February 4, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

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FAO: Over 850,000 remain acutely food insecure in Somalia

04 Feb- Source: FAO Somalia -630 words

Successive seasons of near to above average rainfall in most parts of Somalia, low food prices and continued humanitarian response have brought down the number of people requiring urgent, life saving humanitarian assistance from its peak of 4 million during the 2011 famine. However, the latest assessment findings indicate that the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance has shown no further improvement since August 2013,exacerbated by a below average harvest, conflict, floods, and a tropical cyclone. Acute malnutrition persists, with tens of thousands of children facing increased risk of death, especially in the country’s south.

An estimated 857,000 people will be in Crisis and Emergency (IPC Phases 3 and 4) requiring urgent humanitarian assistance between now and June according to a joint assessment by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia (FSNAU), a project managed by UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and other partners. The recent figures represent an 18 percent decline since January 2013, but this is a mere 1.5 percent decline since August 2013. The positive impact of increased livestock prices, increasing livestock herd sizes, improved milk availability, low prices of both local and imported staple food commodities, higher purchasing power from labor income and livestock sales as well as sustained humanitarian interventions over the last six months was undermined by a Deyr 2013 cereal harvest in January/February estimated to be 20 percent below the long-term and five-year averages.

Key Headlines

President Hassan to visit Baidoa town (Radio Garowe)
Somali Police Chief vows to get rid of security spoilers (Radio Dalsan/ Radio RBC)
Women take record number of cabinet seats in Puntland – but still only one female MP (Radio Ergo)
Puntland President to visit Mogadishu (RBC/Allpuntland Online)
US covert actions in Pakistan Yemen and Somalia (The bureau investigates)
Al Shabaab claims killing 21 Puntland security forces ( Radio Dalsan)
Somalia: Union of journalists condemn the Somaliland’s ban against Universal TV (Radio RBC)
DP World welcomes CMA CGM’s new direct service between Dubai and Mogadishu (Albawaba)
Somalis balk at plans for Ethiopian troops (Al Jazeera)
Kenya: Kimaiyo accused of laxity in terror war (Daily Nation)
Kenya soldiers to relocate and pacify new areas in South Somalia (Xinhua)
FAO: Over 860000 people remain acutely food insecure in Somalia (FAO Somalia)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somalia: Police Chief vows to get rid of security spoilers

04 Feb- Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Radio Shabelle/Radio Kulmiye/Radio Dalsan/ Radio RBC- 206 words

Somalia top Police Chief Inspector General Abdihakim Dahir Sa’id has vowed to eliminate those spoiling the security of Mogadishu following mortar attacks targeted against six Mogadishu districts on Monday night.

“We will not bear with those who are willing to spoil the security of the capital,” Inspector General Abdihakim Dahir Sa’id declared during a speech at the state-run radio late on Monday after mortar shelling were heard in parts of the capital.

The police described the shelling as part of campaign to create fear in the hearts of already troubled people. No human casualties were reported. “We are continuing our operations. This is a fight against few who have infiltrated into the people and willing to harm the stability,” Inspector General Sa’id added.

Security Forces have launched a massive operation targeting specific villages of Yaqshid, Daynile, Huriwa and Hawlwadag where scores of suspects were arrested for interrogation.

“We have more than 50 people whom we believe they have direct involvement in last night’s explosions.” Police Spokesman General Mohmed Omar Madale also confirmed.

The situation in Mogadishu has been calm on Tuesday morning as people were talking curiously about last night’s explosions.

President Hassan to visit Baidoa town

04 Feb- Source: Radio Garowe/Kismaayo Online – 134 words

The Somali Federal Government President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is preparing for a visit to Baidoa, regional capital of Bay, southern Somalia ahead of controversial regional elections.

Sources within Mogadishu-based government officials tell Garowe radio that International Community representatives including United Nations, African Union and European Union envoys to Somalia will accompany President Mohamud on the tour to Baidoa in an effort to defuse tensions over the formation of south-western federal state for six regions in the southern part of the country.

His second visit to Baidoa since being elected to Somalia’s top political job would coincide with two opposing conventions aimed at forming an autonomous state for different regions, with former Parliament Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan seeking an administration consisting of Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions.

Puntland President to visit Mogadishu

04 Feb-Source: Radio RBC/Allpuntland Online- 193 words

The new president of Puntland State of Somalia Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas is supposed to visit Mogadishu to attend the funeral of the deceased former Prime Minister of Somalia Abdirisak Haji Hussein who has passed away in USA.

Late Hussein’s body will be flown back to Mogadishu for burial as the Federal Government of Somalia announced national memorial days to be held in Mogadishu, the country’s capital.

According to government sources in Garowe, President Abdiweli Gaas will be traveling to Mogadishu after his scheduled address to the Puntland Parliament where he will present his new cabinet for endorsement.

The ties between the Mogadishu-based Somali Government and Puntland, a northeastern state under the Federal Government has been cut for nearly a year following disputes between former Puntland President and the Federal Government’s top officials.

Puntland has elected a new president and vice president on January 8th this year with a new parliament and cabinet formed.

Mogadishu hosts second night of explosions

04 Feb- Source: Radio Dalsan/Mogadishu/Kulmiye/Simba News- 155 words

The capital of Somalia, Mogadishu hosted second night bomb blasts heard over the city which suddenly instilled fear among the people of city who have not heard such blasts for more than two years.

The blasts started in early part of the evening as people were continuing their ordinary life in the streets. Over 15 mortar shelling were targeted at different neighborhoods including Warta Nabada of the Presidential Palace, Hamarweyne, Waberi, Hamarjajab and Hawlwadag. The health staff in different hospitals reported no single injuries caused by the night explosions.

Small gun shots were heard following the evening bombings in some places. Police and national intelligence members started search operation in parts of the town. The police spokesman Gen Madaale described the blasts as handmade bombs aimed at creating fear in the city.

Speaking to the State-run radio, General Madale said that the improvised bombs hit up to six districts in Mogadishu with no civilian casualties or loss of properties reported.

“We can confirm that anti-peace elements have thrown hand-made bombs to six districts in the capital but luckily when we inspected, we found there were no civilian casualties or any loss of properties.” General Madale commented.

According to the police spokesman, the police and national security members have arrested more than 50 people in connection with last night’s mortar attacks in Mogadishu.

Al Shabaab claims killing 21 Puntland security forces

04 Feb- Source: Radio Dalsan/Al Shahid/Shabelle- 180 words

Abdi Aziz Abu Mus’ab, the military operation spokesman of al Shabaab militants, told the Shabab run radios that their fighters have attacked Puntland security forces at the suburb of Bosaso town of Bari region, killing 21 security forces.

“We shelled the base of Puntland security forces close to Bosaso, they could not bear the shelling and they tried to resist our fighters. When they go forward towards our fighters, we exploded a landmine to one of their cars. 11 of Puntland security forces died there and 10 others in the face-to-face fighting,” Abdi Aziz Abu Mus’ab alleged. He added that they will continue such attacks till they achieve their goal of spreading Islamic religion.

Meanwhile Colonel Jama Said who is the commander of the Puntland security forces in Bosaso said his men repulsed a fierce gun attack ad mortar shells by the militant fighters. He added the battle occurred at Suguri Valley near the Galgala mountains which has been a safe haven for the al Shabaab fighters in the region.

Somalia: Union of journalists condemn the Somaliland’s ban against Universal TV

04 Feb- Source: Radio RBC- 312 words

The National Union of Somali Journalists [NUSOJ] condemns today’s decision by the Somaliland Information Minister in which he reportedly suspended the operations of Universal TV on 03 February, 2014, the latest in a string of violence against the journalist and the media in Somaliland.

In an press conference summoned by the Somaliland Information Minister Abdullahi Dahir Ukuse said the ministry has revoked the license from the Universal TV’s Bureau. The minister accused the Television for insulting their leader.

Universal TV, a privately owned Somali language satellite Television, based in London, has been airing a comic program which contained interviews and other contents about political leaders in Somalia. The Television’s program called Faaliyaha Qaranka program is presented and led by famous Somali artists and comedians. In its recent program aired on Sunday the station’s Faaliyaha Qaranka program presented a cartoon-based comic interview about the President of Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, who leads the breakaway regions of Somaliland.

NUSOJ condemns the decision by the Somaliland authorities to ban the television and called for its immediate secession and stop intimidations, harassments, arbitrary detentions against the journalists and the media at large and respect mthe media freedoms and the freedom of expression which has been guaranteed under both the Federal constitution and the Somaliland constitution.

“The decision to suspend Universal TV’s operations in Somaliland is clear violation against the press freedom and freedom of expression and shows how the authorities in Somaliland are still committed to silence the independent media.” NUSOJ Secretary General Mohamed Ibrahim said, “We call on the authorities in Somaliland to respect the media freedoms and freedom of expression which is key to a more stable and democratic society.” Mr. Ibrahim added.

A dozen more journalists were arrested in Somaliland in December alone, making the region the worst jailer of journalists in Somalia.

Officials from Somaliland defect to Puntland state

04 Feb- Source: Horseed Media- 228 words

Two officials from the breakaway state of Somaliland have defected to neighbouring state of Puntland, reports say. Puntland minister of Trade, Mohamud Hassan told reporters in the state’s capital of Garowe that the two were local MPs of Lasanod district, capital of Sool region which is currently occupied by Somaliland.

‘’ We will welcome further Mps and officials working under the so-called Somaliland administration over here, soon Sool region will be recaptured by Puntland’’, noted the minister.

The two MPs named, Mokhtar Mahad and Abdullahi Digale Ali were escorted from Tukaraq village, which is 30-kilometres from Garowe, on Monday morning and were warmly welcomed in the state’s capital by officials from Puntland Government.

Women take record number of cabinet seats in Puntland – but still only one female MP

03 Feb- Source: Radio Ergo- 291 words

Somali women have taken the highest ever number of ministerial positions in a newly unveiled cabinet of the federal state of Puntland amid concerns of a backlash over women’s tiny representation in the parliament.

Puntland’s new president, Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Gas, included five women in his 46-portfolio cabinet announced last week, promising more space and positions for women in local administration.

The Ministry of Constitution, Federal Affairs and Democratization will be run by Sahra Said Nor – the first time a woman manages such an influential cabinet post in Puntland. Anisa Haji Mumim will take over the Ministry for Women and Family Affairs. The other three women were appointed as deputy ministers respectively in the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and Ministry of Women and Family Affairs.

Radio Ergo’s local reporter in Garowe said the appointment of these five women to the cabinet was a milestone heralded by the advocates of women’s representation in politics. The previous government had only one female minister and two female deputies.

However, women still face enormous challenges over representation in the parliament, where the number of women has decreased over the 16 year history of Puntland government. There were five female members in Puntland’s first parliament in 1998. The last parliament had two women MPs; while the current parliament has only one woman out of 66 MPs.

Celebrating the cabinet posts, deputy minister Saido Hussein said: “It’s as a result of our [women’s] efforts and the help we received from intellectuals and Puntland’s new leadership.” She added that women are very hopeful of getting more leadership positions in the ministries, and in regional and district administrations.

REGIONAL MEDIA

DP World welcomes CMA CGM’s new direct service between Dubai and Mogadishu

04 Feb- source: Albawaba- 409 words

DP World welcomed the container vessel CMA CGM Kailas on its first call at Jebel Ali Port, marking a new service between the UAE and Somalia, supporting trade links and the growth of the Somali economy.

Noura Express, as the service is known, is the second container shipping service connecting Dubai to Mogadishu in less than a year, signaling the return of confidence in re-establishing trade links between Somalia and the rest of the world through the regional gateway, Jebel Ali Port. Container trade to Mogadishu was suspended some years ago due to the political situation in Somalia and the risk of piracy.

Somalis balk at plans for Ethiopian troops

03 Feb- Source: Al Jazeera English-1121 Words

Many Somalis are alarmed at a recent decision to include Ethiopian troops in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), a peacekeeping force in the war-ravaged country.

Somali analysts opposing the decision have called it “a mistake”, a “political and military miscalculation” that has the potential to “change the body politic of Somalia”. After decades of bad feelings between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa, many Somalis see their western neighbour as a Christian arch-foe that should have no role in the affairs of a Muslim country.

Ali Mohamud Rage – a spokesman for al Shabaab, an armed anti-state group in Somalia – urged his countrymen to rise up against the Ethiopians to defend their country or “suffer regret when it’s too late”.

“The AMISOM shirt legitimates the spilling of the blood of the Somali people and the occupation of the Muslim land of Somalia and the elimination of their religion… We say: ‘Wake up from your slumber.'”

The addition of 4,395 Ethiopian troops will bring the total number of African peacekeeping forces in Somalia to 22,126. Most of the soldiers currently there come from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Djibouti.

Kenya: Kimaiyo accused of laxity in terror war

04 Feb- Source: Daily Nation- 556 words

Police laxity to deter terror attacks has been exposed in a government memo to two key individuals in charge of internal security. In the confidential memo, the country’s top security advisory organ said Interior Affairs Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo and Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo had not safeguarded key government buildings and installations from terror attacks.

Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia, who also chairs the National Security Advisory Committee, noted in the memo dated January 30, 2014 and stamped “secret” that the two had failed to act despite recommendations from his team.

Kenya soldiers to relocate and pacify new areas in South Somalia

03 Feb- Source: Coastweek/ Xinhua-1593 words

Kenyan soldiers operating in Southern Somalia are set to relocate to other areas experiencing insecurity to allow other forces from Sierra Leone and Djibouti to occupy their positions in the port city of Kismayo.
Military spokesman Col. Willy Wesonga also denied media reports that the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) which entered southern Somalia will be pulling out of the Horn of Africa soon.

“Our troops will only be relocating to other areas but we are not pulling out of Somalia as has been reported in a section of the media. “The relocation is only meant for restructuring of the AMISOM operations in Somalia. KDF will be relocating to other needy areas,” Wesonga told Xinhua by telephone on Saturday.

Somalia’s Kiss Of Life Part 5

03 Feb- Source: Citizen- 5:26 min

Formal education came to a standstill in the two decades of war that followed the ouster of Somalia’s President Siad Barre. Schools were deserted or destroyed as warring militias battled for fiefdoms within the troubled country. But thanks to Kenya Defence Forces, a few formal schools have reopened their doors to knowledge-thirsty children. But as Judy Kosgei reports in the last part of our special series “Somalia’s Kiss of Life”, besides the volunteer teachers, armed soldiers are essential members of schools’ staff.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

FAO: Over 850,000 remain acutely food insecure in Somalia

04 Feb- Source: FAO Somalia -630 words

S. Korea, Ukraine hold first joint anti-piracy drills

04 Feb- Source: .koreaherald/Yonhap News -214 words

South Korea and Ukraine held their first joint anti-piracy drills in waters off the Somali coast to improve interoperability of the two nations’ navies, the Joint Chiefs of Staff here said Tuesday.

South Korea’s 4,400-ton destroyer and Ukraine’s 3,500-ton naval escort ship carried out a series of eventsSaturday that included Underwater Demolition Teams and Navy SEALs of both nations taking part in onboard search-and-seizure drills, live-fire proficiency and aviation operations, the JCS said.

After the exercise, captains of the two navies discussed ways to collaborate in fighting piracy and expanding bilateral military cooperations, it said.

Feds: Somali man failed to mention terrorist ties

03 Feb- Source: Express News/MySA-135 Words

When Somalia native Abdinassir Mohamud Ibrahim requested asylum to the United States, authorities said he didn’t bother to mention his relation to two men with reported ties to terrorist groups — one of whom was killed in a 2008 U.S. air strike.

Ibrahim, who settled in San Antonio’s Northwest Side, was arrested this weekend for visa fraud following an investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. He has been in the United States since 2007.

On Monday, he was ordered held without bail pending a hearing later this week. Ibrahim also acknowledged to agents that he sent $100 to a man he knew was a member of terrorist group al Shabaab, the FBI has alleged. He is the latest in a stream of people from Somalia to be prosecuted in San Antonio for suspected terrorism ties.

US covert actions in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia

03 Feb- Source :The bureau investigates- 640 words

The US military launched its first drone strike of the year in Somalia, killing 2-9 people. It was the first reported US action in the country since October 2013.

The attack targeted al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, according to anonymous US officials. But a source in the African Union peacekeeping force said Godane survived the attack. Several sources said Sahal Iskudhuq, a senior al Shabaab figure, was killed. He may have been meeting Godane ‘right before the attack‘.

Unnamed US officials told CNN the US had targeted Godane in the strike. One of them said he posed a threat to US interests in the region. As Sarah Knuckey reported, this appeared to contradict a restriction on drone attacks set out in a summary of President Obama’s new rules, released in May 2013. The summary read: ‘The United States will use lethal force only against a target that poses a continuing, imminent threat to US persons.’

Also this month, the UN-backed African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) announced more than 4,000 Ethiopian soldiers had become part of the peacekeeping force. Ethiopia unilaterally invaded Somalia in 2007, and remained in the country for two years, nominally supporting the central government against the Islamic Courts Union, a loose affiliation of clans and groups that governed most of the country. Al Shabaab was a peripheral member of the ICU at the time.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“Haji Juuni owned a restaurant in Mogadishu, Somalia near Banadir Cinema. Day after day he cooked food for young men with empty pockets who would grow up eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the restaurant. These young men would travel all the way from all Somalia, particularly from Northeast Somalia eager to continue going to school. There was no middle school or high school in the Northeast Somali region, so they had to make the journey to Mogadishu after primary school in order to continue their education. Ahmed Juuni welcomed them with open arms.”

Haji Ahmed Juuni: Everyday Hero

04 Feb- Source: Wardheernews-874 Words

Arguably, the strongest form of support in humanity is compassion. Some say we have lost our humanity; I say we have lost our sense of kindness. We live in a time where complete disconnect is better than avid activism. We live in a time where education is taken for granted, and parents are villains for wanting better for their children. And we live in a time where generosity is synonymous with charity—it comes at too great of a cost to be seen that often.

A recent article written by Mohamed Dalmar: xusuustay Xaaji Axmad Juuni and published on Wardheernews website , expressing the way in which the helping hand of one man helped shape his successful future, inspired me to write an article in English describing the nature and work of the generous Haji Ahmed Juuni. I greatly feel that Dalmar’s story and Juuni’s kindness is an example of what we can accomplish when we support and work together.#

Haji Ahmed Juuni’s story needs to be told. Recapturing his inspiration allows us to envision a nation moving on from trauma, and how one man’s mission was enough to father a generation of scholars and business men. It is a testament to the openhandedness of our everyday heroes, and to a lifetime spent inspiring others to work towards following their dreams and paying it forward. He would have no idea how much of an impact he had in hundreds of lives.

“Having been hit not once but many times, albeit with varying degrees of impact, and given the many public security lapses, it would be folly of the highest order to make assumptions like Lenku’s.”

It is time to debunk ‘Kenya is safe’ myth

03 Feb- Source: Standard Media-362 Words

Kenya: Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku’s advice to Kenyans to ignore warnings on social media might have sprung from genuine concern over possible hoaxes that could strain police resources to fight crime. However, he is wrong to dismiss everything out of hand. There is good reason to believe that al Shabaab is planning attacks in revenge for the killing by the Kenya Defence Forces of hundreds of their militants in the Somali theatre of war.

That has been backed up by revelations at a US Senate briefing that was candid in its analysis of Kenya’s ability to prevent such attacks in the event that they were to happen. In short, our security is a myth and we must wake up to this fact or suffer unthinkable consequences.

The police cannot be everywhere and in the aftermath of the attack on Westgate Shopping Mall and yesterday’s events in Mombasa, it is imperative that Kenyans living in key urban areas across the country accept this and act accordingly. The Government must stop behaving like it is business as usual.

Top tweets

@SomaliPM Mtg security officials to discuss last nights explosions in #Mogadishu. Indiscriminate violence targeting civilians will not derail progress

@SomaliaNewsroom #Somalia: Lower/Middle Shabelle players discuss merging states–despite #Baidoa conf(s) claim to region #Federalism pic.twitter.com/s1GNeB4DiK

@OCHASom 860,000 pple acutely food insecure in #Somalia; 51,000 children face risk of death #FSNAU @faoinsomaliapress release http://bit.ly/MVvPrZ

@Somalia111 #Somalia needs reconciliation, peace, rule of law & economic growth. Bombings achieve none of these.

@amisomsomalia #AMISOM On night patrol, AMISOM soldier together with Somali Police officer on on the streets of Mogadishu. pic.twitter.com/VTkzVJJOeX

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Image of the day

Image of the day Ugandan soldiers, as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia, arrive in Mogadishu to begin a year long rotation in the country as other troops prepare to leave. Photo: AMISOM