February 17, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
52 Heads of State to attend international conference on Somalia in London
16 Feb – Source: Al Shahid, Leadership – 150 words
Fifty-two Heads of government as well as the UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki Moon are expected to converge on London for the International Conference on Somalia scheduled for Feb. 23. The British government, who is organising the conference, had said that it was meant to bring in a “step change” in Somalia which has been suffering from war since the fall of its strongman, Siade Barre in 1991.
Key Headlines
- Hundreds flee Mogadishu clashes (AFP)
- Britain pushes for new strategy in Somalia (Source: Fox News (US) / Today’s Zaman News)
- Al Shabaab closes down Qur’an classes in Jowhar (Radio Bar-Kulan)
- Galkayo IDPs suffer as aid agencies pull out (IRIN)
- Former Somaliland president refuses to attend London conference (VOA)
- Dadaab refugee camps: Back to square one (MSF)
SOMALI MEDIA
Al Shabaab closes down Qur’an classes in Jowhar
16 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 169 words
Al Shabaab rebel group in Jowhar town on Thursday reportedly shut down over ten Qur’an classes, popularly known as Dugsi, after accusing the Koran class teachers of lacking Tajwid skills to recite the Qur’an. Tajwid is an Arabic word for elocution, meaning proper pronunciation at a moderate speed during Qur’an recitation.
Tons of dead fish wash up on Puntland shore
16 Feb – Source: Garowe Online – 75 words
For the second time this year tons of dead fish dead fish have washed up on Bossaso beaches. Director General Abdiwaxid Mohamed Hersi said that these incidents have happened all along the coast of Puntland. Pathology and toxicology tests are the standard procedure for these incidents.
Galkayo IDPs suffer as aid agencies pull out
16 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, IRIN – 176 words
Internally displaced families in Southern Galkayo town are complaining of deteriorating living conditions following the withdrawal of aid agencies from the area for security reasons. Several aid agencies pulled out of South Galkayo in central Somalia’s self-declared autonomous state of Galmudug, where two aid workers were kidnapped by armed militias five months ago.
Former Somaliland president refuses to attend London conference
16 Feb – Source: VOA Somali Service, Hadhwanaag Times, RBC – 74 words
Former Somaliland president Dahir Rayale Kahin on Thursday was back home after a departure abroad for days. Talking about London conference on Somalia, the former president said that Somaliland is an independent country, adding that his stance has not yet changed and he is refusing to attend the London conference on Somalia.
The trials of Mogadishu’s taxi drivers
16 Feb – Source: Somalia Rpeort – 159 words
Although the security situation in Mogadishu has improved since al Shabaab vacated the city last August, bombings, land mines, hand grenade attacks and assassinations continue are unabated in Somalia’s capital. Several bombings in Mogadishu have involved cars, including the recent attack near the Muna hotel that killed at least 15 people and injured dozens, leaving Mogadishu residents in a state of perpetual mistrust and suspicion.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Hundreds flee Mogadishu clashes
16 Feb – Source: Daily Nation, AFP – 316 words
Hundreds of Somalis fled their homes Thursday fearing clashes after African Union troops attacked holdout Islamist Shabaab militia positions in the south of the war-wracked capital Mogadishu.
Columns of loaded vehicles headed into the city from Elashabiyaha and KM13 districts on Mogadishu’s outskirts, as AU forces moved into positions they seized from the Al-Qaeda-linked rebels this week after heavy fighting.
Kenyan government assures tourists of increased security measures
16 Feb – Source: Coastweek, Xinhua – 495 words
The Kenyan government on Wednesday reassured visitors of increased security around all tourist circuits across the country, despite the on-going war against al Shabaab insurgency inside Somalia.
Tourism Minister Najib Balala said international arrivals at the Moi international Airport has been affected by security fears posed by the Somali insurgents blamed for abductions of foreigners on Kenyan soil.
52 Heads of State to attend international conference on Somalia in London
16 Feb – Source: Al Shahid, Leadership – 150 words
Fifty-two Heads of government as well as the UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki Moon are expected to converge on London for the International Conference on Somalia scheduled for Feb. 23. The British government, who is organising the conference, had said that it was meant to bring in a “step change” in Somalia which has been suffering from war since the fall of its strongman, Siade Barre in 1991.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Dadaab refugee camps: Back to square one
16 Feb – Source: MSF – 1469 words
The largest refugee camp in the world- where life is becoming more difficult everyday, hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers are facing a humanitarian emergency. The health of refugees is at risk of deteriorating rapidly while humanitarian aid agencies are struggling to provide meaningful assistance on an ongoing basis.
Britain pushes for new strategy in Somalia
16 Feb – Source: Fox News (US) / Today’s Zaman News – 150 words
United Nations – Britain is trying to galvanize international support for a new military and political strategy in Somalia that would intensify pressure on Al-Shabab militants and try to pull the failed Horn of Africa nation back from the grip of pirates and terrorists.
Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said that Security Council experts are currently discussing a new U.N. resolution that would increase the African Union force in Somalia to about 17,700, up from 12,000.
China navy steps up anti-piracy training in sign of long-term commitment to overseas missions
17 Feb – Source: Washington Post / AP – 146 words
Beijing — China’s fast-modernizing navy is stepping up training for anti-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia in a sign of its growing long-term commitment to overseas missions.
The website of the military newspaper Liberation Army Daily said Friday that the first two-week course for 84 leading officers began this week at the Naval Command College in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
Applying this framework to Somaliland’s central bank, we find that the parliament’s intervention aligns with all three targets. The central bank will 1) help alleviate business’ need for finance, 2) promote a successful sector via mobile banking and money transfer services, and 3) help achieve government priorities. The impact of the new central bank may already be evident — investors are taking risks in Somaliland, and their actions can pay large dividends. Stay tuned!
A Diamond in the Rough? Africa’s Newest Central Bank Opens in an Unexpected Location
16 Feb – Source: Huffington Post Opinion – 370 Words
Last week, lawmakers in Somaliland (Somalia’s northern, semi-autonomous region) reportedly established Somaliland’s first central bank. The measure will pave the way for foreign commercial banks to start operating in Somaliland by 2013, providing much-needed financing support for Somaliland’s private sector businesses. Simultaneously, the donor community (represented by multilateral institutions and both Danish and U.S. aid agencies) has expressed a strong interest in Somaliland. Two questions arise: How can international donors further support Somaliland’s businesses and what can they learn from the parliament’s new central bank?
The Somalia Truth: China’s first war documentary to be Released
16 Feb-Source: China Times- 182 words
Directed by Lv Jianmin, China’s first war documentary movie “The Somalia Truth” is the first time for Chinese filmmakers to make a war documentary about a foreign country.
The movie is set to hit national screens on March 9th. The promotional trailer was screened in the run up to its release. On the poster, a local woman is featured bearing a gun, a sentence written above her stating “To Kill for Peace.”
According the movie’s producer, the production team worked in the midst of Somalian gunfights for 33 days. Explaining why they risked their lives, the producer said, “We hope the local issues can raise world concerns. By making this movie, we want people to know the terrible things that happened in the region. They need help.”
Material deprivation has caused social turbulence in the country, including an increase of pirates and terrorists. The movie revolves around one sensitive topic – pirates and it discusses them within a framework of humanity and justice. In the trailer, a pirate, who was under arrest, screams at the camera, “We are not pirates, we are heroes!”