January 9, 2015 | Morning Headlines.
AU envoys declares that Al-shabab lost 80% of the areas under their control
08 Jan – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 232 Words
AU Special Representative to Somalia and head of AMISOM, Ambassador Maman Sidikou held a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Shedding light on the security situation of Somalia and the achievements of African Union peacekeeping troops, the ambassador said Al-Shabaab lost control of over 80% of the areas under their control through joint military operations by AU troops and government forces. The ambassador stated that Al-Shabaab shifted their strength and capability to the rich agricultural areas of Lower Juba region controlled by the Interim Juba Administration. Mr. Sidikou has not specified the exact date when the military operations against Al-Shabaab will be launched, but said there are ongoing negotiations and consultations on the issue. On 4th January this year, giving details of Al-Shabaab’s Christmas day attack on Halane base in Mogadishu, said that they are ready to fight Al-Shabaab despite significant losses they inflicted on the troops. “The incident has only strengthened our resolve to continue fight Al-Shabaab so that Somali people can enjoy peace and be free from terrorism” Ambassador Sidikou said. “ We shall not be derailed nor our resolve is shaken” He added. The ambassador has been in Addis Ababa the last few days to discuss issues with te regional leaders related to the operations against Al-Shabaab that are expected to begin in few weeks time.
Key Headlines
- AU envoys declares that Al-shabab lost 80% of the areas under their control (Radio Goobjoog)
- Somalia prepares to host IGAD foreign ministers meeting in Mogadishu (Somali Current)
- Two killed in Mogadishu landmine explosion (Radio Bar-Kulan)
- Mogadishu traders demand services for taxes (Radio Ergo)
- Minister Darwish inaugurates new government offices (Jubbalandi Media)
- Kiyonga tells Somalia to build own army (Daily Monitor)
- Qatar charity hosts festival for Somali orphans (Peninsula Qatar)
- AMISOM re-evaluates priorities at Kampala meeting (AMISOM News)
- Twin cities muslims denounce Paris terror attack (FOX News DC)
- Somalia’s Shabaab claims to execute 7 ‘agents’- UPDATE (World Bulletin)
SOMALI MEDIA
AU envoys declares that Al-shabab lost 80% of the areas under their control
08 Jan – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 232 Words
AU Special Representative to Somalia and head of AMISOM, Ambassador Maman Sidikou held a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Shedding light on the security situation of Somalia and the achievements of African Union peacekeeping troops, the ambassador said Al-Shabaab lost control of over 80% of the areas under their control through joint military operations by AU troops and government forces.
The ambassador stated that Al-Shabaab shifted their strength and capability to the rich agricultural areas of Lower Juba region controlled by the Interim Juba Administration. Mr. Sidikou has not specified the exact date when the military operations against Al-Shabaab will be launched, but said there are ongoing negotiations and consultations on the issue. On 4th January this year, giving details of Al-Shabaab’s Christmas day attack on Halane base in Mogadishu, said that they are ready to fight Al-Shabaab despite significant losses they inflicted on the troops.
“The incident has only strengthened our resolve to continue fight Al-Shabaab so that Somali people can enjoy peace and be free from terrorism” Ambassador Sidikou said. “ We shall not be derailed nor our resolve is shaken” He added. The ambassador has been in Addis Ababa the last few days to discuss issues with te regional leaders related to the operations against Al-Shabaab that are expected to begin in few weeks time.
Somalia prepares to host IGAD foreign ministers meeting in Mogadishu
08 Jan – Source: Somali Current – 166 Words
The Somali federal government is preparing to host IGAD foreign ministers meeting in Mogadishu next week for the first time following decades of civil war and instability in the war-torn state. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to open this historic session for the African ministers according to government’s spokesman Da’ud Aweys. Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti and South Sudan foreign ministers are scheduled to reach Mogadishu for the summit, the capital’s security has been placed on the highest terror alert and extra troops have been deployed to major roads to conduct anti-Al-Shabaab sweeps prior to the ministers’ arrival. “The IGAD meeting here will focus government progress and ways of resuming anti Al-Shabaab operations in the Somali southern regions,” Daud Aweys told reporters. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Eastern Africa was formed in 1996 to respond region’s emergency crisis.
Two killed in Mogadishu landmine explosion
08 Jan – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 93 Words
Two people were killed, among them a Somali security officer, when the vehicle was targeted by an inland explosive device. Mogadishu Warta Nabada district commissioner, Yassin Nur Isse, has confirmed the incident to Radio Bar-Kulan. He said a civilian was killed by a stray bullet, when security forces opened fire after the attack. The security forces have conducted investigations around the scene, though no one was arrested in connection to the incident. In recent weeks, Al-Shabaab targeted Somali security forces and African Union peacekeeping troops with car bomb attacks.
Mogadishu traders demand services for taxes
08 Jan – Source: Radio Ergo – 145 Words
Small-scale traders are complaining that the taxes levied on them by the authorities are not being used to improve basic services. Istar Ahmed, a female trader, told Radio Ergo she paid $20 dollars in tax each month plus $200 for her annual business license. “The money we pay is never used to improve our social services such as our children’s education, health and sanitation,” she said. “During the previous government, we used to pay tax but the government then used to deliver many services for the public in exchange.” Mohamed Dek, a tuk tuk operator shared her this opinion. “I pay $53 dollars every month and I need better services in return,” he said. Engineer Ahmed Hajji, municipal advisor to Mogadishu mayor, said revenue from local businesses was being invested in key services though there was room for improvement.
Minister Darwish inaugurates new government offices
08 Jan – Source: Jubbalandi Media – 320 Words
Jubbaland’s newly-appointed ministers pledged Wednesday to continue rebuilding government and public sectors to expedite development that would help the country stand on its feet again, Jubbalandi Media Reports. The cabinet inaugurated combined offices for Jubbaland’s Ministry of Information, Posts and Telecommunications and Ministry of Civil Aviation , Sea and Air Transport, officials told Jubbalandi Media. The ministerial offices were not the first public institutions to be formed in Jubbaland since its formation on 15 May 2013. The administration has already completed a number of other projects including the presidential offices, the international airport, port and University of Kismayo, as well as roads that are currently under construction.
Jubbaland Minister of Interior and Security, Mohammed Farah Warsame Darwish, promised during the inauguration ceremony that “cooperation and non-interference” that will help accountability and development to reach all parts of Jubbaland State of Somalia. “We will continue rebuilding the institutions not only to be office for government workers , but also a revenue of income for local people,” Minister Darwish said. “We have a patriotic population in Jubbaland that love good governance, and we have no reason to drag our heels,” added Darwish.
The minister called on all parts of the society to participate in the development projects that have started from Kismayo. “I am promising that the project will reach every corner of Jubbaland, including Dolow, Bulahawo, Dhoobley, Ras Kamboni for the first phase of the development initiatives.” Mr. Darwish finally thanked ministers and all parts of the society for their participation in the opening of the new government offices. On 30 December 2014, Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe and President of Southwest State , Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding. This covered federalism, the constitution, trade, security and the 2016 general elections. The projects that are going on in Jubbaland will likely help to be coped with unemployment, economic stagnation and brain drain.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kiyonga tells Somalia to build own army
08 Jan – Source: Daily Monitor – 534 Words
Somalia must build its own national army if the war ravaged country is to have meaningful stability, Uganda’s Defence minister Crispus Kiyonga has said. “The Somali army must be built by yesterday. We offered to put special forces in Mogadishu to train the army but our partners said they were not ready. There is one group of the army supported by one donor and the other supported by another. The army cannot be built like that, at least not in Africa,” Dr Kiyonga said yesterday. He was speaking at the official opening of a two-day retreat for the leadership of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) and key players at Sheraton Kampala Hotel. He said he was aware that Somalia needs police, prisons and intelligence officers but the situation in Mogadishu requires an army. He said the Somali army can be built either by Somalis taking the mantle or waiting for external help. He called upon the African Union (AU) to improve their efficiency in Somalia.
“AU must get stronger in leading us in this mission. In my view there are things they should be doing which they are not,” said Dr Kiyonga. He scoffed at the slow and disjointed handling of the Somalia situation by the international community. “I have never understood the relevance of the International Contact Group (ICG) meetings which are held with some people excluded. My view is we should better the international community approach,” he said. The ICG is an informal group of mainly Western UN ambassadors that was established at the United Nations headquarters in New York in June 2006 to support the process of peace and reconciliation in Somalia.
Qatar charity hosts festival for Somali orphans
08 Jan – Source: Peninsula Qatar – 260 Words
Qatar Charity (QC) has held its fourth annual festival for Somali orphans. It was organised under the patronage of the Qatari embassy. More than 1,500 orphans attended, along with a QC delegation, prominent Somali figures, members of the diplomatic corps of Arab and Islamic countries, and representatives from international organisations.The festival was held within the framework of the annual plan of QC’s Somalia Office to provide comprehensive care for orphans.
Hassan bin Hamza, Acting Qatari Ambassador in Mogadishu, inaugurated the festival in the presence of Somali parliament Speaker Professor Mohammed Sheikh Othman Jawari, Jasim Abdullah Jassim, representing the QC CEO, and local and diplomatic dignitaries. Jassim said QC has always sought to help the needy, particularly orphans, currently sponsoring 75,000 throughout the Muslim world, including 9,000 in Somalia, making it the third country in terms of the number of sponsored orphans. Some of the orphans highlighted how they had suffered before QC’s intervention which changed their lives.The festival also featured contests, songs and games. The festival’s theme ‘Our orphans… Leaders of our future,’ was chosen to encourage the orphans.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
AMISOM re-evaluates priorities at Kampala meeting
08 Jan – Source: AMISOM News – 412 Words
High level officials from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), development partners and representatives of Troop Contributing Countries are meeting in Kampala, Uganda to re-evaluate its priorities and formulate practicable measures necessary for effective handling of the current realities in Somalia. The meeting opened Wednesday by the Uganda’s Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga and addressed by the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Hon Lydia Wanyoto aims at re-assessing AMISOM’S mandate and relevance to the objectives of the Federal Government of Somalia, especially in regards to the realization of the Federal Government of Somali’s Vision 2016. Dr. Kiyonga said the forum would add value to the efforts being made to rebuild Somalia. “We went to Somalia because Somalia is a sisterly African country. They are our brothers, they are our sisters, and they are in a crisis. It was an act of omission that we sat by for a long time when our own people were suffering. In summary it is a pan-African call that we should be there”, he added. He noted that seven years since the initial deployment of AMISOM troops in Somalia, progress made has enabled Somalia re-emerge as a State, evidenced through Somalia rejoining the international community as a member of the African Union, United Nations and applying to join regional African blocs such as East Africa Community.
Twin cities Muslims denounce Paris terror attack
08 Jan – Source: FOX News DC – 285 Words
Yesterday, local Muslims condemned the terrorist attack on a satirical publication in Paris that has repeatedly lampooned the Prophet Muhammed, even though some say they find the paper’s cartoons of the prophet offensive. “People believe something you have to respect,” local Somali leader Muhammed Abdi says. “But to kill some people is wrong, no matter what, totally wrong.” Another local Muslim, Abdirahman Diri, echoed that sentiment. “It’s not good to have violent reaction but its good to stand up for what you believe,” Diri says. But the publication in question, Charlie Hebdo, was an equal opportunity offender, skewering the pope and politicians with equal relish. And while those killed in the attack may have died at the altar of the freedom of the press, many in the media are now engaging in self-censorship — the Associated Press and many newspapers cropping pictures of those killed, or distorting images, to not show the offending cartoons.
Local community leader Omar Jamal believes local religious leaders aren’t doing nearly enough. “I think there’s an element of fear, and they want to stay out of it,” Jamal says. “Their silence and our silence will empower those who are doing this kind of evil action.” Sheikh Imam Abdighani Ali is one of those speaking out. He says that while the Koran prohibits any visual depiction of the prophets, it would never justify violence. This isn’t about humor, Abdighani Ali says — it’s about the hijacking of faith, and that’s truly nothing to laugh at. “We love Muhammed as we love the Jesus, as we love the Moses,” he says. “We are disappointed to see violence whenever people are using the name of Islam.”
Somalia’s Shabaab claims to execute 7 ‘agents’- UPDATE
07 Jan – Source: World Bulletin – 258 Words
Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militant group has executed seven civilians who it accused of “spying” in three different parts of the fractious country, a government official has said. “In Bardera city in the southern Gedo region, they [Al-Shabaab] killed four people. In the neighboring Hiran region, two other people were killed, along with one person in the [southern] Gambole area,” Ibrahim Adan, district commissioner for the Gedo region, told The Anadolu Agency.
According to the official, all seven were killed in public by firing squad within a period of 24 hours.
On its Andalus radio channel, the militant group alleged that one of those killed in Bardera had worked for the CIA, the U.S. intelligence agency, and had played a vital role in the recent death of Al-Shabaab spy chief Absidhakur Tahliil, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike last week. Two others were accused of providing intelligence to Ethiopia, while another was charged with helping the U.S. gather information on Al-Shabaab leaders when the group still controlled the port city of Barawe.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Because of widespread illegal fishing off the coast of Somalia, many pirates and their families and supporters believe their actions are justified. Impoverished fishermen turn to piracy out of simple desperation to feed their families. Another reason given by pirates for demanding ransoms is that after 1991, for a number of years, the waters off Somalia were illegally used as a dumping ground for European toxic, industrial waste.”
Book conversations: the high cost of piracy
07 Jan – Source: Fayobserver.com – 690 Words
You may be asking yourself: “Why read a book about piracy?” Because, piracy is an egregious, costly problem of the 21st century. It is costly in the loss of life, ships, and cargo. Payne, the author, reports that total losses in ransoms, ships, and cargoes as a result of piracy are estimated at around $15 billion a year. Since piracy is a billion dollar business; theft of cargo and rocketing insurance premiums raise the cost of transporting goods.
The two favored areas for pirates are the Gulf of Aden and the Straits of Malacca. The Malacca Straits, with more than 17,000 islands, provide great hiding places. Also, most of the population of these islands are more than willing to protect and shelter pirates for monetary gain. Much has been written about Somalia being a safe haven for pirates. Somalia hasn’t had a stable government since 1991, and the persistent unrest in the country is the main reason piracy flourishes. Somalia pirates work in groups much like gangs in U.S. cities. It is estimated that there are ten primary groups of pirates, led by warlords, operating in Somalia.
Payne provides detailed accounts of some of the more famous ship hijackings. An entire chapter is given to the hijacking of the U.S. flagged 17,000 ton containership “Maersk Alabama” on April 8, 2009, which was the first American cargo to be hijacked in two hundred years. This hijacking received even more notoriety with the debut of the 2013 movie “Captain Phillips.”