July 11, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali government forces, AMISOM conducts security operation in Mogadishu
11 Jul- Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Risaala/Jowhar Online- 108 words
Somali security forces in collaboration with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) launched a security crackdown in Mogadishu’s Wadajir district Thursday night.
The Operation focused on neighborhoods, including Nasteho, Wadajir market, areas around Hormud center and the districts Headquarters. where the forces killed a man who tried to escape during the operation.
According to locals who spoke to media on a condition of anonymity, the security forces arrested dozens of suspected al Shabaab members in the operation and are being interrogated in the Criminal Investigations Department for investigations.
The night-time operation involved door-to-door searches of houses, with the aim of cracking down on al Shabaab members.
Key Headlines
- Somali government forces AMISOM conducts security operation in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog/Radio Risaala)
- Attack on al Shabaab camp in Busc Busc (AMISOM)
- Dhusamareb officials ban vehicles with tinted windows (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Puntland beefs up security amid Ramadan rampage by al Shabaab (Garowe Online)
- A Man Said to Have Facilitated the Al Shabaab Attack at State House Paraded (SNTV/Radio Mogadishu)
- Heads roll after Villa Somalia attack (Radio Dalsan/Qurbejoog)
- US rules out military interventions in Africa (Capital FM/Star-Kenya)
- Kenyan MP wants troops out of Somalia (Somali Current)
- Threat of al Shabaab and Extremist Attacks Grows in Tanzania (somalianewsroom)
- Kenya: Refugees appeal against forced relocation to camps (Amnesty International)
- Bolloré in talks for Somaliland port of Berbera (Somaliland Informer)
- Somaliland President Silanyo Established Fire Brigade Springs to Life (Somaliland Sun)
- More attacks in Lamu despite police claims of success (Capital News)
- Terror radicalisation hinder cohesion President Uhuru Kenyatta says (Daily Nation)
- Lamu attackers steal six guns burn school and raid drug store in fresh wave of terror (Star- Kenya)
- Police detonate grenade in Garissa (KBC)
- Somalis struggle for justice citing rampant corruption and bribes (Sabahi Online)
- How I was tortured in a Kampala safe house terror suspect says (Standard Media)
- Regional Approach ‘Will End’ Terrorism (Star-Kenya)
- Hitch as ship gets stranded in Somalia (Daily Nation)
- IGAD strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu (IGAD)
- Kenya’s coastal killings pose insurgency risk for President Kenyatta (Reuters)
- Somalia: Al Shabaab Threatens Even More Attacks in Mogadishu (CCTV)
- Somali Radio: Al Shabaab Attacker Was Informant in Presidential Palace (VOA)
- African nations still top ’10 Worst’ list in Fragile States Index but Liberia and Sierra Leone give hope(Mail & Guardian Africa)
PRESS STATEMENT
Attack on al Shabaab camp in Busc Busc
11 Jul- Source: AMISOM-107 Words
On Wednesday 9 July at around 1200hours, AMISOM forces conducted a military operation in depth at al Shabaab camp in Busc Busc located 115 kilometers south west of Kismayo town. The camp was used as a hide out for al Shabaab to conduct Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and ambush attacks against sector 2 forces.
During this operation, an important number of al Shabaab fighters were killed, several wounded, and their vehicles and other equipment were destroyed.
This is a continued effort by AMISOM forces to root out al Shabaab from their strongholds and to protect the hard won security gains to ensure that Somalia continues on the road to sustainable peace.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali government forces, AMISOM conducts security operation in Mogadishu
11 Jul- Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Risaala/Jowhar Online- 108 words
Somali security forces in collaboration with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) launched a security crackdown in Mogadishu’s Wadajir district Thursday night.
The Operation focused on neighborhoods, including Nasteho, Wadajir market, areas around Hormud center and the districts Headquarters. where the forces killed a man who tried to escape during the operation.
According to locals who spoke to media on a condition of anonymity, the security forces arrested dozens of suspected al Shabaab members in the operation and are being interrogated in the Criminal Investigations Department for investigations.
The night-time operation involved door-to-door searches of houses, with the aim of cracking down on al Shabaab members.
Dhusamareb officials ban vehicles with tinted windows
11 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 113 words
Somalia’s local administration in Dhusamareb district of Galgadud region has banned the use of cars with tinted windows for security reasons according to the local officials.
Somali federal government’s security chief in Dhusamareb district, Mahad Khalif Roble told Bar-kulan that the decision to ban vehicles with tinted windows was meant to improve security in the area.
Dhusamareb police officials have been instructed to take strict measures against anyone who violates or ignores the new order.
Meanwhile, car owners have been urged to register their cars with the relevant authorities and obtain license saying failure to comply with new orders will result the seizure of unregistered cars.
Roble called on the residents to cooperate with security agencies in their attempts to improve the security of the town.
Puntland beefs up security amid Ramadan rampage by al Shabaab
11 Jul – Source: Garowe Online – 121 words
Puntland Government in northern Somalia has beefed up soldiers presence in and around soft and key structures in the state capital of Garowe amid growing threats from al Qaeda linked al Shabaab group.
According to a press statement from the Presidency, tight security is now in place across Puntland, with locals cooperating with security agencies on new plans.
Puntland government expressed concern about Ramadan rampage by al Shabaab in central and southern Somalia. Heavily armed soldiers in armored personnel carriers have been spotted near United Nations compound and Presidential place.
The leading pioneer in northeastern Somalia previously accused its neighbor to the west, Somaliland of sponsoring al Shabaab operations in the difficult terrain of Golis and Galgala area.
Al Shabaab boosted up bloodiest operations in Mogadishu by targeting key buildings including presidential compound with military-style ambushes.
Security forces and lawmakers in Somalia’s parliament have so far been killed in broad daylight attacks, making the security situation extremely volatile.
The militant group pledged unrelenting violence against Mogadishu-based federal government and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) during the holy month of Ramadan.
A Man Said to Have Facilitated the Al Shabaab Attack at State House Paraded
11 Jul- Source: SNTV/Radio Mogadishu/Radio Dalsan- 288 words
A man identified as Hassan Muhyadin who the security forces said has facilitated the al Shabaab attack at the State House on 8th July was paraded to the media in Mogadishu.
In an interview with state-owned media, he said he was asked by one of the al Shabaab leaders to take three armed men and who were also carrying explosives. Other than the explosive devices the men were armed with guns. The man is the owner of a van which was used to ferry the men to state house where they attacked the security guards of the palace. Hassan said he had a card which he could use to enter the state house and therefore they asked him to take them inside the statehouse which he did after producing his card at each checkpoint.
In the interview with Radio Mogadishu reporter, the man said he had passed information about prayer times in the palace mosque and movements of the Somali defense minister to al Shabaab. He also added that he was on the al Shabab payroll earning about $200 per month.
Heads roll after Villa Somalia attack
11 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan/Qurbejoog Online/Raasnews- 170 Words
Somali government has launched efforts to find those who are suspected to have facilitated Tuesday’s attack in Villa Somalia which was claimed by al Shabaab militants.
According to Dalsan Radio, some of military commanders of the palace guards manning points from where al Shabaab assailants entered Villa Somali were reportedly relieved off their duties. One of them didn’t get a sack only but he was apprehended too and is now in police custody. The arrested commander was on duty at the time but couldn’t explain how the attack happened. The government seems not to be tolerating for any person accused of involving the raid against the state house.
On the other hand, unconfirmed reports say the Acting Director of the State House Thabit Abdi was also dismissed. Earlier the police boss and the head of the security forces were also fired.
Kenyan MP wants troops out of Somalia
11 Jul – Source: Somali Current – 111 words
Benjamin Washiali who is a member of parliament in Kenyan national assembly has said Kenyan defense forces should be pulled out of Somalia. He said Parliament should discuss withdrawal of the soldiers as an urgent matter.
Speaking to local Newspaper He urged the opposition to table motion in the parliament for approval saying issue is realistic. “They raised some valid concerns but they should realize that Parliament is better placed to handle the issues,” he said.
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has earlier called for immediate withdrawal of Kenyan military from southern Somalia citing increased attacks by al Shabaab militant group in the country in retaliation of troops presence in Somalia.
Threat of al Shabaab and Extremist Attacks Grows in Tanzania
11 Jul- Source: somalianewsroom- 439 words
In just the span of four days, attackers in separate incidents in Arusha, Tanzania threw IEDs at the house of a local Muslim leader and at a popular Indian restaurant.
Police in Arusha first claimed that the restaurant bombing was “not related to religious faith, tribe or race” but have not mimicked their Kenyan counterparts in blaming “local political networks.”
In a later interview with RFI, the country’s Secretary for Home Affairs Mathias Chikawe offered a much bolder assertion, stating:
We cannot be very sure which group is involved, but we believe these are terrorists, they’re definitely terrorists.
Bolloré in talks for Somaliland port of Berbera
11 Jul- Source: Somaliland Informer- 384 words
Bolloré Africa Logistics confirmed that it was in negotiations with the Somaliland authorities to develop a port in Berbera, on the Gulf of Aden.
“The Berbera port has indeed caught our attention,” CEO Dominique Lafont told Port Finance International. During an interview in London, he explained that such a project could ease trade in and out of Somaliland, a breakaway Somali state.
The port could also act as a gateway to neighbouring landlocked Ethiopia, Mr Lafont added. With a population in excess of 90 million and a growing influx of foreign investments, Ethiopia is bound to play an increasing role in East Africa, he noted.
Somaliland President Silanyo Established Fire Brigade Springs to Life
11 Jul – Source: Somaliland Sun – 142 words
Four fire fighting trucks currently owned by the Hargeisa municipality shall constitute the nucleus of the newly established Somaliland Fire brigade.
This was revealed during a function to lay the foundation stone of the Fire Brigade’s national headquarters which is adjacent to the ministry of environment offices in Hargeisa.
The National Fire Brigade was established by President Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo last week through a presidential decree #JSL/M/XERM/249-2619/072014 in which the head of state stipulated the objectives of the new agency while outlining the body, structure and extent of services to be rendered.
Officiating the function were the minister of Finance Abdiaziz Samale, Minister of Interior Mohamed Ali Waran’ade, Police commander Brigadier Fadal Iman and mayor of Hargeisa Councillor Abdirahman Aideed Soltelco who also jointly laid the foundation stone to the new buildings to house the brigade’s national headquarters.
REGIONAL MEDIA
More attacks in Lamu despite police claims of success
11 Jul- Source:Capital News- 338 words
A fresh attack was reported in Lamu on Friday, barely hours after police boasted of a major breakthrough when they arrested two suspects of Somali origin.
The attack occurred Thursday night at Pandanguo village, where six people were killed and houses torched two weeks ago.
Reports from Lamu indicate that Kenya Police Reservists were also robbed of their six firearms by the armed group that also torched several houses.
There are no immediate reports of casualties from the latest attack that has renewed fears amongst residents who had been assured of maximum security after heavy police deployments.
The attack comes hours after Deputy Inspector General Samuel Arachi announced the arrest of 2 suspects of Somali origin who were found at a ranch owned by a local tycoon.
Terror, radicalisation hinder cohesion, President Uhuru Kenyatta says
11 Jul- Source: Daily Nation- 318 words
President Uhuru Kenyatta has said terrorism and youth radicalisation are a major challenge to cohesion in the society. President Kenyatta stressed the need for unity among Kenyans as well as the international community to fight the vices among other global crimes.
The President spoke when he hosted Muslim envoys from Africa, Asia and Middle East to an Iftar dinner at State House Nairobi Thursday evening.
“Youth being radicalised do not come from a particular community. No single nation can win this war. Nobody is safe but we can be safe only if we unite,” said the President.
US rules out military interventions in Africa
11 Jul – Source: Capital FM/Star-Kenya – 143 words
The United States (US) government has ruled out a military intervention on the continent to combat the increased terror threat. In a tele-conference with journalists across the continent on Wednesday evening, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield said a military response is not the answer to the terror challenge.
“The answer is not the US Government sending African Command to address this in a military way. This is not just a military response; it’s more a response that requires looking at economic development, looking at education programmes, looking at services and infrastructure being provided to these communities,” she said to a question on Boko Haram.
On the al Shabaab, she said America’s military presence in Somalia was targeted at building the capacity of the country’s own military forces following the US military’s recent admission of its presence there since 2007.
Lamu attackers steal six guns, burn school and raid drug store in fresh wave of terror
11 Jul- Source: Star- Kenya- 394 words
Attackers on Thursday night stormed Panda Nguo village five kilometres from Witu town in Lamu West and snatched six guns from police reservists.
Hassan Musa, Kenya Red Cross county manager for Kilifi says the attackers unleashed terror on residents from 9pm on Thursday to around 1am.
“The attackers came to the mosque while people were praying, locked them in and took six guns from the reservist who were inside the mosque,” said Hassan
They later burnt an office,a teacher’s house and a library at Panda Nguo primary school. The attackers who were not in a hurry later broke into a hospital and took drugs. County Commissioner Miiri Njenga confirmed the attack.
Police detonate grenade in Garissa
10 Jul- Source: KBC- 1:00 min
A grenade that was planted in a constructed site has been detonated in Garissa by the Criminal investigation department. The grenade is believed to have been left behind during the historic Shifta war in the region or during the fall of Siad Barre regime in Somalia in the early 90s.
Somalis struggle for justice, citing rampant corruption and bribes
10 Jul- Source: Sabahi Online- 894 words
Mogadishu residents are complaining of rampant corruption at police stations and courts, claiming their cases remain unresolved for months despite having paid bribes requested by officials.
Outside the Benadir regional court on June 25th, Safia Sheikh Abdi, a 35-year-old mother of seven who lives in Yaqshid district, told Sabahi she was following up on a property dispute she filed in January against a man who claimed ownership of land she inherited from her father.
She said the man has been unlawfully holding her 300 square-metre parcel of land since the civil war began in 1991.
“When the man claiming ownership of my land and I went to the court, the court found out that he did not have any proof of ownership and that my land title documents were the correct ones,” she said. “Instead of ordering the transfer of my land back to me, the court failed to administer justice and I have not been able to regain my land.”
How I was tortured in a Kampala safe house, terror suspect says
10 Jul – Source: Standard Media – 150 words
The National Intelligence Service reportedly raised doubts over the religious convictions of suspects, describing them as Muslims who “preach water while drinking wine”. A report seen by The Standard places the late Harun Fazul at the top of the list of terror suspects. Omar Awadh Omar, aka Abu Sahal, comes in second place.
Fazul was linked to a man identified as Bilal El Berjawi and another one listed with only one name, Badrudin, who was described as the head of al Qaeda Intelligence in Nairobi. Besides Fazul and Omar were 12 other names, with Jabir and Mohamed Ali listed as key missing persons.
Those on the list are Hussein Hassan Agade aka Gogo; La Tanga aka Prof aka Muhadir (formerly Alex Lishama Agade); Issa Ahmed Luyima aka Abu Zargawi; Sheikh Idriss Magondu aka Doctor (formerly Christopher Magondu); Hijjar Nyamadondo Selemani; Salim Hassan Ali aka Salim King; and Abubakar Batemyeto aka Nsimbi.
Regional Approach ‘Will End’ Terrorism
10 Jul- Source: Star-Kenya-318 Words
Kenya’s Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has called for a regional approach in the fight against terrorism. The CJ said he believes the region possesses expertise to develop appropriate mechanisms that will help counter the terrorism.
“To effectively respond to terrorism threats, it is also critical that we continue building and enhancing the capacity of our security and criminal justice systems as this would go a long way in strengthening counter terrorism strategies,” he said.
He said collaboration with other global and regional organizations undertaking the same tasks, is of critical importance. “Such networks must be built and made irrevocable, irreversible, permanent and indestructible,’he added.
The CJ who was speaking at workshop of effective counter-terrorism said that he and Kenya’s Judicial system was committed in the fight against terrorism. “However, my position is clear that this must be within the confines of the rule of law and respect for human rights.”
Hitch as ship gets stranded in Somalia
10 Jul- Source: Daily Nation- 183 words
A Mombasa-bound ship has run ashore near a small seaside village in Shabelle Province, Somalia. MV Semlow had dropped off cargo in Mogadishu and was sailing back to Mombasa when it experienced technical problems.
It drifted towards the village that is about 120 kilometres east of Mogadishu, where it is got stuck on either rocks or sandbars. According to the website, Harar24news, the ship was looted by fishermen.
Seafarers Union of Kenya Secretary General Andrew Mwangura told the Nation that two ships had sailed to the area but one suffered mechanical problems on Thursday.
IGAD strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu
10 Jul- Source: IGAD-207 Words
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) deplored the attack which occurred on the evening of July 8, 2014 in Somalia on the presidential palace in Mogadishu which it said was repulsed by the gallant members of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the African Union Peacekeepers.
The statement said, it is a great relief to our region and indeed to all peace loving people all over the world that President Hassan Sheikh Mahmud, who was not in the Palace during the attack, was unharmed. Though the Prime Minister of the Republic, and the Speaker of Parliament were in the palace during the attack, they too were unharmed showing the effective defence of the premises.
IGAD applauded the Somali Armed forces and the AU peacekeepers for their commendable efficiency and commitment in effectively defending the Palace. IGAD said the attack occurred when the people and Government of Somalia have shown the world that the era of violence and war that engulfed the country for over twenty years has finally come to an end, even if sporadic acts of terror do happen occasionally. IGAD urged all peace loving people of the world over to condemn the terrorist attack committed Presidential Palace in Mogadishu.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya: Refugees appeal against forced relocation to camps
11 Jul – Source: Amnesty International – 128 words
Refugees in Nairobi are appealing against a controversial ruling that would force thousands of Somalis from their homes to live in squalid overcrowded camps in north Kenya, Amnesty International said today.
“This outrageous ruling affects the entire refugee population of Nairobi. Using the pretext of protecting national security, the Kenyan authorities have cracked down on refugees, effectively destroying any form of stability they may have managed to build after seeking refuge in Kenya,” said Michelle Kagari, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Eastern Africa.
“Thousands of people’s lives have been destroyed. Tens of thousands more are at serious risk.”
The Somali refugees are appealing against a 30 June ruling made by High Court Judge Justice Majanja that stated that the relocation of refugees from urban centres is constitutional.
Kenya’s coastal killings pose insurgency risk for President Kenyatta
11 Jul- Source: Reuters-1178 Words
Kenya may face a full-blown insurgency on its coast unless President Uhuru Kenyatta can douse a combustible mix of ethnic rivalries, land rows and Islamist militancy. Gunmen have killed about 100 people since mid-June, exposing festering problems that could test Kenyatta’s ability to reassure a nation fretting about wider security a little more than a year into his first term. Despite dozens of arrests, the government has yet to identify the culprits.
“We have a serious radicalisation threat,” said Rashid Abdi, a specialist on Kenya and the Horn of Africa, who sees the “beginning of a coastal insurgency” supported by regional Islamists and other groups playing on local grievances.
Investors have so far been unperturbed, piling into Kenya’s debut Eurobond last month even as bodies were counted on the coast. But if the government fails to stop those driving the attacks and address local grievances, Kenyatta’s promise to lift already stuttering growth may start to look empty.
The chilling message scrawled on a wall in Lamu town, an old Arab trading port near where attacks erupted, reads “Boko Haram ndio njia” in Swahili, or “Boko Haram is the way”, referring to an Islamist insurgency that is the scourge of northeastern Nigeria.
Somalia: Al Shabaab Threatens Even More Attacks in Mogadishu
10 Jul- Source: CCTV Africa-01:48mins
At least two soldiers were killed in an al Shabaab raid on the presidential palace on Tuesday. The militant group said all government officials were targets. Its gunmen killed four traffic police officers over the weekend and it has vowed to intensify attacks. Even so the group has lost the capital Mogadishu and many other major towns to the allied African union and Somali forces. CCTV’s Mohamed Hirmoge reports
Somali Radio: Al Shabaab Attacker Was Informant in Presidential Palace
10 Jul- Source: VOA- 250 words
Somali government radio says Tuesday’s attack on the presidential palace was led by a man who had access to the compound and had passed information to militant group al Shabaab.
Radio Mogadishu identified the suspect by his first name only, but multiple sources tell VOA Somali Service the suspect’s name is Hassan Muhiyadin. He was captured following the attack, in which three other gunmen were killed.
The report says Muhyiddin, a technician for a local telecommunications firm, had become known in the palace over the past two years but no one suspected him of connection to al-Shabab, which claimed responsibility for the palace attack.
African nations still top ’10 Worst’ list in Fragile States Index, but Liberia and Sierra Leone give hope
11 Jul- Source: Mail & Guardian Africa – 132 words
The time of year has come when the Fund for Peace publishes the Fragile States Index. Formerly known as the Failed State Index (but renamed because that name sounded too negatively fated) the index is a ranking of 178 nations based on their levels of stability and the pressures they face. For 10 years now, the index has painted a fairly macabre image of African nations. Since 2005 there have been four countries consistently ranked in the top ten “worst” of the index – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, Somalia and Chad, four African nations.
The world’s newest country, South Sudan’s recent descent into civil war dethroning Somalia, which had topped the list of the very worst for the past six years, makes it the most fragile state in the world.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“All in all, Daallo Airlines and Jubba Airways are among the most successful privately-owned airlines in Africa. They have proudly succeeded where other airlines have failed, and proven that although the airline business in Somaliland/Somalia is a very challenging investment, it can yet be a successful one.”
The Airline Business in Somaliland/Somalia is a very challenging, yet successful sector
11 Jul- Source: Somaliland Informer-1816 Words
In recent years, the word “Somali” has been linked with piracy, drought, famine, civil-war and terrorism. It’s a fact that, since the demise of Somalia as a united state in 1991, most of the country`s infrastructure has collapsed and destroyed during the civil war. The economy failed and production, services and public service sectors including factories, farming, health, education, banking, telecommunication, travel and tourism were all hit badly.
Later, some sectors including telecommunication, financial services, education and health recovered quickly as Somalilander/Somali business men and women invested in the country and created private businesses and companies providing communication, money transfer services, healthcare and education – up to and including university levels. However, the sector that is most worthy of note, that has since flourished is the Air Transport service industry.
Prior to the last Somali Republican government which was overthrown by rebels in 1991, air transport services in Somalia (including Somaliland) were provided by Somali Airlines – the White Star service as it was known. Somali Airlines was the national carrier of Somalia and was founded in 1964 as a joint-venture between the Somali government and Alitalia, the Italian flag carrier.
“What is obviously clear is that the country will run into calamities more worse than the civil war of the 90s. The good intentions of producing resources to finance the government operations will definitely attract Lucifers of many colors, kinds the continent has never yet experienced. Fresh Lucifers who regret not to have been part of the civil war will storm the country with more shit than our leaders can appreciate.”
Somalia: The SFG’s Plan to Produce Oil Will Attract Calamities
11 Jul- Source: Raxanreeb-1147 Words
The itching urge for oil production by current incumbents of Villa Somalia reminds me of a book entitled: The Lucifer Principle by Howard Bloom. The thesis of this book is that good and evil are simply different sides of the same coin and, therefore, will co-exist until the very last day of the world. That goodness, because Lucifer is a prime evil created for the destruction of good, will always attract badness. The good news is that Lucifer is always under the carpet until a good cause has been triggered.
When you look at African politics closely, you will realize that calamities, as they are evoked by Lucifer, evolve around resources and goodness. Driven by the need to make the continent rich, African heads of states bought the idea of letting go the foreign dependence. They hurried to look for the exploration of inner resources like oil and gold. However, they went to business without capacity and with deep-rooted inability to cope with the public outcry. Others bypassed their constituents and took the high road only to find out the road ends uphills.
And Lucifer, a smart evil who never misses political holes, took advantage of the poverty and the ignorance of the populace. He even conspired with the elites and the mobs, telling each that the other is on the wrong side of history. That is why wars in Africa are struggles between have-s and have-nots and are in the realization of resources. Take the case of Nigeria, for example. The country is divided between oil-rich dominated by Christians and poverty-ridden populated by Muslims. Look at Libya where the system inherited by the revolution is divided between east and west, with Benghazi and Tripoli leading the match respectively.
“Terror attacks are never positive but the lessons they teach us aboutal Shabaab and the weaknesses of government policy have been. Somalia is in transition and taking the most crucial steps it could ever take to move towards reform and change. This process is not easy and it will not get any easier but if lessons are not learnt from every attack and government mistake, it is bound to repeat itself with devastating consequences for the Somali people and for the government led by President Hassan Sheikh which inspired so much hope when it first took office only a few years ago.”
Positive outcomes of this al Shabaab attack
10 Jul- Source: Hiiraan Online-1377 Words
Tuesday’s surprise al Shabaab attack on the Somali Presidential Palace was their second this year. Yes second. The casualties of these two grave breaches of national security at the highest level does not include the number of civil servants, MP’s and civilians targeted by the militant group for supporting or working with the government. Nor does it include those who were injured or lost their lives in the car bomb explosion outside the Somali parliament a few days earlier (5th July this year).
Clearly angry like he was after all the other incidents before the last attack on his residence and the symbol of his government’s authority and existence, President Hassan Sheikh condemned the attack and firmly stated that neither he nor the Parliamentarians were frightened.
“They cannot frighten me, they cannot frighten the parliament,” the President told reporters in Mogadishu but most in attendance knew that had he not gone for Iftar when he did accompanied by the AMISOM and Somali troops to Halane, the outcome could have potentially been disastrous for him and his government.
“In the short term, road building can help tackle the problem of Somali piracy, and combined with state building it can help address Somalia’s problems over the longer term too.”
Road building, not state building, can solve the Somali pirate problem
10 Jul- Source: Washington Post Blog-955 Words
Even if pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia are now only sporadic, piracy is still a latent problem which inflicts high costs on international trade. The estimated cost of piracy in 2013 was somewhere between $3 and $3.2 billion. Shipping companies continue to spend huge amounts of money on safety measures and additional fuel to increase transit speed, while international navies patrol the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin.
These massive costs are inflicted by an “industry” that brought an average income of around $50 million per annum to Somalia from 2008-2012. The differences between the massive costs and meager profits of piracy imply that there has to be some room for a more efficient solution than expensive sea-based deterrents. Indeed, a recently released White House plan against Somali Piracy suggests that the Obama administration is no longer willing to commit naval assets in the long run.
But what would such a solution look like? In theory, laws and rules might support a “contract out of piracy,” in which foreign nations or shippers effectively pay pirates to cease their activities. The problem is that state-building is in its infancy in Somalia. The central government has not projected power beyond Mogadishu for decades, ceding control to a plethora of traditional clan-based elites, warlords and Islamist militias who provide governance and fight over territory. Without stable law and order in the remote coastal regions, there is no-one to make sure that all parties live up to their contracts.
Top tweets
@UNLazzarini 2.9 million people in #Somalia are in #crisis – we can’t fail them again #SomaliaAlert @OCHASompic.twitter.com/6gT8moOTWw
@Adesoafrica What are the interventions needed to avert#Somalia‘s looming crisis? Here’s what humanitarian agencies propose: http://bit.ly/SomRelapse
@SomaliaNewsroom Can’t make it up: in the same week a man working at Villa #Somalia sets up another terror attack there, the Cabinet approves new terror law.
@unicefsomalia Urgent action is needed to prevent a repeat of 2011 famine in Somalia but funding for humanitarian assistance is… http://fb.me/6AOfxnq6r
@amisomsomalia PHOTOS: Event held by #Burundi Senior Officials to celebrate the Burundi Independence dayhttp://on.fb.me/QqTSeN pic.twitter.com/SdavsLuHxP
Image of the day
Somali gov’t says this man, a longtime al Shabaab insider, helped the militants infiltrate the presidential palace. Photo: @mukhtaryare