July 22, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Internal rift grows between Ahlu Sunna functions
22 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan- 113 words
Senior Ahlusuna commander in central Somalia has warned what he referred as internal rift between Ahlu Sunna functions in Somalia.
Sheikh Abdirisak Mohamed denied the existence of such Ahlu Sunna representatives based in Mogadishu claiming that there were some people who was willing to divide the administrative section of the organization.
“We can confirm that there are some individuals claiming the name of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaaca and they are no longer representing us.” Sheikh Abdirisak said while speaking to Radio Dalsan.
The comments from this senior Ahlu Sunna commander came a day after Ahlusuna administration announced their intention to form new autonomous administration for three of the central Somalia regions.
Key Headlines
- Armed group attack police station in Karan district (Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Daldan/Radio Risaala)
- FM returns home after official work visit to Nigeria (Radio Mogadishu/ Radio Dalsan)
- Al Shabaab attacks Jowhar airfield (Radio Mustaqbal)
- Internal rift grows between Ahlu Sunna functions (Radio Dalsan)
- Ahlu Sunna condemns Moalim Hassan killing (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Galmudug President: I’m not involved in Puntland clashes (Radio Mustaqbal)
- Key road linking capital to northern regions resumes operation (Radio Dalsan)
- Nation strengthens support to Somalia: Ethiopian Premier (Ethiopian News Agency)
- Federal MP calls for equal recruitment of Somali forces (Garowe Online)
- Heliwaa district commissioner speaks on assassination against soldier (Radio Dalsan)
- AAIB wins insurance trade license in Somalia (Trade Arabia)
- Somaliland National distributes Food and Drinks to Mentally unstable during Ramadan (Somaliland Informer)
- Al Shabaab ‘setting up fresh units’ (Daily Nation)
- Facebook accused of liking Somalia pirates (neurope)
- 90% of murders of journalists go unpunished – report (enca)
SOMALI MEDIA
Armed group attack police station in Karan district
22 Jul- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Daldan/ Shabelle/ Radio Risaala- 146 words
During the holy Ramadan Month, a decent month for Muslims, there were insecurity issues in the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu. Planned killings targeted on government employees, and innocent civilians were reported in the city. And grenade attacks had happened in the last weeks in Mogadishu where Internationally recognized government controls.
Reports from Karan district in north of Mogadishu say assailants on Monday night attacked police station in that district. Unidentified armed group reportedly attacked the station,. and the attack caused casualties.
Eyewitness in Karan district told Mustaqbal radio that two persons were killed in the clash while two others were wounded in the clash between government police forces at station and the attackers.
No comment still from Karan district commissioner about the accident which took place in the district in the north of Mogadishu.
FM returns home after official work visit to Nigeria
22 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Radio Dalsan- 106 words
Somali foreign minister Fawsiya Yusuf Haji Aden has jetted back to home on Sunday after ending an official work visit to Nigeria. Minister has spearheaded Somalia government delegation who participated in African Union conference on eradicating HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria which was held in Abuja, Nigeria.
After landing in Mogadishu airport, the minister highlighted that her visit was successful as she said that the delegation expressed government’s vision towards eradicating killer diseases including HIV, Malaria and TB.
Aden, the first female foreign minister for Somalia government was cordially welcomed by deputy ministers, the permanent secretary of the foreign ministry and other staffs.
Al Shabaab attacks Jowhar airfield
22 Jul- Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 109 words
Reports from Jowhar town, the headquarter of Middle Shabelle region in Southern of Somalia (90km) to Mogadishu say that al Shabaab attacked the airfield at outskirts of Jowhar town. Reports indicate that clashes at airfield were going for hours and the residents in Jowhar said that they could hear the sound of the weapons.
It is not yet known the exact casualties caused by the attack. No comment still from the administration of Jowhar town for Somali government. Al Shabaab already announced it will attack government and AMISOM troops in regions and Mogadishu during the holy Ramadan month.
Internal rift grows between Ahlu Sunna functions
22 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan- 113 words
Senior Ahlusuna commander in central Somalia has warned what he referred as internal rift between Ahlu Sunna functions in Somalia. Sheikh Abdirisak Mohamed denied the existence of such Ahlu Sunna representatives based in Mogadishu claiming that there were some people who was willing to divide the administrative section of the organization.
“We can confirm that there are some individuals claiming the name of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaaca and they are no longer representing us.” Sheikh Abdirisak said while speaking to Radio Dalsan.
The comments from this senior Ahlu Sunna commander came a day after Ahlusuna administration announced their intention to form new autonomous administration for three of the central Somalia regions.
Galmudug President: I’m not involved in Puntland clashes
22 Jul- Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 174 words
Abdi Hassan Awale Known as (Abdi-Qeybdid) The president of Galmudug State had denied claims that suggested he was involved in clashes and problems that take place in Puntland regions.
The president said that it is baseless propaganda disseminated against his personality and administration about “It is baseless the reports indicating that I am involved in the clashes which take place in Puntland, I am not responsible for what is happening in the areas of Puntland, my dignity is bigger than that issue” said Hassan. There were claims from politicians of Puntland saying that Qeybdid is behind clashes between the residents and Puntland forces.
There were clashes between Puntland forces and residents about the election which was supposed to take place in Puntland areas, and the people and forces fought in Qardo as Puntland troops took polling materials to that district.
Ahlu Sunna condemns Moalim Hassan killing
22 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 110 words
Ahlu Sunna moderate group in central Somalia has strongly condemned yesterday’s killing of Moalim Hassan Elimi Ciyow, a senior official of Hiiraan region court who was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Beled-weyne. Speaking to Bar-kulan, Ahlu Sunna chairman Sheikh Omar Sheikh Abdikadir Aden said that they are very saddened about the killing of Moalim Hassan.
Sheikh Omar accused al Shabaab militant of being behind the attack, added that their main objective is to terrify people who are praying the holy month of Ramadan. He urged the Somali Federal government and regional administration to do something about the rapidly increaing targeted killings in the area.
Key road linking capital to northern regions resumes operation
22 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan- 153 words
A key road that links the capital city, Mogadishu to the northern and central regions of Somalia has resumed its full operation after heavy reconstruction funded by locals implemented.
Dahir Mohamud Dirir, head of the transportation alliances of Benadir region told radio Dalsan that the reconstruction f the main road between Balcad and Jowhar, in the Middle Shabelle region made the access of the people and passenger cars easy.
First road construction funded by locals is being underway at the key road between Jowhar and Balcad towns of the Middle Shabelle region.
The regional administration said that the road re-construction will last within weeks and was funded by locals.
The road that links between Jowhar, the region’s capital and Balcad is the strategic access that links the country’s capital Mogadishu to the northern parts of the country.
The reconstruction work becomes the first as its kind since the collapse of former central government.
Federal MP calls for equal recruitment of Somali forces
21 Jul- Source: Garowe Online- 193 words
Somali Federal Member of Parliament Sado Ali Warsame called for fair recruitment of Somali National forces as Somali parliament approved Somalia -Turkey Military agreement on Saturday.
Speaking to Somali MPs at the parliament hall in Mogadishu, Sado Ali said the government should equally recruit new armies from the Somalia’s 18 regions to achieve high level of trust and tranquility.
The deal, which was signed in Turkish city of Ankara on May 22 states that both sides will establish cooperation mechanisms in the field of military training including the construction of military medical schools and military academies and training and education between gendarmerie and coast guards of the two countries.
Heliwaa district commissioner speaks on assassination against soldier
21 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan- 161 words
Heliwaa district commissioner Omar Abdulle confirms the death of one soldier in his district after unidentified gunmen assassinated him while heading to the district office on Saturday night. Mr Abdulle said that the government security forces were searching for the perpetrators behind the killing.
“The security agents have begun investigations and search operations as we hope the criminals will not escape.” The district commissioner Omar Abdulle told local media this morning.
The target assassination is the latest in a spark of killings and hand grenade attacks in the Somali capital, Mogadishu following a months of relative peace and tranquility.
Security officials of the government have vowed to eliminate the anti peace elements from the capital soon and that the capital will maintain its peace.
Al Shabaab rebel group had earlier vowed that they redouble their assassination and bomb blasts against government interests and any location in the capital during the Ramadan month.
Somaliland National distributes Food and Drinks to Mentally unstable during Ramadan
20 Jul- Source: Somaliland Informer- 243 words
Somaliland national by the name of Mohamed Hussein Mohamed better known as “Jagac” has taken the responsibility to distribute food and drinks to the mentally sick people who hang around Hargeisa’s downtown. The mentally unstable people are faced with lack of food and drinks during the holy month of Ramadan after all restaurants and hotels were closed where they were given leftover foods.
Somaliland citizen has established Sancaani Foundation which dedicates the distribution of food and drinks to the mentally sick people in Hargeisa.
Mohamed Jagac has spoken to the press and disclosed that he has been feeding the mentally unstable ones for ten years during the Ramadan where they are faced with starvation.
REGIONAL MEDIA
AAIB wins insurance trade license in Somalia
22 Jul- Source: Trade Arabia- 257 words
Jordan-based AAIB Insurance has received a license to trade in Somalia.The company received its ‘Special Permit And Service Certificate Of Registration As A Business’ from the Somali Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently.
The permit means that AAIB is the only foreign insurance broking company able to place insurance business from within Somalia. It already has a representative on the ground in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
“While the licence is a source of pride and competitive advantage to AAIB, its implications go way beyond the commercial interests of one company,” said William Wakeham, CEO.
Al Shabaab ‘setting up fresh units’
21 Jul- Source: Daily Nation- 206 words
Al Shabaab militants are coming to Kenya to set up new terror networks, a United Nations report says. The report by Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea links them to Al-Hijra— an organisation it says changed name from Muslim Youth Centre (MYC).
MYC was associated with slain Muslim cleric Aboud Rogo who was shot dead in Mombasa in August last year.
“Al-Hijra is striving to regain the initiative, in part through its fighters in Somalia returning to conduct new and more complex operations, and through strengthening its ties to other groups in the region,” the report dated July 12 says.
Nation strengthens support to Somalia: Ethiopian Premier
20 Jul- Source: Ethiopian News Agency- 183 words
Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said Ethiopia will further strengthen support to maintain sustainable peace and stability in Somalia. While discussing with Somalia’s Defense Minister Abdulhakim Haji Mohammed here later on Friday, PM Hailemariam said Ethiopia will continue support in the efforts to maintain reliable peace and ensure sustainable development in Somalia. The Premier said the country will also enhance existing support to strengthen Somalia’s defense force through training and capacity building, however, it would like to withdraw its peacekeeping forces deployed in that country, according to a higher level official, who attended the discussion. Minister Abdulhakim Haji Mohammed on his part said that the discussion focused on existing bilateral relation between Ethiopia and Somalia. The Minister said that the two parties exchanged views on mutual benefits of the countries and also on ways to eliminate al Shabaab and other terrorist groups from the area. He also said that issues related to enhance existing relation between the two countries in trade and agriculture, among others, were also discussed. On the occasion the Minister expressed his government’s appreciation to Ethiopia’s contribution in the fight against terrorism.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Facebook accused of liking Somalia pirates
22 Jul- Source: neurope- 129 words
UN experts on sanctions blasted Facebook for refusing to answer questions about maritime piracy that is believed to be organised on the social media website. Reporting to the UN Security Council, they say that Somali pirates are supported by a network of accomplices, including bankers, businessmen, politicians and aid workers .
“Investigations have confirmed that these myriad facilitators are interlinked through various communication channels and employ social network services, such as Facebook,” said their report.
They added, “Despite repeated official correspondence addressed to Facebook Inc., it has never responded to monitoring group requests to discuss information on Facebook accounts belonging to individuals involved in hijackings and hostage-taking.” The experts say other private companies are providing “active and comprehensive support”.
Facebook has not replied.
90% of murders of journalists go unpunished – report
20 Jul- Source: enca- 153 words
Forty-nine journalists have been killed in Mali since 1992, eight of whom died in 2012. This is according to information from a recent United Nations Security Council Protection of Journalists debate. An award winning journalist from Somalia, made an impassionate plea for action over the murder of journalists at the debate. Mustafa Haji Abdinur said journalists must be protected as they play a vital role in society and in the existence of democracy in different parts of the world.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The report is an ambitious and triangulated attempt to answer some important questions, but I do wish it more rigorously treated one of the most urgent questions: the mysterious plunge in piracy over the past year. One possible interpretation of the report is that given the rewards and complexity of piracy, it is likely to resurge.”
GP Responses: The Pirates of Somalia: Ending the Threat, Rebuilding a Nation by the World Bank
19 July- Source: Global Policy-1618 Words
I have followed Somali piracy since it broke out, and now monitor the situation from my perch overlooking the shores of Tripoli. Libya, the tides remind me, shares many attributes with Somalia: over the past two hundred years, both have suffered through Italian colonialism, military dictatorships, and American naval interventions against piracy – and both are currently held together by thread and prayer. At this critical juncture, the World Bank’s recent report on Somali piracy sets out to explain some of Somalia’s piratical and political enigmas and to calculate piracy’s global costs.
I was impressed by the report’s meticulous calculation of piracy’s damage to global trade, tourism, and fisheries, which hurts Somalia and its neighbors the most. Whats more, the report artfully exposes the local institutions that enable piracy, focusing on the political economy of anchorages.
But the ensuing “paradigm shift” proposed, which seeks to rally enthusiasm for federal state-building and the securitization of development, is uninspiring for those of us who, since 1991, have witnessed a different government wax and wane every year and have become inured to a permanent state of war stoked by foreign interventions. Rather, I see the report’s analysis evoking another “paradigm shift,” one that effectively dismantles the international community’s trigger-happy approach to counter-piracy.
“Choose the evils the less. This issue is hard because Hassan is not ready to give up his Jihad decision so it is shame to Somali government releasing him.”
Hassan Dahir Aweys: between rock and hard
21 July- Source: Qaran24-269 Words
Many Somali people still confused where Hassan Dahir Aweys is now after he handed himself to pro-government regional authority Himin and Heeb and then he was transferred from there to Mogadishu where he is now in custody.
Now solid source confirmed that the situation changed into clan dispute.
Delegates’ from Hawiye clan met Safari Hotel in Mogadishu. Recently, after heated debate and discussions Habargidir where Dahir from asked their Abgal brothers to handle with the situation of Mr. Aweys.
One of the elders who participated the meeting told me that Abgal side pledged to meet Hassan sheikh to conclude Aweys’s matter into positive way. Supporters of Aweys held protests in Mogadishu accusing Somali government mistreated and damaged the dignity of Hassan and the elders those who brought him in Mogadishu.
“Later in the book, she mentions, in passing, that she has a photographic memory. This means that a memoir which might otherwise have emerged as a generalised howl of pain in fact remains keenly vivid, with detail piled upon detail.”
Somali pirates versus Northern grit: Judith Tebbutt’s photographic memory provides a keenly vivid memoir
20 July- Source: Daily Mail-1374 Words
Around this time of year, there are plenty of newspaper features about books to take on holiday. Judith Tebbutt’s memoir of her time in Africa has been published in time for the summer rush, but is perhaps best avoided by the faint-hearted traveller.
‘How many people,’ she asks, ‘. . . set off on a two-week holiday, only to be locked up by armed hoodlums for six months?’
She provides a brief list of some of the miseries she suffered.
‘To be confined to a bare and filthy room, to be shouted at by angry men in an indecipherable language, to be shrouded in an alien set of clothes uncomfortable against one’s skin, to be humiliated and ridiculed, made to feel like nothing . . .’
In fact, this was only the half of it. Judith Tebbutt and her husband David had first met in Zambia in 1976, so knew Africa pretty well.
Top tweets
@neptune_ms Pirates, Owners Negotiate Release of Oman-Flagged Vessel’s Crew: EU NAVFOR http://bit.ly/17xlK93 #pirates #Somalia
@AM_PSC FAC on #Somalia; situation remains fragile and int. support (esp #EU, #AU) remains vital. “New Deal” Conference on 16 Sept will be decisive.
@zuzeeko There’s a village called ‘#Finland‘ in #Somaliland. Old story, but still relevant and interesting. http://yle.fi/uutiset/
@Hamza_Africa Just days after raising the alarm over corruption in #Somalia, #UN voices fears about a new media law in Somalia http://bit.ly/15zSflu
@Anas101Adam I think #Somalia‘s constitution should be based on a mix of xeer law and shariah, so that our tradition of toleration continues.
Image of the day
Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, centre, hosts iftar meal for media fraternity in Mogadishu. Photo: Hiiraan Online