February 18, 2014 | Morning Headlines.
Military chief says UN Monitoring Group “empowers al Shabaab”
17 Feb- Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC-257 Words
Somalia Military Chief Gen Dahir Aden Elmi “Indhaqarshe” has blamed the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia arms embargo for making Somalia’s government and its military look nonfunctional and al Shabaab militant group as an endless project in Somalia. Responding to last week’s UN Monitoring Group on Somalia which allegedly said that ““Arms for Somalia government were diverted to al Shabaab militias”, Gen Dahir Aden Elmi said that it was totally fabricated and false report which lacked any credibility.“This group is working to feed al Shabaab, because we know al Shabaab does not face any arms shortage, while this terrorist group in Somalia usually wages war on Somalia government using explosive devices and very sophisticated bombs,” Gen Indhaqarshe told state-run radio.He said, it was worthy to be questioned where al Shabaab get its weapons from, saying that “al Shabaab does not get arms from the sky”. “The UN Monitoring Group wants Al Shabab to be an endless project in order to gain funds from the world while they are struggling hard to portray Somalia government weak and nonfunctional” Gen Indhaqrshe added. His comments come after this week’s UN Monitoring Group submitted to the United Nations Security Council allegedly revealing that arms given to Somalia government were diverted to al Shabaab, a militant group linked to al Qaeda.
Key Headlines
- Turkish schools in Somalia won 22 medals in 2 years (Today’s Zaman)
- Al Shabaab defector kills Juba intelligence chief (Radio Dalsan)
- Military chief says UN Monitoring Group “empowers al Shabaab” ( Radio Mogadishu/RBC)
- Ethiopian forces vow to drive out Al Shabaab (Radio Dalsan)
- Feeding of 50000 vulnerable families to start in Mogadishu (Raxanreeb/SNTV)
- Somaliland:2013 Media Awards recognizes media talents and quality journalism (Somalilandpress)
- 11 Somali immigrants arrested in Garissa (Citizen News)
SOMALI MEDIA
Al Shabaab defector kills Juba intelligence chief
17 Fen- Source: Radio Dalsan-113 Words
Tension is high in Kismayo as gunmen kill Juba security Chief Isse Kamboni together with three of his guards. According to Kismayo police, Sheikh Mohamud Ghalib Isse Kamboni is suspected to have been killed by a defector from al Shabaab militia group. Isse Kamboni was important figure in the Ahmed Madobe Raskamboni brigade who drove al Shabaab militia group out of their stronghold in Kismayo with support from Kenyan Defense Forces in 2012. Isse Kamboni was appointed as Juba chief intelligence on September 2013. By the time we went to press an operation by the AMISOM forces and Somali national army to arrest the perpetrators of the attack was on going.
Military chief says UN Monitoring Group “empowers al Shabaab”
17 Feb- Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC-257 Words
Somalia Military Chief Gen Dahir Aden Elmi “Indhaqarshe” has blamed the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia arms embargo for making Somalia’s government and its military look nonfunctional and al Shabaab militant group as an endless project in Somalia. Responding to last week’s UN Monitoring Group on Somalia which allegedly said that ““Arms for Somalia government were diverted to al Shabaab militias”, Gen Dahir Aden Elmi said that it was totally fabricated and false report which lacked any credibility.“This group is working to feed al Shabaab, because we know al Shabaab does not face any arms shortage, while this terrorist group in Somalia usually wages war on Somalia government using explosive devices and very sophisticated bombs,” Gen Indhaqarshe told state-run radio.He said, it was worthy to be questioned where al Shabaab get its weapons from, saying that “al Shabaab does not get arms from the sky”. “The UN Monitoring Group wants Al Shabab to be an endless project in order to gain funds from the world while they are struggling hard to portray Somalia government weak and nonfunctional” Gen Indhaqrshe added. His comments come after this week’s UN Monitoring Group submitted to the United Nations Security Council allegedly revealing that arms given to Somalia government were diverted to al Shabaab, a militant group linked to al Qaeda.
Ethiopian forces vow to drive out Al Shabaab
17 Feb – Source: Radio Dalsan – 97 words
Ethiopian military has vowed to drive out al Shabaab out of the remaining bases in Somalia. Speaking during AMISOM and Somali national army organized event in Beledweyne Ethiopian forces commander in the area said they will leave no stone unturned as far as driving the group out of the remaining areas in Somalia is concerned. The commander said they will focus more on driving the group out of the areas currently under their control adding that for that to be achieved they need total cooperation from the entire AMISOM forces in the area which includes the Djiboutian military.
Feeding of 50,000 vulnerable families to start in Mogadishu
17 Feb – Source: Raxanreeb/SNTV – 91 words
Ministry of Women and Human Rights has announced today that their ministry receiving hand from two Turkish organizations will start feeding 50,000 helpless families from all the regions of the country.
Minister Khadija Mohamed Dirie said that the ministry will soon begin the feeding of 50,000 most vulnerable families in Mogadishu and from the regions in the country. Khadija stated that their minister in collaboration with two Turkish organizations will launch the feeding process in Mogadishu and will reach out to other needy families from all corners in Somalia.
Somaliland: Baligubadle Councilor Seeks Police Protection after Attempts on his Life
17 Feb- Source: Somaliland Sun-152 Words
Fearful of losing his life Councilor Abdilahi Mohamed Ali is spending the second night at Baligubadle police station. Speaking to Somalilandsun via telephone from his new home of Baligubadle police station the Councilor popular known as ‘Abdilahi Assay’ say that he sought to seek protection within the confines of the police station following two attempts on his life on Sunday. Although twCllr Abdilahi Assay in happier timesCllr Abdilahi Assay in happier timeso of my to have been assassinators are under arrest my life and that of my family is in dire danger” According to the councilor the motive behind his attempted murder pertains to a land dispute in the town council of Baligubadle in which he is chairman of the lands committee. “I appeal to the central government for urgent measure to save my life and that of my family said the councilor who represents a tiny minority clan in the District.
Somaliland:2013 Media Awards recognizes media talents and quality journalism
17 Feb – Source: Somaliland Press – 119 words
The Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA), in partnership with United Nations, are celebrating 4 winners of the 2013 Somali Media Awards competition. The Media Awards recognize professionalism and excellence in the Somali media sector. Somali journalists submitted entries across four categories – gender, children and youth, access to basic services, and investigative journalism. The winners were chosen anonymously and transparently by a jury of veteran Somali journalists with support from UN communications experts. The Somali Media Awards were established to encourage journalists who excel and exhibit professionalism in their field. Journalism can be an agent for positive change and development. A fair and impartial media sector can highlight critical humanitarian issues, as well as promote peace and development.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Ministry of information gives awards eight Somali journalists
17 Feb – Source: Al Shahid – 126 words
In ceremony which held in Mogadishu, Somali capital, Somali deputy information minister, Abdullahi Olad Roble on Monday gives award to four Somali award winner journalists who won Somali media awards in 2014 for Somali speaking journalists. This ceremony which was held in Makal Al-mukarama Hotel was scheduled for rewarding four journalists in southern and central Somalia. Other four journalists are awarded in Growe, Puntiland after same ceremony held there. National Union of Somali journalists (NUSOJ) presented prices for Somali media awards in 2014 which it carried out in partnership with, UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNDP, United Nation Development Program, UNFPA, and (UNOCHA), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This award was first in two decades for Somali speaking journalists.
11 Somali immigrants arrested in Garissa
17 Feb – Source: Citizen News – 137 words
11 Somali immigrants were on Sunday afternoon arrested in a sting police operation along the Garissa – Dadaab Highway. The immigrants in their 20s and 30s told police they were headed to South Africa in search of employment. Garissa County Commissioner Rashid Khator said the suspects were arrested while on board a bus heading to Nairobi. The immigrants were in possession of stolen and lost identity cards which they used to bypass police check points. The county security chief regretted that some of the senior businessmen in the region were behind the cartels which aid aliens and criminals sneak into the country. Garissa county CID boss Musa Yego said the use of other people’s I.D cards was a new way used by immigrants to avoid detection at the police check points whilst aboard public service vehicles.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Turkish schools in Somalia won 22 medals in 2 years
17 Feb – Source: Today’s Zaman – 143 words
Turkish schools in Somalia have shown great success within two years, winning a total of 22 medals in Olympic competitions since 2011. Attaching great importance to education in Somalia, Turkish schools play a significant role in rebuilding the country’s collapsed education system with the support of the Somali government. Somali Higher Education and Culture Minister Duale Mohamed Adem emphasized Turkish schools’ contribution to the Somali people and students, saying, “These successful schools have renewed our hopes regarding the future of Somalia.” Somalia has been struggling with civil war and drought for a long time, and Turkish schools have a special place in rebuilding the education system in the country, despite the fact that these schools were opened only two years ago. Nile Institutions have been active in Somalia for almost two years, but these institutions have achieved 22 medals in the international Olympics.
Doctors will give war victim new face
17 Feb- Source: Courier Mail-285 Words
AYAAN Mohamed’s face was disfigured when she was shot as an infant during Somalia’s brutal civil war, but soon the young African woman will have “a face like everyone else”. The 25-year-old from Somaliland will have surgery in the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane on Saturday to rebuild her face, repairing wounds she suffered as an infant. Ms Mohamed flew to Brisbane with former Somaliland first lady Edna Adan Ismail with the help of two local Rotary clubs, who helped fund-raise and secure her visa. “She’s happy and looking forward to it,” Ms Ismail said, translating for Ms Mohamed. “She’s happy to get her face back. “The hardest thing for her has always been when somebody asks ‘what happened to your face?’ She said: ‘It just hurts me’.” Ms Mohamed sat covered in a veil, with only her eyes showing, during a press conference at the hospital on Tuesday. She prefers to keep her injuries hidden from view. She fought back tears when asked to describe her ordeal. Ms Ismail, who founded the Edna Adan Hospital in Hargesia, where Ms Mohamed first sought help as a teenager, said Ms Mohamed was confident about the surgery.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Clearly investing in Somalia is not for the fainthearted. Somalia is quite literally off the charts, as the World Bank report once again skips Somalia completely. Lawlessness and lack of reliable data are no doubt two of the factors why Somalia continues to be absent in the rankings.”
Think of Somalia when making business policy
Feb- Source: Japan Times- 969 Words
With Japan ranked as only the 27th-easiest place to do business in the world, Tokyo still has a ways to go on critical reforms. Yet, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe already having brought new hope to the nation — as well as, critics might note, perhaps renewed tensions in the region — the third- largest economy in the world still has many a lesson to share with the likes of Yangon and Mogadishu. After all, when it comes to doing business, there are few places worse, it seems, than the likes of Myanmar and Somalia. That’s at least, according to the World Bank, which has Myanmar ranked as worst in Asia — at 182nd of 189 economies — on the ease of doing business.