February 24, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report.
New Directives To Petrol Vendors In Howlwadaag
24 Feb – Source: Radio Danan – 227 Words
The owners of petrol stations and other filling stations in Howlwadaag District in Mogadishu have been warned that they will be persecuted if they don’t take precautions against the dangers of fires, which occur frequently on their premises. Ahmed Nuur Abdi Siyaad, a member of the district administration told Danan Radio in an exclusive interview that properties worth millions were destroyed in yesterday’s inferno in Mogadishu’s Black Sea neighborhood. The fire started at a petrol station before spreading to other properties. Siyaad read out orders to the petrol business owners in his district, and said petrol should not be sold out in the open effective immediately. The district commissioners of Howl-wadaag and Warta Nabadda who visited the scene said businesses were burnt, and called on the government and well wishers to help the businesspeople who lost their stocks in the fire. An eyewitness told Danan that yesterday’s fire spread to an area of 120 meters before it was eventually contained. Hormud firefighters arrived at the scene and managed to put out the fire with the assistance of the government fire brigade.
Key Headlines
- New Directives To Petrol Vendors In Howlwadaag (Radio Danan)
- In Minnesota Somalis Don’t Want Al-Shabab To Define Them (Radio Bar-Kulan)
- Security Forces Carry Out Operations in Kismayo (Radio Danan)
- IDPs From Guri El Face Bleak Conditions (Radio Goobjoog)
- Ahlu Sunna Accuses Government Of Halting Offensive Against Al Shabaab (Radio Goobjoog)
- Baidoa Children Go To School As Security Improves (Radio Ergo)
- Kenya To Build Wall On Border With Somalia (Daily Nation)
- Al Shabaab Desperate Says Military (The Star – Kenya)
- A Catch-22 In Kenya: Western Terrorism Alerts May Fuel Terrorism (New York Times)
- Al-Shabab Threat ‘Disgusting’ Says Leader Of Edmonton’s Somali Community (Global News)
- Politician’s Death Brings Somalia’s Violence Close to Home (Wall Street Journal)
- Meet The Canadian Star Of Somalia’s National Bandy Team (The Star)
SOMALI MEDIA
In Minnesota, Somalis Don’t Want Al-Shabab To Define Them
24 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 596 Words
When a video purportedly by the Somali terror group al-Shabab encouraged extremists to conduct lone-wolf attacks on shopping centers, including the Mall of America, Somali-Americans in Minnesota wrestled with how best to respond. After hours of meetings, Somali-American leaders condemned the video and made it clear that al-Shabab is losing its ability to sway minds in their community. But some wondered what they could do as individuals. Ali Bulhan, of Minneapolis, thought the best thing Somali-Americans like himself can do to protest the video is go to the Mall of America. So that’s what he did Sunday, with his two-year-old son in tow. Bulhan, a bank manager, said he wanted to show that it was safe to be there. “I wanted to send a message to Muslims and Somali-Americans — we are not worried, we’re not afraid, and we’re not going to give into terrorist threats wherever they may be,” he said.
Despite the widespread media attention given to the video, Bulhan isn’t convinced that anyone in Minnesota would be inspired by al-Shabab’s call to violence. Several Somali community leaders spoke out Monday on their universal contempt for the group. Last week, al-Shabab claimed responsibility for killing dozens in a hotel bombing in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Safety and security are top concerns for Somali-American community leaders in Minnesota, said Mohamud Noor, executive director of the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota. “We’re part of society, and anything that’s brought upon us, it’s on all of us,” Noor said. But many Somali-Americans are not sure how to respond to the al-Shabab video. Dozens of community leaders met Sunday to address the issue, asking themselves if they should hold a press conference to make clear they denounce violent ideology. Some wondered why they should have to state the obvious — and why the entire Somali-American community should be held accountable for the actions of al-Shabab. Wouldn’t calling more attention to the issue, they asked, play into the hands of the terrorist group?
Minneapolis City Council Member Abdi Warsame said he worries about a backlash from the broader community, a concern some Somalis expressed last week in Washington during a White House counter-terrorism summit aimed at stopping radicalization in the United States. “A young lady at the conference said, ‘I feel the larger community thinks I’m a threat. But I myself feel like I’m a target,’” Warsame said. “This is the way some of our community members feel. They’re hard working, they’re patriotic. They love this country, they’ve contributed a great deal to this country, and a criminal group, such as al-Shabab, is trying to make them look bad.” Warsame said he hopes the rest of the nation begins to see his community as part of the solution. Over the weekend, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson warned shoppers to be “particularly careful” at the Mall of America in light of the video. But the FBI and other law enforcement officials later clarified that authorities know of no specific, credible threat to the mall.
The government’s recalibration of that message came too late, said Hassan Mohamed, a Somali-American who sits on the Brooklyn Park Human Rights Commission. “The damage was already done,” Mohamed said. “In social media, you can see people posting threats about the Somali community, saying negative stuff.” Mohamed said the video was designed to instill fear in the public, and it succeeded on that count. “We have to have an understanding of who the terrorists are and who the Somalis are,” Mohamed said. “Being a Somali and being a terrorist is not synonymous.”
Security Forces Carry Out Operations in Kismayo
24 Feb – Source: Radio Danan – 92 Words
Security forces in Kismayo started operations to beef up security following the arrest of a number of Al Shabaab suspects yesterday.The security forces of the Interim Jubaland State have confirmed the arrest of four Al Shabaab suspects who were apprehended in the city on Sunday. A security official in Kismayo who asked not to be named told Danan that they will investigate the suspects, and will prosecute those who have any links with Al Shabaab. The security forces also arrested drivers of vehicles without registration numbers.
IDPs from Guri El Face Bleak Conditions
24 Feb – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 136 Words
The recently displaced persons from Guri El due to fighting between Ahlu Sunnah and government forces are now facing dire conditions in IDP camps outside the town. Mr. Hareri Hassan Barre, the Mayor of Balanbal district, which hosted some of the IDPs told Goobjoog that there is humanitarian crises looming in the district. “I call aid agencies, government and everybody else to lend a helping hand to these people” the Mayor said. Residents who fled from Guri El are still scattered across the region and are yet to return to their homes in fear of recurrent clashes between government forces and the Ahlu Sunnah fighters who now control Guri El. Mediation efforts have yet to yield fruits and both sides are in defensive positions in and around the town.
Ahlu Sunnah Accuses Government Of Halting Offensive Against Al Shabaab
24 Feb – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 137 Words
The administration of Ahlu Sunnah, an armed religious group, has accused the Federal Government of Somalia for halting offensives against Al Shabaab in Gedo region. Sheik Abdirahman Ahmed Amin, one of the high ranking officials of Ahlu Sunnah in Gedo told Goobjoog that they are still engaged fighting with Al Shabaab, while the government has abandoned the fighting. “There is a negligence in the fight against Al Shabaab in Gedo, it would have been better if we bring back the glorious days for the armed forces, it’s the government who is dragging its feet on the fight against Al Shabaab,” Amin said. “To defeat them we also need weapons and other equipment.” Al Shabaab still controls parts of Gedo and the entire Middle Jubba region, and there have been no major security operations against Al Shabaab there.
Baidoa Children Go To School As Security Improves
23 Feb – Source: Radio Ergo – 208 Words
There has been a rise in the number of children attending schools in Baidoa district, according to education officials. There are now 10,540 students including 4,000 girls enrolled at public and private schools. Bay region’s education chairman Maadey Sidow attributed the rise from last year’s 8,000 students to the improving security situation. He said Baidoa town has 10 government schools and another 10 privately owned institutions, including primary, intermediate and secondary. In total there are 60 schools in the regions. However, Hussein Mohamed Ahmed, a teacher in Baidoa, said despite the rise in student enrollment, teachers face many challenges including low salaries, disorganized curriculums and lack of teacher training.
Sahra Abukar Adan, 19, who attends the Baidoa Model High School, told Radio Ergo she is happy that the number of students increased. “I will have new friends. I advise my peers, particularly girls, to work hard in education,” she said. Some of the local residents welcomed the increase of young people joining education institutions. They urged the local administration to improve the education sector and build schools in all areas in the region in order to encourage youths to study rather than become involved in anti-social activities.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya To Build Wall On Border With Somalia
24 Feb – Source: Daily Nation – 187 Words
The government will construct a wall between Kenya and Somalia on a portion of the border in Lamu County to enhance security. Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said the wall would help prevent illegal immigrants from crossing into Kenya. “I have been briefed about the plan and construction works will begin soon. We expect to have finished the project before the end of the year,” Mr Timamy told the public at Faza Social Hall in Lamu East Sub-County on Sunday. The areas to be secured include Ishakani and Ras Kamboni in Kiunga. “This is where immigrants have been arrested trying to cross into the country or having already entered through the border in Lamu,” Mr Timamy added. “This is a good idea and we support it because we believe it will go a long way to secure this region and indeed, the country as a whole.” The government has taken several measures to enhance security after 90 people died in two attacks in June and July last year. The government also slapped a dusk to dawn curfew in the region.
Al Shabaab Desperate, Says Military
24 Feb – Source: The Star Kenya – 179 Words
The Kenya Defence Forces has activated its operations following a recent al Shabaab video warning of imminent terror attacks in the country. The video, titled the Westgate Siege, warns that attacks against Kenya will continue and urges Muslims in the West to attack non-believers and carry out attacks across the world. The graphic footage talks about oppressive policies against Kenyan Muslims, who, al Shabaab said, are being targeted and killed. KDF spokesman Colonel David Obonyo yesterday downplayed the threats, terming them “mere propaganda”. Obonyo told the Star they are aware of the video and are assessing its content.
“The group is desperate after it lost control of key strategic towns inside Somalia. It is incapacitated following a spate of airstrikes targeting the control bases,” he said. Obonyo said the propaganda literature cannot deter Kenyan troops from safeguarding the country against internal and external aggression. He said the al Qaeda-linked group has recruited widely from Europe, US, Yemen and local youth to carry out attacks on Western interests and Kenya following the entry of Kenyan troops into Somalia in 2011.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
A Catch-22 In Kenya: Western Terrorism Alerts May Fuel Terrorism
23 Feb – Source: New York Times – 1, 335 Words
Every morning at the Tides Inn, a waiter trudges down from the restaurant to the beach with a huge blackboard advertising the daily specials — deep-fried fish and masala prawns, pepper steak and pizza, all listed in chalk and illustrated with cute drawings. But nobody ever comes by, not even for a gander.Up and down the Kenyan coast, it is the same picture. Tables sit empty, dance floors are deserted, crates of Tusker beer collect dust. The fabled white sand beaches along Kenya’s perch on the Indian Ocean have become ghost towns with palm trees.
“It’s the worst time anyone can remember,” said Dhiren Shah, the Tides Inn’s owner. Kenya’s coastal tourism is collapsing, and part of the reason — a big part of the reason, Kenyan officials say — is Western travel warnings issued after a round of violence last summer in a remote coastal area. The American warning is perhaps the strictest, barring embassy personnel from setting foot anywhere on the coast, unless special permission is granted. It also warns tourists of possible “suicide operations, bombings — to include car bombings — kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports.”
Kenyan officials are incensed, saying that the coast is hardly a raging war zone and that the Western travel warnings amount to “economic sabotage,” scaring away travelers who rely on government advisories to explain which places are safe and which are not. Worse, many Kenyans contend, and even some diplomats say, these warnings could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.The logic goes like this: A major reason for the travel advisories is the string of terrorist attacks that Kenya has suffered over the last three years, including some on the coast. But by contributing to the collapse of the coastal tourism industry, the travel warnings may simply be increasing the joblessness, idleness, poverty, drug use and overall desperation — all well-known kindling for terrorist activity — in an already depressed slice of Kenya.
Al-Shabab Threat ‘Disgusting’ Says Leader Of Edmonton’s Somali Community
23 Feb – Source: Global News – 704 Words
Edmonton’s large Somali community is “disgusted” and “insulted” to be mentioned in a recent video allegedly released by Somali-based extremist group Al-Shabab. “This group is known to have caused a lot of destruction and death back in Somalia,” said Jibril Ibrahim, the president of the Somali Canadian Cultural Society of Edmonton. “They are despised both inside and outside [of Somalia].” “This is kind of an act of desperation on their side,” he added. “Mentioning our name in one of the threats they are making is kind of disgusting and an insult to our community.”
The video, posted Saturday to a YouTube account allegedly linked to Al-Shabab, encourages an attack on West Edmonton Mall. The more than hour-long video discusses the September 2013 attack by the al Qaeda-linked terror group at a Kenya mall that lasted days and left more than 60 people dead. In the video’s last few minutes, a man with his face covered speaks in perfect English, appealing for the viewer to “imagine” the scope of destruction possible. He then lists shopping malls that could be targets, including the Mall of America and West Edmonton Mall. “We call on our Muslim brothers, particularly those in the West, to answer the call of Allah and target the disbelievers,” says the man in the video. “The disbelievers have no right whatsoever to rejoice in the safety of their lands until safety becomes a reality in Palestine and all the lands of Islam.”
The video has yet to be authenticated by any major law enforcement agency, but the RCMP is aware of the threats made against the mall in the video and is investigating. “There is no evidence at this time of any specific or imminent threat to Canadians,” RCMP Staff Sgt. Brent Meyer said Sunday morning. “We take any threat to our country’s national security very seriously.” Ibrahim says the Somali community in Edmonton has been working with police and spoke with them Sunday. The EPS said all threats against public safety are taken very seriously but that there is no imminent threat to Edmontonians or Canadians.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“ I have also shed any lingering illusions that journalistic independence somehow shields us from our country’s violence. We all want to make a difference, but doing so means risking our lives.”
Politician’s Death Brings Somalia’s Violence Close to Home
23 Feb – Source: Wall Street Journal – 500 Words
Abdishakur Mire spent years working as a journalist in Somalia before he decided it had become too dangerous and went into government. That turned out to be a fatal decision.
On Friday, al-Shabaab militants used a car bomb to blast into Central Hotel then opened fire on a group of top politicians, killing at least 10 people. Mr. Mire, who was 52 years old, was among those who died.
The Mogadishu hotel had high walls around the compound, an electric fence and armed guards. In one of the most dangerous cities in the world, Central Hotel was one of the few places where Mr. Mire, like other Somali reporters and officials, felt safe. Mr. Mire, a colleague of mine for years whom I met when taking a job at his newspaper Ilyes, knew what it was like to feel targeted. In 2003, he wrote a book on the rise of Islamist movements in the country. The book became a bestseller, but it meant he received threats from people who said he was against Islam. He founded a newspaper in the semi-autonomous Puntland region that called out government officials for corruption. That made him a lot of enemies, too.
By 2009, he had had enough and became the deputy information minister for Puntland, then later information minister before leaving the post in 2012. As a government official he thought he could make change from the inside. The last time I saw him—in December—he told me he was planning to launch an opposition party. His heart always seemed to be in his former profession, however. “If I thought it would be safe to work as a journalist, I would not have left,” he told me. As a journalist and contributor to The Wall Street Journal, I have also received threats and have recently fled to Nairobi after my car was shot at. I find his death doubly saddening. I have lost a friend. I have also shed any lingering illusions that journalistic independence somehow shields us from our country’s violence. We all want to make a difference, but doing so means risking our lives.
“Contemplating this, local businessman Patrik Andersson got it in his head that bandy would be the perfect way to bring Swedes and Somalis together. The Federation of International Bandy, the sport’s governing body, and Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports loved the idea. Players — mostly teens and twenty-somethings who were born in Somalia — were drawn from a local Somali soccer team, and spent nearly a year training before the 34th Bandy World Championship in January 2014.”
Meet The Canadian Star Of Somalia’s National Bandy Team
23 Feb – Source: The Star – 1, 198 Words
In Newmarket, Anwar Hared was just another minor league hockey player: average, albeit enthusiastic. In Khabarovsk, a sprawling city in Russia’s frigid Far East, the 18-year-old solidified his position as the star of Somalia’s national bandy team. “I’ve never had a better trip in my life,” Hared says from his parents’ Newmarket home. “Once you put the flag on your chest, it’s a fight to the death.” Hared just returned home from the 35th Bandy World Championship in Khabarovsk, which runs through March. Don’t know what bandy is? Think ice hockey with a ball instead of a puck, on a rink the size of a soccer field. Popular in the Nordic and former Soviet states, this fast-paced sport is dominated by Russia and Sweden.
In five games, Hared’s team scored three goals and allowed 63 on net, putting them dead last out of 17 teams. But consider that three years ago, Hared was the only member of the team who knew how to skate. All of them, Hared says, had the time of their lives in Russia. “Most of my teammates were born in Somalia,” Hared says. “99 per cent of them have experienced the trauma of war.” Anwar Hared grew up playing hockey in Canada, which instantly made him the star of the rookie bandy team cobbled together among the expat Somali community in Sweden. Anwar Hared grew up playing hockey in Canada, which instantly made him the star of the rookie bandy team cobbled together among the expat Somali community in Sweden.
“Just to see the players participate in a world cup . . . was great,” team manager Cia Embretsen says. “The players were treated as heroes and idols.” The unlikely story of Somalia’s national bandy team begins in late 2012 in Borlänge, Sweden, an industrial town 200 km northwest of Stockholm. Fleeing war and poverty, Somalis now number roughly 3,000 out of Borlänge’s population of over 40,000. As elsewhere in Europe, an influx of African and Middle Eastern migrants has sparked an upsurge in far-right politics in this historically liberal state.
Top tweets
@GermanyinKenya: Assistance for #Somalia: Germany provides €450,000 to peace-building activities for youth affected by war & droughts @SomaliPM @mofasomalia
@Goobjoognews #Somalia Ahmed Madobe of IJA received framed Koranic Verses present from Turkey Ambassador to Somalia Olgan Bekar
@MamanSidikou1 Djibouti President Concludes Visit to Somalia @amisomsomalia http://amisom-au.org/2015/02/
@africaupdate: #Kenya to build wall on #Lamu border with#Somalia http://ow.ly/JyBST How far out to sea does this wall go, I wonder? HT @zoe_flood
@alaminkimathi: Do we always have to swing from comedy to theatre of the absurd?:”Kenya to build wall on #Lamu border with #Somalia http://ow.ly/JyBST “
@UNHCRSom: RETURN TO #SOMALIA Aden Mohamed Osman (25) home after 3yrs as refugee in #Kenya Full of hope, but no land, no job yet
@tres_hoa: #SouthSudan‘s Lam Akol asks, “Can a democratic government extend its own life?” http://www.sudantribune.com/
@somaligov Somali Minister of Defense H.E. Gen. Abdikadir Sheikh Ali Dini confirmed that Somalia will rebuild Military Academy
Image of the day
#the492 drew an incredible cartoon of Elman Ali Ahmed with his famous slogan “Drop the Gun, Pick up the Pen.” Photo: Elman Peace & Human Rights Centre/UNSOM