February 11, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

‘Over 100,000 Somali refugees have voluntarily returned home’

11 Feb – Source: Coastweek – 702 Words

About 100,000 Somalia refugees have voluntarily returned home since the East African nation inked a tripartite agreement in 2013, a senior Kenyan government official said on Monday. Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Lenku told journalists in Nairobi that the UN refugee agency is assisting Kenya in fast tracking the safe return of Somalia refugees back to their country.

“We are encouraging the Somali refugees to voluntarily go back, so that they take part in the infrastructural and institutional reforms in their country,” Lenku said during the First High level African Union Roundtable discussions on durable solutions for displaced persons and refugees.

The one day meeting brought participants from the African Union, UN and Kenya government to develop long term solutions to the forced displacement in Africa. Before the signing of the tripartite agreement, Kenya was hosting over 650,000 refugees in camps and another 100,000 in urban centers.

The remarks come after UNHCR, Kenya and Somali governments on Nov. 10 last year signed an agreement laying out the framework by which Somali refugees in Kenya could return to their homeland.

Key Headlines

Governor Tarsan urges districts admins to reprimand al Shabaab associates (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
Puntland President vows to eliminate corrupt government officials (Radio RBC)
Lower Shabelle region officials investigating blast that severely injured official in Mogadishu (Radio Shabelle)
Road accidents rise in Adado (Radio Ergo)
Somali government disapproves report from United States Intelligence Office (Radio RBC)
Kenya Asks Somalia to Begin Repatriation of Refugees (Bernama)
Somaliland President distances executive from parliamentary debacles (Somaliland Press)
Turkey to build new large hospital in Puntland( Horseed Media)
‘Over 100000 Somali refugees have voluntarily returned home’(Coast Week)
Kenya Government pushing for hastening process to repatriate Somali refugees (NTV)
Religious leaders say closing Mombasa mosques would fuel radicalization (Sabahi Online)
Germany debates mooted Somalia deployment (Deutsche Welle/AFP)
EU Naval Force protects 880000 tonnes of World Food Programme aid from pirate attack(EUNavFor/Port News)

SOMALI MEDIA

Governor Tarsan urges districts admin to reprimand al Shabaab associates

11 Feb- Source: Radio Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Radio Kulmiye – 123 words

Governor of Banadir region who is also the Mayor of Mogadishu, Mohamud Ahmed Nuur Tarsan, asked all the district commissioners in the Banadir region to work alongside the regional administration in strengthening the stability of the districts.

Mr. Tarsan has stressed that the districts need to reprimand those associated with al Shabaab and has also said that elements of the al Shabaab’s fighters are currently discreetly taking refuge in some of the districts.

“We have to work alongside the civilians and propose joint cooperation efforts,” said Mr. Tarsan. Finally, Tarsan asked of government officials and civilians to continue to help strengthen the peace in the capital city, Mogadishu.

Puntland President vows to eliminate corrupt government officials

11 Feb – Source: Radio RBC/Universal TV/Horseed media/Halgan Online – 187 words

Puntland President Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas has today vowed to eliminate the corrupt officials within the government offices calling the former government members to bring back government properties. Dr Gaas who was speaking in a press conference today in his office in Garowe has given an ultimatum to those who are still holding vehicles and other propertied owened by the government to pay back.

“Most of the new government cabinet members have taken up their offices but yet some others are anticipating to take over their responsibilities soon.” President Gaas said. “I want to call the members of the former government who have taken away government-owned properties including vehicles and other items to bring back soon.” President Gaas added “We were sworn-in to protect the public properties”.

The recently elected President of Puntland, Dr Abdiweli Gaas also vowed that his administration will not accept that some individuals willing to use public-owned properties for their personal interests. Asked about the nomination of the information minister, the only ministry remaining without minister, President Gaas has said that he has finished discussions on the nomination of the new minister.

Lower Shabelle region officials investigating blast that severely injured official in Mogadishu

11 Feb – Source: Radio Shabelle – 182 words

Government officials of the lower Shabelle region of Somalia have stated that they are investigating the culprits who were behind the blast on Monday which seriously injured the deputy Governor of the region.

The Deputy Chairman on Social Affairs in the region Mr. Omar Mohamud Elmi Arabay who was contacted by radio Shabelle said that security agencies in the region have launched a man hunt for the culprits who targeted the deputy Governor of the region.

Mr. Arabey emphasized that there is an ongoing efforts to investigate motives and reasons behind the attack. “We will reveal the reasons and the culprits who were behind the attack in the coming days,” said Arabay.

Road accidents rise in Adado

11 Feb – Source: Radio Ergo – 105 words

The number of traffic accidents in the central town of Adado in Galgadud region has increased dramatically in the past two months, according to traffic police and local hospitals.

More than 20 road accidents occurred during December and January, the highest number ever reported in the town, said Radio Ergo’s local reporter.

Ahmed Ibrahim Banin, a traffic police officer, said more than 32 people were injured in the accidents. The number of people killed is unclear, he added. In October and November last yearthere were 13 reported accidents. The rise in road accidents is linked to poor infrastructure and lack of traffic rules and regulations.

Somali government disapproves report by United States Intelligence Office

11 Feb – Source: Radio RBC – 232 words

Federal Government of Somalia commented on a recent evaluation report from United States Intelligence Chief Mr James Clapper which associated Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud with weak leadership.

Mr clapper stated in his report that the leadership of the current Somali Government led by Hassan Sheikh mohamud is weak thus creates political infighting within Somali government. “We have seen the report from James Clapper and its not based on the reality and while President Hassan Sheikh was in the office the whole world have recognized his efforts and strong leadership.

“Its only the people of Somalia can judge their president and government and another foreign country to make evaluation reports on Somali government is something unacceptable,” says Government spokesperson Eng Abdirahman Omar Osman Yarisow. Eng Yarisow insisted on that there are no political infighting within their government and the withdrawal of former Prime minister Shirdon from the office was constitutional action which the current Somali government deserved to be thanked for it.

United State’s chief intelligence Mr Clapper pointed that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s leadership was seen to be weak which and can result into the future operation of al Shabaab militants in Somalia. This report from United States chief intelligence came as warn for the countries whose troops are operating in Somalia on possible attacks from the al Qaeda linked militants.

Somaliland President distances executive from parliamentary debacles

10 Feb – Source: Somaliland Press – 120 words

Somaliland president Ahmed Mohammed Mohamud Silanyo jetted back into the country Monday after a fruitful official trip to Paris that lasted weeks.

“We met with top French ministers, senators and sections of their civil members and business fraternity,” President Silanyo told the media at the airport’s VIP lounge upon arrival.

He said that they were warmly received by top Bolore Africa Group executives with whom they had detailed discussions concerning the capacity building and the management of the Berbera ports authority to make it in tune with international standards.

“We discussed about Berbera Port with Bolore executives”, said the President, and added, “while I was accompanied by some members of cabinet”.

Turkey to build new large hospital in Puntland

10 Feb – Source: Horseed Media – 180 words

Puntland Vice President Abdihakim Abdullahi Omar has revealed that the Turkish government pledged to build a new large hospital in Puntland.

Speaking in a Conference held by Puntland non-state actors’ Association in Garowe, Mr Abdihakim Amay reiterated on the new government’s wider tasks, adding that they will work on the essential needs of the state such as launching a new free education system.

‘’ The government will improve on the health sector, so that our people won’t need to go abroad for treatment. The Turkish government is keen to build a hospital in Puntland’’, said the Vice President who never gave out further details about this.

The new hospital is expected to be built in the state’s capital of Garowe, says Vice President. In 2011, about 20 Turkish doctors visited Puntland and carried out free health care services including Surgeries, they treated almost 1500 patients from across the region. Turkish government completed two months ago Construction of a 400-bed training hospital in Mogadishu. Turkey Ambassador Mr Kani Torun said that the construction costed about $35 million.

Roads Infrastructure Developed in Somaliland

10 Feb – Source: Somaliland Sun – 103 words

The Mayor of Hargeisa Cunicipal council Mr. Abdirahman Mahmud (Soltelco) has said that the municipal council of Hargeisa has started maintenance project for the Hargeisa central road from Haleya to Bura Kalajehan (split mountain).

The mayor said that the Hargeisa residence have to pay the tax because the more they tax more we roads are maintained. “We depend on your tax for the development,” he added.

Somaliland government is doing much development in maintaining roads in the country. Few month ago the road between Berbera and Hargeisa was refurbished and road between Hargeisa Gabiley was also maintained.

REGIONAL MEDIA

‘Over 100,000 Somali refugees have voluntarily returned home’

11 Feb – Source: Coastweek – 702 Words

Kenya Government pushing for hastening process to repatriate Somali refugees

10 Feb – Source: NTV Kenya – 01:28mins

The government is still pushing for the repatriation of Somali refugees in the country. Already about 100,000 Somali refugees have left for Somalia. Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku says that through the agreement between the Kenyan and Somali governments as well as UNHCR, the process is expected to be faster. He was speaking at an ongoing African Union meeting hoped to ensure the process of sending the Somali refugees back to their country is seamless. The meeting is expected to come up with long term and durable solutions to refugees and IDPs, which Ole Lenku says is becoming a burden to host countries.

Somalia ‘dragging feet on refugees’

10 Feb – Source: Standard Media – 298 Words

The Government has called on Somalia to fast-track the appointment of members to the tripartite commission to facilitate repatriation of refugees. Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku said all the other parties had appointed their members and were waiting for those from the Federal Republic of Somalia to kick-start the repatriation process.

“Safe return of Somali refugees to their country will pave way for infrastructural, institutional development and reforms that will enhance democratic growth and governance in their country,” said Lenku.

He confirmed that 20,000 more Somali refugees, in addition to the 80,000 reported earlier, had gone back to their country voluntarily after the signing of a tripartite agreement between Kenya, Somalia and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

He added that the fulfillment of the obligations of the tripartite agreement would give Kenya an opportunity to restore and preserve the environment, enhance security while assisting Somalia’s development through free donor resources.

Religious leaders say closing Mombasa mosques would fuel radicalization

10 Feb – Source: Sabahi Online – 941 words

Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa has threatened to shut down two mosques in the city — Masjid Mussa and Masjid Sakina — following clashes between police and Muslim youths last week.

“The mosques we suspect are not only acting as a training ground but also recruitment ground for al-Shabaab terrorists, and the only way we can deal with them is to shut them down,” Marwa told Sabahi, although he did not specify the exact date of the potential closure.

Religious leaders and activists oppose the government’s plans, however, warning that closing the mosques may further radicalise the youth.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Kenya Asks Somalia to Begin Repatriation of Refugees

11 Feb – Source: Bernama – 296 words

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary (Minister) for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government, Joseph Ole Lenku, has asked Somalia to move speedily and appoint its members of the Tripartite Commission to start the repatriation of Somalia refugees in this country.

Addressing the African Union (AU) High-Level Roundtable on Durable Solutions For Displaced Persons and Refugees in Nairobi on Monday, Ole Lenku said it was high time the Somali refugees in Kenya went home since the neighbouring country was now witnessing stability.

“The government of Somalia has taken control of most parts of the country and stability has since returned to Somalia,” said Ole Lenku.

Ole Lenku said Kenya had done its part by accommodating Somali refugees, noting the country hosted the largest refugee camp in the world, the Dadaab refugee camp in northeastern Kenya which is home to half a million refugees.

Germany debates mooted Somalia deployment

10 Feb – Source: Deutsche Welle/AFP/AP/dpa – 514 Words

German defense ministry planning for a potential deployment of Bundeswehr military trainers to Mogadishu prompted demands on Monday from opposition parties that the question be debated in parliament.

The opposition Left party’s foreign relations spokesman Stefan Liebich said “for weeks” planning had apparently been taking place on the “implementation of a political doctrine of more Bundeswehr in Africa” – without consulting parliament.

Germany’s national lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, has the final say on deployments abroad.

The opposition Greens’ security spokeswoman Agnieszka Brugger said Chancellor Angela Merkel’s grand coalition needed to explain “why the government had changed its opinion on the security situation [in Somalia].” “Then we will examine the mandate,” Brugger told the Berliner Zeitung newspaper.

Italian frigate completes counter-piracy tour of duty

0 Feb – Source: Defenceweb – 583 words

The Italian Frigate ITS Libeccio is heading home after completing a four month deployment with the EU Naval Force off the coast of Somalia.

The warship’s 240 crewmembers left their home port of La Spezia last August and began their mission with an intense period of training, first in Taranto, Italy and then in Souda, Greece. Libeccio arrived in Djibouti onOctober 6 and shortly after commenced counter piracy patrols.

Libeccio and her crew patrolled the Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin and the Arabian Sea, logging more than 20 000 nautical miles. Her boarding team performed over 50 friendly approaches to local vessels in order to gain a better understanding of their concerns and to ensure they understood the ongoing piracy threat.

Only days before ending her tour of duty off the east coast of Africa, Libeccio assisted a Yemini dhow adrift 100 nautical miles offshore.

EU Naval Force protects 880,000 tonnes of World Food Programme aid from pirate attack

10 Feb – Source: EUNavFor/Port News – 288 Words

One of the primary tasks of the EU Naval Force Somalia Operation Atalanta is the protection of World Food Programme (WFP) ships and other vulnerable shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean, EU NavFor said in its press release.

Before 2012, all WFP ships carrying aid to Somalia were escorted by EU Naval Force warships. Since mid 2012 some WFP vessels have been protected by an Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD), with the EU Naval Force providing an armed security team on board, instead of providing a warship as an escort.

As a result of the successful cooperation between the EU Naval Force and WFP, not one WFP ship has been attacked by pirates, so all the aid, 880,000 tonnes, has been successfully delivered to the Somali people.

Currently most of the WFP deliveries are conducted by the time chartered vessel, MV Caroline Scan and since 2011 MV Caroline Scan has delivered over 127,000 tonnes of aid. MV Caroline Scan is currently being protected by a Serbian Forces AVPD.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“You know it’s hard but I’m starting to get used to it now. I love filmmaking and acting and it’s something that I’m passionate about, so I’m truly glad that it’s an adventure for me. I’m still a beginner in this business and I’m just looking for good stories. It’s very exciting and tiring at the same time.

Captain Phillips actor Barkhad Abdi on his new found fame

10 Feb – Sourc: BBC – 810 Words

With less than a week until the Bafta awards and less than a month before the Oscars, newcomer Barkhad Abdi is still getting used to the fact he is in the running for best supporting actor for his role in the film Captain Phillips.

The actor, in his first role, stars as Muse, the leader of a band of Somali pirates who board a huge container ship, captained by Tom Hanks. Abdi, a Somalia-born resident of Minnesota, won the role when he attended an open audition for British director Paul Greengrass.

We caught up with him the morning after he was named best supporting actor by the London Film Critics’ Circle

Abdi Jama: Wheelchair basketball kept me out of trouble

11 Feb – Source: Metro – 605 Words

Abdi Jama, 30, captains the GB wheelchair basketball team, who retained their gold medal at the European Championships last year.

My family moved from Somalia to the Toxteth area of Liverpool when I was six, while the civil war in Somalia was taking place. I don’t have many memories of my childhood before then. Arriving was a weird experience. I remember seeing snow for the first time – I was surprised at how cold it was. It took me a while to get used to my new life in the UK but I was lucky to have lots of family already living in Liverpool.

Sport has always been a passion of mine. I was a keen footballer, in fact I was even on Everton’s schoolboy books, and I also enjoyed athletics, basketball and cricket. Then I became paralysed at 14 when I fell out of a window and have been a wheelchair user ever since.

When the doctor gave me the news about my condition I recall saying: ‘OK, that’s fine.’ As a practising Muslim, I believe everything happens for a reason. The first year was difficult but I was lucky to have fantastic support from friends and family. I owe a lot to them for holding me together

Top tweets

@amisomsomalia A female SNA soldier training at the Jazeera Camp, as part of AMISOM effort to boost the capacity of the SNDF. pic.twitter.com/mLNYiYxFZN.

‏@UNLazzarini Roundtable on making returns work: with a phased approach, returnees will be a big part of #Somalia‘s nation building @AUC_DPA @NRCsomalia.

@OCHASom Read how #education is transforming the lives of children in #Somalia @unicefsomalia http://bit.ly/1bMytsH pic.twitter.com/pdzZHJueiI.

@UNSomalia #Puntland Cabinet meeting earlier today, discusses civil servant & security personnel payments.#Somalia pic.twitter.com/irO6tqeEqg.

@harunmaruf #Shabab explicitly told telecom companies that their company HQs, branches, phone towers will be “blown up” – official. #Somalia.

Follow the conversation →

Image of the day

Image of the day Somali delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture on a visit to Turkish meat processing factories. #Somalia #Turkey. Photo: @Payitforward87.