks incoherent

08 Dec – Source: Voice America, English – 478 Words

Kenya needs more that military options to deal with the terrorist threat of al-Shabab, says a security specialist. He proposes that the government adopt a comprehensive response that includes non-military options rolled out in a way that is national in scope and commensurate to the domestic threats that Kenya faces. Andrews Atta-Asamoah, a senior researcher in conflict prevention and risk analysis at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria, told VOA that Kenya’s current options are haphazard and incoherent.

A few hours after Somali-based al-Shabab militants killed 36 workers in a rock quarry in Northwern Kenya last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta fired his security minister and accepted the resignation of his police chief. The rock quarry killings were the latest al-Shabab retaliation for Kenya’s role in a United Nations-backed peacekeeping force in Somalia.

The problem is bigger than national borders “There is no proof that if Kenya pulls out of Somalia right now, the al-Shabab militants will cease fire,” said Asamoah. “Some of the fundamental causes are homegrown. They are around issues of marginalization and exclusion.” These issues, he added, have to be addressed within Kenya.

Top tweets

@UNSomalia #Breakthechain #Somalia. Let’s fight corruption worldwide for greater political, economic, social change, stability.

@amisomsomalia As the sun sets in Somalia, the night brings reflection of another day. Slowly,progress is being made. A day at time.

@Goobjoognews #Somalia Government forces and AMISOM seize new areas in Gedo region :/goobjoog.com/english/?p=6998

@BBCAfrica The UN says more than three million people in Somalia are in need of urgent assistance because of malnutrition and conflict.

@UNSomalia #Orangeurhood: Men in #Somalia continue to support #16Days of activism against #Genderbasedviolence.

@UNHCRSom Decrease in new reports to #UNHCR of #Somalia #displacements – weekly update show lack of livelihoods as main reason: http://goo.gl/Gjl43A

‏@BBCAfrica Meet the asylum seekers from #Somalia stuck in Indonesia after paying to reach Australia http://bbc.in/1wS1jUr

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Image of the day

Image of the day As the sun sets in Somalia, the night brings reflection of another day. Slowly, progress is being made one day at a time. Photo: AMISOM