February 19, 2013 | Morning Headlines.
Somali prime minister offers $50,000 reward for information on journalists’ killers
18 Feb – Source: Washington Post – 101 words
The Somali government is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the convictions of those killing journalists, the country’s prime minister said. Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said over the weekend that the reward will help ensure that such killers are brought to justice. Somalia is one of the world’s most dangerous countries in which to practice journalism, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Last year 18 Somali journalists were killed, but no arrests were made. So far this year one reporter has been killed, bringing to 45 the total number of journalists killed here since 2007.
Key Headlines
- Somali and Ethiopian forces gain more grounds from al Shabaab in Bay (Hiiraan Online)
- Civil society groups in Galmudug hail election of Galkayo mayor (Bar-kulan)
- Security officials display al Shabaab defectors in Beledweyne (Hiiraan Online)
- Somalia navy celebrates its 52nd anniversary (Al Shahid )
- Somalis raised in City Heights consider returning to their homeland (Kpbs News)
SOMALI MEDIA
Interior minister meets UK envoy to Somalia in Mogadishu
18 Feb – Source: Bar-kulan/Shabelle/Hiiraan Online – 93 words
Interior and National Security Minister Abdikarim Hussein Gulled on Monday held talks with British Envoy to Somalia Matt Baugh in Mogadishu. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations between their two countries and ways forward in stabilizing the country. In a joint press conference after the talks, the two said they agreed to strengthen Somalia’s security agencies and UK offered to train and strengthen the country’s security agencies. Matt Baugh said his government will help Somalia rebuilding its infrastructure, adding that several UK-funded developmental projects will be initiated in Somalia soon.
Somali and Ethiopian forces gain more grounds from al Shabaab in Bay
18 Feb – Source: Hiiraan Online – 98 words
Somali and Ethiopian troops have taken over villages controlled by al Shabaab in Bay region in an assault carried out on Monday. The allied forces have targeted bases of the Islamist militants in Bulo-barako, Botis, Gorisane and Mannas,which are all villages in the Bay region. Reports obtained by Hiiraan Online say the fighting is still ongoing in some villages. The administrative capital of Bay region, Baidoa, was a stronghold of the Islamist militants al Shabaab, before they were driven out by Ethiopian and Somali government troops in February, 2012.
Civil society groups in Galmudug hail election of Galkayo mayor
18 Feb – Source: Bar-kulan – 96 words
Civil society groups in Galmudug-administered areas of Mudug region have welcomed yesterday’s mayor election in southern Galkayo where Bile Bashir Aynab was elected as Galmudug’s Galkayo mayor. 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. Badbado Youth Group Chairman Dahir Mohamed Sofe termed the election of the new mayor as a step forward in the region’s history of democracy, adding that it has also inspired youths in joining politics.
Security officials display al Shabaab defectors in Beledweyne
18 Feb – Source: Hiiraan Online – 80 words
Officials in the administrative capital of Hiiraan region, Beledweyne say three young men have surrendered to government forces after they deserted from the ranks of al Shabaab. Displaying the defectors, the chief of Beledweyne police station Ali Dhuh Abdi addressed the media. “These three young men have decided to defect from al Shabaab and join the peace process” he said.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somalia navy celebrates its 52nd anniversary
18 Feb – Source: Al Shahid – 87 words
The Somali navy has on Sunday celebrated its 52nd anniversary since its inception. The ceremony was attended by the federal minister of defense, Abdihakim Haji Mohamud Fiqi and other senior military officials. The minister praised the role of the navy in securing the territorial waters of Somalia. “The navy will protect our seas and keep off the pirates from interrupting commercial boats and ships.” He said.
Somalia had one of the best navy forces in the continent before the state collapse in the horn of Africa nation.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalis raised in City Heights consider returning to their homeland
18 Feb – Source: Kpbs News – 120 words
The United States officially recognized the Somali government last month for the first time since 1991, alerting Somali refugees in City Heights and throughout the world their homeland is making a comeback.
Somalia has been called “the world’s most failed state,” enduring deadly famines and more than two decades of civil war with al Shabaab militants linked to al Qaeda. The nation is rebuilding under a newly elected president, who recently urged refugees at a speech in Minnesota, home to the nation’s largest population of Somali refugees, to return to Somalia to help.
Somali prime minister offers $50,000 reward for information on journalists’ killers
18 Feb – Source: Washington Post – 101 words
The Somali government is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the convictions of those killing journalists, the country’s prime minister said. Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said over the weekend that the reward will help ensure that such killers are brought to justice. Somalia is one of the world’s most dangerous countries in which to practice journalism, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Last year 18 Somali journalists were killed, but no arrests were made. So far this year one reporter has been killed, bringing to 45 the total number of journalists killed here since 2007.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“I have great expectations for my country and for your new government. But your success hinges on greater respect for women’s rights and media rights. Therefore I appeal to you, my government and to our judges to ensure that there is peace, freedom and respect for one another in Somalia.”
A letter to the President of Somalia
18 Feb – Source: Desert Flower Foundation – 448 Words
As a Somali woman, an international women’s rights activist, and an African Union Ambassador for Peace and Security, I write to convey my deepest concerns for the recent conviction of a journalist and a woman alleging rape at the hands of government soldiers. I am shocked by this outrageous conviction and I urge you to remedy the situation as soon as possible, by exonerating the woman and the journalist, and ordering their immediate release from prison.