July 15, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

President Obama accepts credentials from new Somali ambassador

15 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Somalicurrent/Radio RBC/Radio Dalsan- 138 words

US President Barack Obama has accepted the credentials of the new Somali Ambassador to the United States, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, in a ceremony at the White House.

Sharmake, a former prime minister is the first Somali ambassador to the U.S. in more than two decades. Somalia closed its embassy in 1991 after warlords’ ousted former president Mohamed Siad Barre.

“Mr. Sharmarke is well prepared to continue building a free, peaceful Somalia I look forward to working with His Excellency and visit Minneapolis as soon as possible. Together, we can promote security, economic prosperity, and well-being for Somalis both here in the U.S. and in Somalia,’’Said US Rep Keith Ellison in a statement.

Adding that it is a historic moment for the future of a democratic Somalia as well as the future of relations between our two countries.

Key Headlines

Curfew imposed on Jowhar last night (Radio Dalsan/Radio Shabelle)
President Obama accepts credentials from new Somali ambassador (Radio Mogadishu/Somalicurrent)
Somali military executes two men who killed undergraduate student (Radio Kulmiye/ Radio Goobjoog)
Fire destroys property worth millions at a market in wadajir District (Radio Dalsan/Radio Shabelle)
Somali Foreign Minister meets with his Spanish counterpart (Radio Mogadishu)
Guri-el authorities ban use of cars with tinted windows (Radio Bar-kulan)
UN fund offers finance for emergency measles campaign in Somalia (Xinhua)
Government forces arrests dozens in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog)
Renewed clan militia clashes in Defow claim 11 lives (Radio Bar-kulan)
Raiders ‘stole guns from six reservists at Lamu mosque’ (Daily Nation)
Somaliland Civil Aviation Minister is attending meeting in London addressing security (Somaliland Informer)
Attacks and Explosions rock Mogadishu (Radio Dalsan)
Al Maktoum Foundation unveils projects in Somalia (Al Khaleej Times)
Kenya: 29 police officers probed for abuses (Daily Nation)
Meet the First Somali Ambassador to the US in 20 Years (ABC News)
Somalian soldiers graduated from Turkish military school (Cihan News Agency)
Somali Ambassador Takes Up Post in Washington (VOA/AP)
Global opposition to U.S. drone strikes grows (USA Today)
Somali refugees reuniting after 4-year wait (CBC News)

PRESS STATEMENT

Somalia’s Ambassador to the United States, Mr Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmake, confirmed by US President Barack Obama

15 Jul- Source: Office of the Somali President -313 words

Mr Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmake, was confirmed on Monday 14 July 2014, as Somalia’s first ambassador to the United States of America since 1991.
US President Barack Obama, in a ceremony at the White House, confirmed Ambassador Sharmake.

Ambassador Sharmake has held several leadership positions within the Somali Government, including as Prime Minister for the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia from 2009-2010. He has served in various positions with the United Nations, including as the Political Adviser with the African Union Mission in Sudan, and with the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone. He has led various civil society organisations including the Centre for peace and Development Initiative (CPDI) in Canada, and most recently, the Centre for Policy and Dialogue- Somalia and Kenya.

Ambassador Sharmake holds a Master of Arts in Political Economy from Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada), a Bachelor of Arts (High Honours) from Carleton and a Bachelor Arts in Economics from the Somali National University (Mogadishu, Somalia).

HE President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud remarked, “I approved the appointment of Ambassador Sharmarke to this very important and strategic position with great pleasure. I am delighted that he has now been confirmed by President Obama and can take up his role of continuing to strengthen political, trade, economic and development ties between the United States and Somalia.

“The confirmation of Ambassador Sharmarke confirms our mutual goals of security, inclusive, sustainable development and good governance for Somalia, and demonstrates the strength of trust and cooperation between Somalia and the United States,” said HE The President.

The United States has supported the pursuit of stability and growth of democracy in Somalia for many years, working with the Somali National Army to recruit and train forces; supporting AMISOM since 2007 with training, equipment and logistical support, and providing aid and development support, focusing on democracy and governance, economic recovery, education, health and reducing the appeal of extremism.

SOMALI MEDIA

Curfew imposed on Jowhar last night

15 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan/Radio Shabelle/Hiiraan Online- 172 words

Reports from Jowhar town say there was a curfew imposed on that town Monday night by the authorities there in a bid to ensure security prevails.

According to Dalsan Radio reporter in Jowhar, the curfew started at 5 p.m local time and ends 9 a.m. This followed after a wave of insecurity incidents in the town including killings and explosions in which some of the leaders in the authorities were targeted. Last Sunday, Daahir Maxakentay who worked at the Finance Department of Middle Shabelle Region was targeted with an explosive device and injured as he was driving in one of the streets in Jowhar.

The explosion was very big. Consequently, Mr. Maxakentay was seriously wounded. Mr. Maxakentay was sent to Mogadishu for treatment. Following the explosion, the security forces carried out swoops there. Many people who were suspected to have been behind the explosion were rounded up and arrested by the police.

President Obama accepts credentials from new Somali ambassador

15 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Somalicurrent/Radio RBC/Radio Dalsan- 138 words

US President Barack Obama has accepted the credentials of the new Somali Ambassador to the United States, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, in a ceremony at the White House.

Sharmake, a former prime minister is the first Somali ambassador to the U.S. in more than two decades. Somalia closed its embassy in 1991 after warlords’ ousted former president Mohamed Siad Barre.

Adding that it is a historic moment for the future of a democratic Somalia as well as the future of relations between our two countries.

Somali military executes two men who killed undergraduate student

15 Jul- Source: Radio Kulmiye/ Radio Goobjoog/Bartamaha Online- 145 words

Somali military court on Tuesday executed two men found guilty of killing an undergraduate student Nafisa Salad Osman in Mogadishu on 5th April this year after forcefully abducting her from her home.

The two men, Hassan Mohamed Abdi and Shafii Abdi Hersi faced a firing force at police training academy in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia in attendance of senior government officials.

A third person accused of backing the murder of Nafiso Salad Osman was also sentenced to fifteen years jail term. This is the first execution of al Shabaab members since the serving chairman of military court Abdirahman Turyare took power.

Fire destroys property worth millions at a market in wadajir District

15 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan/Radio Shabelle/Radio Kulmiye/Radio Simba- 240 words

A market at Medina area in Wadajir District caught fire Monday night at around 2 p.m. Property worth millions was destroyed by the inferno.

However, no one was injured by the fire even though business people lost their stocks and some of the structures of the market were completely razed by the fire. Emergency services moved in quickly and the fire brigade managed to control the fire. Many people also came to salvage property. The fire especially affected the textile section and a section where simsim oil was produced by small factories.

Even though, eventually, the fire could be contained, it took hours to do so because of poor access due to unplanned structures which are common in the market and the simsim oil in the market which escalated the fire.

The authorities of Wadajir District now call for assistance for the business people who lost their stocks. Ahmed Abdulle Afrah is the commissioner of Wadajir District. He told the media that a lot of properties were destroyed. He also called for assistance for the businesspeople whose property was destroyed by the fire. ‘Properties of business people in the market were destroyed completely and we therefore call for assistance for them..We pray to God to give alternative means to those people who lost their properties here’. Commissioner Ahmed Abdulle Afrah said.

Somali Foreign Minister meets with his Spanish counterpart

15 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog/Radio Bar-kulan- 130 words

Federal government foreign affairs minister Abdirahman Duale Beilah met his Spain counterpart José Manuel García-Margallo in Madrid and discussed ways of strengthening the bilateral relations between the two nations.

Also in their meeting the ministers discussed other issues of common interest like co-operation between the countries in the fight against terrorism and support to federal government effort to stabilize the nation.

During the meeting, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on the situation of Somalia and the ongoing changes.

On the other hand the minister took separate meeting with the director of Africa, Asia and Western European agency for development and co-operation of Spain’s government Mr. Alberto Virella, their meeting focused on setting up developmental projects and speeding up reconstruction of Somalia after more than two decades of civil strife.

Guri-el authorities ban use of cars with tinted windows

15 Jul – Source:Radio Bar-kulan – 122 words

Local administration of Guri-el town in central Somali region of Galgadud has issued a new directive banning the use of cars with tinted windows in the town. Guri-el police chief, Gallad Mohamud Qeyliye who spoke to Bar-kulan said that his security forces have already started to crackdown cars with tinted windows for security reasons.

The police chief said that over 30 private and public vehicles had their tints removed in compliance with the new order issued by the local authorities since the beginning of the crackdown.

He urged locals in Guri-el to comply with the new order and warned strict measures will be taken against any motorist who fails to heed the new directive banning the use of cars with tinted windows.

Government forces arrests dozens in Mogadishu

15 Jul- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 116 words

Federal government forces backed by African union peace-keeping troops have launched security crackdown in some districts of Banadir region.

The security operations are actively going on in Waaberi and Hodan districts as government forces are seen asking different questions to the residents.

Most of the roads entering the two districts were blocked by the forces, public transports and pedestrians were forced to use small roads.

The motive behind this security crackdown is not clearly known but security officials say it is part of governments efforts to maintain the overall security of the capital.

Unspecified number of people mostly youth were arrested by the security forces during these planned operations.

Renewed clan militia clashes in Defow claim 11 lives

15 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 135 words

At least 11 people have been killed and 13 others injured after two clan militias clashed in Defow area of Hiran region according to Hiran regional administration officials.

Beledweyne police chief, Col. Ali Abdi Mahad-Alle confirmed the renewed clashes between two clan militias who previously fought in the area to Bar-kulan.

The injured were reportedly admitted to hospitals in Beledweyne, the provincial capital of Hiran region for treatments.

Reports from the area indicate that people were seeing fleeing their homes after some parts of the area were burnt down by the warring militias.

In the last few days, some of the traditional elders in Hiran region have been engaging with the local communities to end hostilities in parts of the region including Defow, Kabhanley and Berey.

Somaliland Civil Aviation Minister is attending meeting in London addressing security

15 Jul- Source: Somaliland Informer- 204 words

A delegation led by Somaliland’s Minister of Civil aviation Hon. Mohamud Hashi Abdi and is accompanied by head of Immigration Department Mr. Mohamed Ali Yusuf alias Mohamed Ambaro, Mr. Hussein Al Isqawi a scholar, and an engineer Abdinasir Garad Abshir are attending a large gathering that is taking place in London.

Delegates of More than 30 countries mainly from African and Asian continents are invited to attend the conference and Somaliland is among those nations which have been formally invited at the conference. Diplomats and senior British government officials were in attendance at the summit.

The conference is aimed at addressing ways to enhance security in Africa and Asia. Long speeches were made by the attending delegates concerning ways and mechanisms of preventing problems that the world is faced with and the lack of security that is spreading in the universe.

Somaliland delegation headed by Hon. Mohamud Hashi Abdi, Somaliland Civil Aviation Minister held separate meetings with the attendees and spelled out to them in depth the security and stability in Somaliland which lies a region plagued by terrorism and piracy. He appealed to world delegates that they must do all they can to assist Somaliland on the areas of security, education and development.

Attacks and Explosions rock Mogadishu

15 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan- 118 words

Forces loyal to al Shabaab attacked Hodan District Police Station in Mogadishu and the Ministry of Defence. Also, an assassination happened near Sey Biyaano where one soldier was killed and another escaped death but with serious wounds. There was tension in the city earlier on Monday tonight as it is the eve of the 17th of Ramadan in the Islamic Calendar when al Shabaab commemorate the Battle of Badar which took place near Medina during the era of the prophet in which warriors led by prophet Mohammed, peace and blessing be upon him defeated Qureysh attackers from Mecca. In previous Ramadans al Shabaab increased attacks on this date in remembrance of that battle. The casualty figures of these attacks are not known yet.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Al Maktoum Foundation unveils projects in Somalia

15 Jul – Source: Al Khaleej Times – 132 words

The Al Maktoum Foundation (AMF) has unveiled its pioneering education projects in Somalia. The mega charity foundation, as per the instruction of Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, is sponsoring thousands of students there.

According to a senior official, up to 1,500 students of the Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid School in Hargeisa city of Somalia have graduated from several universities in Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and even Europe.

“They are now working in Hargeisa as doctors, engineers, lawyers, and professionals in various fields,” said Mohammed Ahmed Ismael, representative of Al Maktoum Foundation in Somalia. The foundation is currently sponsoring up to 2,112 regular students at different universities, he added. “Al Maktoum Foundation is giving a critical boost to education in Africa.”

Kenya: 29 police officers probed for abuses

15 Jul – Source: Daily Nation – 125 words

Police are being investigated for harassment, extortion and assault during the recent security operation in Eastleigh, Nairobi, that was meant to flush out illegal immigrants. Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairman Macharia Njeru on Monday said the watchdog had identified 29 officers whom it would recommend for prosecution once allegations against them are substantiated.

Mr Njeru said the authority had established that officers in the operation dubbed Usalama Watch demanded bribes of between Sh1,000 and Sh20,000. The authority, which investigated the abuse claims, also received complaints that detainees were beaten during arrest and in police stations.

“Police officers should, at all times, strive to accord detained persons their right as stipulated in the Constitution,” says an IPOA report released in Nairobi on Monday.

Raiders ‘stole guns from six reservists at Lamu mosque’

14 Jul- Source: Daily Nation- 504 words

Raiders who hit Pandanguo and Jima villages in Lamu on Saturday night stormed a mosque and even had time to preach to Muslims who had gone there for prayers.

The attackers, who witnesses said introduced themselves as members of al Shabaab, raided the two villages twice, forcing villagers to flee in their hundreds. After the raid, they harvested maize at a nearby farm as the owner watched before storming into a mosque at Pandanguo where they delivered a Jihadist sermon.

They had found the worshippers deep in Taraweeh prayer performed by Muslims in the month of Ramadhan. Pandanguo and Jima residents in Lamu County have borne the brunt of ruthless gunmen, who have been linked to recent killings of at least 87 people in Lamu County.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Meet the First Somali Ambassador to the US in 20 Years

15 Jul- Source: ABC News-584 Words

Somalia has appointed the country’s first ambassador to the United States in more than two decades. Omar Abdirashid Ali Shamarke had his diplomatic credentials accepted Monday at the White House, where he is expected to attend President Obama’s Iftar celebration Monday evening, a dinner marking the breaking of the fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

“Ambassador Sharmarke’s arrival to Washington represents the latest progress in advancing U.S.-Somali relations,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. “We look forward to working with Ambassador Sharmarke and continuing to work with the Federal Government of Somalia to bring stability, security, and prosperity to all Somali people,” Psaki added.

Somalia’s embassy in the U.S. closed in 1992 following the fall of long-time president Siad Barre, which plunged the country into chaos. Two years ago, the first elected government in 20 years came into power and the United States has given more than half a billion dollars in aid to help build infrastructure and provide basic services, including security and development of a justice system.

Somalian soldiers graduated from Turkish military school

15 Jul- Source: Cihan News Agency- 123 words

110 Somalian soldiers who received a 10 months-long military training in Turkey as part of a deal signed between Turkey and Somalia finished their education with a great ceremony.

In 2010, Turkey signed a deal to provide military training to Somali soldiers. A graduation ceremony, which was attended by large numbers of military officials and Somalian Ambassador
to Turkey Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirrahman, was held on Monday in İstanbul for the soldiers. The soldiers recited Turkish national anthem and they marched by playing band.

Speaking during the event, Commender of Land Forces Language School Col. Nihat Aksüt stated that graduated soldiers will be culture ambassadors between Turkey and Somalia. Aksüt later gave plaquets to the soldiers.

Somali Ambassador Takes Up Post in Washington

15 Jul – Source: VOA/AP/Turkish Weekly – 158 words

Somalia has posted its first ambassador to the United States since the East African government collapsed more than 20 years ago. Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke met with U.S. President Barack Obama Monday at the White House.

Sharmarke told VOA that the development is a monumental step for Somalia. He said it shows that Somalia wants to deepen its relationship with the United States. “My appointment actually signifies the importance in which Somalia sees its relationship and friendship with the United States,” he said.

Last month, the United States announced that it also would reinstate an ambassador to Somalia. President Obama has not said whom he will nominate for the position. The United States has not had an ambassador to Somalia since it closed its mission in 1991.

UN fund offers finance for emergency measles campaign in Somalia

15 Jul- Source: Xinhua- 251 words

The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated 1.4 million U.S. dollars for an emergency campaign to combat measles outbreak in Somalia, which has already left thousands of children at risk of disability and death, a UN spokesman said Monday.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the funding will be used to vaccinate an estimated half a million children under five years of age in the worst affected areas of Banadir, Lower Juba and Puntland, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said at the daily briefing.
There were more than 1,350 suspected cases of measles in March and April — four times more than the number during the same period last year, and nearly 1,000 cases were reported in May alone, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Somali refugees reuniting after 4-year wait

15 Jul – Source: CBC News – 138 words

A church in Charlottetown is reuniting four young Somali refugees with the rest of their family after more than four years trying. Nasro Awil Adhar and her three younger siblings came to P.E.I. in 2008 through a sponsorship from the Muslim Association of P.E.I. In 2010 Trinity United Church decided to sponsor the rest of the Awil Adhar family.

Harry Kielly of Trinity United told CBC News while it’s wonderful three other members of the family will come to Charlottetown July 23 it took a long time to process their papers, and he thinks the Canadian government should be doing more to help refugees.

“Our refugee intake in Canada is minimal on a worldwide basis. They will be one of only a few thousand that will be coming into Canada this year,” said Kielly.

U.S. welcomes Somali ambassador to the united states, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke

14 Jul- Source: state.gov- 80 words

We are pleased to announce the arrival of Ambassador Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, the first Somali Ambassador to the United States in over twenty years. Ambassador Sharmarke’s arrival to Washington represents the latest progress in advancing U.S.-Somali relations. We look forward to working with Ambassador Sharmarke and continuing to work with the Federal Government of Somalia to bring stability, security, and prosperity to all Somali people.

Global opposition to U.S. drone strikes grows

14 Jul – Source: USA Today – 146 words

Opposition to the use of U.S. drones to target terrorists is growing around the world, a new poll finds. Even key allies oppose the use of the unmanned aircraft, according to the Pew Research Center poll.

In 37 of 44 countries surveyed on the topic, at least half of the respondents opposed American strikes, which have become a signature tactic of the Obama administration’s war on terrorism.

The administration has carried out strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and elsewhere, often prompting charges in those countries that innocent civilians have been killed.

Opposition to American drone attacks is particularly strong in the Middle East. In Jordan, a key U.S. ally, 90% of those surveyed oppose the tactic, up from 87% opposed last year. In only three of the countries surveyed — Israel, Kenya and the USA — do a majority approve of drone strikes.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“The international community has now received 8 early warnings of a worsening humanitarian emergency in Somalia. In the run up to the Somalia famine in 2011, we had 16 such warnings. This all adds up to donors needing to put their hands in their pockets immediately to divert us from the path to catastrophe. Let’s see this #EpicFail diverted.”

The international community’s 2nd #EpicFail in Somalia?

14 Jul- Source: Oxfam America Blog-411 Words

Somalia faces a constant battle against apathy. With nearly 3 million people – a third of the population – are in severe crisis, 26 aid organisations came together to call for the world to pay attention to Somalia’s humanitarian crisis at the beginning of May.

By the beginning of June, the UN also raised the alarm. Somalia’s UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator highlighted the huge funding gap for the crisis and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Valerie Amos also addressed the UN Security Council to highlight how fragile and worrying the situation in Somalia is.

At that stage, just a month ago, the common appeal for humanitarian funds for Somalia was only 19% funded. Though we have seen more money come through in the past few weeks, the appeal still stands at 27%. Although this is a step forward, there is still a huge funding gap. Life-saving programs are at risk of closing, the UN has also warned. Unless major donors step up and take responsibility to save lives in Somalia, the world will see an increase in preventable, tragic deaths.

“Some analysts argue al Shabaab’s attacks on “soft targets,” such as Kenya’s malls and villages, are part of a larger plan by the group to push the government to retaliate against the Somali refugee population. Al Shabaab figures Kenya’s Somali population, increasingly alienated by government persecution, will provide them with the revival of support they sorely need.”

Somali Refugees Are Paying The Price For Recent Terrorist Attacks In Kenya

14 Jul- Source: Think Progress-912 Words

Thousands of Somali refugees living in Nairobi are being forced to leave behind their homes and businesses as the government forcibly relocates them to overcrowded camps in the north or deports them to their war-torn home country in a misguided attempt to prevent future terrorism.

Approximately half a million Somalis fled to Kenya after their nation’s 1991 civil war. On June 30, Kenya’s highest court upheld a ruling that said deporting the entire refugee population of Nairobi in the name of national security was constitutional. Refugee community leaders were petitioning the court to review the new directive, which they claim violates basic human rights to work, property, and protection against discrimination under international law.

Over the past year, the Somalian terrorist group al Shabaab has shown itself to be more resilient than originally thought, wreaking havoc throughout Kenya. In the most notorious attack, the extremist Islamist group occupied Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall last September, claiming hundreds of lives. Last month, al Shabaab fighters killed as many as 60 civilians in a rampage through Kenya’s coastal region, while the government first failed to respond and then blamed the attacks on opposition parties. Survivors of the attacks were enraged over the authorities’ slow response to the massacre. Evicted refugees argue that they are now being scapegoated within Kenya’s increasingly volatile political environment.

Top tweets

@OCHASom UN emergency fund @UNCERF allocates $1.4m to fight #Somalia measles outbreak. 520,000 to be vaccinated:http://bit.ly/1jr86OT @UNICEF @WHO

@kenyanpundit Al Shabaab raiders in Lamu had time to take over the taraweh session at local mosque? What the fuck is going on? http://bit.ly/1oCHqHo

@UNDPSomalia UNDP helps improve access to water for local communities in Somalia!http://bit.ly/1iQ5XfC

@FCONeilWigan Hope to see #Somalia in next World Cup.@UKinSomalia helping, by supporting #Kismayo and #Baidoastadiums. pic.twitter.com/NaFsW7GL24

@OxfamInSOM Please sign this petition to ensure money can still be sent from Somalis: http://chn.ge/1lQoRlg pic.twitter.com/86y5AtjZmz

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Image of the day

Image of the day Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, the first Ambassador from #Somalia to the US in 20 years, with President #Obama : Photo: @TheVillaSomalia