July 18, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali refugee population in Horn of Africa passes one million, but exodus slows

17 Jul- Source: Alert Net – 471 words

Somalia’s refugee exodus crossed a new threshold this past week, with more than a million people now having fled the country for the surrounding region, according to the latest UNHCR data. The most recent arrivals continue to cite insecurity and dwindling food resources as the main reasons for their flight.

Key Headlines

The Government is investigating the killing of former Trade Minister (Radio Risaala)
Somalia: President Is Shielding Pirate Leader U.N. Report Says (New York Times /Reuters)
Turksih deputy premier in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu)
Explosions rock Ethiopian troops in Beledweyne town (Mareeg Online)
Al Shabaab last ditch efforts in Gedo region (Garowe Online)
Somali refugee population in Horn of Africa passes one million but exodus slows (Alert Net)

PRESS STATEMENT

Challenge and Opportunity: Preparing for National Constituent Assembly

17 Jul – Source: UNPOS – 303 words

At the beginning of April I accompanied the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Peter de Clercq on the mission to assess the possible venues for the National Constituent Assembly; along with representatives of the Transitional Federal Government we visited a handful of sights and came out feeling that this task was impossible. How were we going to accomplish the preparation of a venue to hold the biggest constituent assembly in the world in one of the most dangerous cities in the world without enough time and with insufficient resources?

In our moment of despair, we looked to the Somalis. And as we began to engage, they stepped up to the challenge. As we approach the commencement of the NCA deliberations, the task we thought was unachievable, the test that we believed we were destined to fail, has been achieved. I visited the venue today and improbably, it is ready to host one of the most important events in Somalia’s recent history, an event that can change the course of the country and provide for a better life for all Somalis.

In reflecting on this process, I can’t help but think that, in a way, it mirrors the struggle that Somalia has grappled with for the last 20+ years—a seemingly insurmountable task of creating a stable and secure environment for all Somalis. Progress has ebbed and flowed, felt hopeless and at times looked impossible — but then, with dedication, remarkable progress is achieved very quickly. It is my hope that, as the Somalis have succeeded to rehabilitate and elevate the venue to provide a comfortable environment for the Constituent Assembly in this limited time period, that another great success is looming and that we are on the eve of a historic moment in Mogadishu where a real change is going to take place.

SOMALI MEDIA

Turksih deputy premier in Mogadishu

17 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Hiiraan Online/Jowhar Online – 135 words

Turkish deputy premier, Bakar Bozdag leading a large delegation has arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu where they received a warm reception from officials of the Somali transitional federal government and people at the main airport. Somali premier, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, some members of his cabinet and members of federal Parliament of the Somali government

Explosions rock Ethiopian troops in Beledweyne town

17 Jul – Source: Mareeg Online/Shabelle/Somaliweyn – 87 words

Deadly twin blasts reportedly rocked Ethiopian troops in Somalia’s central town of Beledweyne, the capital of Hiiraan region. Eyewitnesses confirmed to Shabelle Media that roadside bombs targeted Ethiopian forces as they were passing east of Beledweyne, but could not verify the exact number of casualties on the Ethiopian military. Following the blasts, business and public transportation operations, were halted after Ethiopian forces indiscriminately opened fire at nearby crowds, but no deaths were reported.

Somali Government investigates killing of former Trade Minister

17 Jul- Source: Radio Risaala- 134 words

It was yesterday when the former trade minister of Somalia Mahmud Abdi Garweyne was assassinated and the government said they are conducting investigations so as to establish those behind the killing
The current minister for trade who is also the deputy prime minister Abdiwahab Ugaas Hussein Ugaas Khaliif told Risaala news station in Mogadishu that they are investigating the killing so as to find who is responsible
He said those responsible for the death of Mahmud Abdi Ibrahim ”Garweyne” will be apprehended and be brought to justice

Las Anod district commissioner, his deputy in police custody

17 Jul – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 175 words

The district commissioner of disputed Las Anod district in Sool region Mohamed Hajji Hussein and his deputy Mohamed Adam Mo’alim have been arrested after a row reportedly erupted between them and the area regional governor and the police boss. According to reports reaching Bar-kulan newsroom, the two were arrested after an effort to end the row between them and the area regional governor Mohamed Mohamoud Ali and the police boss Ali Ismail hit a snag, prompting physical confrontation between their security guards.

Al Shabaab last ditch efforts in Gedo region

17 Jul – Source: Garowe Online – 105 words

Al Shabaab insurgents have been losing ground in much of south central and southern Somalia, but have concentrated in maintaining the strategic region of Gedo, Garowe Online reports. After Ethiopian and Somali troops captured central regions in Somalia, attacks or armed resistance by al Shabaab who formerly controlled the region have been minimal. Nevertheless, al Shabaab have directed an extensive amount of defense in Gedo Region. On Tuesday, the district of Bardheere became a battlefield as Somali forces battled with al Shabaab insurgents.

Allied forces kill 11 al Shabaab fighters in Gedo region

17 Jul- Source: Radio Shabelle- 131 words

Somali Government forces backed by Kenyan troops have clashed with al Shabaab fighters in Gedo region, southwestern Somalia, resulting in deaths and injuries.

The fighting, which was reportedly heavy, erupted after Somali forces attacked areas near Baardheere town which is under al Shabaab control. Somali and Kenyan forces pounded these localities with artilleries.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali, South Sudan police train in Kigali

17 Jul – Source: the News Times – 587 words

A team of 32 senior police officers from four post-conflict countries, including the world’s newest nation South Sudan and troubled Somalia, yesterday, began a two-month training programme at the Rwanda National Police headquarters in Kacyiru, Kigali.

Somalia, which is set to hold its first general elections in years next month, has been boosted by recent battlefield successes by an African Union peacekeeping mission, composed largely of Ugandan and Burundian troops, which has greatly reduced the threat of al Qaeda linked al Shabaab militants over the recent months.

Kenyan police officer killed, another injured in Garissa, North Eastern Kenya

17 Jul- Source: Standard- 281 words

A policeman was killed and another seriously injured by gunmen in Lagdera along the Kenya-Somalia border.The officers were patrolling the area when gunmen believed to be remnants of Somalia’s al Shabaab militants attacked them.
Their attackers sprayed their vehicle with bullets during the Monday evening incident — the latest targeting security agents since Kenyan troops moved into Somalia.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali refugee population in Horn of Africa passes one million, but exodus slows

17 Jul- Source: Alert Net – 471 words

Somali President Is Shielding Pirate Leader, U.N. Report Says

17 Jul – Source: New York Times /Reuters – 180 words
President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, left, has shielded a top pirate leader from arrest by issuing him a diplomatic passport, according to a United Nations inquiry, which criticizes the “climate of impunity” enjoyed by pirate kingpins in Somalia and abroad. The United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia said in a report to the Security Council that senior pirate leaders were benefiting from high-level protection from Somali authorities and were not being sufficiently sought by international authorities. The group said a diplomatic passport had been provided “with the authorization of” Mr. Ahmed to Mohamed Abdi Hassan, a pirate leader also known as Afweyne, who presented it to authorities in Malaysia on a trip there in April. The report said Mr. Ahmed said the passport was “one of several inducements” for Afweyne aimed at dismantling his pirate network. Mr. Ahmed, in a letter to the chairman of the Security Council Sanctions Committee, called the report “one-sided” and described its contents as “unsubstantiated allegations.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“WFP has reached a third of a million people in the southern border regions alone over the last year. This is quite an achievement because a year ago, WFP was not able to work in southern Somalia, except for in Mogadishu”.

Somalia: What Difference Does A Year Make?

17 Jul- Source: Alert Net- 916 words

WFP Public Information Officer Susannah Nicol has visited Somalia several times over the last year and spoken to families who fled the famine and conflict in the south. She looks back on the year since the famine declaration, charting the progress of relief efforts and the experiences of two mothers who have received WFP assistance.