February 26, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Fifteen Killed In Central Somalia Clash
26 Feb – Source: Xinhua News/Global Times – 166 Words
Fifteen people were killed and several others injured in central Somalia’s Guricel town when government troops clashed with the moderate Islamist group Ahlusunah Wal Jamaa, authorities said Wednesday. Abdulah Warsame, a local administrator told Xinhua that the fighting, which started on Tuesday, had escalated in the last 24 hours, causing residents to flee the area.
“Fifteen people were killed even during the time the peace committee established recently was meeting in the city to find ways to end the conflict,” said Warsame. Ali Omar, director of Istarnil Hospital in the town confirmed that they had received more than 20 people who were injured in the fighting, expressing fears over the hospital’s capacity to handle more patients. The clash came just one day after the international community hailed efforts by local elders and businessmen to mediate for a peaceful resolution in the region. Guricel town has witnessed continuing fighting by two clans, which, analysts say, government forces and Ahlusunah Wal Jamaa supporting either side of the clans.
Key Headlines
- Arrests After Explosion In Mogadishu Last Night (Radio Goobjoog)
- Puntland Marine Forces Seize Illegal Migrants’ Boat (Garowe Online)
- A Local NGO Contributes Cash To Many Localities In Gedo (Radio Goobjoog)
- Business People Urged To Take Part In Constructing Language Centre (Radio Danan)
- Women In Middle Shabelle’s Adale Town Appeal For Maternity Health Care (Radio Bar-Kulan)
- US To Have A Full Somali Embassy In Nairobi (The Star Kenya)
- Fifteen Killed In Central Somalia Clash (Xinhua News/Global Times)
- ‘I Fled Civil War But Am Yet To Find Peace’ (Times Live)
- Columbus Man Held On $1 Million Bond For Terrorism Charges (ABC 6)
- The War Inside: Treating Somalia’s Mentally Ill (AJ+)
- Step Up Cyber War Against Al Shabaab Militia (The Star Kenya)
SOMALI MEDIA
Arrests After Explosion In Mogadishu Last Night
26 Feb – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 90 Words
Security agencies have made some arrests in connection with the explosion last night near a popular hotel in Mogadishu.Our reporters who visited the scene of the explosion last night in Hodan District saw a damaged car belonging to a finance ministry employee whose car was rigged with the explosives. There have been no reported casualties despite the heaviness of the blast. Abdikadir Ali Kulane, the District Commissioner of Hodan, told Goobjoog that several people were arrested in connection with the blast. He said that they are investigating the incident.
Puntland Marine Forces Seize Illegal Migrants’ Boat
25 Feb – Source: Garowe Online – 142 Words
Puntland marine forces captured scores of Ethiopian and Somali migrants in an operation off Bossaso coast on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports. Speaking at Bossaso seaport where the boat carrying illegal immigrants was docked, Puntland Marine Force Commander-In-Chief Abdirizak Dirie Farah said that a swift operation in the territorial waters off the coast of Bossaso netted migrants and three smugglers in an inflatable boat. “Here, we have captured famous smugglers who are in our hands for the third time, they were aiming to forcibly throw immigrants into the sea and survive but they will be brought to the justice,” Farah told journalists during a press briefing. The Puntland parliament passed anti human trafficking law in the wake of a wave of perilous journeys to the wealthier states along the Gulf in 2013. Immigrants, mainly Ethiopians have long tried to get to Yemen via the Red Sea.
A Local NGO Contributes Cash To Many Localities In Gedo
25 Feb – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 133 Words
Reports from Gedo region confirm that SAADO foundation, a local NGO operating in southern Somalia, has contributed money to over 2500 families in many villages and hamlets of Gedo region including Gerilley, Dhuyacgoron, Dad-Shimbir, Wadajir, Ows-Qurun, Garsaal, Simirole, Busaar, Bulabardheyso, Warey, Jabile, Hantarako, Eel-bande and Labijaw. Mohamed Khadar Abdi Noor, a SAADO worker speaking to Goobjoog FM, has said that the beneficiaries who include orphans, disabled and aged people have fulfilled the conditions and requirements the agency needed. Noor added that the cash contribution project will be continuous for the next four months in Gedo region.“SAADO foundation which has been operating in Gedo region for the last four years has implemented many projects and distributions. Today the agency contributed cash 70 US dollars to local residents in many villages of Gedo,” Noor said
Business People Urged To Take Part In Constructing Language Centre
26 Feb – Source: Radio Danan – 108 Words
The Minister for Cultural and Religious Affairs of Djibouti, Hon. Adan Hassan Adan said that Somalia and Djibouti governments are ready to establish a Somali Language Academy in Mogadishu. Speaking at meeting in the capital yesterday, the minister urged Somali business people to take part in the construction of the academy. “It is important to build the centre for the mother tongue here. It is now moved to Mogadishu. We are aware that it was based in Djibouti on temporary basis,” Adan said. “Our Somali brethren businesspeople should take part in the construction of that centre.”. The minister added while speaking at a meeting on the Somali Language which was held in Mogadishu yesterday.
Women In Middle Shabelle’s Adale Town Appeal For Maternity Health Care
25 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 120 Words
Women in Middle Shabelle’s Adale town are complaining of lack of healthcare services in their area and are calling on the Somali government and aid agencies to establish health facilities in the town. Saynab Addow, the chairwoman of Adale’s women organization, said women in the area face big challenges in accessing healthcare services as there isn’t a single health facility for women and children in the area.“The health situation of this town is very poor, especially for women who cannot get access to maternal health care,” Addow said. .She said expectant mothers and women in childbirth face the biggest risks, and asked the Somali government and concerned aid agencies to set up health care centers in the town.
REGIONAL MEDIA
US To Have A Full Somali Embassy In Nairobi
26 Feb – Source: The Star Kenya – 148 Words
The United States Mission in Somalia based in Nairobi will be upgraded to a fully fledged embassy. President Barack Obama nominated the first ever US Ambassador to Somalia since 1991.Ambassador Katherine Dhanani’s “historic nomination” signals the “deepening trust” the United States has for Kenya as a favourite diplomatic hub.“If confirmed (by the US senate), the ambassador will lead the US Mission to Somalia, currently based at the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya,” said State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki in a statement yesterday. This comes as Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government faces threats from the Al Shabaab terror group. On Friday, at least 25 people including government officials were killed in an attack on a popular hotel in the capital Mogadishu. Analysts say the US choice for Nairobi and “not Djibouti or Ethiopia for instance”, all bordering Somalia, shows “Kenya remains the strongest ally” for the Obama-led administration
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
‘I Fled Civil War, But Am Yet To Find Peace’
25 Feb – Source: Times Live – 499 Words
Two people were shot dead yesterday as hundreds of locals plundered Somali shops in Philippi, Cape Town, after violent clashes earlier in the day. The two people killed were allegedly shot by “foreigners” during the rampage. One shopkeeper said stock worth R70000 had been looted from his shop, in Marikana, while police looked on.Western Cape police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Andre Traut said: “Reports of two males who were allegedly shot by foreign shopkeepers were received; however, the victims are yet to be traced. Reports also suggest that the alleged suspects fled the scene.” Traut said police had been deployed and arrested looters. Some of the looters were among the throngs who descended on Bellville Magistrate’s Court earlier yesterday to support Ses’Khona leaders Andile Lili, Loyiso Nkohla and seven others on trial for contravening the Aviation Act. The group clashed with Somali shop owners in Bellville CBD and pelted them with stones and bottles. A heavy police contingent was called to disperse the crowds. The fight began after a Somali apparently struck a member of the movement with a car and drove away.
Some Ses’Khona members who sustained injuries vowed to attack Somali shop owners in retaliation. “About 200 people arrived at my shop around 4.30pm and broke the burglar gate and started looting my shop,” said Abdurrahman Mohamed, who owns Bis Millah shop in Marikana informal settlement. “They took everything, meat, cigarettes and drinks. The stuff was worth more than R70000.” Mohamed said it was the third time his business had been looted since he arrived in South Africa in 2010. “I ran away from a civil war at home but I am yet to find peace. I am working hard to feed my children,” he said. His shop is one of several in the area owned by Somalis that were ransacked. Residents in the informal settlement were seen carrying crates of soft drinks, plastic bags full of groceries and DVD players.
A few police officers came to monitor the situation but residents continued to loot undeterred. They also used burning tyres to close the road and threatened journalists.
Columbus Man Held On $1 Million Bond For Terrorism Charges
25 Feb – Source: ABC 6 – 177 Words
In court, prosecutors revealed new information against a suspected terrorist who’s accused of laundering more than $1,000 to terrorists and providing them electronic devices. Abdirahman Mohamud, 23, pleaded not guilty to two counts of terror Wednesday afternoon in a rare case filed by the state. Franklin County prosecutor Ron O’Brien told ABC 6/FOX28 that federal investigators called him last week requesting that he file his first ever terror case on a state level. He says they had yet to obtain a federal arrest warrant, but wanted Mohamud off the street after their year and a half investigation. During the investigation they’d subpoenaed his bank records and searched his home. In the indictment, Mohamud is accused of traveling to the Middle East to support terror and providing them with materials and funds. His attorney says the Somali born man came to central Ohio when he was eight and has been living with his mother and other relatives here. The judge set bond at $1,000,000.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
The War Inside: Treating Somalia’s Mentally Ill
25 Feb – Source: AJ+ – Video – 9:03 Minutes
After decades of civil war, an estimated one-third of Somalia’s population suffers from mental-health problems. With only three months of training, Dr. Abdulrahman Ali Awale works in a bare-bones clinic to overhaul the country’s treatment and perception of mental illness.
“It is time that Kenya, Somalia and countries in the region developed and enhanced their online ‘armies’ to deny al Shabaab a voice. This ‘army’ should ensure that terrorist groups like al Shabaab do not take advantage of their internet to promote, justify and glorify terrorism and recruit the next generation of killers.”
Step Up Cyber War Against Al Shabaab Militia
26 Feb – Source: The Star Kenya – 658 Words
The cyber war against the al Shabaab needs to be stepped up urgently if there should be any legitimate expectation of defeating them and preventing further loss of lives of people in Kenya, Somalia and the whole region. While the military assault on the criminal group is on-going and has to some degree degraded their capabilities, al Shabaab is still very active in cyberspace, recruiting more members and spreading their propaganda to influence the minds of our unsuspecting youths. It is unbelievable that such a terrorist organisation, which has killed hundreds of Kenyans and Somalis and vows to kill more in future, can be allowed to operate websites to enhance its activities. Currently, al Shabaab is openly operating a number of websites to spread their toxic ideology of encouraging and justifying attacks inside Kenya, Somalia and the whole region.
There are three most notorious al Shabaab websites currently in active operation and are virtually unchallenged. All of them are in Somali language, with the exception of one, which also runs a Kiswahili segment targeting and luring Kenyan youth with their glorified messages. Another mostly posts audio and written material from al Shabaab official radio station Al Andalus, which is still on air in parts of Southern Somalia where the group is still in control. It is in these dubious websites that the terrorist group often posts their written and audio messages after carrying out attacks, justifying and glorifying the killing of innocent people and encouraging further attacks. The websites are used to actively recruit the next generation of terrorists by misleading young minds to join their ‘noble struggle’.
The group regularly calls for the killing of Islamic religious and political leaders, including those in Kenya, who speak out against them. So what can be done about these toxic websites and others similar to them that are furthering the evil agenda of terrorism in Kenya and the region?
Top tweets
@Hassan_shire Appointment of 1st #USA Ambas. to Somalia since1991 will contribute to enhance the protection of#SomaliHRDs http://m.state.gov/md237868.
@Joe_Kioko “Kenya intends to stay engaged in Somalia in order to protect the territorial integrity of our country.” -Defence Secretary Raychelle Omamo.
@SaidaHassan2 Banadir region currently protesting closure of remittances in #Mogadishu #xawala #somalia #moneytransfer
@DEMASomalia:”@FAOKnowledge: #DYK only 3 in 10 people have access to #cleandrinking #water in #Somalia?http://bit.ly/1AWFFwW“
@Daudoo: #AlShabaab court in central #Somalia publicly executes 21-yr-old man Dahir Mahmud, for being an “apostate” working for the govt spy agency.
@GermanyinKenya: Our condolences to Somali Prof. Said Samatar. His poetry & polictical writing has left lasting marks on#Somalia @SomaliPM @TheVillaSomalia
@Waryapost #al-Shabaab edging out,#Mogadishu is rising. Gov.restructure on-going, 1st US ambassador to Somalia. Foreseeing the awaited change #Somalia
Image of the day
“The future belongs to those who build it, not those who destroy it, Let’s get together & rebuild our country.” – Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur – Somali Ambassador to Kenya.