January 3, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
President Mohamud meets Somalis in Khartoum
03 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu- 129 words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has met members of the Somali community in Khartoum including students pursuing higher education in Sudan.
Speaking to community members, president Mohamud thanked the Sudanese government for providing scholarships to Somali students a time Somalia has been in total turmoil for two decades.
The president briefed the community members of the political and security progress made in the country. He said his government will make national security a priority in order to safeguard the lives and property of its citizens.
During his stay in Sudan, the president also held talks with his host Omar Hassan Al-Bashir of Sudan after attending the 57th anniversary of Sudan’s independence.
The president also toured a plant that has been handling Somali banknotes since the tenure of the last TFG.
Key Headlines
- President Mohamud meets Somalis in Khartoum (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Puntland minister warns against al Shabaab and ‘political spoilers’ (Garowe Online)
- Roadside bomb hits AMISOM patrol in Merka town (Shabelle)
- Somali ambassador warns nationals in Libya without official document (Radio Mustaqbal)
- Bay elders ask government to strengthen security (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Puntland authorities arrest 100s of youth in Galkayo (Radio Risaala)
- AU Commission to monitor 2013 elections closely (Africa Review)
- Somali government seeks to reclaim overseas assets (Sabahi Online)
- Kenya thwarts terror attacks in coastal city during festive season (global times/ Xinhua)
- 2012 marks a historic year for Somalia (Presstv)
SOMALI MEDIA
President Mohamud meets Somalis in Khartoum
03 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu- 129 words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has met members of the Somali community in Khartoum including students pursuing higher education in Sudan.
Speaking to community members, president Mohamud thanked the Sudanese government for providing scholarships to Somali students a time Somalia has been in total turmoil for two decades.
The president briefed the community members of the political and security progress made in the country. He said his government will make national security a priority in order to safeguard the lives and property of its citizens.
During his stay in Sudan, the president also held talks with his host Omar Hassan Al-Bashir of Sudan after attending the 57th anniversary of Sudan’s independence.
The president also toured a plant that has been handling Somali banknotes since the tenure of the last TFG.
Puntland minister warns against al Shabaab and ‘political spoilers’
03 Jan- Source: Garowe Online- 345 words
The security minister in Somalia ‘s Puntland government Gen. Khalif Issa Mudan has warned the Puntland public against al Shabaab militant group “infiltrating ” Puntland regions, while condemning “political spoilers ” who oppose democratizing Puntland, Garowe Online reports.
Minister Mudan gave the closing speech on Wednesday at the conclusion of a two-day meeting on peace and security discussions held in the port city of Bossaso, Puntland ‘s commercial hub. The meeting was organized by Bari provincial administration supported by DRC nongovernmental organization.
“Al Shabaab terrorist group is infiltrating Puntland and I urge the public to remain vigilant of the terrorists,” said Minister Mudan, adding: “We are telling the community elders that any person suspected of being al Shabaab member will not be released until proven innocent because al Shabaab is a threat to national security. ”
Roadside bomb hits AMISOM patrol in Merka town
02 Jan- Source: Shabelle- 137 words
A roadside bomb has hit a Burundian contingent of African union forces which was on a patrol in the seaside town of Merka in southern Somalia, according to residents in the town.
Eyewitnesses say that three civilians have been wounded in the explosion but residents could not confirm any casualty on the side of AMISOM troops, who were the target of the attack.
Meanwhile the deputy governor of in charge of security, who spoke to Shabelle media network said that there was no casualty sustained by AMISOM forces from the roadside bomb blast, stressing that security operations were underway in the town to find the perpetrators of the attack.
Somali ambassador warns nationals in Libya without official document
03 Jan- Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 60 words
The ambassador of Somalia to Libya Abdihakim Mohamed Waayse has warn Somalis who are trying to travel through the northern African country without any official document, saying it is dangerous and those found will be put in jails.
The ambassador said currently there are dozens of Somalis languishing in jails across Libya. He added that the conditions in those jails are wanting.
Bay elders ask government to strengthen security
03 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 150 words
Elders in Bay region have appealed to the government to strengthen security in the regional capital, Baidoa, and scale up efforts to liberate areas still under the control of al Shabaab group.
Speaking at a meeting between government officials including defence minister Abdikirin Haji Fiqi and local elders in Baidoa on Wednesday, Sheikh Mustaf who is one of the local elders in the region said the government should do something about guerrilla attacks by al Shabaab group in the city.
He also appealed to the government to liberate the remaining districts in the region in order to prevent further attacks from the militant group.
National army chief Gen. Abdikadir Dini promised they will restore law and order in the entire region and further promised to clear al Shabaab from the rest of the region.
He urged Somali youth to desist from engaging in acts of criminality and instead take part in rebuilding the country.
Puntland authorities arrest 100s of youth in Galkayo
02 Jan- Source: Radio Risaala- 91 words
Puntland Security forces have arrested more than 100 people in a major operation they conducted in central Somali town of Galkayo. The arrested were linked with various security threats and some are believed to have masterminded major criminal offenses in the volatile town.
Mohamed Sandaq, the head of the Police department in Puntland, confirmed the arrest to Risaala Media.
However, Sandaq said that after preliminary investigations, majority were released except 11 people who are still under detentions for further investigations.
Galkaayo has before witnessed several executed assassinations and other major criminal offenses.
Mudug elders meet in Galdogob for talks
03 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 132 words
Traditional elders in central Somali region of Mudug are gathering in Galdogob town to discuss Mediation talks aimed at resolving disputes between rival clans in Mudug region have kicked off in.
The three-day long meeting attended by top traditional elders in the region is aimed at bringing together rival clans in efforts to permanently ending clan hostilities in the region.
Bashir Abdulle, a prominent elder in the region, was quoted as saying that elders will deliberate during the meeting ways forward in resolving conflicts in the region and review their role in brokering peace deals among rival clans.
He said the meeting is based on traditional way of resolving conflict among the communities living in the region, adding that the current political stalemate in Puntland will not be raised during their meeting.
6 political associations registered in Puntland says Puntland Electoral Commission
02 Jan- Source: Garowe Online- 285 words
The Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC) announced in Garowe, capital of Puntland, that 6 political associations qualified to register as the democratization process continues in Puntland, Garowe Online reports.
TPEC extended the period for political associations register and meet the requirements to qualify until 31 December 2012 and announced on that date in Garowe that 6 political associations were registered to take part in district elections scheduled for mid-2013.
Chairman of TPEC Mohamed Hassan Barre announced at a press conference on Monday that after evaluations of 9 political associations in Puntland who announced their bid with TPEC, 6 political associations met the requirements.
“We are moving into the next phase of the democratization process as these 6 political associations will vie in Puntland district elections in the coming months,” said Chairman Barre.
The 6 political associations are named as Horseed, Hor’ad, Midnimo, Wadajir, Puntland People’s Party (UDAD), and Puntland Democratic Party (PDP). Political associations were given three months starting from September 2012 to organize their associations and meet the requirements.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Emergence of new threats spur security sector growth
03 Jan- Source: Standard- 344 words
Kenya is projected to add about 15,000 security guards this year owing to rising demand for the personnel amidst increased private sector investment and the emergence of new risks.
The multi-billion shilling sector has also emerged among the top job creators, with several private security firms putting up adverts seeking to recruit hundreds of askaris last month alone.
Industry leaders cite the rising threats to homes, business premises, and social places as the main driver for the trend in the segment, which is estimated to be employing nearly 300,000 individuals.
Among the new threats are those linked to terrorism activity targeting churches, nightclubs and even supermarkets, that has been heightened especially in the past year after the Government entered Somalia to pursue militia.
AU Commission to monitor 2013 elections closely
02 Jan- Source: Africa Review- 439 words
The Africa Union (AU) Commission will closely monitor the regions elections that are set to take place this year.
In her New Year message, Commission chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said that the continent needed to focus on conducting peaceful elections in order to foster growth and development.
She revealed that the commission will also send observers to cover Kenya’s first general election under the new constitution. “For the first time, the Commission will be sending a Long Term Observer (LTO) Expert Mission to the scheduled March 4th 2013 General Elections in the Republic of Kenya,” the press statement read in part.
Dr Dlamini-Zuma congratulated Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for his efforts in trying to restore democracy in war-torn Somalia adding that “the country had entered a post-conflict reconstruction and development phase.”
Elsewhere, Somali government officials and members of the public yesterday converged at country’s National Theatre in Mogadishu to celebrate the New Year.
Despite the fact that the theatre has no roof and seats as a result of two decade of war, the celebrations attracted ministers and legislators alike.
Others in attendance were popular folklore group Barbaarta gaashaaman and Djiboutian singer Farhan Hidig.
Ever since the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants withdrew their positions in the city in mid-2011, a semblance of normality has returned to the once vibrant city allowing for festivities like wedding ceremonies, beach football and theatre performances to be held.
Several people including legislators, sports officials and journalists lost their lives at the theatre in April last year after a suicide bomber targeted former Somali Prime minister Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali.
Somali government seeks to reclaim overseas assets
02 Jan- Source: Sabahi online- 539 words
The Somali government is working on a plan to recover assets frozen by foreign governments and organisations since the collapse of the central government in 1991.
Somali Foreign Affairs Minister Fowziya Yusuf Haji Adan began her tour of several countries this week to document Somalia’s financial assets in foreign banks, as well as its commercial properties, embassies, aircraft and ships.
First on her agenda are trips to the United Arab Emirates, Italy and the United Kingdom.
“We will conduct an exceptional review of all of Somalia’s global assets in all of the continents and we will consult with Somali and foreign financial and legal advisors,” Adan told Sabahi on December 27th. “The Somali government will demand the return of money held by the Swiss authorities as well as our ships and airplanes in Germany, Italy and Yemen.”
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya thwarts terror attacks in coastal city during festive season
03 Jan- Source: global times/ Xinhua- 971 words
Kenyan authorities successfully managed to thwart possible terror attacks in the coastal city of Mombasa during the festive season as number of tourist soared due to lull in terror attacks in the tourism resort city.
Regional police commander, Aggrey Adoli attributed achievement to the heightened security and arrest of four terror suspects on December 16, 2012 in the Coastal city who had sneaked into the country from Somalia.
“We had a very fruitful festive season with no incident related to terrorism reported, but we urge foreigners and locals to remain vigilant and share information to police,” Adoli told Xinhua on Wednesday.
Mombasa, the country’s second largest city and a major tourist spot is one of various cities targeted by a series of grenade attacks and abduction of foreigners in recent months.
Kenya’s tourism has suffered a decline in the number of tourists arriving since September 2011 when the Somali militant group, the al Shabaab, carried out the kidnappings of tourists in the Lamu archipelago and the kidnapping of the Spanish volunteers.
2012 marks a historic year for Somalia
02 Jan- Source: Press TV- 346 words
Somalia elected its first democratic president in 43 years. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected by lawmakers, becoming the first new leader to be chosen inside the country since 1991. He defeated former transitional president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, putting an end to his eight years of interim rule.
During the past year, Somalia has witnessed many important events the like approval of a new constitution, selection of a new 274 seat member parliament and choosing a new prime minister.
However, despite these great changes, security remains the biggest challenge of the country. Just two days after electing the new president, two bombs hit a hotel in which he was residing. The al Shabaab fighters claimed responsibility for the attack.
The political progress in Somalia inspired confidence in the international community and high level delegations visited Somalia in hopes of reviving ties with the Horn of African nation. Countries like Iran reopened their embassy in Mogadishu, paving the way for many other countries to name their envoys to Somalia.
2 cities recruit Somalis to public safety
03 Jan- Source: UPI- 168 words
Two large U.S. cities have begun recruiting Somali immigrants for public safety jobs. Minneapolis, the largest city in Minnesota, and Columbus, Ohio, have the largest and second-largest Somali populations in the country. Officials in both cities say the police and fire departments should reflect the population, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
In Minneapolis, 35 young Somali men showed up last week for a meeting with fire officials.
“It’s important for the fire department that it reflects the face of the community,” said Casidy Anderson, a community risk reduction officer.
In Columbus, Ohio’s capital and largest city, officials plan to hire a consultant to help increase diversity in the police and fire departments, the Dispatch said.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah was detained by US border guards over Christmas. Our reporter Jamal Osman, a British Somali journalist, says it’s a common experience – and tells his story.”
Mo Farah stopped at customs? He’s not alone
02 Jan- Source: Channel 4-1477 Words
Mo Farah has revealed that he is regularly stopped and questioned by US border agencies on suspicion of being a terrorist. He believes because of his Somali origin, he is detained every time he goes through US customs.
That experience is common amongst Somalis and it has been going on for years. Border officials in America and Europe seem to target Somalis and in my experience, amongst the biggest offenders are the UK authorities.
Despite living in the UK for 13 years, with no criminal offence (except the odd parking ticket), I get treated as a criminal.
It is understandable that British authorities have to keep the nation safe in particular when al Shabaab, a Somali Islamist group linked to al Qaeda, has threatened to attack this country. However, harassing, blackmailing and threatening innocent members of the Somali community in an attempt to recruit spies – to stop al Shabaab – is the wrong approach.
“After the people were registered, they received free mobile phones from Nation Link. They were trained how to use and register the phone, and then received $150 to use as they deemed fit. The money was significant in supporting the family business at a time when they were in need.”
The weaver’s tale: Mobile money helps a colourful business in Mogadishu
02 Jan- Source: Oxfam Blog-721 Words
At Abbas Ali’s workshop in Mogadishu a handful of craftsmen produce traditional Somali clothes, turning brightly colored hand-woven fabrics into clothes for both women and men.
The 45-year-old businessman says there is little demand among local Somalis for traditional locally produced hand-woven clothes – but he has discovered opportunities elsewhere. “It is difficult to compete with the cheap imported clothes that are a more economical alternative. (But) I have found a good market when I come across tourists and NGO workers who appreciate locally made fabrics.”
The art of weaving is passed on from generation to generation in the family. “My father came to Mogadishu about 30 years ago,” says Abbas. “He set up the weaving workshop and maintained it until last year, when age got the better of him. I took over and have been running the business ever since. I learned the craft from my father and teach it to my children as well.”
Top tweets
@WilliamJHague Welcome to Twitter and to your new role @FawziaYusufAdam. Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow and to continuing UK support for #Somalia
@Hamza_Africa President Hassan making his presence felt with giant billboards across #Mogadishu.His face on bank notes next? #Somalia pic.twitter.com/YrHiYrSK
@neptune_ms (Suspects then released on beach) BNS Louise Marie Once Again Apprehends Suspect Pirates at Sea http://bit.ly/ZTLQTG #pirates #Somalia
@MinisterHashi 2012 was a fairly good year for #Somalia The dreaded transition is behind us. I know that #2013 will be even brighter. Happy new year!
@Hamza_Africa #Mogadishu needs planning laws, urgently. Before we know it people would’ve built houses on roads! #Somalia
Image of the day
Somali artist, Mohamed Hussein Sidow teaches a young boy how to paint in Mogadishu. As security improves in Somalia, Sidow says arts are beginning to flourish again. Photo: Sabahi Online