January 13, 2014| Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Federal Parliament approves 10 days postponement for nomination of new cabinet

12 Jan- Source: Radio RBC/Radio Mogadishu/Radio Kulmiye/Shabelle/Jowhar Online- 151 words

Somalia Federal Parliament on Saturday approved Prime Minister’s suggestion to postpone the nomination of the widely expected new cabinet members. Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed had 30 days to complete the list of his new council of ministers but following tough consultations and challenges within clans to select their representatives for the new government, the Prime Minister failed to appoint his ministers in time. On Saturday morning Prime Minister Abdiweli sent a letter to the Parliament Speaker stating that he needed another 10 days to complete the formation of the new cabinet before the parliamentarians go to their annual leave in mid of January. The Prime Minister’s letter was later approved in a parliament vote during which the Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari described it as urgent call from the Prime Minister.

Key Headlines

Federal Parliament approves 10 days postponement for nomination of new cabinet (Radio RBC/Radio Kulmiye)
UN Envoy to Somalia comments on the transfer of power in Puntland (UNSOM)
Somali Minister of Interior condemns al Shabaab internet ban and calls on telecommunications companies to resist coercion (MINS)
Scores arrested during security search out in Yaqshid (Radio Dalsan/Shabelle)
Kenya closes security posts along Somali border (Standard Media)
Puntland leader vows more female representation in his cabinet (Hiiraan Online)
Kenya mall attackers had simple plan sources say (Toronto Star)
Parliament starts debate on new motion against former ministers (Radio RBC/Shabelle)
Puntland authorities ban small weapons in Bosaso (Radio Dalsan)
Clan militia clashes leave 3 dead in Sool region (Radio Bar-kulan)
Governor of Togdher region resigns (Radio Bar-kulan/Somaliland Informer)
Kenyan hotelier running Somalia’s best hotel (Capital News)
Kenya: Police nab suspected terrorist recruits (Star-Kenya)
U.S. advisers sent to help Somalia fight al Shabaab (New York Times)

PRESS STATEMENT

UN Envoy to Somalia comments on the transfer of power in Puntland

12 Jan- Source: UNSOM- 185 words

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, appealed today for calm and an orderly, peaceful transfer of power in Puntland following the 8 January presidential election.

“Puntland’s MPs set a great example a few days ago of a peaceful, responsible and transparent election. I salute the statesmanship of outgoing President Farole and praise his constructive role in the handover of power” SRSG Kay said.

“I am encouraged by the assurances given by Puntland President-elect Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas that he will take immediate steps to take care of the interests of the region’s security forces. All security personnel and civil servants must work with the new administration in the interests of the people of Puntland. Public property should be respected and not removed ” SRSG Kay added.

“Puntland’s peace and state-building process is progressing well and should not be spoilt by any group or individuals”, SRSG Kay cautioned.

“The United Nations and partners, including IGAD and the EU, will continue to monitor the situation and offer their support to the people and leadership of Puntland at this critical time,” SRSG Kay said.

Somali Minister of Interior condemns al Shabaab internet ban and calls on telecommunications companies to resist coercion

11 Jan- Source: Ministry of Interior and National Security – 326 words

The Minister of Interior and National Security of Somalia, H.E. Abdikarim Hussein Guled condemned the extremist militia al Shabaab’s announcement banning internet services in the areas of Somalia they control and called on telecommunications groups to resist any coercion.

“The Somali Government strongly condemns such acts which show continued brutality and terrorist tactics of intimidation by trying to ban Somalis from using the internet,” the Minister said. “Our constitution guarantees freedom of expression and every citizen has the right to access information without fear.”

“Al Shabaab has lost control of the major cities of Somalia and are now trying to terrorize people and stop them using the internet. Our message to them is that there can be no safe place in our country from which to launch terrorist and criminal activities. This will only strengthen our resolve to fight them.”

“Somalis, like people everywhere, use the internet for education and reaching out to the global community to get world news. We will not allow our citizens to be deprived of internet access and smartphones.”

“The Somali Government will work with all telecommunications companies and ensure that they are free to provide internet and other related communications services to our citizens. While the government provides all the necessary assistance to protect the public, we also caution them not to cooperate and work with terrorist groups or bow to threats. We have a responsibility to protect our citizens against all threats.”

“Somali media outlets also have a responsibility not to carry propaganda from terrorist groups. We want our media groups to behave responsibly and assist our people as it is our citizens’ right to obtain information freely without fear.”

“Al Shabaab’s strategy is to silence our people and to commit extortion against communications companies so they can gain desperately needed financial resources. The Somali government will intensify the war against terrorist organizations and it is a matter of time before we completely eliminate the threat posed by a; Shabaab.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Federal Parliament approves 10 days postponement for nomination of new cabinet

12 Jan- Source: Radio RBC/Radio Mogadishu/Radio Kulmiye/Shabelle/Jowhar Online- 151 words

Scores arrested during security search out in Yaqshid

12 Jan- Source: Radio Dalsan/Shabelle- 115 words

Scores of people were nabbed by Somali security forces after heavy security operation in Yaqshid neighborhood in Mogadishu on Sunday. The operation came after armed groups attacked the district commissioner’s office on Saturday night. The attackers were repulsed by the security forces, the district commissioner Muhyadin Hassan told local media. The operation lasted for more than four hours early on Sunday as scores of teenagers suspected of being members of al Shabaab militants were taken into police custody. Yaqshid district commissioner Muhyadin Hassan said he believed the attack wascarried out by al Shabaab remnants hiding in his district as he vowed that they will eliminated them from the area soon.

Parliament starts debate on new motion against former ministers

12 Jan- Source: Radio RBC/Shabelle- 136 words

Somalia Federal Parliament has commenced on Sunday a hot debate on a new motion banning the former ministers to be included into the country’s new government expected to be unveiled soon. The motion signed by nearly hundred parliamentarians was officially submitted to a parliamentary session which started Sunday. Up-to fifty lawmakers have expressed their views on the new motion which has emerged as the country’s new Prime Minister continues to hold consultations towards who will be included into his council of ministers. The Parliament’s chair has said that the debate on the motion will continue until Tuesday when the parliament will vote for the motion, in which if approved will automatically ban any of the ten former ministers of the ousted cabinet to be appointed back as new minister.

Puntland authorities ban small weapons in Bosaso

12 Jan- Source: Radio Dalsan- 131 words

Authorities in Puntland banned the use of small weapons from the people in the commercial seaport town of Bosaso. Area Police chief General Mohamed Said has said that the police have banned any kind of small arms from the town saying that they have imposed investigations on the vehicles in the town. “We will use for the town of Bosaso the same mechanisms we have used during the elections,” he said adding that it will be illegal for anyone to carry weapons. The police head also warned any misuse of the government property and offices during the power transfer for the newly elect-president and the former president. “All officials are strictly asked to keep the property of the government and that no misuse happens in the office,” he added.

Clan militia clashes leave 3 dead in Sool region

12 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 100 wards

At least 3 people have been killed and two others injured after two armed clan militias clashed in Doclaha area, 45 KM west of Huddun district in Sool region on Sunday. Residents in area confirmed to Bar-kulan that one of the victims was killed on Saturday afternoon while the two others died on Sunday in renewed clashes. Local authorities in Sool region have dispatched security forces to the area in an effort to end the hostilities. The injured were reportedly taken to Yagori and Oog locations in Sool region for treatments.

Puntland leader vows more female representation in his cabinet

12 Jan- Source: Hiiraan Online- 260 words

The newly-elected president of the semi-autonomous Somali State of Puntland Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas said that he was intending the inclusion of women in his cabinet as part of his policy to respect gender balance in the new Puntland administration. Mr Gaas made the announcement during a lengthy meeting with members from Somali women’s association who have been meeting in the provincial capital of Garowe for the past several days where they issued a call for a major female inclusion into the expected cabinet in the regional state.

Governor of Togdher region resigns

12 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Somaliland Informer- 95 words

Ahmed Omar Haji Abdullahi Hamarji, the Governor of Togdher region has resigned from his post amid political tensions in the region. Hamarji, who is currently in Hargeisa has termed his resignation after three years in office as personal decision. He brushed off rumors claiming that his resignation was a result of an enormous pressure from Somaliland authorities. He has reportedly submitted his resignation letter to the office of Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo and is now awaiting the response of the president who is currently out of the country.

Puntland president sends message to armed forces

11 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/RBC/Radio Garowe- 103 words

Newly elected president of Puntland, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas has warned incumbent government officials and security officers to safeguard public posts before new government is formed. In a press conference in Garowe, Gaas said that all officials in public offices will be held accountable and urged them to demonstrate a high level of leadership. He also called on the armed forces to secure Puntland borders and protect the properties and equipments of the armed forces. He promised timely salaries for the security forces as well as basic amenities such as education and health services for them.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenyan hotelier running Somalia’s best hotel

12 Jan- Source: Capital News- 448 words

It’s the kind of stuff of which television shows are made; a four-star hotel in the heart of a battle zone, Heads of State for guests, snipers for security and at the centre of it all is one Justus Kisaulu – the man that runs the show. Except a writer somewhere didn’t exercise their creative licence in dramatising these events, the Jazeera Palace Hotel in Mogadishu has actually been bombed twice; first in an assassination attempt on the then newly sworn-in Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmud and as recently as January 1 when two car bombs exploded outside the hotel resulting in 10 fatalities.

Security threat looms as Al Shabaab hunts for more recruits in East Africa

12 Jan- Source: Standard Media- 334 words

Kenya is facing serious security threats, months after suffering its worst assault in the hands of Somali terrorist network at the Westgate shopping mall. Years before this attack was the August 1998 US embassy bombing in Nairobi. Now, there are telling signs that the Somali Islamist group, Al Shabaab, is re-grouping and renewed recruitment drives, targeting desperate youths in the country and outside, are underway. Senior security sources, who declined to be named, are worried that the bait of the Al Qaeda proxy in Somalia has gained a new catch beyond its usual recruiting grounds in North Eastern and coastal regions.

Kenya closes security posts along Somali border

11 Jan- Source: Standard Media- 254 words

The Government has silently closed several security posts along its volatile border with Somalia. This follows the recent deadly incursion by gunmen believed to be members of the Somali Islamist group, al Shabaab. The security bases, which were dismantled, are those too close to the incursion-prone border, according to area County Administration Police Commandant, Chris Muthe. However, Muthe observed that the Government has alternatively increased its intelligence gathering and mobile security patrols, along its border with Somalia, which according to him have forestalled numerous attempts of criminal activities. The directive to abolish the posts is said to have emanated from the Inspector General of the Police, David Kimaiyo, following the killing of four administration police officers in a recent raid by Islamist militia in Galmagala Administration Police camp. Speaking to The Standard on Sunday in Garissa, Muthe said the move was a temporary measure to safeguard the lives of the security officers at the affected stations.

Kenya: Police nab suspected terrorist recruits

11 Jan- Source: Star-Kenya- 561 words

Six youth suspected to be al Shabaab recruits were on Thursday evening intercepted by the police in Mararani area in Lamu East. Police intercepted the youth as they attempted to cross into Somalia through Kiunga route. The six Faraj Fahim Swaleh ,Twafiq Swaleh, Nabil Mohammed Lali, Fara Abdi Kassim and Mohammed Abdalla are being held at Lamu Police Station. Lamu East police boss Samson Obara said detectives acting on intelligence reports intercepted a passenger bus plying the Mombasa-Lamu road. He said the youth planned to sneak into Somalia through Kiunga border to join the al Shabaab militants.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Kenya mall attackers had simple plan, sources say

11 Jan- Source: Toronto Star-1432 words

New details about an assault on an upscale Nairobi mall that sparked fear worldwide about the Somalia-based al Shabaab reveal just how simple a plan it was to launch the worst terrorist attack to hit Kenya in 15 years. Sources close to the investigation say there were as few as four attackers who escaped the Westgate Mall after the first day of the assault, not nearly as many as originally reported. It was the bungled response of the Kenyan Defence Forces and lack of communication and coordination among security agencies that added to the carnage and kept terrified people trapped for four days.

U.S. advisers sent to help Somalia fight al Shabaab

10 Jan- Source: the New York Times- 380 words

The Pentagon has sent a small team of uniformed military advisers to Somalia, the first American troops assigned there since 1993, when 18 Americans were killed in the failed “Black Hawk Down” mission. But in a reflection of the administration’s caution in deploying United States forces to the strife-torn nation, the presence is tiny, at least for now — three advisers, a Defense Department official said on Friday. The advisers were deployed to the Somali capital of Mogadishu last month to help provide logistics, planning and communications assistance to Somali and other African forces combating al Shabaab, the Islamic militant group, according to the official, who spoke anonymously to discuss the mission.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“If he can inspire hope, mobilise his electorate towards reconciliation and tribal understanding as well as deliver on his campaign promises of cooperating with the Federal Government for a better joint future, he will prove himself to be more than just a regional figure.”

Abdiweli Gaas: Hope ahead?

12 Jan- Source: Hiiraan Online-1400 Words

The former Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali (Abdiweli Gaas) became the President of the semi autonomous Puntland region of Somalia on Wednesday 8th January 2014 after beating the incumbent Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole) by a single vote. Lawmakers who were tasked with voting for their new regional leader narrowly supported Abdweli Gaas who won by a single vote and Farole honourably conceded defeat immediately in front of the watching world, present parliamentarians and international diplomatic delegations in the venue for the live televised count. The result is the best the people of Puntland could have hoped for and the one that serves their purpose well.

“If the world cares at all about the stability and security of a country that has seen more war than most nations, this is the only path to pursue and the most humanitarian one as well. Anything else is mere war profiteering.”

U.S. Soldiers in Somalia and the Pentagon’s Unlearned Lessons

11 Jan- Source: Huffington Post Blog-1182 Words

News that the Pentagon is sending its military back into Somalia, after 20 years, shows that America is still missing the point on the Horn of Africa when it comes to preventing violence. Has the Defense Department learned that little in its many misadventures on the African continent? To be clear, the biggest war being waged in Somalia right now is not between the rebel group al Shabaab, the fledgling government of Somalia and the African Union’s military mission. It is the war between the Western world and the Somali people. This may be hard to imagine but it is true. Late last year, during my meetings in Mogadishu, it became painfully apparent that the real victims in the “war on terrorism” — and specifically how the West is choosing to combat it on the Horn of Africa — are the Somali people.