January 5, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
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TFG leadership opposes parliamentary result for new speaker05 Jan – Source: Radio Kulmiye, Radio Mogadishu, Somalia Report – 92 words Somali government leadership rejected the result of yesterday’s parliamentary election for a new speaker. The Somali National Security Council (NSC) members, including Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Parliament Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and Prime Minister Abdiwali Mohamed Ali had a meeting in Mogadishu on Wednesday and rejected the parliamentary decision of announcing the election of a new parliamentary speaker. In a press statement released after the meeting, the NSC requested the CID to investigate the latest incidents in the parliament house, including infighting between the lawmakers. The Transitional Federal parliament of Somalia on Wednesday appointed Madowe Nunow Mohamed as the country’s new speaker. |
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Key Headlines
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SOMALI MEDIATFG leadership opposes parliamentary result for new speaker05 Jan – Source: Radio Kulmiye, Radio Mogadishu, Somalia Report – 92 words Somali government leadership rejected the result of yesterday’s parliamentary election for a new speaker. The Somali National Security Council (NSC) members, including Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Parliament Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and Prime Minister Abdiwali Mohamed Ali had a meeting in Mogadishu on Wednesday and rejected the parliamentary decision of announcing the election of a new parliamentary speaker. In a press statement released after the meeting, the NSC requested the CID to investigate the latest incidents in the parliament house, including infighting between the lawmakers. The Transitional Federal parliament of Somalia on Wednesday appointed Madowe Nunow Mohamed as the country’s new speaker. Somali official: We are close to capture Bardhere, al Shabaab stronghold05 Jan – Source: Mareeg Online – 169 words At least 3 people were killed and a number of others wounded after a heavy battle between rebel group of al Shabaab and the TFG forces backed by Kenyan forces which occurred in villages close to Bardhere district in Gedo region yesterday afternoon, reports said. The clash took place at El-ade and El-gudud, short distance from Bardhere of Gedo region southern Somalia, killing 3 people while injuring a number of others, mostly from the warring sides, reports said. Kenyan military spokesman, Emanual Chir Chir claimed victory in the war, saying they killed 3 al Shabaab fighters and capturing Fafah-dhun near Badhere. Spokesman of al Shabaab for military operations, Sheikh Abdi Aziz Abu Mus’ab refuted Kenyan claims. Adam Ahmed Hirse, spokesman of Somali Transitional Government troops in Gedo region said their forces were close to Bardhere and that they will capture it soon. Al Shabaab insurgents continue guerilla war in Mogadishu05 Jan – Source: Radio Garowe – 126 words AMISOM peacekeepers and al Shabaab insurgents were engaged in heavy fighting in north Mogadishu earlier today, Radio Garowe reports. At least two people were killed as al Shabaab militants attacked AMISOM peacekeepers and TFG troops that were stationed in the neighborhood of Karan at the time. New speaker pledges changes05 Jan – Source: Radio Shabelle, Mareeg online – 222 words The newly elected Somalia’s Transitional Federal parliament speaker Madowe Nunow Mohamed on Thursday promised changes to the parliament as well as the whole country. The speaker also noted during an interview with Shabelle radio that he is committed to torn down effectively all the turmoil among the Somali people and correct the previous mistakes related to the house of parliament, which has been mired by infighting and disputes for the last 20-years of conflict. Mr. Nunow urged Somali parliamentarians to make swift changes and work with their people closely, honestly and properly, after he was sworn in Wednesday to be the Somali parliament speaker replacing Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden. He also promised to send delegations comprising of parliamentarians only soon to International Community and neighboring IGAD countries in order to establish a new page of partnership and to get support for stabilizing Somalia. “We have cordially elected Sharif Hassan as speaker of the parliament house before and as well as today we removed him from his position so we urge him to accept this decision and we expect from him a better and direct collaboration and for the MPs to bring an end to the infighting” said Mr. Nunow. Somalia MPs hospitalized after fourth brawl in parliament04 Jan – Source: Garowe Online – 161 words At least four Somali MPs were hospitalized Wednesday after a fistfight broke out again in Parliament for the fourth time since last month, Garowe reports. Some MPs sustained head and body injuries and at least four legislators were hospitalized after some MPs used tables and chairs as weapons. According to sources, Somali government forces and AMISOM peacekeepers stationed at Parliament building did not intervene while the brawls continued inside. The supporters of Sharif Hassan were fewer in number and were chased out of parliament hall. This comes days after TFG President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed publicly stated that the Dec. 13 vote to “remove” Speaker Sharif Hassan was unlawful and contradicts the Kampala Accord, the document that extended for the present year the Transitional Federal Institutions, including the parliament. Tension runs high in Afmadow town of southern Somalia05 Jan – Source: Shabelle – 176 words Tense situation and military movement conducted by Somali government soldiers with the help of Kenyan military forces and al Shabaab militants stirred up today in rebel-held Afmadow town in Lower Jubba region of southern Somalia, 620 km south of the capital Mogadishu, according to local residents. Witnesses say there is military movement around the town and reinforcement made by the joint forces of Somalia and Kenya government against al Shabaab fighters in Afamdow, which is under the control of the militants, sparking off fear among locals. Reports also indicated that al Shabaab officials spoke publicly in the town and encouraged local residents to take part in what they called a ‘holy war’ and defend themselves against the troops advancing towards Afmadow town. There are reports of mass displacements today inside Afmadow town, as local residents are fleeing in fear of possible battle from the forces massing around the city, who have prepared to enter the city and take over from the militants. Locals have begun heading towards suburbs of the town and remote villages for avert bloodshed. Somaliland: Police intercept truckload of weapons04 Jan – Source: Somaliland Press – 210 words According to authority in Las Geel village located in the outskirt of Berbera, police intercepted and detained a large truck carrying various light firearms and ammunition. Residents in Las Geel district confirmed to Somaliland press reporters that the truck entered Somaliland from war-ravaged neighbouring Somalia, saying it travelled on the main road that connects the two countries. Reports indicate that the truck managed to cross three provinces and several police check points without a hint. Once the truck entered the outskirts of Da’ar Budhuq near the monument of “Omar-ku-Joog”, it diverted its destination direction and travelled onto a local road that leads to a farming land where another truck was, unloading the weapons. Residents in the country side spotted both trucks parked and individuals unloading weapons from one truck to another. The villagers notified the Sahil regional intelligence department whom promptly dispatched scores of police units that arrived just in time before both trucks departed. The grave matter demonstrated the ill-informed Somaliland Intelligence agencies and their lack of effort to detect valuable surveillance of all incoming trucks from southern Somalia and other regions. The severity of the ineffectiveness of the secret services made President Ahmed Silanyo officially sack the country’s Chief Intelligence officer Mr. Mohamed Muse Nuur. Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industries to reopen soon05 Jan – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 198 words The Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry is expected to reopen in Mogadishu soon after it ceased to exist due to the collapse of Somalia’s central government earlier in 1990s. Somalia’s Trade and Industries ministry said the Chamber will soon be functional to make Somalia a business-friendly environment and encourage new entrepreneurs to come up with new ideas, including creating new business opportunities and promoting global competitiveness of Somalia-based businesses. In an exclusive interview with Bar-kulan, Trade and Industries minister Abdiwahab Ugas Hussein said that his ministry will host a meeting in Mogadishu on January 10, this year to chat the way forward in reviving the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said the meeting will bring together business operators from inside and outside the country. The Chamber, which came into being with the enactment of Law No. 38 on 30th July, 1970, provided a guideline for the Somali business community but unfortunately ceased to function immediately after the fall of Somalia’s central government two decades ago. The Chamber used to issue commercial documentation such as Certificates of Origin and other shipping documents as well as researching on management challenges faced by local businesses in the country.
REGIONAL MEDIANairobi on heightened terror alert05 Jan- Source: the Standard- 461 words The Kenya Police says al Qaeda terror group has joined its Somalia al Shabaab militants in issuing new terror threats. Anti-terror police indicate they have intelligence showing the international terror group is actively trying to attack installations in Kenya. “We have information that the most notorious terror group al Qaeda has joined in this war and has issued threats to carry out terror activities,” said Nairobi Area PPO Anthony Kibuchi. Kibuchi called for extra vigilance from the public and other security agencies in efforts to contain the threats. However, he did not specify the nature of threats issued by the group but insisted they are new. “Let the public take the security measures being undertaken positively. Screening should be mandatory and as such none should avoid irrespective of the individual’s status.” Kibuchi indicated al Qaeda is facing pressure from their former bases and are now retreating to the region. He added they have heightened security especially in Nairobi where the groups are targeting. Somalia’s al Shabaab militant group, an affiliate of al Qaeda, has been issuing threats on Kenya since troops crossed to the war-torn country in October. Kenyan soldiers kill top al Shabaab militant04 Jan – Source: Daily Nation – 275 words Kenyan forces have killed a top al Shabaab commander and captured one more town in the latest onslaught on the militants’ strongholds in southern Somalia. The Kenya Defence Forces, assisted by Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government fighters stormed the al Shabaab stronghold of Fafadun on Tuesday evening and destroyed the militants’ base in a fierce exchange of fire. Three al Shabaab fighters including one of the commanders in charge of the Gedo region identified as Sheikh Hassan Hussein were killed, Kenya military spokesman Maj Emmanuel Chirchir reported in social media. “Out of the engagement three al Shabaab killed, two AK-47, three Browning pistols and three HF radios captured. One KDF slightly injured,” Maj Chirchir tweeted. In a subsequent interview, Maj Chirchir explained that the capture of Fafadun was vital as it was one of the few remaining al Shabaab bases in southern and central Somalia. “With the capture of Fafadun, the KDF, TFG and Ethiopian troops now control 90 per cent of the Gedo region,” he told the Nation. Besides pockets of the capital Mogadishu, the al Shabaab mainly operate in the Gedo region where they have imposed a strict version of the Sharia (Islamic) law. Maj Chirchir maintained that KDF’s ultimate aim was to capture the port town of Kismayu and kick out the militants. Somali media pick officials04 Jan – Source: The Star – 137 words Somalia journalists in exile yesterday elected their chairman under an umbrella body of the journalist Network association Mr Abdikafar Ahmed Shire, a Somali reporter won the election conducted by the Elections committee of the Somali Journalists in Exile based in Nairobi Kenya. The elections were conducted after the previous chairman Mohamed Abdullahi Aden Siidi got resettlement in Canada North America. More than 80 Somali Journalists in Exile converged at Madina Mall, Eastleigh Nairobi, Kenya and voted in an exercise that the officials said was free and fair. Mr Abdikafar Shire (Somalia Reporter) won by 56 votes against Adam Mohamed Salat (Frontier FM) who managed 26 votes. The newly elected chairman, asked the Somali Journalists to keep their unity and establish a fund for journalists who don’t have basic needs like shelter and food in this foreign country.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA20 Somali migrants suffocate in cramped truck05 Jan – Source: Reuters – 242 words Twenty illegal Somali migrants suffocated to death as they were being smuggled in a cramped container truck through Tanzania, their bodies dumped on the road, police said on Wednesday. The bodies of the 17 men and three women were dumped at various areas in the Morogoro region, some 200 km (125 miles) west of the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, regional police commander Adolphina Chialo said. They were found between December 26 and January 1, she added. Tanzania serves as a transit route for human trafficking, mostly of Somali and Ethiopian nationals, to South Africa and Europe. Somalia has been engulfed in conflict for the past two decades, with hundreds of thousands fleeing the violence. “Based on our preliminary investigations, the Somalis died from lack of air and very hot conditions inside the metal, 20-square-foot (1.8 square-metre) container,” Chialo told Reuters by telephone. “The human traffickers dumped the bodies one by one after they had suffocated inside the container as the truck was heading towards the border between Tanzania and Zambia,” she said. Police also arrested 14 other illegal Somali migrants who had escaped from the truck and hidden in a forest, Chialo said. They were held because they had entered the country illegally. Lawmakers urge UK to consider trying Somali pirates05 Jan – Source: Reuters – 236 words The British government should consider bringing Somali pirates to Britain for trial, lawmakers said on Thursday, accusing the government of not doing enough to tackle a problem that cost $135 million in ransoms last year alone. Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee also called on the government — which recently announced it will permit British merchant ships sailing off Somalia to carry armed guards — to state clearly when these guards may legally open fire. “We conclude that for too long there has been a noticeable gap between the (British) government’s rhetoric and its action,” the influential committee said in a report on Somali piracy. Britain will host an international conference on February 23 to try to agree on measures to tackle instability and piracy in the east African country, described by Prime Minister David Cameron as a “failed state that directly threatens British interests.” Pirates operating from the Somali coast have raked in hundreds of millions of dollars in ransoms from hijacking ships and currently hold up to 10 ships and 200 hostages. The lawmakers said that despite nine U.N. Security Council resolutions and three multinational naval operations, counter-piracy policy had had limited impact. “The number of attacks, the costs to the industry and the price of the ransoms have all increased significantly since 2007”, said the committee its report, calling for decisive action against piracy. EU force ‘may destroy pirate gear’05 Jan- Source: Breakingnews- 122 words The European Union is considering expanding the scope of its anti-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa to allow the destruction of pirates’ equipment on the beaches of Somalia, Germany says. The EU’s anti-piracy force patrols the seas off the coast of Somalia, which has been mired in violence since 1991, plunging it into a chaos that sprouted militants and piracy. Doctor killed in Somalia to be buried in S. Jakarta on Friday05 Jan – Source: The Jakarta Post – 118 Words The body of an Indonesian doctor who was killed in Somalia has been brought home to Bintaro, Tangerang, and will be buried on Friday. Many people were seen paying their last respects to Andrias Karel Melkianus Keiluhu on Thursday. His brother-in-law Hendrikus Passagi said Andrias would be buried at the Tanah Kusir cemetery in South Jakarta on Friday at 11 a.m. The 44-year-old doctor and his western colleague, who both worked for Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) in Mogadishu, were killed last Thursday when a gunman opened fire upon them. Andrias’ body arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on an Emirates airplane on Wednesday night and was handed over by staff from the Foreign Ministry to his family. SOCIAL MEDIACULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDSA different taste of Somalia, with extras05 Jan – Source: Daily Nation – 591 Words Mark Gitonga relishes the days when he goes out to eat with his friends. The university student says that in the past few years, he has had to change his eatery joints in the central business district because of the rising prices of food. Now, he says, he has found a better alternative: Somali cuisine. “In Somali restaurants, the prices are a bit lower and the portions are bigger,” says Gitonga, as he takes a handful of rice. “I enjoy it here.” With the main market in Eastleigh almost full of eateries and cafés, most serving Somali cuisine, Somali restaurants are now spreading out to the Nairobi city centre. Following the opening of Al-Yusra Restaurant in 2007, several other Somali restaurants have been established in the commercial district. City Star Restaurant, Hamdi, Pronto, Rayan and Sagal are some of the restaurants that have set camp to compete for clients seeking an alternative gastronomy. The restaurants basically serve huge portions of food at relatively low prices. Also, they create a more serene environment that is radically different from their rivals in Eastleigh. They have been able to attract a sizeable number of customers who are eager to pay for economical yet quality food. “We are here to stay,” said Ahmed Farah, the manager of Hamdi Restaurant, which was opened in May 2011 just next to Trattoria Restaurant. “We try to offer a nice combination of pricing and food quality in order to attract and retain customers.” Pirate hijacking continues04 Jan- Source: Global Post Blog As piracy off the coast of Somalia continues, new research studies how these pirates invest money. Piracy emanating from the coast of Somalia is not going away. News of hijackings ebbs and flows with the monsoon seasons. The monsoons make the seas too rough for pirate skiffs to navigate for months at a time, but when the storms stop and the waters calm the pirates come out again. Every year. Without fail. Nobody yet has a solution to the problem. Some countries now permit armed private security guards on vessels flying their flag and many nations have contributed to the three international naval fleets that patrol the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, but this deals with symptoms not causes. Worth looking out for is this new research from which sets out to track the spending of pirates’ ill-gotten gains using satellite imagery. The study will be released on January 12 by the Royal Institute for International Affairs in London. SPECIAL COVERAGE: Two decades, one Somalia04 Jan – Source: Reuters AlertNet- 245 words Two decades after Somalia’s military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted, AlertNet brings you special coverage of the country which has struggled without a strong central government ever since. We speak to Somalis in Mogadishu about what life was like in 1991 and what it has become. There’s also a humanitarian snapshot, a timeline, a slideshow and a collection of things you might not know about the Horn of Africa country.
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