January 9, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
President Hassan commends work of Somalia’s National Security and Intelligence Agency
09 Jan- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Rcadio bar-kulan/Hiiraan Online/SNTV- 100 words
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has praised Somali National Security and Intelligence Agency for its role in restoring peace and stability in Somalia. Speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the 42nd Anniversary since the inception of the Agency in Mogadishu, the president said that the agency has achieved tangible success in the past year.
Mohamud added that one of his government’s main priorities since he came to power was to rebuild the capacity of the Agency. He congratulated the members of the National Security and Intelligence Agency for their continuous efforts to restore peace in the country.
Key Headlines
- President Hassan commends work of Somalia’s National Security and Intelligence Agency (Radio Mogadishu/Rcadio bar-kulan/Hiiraan Online/SNTV)
- Former official in Lower Shabelle administration killed in Mogadishu (Radio Shabelle/al Shahid)
- Al Shabaab abducts six youngsters from Somaliland (Somaliland Informer)
- Former Somali PM commends Puntland presidential elections (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu)
- Kenya: MP Dahiye calls for increased security in Dadaab camps (Star-Kenya)
- Somalis in Britain support miraa ban expected later in 2014 (Standard Media)
- EU Special Envoy to Somalia congratulates Puntland (Europa)
SOMALI MEDIA
President Hassan commends work of Somalia’s National Security and Intelligence Agency
09 Jan- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Rcadio bar-kulan/Hiiraan Online/SNTV- 100 words
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has praised Somali National Security and Intelligence Agency for its role in restoring peace and stability in Somalia. Speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the 42nd Anniversary since the inception of the Agency in Mogadishu, the president said that the agency has achieved tangible success in the past year.
Mohamud added that one of his government’s main priorities since he came to power was to rebuild the capacity of the Agency. He congratulated the members of the National Security and Intelligence Agency for their continuous efforts to restore peace in the country.
Former official in Lower Shabelle administration killed in Mogadishu
09 Jan- Source: Radio Shabelle/al Shahid- 111 words
A former official in the administration of the province of Lower Shabelle killed Wednesday night by an explosion in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Reports confirmed that Abdulahi Mohamed Siyad alias Jabey who previously served as head of Lafole administration in the province of Lower Shabelle was killed when an explosive device that was planted to his car in Mogadishu exploded, two others were wounded in the incident and taken to the hospital. The family members told Shabelle radio that the explosion ripped through his vehicle, killing him instantly. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.
Al Shabaab abducts six youngsters from Somaliland
09 Jan- Source: Somaliland Informer- 286 words
A group of Somaliland youngsters who have been brainwashed and hijacked by the al Qaeda Affiliated group that fight in Southern Somalia of al Shabaab, were caught while in Garowe, the capital city of Somalia’s Puntland administration. The youngsters were said to be six in number from different villages in Hargeisa, capital of Somaliland.
Family of one of the youngsters that have been abducted by al Shabaab resides in Mohamud Haybe village that lies south of the Hargeisa. It is reported that he was abducted from a mosque this week by a group of preachers which were not recognized according to sources within Mohamud Haybe village. Senior Somaliland police officer who requested anonymity confirmed that the youngsters were abducted from Hargeisa and transported by a Toyota vehicle identified as Mark Two.
Senior Somaliland police officer further confirmed that the youngsters are in the hands of Puntland police and will be returned to Somaliland but declined to give further comments on the issue. Somaliland police as well as the ministry of interior that are in charge of the security and the well being of Somaliland citizens failed to foil the abduction.
One of the abducted youngsters families said their son was good at the Islamic studies and had memorised the holy Quran. The youngsters are between the ages of 15 up to 17 years old. The fathers of the abducted parents went to Garowe in search of the missing sons.
Former Somali PM commends Puntland presidential elections
09 Jan- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu- 82 words
Abdi Farah Shirdon, former Prime Minister of Somalia has hailed Puntland presidential elections as a step in the right direction for the future of Puntland. Shirdon said that Puntland leads the way for the realization of Somalia’s federal system and commended the manner in which the elections were conducted. He congratulated the newly elected president, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas for his election victory. He also praised Puntland’s former President Abdirahman Sheikh Mohamed Farole for accepting the outcome of the elections.
Former Togdheer regional deputy governor arrested by police for second time
09 Jan- Source: Somaliland Informer- 77 words
The Former Togdheer regional governor Hon. Gulied Dahair Samatar who has been released from jail recently has been arrested again by Somaliland police on Thursday night while heading to Hargeisa. Mr. Gulied is currently in Hargeisa’s central police station and reports said that it is not known reason for his detention. Police at Halleeya checkpoint told him that they were ordered to arrest him.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya: MP Dahiye calls for increased security in Dadaab camps
09 Jan- Source: Star- Kenya- 153 words
Dadaab MP Mohamed Dahiye has today called on the government to enhance its surveillance in the refugee camps in the area to end the insecurity currently being experienced in the camps. This follows an incident yesterday where five police officers escaped death after their car hit an improvised explosive device at the Ifo One camp in Dadaab. The officers were escorting a convoy of aid workers from Dadaab to the camp.
Dahiye asked the government to use the refugee leadership and the community to identify the criminals hiding in the camps. He was speaking in Dadaab town on today after witnessing the commissioning of projects in the town that have been funded by UNHCR and implemented by relief reconstruction and development organization[RRDO].
Somalis in Britain support miraa ban expected later in 2014
09 Jan- Source: Standard Media- 312 words
As Britain gets ready to slap a ban on miraa or khat this year, members of the Somali community who favour the prohibition have turned to Conservative MPs to enforce the government’s decision, the London television network Channel 4 has reported.
The Home Office has confirmed that it will go ahead with the ban of miraa classified as a Class C drug similar to cannabis. However, the channel’s reporter Jamal Osman said there is anger in Kenya where thousands of farmers fear for their livelihoods which depend on exports of miraa. Miraa is widely used by the East African diaspora, particularly the Somali and Kenyan communities in London. Anti-khat activists are convinced the government will enforce the ban. “By making such decisions, Theresa May defied government scientists and some of her fellow MPs,” said Osman, adding that the Home Secretary has become “an unlikely hero of the Somali community” and particularly among those who are championing a ban.
New Puntland leader wins by one vote
09 Jan- Source: Standard Media- 259 words
A US-trained economist has been elected the new president of Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland after defeating the incumbent by one vote, official results show. President Abdirahman Farole obtained the vote of 32 MPs, compared with the 33 of his rival, Abdiweli Ali Gas.
Mr Farole said he accepted defeat, saying the peaceful election was a model for the rest of Somalia. MPs elects the president in Puntland, once the main base of Somali pirates. ‘Democratic culture’ Many of the pirates, who seize ships off the East African coast for ransom, have retreated to the south because of a government crackdown on them, says BBC Somalia analyst Mary Harper. But the southern-based militant Islamist group al Shabaab is increasingly operating in Puntland, which is believed to be rich in oil reserves, posing a major security challenge to the incoming president, she says.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
EU Special Envoy to Somalia congratulates Puntland
09 Jan- Source: Europa- 136 words
The EU Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso, congratulates Abdiweli Mohammed Ali Gaas for his election as President of Puntland State of Somalia.
“It was a true privilege to witness democracy in the making. I commend the people of Puntland, the elders, religious scholars, all candidates and the Parliament for a transparent and orderly process in which the interest of Puntland was put first. The elections pave the way to reconnect Puntland and Somalia to the democratic process”, said the EU Special Envoy.
“I would also like to applaud the statesmanship and dignity of President Farole. His legacy in ending the transition and building a State that will spearhead a Federal Somalia will not be forgotten.” The EU stands by Puntland and looks forward to work closely with the new President and his Government.
Al Shabaab terrorists in training find inspiration in Kenya mall attack
07 Jan- Source: PBS- 8:39 min
For the Somalia-based militant group al Shabaab, the 2013 attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, that killed 67 people is being used to inspire new soldiers. Jamal Osman of Independent Television News goes inside a camp where nearly 300 jihadist soldiers have just spent six months on terrorist training.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“I should hasten to point out our problems emanate from our leadership and educational practices, and our character. Some further questions may indicate the legitimacy of this view, and if that isn’t the case, why do not our educational system or educated people contribute to making difference in our national cause?”
Why Somalia cannot be fixed? Sources of its political problems and their solutions
08 Jan- Source: Wardheernews-407 Words
In a rapidly changing world, Somalia has been characterized for more than three decades by destruction, despair, and dreadful human tragedy. After the formation of an official government, the country is not still on course. The hope that accompanied this government has apparently now evaporated. The pervasive, persistent tragedy is not yielding yet. The era of agony and aberration is not getting over.
Within this situation, what needs now to be focused upon is why cannot this problem be ended? Why cannot Somalia be fixed? Why cannot a solution be found? There must be answers for these questions. But there are more.
There is something momentous happening in Somalia today. But we don’t know its direction and dimension because our destiny is not in our hands. The fact that the Somali authorities cannot so far make an agreement without pressure from outside shows that they are not still relevant in the current process. Are we supposed to accept that?
“KANERE talks to members of the Somali communities: young, old and cultured. “What do you think about the Somali Repatriation?” The refugees share their views. Their perspectives show the diversity of public opinion.”
Community Talking Points: Somali Repatriation
08 Jan- Source: Kanere-1852 Words
My habitual residence was in Gedo before I fled to Kenya in 2000. The peace in Somalia is still in the hand of the terrorist groups, thus I can’t go back now. The solution would be to make the ground safer for the returnees. People should be able to have access to social needs such as the rights to education, health care and food security. Therefore the International community should facilitate a better structured security for the returnees. You should not just decided to throw people like stones into the desert and watch them dying shamelessly. It may not add value to humanity.
– M. Said, a social worker with LWF. I arrived in Kenya in 1991 when the civil war broke out in Somalia but after the coastal refugee camps in Kenya were closed down in 1995 by UNHCR/Kenya government, I returned back to Kismayo. However due to continued violence in the region I fled back to Kenya for the second time in 2009. I was born in Mogadishu where I attended my higher education. Life was full of promise before the civil war. I love Somalia but I cannot return soon due to the insecurity problems. It’s not an appropriate time, the country is not even 50% safe from violent attacks. Al-Shabaab is still interfering with the peace in the country while the clan militias possess strong weapons who are not yet disarmed. Some major towns are pronounced safe simply because there’s the presence of Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), while about 15km out of Kismayo is controlled by illegal armed groups! I believe it’s safer for me and my children to stay in Kakuma compared to Somalia. I’m thankful for the hospitality of the Kenya government and UNHCR. I wish to see a more peaceful Somalia before I could decide to return for a third time!
Top tweets
@Fatumaabdulahi Aha, so shabaab, who rely on the internet to communicate their violence bans internet? Under pressure much? http://www.globalpost.com/
@unicefsomalia Somalia’s education system has been decimated by war but a Go To School campaign launched in 2013 with support… http://fb.me/6t9DzehUT
@OCHASom #CHF supporting @WHOsom with US$1.2 mln to provide health services to nearly 1 mln children in South Central#Somalia
@Aynte Extraordinary fact about #Somalia: we have NEVER re-elected anybody, to anything. This nation loves change. Lesson for politicians!
@amisomsomalia #AMISOMSRCC 2014 is a decisive year for us. We hope that by the end of 2014, we will have been able to put an end to the threat of al Shabab
Image of the day
Adan Mohamed has worked as marshaller at the Kismayo Airport in Somalia, for 30 years. Photo: @amisomsomalia