February 27, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Car explosion in Mogadishu’s Abdiaziz district
27 Feb – Source: Radio Kulmiye/Shabelle/Goobjoog/
A car bomb rocked Mogadishu’s KM 0 area near ex Fiat. Witness said a car laden with explosives blasted a restaurant in an area close to the intelligence headquarters in Mogadishu’s Abdiaziz district.
The car used in the explosion was Toyota NOAH vehicle which tried to enter a governmental Intelligence building but detonated outside the FIAT restaurant. Officials and officers from the Somali government arrived at the explosion site to witnesses the situation.
Police officer confirmed to the local media that at least ten people, most of them civilians were killed in the car bomb, but the toll could be higher as many people were also wounded
Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack. The blast comes just a week after the militants carried out a major attack against the heavily fortified presidential palace, killing officials and guards in a fierce gun battle and car bombs.
Key Headlines
- Suicide car bomb kills eight in Somali capital: Reuters witness (Reuters)
- Puntland President talks about his official visit to Ethiopia (BBC Somali Service)
- Ethiopia committed to secure Somalia (Radio Dalsan)
- Somali government employs HIV infected women (Somali Current)
- Al Shabaab seize Mubarak locality (Radio Goobjoog)
- Ahlu Sunnah vows to liberate Gedo Region from al Shabaab ( RBC)
- Mogadishu: Violent conflicts result in casualties (Radio Shabelle)
- Government to prevent ‘future attacks’ in Mogadishu (Somali Current)
- Experts raise alarm over lack of advancement of written Somali language (Sabahi Online)
- Kenya frees 41 charged after extremist mosque raid (AFP)
SOMALI MEDIA
Car explosion in Mogadishu’s Abdiaziz district
27 Feb – Source: Radio Kulmiye/Shabelle/Goobjoog/
A car bomb rocked Mogadishu’s KM 0 area near ex Fiat. Witness said a car laden with explosives blasted a restaurant in an area close to the intelligence headquarters in Mogadishu’s Abdiaziz district.
The car used in the explosion was Toyota NOAH vehicle which tried to enter a governmental Intelligence building but detonated outside the FIAT restaurant. Officials and officers from the Somali government arrived at the explosion site to witnesses the situation.
Police officer confirmed to the local media that at least ten people, most of them civilians were killed in the car bomb, but the toll could be higher as many people were also wounded
Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack. The blast comes just a week after the militants carried out a major attack against the heavily fortified presidential palace, killing officials and guards in a fierce gun battle and car bombs.
Puntland President talks about his official visit to Ethiopia
27 Feb – Source: BBC Somali Service/Radio RBC – 113 words
The President Of Puntland Dr Abdiwali Mohame Ali Gaas had talked about his official visit to the republic of Ethiopia. Dr Gaas while talking to BBC Somali Service said that he met top Ethiopian government officials where he had bilateral talks with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe calling the main agendas of these talks, enhancing the diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Puntland State.
“The Ethiopian government has assured us that they are ready to support and cooperate with Puntland” Said President Gaas during the interview with BBC Somali Service. This is the first official visit of President Abdiwali since his election as Puntalnd’s president in January.
Ethiopia committed to secure Somalia
27 Feb – Source: Radio Shabelle/Radio Dalsan – 89 words
Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Dr Tedros Adhanom declared that the Ethiopian government is committed in every way to safeguard Somalia. Adhanom commemorated that Ethiopia sent troops to Somalia to serve under AMISOM and carry out operations to fight against al Shabaab who are against the peaceful states in the regions.
The Minister added that Ethiopia will also continue to participate in protecting the security of South Sudan, Egypt and Central African Republic. Ethiopia is one of the foreign countries supporting the Military of the Somali Federal government to oust al Shabaab.
Somali government employs HIV infected women
27 Feb – Source: Somali Current – 184 words
Somali government has announced that it will assist the people living with HIV/AIDs in the country, announcing the employment of two women in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Human Rights.
Meeting with members of HIV infected people in Mogadishu, Minister of Women’s Affairs Khadija Mohamed Dirie said the citizens have an equal rights and the government will consider providing employment positions for the people living with the stigma.
‘’We will help them [those infected], they are welcome and we will monitor their [health] situation. Those with skills will share the work opportunities with the other citizens,” Khadija said.
The Ministry provides work for two female members of the people living with HIV; they will be part of the Civil Servants. The Minister announced. Adding: “The Somalis have to accept that people can work together, and also those infected have to believe that they are among the society.’
One of the women employed thanked the Ministry, saying that the opportunity given will encourage them. An estimated 2000 people are believed living with HIV in Somalia, which is 2.2% of the population.
Al Shabaab seize Mubarak locality
27 Feb – Source:Radio Goobjoog – 84 words
Al Shabaab fighters seize the control of Mubarak locality in Lower Shabelle region Wednesday night. The administrator of Barire area Mohamed Maalim confirmed to Goobjoog FM that al Shabaab fighters took over Mubarak locality 10 km to Barire area.
Mr. Maalim added that the Somali government troops withdrew from Mubarak town without confrontation and are now stationed in the outskirts of Mubarak. This is coming a time when the federal government of Somalia is preparing to wage war against al Shabaab in South and central Somalia.
Ahlu Sunna vows to liberate Gedo Region from al Shabaab
27 Feb – Source: Radio RBC – 150 words
Pro-government Ahlu Sunna militia in Gedo region said that they are preparing military assault against al Shabaab in Gedo in the coming few days. Ahlu Sunna Wal-jam’a Spokesman in Gedo, Sheikh Mohamed Hussein Isack (Al Qadi) said that they are planning to liberate the people of Gedo from what he described to be ‘the enemy of the people’ al Shabaab.
Al Qadi urged the people of Gedo region to welcome and cooperate with Ahlu Sunna troops to liberate and restore peace in the region. This official also warned the public against providing cover to Al-shabab members to avoid them deteriorate peace in the region after the liberation.
Ahlu Sunna forces are now in control of some areas in Gedo Region including Bardhere and Burdhubo. Ethiopian forces who recently announced to have officially joined African Union Mission in Somalia have also reached Geddo to participate the move to liberate al Shabaab from Gedo region.
Government to prevent ‘future attacks’ in Mogadishu
27 Feb – Source: Somali Current – 179 words
Somalia Government said it will conduct security operations in Mogadishu, and beyond, to prevent future terror attacks in the capital. nAl Shabaab, al Qaeda affiliated terror group in Somalia, have recently attacked the presidential palace, killing 14 people, including the Director of the Prime Minister’s Office and former National Security Agency’s Deputy Director.
In a press statement by the Prime Minister, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said the government will establish a committee to assess the strength and performance of security agencies, including the intelligence, the police and the military.
“Immediate action will be taken in Mogadishu and beyond to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent future attacks. I call on the public to work with us and assist the security agencies in their efforts to ensure security by alerting the appropriate agencies of any suspicious activities.” The Prime Minister said.
“Let me say again the harm that al Shabaab is causing our great nation and our innocent people, we must all join together as through collective action we will eliminate this terrorist group.” he appealed.
Two new polio cases confirmed in Bossaso
27 Feb- Source: Radio RBC – 256 words
According to Humanitarian partners working in Somalia, two new polio cases were confirmed in Bossaso in January, with onset of paralysis on 20 December 2013, bringing the total number of cases in Somalia to 192.
The health authorities, with the support of UNICEF and WHO, immediately responded with an emergency campaign in Bari region, targeting almost 120,000 children below 5 years of age. In addition, a nationwide immunization campaign was conducted at the end of January targeting more than 2 million children below the age of five.
In its recent report, the Office for Humanitarian Coordination said Somalia’s humanitarian crisis remains among the largest and most complex in the world.
Despite recent modest improvements in food security, an estimated 2.9 million people will need immediate life-saving and livelihood support in the next six months (compared to 3.2 million people in late 2013). Decades of internal conflict have also led to more than 1 million people living as displaced across the country, the majority in southern and central areas.
Poor and inadequate basic social services also continue to undermine the resilience of the people. Sobering statistics show that Somalia is among the top five countries in the world when it comes to prevalence of child malnutrition and under-five mortality. One in seven children under the age of five, or 203,000 children, is estimated to be acutely malnourished.
More than 50,000 of these children are severely malnourished and risk dying without sustained assistance – this number could double within the next six months.
40 International Firms Show their Interest in Developing Hargeisa Water Supply Expansion Project
26 Feb – Source: Somaliland Press – 230 words
The Minister of Water Resources and the Director of Hargeisa Agency have revealed that more than 40 firms from all over the world have submitted their tenders to expand the existing Hargeisa water supply grid during a joint press conference.
Director of Hargeisa water agency Mr. Ibrahim Said speaking during the press briefing said, “The visiting representatives of the 40 firms came to the country after the UN-Habitat which has been tasked to oversee the expansion of the Hargeisa water advertised the contract on behalf of the EU which will be providing the funds for the project and representatives of those firms will be in the coming days visit the main sources of water that supply the city of Hargeisa and they will also visit the eastern and northern areas of Hargeisa which are currently receiving little or no water all.
“The representatives of the at least 40 firms from Africa, Asia and Europe present here today are those ones who have placed their tenders and have been invited here today to do assessments and evaluate the expansion work needed to be done for the Hargeisa water supply.
The Minister of Water Resources Hon Hussein Mohamed Abdille said, “Further the additional water will see an increase of household connections and a sharp reduction in water trucking to the capital through un-hygienic water tankers pumping water from contaminated shallow riverbed aquifers.
Mogadishu: Violent conflicts result in casualties
26 Feb – Source: Radio Shabelle – 105 words
There were reports of skirmishes on Wednesday night between Wadajir district’s military forces and armed militias at Bar Kontrol in the district.
According to witnesses, the fighting broke after troops from the Somali government attacked Bad Kontrol where they suspected al Shabaab members were hiding.
It was reported that from the governments soldiers, only one soldiers was killed and led to the militia acquiring two automatic weapons. Wadajir district administration in Banaadir when contacted, refused to comment on the fighting in the district.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Former Somalia DP minister and foreign affairs minister deny graft claims
27 Feb – Source: Standard Media – 469 words
I would like to state here the facts about allegations by Reuters regarding the above mentioned graft which have recently been circulating in the international and local media: Under the above heading, Reuters reported that ‘The sources said that according to Ms. Abrar (ex-Governor of Somali Central Bank), the former Foreign Minister (myself) had pressed her to open a bank account in Dubai against her wishes. Abrar resigned without opening it’. Ms. Abrar, the former Governor of the Central Bank, had been strongly supported by me for her position as Governor precisely since I wanted to see an experienced female in that high position to oppose graft (corruption).
Experts raise alarm over lack of advancement of written Somali language
26 Feb – Source: Sabahi Online – 797 words
Somali language experts are calling on educational institutions and the government to help expand the use of the written language, as many schools in the country do not use an official language curriculum.
The current Somali alphabet is based on a Latin script adapted by Shire Jama Ahmed. It was chosen among 18 competing scripts as Somalia’s official script in 1972.
Immediately after its adoption, the government of Mohamed Siad Barre began an aggressive literacy campaign to teach citizens the new alphabet and promote its widespread use.
But more than 40 years later, language and education experts say the Somali language has suffered considerable setbacks in its written form due to the collapse of the government, subsequent decades of war and the downfall of institutions of higher education using Somali for instruction.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Suicide car bomb kills eight in Somali capital: Reuters witness
27 Feb – Source: Reuters – 78 words
At least eight people were killed when a car bomb exploded near the national security headquarters in Somalia’s capital, officials and a Reuters witness said on Thursday.
“A suicide car bomb targeted a National Security car passing along these tea shops. We have carried seven dead civilians so far,” Abdullahi Hassan, the district commissioner of Mogadishu’s Abdiasis district, told Reuters at the scene.
A Reuters witness counted eight dead people. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blast.
Kenya frees 41 charged after extremist mosque raid
27 Feb – Source: AFP – 181 words
A Kenyan court Wednesday dropped charges against 41 men and released on bail 29 others arrested earlier this month during a raid on a mosque accused of supporting Islamist extremists.
Police raided Mombasa’s Musa mosque on February 2, detaining 70 men whom they accused of attending a radicalisation meeting, sparking deadly riots in the port city.
The 70 men were all initially charged with being members of Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents, as well as other charges including possession of firearms and inciting violence.Magistrate Richard Oden-yo on Wednesday ordered 41 of those charged to be set free due to a lack of evidence. The remaining 29 suspects were released on bail of 500,000 Kenyan shillings (5,800 dollars, 4,200 euros) each.
Kenya’s top security chiefs warned on Tuesday of an “increased threats of radicalisation” from homegrown Islamists, singling out the Musa mosque as a specific centre encouraging extremism, along with two others.
Kenya has suffered a string of attacks blamed on Islamist insurgents, including the September massacre in Nairobi’s Westgate mall in which at least 67 people were killed.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Contrary to the conventional perception, Somalia is facing an existential threat that is more potent and more extensive than al-Shabaab. That is not to say that we should not worry about al-Shabaab, or, in any way, minimize the ruthless violence emanating from them, their deranged interpretation of Islam, and their campaign to radicalize the youth. At the end of the day, al-Shabaab is an overt threat; as such, it is as widely exposed as the warlords before them.”
Somalia’s Sullied Security
26 Feb- Source: Foreign Policy Blog – 1315 words
The recent al-Shabaab attack at the heart of the government’s compound, Villa Somalia, marks a turning point; both in terms of the audacity of the group’s militancy and the massive military campaign that the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and AMISOM are set to unleash.
This may cause a considerable loss to al-Shabaab, especially in terms of territories and hardware, but to count the overtly advertised March campaign as the deadly finale in which these militant extremists would be buried is a quixotic wish, to say the least.
When a security failure of such magnitude occurs, the natural reaction is to ask: how did it happen and who dropped the ball? This type of crisis-inspired scrutiny and discontent often provides an opportunity to institute new policies, improve or overhaul strategies; but, only when natural reactions are not subservient to the politics of exploitation.
“Without stopping the continuation of arms sales by uniformed government troops, the Somali government should not be allowed to continue importing arms. Most of all, there needs to be investment in the quality of the Somali army before continuing to pile arms into it. With an army that can barely fight on its own without heavy assistance from friendly foreign troops, the Somali government has more to worry about than where to buy cheap guns.”
Somali military has more problems than lack of guns
26 Feb – Source: African Arguments – 1010 words
Last week, a leaked UN report detailed a “systematic” proliferation of arms by the Somali government. However, the UN Security Council is expected to extend the easing of arms sanctions on the government.
This means the government of Somalia will be allowed to import light weapons to assist it with improving security across areas under its control. While this is not a bad thing in principle, it becomes more problematic once you have considered the bigger picture.
Somalia’s current military was first reformed by the Transitional National Government (TNG) in the year 2000, and again from 2004 by the Transitional Federal Government. In the first instance, the TNG recruited freelance gunmen and members of Siad Barre’s military. However, few of those went on to join the TFG military formed in Jowhar in 2004.
The first TFG military brigades were made up of the old Siyad Barre military, Puntland militias and clan militias from the Jowhar area; when the TFG moved to Baidoa in 2005, some clan militias from the Bay region joined the TFG military. In late 2006, Ethiopian troops took Mogadishu, and behind them came the TFG military.
Top tweets
@IOM_news WHO & IOM join hands to build sustainable#health capacity in #Somalia @UNLazzarini http://bit.ly/OBYxyJ pic.twitter.com/bbJhVYGUOU @WHOsom.
@UNSomalia Status of Mission Agreement between the #UN & the Federal Government of #Somalia concerning the status of@UNSomalia: http://bit.ly/1dCbyxQ.
@Hamza_Africa #AlShabaab Lower Shabelle governor writes on his #iPad while group’s spox looks on http://bit.ly/1hyYFY6 #Somalia pic.twitter.com/9uOrT1TVyG.
@amisomsomalia On 26th Feb 2014, 160 #Somali police officers graduated from a 2 week training course on Community Based Policing http://bit.ly/1klE8Ij.
@Somalia111 Good meeting with #Somali media directors in#Mogadishu. Discussed security, UN presence, New Deal, youth. Looking fwd to next opportunity.
Image of the day
Signing of Status of mission agreement in #Mogadishu between Federal Gov’t of #Somalia & #UN formalising @UNSomalia. Photo: @UNSomalia.