February 11, 2015 | Morning Headlines.
Over 20 killed in Somalia clash
11 Feb – Source: Business Standard – 238 Words
More than 20 people were killed and 35 injured in a clash between government troops and a moderate Islamist group in Somalia, medical sources said Tuesday. The clash took place when government forces, trying to resist the takeover of Guricel town, some 400 km north of the capital, exchanged fire with the Islamist group Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaah. “We can confirm the death of 20 people and 35 others wounded,” Ali Omar, a medical officer in a local hospital told Xinhua. Hassan Nor, a resident, said that several families fled the town due to the fight. “We left our homes because the fighting had intensified by afternoon.” The Ismamist group has claimed that they have taken over the town. The government has, however, not commented on the situation. Abdulah Godax Bare, a parliament member and former interior minister, has called on the government and the group to negotiate and reach a solution. “I call upon the government of Somalia and the leadership of AhluSunnah to come to the table and talk on inclusivity.” Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had earlier in the day opened a reconciliation conference in a nearby town of Dhusumareb and met with local leaders over the incessant conflicts in the area which have claimed several lives. AhluSunnah WalJamaah had been fighting alongside the government to defeat the militant group Al-Shabaab. However, their partnership recently fell apart over disagreement about power sharing.
Key Headlines
- Somali president heads to Dhusomareb as heavy fighting kills 15 in neighboring town (Hiiraan Online)
- Ahlu Sunna Waljamaa: we didn’t invade the town but retrieved our base (Radio Goobjoog)
- Five hundred arrested in a major security sweep in Hamarweyne district (Radio Bar-Kulan)
- Somalia’s new defence minister to focus on “rebuilding army” (Horseed Media)
- Somali government wants drone strike intensified against Al-Shabaab (Dalsan Radio)
- Ethiopian National Defense Force – efficiency for Less (The Reporter Ethiopia/AllAfrica)
- Over 20 killed in Somalia clash (Business Standard India)
- International community lauds approval of Somali cabinet (Global Post/Xinhuanet)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali president heads Dhusomareb as heavy fighting kills 15 in neighboring town
10 Feb – Source: Hiiraan Online – 233 Words
Somalia’s president accompanied by ministers have flown to a central Somali town as fighting between government forces and moderate Islamists intensified in neighboring town, killing at least 15 people, officials said on Tuesday. The visit to Dhusomareb by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud seems unusual at a time when Ahlu-Suna group, a moderate Islamist militia is fighting the government troops for the control of the nearby town of Guriel. Witnesses in Guiriel told Hiiraan Online that Ahlu-Sunna militias have taken large parts of the town after hours of battle with the government forces who retreated back into the outskirts. Analysts say, the town’s seizure is a huge setback for government’s efforts in integrating the militia into its fractured army.
Most of the town’s residents fled to nearby forests with the two sides exchanging fire heavy in residential areas. As the Somali leader arrived Dhusomareb, an arid town in Galgadud region, hundreds of residents packed the streets around the town’s airstrip, welcoming the president who is trying to bring together political rivals including the warring sides to form an administration for the town. Ahlu-Sunna militia have seized both Guri-el and Dhusomareb from Al-Shabab four years ago after deadly battles with the terroririst group which is fighting the Somali government and the African Union forces protecting the weak government.
Ahlu Sunna Waljamaa: we didn’t invade the town but retrieved our base
10 Feb – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 187 Words
The moderate Islamist group, Ahlu Sunna Waljamaa who carried out an attack on Guriel town, has claimed victory over the federal government forces who withdrew from the town. Ahlu Sunna Waljamaa’s spokesman, Abdinoor Mohamed Hussein speaking to Goobjoog FM state denied that they invaded the town but termed the fighting as retrieving their lost town. “Guri-El town used to be our military base and we have been ruling this town for seven years therefore we recaptured our garrison” Abdinoor said.
The spokesman highlighted that situation the town has returned to normal after the fighting and people resumed their activities. “We restored the peace in town, it is under our control and other side fled away and I don’t think they will be back, God willingly” Mr. Hussein said. Mr speaking about the casualties of battle, he stated that they lost two soldiers to the fighting and some of their soldiers sustained minor injuries. Alternatively latest reports from the area indicate that the fighting has caused death toll of 12 people while 35 others got injured.
Five hundred arrested in a major security sweep in Hamarweyne district
10 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 155 Words
More than 500 people have been rounded up in a major security sweep in Hamarweyne district on Tuesday. The operation comes one day after a federal member of parliament, Abdulahi Qayad Barre, was killed by Al-Shabaab gunmen while on his way to parliament. Hamarweyne district commissioner Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir said the security operation was conducted in the four neighborhoods of the district by Somali security forces in collaboration with African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops. “The ongoing crackdown has detained many suspected people who committed various insecurity acts in the district,” said Abdikadir. He further said the arrested people were under investigation and those who are found guilty will be held in custody while others will be freed as soon as the investigations have completed. He asked residents of the district to cooperate with the security forces and alert them on insecurity acts.
Somalia’s new defence minister to focus on ‘rebuilding army’
10 Feb – Source: Horseed Media – 275 Words
Somalia’s new defence minister General Abdulkadir Sheikh Ali (Diini) has revealed that his main priority during his tenure will be rebuilding Somalia’s army, which has endured more than 20 years of chaos and war. Once one of Africa’s largest militaries under former dictator Siad Barre, toppled in 1991, Somalia’s national army been torn apart by decades of clan rivalries and the absence of any effective government to actually serve.”The rebuilding of an army is not something that can be done overnight. You have to equip the army and rebuild the barracks. We will focus on that and make sure we build a national force,’’ he said after being sworn-in. General Diini, who served as Military chief from 2011 to 2013 added that this will enable Somalia army to take control of the country’s security without any assistance from foreign troops.
In recent months the Somali army has helped drive the extremist Al-Shabaab fighters from a series of strongholds, although the bulk of heavy fighting was done by African Union peacekeepers, alongside powerful local militia forces. Somalia faces profound challenges reforming its security sector. Issues include an underdeveloped national command and control system, competing clan-based loyalties, limited equipment and resources, and discipline concerns. Currently, the Somali military now follows an annual training programme in Mogadishu which is carried out by the EU Training Mission. Analysts believe that Somalia’s security forces have a long road to travel before they can take charge of the country’s security, but with the commitment to change and the significant funding pledged, they may be marching in the right direction.
Somali Government wants drone strike intensified against Al shabaab
10 Feb – Source: Dalsan Radio – 112 Words
Somali intelligence chief has said that the US drone strikes targeting Al-Shabaab in central Somalia will be intensified. General Abdulrahma Turyare was speaking in Dusa Mareb town in central Somalia on Mondayahead of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Visit in the area. He said the drone strike has weakened group’s ability near the capital Mogadishu and same should be applied in central Somalia where militants are gaining strength. US drone strikes operating in Somalia has targeted and killed senior Al Shabaab figures including leader Ahmed Abdi Godane on September last year and most recently its intelligence chief Yussuf Deq.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Ethiopian National Defense Force – efficiency for less
09 Feb – Source: The Reporter, Ethiopia/AllAfrica – 698 Words
About a year ago, I paid a visit to Somalia, the war-torn Horn of Africa nation which has not seen a functional government since the beginning of the 1990s. I had the privilege of visiting several government offices and had numerous meetings with residents of the capital, Mogadishu. During my visit Somali leaders and elders would, on many occasions, convey their appreciation of the Ethiopian troops. Many officials believe that Ethiopian troops are the only forces who are able to defeat Al-Shabaab and that it is precisely the Ethiopian forces that the Al-Shabaab fears the most. This view is shared by many foreign observers and diplomats. In May 2014, Alexander Rondos, the EU’s special representative for the Horn of Africa, had reportedly said that “The Ethiopian [troops] scare the hell out of everybody… because they deliver”. His remark was made during a conference organized by the European Security Roundtable under the auspices of the Presidency of the EU Council.
From 2010 onwards Al-Shabaab has undertaken several attacks in Uganda, Kenya, Somaliland and Djibouti. The group’s attack on July 11, 2010 in Uganda, which left 74 dead and 70 injured, is registered as one of the deadliest in recent years. Al-Shabaab also claimed responsibility for the suicide attacks in Djibouti on May 27, 2014 which led to the killings of a Turkish national and wounded several foreign soldiers. The semi-autonomous entity Somaliland has also suffered. On October 29, 2008, six suicide bombers attacked several targets in the capital Hargeisa killing more than 30 civilians. However, among the neighboring countries of Somalia, Kenya suffered the most. On 22 November and 03 December 2014 alone, Al-Shabaab killed 64 civilians in the northern part of Kenya which is mainly inhabited by Kenyan Somalis. The Westgate mall attack in Nairobi, on 21 September 2013, which led to the killings of 67 individuals, is registered as the single deadliest attack in Kenya. Since the launching of Operation Linda Nchi in October 2011, not less than ten major terror attacks have taken place in different parts of Kenya resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties and many more injuries.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Over 20 killed in Somalia clash
11 Feb – Source: Business Standard, India – 238 Words
More than 20 people were killed and 35 injured in a clash between government troops and a moderate Islamist group in Somalia, medical sources said Tuesday. The clash took place when government forces, trying to resist the takeover of Guricel town, some 400 km north of here, exchanged fire with the Islamist group AhluSunnah WalJamaah. “We can confirm the death of 20 people and 35 others wounded,” Ali Omar, a medical officer in a local hospital told Xinhua. Hassan Nor, a resident, said that several families fled the town due to the fight. “We left our homes because the fighting had intensified by afternoon.” The Ismamist group has claimed that they have taken over the town. The government has, however, not commented on the situation. Abdulah Godax Bare, a parliament member and former interior minister, has called on the government and the group to negotiate and reach a solution. “I call upon the government of Somalia and the leadership of AhluSunnah to come to the table and talk on inclusivity.” Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had earlier in the day opened a reconciliation conference in a nearby town of Dhusumareb and met with local leaders over the incessant conflicts in the area which have claimed several lives. AhluSunnah WalJamaah had been fighting alongside the government to defeat the militant group Al-Shabaab. However, their partnership recently fell apart over disagreement about power sharing.
International community lauds approval of Somali cabinet
10 Feb – Source: Global Post/Xinhuanet – 312 Words
The international community on Tuesday welcomed the approval of the new cabinet list by Somali lawmakers. In a joint statement, the UN, African Union, EU, Britain, U.S. and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) reiterated their call for the president, prime minster, and parliament to move expeditiously toward the implementation of the remaining Vision 2016 objectives through the new cabinet approved by parliament. “We call on Somalia’s leaders and institutions to work together to accelerate delivery of the milestones of the government’s Vision 2016 which, together with the New Deal Compact for Somalia, remains the guiding framework for our engagement,”said the statement. The Horn of Africa nation’s parliament on Monday approved a new list of 66-memnber cabinet submitted by the country’s prime minister, paving way for the formation of a fully functional government. Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke has in the last two months faced stiff resistance from parliament, forcing him to withdraw his cabinet two times over concerns that some of the nominated ministers were the president’s allies. Somalia had been without a functional government with the process of forming a new government riddled with power struggles since the ousting of the former PM Abdiweli in a no confidence vote by parliament in December 2014.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The government must come up with a way to end the differences that always emerge between the leadership…Prime Minister Sharmarke must have a political vision and they should be clear on what they do. Second, they must completely avoid the differences that always emerge between the top offices, like what we have witnessed for the past 12 years under the transitional government. The government should come up with a strategy now to avoid a repeat of such differences.”
Can Somalia pull out of perpetual crisis?
10 Feb – Source: Voice of America – 429 Words
Somalia’s latest political crisis appears to be over, now lawmakers have approved a new Cabinet after a long delay. But the question remains whether Somali leaders can stop the cycle of such crises, which have undermined government after government and hurt efforts to stabilize the war-torn country. On Monday, lawmakers endorsed a 66-man Cabinet list proposed by new Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmake. The approval came as a relief, after lawmakers twice voiced strong opposition to Sharmake’s proposed list of ministers. 191 MPs endorsed the Cabinet in a session chaired by the country’s parliament speaker. “213 MPs voted here today, 191 voted in favor, 22 MPs voted against. As per the constitution, the Cabinet has been unanimously endorsed,” said Somali parliament speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari.
The country’s parliament had remained divided since October, when differences between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and then-prime minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed emerged. The dispute led to Ahmed’s dismissal and the appointment of Sharmake. Since then, the new prime minister has faced an uphill task in convincing lawmakers that his Cabinet choices will help end Somalia’s long-running political crisis. Addressing lawmakers on Monday, he outlined his government’s goals for the coming year, with security and and preparation for the 2016 elections being at the top of the list. “As a government, we will focus on creating a permanent political solution, improve the areas of security, justice, people’s welfare, realization of the Vision 2016 plan, national reconciliation as well as uplifting of the country’s infrastructure,” said the prime minister.
“Where do you start the journey of rebuilding the nation? Electing a president? We have one. Appointing a prime minister? We have Sharmarke and believe he is the best. Naming cabinet ministers? We have some. In fact, since 2000, the country saw presidents, prime ministers and hundreds of cabinet members in waves, one group after another. The answer is this. No misses now. You build the system from the bottom.”
Somalia is headed for power vacuum
10 Feb – Source: Radio RBC – 950 Words
When you look at Somalia politics carefully and examine the facts behind the system failure, you will instantly realize that the problem is not about lack of money. (Last year alone, the total amount of assistance that went into the pockets of the leaders was US$905 million.) Nor is it about foreign intervention, regional or international; the problem is to do with lack of determined, intelligent and focused civil servants. In a phrase, the people the country has attracted thus far are either cowards or lighthearted, unserious.And If we have learned anything from the 24-year-chaos in Somalia, it is this: President Mohamed Siad Barre was not the problem. Contrarily, he was a man of great talent. He understood the dynamics of power politics and of society that slipped out of the hands of colonizers. He apparently chewed the concept that power never collapses until the high aim of society fades. In 1969 when Maj. Gen. Barre took control of Somalia, corruption, poverty and over-dependency on foreign help was at peak. The faith that people had in the government had dwindled. But that was understandable–the nation was a newborn colony. Luckily, he put the country on a course much travelled but ran out of gas while ascending an uphill. The lesson is simple: there is no alley that leads to the streets of development and civil rule. Rebuilding Somalia is not an option. It is something that everybody has to buy into. Getting this country back on the right course benefits all, including the international community. But you have to trust yourself and curve your own course, sometimes going against the grain. Contingency theorists, please come forward and tell us your names.