February 3, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali president held discussions with several world leaders

02 Feb- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu- 97 words

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has commented on his participation in the 22nd African Union Summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The president said that African leaders have discussed various issues including the political landscape and the development process of the continent. He stated that during his time in the Ethiopian capital he had positive discussions with several world leaders over the relationship between his country and the world. The president was among African leaders attending the 22nd African Union Summit which was concluded on Friday in Addis Ababa.

Key Headlines

Bomb explosion kills three in Southern Somali town (Radio RBC/Shabelle)
Somali president held discussions with several world leaders (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu)
Deputy Defence Minister: Operation against al Shabaab is on (Radio Mustaqbal)
Somalia mourns loss of former Prime Minister (Somali Current/RBC/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Somali Channel TV)
Al Shabaab arrests Hormud manager staff in Jilib (Radio Bar-kulan/RBC/Radio Dalsan)
KDF out of Kismayo as Djibouti takes over (Star-Kenya)
Kenya Police deny holding Somali diplomat (Daily Nation)
6 years for Anaheim Cabbie for aid to Somali militant group (AP)

PRESS STATEMENT

PM Abweli send his condolences to former Prime Minister Abdirisak Hajji Hussein

02 Feb- Source: Office of the Prime Mnister- 183 words
His Excellence the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia sends his condolences to the family and friends of former Prime Minister Abdirisak Hajji Hussein who passed away last night.
The former Prime Minister Abdirisa Hajji Hussein served between 1964 and 1967 and was one of the leading Somali nationalists of 20th century.
The Prime Minister has appointed a committee to begin preparations for a national funeral; the committee will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Ridwan Hersi Mohamed.
The Prime Minister, said: “Today, we lost one of our greatest national servants and freedom fighters who dedicated his life to the people of the great nation of Somalia. I’m sending my condolence to his family and the Somali people, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
“He was a leading member of the freedom fighters of Somali Youth League and following independence became a committed public servant and politician who dedicated his life to the people and the Republic of Somalia. We must now take forward his legacy.”

Somalia leaves successful AU summit with the support of a united continent

31 Jan- Source: Office of the President- 213 words
African heads of state stand shoulder to shoulder with Somalia in its battle against terrorists, His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said today as the AU summit in Addis closed.
The President of Somalia stated: “We are now better placed than at any time during the past 20 years, and we could not achieve this success without our allies. The time is now for Somalia’s government to make a secure and safe environment for all our citizens. Africa is united behind us and we thank our brothers and sisters for their steadfast support.”
During a series of bilateral meetings with foreign head of delegations, the President met with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn. The President also met with Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Undersecretary for African Affairs. These meetings focused on the way forward in eliminating al Shabaab. Somalia’s government has declared major operations against terrorists will be intensified in 2014.
“Somalia is grateful for all the support it receives from the US government with particular regard to security, and logistical support,” the President said:
“We came to Addis with the aim of galvanizing support in eliminating al Shabaab. We have achieved our objectives with the close cooperation of our friends and allies.”

UN Special Representative for Somalia urges calm in Baidoa

31 Jan- Source: UNSOM- 123 words
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, expressed his concern over escalation of tensions in Baidoa surrounding a federal state-building conference.

“It is important that all parties remain calm, committed to dialogue and support reconciliation efforts. I call on the traditional leaders, politicians and all stakeholders to play a constructive and reconciliatory role,” said SRSG Kay.

“Nobody should risk taking steps that spoil peace- and state-building processes. I recognise the need for all stakeholders to meet without delay in Baidoa to address the legitimate concerns and aspirations of all parties. UNSOM is working closely with local partners, the Federal Government, IGAD and others to that effect, in order to reinvigorate peaceful talks and reconciliation efforts,” SRSG Kay added.

SOMALI MEDIA

Bomb explosion kills three in Southern Somali town

02 Feb- Source: Radio RBC/Shabelle- 154 words
A bomb explosion has killed three people and injured five others in southern Somali town of Beled Hawa in Gedo region, near the Somalia-Kenyan border. The explosion targeted a very populated coffee shop in the city centre. Initial reports indicate that the explosion was resulted by an explosive device planted near the coffee shop and blew off when many people gathered inside it. Due to the hot climate in the town, the residents of the town frequently rest and chat inside the coffee shops. Government officials and members if the regional security forces also frequently visit the coffee shops. Witnesses said the wounded people were rushed to the hospital for treatment. No group has yet claimed the responsibility of the attack but the district commissioner Behani Abdi blamed on al Shabaab militants which has previously staged similar bomb blasts in the town.

Somali president held discussions with several world leaders

02 Feb- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu- 97 words

Deputy Defence Minister: Operation against al Shabaab is on

02 Feb- Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 113 words

Somali Deputy defence minister Abdalla Hussein Ali, while speaking to Mustaqbal radio said that the government is in processing of eliminating terror groups affliated with al Qaeda in Somalia. Al Shabaab militant group is chief among them and controls some areas in southern and central Somalia. The minister said, “We wish to finish this operation before 2016 in which presidential election will be held in the country.” Mr Ali confirmed that they are planning to provide salaries and give short training inside the country to enhance the capacity of the somali military. This comes after Somali rebel group al Shabaab announced that it has banned the use of internet through mobile handsets and fibre optic cables throughout Somalia.

Somalia mourns loss of former Prime Minister

01 Jan- Source: Somali Current/RBC/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Somali Channel TV-250 words
Somali leaders mourned the loss of former Prime Minister Abdirizak Haji Hussein, who died on Friday in Minneapolis, USA, after days of sickness. Abdirizak, who was at the age of 89, was living in United States last stages of his life, following decades of civil war and anarchy in the country that led many Somalis to leave the country and seek asylum abroad. Current Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed sent his condolences to the families of the former PM and the Somali people, stating that the nation lost one its greatest servants. “Today, we lost one of our greatest national servants and freedom fighters who dedicated his life to the people of the great nation of Somalia. I’m sending my condolence to his family and the Somali people, my thoughts and prayers are with you.” Prime Minister Abdiweli said. “He was a leading member of the freedom fighters of Somali Youth League and following independence became a committed public servant and politician who dedicated his life to the people and the Republic of Somalia. We must now take forward his legacy.” he added. Parliament Speaker, Mohamed Sheikh Osman (Jawari) also sent his condolences to the people of Somalia for the loss of the hero, saying that he will be remembered for what he did for the nation. Late Abdirizak Haji Hussein served as Somalia’s Prime Minister from 14 June 1964 to 15 July 1967; he later became the country’s ambassador to the United Nations, in 1975 to 1980.

Al Shabaab arrests Hormud manager, staff in Jilib

02 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/RBC/Radio Dalsan- 147 words
Al Shabaab militant group has on Saturday night arrested Mohamud Haji Salad, the manager of Hormud Telecom Company in Jilib in Middle Jubba region along with other 15 staff members. An official from Hormud who requested to remain anonymous told Bar-kulan that the official and the staff were arrested over the company’s refusal to pay 50 thousand dollars to the group. The manager and the staff were arrested on Saturday night when fighters loyal to the militant group stormed their homes, others are said to have escaped and went into hiding. Meanwhile, the communication lines in Jubba regions remain unreachable for the second day running after the militant group cut off communication services in both Lower and Middle Jubba regions. Jilib is home to the largest Hormud communication lines that connects Mogadishu to Jubba regions and the latest cut off have reportedly affected the entire Jubba regions.

Men in military uniforms arrested for manning roadblock in lower Shabelle region

02 Feb- Source: Radio Shabelle- 144 words
Security operations conducted by the Somali Government forces has resulted in the arrest of 30 men in Government military dresses and at that time manning an illegal road block in Lower Shabelle region. Colonel Shegow who is leading the troops in the clean up exercise told the media that their mission will continue towards Shalanbood and the port town of Marka. Civilians and motorists in the lower Shabelle region have been complaining to the Government to tackle the rising insecurity in the region caused by men in Government military dresses who charge huge sums of Money and sometimes loot civilians of their belongings.

Italian Ambassador reiterates his government’s support to Somalia

02 Feb- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 117 words
Italian government and the international community are fully behind the federal government of Somalia, according to the Italian Ambassador to Somalia. Andrea Mazzella made the statement during a meeting with Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed on Saturday in Mogadishu. The ambassador conveyed an official invitation to the prime minister from his Italian counterpart for further discussions between the two officials. Somali Prime Minister, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed thanked the Italian government for its continuous support to the government and the people of Somalia. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Somali government, Abdiweli Haji Abdiweli who spoke to the press said that the two officials discussed various issues including peace and stability and the ties between the two countries.

Somaliland arrests senior Somali federal government officials

02 Feb- Source: Radio Garowe/Radio Dalsan/Hiiraan Online- 159 words

Authorities in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland Sunday detained three Somali Federal Government officials at Hargeisa airport midst Turkey-brokered bilateral talks between the two sides. Somaliland Interior Minister Ali Mohamed Waran Adde confirmed the arrest of the senior officials-Jama Mohamed Jama, Fahima nur Negeye and Abdiazis Adan-who reportedly work for the offices of President, Prime Minister and Ministry of Foreign Affairs respectively. Addressing the media members in the capital city of Hargeisa, Waran Adde noted that the three Somali government officials were trying to illegally enter Hargeisa. “Here in Somaliland, [We] enacted anti-federal government legislation and they knew our response henceforth we would bring those people to the justice,” said the Interior Minister.”They travelled by plane from Mogadishu to Hargeisa and they weren’t transit passengers”. Somalia’s Federal Government is yet to comment on the incident.

REGIONAL MEDIA

KDF out of Kismayo as Djibouti takes over

02 Feb- Source: Star-Kenya- 178 words
Kenya Defence Forces troops have began pulling out of Kismayo and are moving towards the North of the Port city to remove al Shabaab militants occupying some areas. Soldiers from Djibouti and Sierra Leone will now provide security at Kismayo with Nigerian Police unit providing policing services. The move comes after the African Union Mission in Somalia carved out Kismayo into AMISOM’s sector 5, to be under the command of Sierra Leone and Djibouti army. KDF will now solely operate in Sector 2 where it is expected to engage the remnants of the al Shabaab militia in Southern Somalia, which are yet to be liberated from the al Qaeda-linked terrorists group.

Kenya Police deny holding Somali diplomat

01 Feb- Source: Daily Nation- 267 words
Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of a Somali diplomat said to be held in custody after police denied that he had been arrested. The Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo on Saturday said that Mr Ilyas Yusuf Warsame, a secretary at the Somali embassy in Nairobi, was not in police custody as reported. Somali ambassador Mohamed Ali America has in the last one week maintained that Mr Warsame was arrested on January 23 for interrogation. He alleged the Kenyan authorities have said that Mr Warsame is a Kenyan and did not have any diplomatic immunity.

Somali waters still not safe as first cargo ship since 2012 is seized

01 Feb- Source: East African- 459 words
The first seizure of a large merchant vessel by Somali pirates since 2012 has led naval forces to stress that the dangers across the Red Sea and off the eastern coast of Somalia have not gone away. The vessel, identified as the MV Marzooqah, sent a distress signal on January 18, although when it was seized it was in Eritrean territorial waters. The number of attacks by Somali pirates dropped sharply last year, largely because of the presence of international naval forces. However in 2013, there were still 13 reported incidents involving Somali pirates.

Ethiopia begins transporting military logistics to Somalia

31 Jan- Soure: Walta Information Centre- 259 words

Ethiopia has begun transporting military logistics to its forces that joined the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Ethiopian forces officially joined the AMISOM in January 22, 2014. Ethiopian Minister of Defense, Siraj Fegessa, said at an event organized in connection with the commencement of the operation that Ethiopian force will make big difference in boosting the security force of AMISOM. Ethiopian forces have rich experience in peacekeeping mission so they will confidently and efficiently discharge their responsibility in that country, he said. “We have confidence in our defense forces’ ethics, ability and sense of responsibility,” he said. “I ‘m sure they will assist our Somali brother to gain peace and stability.”

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

6 years for Anaheim Cabbie for aid to Somali militant group

01 Feb- Source: AP- 127 words
Authorities say an Anaheim cabdriver has been sentenced to six years in prison, becoming the last of four Somali immigrants to be sentenced for funneling thousands of dollars to a terrorist organization in their native country. A statement from the U.S. attorney in San Diego says Ahmed Nasiri Taalil Mohamud on Fridayreceived the lightest sentence of the four co-conspirators convicted by a jury 11 months ago of raising and sending nearly $11,000 to al Shabaab, a militia group linked to al Qaeda.

Kenya to Reduce Troops in Somalia’s Kismayo

31 Jan- Source: VOA- 185 words
Kenyan troops will reduce their presence in the Somali city of Kismayo, after Somalia’s government complained the troops were interfering with its attempts to assert authority. A senior Kenyan military official told VOA on Friday that Kenya is handing over its security duties in Kismayo to forces from Sierra Leone. The official, who did not want to be named, said only about 200 Kenyan troops would remain in the port city. The official also said Burundi was sending forces to Kismayo.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“In his last speech at the gathering of the Somali Elders in Istanbul, Turkey in the summer of 2012, Abdirizak Haji Hussein stressed the view that “the interests of the Nation is more higher than those of the tribe or clan; that Nationality is more than the petty concerns of the Region or Regional Government.”

Remembering Abdirisak H. Hussein

02 Feb- Source: Wardheernews-843 Words
Abdirisak Haji Hussein Hassan Atosh was born in the Ethiopian-Occupied Haud area of Somalia c. 1924. He came to Mogadishu, then the capital of Fascist colony of Italian Somaliland, in 1939. He attended a night elementary school and worked for a living during the day. He joined the British army in 1942 following the British Military occupation in Italian Somaliland after the war. In 1947 he left the British Army at the rank of corporal and joined the Somali Youth League – a political organization fighting for the Freedom, Independence and Unity of all the Somali lands. On the assumption of the Italian Trusteeship in 1950, he was detained as a political prisoner because he was opposed to the return of Italy in Somaliland. After his release from prison he was elected to the President of the Somali Youth League. In 1957 Abdirisak H. Hussein become the first president of the newly established Somali University Institute in Mogadishu a position he held up until 1959 when he was elected a member of the Somali National Assembly. At the Somali Republic’s independence he was appointed Interior Minister; and then following the Government reshuffle in November 1962 he became Minister of Public Works and Communications. Abdirisak was again elected member of the National Assembly in the 1964 General Election. The President of the Republic Aden Abdulle Osman appointed Honarable Abdirisak Haji Hussein Prime Minister and invited him to form a government.

“Due to the system currently in place, women in Somalia, Somaliland and Puntland face a similar fate. The political system is a masculine business. The hope of Somali women who want a system overhaul rests on the effort that they are united and work as a team. Women who are motivated in their work and committed to the goals of the police force should not be discouraged.”

The Era of Female Somali Police Is On the Wane

01 Feb- Source: Somali Current-611 Words

In 1979, the first Somali female officer, Asha Hassan Hussein, was riding a police motorcycle to patrol the streets of Mogadishu. Three decades later, women are still grappling to work in a generally male-dominated profession that breeds a masculine environment. Today Somali women are under-represented in the higher ranks of the national military and police. In times of war and societal breakdown, crimes against women reach new levels of brutality and frequency. Choosing to become a cop is not easy for women. Female officers in the Somali National Army (SNA) are vulnerable and are high on al-Shabab’s hit list. Working outside the home and with men goes against their views of acceptable behavior. On January 30, 2014, a group of female law enforcement officials staged a protest against an injunction released by the department of the police ordering all active duty women to go home. The protesting women told the press about the crucial roles they played in helping bring peace and stability to the country. The Somali women accused the Somali Police Department of trying to dismantle the country’s female police system.