February 18, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
AMISOM Police Hand Over Office Equipment and Furniture to Somali Police Force
18 Feb – Source: AMISOM – 157 words
The Police component of the African Union Mission in Somalia on Saturday presented office supplies and furniture to the Somali Police Force in a ceremony held at the Mogadishu International Airport Police station.
AMISOM Police Commissioner Dr. Charles Makono officially handed over the gear to Somali Police Commissioner, General Sharif Shekhuna Maye and Deputy Interior Minister and National Security, Mr Hassan Ibrahim Mohamed.
It included enough logistical equipment for 10 Police Stations as well as support for a Biometric Database system which will help the Somali Police Force implement an efficient personnel and financial management system.
The donation, which was funded by the German organisation, Duetch Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusmmenarbeit (GIZ) and the Italian Government, is part of AMISOM’s continuing efforts to professionalize the Somali Police Force, said Dr Makono.“AMISOM is committed to supporting our brothers in the Somali Police Force as they work to secure public safety and entrench the rule of law”, he added.
Key Headlines
- AMISOM Police Hand Over Office Equipment and Furniture to Somali Police Force (AMISOM)
- Officials vow to retake territories from al Shabaab (Radio Dalsan)
- EU condemns recent terrorist attacks in Somalia (Bar-kulan)
- AMISOM engage local Leaders (AMISOM)
- Britain Ethiopia vow to support peace in the Sudans Somalia (Sudan Tribune)
- Rebirth of Somali Navy (Shabelle/BBC Somali Service/Bar-kulan/SNTV)
- Ethiopian PM holds talks with Somali delegation (Walta Info/ENA)
- Suicide bomber killed in Garissa bomb blast (Daily Nation/Capital FM)
- Kenyan Somali forces take control of Bulagudud town in southern Somalia (Dhanaan Online/Al Shahid)
- Somalia seeks justice for slain journalists (IOL News)
PRESS RELEASE
AMISOM ENGAGE LOCAL LEADERS
18 Feb – Source: AMISOM – 192 words
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) officials held lengthy consultations with local leaders from mostly the recently recovered towns of Janalle, Aw Dhegle and Barire in Lower Shabelle.
The fruitful discussions that were attended by key elders, Members of Parliament from the region, district commissioners and other opinion shapers sought to mobilize local support for the stabilization of the newly recovered areas.
Organized by the Political Unit of AMISOM, the leaders met with the Sector 1 Commander, Brig. Michael Ondoga and discussed ways of further enhancing dialogue and coordination with AMISOM so as to complement the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) as it continues to build lasting peace and security throughout the country.
The elders from Qoryoley, Sablaale, Baraawe, Marka and Kurtuwarey districts shared and exchanged views on the activities that can be undertaken immediately to enhance security and protect the hard won military gains.
Earlier in the week the Somali government forces with the support of African Union troops recovered the 3 key towns and these consultations were aimed at consolidating these recent military gains and complementing them with local support through dialogue, community mobilization and sensitization.
SOMALI MEDIA
Officials vow to retake territories from al Shabaab
18 Feb – Source: Radio Dalsan – 126 words
Somali Government forces officials have vowed to retake al Shabaab’s controlled parts of Gedo and Jubba regions, official said. Mohammed Qalinle who is among the top officials of Somali forces in Gedo and Jubba regions said they are planned soon to seize the areas and towns in Jubba and Gedo regions from al Shabaab fighters.
On the other hand, the official emphasized need for the population in those areas to feel the presence of a government. The official’s remarks comes after a fight broke out between the Somali gov’t forces and al Shabaab fighters in Bula Gudud village 30km north of Kismayo that caused unknown casualties.
EU condemns recent terrorist attacks in Somalia
18 Feb – Source: Bar-kulan – 120 words
EU Special Envoy and Ambassador to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso, has strongly condemned the recent assassination of Sheikh Abdiqadir Nur Farah in Garowe and the car bomb attack in Mogadishu’s Lido beach restaurant on 16 February.
Ambassador Cervone d’Urso in a statement on Monday extended his condolences to the families of the bereaved and injured and to the wider Somali public hurt by these tragic losses.
“These latest deplorable terrorist acts will only serve to strengthen the resolve of the Somali people and authorities”, said Ambassador Cervone d’Urso in the statement. He said the EU remains very close to all peace loving Somalis and promised to continue to stand by Somalia in its endeavour to strive for a better future.
Rebirth of Somali Navy
17 Feb – Source: Shabelle/BBC Somali Service/Bar-kulan/SNTV – 165 words
For the last twenty one years that the navy was non existing, it feels like rebirth for Somalia. Ministers of the federal government of Somalia attended the function to mark the 51 year anniversary since the formation of the naval force.
Admiral Farah Qare the Commander of the Somali Navy said the force has made significant contributions to the safety of the Somali waters since it was reconstituted in 2009.
Different head of departments attained the function and they stated that the Somali navy should be given a chance and support in order to prove their existence once again. Also the minister of defense who was the guest of honor at the function said that it is a high time for us to stand with Somalia navy so that we can request the foreign government to assist us.
Gunmen kill elder in Dhusamareb
18 Feb – Source: Bar-kulan – 103 words
Unidentified gunmen Monday morning killed a traditional elder in Dhusamareb district, Galgadud region. Abdullahi Odowa Barkhad was shot dead at El Ali Mire area some 15 kilometres from Dhusamareb town under unknown circumstances. The assailant managed to escape immediately.
Confirming the incident, areas security chief Farhan Moalim Ali told Bar-kulan that they are investigating the matter and promised to bring the perpetrators of the killing to book.
No arrests have been made in relation to the killing. So far no group has claimed responsibility of the killing.The lifeless body of the elder was taken to Dhusamareb for burial, according officials and relatives.
Kenyan, Somali forces take control of Bulagudud town in southern Somalia
18 Feb – Source: Dhanaan Online/Al Shahid – 99 words
Kenyan and Somali forces captured on Saturday Bulagudud town in the province of Lower Juba, southern Somalia. The news says that Kenyan forces under the African Union mission and Somali forces captured Saturday morning Bulagudud town, 30 kilometers north of the city of Kismayo.
Government officials said that troops began extensive operations in the town, searching for elements of al Shabaab militia believed to be hiding in the town, as media reported. The town Bulagudud was military center of the al Shabaab in recent times.
Bile Bashir Aynab elected as Galmugud’s Galkayo mayor
17 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 151 words
Bile Bashir Aynab has been elected as Galmudug’s new Galkayo mayor following a mayoral election in south of the town. Aynab emerged the winner after beating his main challenger Said Salad Elmi in a tightly contested mayoral election held at Embassy Hotel on Sunday. Elmi conceded defeat and promised to support the new mayor.
In his acceptance speech, the new mayor hailed the election as a step forward in the region’s history as former mayors were only appointed by the president instead of electing them democratically. He promised to improve social services including strengthening health and education sectors as well as giving Galkayo a major facelift.
Also elected are his two deputies who are Mohamed Ali Hassan and Osman Ad’ed Elmi. The outgoing mayor Seynab Osman Ali who spoke at the event welcomed the election of the new mayor replacing her and promised to hand over power to the new mayor.
NUSOJ Welcomes Somali Prime Minister’s Pledge for Justice to Somali Journalists
17 Feb – Source: Somaliweyn/Bar-kulan – 151 words
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcomes the Somali Prime Minister’s pledge for justice both the slain journalists and the jailed journalist during meeting with the Somali Journalists and the media representatives on Saturday 16 February, 2013 held at the prime Minister’s office at Villa Somalia.
Journalists’ leaders and media representatives met with the Somali Prime Minister, Abdi farah Shirdoon at his office at Villa Somalia in a roundtable meeting. The Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunication, Abdullahi Elmoge Hersi and his deputy, Abdishakur Mire were also present at the meeting.
The Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), Mohamed Ibrahim who spoke on behalf of the Somali Journalists at large raised the concerns of the Somali Journalists including getting justice for the slain colleague, the working conditions of the Somali journalists and getting fair trial for Abdilaziz Abdinur who was sentenced to one year in prison.
Somali president condemns killing of Sheikh Gacmey
16 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 138 words
The President of the federal government of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mahmud has strongly condemned the assassination of Sheikh Abdiqadir Nuur Gacamey who was killed in Garowe, Puntland.
President Mahmud described the Sheikh as one among the people who are ready to die for their country and who leads from the front to attain peace and security in the region.
The president has requested the citizens of Somalia to assist in the fight against those people who are killing the leaders, adding that it is only the citizens who can assist the government to protect their leaders “because if we don’t stop them they will kill all the educated and all the leaders who are ready to protect the citizen of Somalia.”
Civilian killed in Kismayo
17 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 92 words
A government soldier on Sunday shot dead a local teacher in the port city of Kismayo, reports say. The soldier reportedly opened fire at the teacher, Ahmed Jim’ale, inside the area police station after disagreeing with authorities handling a land case.
The victim was involved a land dispute with a group of people. The errant soldier is now in custody. Local authorities are yet to comment on the incident that shocked locals in Kismayo. Land disputes have been witnessed in the area since the fall of the al Shabaab rule late last year.
Security operation in Lower Shabelle
17 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 130 words
A District commissioner says a security operation intended to flush out al Shabaab from Lower Shabelle region has netted several people, among them suspected militants.
The district commissioner who spoke to Shabelle Radio said that the operation was conducted jointly by government troops and AMISOM. The operation concentrated mainly on the areas recently liberated from the militant group. Explosives and other weapon assortments were recovered in the operation.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Britain, Ethiopia vow to support peace in the Sudans, Somalia
17 Feb – Source: Sudan Tribune – 315 words
Ethiopia and Britain have vowed to jointly exert more support to ensure durable peace and stability in the volatile Horn of Africa region after a meeting between the United Kingdom’s Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, and Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, on Friday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
According to government sources, the two sides discussed ways they could aid ongoing efforts to improve relations between Sudan and South Sudan, stressing the need for Juba and Khartoum to resolve all remaining issues outstanding from the South’s independence and establish friendly relations to bring development to their peoples.
A year after landlocked South Sudan proclaimed independence in July 2011 taking with it 75% of Sudan’s oil resources, the newest nation halted oil production over a transit fee dispute with Sudan. Although the two neighbours last September managed to resolve the deadlock over transit fees, oil production remains pending due to border and security issues.
Ethiopian PM holds talks with Somali delegation
16 Feb – Source: Walta Info/ENA – 98 words
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said on Friday that his country would strengthen its support for peace and stability in Somalia. The Premier made the remark while holding talks with Somali parliament delegation at his office in Addis Ababa.
He said Ethiopia will continue its relationship with the people and government of Somalia based on mutual benefit and peace of the region. Members of the delegation for their part commended Ethiopia’s support for the recent development in Somalia. According to ENA, they also expressed their desire to learn from Ethiopia on the federal system the new government is establishing in Somalia.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina to send Arabic books to Somalia
17 Feb – Source: Egypt independent – 128 words
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina announced that Somalia is receiving the first batch of Arabic publications to support its national library and the University of Mogadishu library during an upcoming book fair, as part of a joint Egyptian-Arab campaign.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Book Fair is slated for March, and 130 publishing houses from 12 different countries are expected to participate. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina said in a statement Sunday that it is disseminating Arab culture in Somalia to contribute to its education and scientific research efforts, with 500 titles of its own publication.
The statement welcomed Arab cultural institutions that have announced their participation in the campaign, which aims to enrich the two libraries with 50,000 titles, which would be the largest number of books donated to an Arab country.
Suicide bomber killed in Garissa bomb blast
17 Feb – Source: Daily Nation/Capital FM – 123 words
A suspected suicide bomber was killed in Garissa town on Saturday night after a bomb he was assembling exploded. The improvised explosive device (IED) was to be planted on a dais at Garissa Primary School grounds where official functions are held.
The explosion jolted nearby buildings as confusion engulfed the town. The body parts of the suspected suicide bomber of Somali origin was scattered due to the impact of the blast.
Confirming the incident, the North Eastern Police chief Charlton Mureithi urged residents to assist security personnel in fighting terrorism by reporting mischievous activities. “It is indeed a worrying to see people causing havoc. Residents should be watchful of any suspicious people in their midst and be quick to report them,” he said.
Family of kidnapped soldier cry foul, accuse KDF, State of neglect
17 Feb – Source: Standard Media – 149 words
There is calm as we enter the home of Kenya Defence Forces Private Jonathan Kangongo in Kapteren village, Elgeyo/Marakwet County. Mr. Kangongo has been in the army until about two years ago, when he was kidnapped, among others, by the al Shabaab militia.
The group claims it has executed him, though this has not been confirmed. And as The Standard On Sunday Crew reached the homestead, there was no warmth. The soldier’s wife, Rose Kangongo, had just attended a burial of a neighbour.
Even though news of the alleged execution had reached many, surprisingly, Mrs. Kangongo is not aware. We gather courage and comforting words to break the news. Nevertheless, the calm woman, strong in heart like a soldier, takes in the news in her stride. “We had expected the good and worse. God has been comforting us all this time. Let His will be done,” she asserts.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Held hostage – Nigel Brennan reflects on his time in Somalia
18 Feb – Source: ABC News – 172 words
Former soldier and Sydney man Warren Rodwell has spent more than a year detained in the Philippines by the terrorist organisation al Harakatul al Islamiyyah. In a recent proof-of-life video he said he has no faith that the militants holding him will release him or that the Australian government will secure his safe passage home.
He also said he has no communication with his captors or with the outside world. “I understand there are some negotiations. I do not get any updated information,” he said. “The people around me normally don’t speak English. I understand something is happening but I don’t know when…. I personally hold no hope at all for being released… I do not trust anyone.”
The foreign minister Bob Carr says the government is working with the Philippine authorities to secure Rodwell’s release but has a policy of not paying kidnappers. Nigel Brennan has been through all of this himself. In 2008 he was kidnapped in Somalia while on assignment as a photojournalist. He was held hostage for 462 days.
Somalia seeks justice for slain journalists
18 Feb – Source: IOL News – 299 words
Somalia’s government has offered a $50 000 reward for information leading to the “successful conviction of a journalist killer”, as the country reels from a spate of murders of media workers.
Mohamed Ibrahim, journalist Union Chief in the war-torn nation, welcomed the “pledge for justice for slain Somali journalists” following the announcement of the reward by Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon.
At least 18 media workers were killed last year – double the worst year on record and second only to war-torn Syria – but no one has faced justice for the killings.
Kismayo Hospital suffers effect of civil war
18 Feb – Source: Press TV – 289 words
Six months after the port city of Kismayo in Somalia was liberated from the Al-Shabaab fighters, locals in the town are still suffering from lack of basic and vital health services
We toured the strategic coastal city of Kismayo, located some 500 kms south of the capital Mogadishu. Our first visit was Kismayo General Hospital, the only functional health institution in Somalia’s third biggest town.
There we met with more than thirty patients with some claiming to have come from towns hundreds of kilometers away in the hope of finding proper medical care.
Health organizations say Malaria is one of the most common diseases in the town however no distributions of Mosquito nets to IDPs, host communities or community households has taken place in a long period of time. Doctors in the hospital say that majority of patients are old people and young children.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
This decision doesn’t concern or depend on one person, rather it’s a decision made by whole nation, so any change of this decision won’t be easy. Somaliland will attain its goal one day and they are ready to be patient even if it lasts centuries.
Somaliland: Recognition or Reunification
16 Feb – Source: Somaliland Press – 455 Words
From 18 May 1991 when Somaliland announced its independence from the rest of Somalia, numerous achievements have been accomplished. Democracy, economy, security, health, education, infrastructure, trade and other social services have been improved as well.
When the people returned to their homes at the end of the holocaust war between SNM and Somali military government led by Siyad Barre, shelters, schools, hospitals, roads as well as other buildings in major Somaliland cities were completely destroyed. Everything was started from bottom.
Security strengthening has been given the first priority because Somaliland located in unstable region. Police, military, courts, police stations, jails and all relevant branches were set up. Soon the government managed to stabilize and maintain peace in the majority of the country.
Even though most of the educational facilities were missing, the students were taught under trees by using empty milk cans as chairs. The education improved day after day; at the moment there are countless schools and universities. There are also tangible improvements in health and infrastructure.
Somaliland held several free and fair elections which many nations have failed to hold successfully. All in all Somaliland built good governance and showed the world that it is ready to fulfill any condition which can be a barrier in order to become an independent state recognized by international community.
“Journalist A.Y.Abdallah has been threatened on numerous occasions since he became a journalist in 2007. Here he discusses his experiences of working in Somalia and his escape to South Africa.”
A Y Abdallah: Intimidation, harassment and death threats in Somalia
14 Feb – Source: Doha Centre 4 Media Freedom – 1617 Words
The year 2012 was the deadliest year for journalists and media personnel in Somalia. It was in that year that I witnessed the lives of many of my good friends and co-workers fade to black. For some reason I am still here today and my life clock is still ticking. It seems to me that there are people who want to stop my clock from ticking – the reason for this, you may not understand, and apparently I do not either.
It wasn’t that long ago that I was in school, and each morning some of my classmates and I would rush to catch a part of the daily morning news programme. I believe it was at this time that I started developing a love for the art of news reporting and journalism. As I listened attentively, I thought to myself what if what was being said in that programme wasn’t totally true? What if the reporter or the writer had their own agenda?
It was these questions I explored, and during this chapter of my life is when I began being committed to telling the truth, and it would soon become my responsibility to tell the truth to unaware and misguided individuals. Politics in Somalia has been ‘funky’ for the past two decades, and this was the hot topic when I formally began doing informative and investigative work in the beginning of 2007.
I was about 19-years-old at the time and felt more energetic than ever. I was always on the hunt for things to share, and for issues to investigate. That may have brought me some attention and over the next year I start to ‘officially’ receive direct threats.
“Although the use of Twitter, YouTube and, to a lesser degree, Facebook is a new phenomenon, extremists have always used web forums and chat groups to spread propaganda and try to recruit foreign members, often referred to as “homegrown terrorists.”
Terror groups turn to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube to gain support
14 Feb – Source: Toronto Star – 670 Words
If the last decade of the so-called “war on terror” was about boots on the ground and winning hearts and minds, the next 10 years may include a battle for retweets and “likes.” A growing consensus of counterterrorism analysts who track al Qaeda’s use of social media say terrorist groups are embracing Twitter and Facebook in an effort to gain support.
Although there is anecdotal evidence of social media’s role in recruiting, there are few empirical studies.
“Baseline quantitative research barely exists at the moment,” terrorism analyst Will McCants told a U.S. House security subcommittee in December 2011. “Analysts are either focused on studying the content of the propaganda or absorbed in stopping the next attack by known militants.”
But a new report from the New America Foundation comparing the popularity of English and Arabic jihadi forums over a three-month period found that more individuals and organizations have been using Twitter feeds to “promote their activities.”
The study’s author, analyst Aaron Zelin, wrote that “this trend is likely to continue.” But he also found that Twitter is unlikely to replace the group’s use of web forums that better allow for private communications and “the sense of authenticity and exclusivity.”
Top tweets
@GeoMmm #Somalia: SAACID Monthly Nutrition Bulletin – Mogadishu – January 2013 (29/12-31/1) http://bit.ly/WFxCBe.
@Refugees Photo of the day: Beautiful moment – A nurse and her 1 year old patient http://rfg.ee/hKtAW #Somalia #IDPs.
@AnalystSomalia 21 Feb. is Int. #Mother #Language #Day, how is the condition of the #Somali language? What other vernaculars exist? What is their condition.
@UNOCHA How difficult is it for humanitarian agencies to reach different areas of #Somalia? Find out in this map: http://buzz.mw.
@ferigom69 Somaliland president is advised to accept ten year federation with Somalia by UK Foreign Secretary –http://somalilandinformer.com/
Image of the day
Members of Somali navy mount a guard of honour during celebration marking the 50 years since the formation of the country’s naval force. Photo: Mareeg Online.