January 27, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

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Somalia: Details emerging from U.S drone attack on al Shabaab convoy

27 Jan- Source: Radio RBC/Rasmi News/Shabelle-224 words

Details are emerging from a suspect U.S drone attack that hit a convoy transporting senior al Shabaab’s intelligence commander in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on Sundayafternoon. According to an al Shabaab radio, a missile hit a car transporting Sheikh Sahal Isku Dhuuq, who was a member of al Shabaab’s Intelligence Unit known as “Amniyat”. Amniyat is a dreaded and well armed unit responsible for conducting assassinations and bombings.

Sheikh Sahal who also uses another name as “Ahmed Abdukadir Camo” has been an active fighter in al Shabaab’s insurgency war. He has enjoyed a close relation with Ahmed Abdi Godane, al Shabaab’s overall commander.

The Sunday attack occurred near Haway area, about a dozen kms away from Barawe, al Shabaab’s stronghold town in southern Somalia. The drone released at least one missile that directly hit the car and led to its complete destruction, according to a witness not willing to be named for security grounds. No one escaped from the the scene of the attack

According to local sources, the attack came as senior al Shabaab commanders in the southern regions of Somalia were gathering in Barawe town to design new tactics of war against Somalia Government Forces and African Union Mission in Somalia.

Somalia Government recently announced a massive assault on al Shabaab’s strongholds in the southern regions. This military assault is expected to start on soon.

Key Headlines

Somalia confirms killing of al Shabaab commander (Xinhua)
Somalia: Gov’t Security Forces conduct massive operation to remove roadblocks outside Mogadishu(RBC)
Somalis begin returning home (Daily Nation)
Middle Shabelle officials supply aid to families near Jowhar (Radio Bar-Kulan)
Al Shabaab starts operation in Bulomarer following deadly attack on top commander (Radio Dalsan)
More than 27000 people evicted from different settlements in Somali towns (RBC)
US strike ‘targets al Shabaab chief’ in Somalia (AFP-BBC-NBC News)
Somalia: Details emerging from U.S drone attack on al Shabaab convoy (Radio RBC/Rasmi News/Shabelle)
Al Shabaab in Puntland speak on Galgala fight (RBC)
High seas cause fish price rise in Mogadishu (Radio Ergo)
Kenya: Police Issue Alert Over Insecurity (Citizen News)
Growing Somali efforts strengthen regional anti-terror war (PANA)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somalia: Details emerging from U.S drone attack on al Shabaab convoy

27 Jan- Source: Radio RBC/Rasmi News-224 words

Details are emerging from a suspect U.S drone attack that hit a convoy transporting senior al Shabaab’s intelligence commander in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on Sunday afternoon. According to an al Shabaab radio, a missile hit a car transporting Sheikh Sahal Isku Dhuuq, who was a member of al Shabaab’s Intelligence Unit known as “Amniyat”. Amniyat is a dreaded and well armed unit responsible for conducting assassinations and bombings.

Somalia Government recently announced a massive assault on al Shabaab’s strongholds in the southern regions. This military assault is expected to start on soon.

Middle Shabelle officials supply aid to families near Jowhar

27 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 138 words

Middle Shabelle region officials have supplied food aid to hundreds of families recently resettled in their villages in the outskirts of Jowhar, the provincial capital of Middle Shabelle region.

The aid which consisted of food and dried milk was reportedly supplied to hundreds of families in Sabun, Gedo-Barkan and other villages in the region by Middle Shabelle Aid Distribution Committee.

Sheikh Mohamud Sheikh Yusuf, the Secretary of the Aid Distribution Committee of Middle Shabelle region promised that the committee will continue to supply food aid and other assistance to the families.

He called on relief agencies to provide assistance to the families affected by the Shabelle River floods and recent inter-clan conflicts in the region.

Meanwhile, the beneficiaries thanked the committee for its timely assistance. This latest aid was contributed by the government of the United Arab Emirates.

Al Shabaab starts operation in Bulomarer following deadly attack on top commander

27 Jan- Source: Radio Dalsan- 141 words

Militant group in southern Somalia started on Monday a search operation in Bulomarer town in Lower Shabelle region a day after American drone targeted a key commander in the group. The militants started to storm houses and business premises of the town searching what they described as spies working for the U.S government.

They did not arrest anyone but sources have confirmed that heavily armed militants were seen stopping buses and lorries coming out of the town. The operation came after a militant commander named as ‘Iskudhuuq’ was killed in U.S drone airstrike near Barawe town.

More than 27,000 people evicted from different settlements in Somali towns

27 Jan- Source: RBC-208 Words

Despite continued advocacy efforts, forced evictions remain a serious threat to displaced people and other vulnerable groups. In November and December, about 27,000 people were evicted from different settlements in Mogadishu, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.

As previously reported, in January 2013, the Federal Government of Somalia initiated a plan to relocate displaced people from the numerous settlements scattered inside Mogadishu and on the outskirts of the city.

However, the plan stalled partly due to lack of security and land-ownership benchmarks, and pre-emptive action by gate-keepers (self-appointed “custodians” of the displaced) moving people out of settlements. Humanitarian partners have engaged with the Government in planning the relocation in the capital to ensure the process was conducted in a voluntary, consultative, systematic and rights-based manner.

Imminent evictions were also reported from Kismayo where authorities had given people occupying public buildings and land two months to vacate the sites (20 November – 20 January).

However, within a month some 450 people had been evicted according to UNHCR although reports suggest that the evicted families received financial assistance as a means of redress from authorities. Kismayo authorities have expressed an interest to work with humanitarian organizations to find solutions for the about 20,000 displaced people in Kismayo, according to UNHCR.

Lower Shabelle region officials knew of Sunday’s drone attack

27 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/al Shahid- 143 words

Lower Shabelle region officials have on Monday said they were aware of a US drone attack which killed al Shabaab militant commander on Sunday in Lower Shabelle region.

Abdikadir Mohamed Nur Sidi, the governor of Lower Shabelle region who exclusively spoke to Bar-kulan said that his administration was well aware of the attack which took place in Hawai village. Sidi noted that the authorities are now conducting investigations into the incident to find out the exact number of casualties.

The attack took place in Haway village, an al Shabaab stronghold, some few kilometers from Barawa district in Lower Shabelle region, according to Sidi. He said that NATO forces led by the United States assist Somali government and their African allies in the country to eliminate the threat of the al Shabaab militant group.

Al Shabaab in Puntland speak on Galgala fight

27 Jan- Source: Radio Dalsan- 133 words

Al Shabaab rebels branch in Puntland has denied that its fighters were defeated in recent attack by the Puntland forces. Sheikh Abdukadir Mumin whose base is in Galgala mountains of Bari region has claimed that the militants repulsed massive attack by the Puntland forces on Saturday.

Sheikh Mumin also claimed that more than ten Puntland’s security forces were killed in the attack as he said, the whole area was still under their control. “The mujahiden knew of the attack and we were prepared for them,” he added that al Shabaab’s branch in the northeastern were still there.

On Saturday the Puntland Deputy Security Minister said three militants were killed in the assault by the security forces and that the mountainous range of Golis southwest of Bosaso was under the forces’ control.

Somaliland Planning Minister briefs parliament

27 Jan- Source: Somaliland Informer- 217 words

Somaliland National Planning Minister Hon. Sa’ad Ali Shire has spelled out that there is an estimated amount of 59 million dollars in the Somaliland Business Fund on Sunday after briefing the members of Parliament. He made clear that the formation of SBF came into being thanks to the Danish, UK and Norwegian governments. The minister of Planning has made the remarks on the parliamentary session that was chaired by the speaker of the parliament Hon. Abdirahman aka Cirro.

The members of the parliament have the opportunity to pose questions to the NP Minister on the strategy intended and the purposes that the fund has been earmarked.

The National Planning Minister said that the government will receive the allotted aid annually from donor countries and stated that this will be added to the national budget. The Minister has said that the aid that the country receives from foreign countries can be either assistance or debt.

The plan is that the money in the Somaliland Business Fund is to utilize it for about four years, 34 million is provided by the UK, 20 million is donate by Denmark and the remaining 5 million is given to Somaliland by Norway. Ministerial committee decided that this year much should be spent on the areas of agriculture, livestock, environment, roads and water.

Gov’t forces conduct operation to remove roadblocks outside Mogadishu

26 Jan- Source: Radio RBC- 219 words

Somali government security forces have removed dozens of illegal checkpoints set up by armed militia on the main corridor between Mogadishu and Afgoye, RBC Radio. The main road between Mogadishu and Afgoye which also a key linking road to the country’ southern regions were cut off since Saturday after local transport drivers went on strike due to increased roadblocks.

National Security Agency Forces backed by AMISOM conducted a massive operation to eliminate the roadblocks which they have cleared more than a dozen roadblocks from the road between Mogadishu, Afgoye, K50 and Wanlaweyn.

Somali Police Chief Gen Abdihakim Dahir Said who held a press conference in Afgoye, 30km south of Mogadishu later on Sunday said the operation to fight against the illegal roadblocks will continue until every citizen is safe enough and can travel from town to town.

Gen Said has confirmed that the security forces apprehended more than 20 armed men who were caught during the operation while on the roadblocks and forcing the passing vehicles and civilians to forcibly pay money. The Police Chief voiced that the detained armed militia will be brought to justice soon.

High seas cause fish price rise in Mogadishu

26 Jan- Source: Radio Ergo- 223 words

The price of fish and other seafood has more than doubled recently because of the high seas that do not allow local fishermen to fish easily off the Mogadishu coast. Osman Mayow, a fish seller in Mogadishu’s fish market, said one kilogram of fish had increased from 60,000 to 150,000 Somali shillings over the past three months.

“It is due to the worsening sea levels so most of the fishing boats are not going out to fish,” Mayow told Radio Ergo’s local reporter. He said the fishermen that dared to go to sea came back with small catches after a very short time, for fear of being trapped by the high seas.

A fisherman Ali Abdi said this season of high seas and high prices would soon end. “Then the price will be reduced and become normal,” he said.

The consumption of fish has been becoming more popular with the residents of Mogadishu in recent years. But due to the rising prices many people had turned to other food items. Sahro Mohamud, a householder, said her family used to buy 1 kg of fish a day, but the increasing prices had made her reduce her purchase to half a kilo. She complained that the prices of all essential food commodities had risen because fewer commodities had been coming in by sea.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya: Police Issue Alert Over Insecurity

27 Jan- Source: Citizen News- 68 words

Police have issued a high security alert following information that the al Shabaab terror groups are planning to launch a series of attacks on key installations. Security officials say they have increased surveillance following increased incidents of attempted attacks over the past one week alone. Inspector general of police, David Kimaiyo has cautioned Kenyans to be extra vigilant and share with security agencies any relevant information. Sally Mbilu reports.

Somalis begin returning home

26 Jan- Source: Daily Nation- 617 words

Thousands of Somali refugees have started returning to their country. The refugees from Dadaab said they were returning voluntarily following a reduction of food supplies at the camp and resumption of normalcy in parts of their country following the Kenya Defence Forces intervention. The United Nations, in turn, has scaled down rations at Dadaab refugee camp due to limited resources. The Nation found some of the refugees arriving on donkey carts at Afmadow in the Jubbaland State after trekking from Dadaab for 12 days.

Growing Somali efforts strengthen regional anti-terror war

24 Jan- Source: PANA-447 Words

The arrest of Abdirahman Isse Hassan, a Somali murder suspect who quietly slipped into hiding in South Sudan, through the efforts of the Somali National Police Force (SNPF) has accentuated Somalia’s growing relevance and cooperation in the regional anti-terror battle. SNPF, which has also grown in capability, closely monitored the movement of Hassan who was then arrested by INTERPOL with the help of the South Sudanese Police in early 2013. PANA reports that while not much information was available on the murder trial of Hassan since his arrest, his movement into South Sudan was consistent with the route taken by suspected terrorists. Keen to shake off security scrutiny, they usually travel from Somalia into South Sudan and oblivion.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia confirms killing of Al-Shabaab commander

27 Jan- Source: Xinhua-186 words

The Somali government on Monday confirmed the killing of a commander of the al Qaeda linked group al Shabaab in an overnight air strike in the south of the Horn of Africa nation.

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed confirmed the killing of Ahmed Abdelkadir Amu Iskudhuuq, saying in a tweet post that the attack will prevent jihadists from making Somalia a safe heaven.

“Air strike in Lower Shabelle kills senior al Shabaab official. No hiding place for al Shabaab in Somalia,” Radio Mogadishu reported. The strike also killed Iskudhuuq’s two bodyguards as they were moving from Bay region to Lower Shabelle in southern Somalia.

US strike ‘targets al-Shabaab chief’ in Somalia

27 Jan- Source: AFP/BBC /NBC News – 195 words

The US military has carried out a missile strike in Somalia against a suspected militant leader with ties to al Qaeda and al Shabaab. US defence officials say they are trying to establish whether the strike killed the intended target, whose identity they have not confirmed. The strike was aimed at a vehicle in a remote area of southern Somalia, near the town of Barawe. Al Shabaab is the main al Qaeda-linked group in East Africa. The Pentagon says the target of was a senior leader in the two organisations. A rebel leader has told the Associated Press news agency that it was Sahal Iskudhuq, an al-Shabaab commander who was close to the head of the militant Islamist group, and to al Qaeda.

Weekend attacks in Somalia deal al Shabaab a double blow

26 Jan- Source: The Long War Journal-930 Words

A US missile strike reportedly killed Sahal Iskudhuq, a senior al Shabaab commander who served as a high-ranking member of the Amniyat, al Shabaab’s intelligence unit. The strike took place on Sunday after security forces raidedal Shabaab camps in the northern, semiautonomous region of Puntland. A pro-Shabaab radio station in Barawe confirmed that an airstrike took place in the village of Haway in Lower Shabelle, RBC Radio reported. Iskudhuq is said to have been killed in the missile attack. AL Shabaab has not confirmed his death. US officials speaking on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press that they had carried out a strike against al Shabaab leader, but would not identify the target as US intelligence was still “assessing the effectiveness of the strike.”

Somali human rights activist honoured in Chennai

27 Jan- Source: The Hindu- 312 words

Somali human rights activist and physician, Hawa Abdi Diblawe, who refused to cow down to threats from militants after her hospital outside the capital city of Mogadishu was destroyed four times, was on Saturdayawarded Tanker (Tamilnad Kidney Research) Foundation’s ‘For the Sake of Honour’ award.
Her daughter, Deqo Aden Mohamed, received the award on her behalf and delivered the Tanker Krishnan Ang Lecture–2014, under the title ‘Keeping Hope alive’. “At one point of time, there were 90,000 persons on our 1,300-acre farm and my mother provided them with food, water and medical treatment. Today, the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation provides healthcare and education and has just started promoting farming practices,” said Ms. Mohamed.

Decrease in Somalia piracy sees greater trade with Gulf

25 Jan- Source: BBC-03:46mins

Piracy off the coast of Somalia has fallen to its lowest level for eight years, thanks to international naval patrols. The safer shipping lanes have encouraged firms in the Gulf to re-open trade links. Howard Johnson reports on the goods involved and Somalia’s hopes for greater investment.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Female activist Suad Abdi hopes to shake up system by standing for parliament, which has one woman among 164 MPs”

Somaliland clan loyalty hampers women’s political prospects

27 Jan- Source: Guardian Blog-784 Words

After 18 years as a social activist in Somaliland, Suad Abdi feels it is time to run for parliament. But she stands as much chance of winning a seat as a camel has of passing through the eye of a needle. Women face few restrictions in Somaliland, the self-declared independent republic in the north-western corner of conflict-ridden Somalia. They can work, own property, and be vocal on social issues. But politics remains a man’s world in the former British protectorate, an oasis of stability in the region.

There is only one woman among the 164 MPs and just three in the cabinet of 40. There is not a single female judge in Somaliland, although in 2012 four deputy attorney generals were appointed for the first time.

Abdi, a founding member of the National Women’s Network, Nagaad, and country representative of the charity Progressio, attributes the lack of women in politics to the male-dominated clan system. “Most political parties get support from clans, which decide who should become candidates and the clans don’t put women forward. The clans want men because they know where the men’s loyalties lie. When women marry, their loyalty changes to her husband’s clan,” says Abdi.

“A crucial benefit of port development in Somalia is that it will enable job creation as these dynamic ports will be able to employ a substantial share of the population, thus alleviating labour market imbalances and chronic unemployment.”

Ports: the key to rapid economic growth?

26 Jan- Source: Somali Economic Forum-729 Words

Somalia is strategically based in the Horn of Africa and benefits from direct access to both the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. This has led economists to contemplate in what capacity Somali ports could become dynamic and competitive regional hubs. However, for this to happen it is paramount that infrastructural development takes place and that Somali ports are able to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

This will enable Somalia’s ports to make the transformative shift from underdeveloped & underutilised ports to dynamic, regional port hubs in East Africa and the Middle East. This is a feasible, long term aim as Somali ports benefit from their geographically advantageous position whereby the share a close proximity to African economies as well as markets in the Middle East.

In recent years, there has been much activity in regards to FDI facilitation and the modernization of Somali ports. A key example can be found in Berbera Port which contains a deep sea harbour and a 650-metre berth which is a remnant of Soviet and American investment in the 1970s and 1980s respectively. Crucially, Berbera Port is situated strategically at the mouth of the Red Sea which is a key artery in the multi-billion dollar oil transport and logistics route which passes through the Red Sea & the Suez Canal.

“Mothers have the potential to play the most important role of educator in a child’s early life and as children get older they are still at the heart of their children’s education. If you apply this principle to Fathers, and other constant role models in the child’s home environment, most frequently it is the Mother who plays the main role.”

Somaliland: Importance of educated Mother in child’s education

26 Jan- Source: Somalilandpress-832 Words

No one doubts the importance of the role of mothers in educates their children, affection and attention from a good mother has a huge effect on the child’s personality. Attention and affection will cause a feeling of thanks in children and raise self confidence in their growth periods. So great was the role of a mother in educating her children, it cannot be denied that the mother is the first school. The process of education provided by a mother had carried out since the baby still in the womb. What mother listen to or read to the baby in the womb, then it will be heard also by the baby. Emotional and character of the mothers had to be transmitted through the behavior of a mother during pregnancy and parenting.

Education also can be provided with eye contact that occurs between mother and child. At any time, wherever and whenever this education process can be done. A mother has a big responsibility in creating a young generation of creative, innovative, educative and productive. It is a dream comes true if it was not painted by the gentle hands of a mother. And to make it happen, the knowledgeable, intelligent and devoted to who can do it. Damage to the ethics of women is a contiguous chain with juvenile delinquency, the fragility of families and damage communities. If mother can understand and willing to perform duties and responsibilities in educating and directing children well, with all the guidance and example to children. Willing, will be born a generation that devout, superior and qualified, able to be responsible for themselves and their lives later.

Top tweets

@OCHASom New VIDEO: Use of radio offers learning flexibility in #Somalia through Alternative Basic Eduction @unicefsomalia http://uni.cf/1aLjOxs

@TheVillaSomalia #Shabaab alone & isolated, unwanted by the great people of #Somalia. The door is open for all who renounce violence. pic.twitter.com/D50fvRLRR0

@SomaliPM Day 2 of Cabinet session on govt 2014 Program today includes partners in international commuity to ensure all of us delivering for #Somalia

@Somalia111 In #Addis for AU summit week. #Somalia a shining example of how #AU can help build peace and security in Africa.

@Abdikhakim We r praying frm homeland . Guul >>“@SomaliaBandy14: The first game has started!! GO SOMALIA! #gosomaliabandy http://fb.me/2Ix5yRkx9 ”

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Image of the day

Image of the day Families returning from flooding and clan conflict in #MiddleShabelle #Somalia receive assistance from #UAE. Photo: @tres_HOA