January 16, 2014| Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Mogadishu Mayor Urges Telecom Companies Not to Abide By al Shabaab Internet Ban

15 Jan- Source: Radio Shabelle/Radio Dalsan- 203 words

The mayor of Mogadishu who is also the Governor of Banadir region Mr. Mohamed Mohamud Nur Tarzan has called on private telecommunication companies to resist al Shabaab coercion and order that ban use of internet on mobile phones and fiber optic. The mayor said this while he was presiding over a ceremony to rehabilitate some parts of Hodan District in Bandir region. The governor condemned the ban of the internet which he said was a necessity for the Somali people living in the country, adding that the recent decision by the extremist group shows brutality and intimidation to the Somali people. “Our constitution guarantees freedom of expression and every citizen has the right to access information without fear,” the mayor noted. “We will not allow our citizens to be deprived of internet access and smart phones”. In response to al Shabaab’s decree, Mr. Tarsan said: “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.” Al Qaeda linked al Shabaab group gave the internet providers a 15-day ultimatum and warned the residents in the areas under their control against the use of internet on mobile phones.

Key Headlines

Mogadishu Mayor Urges Telecom Companies Not to Abide By al Shabaab Internet Ban (Radio Shabelle/Radio Dalsan)
France sends new ambassador to Somalia (Somalicurrent)
Somaliland ministers in UAE held talks with Air Arabia Airline officials (Somaliland Informer)
Trial of Westgate attack suspects begins (Daily Nation/AFP)
Somali militants moving into Kenya official says (AP)

SOMALI MEDIA

Mogadishu Mayor Urges Telecom Companies Not to Abide By al Shabaab Internet Ban

15 Jan- Source: Radio Shabelle/Radio Dalsan- 203 words

France sends new ambassador to Somalia

15 Jan- Source: Somalicurrent- 187 words

France becomes the latest country to send ambassador to Somalia, after the security situation of the horn of Africa nation had significantly improved. Rémi Maréchaux, newly appointed French Ambassador to Somalia, arrived Mogadishu on Wednesday and presented his credentials to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamuud at Villa Somalia. The President welcomed French government’s revival of its Diplomatic Mission to Somalia, after decades of anarchy in the country, appreciating its cooperation on security and investment. “Your visit today is yet another sign of the accelerating recovery of Somalia, the return of normal life and further evidence that we have rejoined the world stage. We are enormously appreciative of France’s support to Somalia in terms of security and intelligence and we look forward to working together to pursue our mutual interests.” President Hassan said. “France is also a valued business partner and we welcome your interest in the investment opportunities available in Somalia, from the energy and banking sectors to transportation and shipping. We are also grateful for ongoing moves to assist the capacity of our Central Bank.” he added. Mr. Rémi Maréchaux pledged his country’s commitment to supporting ongoing efforts to stabilize Somalia.

Somaliland ministers in UAE held talks with Air Arabia Airline officials

15 Jan- Source: Somaliland Informer- 150 words

Somaliland Ministers of Aviation and Commerce Mr. Mohamud Hashi Abdi and Mr. Mohamed Abdilahi Omar respectively who were on working visit to the UAE have met with the CEO of Air Arabia Airlines on Tuesday. The ministers received an official invitation from the Air Arabia Airlines to enter into talks with Somaliland government over the use of its airports. The two ministers from Somaliland briefed the Air Arabia Airlines officials of the peace, tranquillity and tranquillity of Somaliland and added that the country is suitable for an investment. The two ministers told the Air Arabia Airline to start direct flights to Somaliland recently. The CEO of Air Arabia Airlines told the delegation that they do not mind playing a key role in modernizing Somaliland airports but reiterated that they will send fact finding delegation to Somaliland that will be tasked to assess and evaluate areas where projects can be implemented.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Trial of Westgate attack suspects begins

15 Jan- Source: Daily Nation/AFP- 392 words

The trial of four men charged in connection with the Westgate mall siege, that was claimed by the al Shabaab, started on Wednesday. A guard who was outside the upmarket mall when the gunmen launched their attack in September, killing at least 67 people, was the first witness. The men are not accused of carrying out the attack, but of lending support to the gunmen. Adan Mohamed Abidkadir Adan, Mohamed Ahmed Abdi, Liban Abdullah Omar and Hussein Hassan Mustafah have all pleaded not guilty to charges of supporting a terrorist group.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali militants moving into Kenya, official says

15 Jan- Source: AP- 523 words

Dozens of foreign fighters have defected from the al Qaeda-linked militant group in Somalia due to internal disputes, and many of those men have moved into Kenya, a security official said. Since early last year Kenyan security officials have observed movements by people suspected of being part of al Shabaab in Somalia, said a senior police official who insisted on anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the press. Al Shabaab and other militants are under increased scrutiny in Kenya following the Sept. 21 grenade-and-gunfire attack on Nairobi’s Westgate Mall, an attack that killed at least 67 people. The trial of four suspects arrested in conjunction with the mall attack opened in a Nairobi court on Wednesday. Two prosecution witnesses described how the mall came under attack by four gunmen.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“It is therefore crucial that the refugee repatriation process is truly voluntary, and that Kenya’s national security concerns are not prioritised over the rights of refugees. Any forceful repatriation could easily play into the hands of al Shabaab by forming a fertile recruitment ground, if not a complete lack of cooperation from the refugees.”

The controversial repatriation of Somali refugees from Kenya

15 Jan- Source: ISS Africa-947 Words

On 10 November 2013, the governments of Kenya and Somalia signed a tripartite agreement with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to repatriate Somali refugees from Kenya to ‘safe areas’ in southern Somalia. The exercise was expected to be voluntary. The idea was conceptualised after the new Somali Federal Government was formed, and the agreement came amid reports that between 30 000 and 80 000 refugees had freely returned to Somalia since January 2013. Against the backdrop of the 21 September 2013 terrorist attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi, however, Kenya’s renewed resolve to repatriate Somali refugees is seen more as a move buttressed by Nairobi’s security concerns. This is particularly evident from allegations that some of the terrorist attackers had used the Daadab Refugee Complex in north-eastern Kenya as their logistical base. The Kenyan government has also maintained that it has been shouldering a disproportionately huge number of Somali refugees, with limited support from the international community.