July 2, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

KDF denies supporting rival factions in Kismayo

01 Jul- Source: Standard/Citizen TV- 356 words

Somali government wants Kenya Defence Forces to leave Kismayo and the forces be replaced by a more neutral one. This was after the KDF forces who are under Amisom apparently arrested a commander with the Somalia National Army (SNA) and involvement in violence. Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces Gen Julius Karangi downplayed claims the ongoing factional fighting in Kismayo may affect peace and stability in the country and region at large.Gen Karangi said last month the fighting there over power is normal and that the crisis will be solved soon. He said Kenyan troops under Amisom as still in control of much of the affected areas and assured the country there will be no more insecurity.

Key Headlines

Demonstrations in Mogadishu to protest arrest of al Shabaab leader (Radio Kulmiye/Radio Risaala/al Shahid)
Thousands celebrate in Somalia’s capital marking 53rd Anniversary of Independence (Shabelle)
AMISOM troops accused of abusing mandate( Africa Review)
KDF denies supporting rival factions in Kismayo (Standard/Citizen TV)
Somalis discuss proposed telecommunications bill in Dubai (Hiiraan Online)
Somaliland government officer arrested over corruption allegations (Somaliland Informer)
Kenya to enhance ties with Burundi – Uhuru (Capital FM/Daily Nation/Standard)
Kenya to enhance ties with Burundi – Uhuru (Capital FM/Daily Nation/Standard)
U.N. envoy Kay raises concerns about Somalia’s stability (UPI)
Becoming a refugee opens up the world of education to young Somali woman (UNHCR)

SOMALI MEDIA

Demonstrations in Mogadishu to protest arrest of al Shabaab leader

01 Jul- Source: Radio Kulmiye/Radio Risaala/al Shahid- 100 words

Angry demonstrators came out on Monday in some streets of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, to protest the arrest of al Shabaab leader Hassan Dahir Aweys. The demonstrators burned tires in some streets of Mogadishu, and threw stones at the shops. The demonstrators, who said they belong – to the clan of Hassan Dahir Aweys – called on Somali government to release him immediately. The Somali security authorities arrested Aweys after being transferred this week to the capital Mogadishu on a plane from the city Adado in central Somalia.

Thousands celebrate in Somalia’s capital marking 53rd Anniversary of Independence

01 Jul- Source: Shabelle- 142 words

Thousands waited for the midnight celebrations marking Somalia’s national day at the Presidential palace last night in Mogadishu. Top government officials of the federal republic of Somalia and foreign visitors from Djibouti and ambassadors participated in the midnight celebrations. The prime minister of the federal republic of Somalia Hon Abdi Farah Shirdon urged all Somalis wherever they are to practice unity and assured them that the government will work for them accordingly.

Somalis discuss proposed telecommunications bill in Dubai

01 Jul- Source: Hiiraan Online- 447 words

Somalia is planning to have it’s first telecommunication bill to regulate Somali Telecommunication sector which was unregulated since the government of Siyad Barre was overthrown in 1991. Somali government and private sector companies have held discussions in Dubai, UAE on the proposed telecommunications bill which will be tabled in parliament. The forum was attended by Minister of Information Posts and Telecommunication abdullahi Elmoge and local and international telecommunication companies.

Somaliland government officer arrested over corruption allegations

01 Jul- Source: Somaliland Informer- 104 words

Police have arrested on Sunday the head of Sahil regional taxes accountant Abdihakim Mohamed Gulied “Awale” who has gone into hiding for the past few days after reports came that police are searching him. Somaliland’s General Auditor submitted warrant of arrest to the regional court.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya to enhance ties with Burundi – Uhuru

01 Jul- Source: Capital FM/Daily Nation/Standard- 210 words

President Uhuru Kenyatta has said his government will continue to work closely with Burundi and other countries in promoting peace and security in the region and especially in Somali. Observing that troops from Burundi are part of the AMISOM force in Somalia, President Kenyatta stressed the need for African countries to work together in surmounting the challenges facing them.

AMISOM troops accused of abusing mandate

01 Jul- Source: Africa Review- 420 words

The Somali government is accusing AMISOM peacekeepers of abusing their mandate. The deputy minister of Information and Telecommunications, Mr Abdishakur Ali Mire, specifically pointed fingers at Sector 2 of the peacekeepers. The unit that is based in Kismayo, south of Mogadishu was engaged, according the minister, in activities incompatible with its peacekeeping role. Mr Mire said the AU force had participated in inter-militia fighting on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

KDF denies supporting rival factions in Kismayo

01 Jul- Source: Standard/Citizen TV- 356 words

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

U.N. envoy Kay raises concerns about Somalia’s stability

01 July- Source: UPI-187 Words

Somalia should be focusing more on national reconciliation to consolidate political gains made last year, the U.N. special envoy to the country said. Nicholas Kay expressed concern about violence tied to secession ambitions in the southern port city of Kismayo. Delegates to a May conference declared a regional state in the coastal city of Kismayo. The U.N. Assistance Mission in Somalia said clashes in the region resulted in “a number of casualties, including civilian deaths” in the coastal city. Kay said the U.N. mission was calling on all parties to the violence to put down their weapons and engage in political dialogue.

Becoming a refugee opens up the world of education to young Somali woman

01 Jul- Source:UNHCR- 606 words

Nothing has deterred Somali refugee Hali Shukri Ibrahim from her passion to get an education. Not an early forced marriage, nor war, nor separation from her parents, husband and baby son, nor exile. In fact, the 26-year-old says becoming a refugee gave her the prized opportunity to study, and stoked her ambitions. Goals that back home, in Mogadishu, capital of then war-torn Somalia, would have been limited to raising a large family, she says.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Asha Hagi Elmi and her sister Amina spearhead efforts to bring dignity to the women of Mogadishu’s refugee camps.”

Sisters of Somalia

01 July- Source: Al Jazeera English-1054 Words

Asha Hagi Elmi is a humanitarian activist, internationally recognised for her work helping to build peace and defend the rights of women in Somalia. Witness journeys with Asha to the refugee camps of Mogadishu, swelled to bursting point in 2011 by tens of thousands of Somalis fleeing drought and the threat of famine. Asha, her sister Amina and other women from the NGO she founded, Saving Somali Women and Children (SSWC), distribute food, clothing, medical and practical aid, lend an ear to the refugees’ stories and, most of all, attempt to restore dignity to the lives of the often traumatised and extremely vulnerable women and children they meet in the camps.

A complete review of today’s articles will appear in the Afternoon Report