July 29, 2015 | Morning Headlines

Main Story

Security Council Renews Mandate Of UN Mission In Somalia

28 July – Source: Xinhua – 347 Words

The UN Security Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) until March 30, 2016 to support the political process in the country. The 15-nation UN body also reauthorized the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until May 30, 2016, according to the resolution. The adoption of the resolution came after the Al-Shabaab deadly attack against a hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, which has caused numerous deaths, including one member of security staff from the Chinese Embassy. The Somalia-based militant group linked with al-Qaida said that the attack was to retaliate against the recent operations by AU and Somali forces in the southern Somali regions of Dinsoor and Bardhere, and that they targeted the hotel because it houses ” Western” embassies coordinating the offensive. The resolution underlined the most powerful UN body’s respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, and unity of Somalia, while condemning the recent Al-Shabaab attacks in Somalia.

UNSOM’s mandate was most recently extended in May by the council until Aug. 7, 2015. The political mission was established in 2013 to provide the United Nations “good offices” functions — and a range of strategic policy advice — in support of the Somali government’s peace and reconciliation process. The resolution also said the council agrees that the conditions in Somalia are not appropriate for the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission until the end of 2016 at the earliest, and requested the UN Secretary-Gerneal to keep revised benchmarks for a peacekeeping mission under continuous review. In a recent briefing to the Security Council, Edmond Mulet, assistant secretary-general said a UN peacekeeping mission in Somalia would be a “high-risk undertaking,” considering the threats posed by Al-Shabaab militants and despite advances made by the AMISOM. Recently, AMISOM has resumed military offensives against Al- Shabaab. AMISOM Deputy Force Commander Operations and Plans Major General Mohammedesha Zeyinu said the aim of the operation, codenamed “Operation Jubba Corridor” is to eliminate insurgents in the few rural areas it still occupies.

Key Headlines

Security Council Renews Mandate Of UN Mission In Somalia (Xinhua)
Somali President UN Envoy To Co-host First-ever Ministerial High-Level Partnership Forum In Mogadishu (Somali Update)
IFJ Mourns Killing Of Two Journalists In A Terrorist Attack In Mogadishu (Somali Current)
Somalia Leader Slams Deadly Attack In Mogadishu (Shabelle News)
Fafah-Dhun Administration Warns Of Food Shortage (Goobjoog News)
Al-Shabaab Urges Muslim In The Region To Rise Up (Radio Dalsan)
Anti-Terrorism Tops Agenda Of Somali FM’s Visit To Djibouti (Shanghai Daily/Xinhua)
Somalia Bomber Had Ties To Germany Report Says(Deutsche Welle)
Seeking A Better Life: From London To Somaliland ( Channel4)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Somali President, UN Envoy To Co-host First-ever Ministerial High-Level Partnership Forum In Mogadishu

28 July – Source: Somali Update – 251 Words

Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia and Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General to Somalia will tomorrow co-host the first-ever Ministerial High-Level Partnership Forum (HLPF) to be held in Mogadishu, Somalia. The second Ministerial HLPF brings together 30 international delegations and more than 120 participants from all branches of Somali government, including Parliament and the Interim Regional Administrations, and the international community. The HLPF will review overall progress against the New Deal Somali Compact, focusing on political and security progress over the past six months. The HLPF represents a critical point at which to review this progress, address the challenges, identify possible gaps, and agree on what must be accomplished by the end of 2015.

Taking note of UN Security Council Resolution 2232 (2015) passed earlier today, both the President and the SRSG will stress the importance of supporting peace, reconciliation and political dialogue across Somalia, and the need for delivery of tangible benefits for the Somali people: delivery of public services, establishing the rule of law, eradicating Al-Shabaab and ensuring Somalia’s economic recovery. Guiding principles and an action plan outlining the process for reaching a workable agreement on the 2016 electoral process will be presented, along with a timetable for implementing the Guulwade Plan for the Somali National Army and a priority action list for the Heegan Plan, which aims to establish a professional, accountable police force in Somalia.

IFJ Mourns Killing Of Two Journalists In A Terrorist Attack In Mogadishu

28 July – Source : Somali Current – 331 Words

The International Federation of Journalists joins its affiliate in Somalia, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), in condemning a terror attack on a hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, in which at least 13 people were killed, including 2 journalists.Abdihakin Mohamed Omar, producer for Somali Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) and Mohamed Abdikarim Moallim Adam, reporter for Universal TV in Gedo region were killed on 26th July when a car packed with explosives drove into a Mogadishu hotel and exploded. Universal TV reporter Salman Jamal, who accompanied the 2 killed journalists, was seriously injured.

The attack targeted the Jazeera Palace Hotel, located near the Mogadishu’s airport and home of the diplomatic missions of China, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The jihadist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack , saying it was a response to shelling by African Union forces and Somali National Army on Al-Shabaab centres. According to NUSOJ, the three journalists were passing in the front of the hotel from the airport when the attack happened. The two journalists who were killed came from Gedo region in south-western Somalia. Abdihakim Mohamed Omar, 43 and father of 10, was in Luq town of Gedo region to visit his family. Mohamed Abdikarim Moallim Adam, 27 and father of 3, was based in Gedo. Salman Jamal had gone to the airport to receive the two colleagues.

“We condemn this barbaric act which has claimed so many innocent lives, including that of two working journalists,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. “This is tragic news, the nation’s journalistic community is deeply saddened by the death of journalists Abdihakin Mohamed Omar and Mohamed Abdirakim Moallim Adam in the senseless attack, and we extend our condolences to these killed journalists’ family and friends, and wish Salman immediate recovery.” IFJ President Jim Boumelha said: “We are shocked by this tragic loss that affects the journalists community in Somalia. We send our condolences to our killed colleagues’ family and friends and condemn this cruel attack on civilians.”

Somalia Leader Slams Deadly Attack In Mogadishu

28 July – Source: Shabelle News – 138 Words

Somalia PM, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmaarke has condemned deadly Al-Shabab attack on Jazeera Palace Hotel which killed at least 15 people and wounded 22 others in Mogadishu. In a statement, Prime Minister Sharmaarke sent his heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of the victims who had been killed in dreadful car bomb attack on Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu. Sharmarke also prayed for all the wounded to recover as soon as possible. “This is act of terrorism which terrorists want to kill innocent civilian. I urge security agencies to investigate the incident and bring criminals into justice” Somalia MP said. “The deadly attacks launched by Al Shabab militants can not derail progress made across Somalia” Mr. Sharmarke stressed. The words of Somalia PM came after Al-Shabab militants claimed to have killed foreign diplomats housed inside Jazeera hotel in Mogadishu.

Fafah-Dhun Administration Warns Of Food Shortage

28 July – Source : Goobjoog News – 168 Words

The administration of Fafah-Dhun locality has expressed concern over food shortage in the area following a failed harvest season as a result of rain shortage. The area chief Adan Shuqul Nunow told Goobjoog News hundreds of internally displaced people and residents are facing food shortage after the season’s harvest failed to produce enough food. He added that his administration had no capability to manage the situation and that there is no aid agency operating in the area.

He pointed out that the area houses many families from refugee camps in Kenya and others who were displaced by the ongoing clashes between Somali government forces and Al-Shabaab fighters in the region.“About 30 IDP families have arrived in area and that has worsened the situation which was already failing. Many people are at a risk of death out of hunger and disease yet there are no medical facilities in the area,” said Nunow. The area chief has called on the Federal government and NGOs to help his people and alleviate their suffering.

Al-Shabaab Urges Muslim In The Region To Rise Up

28 July – Source: Radio Dalsan – 206 Words

The leader of the Somali armed group Al-Shabaab has urged Muslims in East-Africa region to rise up in arms and participate in Jihad. Sheikh Ahmed Omar Abu-Ubeyda has urged people to join the group training camps in Somalia. He welcomed the people of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda and the Central African Republic to come to Al-Shabaab camps. The new leader who replaced the group’s founder who was killed by US drone last September justified the attacks in Kenya saying it is revenge for the oppression and humiliation of Muslims and advised the Muslims in Burma, who are persecuted by their own government, to be patient and stand firm.

The militant group’s leader said that joining the global jihad is the only solution to “confronting the tyrannical systems of disbelief that have been forcefully imposed upon your necks.” His message comes days after it lost key towns in South Somalia to Somali National Army and African Union troops. US President Barack Obama has reiterated US support for regional countries in fight against Al-Shabaab. Speaking at African Union headquarters in Ethiopia President Obama described the group as “murderers” that needs to be fought.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Anti-Terrorism Tops Agenda Of Somali FM’s Visit To Djibouti

28 July- Source: Shanghai Daily/Xinhua -313 Words

Somalia’s Foreign Minister (FM) Abdisalam Hadliye Omar arrived in Djibouti on Monday for an official visit. On the same day, Omar held talks with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, during which he delivered a message from Somalia President Hassan Cheick Mohamoud, an official source revealed after the meeting.The talks between the two leaders focused on the latest developments with regards to the prevailing security situation in Somalia. Speaking after the meeting, Somalia’s foreign minister said his visit was first and foremost part of the regular bilateral talks on issues of common interest between the two countries, and more particularly on ways to coordinate the fight against terrorism.

He strongly condemned Sunday’s terrorist attack that targeted Jazeera hotel in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.The attack left 15 people dead, including a Chinese national who was guarding the Chinese Embassy in Somalia.Omar urged the international community to give more support to his country to fight against terrorism which, according to him, had become a global problem.”Today, Somalia is not the only country in the region that is affected by terrorism. The whole world is affected and that is why we need the support of the entire international community,” Omar said. Elsewhere, the Somali official thanked Djibouti, a country that had contributed troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), for its “incessant efforts” towards restoration of peace and reconstruction of Somalia.

Somalia Bomber Had Ties To Germany, Report Says

28 July – Source : Deutsche Welle – 401 Words

A suicide truck bomber who killed at least 15 people in Somalia may have been a dual Somali-German national. Government sources believe his family knew of his whereabouts for several years. A senior Somali security official said on Tuesday that an initial report indicated “the high possibility that a German national of Somali origin drove the truck that rammed into the hotel.” Western investigators are now reportedly helping Somali security officials to analyze the DNA of the attacker.However, a report from news agency DPA suggested that the suspected attacker had dual Libyan-Somali citizenship, but no German passport despite residing in the central European country until roughly 2012. The information stemmed from an anonymous German security official.

At least 15 people were killed and another 35 wounded in Sunday’s blast which ripped an outer wall from the six-storey Jazeera Palace Hotel in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.The hotel was popular among government officials and foreign visitors and housed three diplomatic missions, including China’s. German news magazine “Spiegel” also reported on Tuesday that the bomber had lived in the western German city of Bonn before moving back to Somalia some time ago.”His relatives knew about his presence in Somalia for the past several years and he fought alongside Shabab,” a government source said.Dual nationality Somalis have been known to carry out several suicide bombings in recent years. In a similar attack in February, a Dutch-Somali man and woman blew themselves up at Mogadishu’s Central Hotel, killing at least 25 people.

OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE

“Despite the booming economy, the younger generation continue to leave, seduced by the idea of the Europe they imagine through social media’s selective lens. The challenge for the country to convince its young to stay,”

Seeking A Better Life: From London To Somaliland

28 July – Source: Channel 4- 280 Words
Faisal Kiber used to be an estate agent in Wembley, now he is a camel herder: “Over there, I worried about the letters, council tax, electricity bills, water bills. [In London] you worry about daily life… here no one is going to send you letters!”North of war-ravaged Somalia, in the region of Somaliland which declared independence in 1991, they have managed to rebuild. Though not internationally recognised the region has its own political system and a successful private business sector – encouraging a building boom that is bringing jobs and opportunities.

Yemen’s descent into chaos brings boat-loads of refugees across the Gulf of Aden – with 5,000 arriving in the past two months alone. Entrepreneurial Ethiopians are migrating to take advantage of the opportunities, happy to do jobs like hairdressing which most Somalis won’t consider.Migrants are coming for the same reason that many Somali’s now leave, to seek work for their families in Hargeisa. Many are now returning home, having witnessed the harsh realities of migrating to Europe.

Adam, one Somali who recently returned from London says there are more opportunities here. “There’s a big gap in the market because there are no skilled workers here,” he says. Camel-herder Faisal appreciates the quality of life in Somaliland, compared to his memories of London, saying: “You can’t compare the nomadic way of life, it’s stress free.”The younger generation are still leaving, aspiring to a life they see through the lens of Facebook.