January 25, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Kenya’s military rules out talks with Somali militants
25 Jan – Source: People Daily/ Xinhua – 638 words
The Kenyan military on Thursday ruled out negotiating with Somalia’s al Shabaab militants who have threatened to kill hostages unless the East African nation releases all Muslim prisoners held on terrorism charges.
Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna said the hostages shown on the insurgents’ video which was released on Wednesday were not Prisoners of War since they were not soldiers. Oguna said the government cannot negotiate with the al Qaeda- allied group because they are terrorists who have committed various criminal acts such as kidnapping and killings.
“First of all, we cannot talk to Uganda to release prisoners being in their custody on terrorism charges as they have alleged. The prisoners who are in Kenyan custody are criminals who are being held for committing various crimes,” Oguna told Xinhua by telephone on Thursday.
Key Headlines
- Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks to VOA (VOA News)
- Somali spy agency refutes alleged underhand deals to free suspects (Bar-kulan/New Somali Online)
- Al Shabaab’s Twitter account has been suspended (Nuxur Media/Somali Memo)
- Kenya wants KDF costs in Somalia repaid (Standard Digital)
- UN warns of mass violations against Somali children (Radio Kulmiye)
- IGAD urges member states to support rebuilding Somalia (Ethiopian News Agency)
- Insecurity rises in Dadaab as Kenya ’rounds up’ urban Somali refugees (The Guardian)
- Kenya’s military rules out talks with Somali militants (People Daily/Xinhua)
| SOMALI MEDIA | REGIONAL MEDIA | INTERNATIONAL MEDIA | SOCIAL MEDIA |
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali spy agency refutes alleged underhand deals to free suspects
25 Jan – Source: Bar-kulan/New Somali Online – 120 words
The Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has refuted claims that suspects in its custody are released after paying bribe contrary to the law. The national spy agency says no suspect has ever been released for paying money, calling such allegations as unfounded.
In an exclusive interview with Bar-kulan, NISA boss Ahmed Moalim Fiqi defended his agency saying that the alleged bribe reports are aimed at jeopardizing the operations. He said his officers are disciplined and trained to conduct their work professionally and did not expect them to take bribe in order to release suspects.
Fiqi also dismissed reports that his agency has recruited former al Shabaab militants as its officers, saying that they have no former militants in their midst.
Al Shabaab’s Twitter account has been suspended
25 Jan – Source: Nuxur Media/Somali Memo – 80 words
Al Shabaab’s twitter account @hsmpress has been suspended by the US social media company after allegedly violating twitter policies and rules. On Wednesday al Shabaab released a video of two Kenyan hostages seized a year ago and threatened to kill their Kenyan hostages unless Nairobi frees Muslims held on terrorism charges.
Days earlier, the group said it had killed French hostage Denis Allex to avenge France’s persecution of Muslims and its military operations against Islamists, including in Mali.
UN warns of mass violations against Somali children
25 Jan – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 156 words
Leila Zerrougui, representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations has said that the children are excessively hurt in Somalia. In an interview with Radio Kulmiye, the representative has pleaded with the warring parts in Somalia to stop crimes against humanity. She revealed that they have documented almost 7,000 Somali children that were affected inside Somalia.
“It is a big crime against the children and these children have rights. There are international laws that will charge any person who violate the children” Leila Zerrougui said.
This comes as the Human rights Watch says that it will put in front of the African Union the violations of the children rights in which Somalia is one of the places where the children are troubled.
Somaliland Army Crush Khatumo Aligned Militiamen
24 Jan – Source: Somaliland Press – 128 words
Six injured militiamen who were among 10 other captured by Somaliland army this week in the district of Hudun of sool region have been brought to Burco general hospital for specialized treatment.
The Khatumo affiliated militiamen were held at the Burco maximum prison after been captured during a fierce firefight last Tuesday in Hudun district after a failed attack they had launched on a Somaliland army base.
General Ismael Mohamed Osman (Shaqalle) told reporters during a press briefing “ units belonging to the national army had dispelled an ambush on a military base in Hudun ,inflicting heavy losses on the Khatumo militiamen capturing 10 prisoners and 2 technical battle-wagons and one heavy duty vehicle after pursuing them as they tried to flee for more the 40km.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya wants KDF costs in Somalia repaid
25 Jan – Source: Standard Digital – 207 words
Kenya wants the United Nations to reimburse it for expenses incurred during military operations in Somalia. The Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi on Thursday noted that Kenya had only gotten a compensation of Sh2.5 billion out of Sh11 billion.
“The meeting pointed out that the funds were required to finance urgent social and economic development programmes in the country,” said a statement from State House. The meeting was briefed on the progress being made by Kenya Defence Forces, who are part of the Amisom mission in Somalia.
Kenyan troops crossed to Somalia in 2011 to hunt for al Shabaab militants who had been blamed for various insecurity incidents in the region. The meeting said Inter-Governmental Authority on Development should urgently convene a meeting to plan the reconstruction of Somalia and tackling of humanitarian challenges facing the country. An appeal was made to the international community to play their role and help fund the humanitarian support in Somalia.
Mogadishu becomes secure for business
24 Jan – Source: NTV – 2:52 min
Several months after AMISOM troops invaded several parts of Somalia and forced the al Shabaab militia out of the major towns, the country is gradually becoming more secure and stable, a move that has prompted the Kenyan government to start the process of relocating its Somali embassy to the capital Mogadishu.
These revelations come barely a week after the United States Government officially recognized the Somali government led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Kenya not to bargain with al Shabaab over hostages
24 Jan – Source: Standard Digital/Reuters – 320 words
Kenyan officials said on Thursday they would not negotiate with al Qaeda-allied Somali militants who have threatened to kill their Kenyan hostages unless Nairobi frees Muslims held on terrorism charges.
On Wednesday al Shabaab released a video of two Kenyan hostages seized a year ago and told Kenya to meet its demands. Days earlier, the group said it had killed French hostage Denis Allex to avenge France’s persecution of Muslims and its military operations against Islamists, including in Mali.
Colonel Cyrus Oguna, spokesman for the Kenyan military which has been battling al Shabaab in Somalia since October 2011, said the hostages shown in the video were not prisoners of war because they were non-combatants.
IGAD urges member states to support rebuilding Somalia
24 Jan – Source: Ethiopian News Agency – 184 words
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) called on all member states to contribute share in the efforts to rebuild Somalia. IGAD held its 46th Extraordinary Council Meeting here. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti told journalists that the meeting discussed on issues related to rebuild areas freed from Al-Shabab in Somalia and also on implementation of the recent agreements between Sudan and South Sudan.
Ambassador Dina said the meeting lauded the ongoing efforts to rebuild Somalia and urged member states to further intensify efforts towards the same goal. The Council called on for re-establishment of governmental institutions in areas freed from Al shabab. The council also urged Sudan and South Sudan to implement the agreements they reached here last September.
Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Tedros Adhanom said at the opening of the session that the meeting will help to further strengthen ongoing activities to maintain sustainable peace in the region. Executive Secretary of IGAD, Eng. Mahboub Maalim on his part said the main objective of IGAD is to make sustainable the victories so far gained and the ongoing peace process.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Insecurity rises in Dadaab as Kenya ’rounds up’ urban Somali refugees
25 Jan – Source: The Guardian – 968 words
Bishara Mohamed cradles her six-month-old son in a hospital in Dagahaley, one of five camps that make up the enormous Dadaab refugee complex in north-eastern Kenya.
Abdirizak has difficulty breathing, and a fever. These ailments are being treated. But the Somali infant has been born into the world’s biggest refugee camp, a place of great need, limited freedom and, increasingly, fear as armed gangs tighten their grip on a vulnerable population.
“Living conditions are deteriorating. Before, there was much peace. Now there is a lot of insecurity,” says Mohamed, who has been in Dadaab since 1992.
Aid officials and residents say Dadaab is becoming more dangerous as bandits kill, rape and steal, and Islamic militants target civilians and Kenyan security forces with bombs and shootings. About 95% of the 448,000 people living here are from Somalia, and some have been in this limbo land for 20 years.
Kenya’s military rules out talks with Somali militants
25 Jan – Source: People Daily/ Xinhua – 638 words
The Kenyan military on Thursday ruled out negotiating with Somalia’s al Shabaab militants who have threatened to kill hostages unless the East African nation releases all Muslim prisoners held on terrorism charges.
Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna said the hostages shown on the insurgents’ video which was released on Wednesday were not Prisoners of War since they were not soldiers.
Oguna said the government cannot negotiate with the al Qaeda- allied group because they are terrorists who have committed various criminal acts such as kidnapping and killings.
“First of all, we cannot talk to Uganda to release prisoners being in their custody on terrorism charges as they have alleged. The prisoners who are in Kenyan custody are criminals who are being held for committing various crimes,” Oguna told Xinhua by telephone on Thursday.
Reprieve for urban refugees in Kenya, but fear persists
24 Jan – Source: IRIN News – 1213 words
Urban refugees in Kenya, threatened with relocation to overcrowded refugee camps, are breathing a sigh of relief following a High Court ruling that has provisionally halted the move.
On 18 December 2012, Kenya’s Department of Refugee Affairs announced that all refugees should leave urban areas and move to refugee camps – the northeastern Dadaab complex for Somali refugees, and the northwestern Kakuma camp for all others. It further ordered an immediate stop to the registration of refugees in urban areas.
The directive was in response to a number of grenade attacks that have occurred in urban areas, following Kenya’s invasion of Somalia in October 2011. The attacks have been widely blamed on the Somali militant group al Shabaab, although the group has not claimed responsibility.
The government was due to begin the relocation of an estimated 100,000 urban refugees to camps on 21 January, but a ruling on 23 January by Justice David Majanja halted the government’s plan until 4 February, when a petition against the directive filed by Kituo Cha Sheria, a local legal rights group, is scheduled to be heard.
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks to VOA
23 Jan – Source: VOA – 06:54
The United States and Somalia have restored diplomatic relations for the first time in more than 20 years. After meeting with President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud spoke to VOA’s English to Africa reporter Mariama Diallo.
He said the official recognition of the state of Somalia by the U.S. is significant, and will have a great impact as his nation moves forward. He also addressed the recent uptick in violence across the continent, the French hostage situation in his country and what he expects from the Somali diaspora.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Somalia has had perhaps the most turbulent statehood in modern history but perhaps that is turning into an era of peaceful leadership.”
Building a secure Somalia
25 Jan – Source: UPI – 784 Words
The territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia has had perhaps the most turbulent statehood — or marked lack thereof — in modern history. Somalia has been an ambiguous conglomeration of entities that struggled to provide any semblance of order for its estimated 10 million citizens over the past two decades.
U.S. President George H.W. Bush and the wider international community publicly conceded that Somalia had ceased to exist as a state in the early 1990s, as the country collapsed spectacularly into a series of brutal civil wars fueled by resource and power competition between warring clans.
For the next 20 years warlords, rival clans, transitional governments and myriad coalitions attempted to quell the violence and offer any sort of governance that would elicit international recognition. None succeeded for nearly a quarter of a century, until last week.
The era of ambiguity ended for the Somali people and government of the Federal Republic of Somalia on Jan. 17, 2013, when Somali President Hassan Sheik Mohamud traveled to Washington to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“During two decades of conflict, famines and floods, Somali expatriates’ transmission of money back home — known as “remittances” — has been instrumental in keeping Somalia afloat. The UN Development Programme estimates that $1.6 billion in remittances are sent back annually by Somali migrants living in North America and Europe.
Abdirashid Duale, a Somali who is chief executive of Dahabshiil, one of the largest money-transfer businesses in Africa, says that such transfers have been a lifeline. Now that security has improved in Mogadishu after the ouster of al Shabaab Islamist militants in October 2012, he believes that strong economic growth can help drive peace. He shared with Africa Renewal’s Jocelyne Sambira his hopes for a “business-friendly” administration”
Somalia: Somali Diaspora’s Remittances Cast a Lifeline
25 Jan – Source: Africa Renewal/All Africa – 731 Words
How do you see the political situation in Mogadishu today?
The recent election, which was the first held in Mogadishu in more than 20 years ago, represents a great achievement. It’s early days yet, and the new administration has a lot of issues to address. I am a businessman, not a politician, so it is not my role to talk about politics. I hope, however, that the new government will be business-friendly.
I believe that encouraging the Somali business community, which is extremely dynamic, will enhance peace and development. The diaspora, as the primary source of funding for Somali enterprise, will of course play an important role. Remittance finance, the majority of which comes through Dahabshiil, accounts for a large proportion of start-up capital in the Somali territories and has enabled the private sector to be the “great survivor” of the last two decades.
Security has improved in the capital, Mogadishu, and Kismayo is now in the hands of the government. What do you think will help stabilize the country?
There are still many challenges ahead. Addressing them will take time. However, I am sure development and job creation will help, as economic improvement plays such a key role in enhancing and cementing peace and stability.
The business community, which is in so many ways a Somali success story, can help stabilize the situation. Dahabshiil, for example, works all over the Somali territories. It employs thousands of Somali people regardless of their clan or regional affiliations. We also apply this unifying approach to our customers, as we serve all Somalis, no matter where they come from.
Top tweets
@OCHASom What did humanitarians do to alleviate the suffering of people in crisis in #Somalia in December? The answer is here: http://bit.ly/10VrwSo.
@JamesGadin Meeting of the Core Group on #Somalia on the margins of the @AUSummit in Addis Ababa @AU_PSD#AMISOM pic.twitter.com/7baV0ASG.
@RhymingNomad The past and the present -Shalay iyo -Maanta. #Somalia #AminArts pic.twitter.com/rgNPQiAd.
@kishkafka Journalist in #Somalia must’ve gotten too close to the truth because he’s been detained for the last 2 weekshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?
@Charles_Lister Interesting to see that Twitter seems to have suspended @HSMPress this morning/last night – #Somalia#Shabab #Mogadishu.
Image of the day
Representatives from Somalia attend the 8th Meeting of Islamic Inter-Parliamentary Union (IIPU) held in Khartoum, capital of Sudan. Photo: Radio Mogadishu.