January 18, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

More UPDF soldiers leave for Somalia

18 Jan- Source: New Vision- 136 words

Uganda Battle Group 11 commanded by Col. Joseph Balikudembe has departed for Somalia, replacing the departing UGABAG 9. The soldiers started landing in Mogadishu on Tuesday morning. A total of 1,700 soldiers have been deployed.

UGABAG 9 has been in Somalia since December 2011. The deployment of the group 11 marks the 11th rotation of UPDF forces in Somalia. Group 9, commanded by Lt. Col. Frederick Akiiki Rugadya, has been at the forefront of fighting the al-Shabaab militia, especially in the areas of Afgoye and Marka.

“As UGABAG 9 soldiers, we have contributed and continued consolidating what our comrades in previous deployments achieved,” Akiiki said.

Key Headlines

Gunmen kill Shabelle journalist in Mogadishu (Shabelle)
British Ambassador to Somalia condemns murder of Somali journalist (UK in Somalia)
AMISOM to train Somali Police in Djibouti (AMISOM)
Djiboutian troops donate water pump to Beletweyne Hospital (Radio kulmiye)
More UPDF soldiers leave for Somalia (New Vision)
Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia to the White House (White House)
Authorities on alert after al Shabaab Ugandan militants join forces (Sabahi Online)
Al Shabaab kidnap Quranic teacher in Lower Juba (Radio Bar-kulan)
US Somalia launch new era of diplomatic ties (Daily Nation)
Protests in Garissa over rising insecurity (Star/Standard)
Returning diaspora triggers wave of land disputes in Mogadishu (Sabahi Online)
Remarks with President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after Their Meeting (State.gov)
“Turks did 20 years worth of work in 1 year in Somali” (Anatolia News Agency)
$1B Later US Claims Anti-Terror Victory in Somalia (ABC News)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM to train Somali Police in Djibouti

18 Jan- Source: AMISOM- 328 words

200 officers from the Somali Police Force have left for Djibouti where they will participate in a three-month training course organized by the Police component of the African Union Mission in Somalia in conjunction with the Italian Carabineri.

The 184 Men and 16 women departed from the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu and will receive specialized training in Public Order Management facilitated by AMISOM and Italian Carabineri, with funding support from the Italian government.

While seeing off the team, AMISOM Police Commissioner Dr. Charles Makono appealed to the participants to make the most of the training and return home ready to implement their newly acquired skills in improving the security of Somalia.

“The training that you will receive will fill a key gap in the Somali Police Force after years of civil war and armed conflict. The course will improve the skills and capability of the Somali Police Force in dealing with armed criminals and insurgents to protect civilians and enforce the rule of law on your own,” he said.
On his part the Minister of State for Internal Security, Mahdi Mahamud Ali gave words of advice to the participants.

“You are ambassadors of Somalia while away, please conduct yourselves honorably and benefit greatly from this opportunity. You have been selected based on your outstanding qualities, your experience, your efforts and your patriotism. We are extremely confident in your abilities, come back and make your contribution towards building your nation.”

The AMISOM Police component has been working closely with their Somali counterparts and with the Federal Government of Somalia to build the capacity and professionalism of the Somali Police Force, which last month celebrated the 69th anniversary of its founding.

AMISOM Police component has been conducting training programs for the SPF in a number of areas including basic police duties, human rights, crime prevention strategies, community policing and search procedures as well as running courses in traffic management and criminal investigation techniques over the past three years.

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia to the White House

17 Jan- Source: White House- 193 words

This morning, President Obama joined a meeting between Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the Roosevelt Room. Following the meeting, the Somali President met with Secretary of State Clinton, who announced formal U.S. recognition of his government as the Government of Somalia. This is the first time the United States has recognized a Somali government since 1991.

The President congratulated Hassan Sheikh on his election last September and the establishment of the first permanent, representative government in Somalia in two decades. The President noted the impressive security and political gains over the past year in Somalia. He acknowledged the many challenges facing Somalia but expressed optimism about Somalia’s future, and reaffirmed his commitment to work in partnership with the new Somali government to promote peace and security, improve fiscal management, and increase the provision of social services. The President urged President Hassan Sheikh to seize this unique opportunity to turn the page on two decades of civil strife in Somalia by building on the recent progress and working closely with regional and international partners to improve the lives of all Somalis.

British Ambassador to Somalia condemns murder of Somali journalist

18 Jan- Source: UK in Somalia-130 Words

The British Ambassador to Somalia, Matt Baugh, has condemned the killing of journalist Abdi Hared Osman of Shabelle Media Network. He said:

“On behalf of the British Government, I send my deepest condolence to the family of Abdi Hared Osman. I urge the Somali authorities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice; it is important to end impunity for the murder of journalists. Their work is crucial to the future of Somalia and they should be able to operate without fear for their lives. I pay tribute to their bravery and professionalism”.

The journalist was killed this morning by gunmen in Mogadishu’s Wadajir district. His death is the first of a journalist in this year following events in 2012 that saw the killing of 18 media workers in Somalia.

SOMALI MEDIA

Gunmen kill Shabelle journalist in Mogadishu

18 Jan- Source: Shabelle/Jowhar Online/Hiiraan Online/bar-kulan/Risaala- 167 words

Gunmen have shot dead a journalist with Shabelle media network in Wadajir district earlier Friday morning. Abdihared Osman Adan was shot as he was leaving his house and on his way to his workplace at Shabelle media network complex. He was shot several times in the upper and lower parts of his body. He was rushed to Madina hospital where he died of his wounds.

Abdihared is survived by a wife and two children.

Shabelle media network has strongly condemned the killing of its reporter, whom it termed as an outstanding colleague and very active journalist in both the TV and Radio of the network.

Al Shabaab kidnap Quranic teacher in Lower Juba

18 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 97 words

A Quran teacher was Thursday allegedly kidnapped by al Shabaab militants in parts of Lower Juba region. The teacher Ahmed Moalim Khalif was taken hostage by armed militants at an area between Diif and Afmadow while on his way to Kismayo for medications, according to his relatives who spoke to Bar-kulan. It is not yet known the reason behind the abduction of the Quran teacher.

Local elders in Diif condemned the incident and urged the militant group to release the teacher unconditionally. His relatives said the victim was a Quran teacher in Dif for the last nine years.

Djiboutian troops donate water pump to Beletweyne Hospital

17 Jan- Source: Radio Kulmiye- 99 words

The general hospital of Beletweyn in Hiiran region received a water pump donated by the Djiboutian troops who are part of African Union Mission in Somalia.

Captain Samatar Du’ale Nugul, a Djiboutian commander who handed the donation said that the water pump will help the hospital in accessing the commodity and deliver better service.

He called on the town’s community to help the hospital.

Similarly, Dr Omar Hassan Si’ad who is the main doctor in the hospital thanked the AMISOM troops offer, urging other stakeholders to follow the kind gesture and help the hospital.

Somali president nominates new central bank governor

17 Jan – Source: Hiiraan online – 186 words

A presidential decree obtained by Hiiraan Online [HOL] states that Mr Abdisalam Umar was nominated as the new governor of the central bank of Somalia.

The central bank of Somalia has not functioned properly since the collapse of Siad Barre’s government in early 1991. There is a huge task ahead of Mr Umar, who is an economist with 30 years experience in economic governance, financial and strategic planning, and public sector reform.

The new central bank governor told HOL he is confident that he will rebuild and revive the Somali banking institution which is the basis of the economic growth of the country. Mr Umar, a graduate of the prestigious Boston College and a PhD holder in economics, is a former deputy chief financial officer/budget director for the District of Columbia government and had managed 6b dollar operating budget and 2b dollar capital budget annually.

Currently, Mr Umar is in Washington DC to meet World Bank officials and other international organizations.

Somaliland: Sports Minister Receive Donation in form of sporting Gear

18 Jan- Source: Somalilandpress- 118 words

The Minister of Sports,Youth and Tourism Hon AlI Said Raygal has received sporting gear from a somalilander living abroad.

Hon Ali Said Raygal received in his office the sporting gear to be used in the upcoming youth football tournament from a Mr.Hashi Koosar Mahmoud, the gear which mainly comprised footballs and uniforms.

“This sporting gear will play an important role in the upcoming national youth football tournament and I urge all somalilanders living in the diaspora to follow suit and donate whatever they can for the advancement of youth activates in the country “,Said The Sports minister.

The national youth football tournament is expected to begin next month after been postponed for the third time in a row.

REGIONAL MEDIA

More UPDF soldiers leave for Somalia

18 Jan- Source: New Vision- 136 words

“As UGABAG 9 soldiers, we have contributed and continued consolidating what our comrades in previous deployments achieved,” Akiiki said.

US, Somalia launch new era of diplomatic ties

18 Jan- Source: Daily Nation- 557 words

The United States and Somalia on Thursday launched a new era of diplomatic relations, as Washington recognized the African nation’s government for the first time since 1991.

“Today is a milestone. It is not the end of the journey, but it is an important milestone towards that end,” US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said after talks with new Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

“For the first time since 1991, the United States is recognizing the government of Somalia,” she said, adding Washington now wanted “an open, transparent dialogue about what more we can do to help the people of Somalia realize their own dream.”

Authorities on alert after al Shabaab, Ugandan militants join forces

17 Jan- Source: Sabahi Online- 873 words

Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia and Ugandan rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have had a collaborative relationship for at least a year, according to a United Nations report.

The report, released by the UN Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in November 2012, said there were “several examples that support the assertions of the government of Uganda that ADF collaborates with al Shabaab in Somalia”.

Kenyan Police beef up security after killings in northern Kenya

18 Jan- Source: Coastweek/ Xinhua- 703 words

Security has been beefed up in northern Kenya following the killing of five people on Wednesday evening and the death of two suspected suicide bombers early Thursday.

Regional police commander Charlton Mureithi said more police officers will be deployed in Garissa town and Dadaab refugee complex to ensure that peace is not disrupted in the restive region whose residents have been living in fear since Kenyan soldiers launched cross border incursion in October 2011.

“Security has been beefed and investigated launched to establish the type of devices used and also to apprehend the culprits,” he said.

Protests in Garissa over rising insecurity

18 Jan- Source: Star (Kenya)/Stanadard- 157 words

Residents of Garissa county have taken to the streets to protest rising insecurity in the area. Transport has been paralysed in the area as protesters demand to speak with the County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim over the recent spate of violence that has hit the area.

The protests comes after five people were killed on Wednesday night, by unknown gunmen who opened fire on them at Patrons in Dunes Hotel in Garissa town. A senior Garissa prison official was also killed in the incident.

In a separate incident two people were killed at 2am yesterday. The two died as they lobbed explosive devices at a road near Hagadera refugee camp, Dadaab district, in Garissa. The incident took place between the Hagadera market and the refugee camp.

Police believe the attack was the work of sympathisers of Somalia’s al Shabaab militants operating in the town.

Garissa county commissioner Mohamed Maalim said that a pistol with seven bullets was recovered at the scene. It is believed the two were targeting police and UN vehicles that use the road.

Returning diaspora triggers wave of land disputes in Mogadishu

17 Jan- Source: Sabahi Online- 556 words

Mogadishu is witnessing a wave of disputes over land ownership with the return of thousands of Somalis from the diaspora. Banadir region District Court Judge Hashi Elmi Nur said his court has recently been registering land dispute cases on an unprecedented level. He said the courts were trying to resolve the cases as soon as possible because the disputes can sometimes lead to fights.

“Our work is interrupted by numerous conflicts among heirs who refuse reconciliation or come forward to the [Municipality of Mogadishu] to settle property ownership disputes because they have inherited land from their families based on customary contracts,” Nur told Sabahi.

He said land ownership disputes are growing daily because they were dealt with illegally over the past two decades.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Remarks with President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after Their Meeting

17 Jan- Source: state.gov -3165 words

Good afternoon, everyone. It is a great privilege for us to be welcoming President Hassan Sheikh and his delegation here to the State Department. Today’s meeting has been a long time in the making. Four years ago, at the start of the Obama Administration, Somalia was, in many ways, a different country than it is today. The people and leaders of Somalia have fought and sacrificed to bring greater stability, security, and peace to their nation.

There is still a long way to go and many challenges to confront, but we have seen a new foundation for that better future being laid. And today, we are taking an important step toward that future. I am delighted to announce that for the first time since 1991, the United States is recognizing the Government of Somalia.

Now before I talk about what comes next for this partnership, it is worth taking a moment to remember how we got here and how far we have come together. When I entered the State Department in January 2009, al Shabaab controlled most of Mogadishu and south and central Somalia. It looked at the time like it would even gain more territory. The people of Somalia had already endured many years of violence and isolation, and we wanted to change that. We wanted to work together, not only with the people of Somalia but with governments across the region, the international community, and other like-minded friends.

“Turks did 20 years worth of work in 1 year in Somali”

18 Jan- Source: Anatolia News Agency – 291 words

Hassan Sheikh Mahamud, President of Somali, made a series of official contacts in Washington on Thursday. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney released a written statement in regards to the talks between Mahamud and Deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough where US President Barack Obama was also present.

It is stated that Obama congratulated Mahamud for winning the elections last year and establishing a permanent and representative government in Somalia for the first time in ten years.

Obama also called out to end the 20-year old civil war by working with regional partners according to the written statement. Mahamud then held talks with Turkish Ambassador in Washington Namik Tan.

Mahamud thanked Turkish government and people and cited the words of a Somali citizen who said that Turkey helped Somalia so much in one year, it was more than all the support given in 20 years.

Secretary Clinton Delivers Remarks With President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mahamud

17 Jan- Source: Statevideo- 23:52 min

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks with President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on January 17, 2013.

$1B Later, US Claims Anti-Terror Victory in Somalia

17 Jan- Source: ABC News- 536 words

Four years and over $1 billion in U.S. support later, the Obama administration today claimed a victory in its war on terror in Africa by officially recognizing the government of Somalia, once a country overrun by al Qaeda-linked terrorists.

At a press conference at the State Department, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stood shoulder to shoulder with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the first democratically elected President of Somalia since 1991, and told reporters that working to stabilize Somalia had been “a personal priority” of hers.

“So I’m very pleased that in my last weeks here, Mr. President, we are taking this historic step of recognizing the government,” Clinton told reporters.

Earlier today Clinton said the Somali president also met with President Obama, as a sign of how committed the U.S. is to new democracy.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Very few people in Somalia read as most prefer to carry on their traditional oral culture. While it is great news and a testament to their incredible memories, Somalis cannot hope to share their poems, stories, history and words of wisdom by transferring it from their tongues into the ears of the next generation in an information age.”

Time to put pen to paper

17 Jan- Source: Somaliland Press-1099 Words

The opening of the new printing factory in Hargeisa is a welcome relief for students, authors and those interested in diversifying the advertising of their business offerings. This is a sign of progress and an understanding of the key role publishing plays in education, communication, entertainment and knowledge sharing. However, as a writer I know that more Somalis prefer to argue in coffee shops in the middle of the streets than to sit and read an article of any length.

The printing factory is a great and much needed endeavour. The presence of the key Ministers and the cutting of the ribbon by the president were, for once, required to welcome in a new age of enlightenment in the self-declared independent state of Somaliland.

Perhaps now grassroots local authors, playwrights and academics will be able to publish widely in their areas of interest in any language they wish. Even more importantly, Somalis can break the western knowledge monopoly and the encroaching Chinese one, by creating their own and disseminating it widely to their peers in their own mother tongue.

There is much to write about as Somalis are a people of poems, stories and endless debates. Aside from ideas, thoughts and the vast quantities of paper needed to publish them, the success of the printing factory would depend on external factors which if not in place, can shut it down before it is able to put a full stop in its first publishable sentence.

Somali journalist accused of fabricating rape story

18 Jan- Source: The Guardian-207 Words

I posted an item a couple of days ago about a journalist having been arrested after interviewing a woman who claimed she was raped by Somali soldiers.

Now the country’s police commissioner, General Sharif Sheikhuna Maye, has issued a statement accusing the journalist, Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim, and the alleged victim, Lul Ali Hassan, of concocting a false story.

He said medical examinations of the victim showed no evidence of rape, according to Somalia’s Hiiraan Online. He said she confessed to police that she fabricated her story because she was told that she would get money and extra rations at the displaced persons camp where she was living.
The police chief says Ibrahim and members of a Somali women’s rights group bribed Hassan to claim that she was raped.

The Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, referred to the case during his visit to Washington DC. He said he would not interfere in the judicial process.

He said: “If he [the journalist] is guilty, he will go through process of the law. If he is innocent he will be freed.”

When Mohamud took office in November he said: “My government has zero tolerance for the rape issue. We do not intend to be flexible when it comes to rape.”

Top tweets

@StateDept (Video) #SecClinton announces the U.S. is recognizing the Government of #Somalia — the first time since 1991. http://youtu.be/HlUBFui-U-8

@AmbassadorRice The United States is proud to restore relations with #Somalia after more than 20 years.

@TheWeeklyMoral No doubt that the recognition will help#Somalia in the international setting of development. What must be addressed urgently is the youth

@amisomsomalia PHOTOS:Football is once more gaining popularity across #Somalia #bbcfootball #ssfootball #CAN2013 #AFCON2013 #Football http://on.fb.me/13He1o6

@UNPOSomalia Read about Captain Asha & our role in supporting the #Somali police force on @UN in #Somalia:http://on.fb.me/WKMoDC @OCHASom @UN_DPA

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Image of the day

Image of the day US President Barack Obama drops by a meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, on Jan. 17, 2013. Photo: White House