July 24, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report
Somali, AU Troops Capture Al-Shabaab Stronghold: Defense Minister
24 July – Source: The Star, Lebanon – 233 Words
Somali government troops backed by African Union forces Friday captured the Shabab stronghold of Dinsor, the second town seized from the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamists this week, the defense minister said. “Our forces have secured control of Dinsor, and the insurgents have fled after losing the battle… the troops are now conducting security operations to clear the town,” Somali Defense Minister, General Abdulkadir Sheikh Ali Dini told reporters. The fall of Dinsor comes after the capture by AU troops of the nearby town of Bardhere Wednesday, some of the last key towns held by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamists. Witnesses confirmed the takeover of the southern town, saying the Shahab fled ahead of government and Ethiopian troops with the AU force, pulling out of the town Thursday afternoon.
“Most of the residents fled so it looks like a ghost town,” said resident Mohammad Added, adding that the government troops were in control. “There are very few people remaining, most of them elderly.” The African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, last week launched “Operation Jubba Corridor” – an offensive it said was aimed at flushing the insurgents out of rural areas in southern Somalia and which has involved Ethiopian and Kenyan forces, officials said. Witnesses have reported heavy casualties in the offensive with civilians caught up in the fighting. The Shabab is fighting to overthrow Somalia’s Western-backed government which is propped up and protected by the 22,000-strong AMISOM force.
Key Headlines
- Somali AU Troops Capture Al-Shabaab Stronghold: Defense Minister (The Star Lebanon)
- UN Envoy For Somalia Welcomes Inauguration Of Galmudug Interim Administration President (Garowe Online)
- Allied Forces Approach Dinsor Rebels Withdraw (Hiiraan Online)
- IGAD Promises To Reconcile Puntland And Ahlu Sunna With Galmudug State (Wacaal Media)
- Somalia President Says Committed To Reconciliation (Garowe Online)
- Somaliland – 8th Hargeysa International Book Fair (Hiiraan Online)
- What’s On The Agenda As Barack Obama Comes to Kenya (NDTV)
- President Restores Somali Arts And Culture Academy (Pulse Nigeria)
- MAST Security Update: Libya Yemen And Kenya/Somalia (Hellenincshippingnews.com)
- An Encounter With Somali Hospitality (Sahan Journal)
- Photos: Pumping Iron And Making Art While Stuck In The World’s Largest Refugee Camp (PBS)
NATIONAL MEDIA
UN Envoy For Somalia Welcomes Inauguration Of Galmudug Interim Administration President
24 July – Source: Garowe Online – 227 Words
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, welcomed the inauguration of Abdikarim Hussein Guled as the President of the newly formed Galmudug Interim Administration (GIA). Speaking at a ceremony held in Adaado, SRSG Kay said, “I congratulate President Abdikarim Hussein Guled and Vice President Mohamed Hashi Abdi. You have been elected and entrusted by the Galmudug Parliament to take on huge responsibility in building the governance of this region; to ensure fairness in delivering services, and to provide security to the population.” SRSG Kay also congratulated the Federal Government of Somalia, the Technical Committee, clan representatives, and all the people of Galmudug who made this day possible. “I encourage the Federal Government and the GIA to reach out and work constructively to resolve any differences with Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a through dialogue and consultations to find a lasting settlement,” said SRSG Kay. “The international community is ready to support mediation efforts….is committed to the agreement signed between the Federal Government and Puntland Government in Garowe in October 2014 that should enable communities in Puntland and GIA to coexist in peace. The United Nations remains committed to providing support as we move forward and as you face new challenges. The way ahead will be neither smooth nor easy but with your determination, I am confident that you will succeed.”
Allied Forces Approach Dinsor, Rebels Withdraw
24 July – Source: Hiiraan Online – 289 Words
Allied forces from the African Union and Somali government have drawn near the southwestern Somali town of Dinsor, sending rebel fighters withdrawing after clashes on the outskirts that have seen troops nearly take the crucial town in Bay region, officials said Thursday. If captured, the fall of Dinsoor by troops would tighten grip for the government’s new belt of territory taken from rebels as militants lost the strategic Somali town of Bardhere on Wednesday without putting much resistance. Military officials said the capture of the town could also cut off key supply routes for rebels still fighting in the neighboring Gedo and Bay regions. After days of gradual advances, Somali army officials leading the offensive said the troops come within reach of 7km to Dinsor, raising the likelihood the town could fall as early as Friday.
The town serves as a regional center for business and trade for both Bay and Bakool regions as it also shares borders with towns in central and western Somalia. Al-Shabaab could not be reached for comments on this latest development. Facing the new multi-pronged offensive, Al-Shabaab seems to be playing a u-turn military tactic in Bay region as fighters from the Al-Qaeda linked group have recaptured a string of towns previously lost to the allied forces, according to officials. However, the group claimed it recaptured at least eleven towns and villages for the past few days in the backdrop of their latest losses. Meanwhile, Security experts said that the new military operation led by AU forces is seen as a response to the Al-Shabaab’s recent deadly attack on an African Union military base in which dozens of soldiers were killed.
IGAD Promises To Reconcile Puntland And Ahlu Sunna With Galmudug State
24 July – Source: Wacaal Media – 164 Words
The regional body IGAD has said that it will spearhead efforts to reconcile Galmadug and Puntland states after the later raised a lot of concerns on the formation of Somalia’s latest state. Speaking in Adaado on Thursday, the regional body’s special envoy to Somalia Mohamed Abdi Affey said that they will also seek to bring on board Ahlusunna who equally opposed the formation of the new state. While Puntland opposes the new state for encroaching on its borders, Ahlusunna took issue with the formation process saying they were given a raw deal. As a result, the group came up with a parallel administration which they set up in Dhuusamareeb, a town earmarked as the capital of the new state. Affey was speaking at a ceremony in Adaado where Galmudug’s newly elected head of state Abdikarim Guled and his deputy were officially crowned. The colorful event was also attended by delegates and representatives from UN, EU, AU, IGAD as well as the Federal government.
Somalia President Says Committed To Reconciliation
24 July – Source: Garowe Online – 319 words
Federal Government of Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, said his administration is committed to reconciliation and lasting peace in address to a crowd of international diplomats, politicians and traditional leaders at inaugural ceremony in Adado town of central Somalia on Thursday, Garowe Online reports. Mohamud also urged new Galmudug interim administration to encourage end to disputes through peaceful means. “The policy of Somalia Federal Government is built upon reconciliation and peace, and I hope Galmudug admin will do the same to get our backing,” said Somalia President amid a heated dispute over the legitimacy of the central state. Praising their role in the liberation of many areas from Al-Shabaab militants, Mohamud asked the paramilitary group of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamea to join the interim administration. In attendance were Southwest State President, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Ambassador Nicholas Kay and IGAD envoy, Mohamed Abdi Afey. Kay congratulated Galmudug President, Abdikarin Hussein Guled and his Vice President, pledging that international community is ready to support any mediation plan to find a solution to differences between Galmudug and Ahlu Sunna. Puntland opposed the creation of Galmudug state, calling it ‘illegal’ in accordance to the Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC). Attempts at diffusing dispute backfired after Puntland refused to agree to a recognition proposal by Somalia Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke a week ago.
Somaliland – 8th Hargeysa International Book Fair
23 July – Source: Hiiraan Online – 539 Word
Redsea Cultural Foundation and its partners present the 8th Hargeysa International Book Fair, starting Saturday August 1, till the 6th August 2015 in Hargeysa, Somaliland. This is the largest celebration of book in East Africa which is designed to showcase all other forms of artistic expression such as poetry, drama, documentaries and exhibitions, with the books being the center of all. Nigeria will be the guest country at this year’s festival which will represented by such prominent scholars, artists, and leading literary figures such as as Okey Ndibe, Niyi Osundare, and Chuma Nwokolo. Other international guests include Jude Kelly, Alessandro Gori, Kate Stanworth, Michele Petrone, Joe Addo, Jonny Steinberg, Maimouna Jallow, Mpalive Msiska, Mary Harper, Michael Walls, Phyllis Muthoni, Ciku Kimeria, Dzekashu MacViban and Yusuf K. Serunkuma.
London, curator as well as photographer Alison Baskerville will be joined by leading Somaliland women in politics, activism, literature personalities such as activist and researcher Amino-Milgo Mohamed, social activist and award winning Dr. Edna Adan. This year’s festival will also welcome highly esteemed artists, writers and scholar from scores of countries such as South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Cameron, Ghana, Uganda, Turkey, Australia, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, UK, and USA. HIBF will host and present the works of Somaliland diaspora writers, scholars, activists and those from wider Somali regions, including literary critics and writers such as Faarax Cali “Gamuute”, Rashiid Sh Cabdillaahi “Gadhwayne”, Said Jama Hussein, the highly-esteemed playwright Said Salah Ahmed, writer Rashid Mahamed Shabelleh, renowned Islamic scholar and seasoned journalist Shiekh Mahamoud H Dalmar, and celebrated young novelist Nadifa Mahamed, humanitarian worker and activists Hibo Jamal, photographer Samira Al Baroud, writers Sayid-Ahmed M Yuusuf, Abdalle Haji, Cabdillahi Cawed Cige, Idris Yousouf Elmi, Abdikarim Ahmed, Maxamed Xirsi Guuleed, filmmaker Abdirahman Cadani, musician Da’ud Ali Masahaf. They will be sharing platform with Somaliland based artists and writers
The distinguished guests will interact with colleagues from Somaliland and wider Somali region within the HIBF central theme of SPACE. The concept of space helps us to examine a traditional Somali society as a nomadic community living in a vast almost infinite physical space, defined by an ultimate feeling of freedom and a lack of physical constraints with regard to mobility. But when this community suddenly moves into an urban environment, it finds that traditional notions of space take on new meanings and raise new questions. How does this new urban experience impact on traditional ways of expression and communication? How can we as a society adjust to these new urban spaces? Does moving from rural into urban spaces constrict our sense of spiritual well-being?
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
What’s On The Agenda As Barack Obama Comes to Kenya
24 July – Source: NDTV – 552 Words
US President Barack Obama arrives in Kenya today for a weekend visit that will include talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta. On the agenda are trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, and democracy and human rights. Here are the issues in detail: Obama is officially in Kenya to address the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which Kenyatta has said will highlight the “progress and potential” of the country. A string of deals are due to be signed on Friday, hours before Obama arrives, including on infrastructure and health investment. Boosting trade and investment will be a key focus of bilateral talks on Saturday, with the US now Kenya’s second biggest trading partner, after the European Union. But Kenya’s reputation for deep and wide corruption is a concern for the US as it seeks to encourage further foreign investment, with Transparency International ranking Kenya 145 out of 175 on its corruption index.
Security and counter-terrorism will be “central” to talks with Obama, Kenyatta has said, with Nairobi “working in very close cooperation with American agencies” to combat the threat of violent extremism, especially from Al-Shabaab, a Somali-led Al-Qaeda affiliate. Kenya and Islamic extremism have been entwined since 1998 when Al-Qaeda bombed the US embassy in Nairobi. Kenyan troops crossed into Somalia in 2011 to fight Shebab and later joined the African Union force, AMISOM, which is supporting Somalia’s internationally-backed government. Al-Shabaab have since stepped up their operations in Kenya, dealing a blow to plans for the troops to serve as a buffer and protect the long, porous border. US drone strikes have targeted Shebab commanders including its former leader who was killed in September.
President Restores Somali Arts And Culture Academy
24 July – Source: Pulse Nigeria – 193 Words
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud restores and laid foundation stone for what will be a new dawn for the Somali arts and culture academy. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud restores and laid foundation stone for what will be a new dawn for the Somali arts and culture academy. The building which was destroyed by the civil war in the country used to host Somali language arts and culture research institution before the broke out of the civil war in 1991.
President Sheikh Mohamud said the historic revival of the academy will be significant for rich Somali arts and culture that is too affected by the war. “It will be very difficult for people who don’t know their past to plan for their future, so I am extremely delighted today to take part in the revival of arts and culture academy,” he said. The opening ceremony of the project which is funded by European Union and Oxfam was also attended by minister for education and other Somali academicians. Federal government of Somalia is reviving key government institutions destroyed in the civil war with the help from the international community.
MAST Security Update: Libya, Yemen And Kenya/Somalia
23 July – Source: Hellenicshippingnews.com – 323 Words
The Kenyan Government has released a number of convicted Somali pirates enabling them to return to their homes in Somalia. Northwood said: “There is some concern that there appears to have been no rehabilitation programme for the convicted pirates, and it is possible that they will seek work as armed guards protecting ocean going fishing vessels operating illegally off the coast of Somalia. The risk in this situation is that it is not a big step from providing security on an ocean going fishing vessel to taking that vessel over and using it as a mothership for piracy.”
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“As a result, Somalis are held with fear and derogatorily called names ranging from shifta, bandits, al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda and pirates. I wanted to test the tugs. I dropped my journalist identity to reduce any advantage that might come with the name journalist.”
An Encounter With Somali Hospitality
24 July – Source: Sahan Journal – 1,467 Words
I wake up wondering where I am. Around me, within reach, are wattle and daub walls. Inches from the foot of the reed bed is a curtain partition from the other side of which I could see shadowy figures. Then I remember that I’m spending a weekend with a Somali family in Bodhai in Garissa County to find out what life is like in the north eastern Kenya, trying to shake off dubious stereotype of violence and insecurity. My host, Hamdi Muhumed Ali, and his wife, Zahara, barely a month into their marriage, were performing wudu, an Islamic ritual of cleansing the body in preparation for prayers. They had warned me the night before that they were early birds. After the dawn prayers Zahara cleared Hamdi’s beddings from the earthen floor, while I slept on their bed on the other side of the partition. “We insist you sleep on our bed,” Hamdi had said the night before. “You are our guest”.
Zahara had boarded with relatives. I make my way across the homestead yard to the tiny privy in the corner of the yard, just behind the tiny huts. No toilet papers, no leaves. Instead water in a three liter jerrycan came in handy. A predominantly Muslim region, everything revolves around water, from washing corpses before burial, ablution for prayers and the water serves as the softest toilet paper one can come across. I use the same to wash my face. Suddenly, I feel a hearty pat on my shoulder: “How about a wash?” At 25 years old, Hamdi is a spindly, cheery man, with a broad grin. I protest. “No, you can’t wash with cold water,” he says firmly. He explains the realities of the region’s life. The blistering temperatures and blinding sun makes one sweat. The air is dusty and pores get clogged. Before you know it, you have rashes. You must wash often, he said. Seeing my embarrassment, Hamdi chuckles and leads me back to a shack near the privy. He brought a five liter jerrycan with steaming water and shampoo. He waits till I am undressing, and leaves.
“Abruptly closing the Dadaab camps and forcing refugees back to Somalia would have extreme humanitarian and practical consequences, and would be a breach of Kenya’s international obligations,” U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees spokeswoman Karin de Gruijl told reporters in April. The government of Kenya should instead strengthen law enforcement at Dadaab and along the border to prevent armed militants from entering, she said.”
Photos: Pumping Iron And Making Art While Stuck In The World’s Largest Refugee Camp
24 July – Source: PBS – 738 Words
Dadaab in Kenya is the world’s largest refugee camp. With more than 350,000 people — the population of New Orleans proper — it’s more like a little city. But it quickly differs from one. The camp was established more than 20 years ago when Somalis fled war in their country. Its population swelled in 2011 due to the drought in East Africa. The refugees are completely dependent on the Kenyan government and international relief organizations for food, shelter, water and sanitation. It takes 9,300 metric tons of food per month at a cost of $9.6 million to feed them, according to the U.N. World Food Program, which had to reduce rations recently after shortfalls in funding. Located in eastern Kenya, about 60 miles from the Somali border, the camp is also under threat of being closed. It’s near the town of Garissa, where al-Shabab militants shot and killed dozens of students at a university in April.
This attack and others committed by the Somali-based al-Shabab terrorist group have led to repeated calls for closing the camp, which, according to aid organizations, would be a disaster. “Abruptly closing the Dadaab camps and forcing refugees back to Somalia would have extreme humanitarian and practical consequences, and would be a breach of Kenya’s international obligations,” U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees spokeswoman Karin de Gruijl told reporters in April. The government of Kenya should instead strengthen law enforcement at Dadaab and along the border to prevent armed militants from entering, she said. The issue of security in the region is expected to come up during President Barack Obama’s trip to Kenya for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit on July 25 and 26.
Top tweets
@Daudoo: BREAKING: #Ethiopia troops committing atrocities in #Somalia‘s Bakool region, 80+ civilians incl women & children so far killed – Elders
@SomaliaNewsroom: EU readies sanctions against #Burundi *individuals* over election http://reut.rs/1LylihG #Somalia
@Hamza_Africa: Reports from Diinsoor, Bay region, say #AlShabaab, after days of pressure from AMISOM & Somali troops, have withdrawn from the town #Somalia
@sarakwon: U.S. launches airstrikes against Al Qaeda affiliate Shabab in Somalia http://ift.tt/1JhswoK
@HarunMaruf: BREAKING: MSF-equipped Dinsor hospital, the largest in Southwestern Somalia “looted” – reports. #Somalia
@Abdikarim_Abdi3: Signs of normalcy are starting to appearing on #Mogadishu‘s streets – road signs enforced by traffic police. #Somalia
@MikaelLindvall: In response to urgent humanit. needs, Sweden has now topped up its contribution to #Somalia Common Humanitarian Fund with approx. 1.3 MUSD.
Image of the day
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the new president of Galdmudug regional administration Abdikarim Hussein Guled receive an official salute on arrival at Adaado Airport to attend the presidential inauguration for the Galmudug regional administration in Adaado on July 23, 2015.
Photo: UNSOM