February 24, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
£90m of British aid to Somalia ‘helps Al Qaeda’: Pressure grows to divert cash back to the UK
24 Feb – Source: Daily Mail – 246 words
Britain is donating more than £90million a year to Somalia despite strong warnings that its corrupt government is arming al Qaeda-backed terrorists. David Cameron has approved the huge handouts to the war-torn East African country in an attempt to stop it becoming the next Afghanistan.
But a leaked United Nations report has warned of ‘high level and systematic abuses’ by Somali government officials who have passed weapons and ammunition to al Shabaab – the al Qaeda-linked Islamic fanatics behind last year’s Kenyan shopping mall massacre in which 67 people died.
a separate study revealed that many of these organisations have been forced to hand over large sums in ‘protection money’ to al Shabaab to be allowed to work there – even during the drought and famine of 2011 when nearly 260,000 Somalis died.
And nearly £500,000 of British aid and supplies has previously been stolen by al Shabaab militants.
The revelations last night prompted MPs to renew calls for a portion of Britain’s £11billion international aid budget be diverted to help flood victims in the West Country and the Thames Valley.
More than 290,000 people have now signed the Daily Mail’s petition urging the Government to raid the aid budget to help pay for the clean-up. Ian Liddell-Grainger, the Tory MP for flood-hit Bridgwater in Somerset, told the Mail: ‘This is new evidence of what many MPs have warned about for years – that our aid money ends up in the wrong hands.
Key Headlines
- Military assault preparation continues in southern regions (Radio RBC)
- £90m of British aid to Somalia ‘helps Al Qaeda’: Pressure grows to divert cash back to the UK (Daily Mail)
- Two Kenyan hostages freed by al Shabaab (Harar24/Somalimemo Online)
- Al Shabaab claims to kill three foreign diplomats in Villa Somalia attack (RBC/Jowhar Online)
- Violent attacks break out in Lower Shabelle (Shabelle)
- Al Shabaab supporters in central Somalia protest against Ethiopian troops (Somalimemo)
- OIC condemns attack in Somalia (Anatolia News Agency)
- Villa Somalia attack was to kill or capture the president says al Shabaab spokesman (Mareeg Online)
- Somali kidnappers demand for 1 million dollar ransom (Star News)
- EU’s Catherine Ashton deplores the loss of life following Villa Somalia attack (EU Mission to Somalia)
SOMALI MEDIA
Military assault preparation continues in southern regions
24 Feb – Source: Radio RBC – 129 words
Somalia federal government and the AMISOM troops continue heavy military assault preparations to strike al Shabaab controlled regions. According to witnesses in Gedo region, Ethiopian forces, who have recently joined AMISOM backing Somalia military started to move towards Bardhere town, an al Shabaab controlled town in Gedo region.
The joint forces reportedly moved towards the north and the south leaving Garbaherey and Beledhawa towns to prepare military confrontation amid government led campaign to liberate the south and central Somalia regions from al Qaeda linked group of al Shabaab.
Meanwhile, according to sources, fighters of al Shabaab on their side begun to pour into the region to defend their positions against the Somali military and the AMISOM troops.
Two Kenyan hostages freed by al Shabaab
24 Feb – Source: Harar24/Somalimemo Online – 280 words
Al Shabaab militant group displayed two of their Kenyan captives in a mosque in the coastal town of Barawe, Lower Shabelle region, where the two Kenyans surprisingly announced their conversion to Islam and as a consequence were freed “without conditions” as mentioned by the official al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Dheere who also attended the ceremony. “These two men are now free without any conditions, they are free to do as they wish and to go where they desire, whether they stay here or go back to their country is entirely up to them. They are our brothers now and are free” said Sheikh Ali Dheere.
The two men who identified themselves as 52-years old James Kiarie Gichuhi and 28-years Daniel Njuguna at the ceremony also confirmed their conversion to Islam after what they said was “good treatment they received from al Shabaab” and after an “invitation to Islam”, they further mentioned that they had taken the Islamic names “Abdurahman” and “Abdullah” respectively. The two men also mentioned that they hail from the Kikuyu tribe and were from the Muranga district.
According to James Kiarie Gichuhi who spoke at the event, he was captured at the end of 2011 inside Kenya by al Shabaab members who at the time were fervently carrying attacks inside Kenya. Whilst speaking at the mosque, Gichuhi mentioned that the Kenyan government was “responsible” for his capture due to their “invasion of Somalia”.
Daniel Njuguna who was also captured around the same time mentioned that he was captured inside Somalia by al Shabaab members. Despite the release of these two Kenyan captives, al Shabaab claims to hold more Kenyans as captives, their fate and locations remain unknown.
Al Shabaab claims to kill three foreign diplomats in Villa Somalia attack
24 Feb – Source: Radio RBC/Jowhar Online – 148 words
Al Shabaab’s head of Mogadishu said that they have killed diplomats from Djibouti and Uganda in the Fridaydeadly attack on Somalia’s president Palace. Sheikh Ali Mohamed Hussein (Ali Jabal) stated that they have killed two Ugandan diplomats and a senior diplomat from Djibouti. He stated that these three diplomats were working at the embassies of Uganda and Djibouti in Mogadishu.
Ali Jabal said, “We have also killed 16 more Ugandan nationals and 17 members of the state house security guards while 6 among those who got killed in the attack were senior government officials including General Shirbow who outraged many civilians in Mogadishu while he was in the office of the Somali national security agency and Colonel Abdullahi Jon who was the head of the state house security guards.”
Violent attacks break out in Lower Shabelle
24 Feb – Source: Radio Shabelle – 168 words
According to witnesses, mortar shells were used to attack the bases of AMISOM soldiers in Balidoogle, the Lower Shabelle. The residents have reported that they heard mortar shells targeted at an AMISOM police station in Balidooge.
On the other hand, fierce confrontations that resulted casualties broke out near Siinkadheer, on the outskirts of Mogadishu. Armed groups attacked the government’s military base in Siinkadheer where heavy battle took place for a few hours, which brought fatalities although the exact figure has not yet been confirmed.
Meanwhile, report from Baidoa, the provincial capital city of Bay, say unknown assailants attacked one of the hotels in town. No report on casualties however, security officials in Baidoa have said that they are pursuing the perpetrators of the attacks. Al Shabaab have significantly increased their attacks since the federal government of Somalia declared an all out offensives against the militant group.
Al Shabaab supporters in central Somalia protest against Ethiopian troops
24 Feb – Source: Somalimemo Online/al Shahid – 161 words
Al Shabaab run websites published that hundreds of people who live in Hiiran region marched the streets showing their refusal towards Ethiopian joining African peacekeeping forces in Somalia
The protest happened in al Shabaab stronghold of Bula-barde district in Hiiran where children, women and elderly gathered to protest against Ethiopian troops’ invasion, according report published websites.
The protesters waved the al Shabaab black flag to show their obedience to the group. Pictures taken from the rally showed armed women participating in the protest and al Shabaab officials who were patrolling the area..
Some elders in the areas addressed the rally and promised they will support al Shabaab in their fighting against Ethiopian troops in the country. Some reports say that al Shabaab organized the rally and forced the community to participate. This demonstration coincides with an anti al Shabaab rally held in Mogadishu which Somali PM attended and addressed.
Villa Somalia attack was to kill or capture the president, says al Shabaab spokesman
23 Feb – Source: Mareeg Online – 98 words
Al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Dhere said the attack on Mogadishu presidential palace was meant to kill or capture Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Speaking about the main aim of the group attack, Ali Dere confirmed that mission was accomplished.
“The initial plan of the Mujahidin was to arrest or kill the leader of apostates,” he said.
Ali Dere also said the attackers succeeded in crossing all the checkpoints in and around the presidential palace jeopardizing the security of the president.
“The Mujahidin have reached where we planned but lots of more attacks are coming,” he said.
Puntland President condemns terrorist attack at Villa Somalia
23 Feb – Source: Garowe Online – 108 words
The President of Puntland State of Somalia H.E. Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali strongly condemns the terrorist attacks carried out by al Shabaab terrorists on Villa Somalia. The President expresses his sympathy and extends his deepest condolences to the victims who died and those injured in the barbaric act of terror.
Through a telephone call, President Abdiweli shared the feelings and prayers of the people of Federal State of Puntland with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The President also called on all peace-loving Somalis and leaders across the country to stand together against this menace. He urged for stronger collaborations and intelligence sharing to deter such horrific actions.
Somaliland FM returns to the country
23 Feb – Source: Somaliland Informer – 132 words
Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Mohamed Biihi Yonis has returned to the country after completing working visit to Britain and told that he discussed with UK government about the security threat that it warned all citizens not to travel to Somali and Somaliland.
The minister reiterated to the British government officials that they should not compare the security of Somaliland with that of Somalia where it is combating with insecurity and terrorism. The world knows that there is security maintained in Somaliland despite car bomb attacks that became norm in Somalia.
The minister added that magazines and international televisions has interviewed him about the case of Somaliland and he added that they will keep up the good work. He welcomed the new deal that ended the conflict in the ruling party.
Somaliland: IOM hand’s Certificates to over 20 graduates who concluded induction training
23 Feb – Source: Somaliland Press – 155 words
IOM is handed certificates to over 20 graduators who graduated from Amoud University hence have already had experiences by having been inducted a seven months field practices in their specializations.. This program IOM is allocated for the young generation to be proficient, skillful.
The ceremony is participated by officials from IOM, General Director of Ministry of Planning Vice Chairman of Awdal, Mayor of Borama, Head of Amoud University, parents, trained pupils, journalists and so on.
IOM Officer was appreciated to the partakers who participated with ceremony and said “I ‘am very pleased to hand these certificated over to 20 pupils that graduated from Amoud University”. “IOM is provided this project to control immigrations, how the young generations should find a jobs in the country”.
He also said “tonight we appointed 50% of the 10 pupils who concluded the induction have got permanent jobs, I’m expecting for the other pupils that they will get permanent jobs.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somali kidnappers demand for 1 million dollar ransom
24 Feb – Source: Star- Kenya – 47 words
Somali militiamen are demanding for a 1 million dollars ransom for the release of two Kenyan engineers abducted in Mogadishu. The recent kidnapping brings the number of Kenyans abducted in Somalia to six including two soldiers and civilians.
Two Kenyans reportedly kidnapped by Somali pirates
23 Feb- Source: Daily Nation/Capital FM – 238 words
Gunmen suspected to be Somali pirates have abducted two Kenyan engineers working for a construction company in Mogadishu.
Quoting “multiple sources from Somali piracy circles”, Seafarers Union of Kenya Secretary General Andrew Mwangura added that the gunmen have demanded a ransom of $1 million to free their hostage.
“Additional information says that unknown militia from Habargidir (Ayr) abducted them claiming ransom from the family of the two Kenyan engineers insisting one million US dollars to set them free,” he added.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
£90m of British aid to Somalia ‘helps Al Qaeda’: Pressure grows to divert cash back to the UK
24 Feb – Source: Daily Mail – 246 words
Britain is donating more than £90million a year to Somalia despite strong warnings that its corrupt government is arming al Qaeda-backed terrorists. David Cameron has approved the huge handouts to the war-torn East African country in an attempt to stop it becoming the next Afghanistan.
But a leaked United Nations report has warned of ‘high level and systematic abuses’ by Somali government officials who have passed weapons and ammunition to al Shabaab – the al Qaeda-linked Islamic fanatics behind last year’s Kenyan shopping mall massacre in which 67 people died.
a separate study revealed that many of these organisations have been forced to hand over large sums in ‘protection money’ to al Shabaab to be allowed to work there – even during the drought and famine of 2011 when nearly 260,000 Somalis died. And nearly £500,000 of British aid and supplies has previously been stolen by al Shabaab militants.
The revelations last night prompted MPs to renew calls for a portion of Britain’s £11billion international aid budget be diverted to help flood victims in the West Country and the Thames Valley.
More than 290,000 people have now signed the Daily Mail’s petition urging the Government to raid the aid budget to help pay for the clean-up. Ian Liddell-Grainger, the Tory MP for flood-hit Bridgwater in Somerset, told the Mail: ‘This is new evidence of what many MPs have warned about for years – that our aid money ends up in the wrong hands.
OIC condemns attack in Somalia
23 Feb – Source: Anatolia News Agency – 161 words
The Organization for Islamic Cooperation has strongly condemned an attack on the presidential palace in the Somali capital, according to a statement released Sunday. Secretary General Dr. Lyad Madani said that the attack targeting the leader of the country was unjustifiable, according to the OIC website.
Madani offered his condolonces to the families of the victims and the public of Somalia. Two car bomb blasts rocked the presidential palace and a prison in Mogadishu on February 21, and several officials were gunned down as they left a mosque following the bombings.
Mahmoud Harsi, director of Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed’s office, and Nour Sharbo, former deputy head of Somali intelligence, were among those killed.
Canadian Friends of Somalia Condemns Mogadishu Terrorist Attacks
21 Feb – Source: Canadian Friends of Somalia – 251 words
Canadian Friends of Somalia (CFS) forcefully condemned al Shabaab attack on the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu, a despicable act targeting innocent civil servants, parliamentarians, army forces and other civilians. This latest in a string of unprovoked attacks against innocent citizens shows that the weak and fragile Somali government has failed to take action to stop the violence and rein in the terrorist infrastructure responsible for the deaths of many innocents in the current crisis. The continued violence against innocent Somali civilians must stop.
We offer our deepest condolences to the families whose near and dear ones have been killed or injured in this barbaric incident. Our special condolences go to the family of Mohamud Abdulle (Indhacase) the Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister who lost his life serving his former homeland. Mr. Abdulle was a well-known Somali-Canadian Community Leader from Ottawa, Canada.
There can be no justification for unprovoked violence against civilians. Those who masterminded Friday’s terrorist attack in Villa Somalia are, in fact, the enemies of Islam and the people of Somalia, defeating them requires strengthened joint effort.
CFS is calling the international community to continue to cooperate with Somalia in “the fight against the scourge of terrorism”. Years of empty promises must end. The international community must ACT NOW. President Hassan, isn’t it a time to stop defending undefendable? You must fire those in charge, including the Security Minister, and the head of the army forces and intelligence agency. They failed to perform their duties, therefore, they must GO!.
EU’s Catherine Ashton deplores the loss of life following Villa Somalia attack
21 Feb – Source: EU Mission to Somalia – 128 Words
The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:
“The High Representative condemns in the strongest terms the brutal attack on the presidential palace in Mogadishu. She deplores the loss of life and her thoughts are with the families that have been affected.
The High Representative pays tribute to the swift response of the Security Forces of the Federal Government of Somalia and AMISOM in responding to this appalling act. These acts of extremist desperation will not reverse the progress made in restoring peace and stability in Somalia.
The High Representative reaffirms that the EU stands firmly with the Somali people and Government and remains committed to supporting Somalia’s reconstruction.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Al Shabaab, or “The Youth”, an al Qaeda-linked militant group also known as Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, is on the verge of defeat but not elimination. Eliminating this group will take some time. There are various factors that will ensure that the group remains in some way part of Somalia. To understand the current situation of al Shabaab it is good to share resident perceptions and experiences in Mogadishu.”
The Evolution of al Shabaab
22 Feb – Source: The Reporter-Ethiopia -1612 Words
Since 1991 residents in south-central Somalia have never been optimistic about their survival, although today they are increasingly looking forward to the future due to recent political and economic achievements. Politically, Somalia has been able to establish a legitimate federal government, with priorities to maintain peace and stability in the country. To realize its ambition it signed defense and security agreements with neighboring Ethiopia. Earlier it had also established a joint-border ministerial commission.
The agreements between the two neighboring countries were the first of their kind and coincide with other partnerships like in aviation, vital for mutual benefit and for strengthening peace and stability. Infrastructure development, such as road construction and investment activities have amply demonstrated that peace in south-central Somalia is improving. In spite of all this progress man of 25, has bad memories of Mogadishu.
Throughout his life he has never experienced peace and stability, only remembering anarchy, famine, terrorism, forced militarization and piracy. His country is well-known for these man-made problems, and he feels they are the product of a defective political culture.
Somalia: Facing al Shabaab in Mogadishu
23 Feb – Source: Raxanreeb – 299 Words
Three weeks ago when General Sheikh Mohamud Siyad (Indha’ade) visited his blown-out ‘house’ in Heliwaa district, he urged Mogadishu people to be as brave as people of Garowe, who, according to Indha’ade, “chased al Shabaab assassins of Sheikh Abdulkader Ga’amey and captured them. They were tried and sentenced to death by firing squad.”
Indha’ade’s message was loud and clear: Al Shabaab’s power-base is too difficult to uproot in Mogadishu without popular support. The African Union Somalia envoy, Mr Anadif, echoed a similar sentiment when he was reacting to al Shabaab attack on the presidency this week. “AMISOM alone cannot defeat al Shabaab,” the envoy said.
Th Somali government weapons passed on to al Shabaab was a key theme in the latest report of the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea. That al Shabaab operatives, who attacked the presidency, were wearing Somali Army uniforms is not lost on Somalia’s friends. Somalia government’s critics
Top tweets
@amisomsomalia AMISOM held the Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) workshop from 20th-22th February 2014 at the Mogadishu International Conference Centre #Somalia.
@SomaliaNewsroom After #Shabaab Villa #Somalia attack, PM has cabinet, security & district leaders for meeting. But results imperative pic.twitter.com/Vpqjeki8uQ.
@DrTedros Held fruitful meeting with Abdiweli Ali Gaas, President Of #Puntland regional State of #Somalia . His 1st trip… http://fb.me/6ITM1NoHQ.
@Zoe_Flood Al-Shabaab’s “aspirational horizon will widen”, threat remains high to #Somalia neighbours-new @MattBrydenanalysis: http://csis.org/publication/
@Abdikhakim Very troubling @MailOnline headlines 90 ££million of @UKAID 2 Somali goes into al-Qaeda pockethttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/
Image of the day
A Somali security soldier points his weapon at a poster of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Mogadishu, Feb 23-AFP. Photo: AFP.