February 18, 2016 | Daily Monitoring Report
AMISOM Forces Kill Dozens Of Al-Shabaab Fighters In Burhakabo, Bakool Region
18 February – Source: Goobjoog News – 130 Words
Several Al-Shabaab fighters were killed Thursday morning in a clash with Amisom troops in Bourhakbo in Bakool region, area district commissioner has said. Ali Hassan Abdi, Bourhakbo District Commissioner told Goobjoog News the Amisom troops from Ethiopia ambushed the Al-Shabaab base and killed several before others fled.
“Amisom forces this morning attacked a base which Al-Shabaab have been hiding in and managed to kill several of them,” said Abdi. Abdi said the fighting lasted for several hours in the town which is ten kilometers from Bourhakbo town. Al-Shabaab fighters did not issue any comment about the fight but locals have confirmed that the Amisom troops have returned to their base. South West state forces with Somali National Army and AMISOM engage in regular fights with Al-Shabaab forces in Southwest State.
Key Headlines
- AMISOM Forces Kill Dozens Of Al-Shabaab Fighters In Burhakabo Bakool Region (Goobjoog News)
- The Heads Of States To Deliberate Somalia Entry Into EAC Bloc (Goobjoog News)
- Federal Parliament To Initiate Referendum Over Amended Clauses In The Constitution (Wacaal Media)
- Kenya Says Deputy Al-Shabaab Commander Killed In Somalia (Bloomberg)
- Boutros-Ghali: Outspoken Diplomat (New York Times)
- Puntland Warns Of Seismic Survey Offshore Somalia (Garowe Online)
NATIONAL MEDIA
The Heads Of States To Deliberate Somalia Entry Into EAC Bloc
18 February – Source: Goobjoog News – 299 Words
The East African Community heads of states Summit will next week deliberate on Somalia’s entry into the East African bloc alongside Africa’s newest country, South Sudan. The 17th Ordinary East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit which is slated for 29th February will also review the political federation action plan which aims at establishing a single sovereign state. Somalia first applied for EAC membership in 1974 shortly before the bloc collapsed owing to ideological and economic differences between the initial three member states Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The Horn of Africa nation subsequently submitted its application in February 2012 but the Summit deferred its consideration. South Sudan’s entry into the bloc was also rejected for review at the same period. The EAC has a combined GDP size of about US $75 billion with a market access of over 130 million people and now operates a common market protocol and customs union. Former Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete last year indicated the EAC heads of states were keen on approving Somalia’s entry into the community and called for broader support to accelerate the membership process.
Somalia was the first non Arab country to join the Arab League in 1974 five years after joining the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in 1969. A country only gains admission to the EAC, if it meets the criteria spelt out in its treaty, signed on 30 November 1999. The EAC treaty sets out conditions for membership, including adherence to universally acceptable principles of good governance, democracy, rule of law, observance of human rights and social justice. The Heads of State are expected to launch the new International East African E-Passport (electronic passport) during their meeting. Kenya, Burundi and Uganda, all EAC members contribute troops to the African Union sanctioned force, AMISOM in Somalia.
Federal Parliament To Initiate Referendum Over Amended Clauses In The Constitution
18 February – Source: Wacaal Media – 89 Words
The Federal Parliament of Somalia has resolved to subject amended clauses of the constitution to referendum in Kismayo, Adaado, Baidoa and several other towns to allow citizen participation in the process. Parliamentarians agreed that it was imperative for the Somali public to participate in the country’s constitution making process. Secretary General Abdikarim Haji Abdi Buuh said parliament will ensure the constitution making process was all inclusive. He said a major conference to be attended by members of the public will be held in Mogadishu over the constitution review process.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya Says Deputy Al-Shabaab Commander Killed In Somalia
18 February – Source: Bloomberg – 90 Words
The deputy commander of Somalia’s Al-Shabaab group has been killed along with 10 other mid-level leaders in a strike by the Kenya Defence Forces. Mahad Mohammed Karatey, who was also head of the militant group’s intelligence wing, played a key role in an attack on a Kenyan army base in El Adde, Somalia, last month, Kenya’s Defence Ministry said in an e-mailed statement.
Boutros-Ghali: Outspoken Diplomat
18 February – Source: New York Times – Video: 2:05 Minutes
Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the former U.N. secretary general, died at the age of 93. His tenure was defined by tragedies in Somalia, Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia as well as friction with the Clinton administration.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“PPMA is now aware that the seismic operation is close to Puntland State waters. In September 2015, PPMA warned the Federal Government, Spectrum ASA and BGP Inc., that they cannot enter Puntland territorial, contiguous and economic exclusive waters to collect data without the permission of the Puntland Government through its line agency – the PPMA.”
Puntland Warns Of Seismic Survey Offshore Somalia
18 February – Source: Garowe Online – 502 Words
Puntland Petroleum and Minerals Agency (PPMA) is very concerned about the illegal activities of two foreign companies conducting seismic operation activities offshore Somalia without the legal and constitutional mandate to do so. PPMA warns the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the two companies – Norway’s Spectrum ASA and China’s BGP Inc. – about the unconstitutional nature of their seismic activities, which could derail the delicate peace and ongoing federalization process in Somalia.
PPMA urges these two companies to cease and desist their operation in Somalia immediately and without delay. In September 2015, PPMA informed the Federal Government, Spectrum ASA and BGP Inc., about its concerns over their illegal and unconstitutional operation. Despite these warnings and concerns, Spectrum ASA and BPG Inc., decided to collect data from Somalia’s Indian Ocean territory, contiguous and economic exclusive zone (EEZ)
As a result of that, any data collected under this unconstitutional scheme is stolen data. In addition, PPMA warns international oil companies, potential payers and current underwriters that if buying any data from these companies equates to illegally obtaining stolen property belonging to the Somali people that was collected dishonestly and illegally by Spectrum ASA and BGP Inc.
PPMA is aware that there is a sinister interest and pressure groups operating in Mogadishu and Nairobi who, in partnership with international oil companies, are currently working together and pursuing their individual, oil companies, foreign Embassies and personal interests. In addition, PPMA is aware that the interest of these partners is to use the Federal Government system to hold on to power and enrich themselves, to support particular oil companies from particular countries at the expense of efforts to rebuild the Somali nation-state.
TOP TWEETS
@AlinoorMB: #BREAKINGNews : #Kenya military claims it has killed Mahat Karatay, the intelligence chief of #AlShabaab –@AFP #Somalia #Africa #Security
@Abdi_AlSheikh: Puntland warns of seismic survey offshore Somalia – Garowe Online http://dlvr.it/KXjM7x #Somalia
@updiow : #Somalia heroes arrive safely . welcomed by the president @AmbGamal @GlobSomDiaspora@TheVillaSomalia
@DalsanFM_SOM : #Somalia #Galmudug state forces have freed James Gajumbo a Kenyan Doctor before 3 years held as hostage by pirates
@xasanboore : #Somalia BREAKING:Somalia Embassy in Kenya rejects to receive under 11 Somali football team from Qatar Jeem Cup #Sports officials confirm
@NasroYare : #Somalia Journalists should be independent from intervention and intimidation #SupportNUSOJSOMALIA#Somaliland
@SaveSomaliJourn : #Puntland Media Owners, Chief Editors and Line Ministry Call for Media Unity Amid #NUSOJControversy #Somalia
@evolvingprimate : Extremism by another name. A govt. that lives off Int’l aid & sustained by AU forces is banning English#Somalia
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Young Somali football players were welcomed by the president after returning from Qatar.
Photo:
@VillaSomalia