July 21, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somalia facing disaster three years after devastating famine

20 Jul – Source: Yahoo News/ AFP – 104 words

Three years after famine in Somalia killed a quarter of a million people in six months, aid agencies warned Sunday a new catastrophe is looming unless urgent aid arrives. A joint statement issued by a group of charities and aid agencies said there were more than 300,000 malnourished children in the east African country and 2.9 million people in need of life-saving help. “Aid agencies today caution, again, that the signs of a drought are re-emerging in Somalia and urge for these not to be ignored in order to avoid a relapse into the conditions of the 2011 catastrophe,” the statement said.

Key Headlines

Demonstrations against al Shabaab held in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Shabelle)
Four terror suspects arrested with materials used to make explosives in Majengo Nairobi (Standard Media)
Newly appointed police commissioner resumes office (Radio Goobjoog)
Hosow declares massive offensive against al Shabaab in Bay region (Bar-kulan)
President Hassan Sheikh dismisses UN monitoring report (RBC)
Sudan and Yemen give scholarships to Somali students (Radio Goobjoog)
Five killed in Somalia suicide attack (Africa Review)
AMISOM set up new base in Jowhar (Somali Current)
Somali foreign Minister receives acting Qatari ambassador in his office (Radio Googjoog)
Somaliland blames Mogadishu for setbacks (Somali Current)
Curfew imposed in Lamu as policemen killed in ambush (Daily Nation)
MPs and elders oppose the formation South West three region state (Radio Goobjoog)
Puntland Govt seeking to contain polio spread (Garowe Online)
Somalia’s al Shabaab claim responsibility for Kenya bus attack (Reuters)
Al Shabaab releases Kenyan ship (Somali Current)
Somali police officers killed in Bay region (Radio Shabelle)
Farewell ceremony held for outgoing Turkish Ambassador (Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan)

PRESS STATEMENT

Weekly Press Conference on the Progress of the Government

19 Jul – Source:Ministry of Information – 1595 words

H.E. Mustafa Duhulow spoke to the media in Mogadishu to provide an update on the progress of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) over the last week. The Minister spoke on various issues: the FGS’s plan on Good Governance; Consultations on the Review of Constitution; agricultural development in the country, the announcement of the Technical Committee to form the Interim South West State; the new Somali Ambassador to US, the FGS’s contribution of an initial payment of 500,000 US dollars to the humanitarian appeal; the departure of Turkey Ambassador to Somalia; an agreement between the Ministry of Finance and Kuwait Fund and Ramadan appeal.

The Minister of Information spoke on the FGS’s plan on Good Governance: “The Ministry of the Interior & Federalism has a programme to implement good governance in all districts in Banadir region and as part of this programme district commissioners took part in a 5 day seminar in Mogadishu on implementing good governance. The Minister of Interior & Federalism, H.E. Abdullahi Godah Barre, and the Mayor of Mogadishu, Mr Hassan Mohamed Hussein (Mungab) opened the seminar that took place from 13 to 17 July 2014.

The aim of the seminar was to ensure that good governance is implemented so that district commissioners will be able to provide basic services to the people. The Federal Government of Somalia places great emphasis on the implementation of good governance in all institutions so that transparency and accountability is adhered to. This in turn will build the people’s confidence in the system. Subjects taught during the seminar included public finance management, the rule of law and security.”

The Minister of Information spoke on consultations to review the constitution: “The Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs and the Speaker’s office organised a consultation meeting with the Independent Commission to Review the Provisional Constitution. The President, the Speaker, the Prime Minister and the ministerial sub-committee on political affairs were all present at the consultation meeting on 13th July. On 16th July the Independent Commission held the first public meeting in Mogadishu.

Representatives from civil society and all segments of society attended the consultation meeting. The Independent Commission wants to listen the views of public. The Government is committed to providing resources to help the commission to carry out its duties objectively. The Independent Commission has been tasked to review the provisional constitution as the country is desperately in need of a constitution that is acceptable to the people of Somalia.”

The Minister of Information spoke on agricultural development in the country: “H.E. Abdi Mohamed Baafo visited Afgoye district on 14 July in order to encourage Somali farmers to develop their skills and their production. The Ministry of Agriculture provided farmers in the area with a variety of farming equipment to facilitate production and water pumps to use their wells so that they continuously receive the water for irrigation that they so desperately need. 250 farmers benefitted this program.

The Federal Government would like to thank Qatar Charity for providing these equipments and water pumps through the FGS, which helps to empower Government institutions. I would like to appeal to other donors to follow suit, as people need to see the benefits of the efforts of the government institutions.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the nomination of the technical committee to form an Interim South West State: “The Federal Government has been making great efforts to deliver a reconciliation process between key stakeholders from Bay, Bakol and Lower Shabelle with a view to resolving outstanding issues.

As a result of this, traditional leaders from these regions have agreed to form a technical committee consisting of representatives from clans in these three regions, so that they can work with the government with a view to forming an interim South West State of Somalia as part of the federalism programme of the FGS. The FGS will lead this process in order to ensure that the process is in line with the provisional constitution and that the process is inclusive.

The Prime Minister announced the committee on 16 July 2014 at an event held in Villa Somalia. The President, the Speaker, the Prime Minister, ministerial sub-committee on political affairs and traditional elders from the three regions were present at the ceremony. The process has been a Somali-led and Somali-owned process, and this is very important for confidence building within communities, which will contribute to the peace building process in the country.”

The Minister of Information spoke on appointment of the new Somali Ambassador to US: “On 14th July President Barack accepted credential papers from the new Somali Ambassador to the US, H.E. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, who will be the first Ambassador to US since 1991. Ambassador Sharmarke conveyed a personal message from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to President Obama and commented approvingly on the manner in which the US quickly finalised the process in a very short period of time.

This step is a sign of the great progress being made in bi-lateral relations between the two countries. This is an example of the progress that Somalia is making in international diplomacy. The United States of America is one of the lead countries in supporting us in order to bring peace and stability in Somalia and to build government institutions.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the government’s initial contribution of 500,000 US dollars to the humanitarian appeal: “The Council of Ministers on 17 July discussed the looming humanitarian situation in the country and the warning signs of a repeat of 2011 famine. As a result of limited rainfall, increasing food prices, the international community’s slow response and the blockade of movement in some areas by terrorist elements, there are worrying signals of an impending humanitarian catastrophe in Somalia.

Therefore, the government pledges an initial contribution of 500,000 US dollars to the humanitarian appeal and appeals to donors and the international community to provide the urgent resources needed in order to stop the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Somalia. A ministerial committee of 7 members was appointed to address this issue and I would like to extend my appeal to business community and to Somalis in the Diaspora to make valuable contributions to this cause.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the departure of the Turkish Ambassador: “Turkey’s Ambassador to Somalia, H.E. Kani Torun is leaving after serving his term in Somalia. The President of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hosted a good bye iftar and dinner for the Ambassador in Villa Somalia on 17 July 2014. The event was well attended by Somali leaders, politicians and various segments of society.

The President praised the role of the Turkish Ambassador over the last 3 years and noted that both countries now have the strongest of ties and the best of relations. Turkey played a key role in delivering aid during the famine in 2011 and until now they provided direct aid to the people of Somalia as well as funding development projects that are fully visible to the people.

Turkey has won the hearts and minds of the Somali people as it was they who changed the attitude of the International Community towards Somalia. We hope that other countries will learn from Turkey’s example and will provide direct aid and assistance to the government and the people of Somalia.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the agreement between Kuwait Fund and the Ministry of Finance: “Ministry of Finance has signed an agreement with Kuwait Fund and presented it to the cabinet meeting on 17 July. Under this agreement Kuwait Fund will provide 3 million US dollars towards economic development as well as micro finance to smaller business communities with a view to encouraging people to take part in the economic development of the country.

This will provide job opportunities for young people. The Ministry of Finance have been instituting reforms in public finance management that have earned the confidence and the trust of Somalis and the international Community. The Central Bank has developed initiatives to enhance public finance management in a transparent and accountable manner.

The World Bank and the IMF are now assisting our public finance management. We thank Kuwait Fund for this agreement and we hope other organisations and donors will take confidence from this gesture and trust our system. In this way our people will be able to get basic services that in turn could enhance the capacity of our institutions with a view to developing our economy. “

Minister of Information finally spoke on Ramadan Appeal: “We are now in the final 10 days of Ramadan, therefore, I would like to once again extend my appeal to Somalis to provide iftar and food aid to those who cannot afford to buy food. On 15th July I visited one of Internally Displaced People camps (IDP camps) in Mogadishu and I had an iftar with them in order to alow me to see their situation.

I could see many families without iftar or food, which is unacceptable to a human being. We all need to do more to help poor people, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. Finally, the Eid is fast approaching and we need to help each other out, and to help poor people to at least have a happy Eid.

We need to ensure, for example, that every child in your neighbourhood gets Eid clothing. The holy month of Ramadan is an opportunity for all of us to work towards the peace and stability in the country and to bring our unity of purpose to life.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Demonstrations against al Shabaab held in Mogadishu

20 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/Shabelle – 120 words

A massive demonstration was held on Sunday at the Benadir Regional Administration’s Headquarters in Mogadishu’s Heliwa district in which Somali Federal Government officials participated in. The demonstration was organized by the Benadir Regional Administration. Legislators, officials and heads of the administration were protesting the latest surge in terror attacks staged by al Shabaab terrorist organization in Mogadishu. The Governor of Benadir & Mayor of Mogadishu, Hassan Mohamed Hussein “Mungab”, thanked the women residing in Mogadishu for participating in the demonstration against al Shabaab. Mayor Mungab claimed that once the civilians voice and clearly show their disinterest for the recent attacks in Mogadishu, the fall of al Shabaab will shortly follow.

Newly appointed police commissioner resumes office

20 Jul – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 95 words

The newly appointed Somali police commissioner Gen. Mohamed Hassan resumed office in a well executed handover ceremony held in Mogadishu on Sunday. The ceremony was attended by the assistant minister for national security Ibrahim Yaroow Issak and other government officials. The minister praised the outgoing police commissioner Gen. Said for recommendable job he did during his time in office and succeeded to restore law and order with the help of the community. He urged the appointed police commissioner Gen. Mohamed Hassan to double his effort so as to accomplish the goals of the police forces.

Hosow declares massive offensive against al Shabaab in Bay region

20 Jul – Source: Bar-kulan – 110 words

The Officials of Bay regional administration have declared war against al Shabaab militant group, Somalia’s al Qaeda linked militant group that controls large swathes of land in the region. Governor of Bay region Abdi Aden Hosow said during a meeting in Baidoa, the provincial capital of Bay region, that Somali security forces and their African Union allies are ready to launch massive offensive to liberate al Shabaab controlled parts of the region. Hosow said they will step up efforts to retake all areas controlled by the militant group in the region and called for residents to back the allied forces in their attempts to establish full control over the area.

Sudan and Yemen give scholarships to Somali students

20 Jul – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 78 words

The federal government of Somalia has presented a scholarship chances from Universities in and out of the country to Somali students. The Ministry of Culture and Higher Education in a statement said that it received scholarships from Yemen, Sudan as well as Universities within the country. The director of the ministry Ismail Yussuf Osman stated that over 200 students are expected to benefit from the opportunity in hand adding that exams will set to select the best students.

Somaliland blames Mogadishu for setbacks

20 Jul – Source: Somali Current – 80 words

The self declared state of Somaliland has accused the Mogadishu government of failing to honor the agreements between the two parties. According to the Somaliland administration foreign affairs minister Mohamed Bihi Yunis the federal government of Somalia has failed to fulfill signed agreements between the two administrations. Last year Mogadishu and Hargeisa agreed to meet every three months to discuss way forward on the difference between the two sides on an agreement brokered by Turkish government in Istanbul.

Farewell ceremony held for outgoing Turkish Ambassador

19 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan – 86 words

A farewell ceremony for the outgoing Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Kamaludin Kani Torun has been held in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Speaking at the ceremony, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Turkish government has done a lot for the Somali people and implemented various projects in the country as means of support for Somali people. President Mohamud further stated that there are new Turkish funded projects that will be launched soon in many other parts of the country as part of the Turkish support for Somalia.

AMISOM set up new base in Jowhar

19 Jul – Source: Somali Current – 74 words

African peace keeping troops in Somalia AMSIOM have set up a new military base in the city of Jowhar in middle Shabelle region. According to Somali national army officials in the area the move came following constant threat of Al Shabaab attack in the city. The AMISOM contingents have two other base in the area including the airport and Garsale district which is 18 and 22 kilometers respectively out of the city of Jowhar.

MPs and elders oppose the formation South West three region state

19 Jul – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 108 words

Members of federal parliament , traditional elders and intellectuals who met in Mogadishu opposed the technical committee comprising of 18 members appointed by Somali prime minister obliged to establish the three regional administration and termed it as unconstitutional. They accused the federal government of infringing the provincial constitution and the bylaws approved by the parliament. Jamaa Abdullahi aka Kabaweyne stated that the federal government has not considered nor respected the will of the communities residing in some of the regions where South West three regional state is to govern.

Puntland Govt seeking to contain polio spread

19 Jul – Source: Garowe Online – 97 words

Puntland Government in northern Somalia is seeking to step up new measures in the wake of polio outbreak that claimed at killed one person in Mudug region of central Somalia, Garowe Online reports. The Ministry of Health said the cases were reported from Jariban and Towfiq districts and health workers led by Minister of Health Sadik Enow went out on trip to Mudug. Meanwhile, speaking to reporters during a press conference in the state capital of Garowe on Saturday, Justice Minister Ismael Mohamed Warsame noted that a person believed to be aged 29 has succumbed to paralysis.

Somali police officers killed in Bay region

19 Jul – Source: Radio Shabelle – 68 words

As confirmed to Radio Shabelle, at least 10 Somali police officers were killed after an assault by al Shabaab terrorists on the outskirts of Bardaale, Bay region. Local residents have claimed that after the attack, police officers halted all forms of movement in the area and have begun search operations. There has been no official statement from al Shabaab nor the Somali Federal Government regarding the assault in Bay region.

President Hassan Sheikh dismisses UN monitoring report

19 Jul – Source: RBC – 81 words

Somalia’s Federal President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has dismissed a leaked report from the United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea which alleged President Mohamud, former Foreign Minister Fawsiya Yusuf, a U.S. law firm and other individuals to be responsible of diversion of assets frozen in the foreign banks. In a statement released from Villa Somalia, President Mohamud said that there were no any assets diverted citing that his government suspended a contract with the U.S Law firm.

Somali foreign Minister receives acting Qatari ambassador in his office

19 Jul – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 100 words

Foreign Affairs Minister of federal government of Somalia Abdirahman Duale Beilah received in his office the acting ambassador of Qatar Dr. Hassan Hamza who arrived Mogadishu on Friday. In a special meeting the two officials discussed wide range issues including, opening Qatari embassy in Mogadishu and reviving the diplomatic ties between the two nations that has been missing for more than two decades. The acting ambassador Hassan Hamza said that he is happy to come to Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia for the first time representing his country and promised to strengthen the relations and support to the federal government.

Al Shabaab releases Kenyan ship

19 Jul – Source: Somali Current – 92 words

The leadership of al Shabaab militant group in Meyraley have freed Kenyan ship and its ten crew members. The vessel developed technical problem while passing the area on route to Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa earlier this month before al Shabaab militants seized the control of the vessel. The crew members who are all Muslims are from Kenya and Tanzania and now in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Four terror suspects arrested with materials used to make explosives in Majengo, Nairobi

20 Jul – Source: Standard Media – 126 words

Four people who police termed as terror suspects were Saturday night arrested and 62 pieces used in making explosives, 11 mobile phones and 34 rolls of bhang recovered from them in Nairobi’s Majengo slums. The four were arrested from a house in the area after police were tipped off that they were assembling the materials. They were identified as Mohammed Yusuf Gulova, Jibril Kiama Musundi, Julius Kariuki and Mwanaidi Wanjiku. They are all Kenyans. According to police, one of the suspects is a woman but they are yet to know the intended destination or target of the explosive materials. Buru Buru OCPD Richard Kerich said they had been tipped off by members of the public who seemed to know the plans and movements of the suspects.

Five killed in Somalia suicide attack

19 Jul – Source: Africa Review – 138 words

A suicide bomber targeting the residence of a local politician in Kismayu, south of Somali capital Mogadishu killed at least five people. An official with the interim Juba Administration, Mr Iftin Hassan Basto, whose residence was attacked, blamed al Shabaab, the radical Islamist group. Mr Basto is one of the officers leading operations against the Islamist movement in the Juba territory. According to reports from Kismayu, the assault took place Friday when a person wearing a suicide belt entered Mr Basto’s compound in the town’s Alanley neighbourhood, and blew himself up near a shelter used by the residential guards. Mr Basto, who survived the blast, talked to the media after the incident and stated that three of the sentries and two family members died.“One of my children, my mother-in-law and three of my guards died,” said Mr Basto.

Curfew imposed in Lamu as policemen killed in ambush

19 Jul – Source: Daily Nation – 116 words

A dusk to dawn curfew has been declared in Lamu a day after seven people, including four policemen, were killed. Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo last evening announced the ban as security agencies grapple with runaway insecurity in the county for the last one month. Mr Kimaiyo announced the curfew – which takes effect this evening – hours after Coast regional coordinator Samuel Kilele slapped a similar ban on public transport vehicles on the Garsen-Witu-Lamu highway. “Due to the rising insecurity in Lamu County I do hereby issue curfew orders within Lamu County from July 20 2014 to August 2014 from 6.30p.m. to 6.30a.m.,” Mr Kimaiyo announced in his Jogoo House office.

QC honours top students in Somalia

19 Jul – Source: The Peninsula Qatar – 113 words

Qatar Charity’s (QC) Somalia office held a honouring ceremony for 145 outstanding students from among its sponsored orphans. The ceremony was held in the capital Mogadishu, under the patronage of Somalia’s Ambassador to Qatar, Omar Sheikh Idris, and was attended by officials from QC partner institutions, delegates from Somali civil society organisations and parents. The students were chosen after their exams during the school year 2013-2014. Prizes were distributed by the ambassador and the Director of the QC Office. QC’s Nashid Band performed. Student Raida Ali Mahmoud gave a speech in Arabic, thanking QC for its efforts and urging other orphans to be diligent in studies and to maintain a good moral character.

7 dead as gunmen ambush convoy in Lamu

19 Jul – Source: Capital FM – 116 words

Four policemen, two passengers and a driver are confirmed dead following Friday night’s attack in Witu, Lamu County. Lamu County Commissioner Njenga Miiri said the policemen were escorting a three-vehicle convoy when the attack occurred. “We have seven people dead in Friday attack. We are pursuing the assailants,” Miiri said. The two passengers succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment on Saturday morning. Some of the passengers were said to be missing in the aftermath of the attack and it was not known whether they had been abducted or fled in panic. The attack comes days after Kenya Defence Force destroyed military camps in Boni forest where the militiamen behind the killings are believed to be hiding.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia facing disaster three years after devastating famine

20 Jul – Source: Yahoo News/ AFP – 104 words

Three years after famine in Somalia killed a quarter of a million people in six months, aid agencies warnedSunday a new catastrophe is looming unless urgent aid arrives. A joint statement issued by a group of charities and aid agencies said there were more than 300,000 malnourished children in the east African country and 2.9 million people in need of life-saving help. “Aid agencies today caution, again, that the signs of a drought are re-emerging in Somalia and urge for these not to be ignored in order to avoid a relapse into the conditions of the 2011 catastrophe,” the statement said.

Somalia’s al Shabaab claim responsibility for Kenya bus attack

19 Jul – Source: Reuters – 100 words

Somalia’s al Shabaab insurgents claimed responsibility on Saturday for an attack on a bus on Kenya’s northern coast that killed seven. Gunmen blocked the bus with their car late on Friday and sprayed it with bullets. They also attacked two trucks carrying mangos near Witu, a town in Lamu County which borders Somalia.”The attack was in response to Kenya’s claim that it deployed more troops in the coast and thus tightened security,” Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, spokesman for al Shabaab’s military operations told Reuters. “Kenya also lied by saying it destroyed al Shabaab bases there – that is propaganda.”

Hospital denies turning Somali child away

19 Jul – Source: Eyewitness News – 154 words

A 12-year-old-old Somali girl who was allegedly refused treatment because she did not have the necessary asylum papers, has made it onto the waiting list to have open heart surgery. The 12-year-old’s brother alleged that the girl was turned away from the Steve Biko Academic hospital and sent back to Kalafong Hospital where she was treated for six days since her arrival in the country. But hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Ernest Kenoshi said the allegations are false and that the child was seen by a specialist as an outpatient. “It was a consultation so she was seen in the specialist’s outpatient clinic. The specialist amended the treatment and the child was sent back to Kalafong Hospital with new treatment.” An urgent application was brought to the North Gauteng High Court yesterday stating that the child should be admitted to the hospital.It’s understood the girl has a heart condition and is gravely ill.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Yes we may be chasing al Shabaab from strongholds within Somalia. But where do defeated al Shabaab go? Do they surrender their guns and turn to farming or fishing? CORD wants to know developments on all the fronts because these developments hold key to how long our forces will stay in Somalia.”

Why the Opposition wants an exit strategy from Somalia

20 Jul – Source: Standard Media – 1297 words

Since March, the Opposition has been asking the Jubilee administration to present Kenyans with the game plan for the withdrawal of Kenya’s troops from Somalia. To every call, the Government has responded with predictable chest-thumping and a zero plan. In the meantime, the soldiers and ordinary Kenyans are dying. When CORD first made the call, the Government declared it an act of cowardice that would embolden the al-Shabaab. After an attack on a Mombasa church in May and another on the Thika superhighway, followed by numerous others including Gikomba, the Opposition renewed calls for a road map for troop withdrawal. The Government responded with more chest-thumping, tough talk, and promises to catch the criminals. “Those of us telling us that we should get out of Somalia are telling us to perform an act of cowardice, run away from killers and terrorists and people who feed on the blood of others. We will not. We will face them, confront them, deal with them and defeat them,” Deputy President William Ruto said. Tough talk and big promises have been the hallmark of Jubilee rule for a year now. But the Opposition is still waiting for answers. To set the record straight, CORD never asked for KDF to slip out of Somalia through the back door, falsely declaring victory but leaving chaos behind.

“Given that fighting al Shabaab militarily does little to advance the fate of the Somali population and the FGS’ state-building project, other approaches need to be found. The most promising way forward appears to be a strategy that hones in on building a functioning state apparatus which, by consequence, renders organizations such as al Shabaab irrelevant to the local populace. This is a long-term and difficult endeavor.”

The al Shabaab Distortion: Somalia’s Real Challenges Lie Elsewhere

19 Jul – Source: Fair Observer – 1247 words

Al Shabaab’s attack on the presidential palace in Mogadishu on July 8 is the latest in a string of violent assaults that have afflicted Somalia and neighboring countries. The militant Islamist group’s ability to penetrate the heavily fortified presidential complex is a testimony to the movement’s potency to disrupt reconstruction efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). This is particularly striking against the backdrop of enhanced security precautions the FGS had recently taken, and the military offensive the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali National Army (SNA) had launched on March 5. As with the assault on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall in September 2013, there is a risk that al Shabaab’s “Ramadan offensive” will trigger a predominantly military response by the FGS and its international allies. However, as argued in a study by the Life and Peace Institute, dividing Somali political actors into a binary dichotomy of extremists and moderates has produced a distorted understanding of the conflict. Partly rooted in the prevailing counterterrorism narrative, this distortion goes in tandem with a one-sided perception of al Shabaab.