July 25, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

AMISOM captures key al Shabaab camp in Somalia

25 Jul- Source: Daily Nation-139 Words

Forces belonging to the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) on Thursday captured a camp used by al Shabaab to train militants in the Gedo area of Somalia. In a statement, AMISOM said its forces also destroyed another camp in Kismayo.

In the Thursday operation, the troops captured the al Shabaab camp located in the Gedo region, 60 kilometres southwest of the Bulahawa area, along the Kenya-Somalia border. The joint forces said the camp was al Shabaab’s strategic militant training and planning base.

“Al Shabaab used the camp as a drawback position to plan and launch attacks on AMISOM and Somalia National forces,” AMISOM said. In the Kismayo raid conducted Wednesday, the joint forces destroyed al Shabaab’s logistical base at Jilib town and injured several militants.

Key Headlines

AMISOM destroys al Shabaab camps in Middle Juba and Gedo regions (AMISOM)
Somali leaders call for unity during the national funeral for slain MP (Somali Current)
Government calls for immediate end to hostilities in Abud-wak (Radio Bar-kulan)
Radio Jowhar Given 24 Hour Ultimatum to Vacate its Premises (Radio Dalsan/Bar-kulan/Raxanreeb/NUSOJ)
AMISOM captures key al Shabaab camp in Somalia (Daily Nation)
‘Al Shabaab’ remark sparks anger (Daily Nation)
Canadian ‘terror tourist’ Mohamed gets 10 years in jail for planning to join Islamic jihadist group in Somalia (National Post)
Somali activist singer remembered in Minnesota for her bravery (Star Tribute)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM destroys al Shabaab camps in Middle Juba and Gedo regions

25 Jul- Source: AMISOM-221 Words

In the latest war against al Shabaab terrorists, AMISOM forces on Thursday captured a strategic militant training and planning camp in the village of Khadija Haji in Gedo region located 60 km southwest of BulaHawa along the Kenya-Somalia border. Al Shabaab used the camp as a drawback position to plan and launch attacks on AMISOM and Somalia National forces.

In yet another offensive against al Shabaab terrorists, AMISOM forces in sector Kismayu on Wednesdayconducted an offensive operation in Jilib town within Middle Juba region destroying Al-Shabaab logistical base. Several militant were injured during the operation.

Last week two senior al Shabaab commanders, Issa Mohamed Dhoore the liaison officer with foreign elements and translator of Hiraan region and a close confidant of the group’s leader Ahmed Abdi Godane was killed together with Sharif Ameey also a top leader during an operation by AMISOM and SNA forces in Inimeey village located 10 kilometers from Bulla Burde. The joint forces were carrying out cordon and search operations around Bulla Burde and its periphery when they got information of al Shabaab meeting happening in the location.

The past week has been instrumental in the fight against terrorism in Somalia. Somali National army supported by AMISOM continue to liberate more areas and root out al Shabaab from their strongholds in a bid to protect the hard won security gains.

Second Financial Governance Committee Progress Report

25 Jul – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 524 words

His Excellency, Hussein Abdi Halane, Minister of Finance of the Federal Government of Somalia commented today on the second Financial Governance Committee (FGC) progress report released on 15 June 2014 highlighting significant steps taken to improve management of Somalia’s public finances. This progress report is now available at:http://www.mof.gov.so/publication-documents/.

“The Financial Governance Plan allows the government and donor partners to focus on solving some of the most important issues facing Somalia, helping us to build a prosperous future,” said Minister of Finance, H.E. Hussein Abdi Halane. “We are making good progress against the Financial Governance Plan, although prompt support from donors is vital if we are to maintain momentum.”

Major achievements highlighted in the report include:

• Procurement Amendment Bill and Audit Bill: both bills have been endorsed by the Council of Ministers and have been submitted to Parliament for approval. When passed into law, these bills will provide critical foundations for honest financial governance that is in the interests of Somalia’s citizens.

• Financial statements: financial statements have been prepared by the Central Bank of Somalia and the Ministry of Finance, which demonstrate transparency and a basis for good governance of the institutions.

• Concession contracts: the FGC has now reviewed a total of six concession contracts, which provides the FGS with an understanding of weaknesses in current contracts and highlights risks that should be avoiding in the creation of future contracts.

Speaking on the report, the World Bank appointee to the FGC said, “While there is still a long way to go, progress against the Financial Governance Plan demonstrates that the Financial Governance Committee is able help drive important reforms forward.

I hope that all donors with an interest in good governance in Somalia will accelerate their efforts to provide the capacity support that is both essential, and in some cases, delayed.”
The Financial Governance Committee brings together key Government officials and appointees of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) who oversee implementation of the recently launched Financial Governance Program (FGP).

The FGP is designed to strengthen public finance and central bank management and provide independent advice in key areas related to financial governance. The FGP thereby complements and strengthens government and donor efforts to build robust public finance management systems.

The program addresses the following areas of particular urgency and/or concern in Somali public financial management: the creation of a well-governed, functional Central Bank, the establishment of sound public revenue and expenditure management, the establishment of orderly public procurement and concession processes, and the effective and transparent repatriation of national assets.

The Financial Governance Committee (FGC) meets regularly in Mogadishu to monitor the overall progress of Somalia’s Financial Governance Program and advise the government on critical issues and areas of financial governance. The Committee is comprised of five members and one observer (from the IMF).

Members include the Minister of Finance (Chair), H.E. Hussein Halane; the new Governor of the Central Bank, H.E. Bashir Issa; the President’s Senior Policy Adviser, Awes Hagi; the World Bank’s designated representative, Nigel Roberts; the African Development Bank’s designated representative, Ellias Ngalande; and the IMF’s designated observer, Ake Lonnberg.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali leaders call for unity during the national funeral for slain MP

25 Jul – Source: Somali Current – 176 words

Somali leaders have called upon Somali nationals to unit and closely work with the security agencies to improve the security of the country.

Speaking during the national burial ceremony of the late popular singer and member of national assembly Sado Ali who was shot dead by gun men on Wednesday,Prime minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has sent his condolences to the members of parliament,family and friends of the deceased while calling upon Somali people to unit and collaborate with security agencies by reporting criminals whom he said are target the leaders of the country.

The three principles President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, PM Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed and the Speaker of the national assembly professor Mohamed Osman Jawari attended national funeral ceremony of the late female member of parliament who was buried in Mogadishu.

First deputy Somali National Assembly Speaker Jeylani Nur Ikar who spoke to the media after the burial has said that the targeting of the national assembly members by the Al Shabaab militant group will not halt the operation of the house.

Government calls for immediate end to hostilities in Abud-wak

25 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan-127 Words

Somali federal government called on the warring clan militia in Abudwak district of Galgadud region to immediately bring an end to the conflict which claimed the lives of several people.

Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed described the inter-clan wars in the region as an unfortunate. The prime minister called on the sides to heed and accept peace initiatives spearheaded by the federal government to find lasting solution to the clashes in the region.

He said the federal government is ready to play its part in the mediation efforts to end the conflicts between the two warring sides in Abud-wak district. Around 10 people have been killed and scores injured so far in clashes believed to be triggered by blood feud between two clan militias in Abud-wak district.

Radio Jowhar Given 24 Hour Ultimatum to Vacate its Premises

25 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan/Bar-kulan/Raxanreeb/NUSOJ-464 Words

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is deeply concerned about the decision of the Middle Shabelle Governor to evict Radio Jowhar from its premises within24 hours, a decision deemed as unfair, leaving the only radio station in the region to close and calls for the decision to be reversed and urged the Somali Ministry of Information of the Federal government of Somalia to make an urgent intervention into the matter.

The administration in the Middle Shabelle region based in the town of Jowhar, issued a degree signed by the Governor of Middle Shabelle region, Eng. Abdi Jiinow Alasow, on Wednesday 23 July, 2014, that ordered Radio Jowhar to evacuate the premises, formerly owned by the Ministry of Livestock, within 24 hours, following the request from the Ministry ofLivestock of the Federal government of Somalia. The Decree orders “Radio Jowhar is ordered to evacuate within 24 hours, starting from the date the letter signed.”

“We are really shocked by the decision of the governor to vacate the premises within 24 hours.” Mohamed Abukar Caseyr said, “This leaves us no choice but only to shutdown the radio station.”

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is deeply concerned by the decision that provided Radio Jowhar an ultimatum of 24 hours, in the town of Jowhar, the regional capital of Lower Shabelle region and calls for the governor of Middle Shabelle region and the ministry of livestock to reserve their decision which could leave the communities in the region without information.

“We are concerned by the hasty decision ordering the radio station to vacate the premises within 24 hours” Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General, “We call for the Middle Shabelle administration and the Federal Government of Somalia to reverse their decision and provide enough time the radio station to look for another location or provide alternative location. The radio station is the only source of information for the communities in the region as informed communities are the integral part of building democratic societies.” Mr.Ibrahim added.

Radio Jowhar is community radio founded in 2003 by volunteer journalists from the region and continued to serve the communities in the region by providing timely and accurate information, social platforms, peace and reconciliation talk shows among others. In 2007, the radio station lost two prominent journalist in the line of duty.

According to the Radio Jowhar Director, 12 male and 8 female volunteer journalists who dedicated their time only to let community better informed, are currently working at the radio station. NUSOJ also calls for the Somalia Ministry of Information and the international partners willing to support the Somali media to provide urgent support to Radio Jowhar to establish its own premises to maintain its volunteer work for making the communities aware of what’s happening in and around their region.

Marines in charge of the territorial waters of Somaliland- Head of Marines

24 Jul – Source: Somaliland Informer – 177 words

Somaliland’s Head of Marines Mr. Ahmed Osman Abdi has refuted reports claiming that the country’s coasts became hub for exporting illegal wild animals.

The report accused the government’s failure to assure the security of her coasts and deter threats from piracy and terrorism which are rife in the bordering country of Somalia which is plagued by insecurity for over the past years once Somalia’s central government was overthrown.

Mr. Ahmed assured that the country’s marines are fully in charge of the territorial waters of Somaliland. He stated that despite meager resources and capabilities that the marines have been increase to have the robust mechanism to prevent any threat in the shores of the county.

Mr. Ahmed said that no single act of piracy was conducted in Somaliland’s territorial water and that proves that marines are in charge of the country.

The commander of marines has urged the Somali Federal President to shun the claim that well trained marines from Somalia will be deployed to all Somalia coasts including Somaliland which is an act of clear aggression.

Somalia gets new Attorney General

24 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan/65 Words

The spokesman of the Somali FederalGovernment, Ridwan Haji Abdweli announced that the Somali Attorney General Abdikadir Mohammed Muse has been relieved off his duties and replaced by Ahmed Ali Dahir.

Ridwan said the decision was reached by the Justice Ministry. Abdikadir Mohammed Muse was the AG for a period of 4 years. He was appointed to the post by former Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

Somaliland’s first female National Deputy Prosecutor

24 Jul – Source: Somaliland Informer – 156 words

Khadra Hussein Mohammad, 28, is Somaliland’s National Deputy Prosecutor – the first woman to hold such a position in Somaliland. As part of an ongoing process to increase the number of officials with formal legal education in Somaliland, like Khadra, UNDP supports long-term legal education and job placement to fill the justice sector with qualified legal professionals.

Across Somaliland, UNDP is supporting a fundamental shift in legal education and professionalism in the justice sector will help build a robust legal system. UNDP’s support has increased the number of professionals with formal legal education.

After graduating the University of Hargeisa Law School – which was established through UNDP support in 2008 – Khadra joined the Somaliland Lawyers Association. This local organization (also supported by UNDP) connected her to an opportunity to join UNDP sponsored legal training. “UNDP was one of the main factors of my success,” she explains. “UNDP facilitated my training and offered her on-job training.”

REGIONAL MEDIA

AMISOM captures key al Shabaab camp in Somalia

25 Jul- Source: Daily Nation-139 Words

‘Al Shabaab’ remark sparks anger

25 Jul – Source: Daily Nation – 78 words

The Opposition reacted with fury Thursday evening after Majority Leader Aden Duale accused Cord of “speaking the same language as al Shabaab” in opposing the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces in Lamu and asking for their withdrawal from Somalia.

Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso appeared to lose control of the House as the House degenerated into near-pandemonium, with MPs from both sides pointing at each other, as Cord representatives demanded the ejection of Mr Duale for making the statements.

Somalis incensed by the murder of singer, lawmaker Saado Ali Warsame

24 Jul- Source: Sabahi Online-912 Words

As the body of slain singer and Somali lawmaker Saado Ali Warsame was laid to rest Thursday (July 24th) at the Madina Hospital graveyard in Mogadishu, Somalis are speaking out about the tragic loss of such a cultural icon at the hands of al-Shabaab gunmen.

“Saado loved and valued the Somali spirit,” Somali lawmaker Mohamed Omer Dalha told Sabahi. “She was a firm pillar for the Somali government and she worked hard to ensure people were educated about governance. That seems to be the reason she was targeted, because she did not cause any problems for people, country or religion.”

Dalha praised Warsame for her role in advancing the messages of peace, freedom and understanding through her music.

“Saado is remembered for her patriotic songs about loving people and the nation that she conveyed to the Somali people through her beautiful voice,” he said. “Even though she was new to parliament, she immediately made many friends.”

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali ‘al Shabaab commanders’ killed in African Union offensive: AU

25 Jul- Source: AFP/The News-322 Words

African Union troops in Somalia said Friday they had killed two “senior” commanders of the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents, in the latest push of an offensive against the extremist fighters.

Witnesses reported that fighter jets also pounded the town of Jilib in southern Somalia´s Middle Juba regionon Thursday, part of the offensive by the 22,000-strong UN-backed AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM), who launched in March a fresh bid to wrest remaining towns from the Islamists.

AMISOM confirmed they had attacked an insurgent base near Jilib on Thursday, “destroying an al Shabaab logistical base” and wounding “several militants. “The force, which fights alongside Somali government troops, boasted of capturing “a strategic militant training and planning camp in the village of Khadija Haji in Gedo region” in the far southwest, close to the border with Kenya.

Canadian ‘terror tourist’ Mohamed gets 10 years in jail for planning to join Islamic jihadist group in Somalia

25 Jul – Source: National Post – 125 words

An Ontario judge issued a stern rebuke against “terror tourists” — those leaving Canada to join militant groups abroad — by ordering the maximum sentence against a Somali-Canadian arrested while trying to leave Toronto to join Al-Shabab.

“Terrorists are the worst kinds of cowards because they deliberately target innocent members of the public who are not prepared for combat,” said Ontario Superior Court Justice Deena Baltman in her sentencing decision Thursday in a landmark terrorism cases.

“The message needs to be sent out that anyone who aspires to become part of such evil must pay a heavy price.” Mohamed Hersi, a 28-year-old former security guard, was given 10 years in prison for attempting to join a terrorist group and for counselling another to join him.

Somali activist, singer remembered in Minnesota for her bravery

25 Jul – Source: Star Tribune – 183 words

Saado Ali Warsame’s songs and poems urged unity in a country known for its tumult and division. Between the lines, they also reflected a political activism for change that propelled her to become one of the first women in Somalia’s parliament.

Warsame, who for decades was one of the top singing stars in Somalia, bridged the communities of her home country and her adopted home in Minnesota. She lived in Minneapolis and St. Cloud from 2007 to 2012. Somali-Americans here often found it remarkable that they could mingle and chat so easily in local coffee shops and stores with a celebrity of such status.

She had just returned to Somalia for the end of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan when she and her driver were killed Wednesday in a drive-by shooting in the capital, Mogadishu.

The militant group Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s shooting outside the Ambassador Hotel. Warsame, who according to a family member was born in 1950, was the fourth member of the Somali parliament killed by Al-Shabab this year and the latest of seven members of parliament to be assassinated.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“The physical upgrading of Mogadishu city is evident in the number of building works that are simultaneously operating side by side. Brick by brick, Mogadishu is been rebuilt. However, this would mean nothing if more effort is not directed towards nurturing, developing and supporting Human Capital which the country desperately lacks and needs. Security is a big problem in Mogadishu but if the government can support the public better, inspire loyalty and in return the public respond with their cooperation, as Ministers continuously beg, this hurdle will be overcome.”

Optimism after Mogadishu visit

25 Jul- Source: Hiiraan Online-735 Words

As someone who witnessed the worst part of the beginning of the civil war and who has never seen government in any form in Somalia my expectations of my visit to Mogadishu were quite low. I also read the global headlines and although I lead one of the most innovative and trusted Diaspora organisation and ought to know better than the headlines, I still worried about security and what will await me in Somalia.

To my surprise, the once militarised dormant Mogadishu airport was now a bustling centre of aviation and business. To shock me a little further I was kindly asked by “Somali” security personnel to join the foreign immigration queue as I held a foreign passport. The security at the airport was excellent and the civil servants and security guards were friendly and approachable. Nothing like one would expect from watching Somalia on TV in the Diaspora.

As I explored the city of Mogadishu, met policy makers, civil society activists, academics and young people who were reshaping their nation, I was amazed by the level of human talent that had congregated in the diverse melting pot that is Somalia’s capital. It is always argued and presented as a given fact that Somali’s are tribally divided but in Mogadishu’s public spaces, hotels and government offices Somalis from all over the nation were working together.

“Al Shabaab’s observed activity, demonstrated operational capability and capacity, as well as expanded regional influence over the past year indicate that, contrary to popular belief, the group remains a dynamic threat throughout East Africa.”

Al Shabaab in East Africa

24 Jul- Source: Critical Threats-611 Words

Multiple crises throughout the world—in Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, and now Israel—have pulled attention from growing violence in East Africa. Al Qaeda’s group in Somalia, al Shabaab, now has an operational reach that covers all of the Horn of Africa. Even within Somalia, al Shabaab continues to conduct significant attacks in the capital, Mogadishu, and in key cities like Kismayo, Baidoa, and Beledweyne.

There exists a popular notion that al Shabaab is in decline due to the efforts of Somali forces and the African Union peacekeepers, a view echoed on June 3, 2014 by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman. But al Shabaab’s recent activity in the region belies any such claim. Al Shabaab still controls significant territory in Somalia and in the past year, has been active in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Djibouti.

Al Shabaab voiced its intent and increasingly demonstrates its capability to conduct attacks throughout East Africa. Its first major international attack was in July 2010, when al Shabaab carried out twin suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda. The absence of a second major attack and the start of a major offensive against al Shabaab in fall 2011 led many to dismiss the Kampala bombings as a one-off strike and to assess that al Shabaab had been significantly weakened. The group had lost control of territory and announced that it would focus on asymmetrical attacks, rather than holding land. Its continued threats against the regional troop-contributing countries (TCC) to the peacekeeping mission in Somalia appeared to be aspirational at best.

Top tweets

@UNICEFAfrica “I was a cutter because I inherited the trade from my grandmother.” Former cutter Lynn of Somalia wants to#endFGM http://bit.ly/1rgsl0X

@UNHCRSom We need to ensure that the #IDP return process in #Somalia assumes a holistic & integrated approach, says Alessandra Morelli: @UNHCRSom

@ChelseaClinton Amazing story about how a young woman from Somalia become a @WHO scientist fighting malaria:http://bit.ly/1r7LqCo #NoCeilings

@harunmaruf Exclusive:US to train, equip a 570 Commando Force 4 #Somalia by end of this yr, Army Chief Dahir Aden Elmi tells VOA http://m.voasomali.com/a/1964859.html

@amisomsomalia PHOTOS: #Ramadan with the #Djiboutitroops in Beletweyne pic.twitter.com/2MpPsWLLg6

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Image of the day

Image of the day Somali leaders at the funeral prayer of late Saado Ali Warsame and parliamentary Aide Abdullahi Hussein. Photo: @harunmaruf