July 3, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Kenya to al Shabaab: We’ll not back down
03 Jul- Source: Daily Nation- 470 words
Kenya will not surrender to terrorists in spite of recent attacks in the country, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said on Monday. Standing on the grounds of Sunday’s twin church attacks in Garissa Town, which killed 17 worshippers and left 66 injured, Mr Odinga declared that the operation to rid Somalia of al Shabaab militants will continue until victory is achieved.
The PM spoke as Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka criticised international media for equating the attacks to a religious war. Mr Musyoka termed the reports an exaggeration and said Kenya will not be turned into another Kabul, in apparent reference to the chaos in the Afghan capital.
The raids have been condemned by both Christian and Muslim leaders. During the attacks on the Africa Inland Church and Catholic churches in Garissa, raiders hurled grenades into the compounds and then shot at fleeing worshippers.
Key Headlines
- Gunmen kill former Puntland deputy police chief in Garowe town (Shabelle/RBC)
- Somalia renovates former resource industries (Radio Kulmiye)
- Kenya to al Shabaab: We’ll not back down (Daily Nation)
- Ras Kamboni leader vows to capture Kismayo town from al Shabaab (Shabelle/Caasimada Onlie/Jowhar Online)
- International Contact Group Meeting on Somalia Opens in Rome Premier Abdiweli Gives Opening Statement (Radio Mogadishu/OPM)
- China aligns with India Japan on piracy patrols (AP)
- Kenyan minister wants al Shabaab taken to The Hague (Capital News)
- TFG must be credited for release of kidnapped aid workers says Somali Ambassador (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Fifteen killed in “fierce” southwestern Somalia fighting (Radop Garoowe)
- Ethiopian airline resumes flights to Somaliland (Daily Nation)
SOMALI MEDIA
Gunmen kill former Puntland deputy police chief in Garowe town
03 Jul- Source: Shabelle/RBC- 206 words
Unknown assailants in Somalia have shot dead former deputy police Commissioner of Puntland, a semi-autonomous state in northern Somalia, reports said. According to witnesses, two unidentified men armed with pistols gunned down Col. Abdullahi Salah Nadalo near Bulshale hotel at 1st August village in Garowe town at about 7:15 pm local time on Monday evening.
“He was shot multiple times on the head by unknown attackers with pistols who escaped from the scene shortly after they carried out the coordinated shooting,” said a witness who spoke with Shabelle Media by phone from Garowe town on condition of anonymity.
Al Shabaab set free 19 from El-bur jail
03 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 109 words
Al Shabaab militants in central Somali town of El-bur have set free 19 people they detained when they regaining control of the town few weeks ago. Three other people are still in the rebel custody. The detainees are local elders and religious clerics, according to Ahlu Sunna’s Wabho security boss Abdishakur Hussein Jabir.
It is not yet clear why the al Shabaab opted to keep the trio, two businessmen and a religious cleric, in custody after releasing the other detainees.
But Jabir alleges that militants set free some of the detainees after reports emerged that Alhu Sunna militias and their allied Ethiopian troops were planning to retake control of the town.
Somalia renovates former resource industries
03 Jul- Source: Radio Kulmiye- 115 words
Speaking to the press the Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed promised to work on the renovations and reestablishment of industries that the collapsed after the ouster of former regime led by Mohamed Siad Bare.
The presidents remarks come after al Shabaab militants abandoned parts of the capital of Mogadishu last August. Somalia is wracked by incessant fighting and insurgency that pits al Shabaab and government and African Union peacekeepers of (AMISOM).
Foreign investors are also expected to join heavily in the beginning of Somalia developments which is currently underway in the country.
Ras Kamboni leader vows to capture Kismayo town from al Shabaab
03 Jul- Source: Shabelle/Caasimada Onlie/Jowhar Online- 139 words
Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, the Chairman of Ras Kamboni movement, pro-government fighters in southern Somalia, on Tuesday promised to seize soon the al Shabaab-held port town of Kismayo, some 500 kilometers (310 miles) South of Mogadishu.
“My fighters [Ras Kamboni] along with Kenyan military are planning soon to launch a major joint assault on Kismayo and take over its control from al Shabaab,” said Sheik Ahmed Madobe, adding that they will use infantry troops and fighter jets.
International Contact Group Meeting on Somalia Opens in Rome, Premier Abdiweli Gives Opening Statement
03 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/OPM- 297 words
International Contact Group meeting on Somalia has yesterday kicked off at the Foreign Ministry of Italy in Rome and the participants in the meeting included the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Puntland administration, Galmudug administration and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a. The meeting started at around 2pm and will be two day long.
An opening remark was delivered by the Foreign Minister of Italy Giulio Terzi where he commended the significant gains arrived at by the Somalia government backed by regional blocs, IGAD and AU. He assured the Somalia government of the support of the Italy government and its commitment to realise peaceful Somalia.
The Prime Minister of Somalia Abdiweli Mohamed Ali also gave a key-note speech emphasising on the remarkable military success by Somali National Forces and AMISOM. He notably mentioned the areas that fell into the hands of the government last month like Afgoye and Balad. Abdiweli also stated the accomplished tasks on the four pillars of the roadmap while the traditional elders are on the final stage of selecting the National Constituent Assembly.
Premier Abdiweli said that the Somali National Forces yesterday morning rescued foreign nationals kidnapped last week from Dhadhaab refugee Camp in Kenya. The foreigners were working for Norwegian Refugee Council. He also condemned the attack by terrorist on a church in Garissa where dozens of worshippers were killed.
The International Contact Group meeting which will be the last of its kind during the transitional period will take two days. The meeting’s deliberations include:
1. Peaceful ending of the transitional period.
2. Dispensations and next course of actions after the transitional period.
3. London Follow up to the outcomes of the Istanbul and London Conferences.
4.Supporting AMISOM for sustainable security gains and systematic approaches to justice and prioritization.
5. Restructuring of ICCG.
TFG must be credited for release of kidnapped aid workers, says Somali Ambassador
03 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 160 words
Somalia has said its forces were behind the successful rescue operation that led to the freedom of four foreign aid workers who were kidnapped from Ifo II refugee camp near the border with Somalia last Friday. In an exclusive interview with Bar-kulan, Somali envoy to Kenya Mohamed Ali Noor Americo said Somalia worth the credit of the aid worker’s freedom since its forces carried out the operation and handed freed aid workers to Kenyan government safe and sound. He said three of the alleged kidnappers are still being held inside Somalia, adding that the suspects will stand trail once investigations are complete.
His sentiment comes a time a section of Kenyan media are giving credit to Kenyan troops for rescuing the aid workers who were found held at Ali-Bule, some 30 km from Dobley town. Americo promised that his government will co-operate with the Kenyan government in fighting what he called terrorist elements who are enemy to the whole region.
Fifteen killed in “fierce” southwestern Somalia fighting
02 Jul- Source: Radio Garoowe- 92 words
At least 15 people, from the warring sides, were killed in heavy fighting six kilometres from Xuddur, the capital of Bakool Region, southwestern Somalia, which is under the control of government and Ethiopian troops. The fighting, which lasted for hours, broke out after al Shabaab militants launched planned attacks against the troops’ bases in the area. Many people were also wounded in the fighting.
Government officials in Bakool Region said they repelled the attacks and now control the Madax Waraabe area in which the fighting took place. They claimed victory in the confrontations.
Extra police deployed in southern Galkayo
03 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 171 words
Extra police have been deployed in Galmudug administered southern Galkayo town last night to strengthen security after intelligence report indicated that a group of criminal gangs had entered the town with the intent of committing criminal activities in the area.
The area regional police boss Mohamed Noor Ali told the press that they deployed extra security officers to beef up security in the region and deal with any threat. He said they will do all means possible to avert criminal activates in the area.
The move came after reports suggested that gangs entered the town heightening trepidation among the locals who were forced to shut down their business premises. Heavily armed police were seen patrolling major streets in southern Galkayo.
Ali urged the public to volunteer information regarding the alleged gangs in order to arrest them before causing any harm to locals and their properties.
The move also comes just a day after armed thugs gunned down Puntland official in northern Galkayo. The assailants immediately fled the scene of the crime.
Conference on Somali civil aviation
02 Jul- Source: Hiiraan Online- 626 words
The 5th conference on Somali civil Aviation steering committee was held at the International Civil Aviation Organization headquarter in Montreal, Canada from June 28-June 29, 2012.
Members of the committee who participated in the conference were Engineer Mohamed-Kamil A. Olol Diinle, representing the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG), Ahmed Dalal Farah of Somaliland, Mr. Peter Noad of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO/TCB) also the Director of Civil Aviation Caretaker Authority for Somalia Mr. Kemoitse J. Mosuupoukwa and the head of UNDP for Somalia Mr. David M. Clapp joined the conference over the phone.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya to al Shabaab: We’ll not back down
03 Jul- Source: Daily Nation- 470 words
Kenya will not surrender to terrorists in spite of recent attacks in the country, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said on Monday. Standing on the grounds of Sunday’s twin church attacks in Garissa Town, which killed 17 worshippers and left 66 injured, Mr Odinga declared that the operation to rid Somalia of al Shabaab militants will continue until victory is achieved.
The PM spoke as Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka criticised international media for equating the attacks to a religious war. Mr Musyoka termed the reports an exaggeration and said Kenya will not be turned into another Kabul, in apparent reference to the chaos in the Afghan capital.
The raids have been condemned by both Christian and Muslim leaders. During the attacks on the Africa Inland Church and Catholic churches in Garissa, raiders hurled grenades into the compounds and then shot at fleeing worshippers.
Kenyan minister wants al Shabaab taken to The Hague
02 Jul- Source: Capital news- 416 words
Cabinet Minister Mutula Kilonzo says al Shabaab commanders should be charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court. Speaking at a UN conference for volunteers on Monday, Kilonzo said the African Union forces (AMISOM) currently pursuing the islamist militia should be made to arrest al Shabaab leaders, equating them to wanted Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony.
The Justice Minister was reacting to Sunday’s attack on two churches in Garissa where 17 Kenyans were killed and more than 40 others were wounded.
“At the conclusion of the engagement in Somalia, AMISOM should ensure that the leading characters in that country who are leading al Shabaab be arrested and prosecuted for war crimes,” he said. He equated the attrocities committed by al Shabaab to those committed by Kony in Uganda and parts of Central Africa.
AU condemns terrorist attacks against churches in Kenya
02 Jul- Source: Ethiopian News Agency- 96 words
The African Union Commission Chairperson, Dr Jean Ping strongly condemned the terrorist attacks perpetrated against churches in town of Garissa, in the Northern Eastern Province of Kenya, which killed a number of worshippers, AU said.
According to a press release AU sent to ENA on Monday, the Chairperson expressed AU’s condolences to the bereaved families and to the Kenyan Government.
Ping reaffirmed AU’s continued support to the efforts of the Kenyan Government in the fight against terrorism. The Chairperson also called for further enhancing the African counter-terrorism cooperation in line with all the AU relevant instruments.
Ethiopian airline resumes flights to Somaliland
02 Jul- Source: Daily Nation- 190 words
Ethiopian Airlines officially restarted flights to Berbera, the biggest international airport in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in northern Somalia, on Sunday. The airline stopped flights to Hargeisa city, the capital of the breakaway republic and Berbera, the main port town in 2008, following a suicide attack on its offices. Somaliland Minister of Air Transport Mohamoud Hashi Abdi witnessed the re-launch of the flights.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia: Soldiers Rescue Kidnapped Aid Workers
03 Jul – Source: NYT / Reurters – 150 words
Somali and Kenyan troops rescued four foreign aid workers held hostage inside Somalia, three days after they were seized from a refugee camp in Kenya, the armies said Monday. Col. Abduallahi Moalim, a Somali military commander, said government soldiers in the Lower Juba region that borders Kenya stopped a vehicle carrying supplies for the attackers on Sunday and seized three of the occupants who directed the force to where the hostages were being held. Col. Cyrus Oguna, a spokesman for Kenya’s military, said the two forces then carried out a joint rescue operation. Colonel Oguna said that the aid workers were not hurt, but that one gunman was killed. The aid workers are employed by the Norwegian Refugee Council.
China aligns with India, Japan on piracy patrols
03 Jul- Source: AP- 672 words
China is closely cooperating with the navies of Japan and India in patrolling against piracy off Somalia, a sign of the country’s greater willingness to work with other nations in safeguarding global trade despite mixed sentiments among Chinese toward the country’s main Asian rivals.
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force became the lead navy Sunday in the pact that allows the three to synchronize patrols and best allocate each country’s escort resources, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told reporters at a briefing.
Analysts say the escort pact is a sign of growing Chinese naval confidence that could reduce the chances of confrontation in waters closer to China where navies from Japan, the U.S. and others operate in increasingly tight proximity. With China expanding its naval capabilities and asserting its interests, it’s important that Beijing’s admirals start working more closely with their foreign counterparts, defense experts say.
Croatia rescues 65 migrants at sea
03 Jul- Source: euobserver- 49 words
Croatia’s coast guard Monday rescued 65 immigrants in the south Adriatic. The immigrants, from Somalia, Egypt, Syria and Afghanistan, were heading to Italy but got in trouble when their boat broke down. The coast guard have yet to decide whether or not to haul the boat from international waters.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Kuria, who has been referring to Dadaab as a “holiday camp” where “terrorists roam freely”, appears to be blaming the refugees. “National suicide is not an international obligation. To protect ourselves and our families, tag #MoveDadaabtoKismayo. Let’s be safe now!!!” he posted.”
Somali refugees turned into Twitter scapegoats after Kenya terror attack
02 July- Source: Alert (Reuters) Blog-696 Words
It’s no secret that the Somali community in Kenya is often treated with resentment and suspicion by their hosts. You only need to listen to your average Nairobian complaining about how “they” are driving up property prices with their “pirate money” to get a taste of the thinly disguised xenophobia that exists among many Kenyans.
But relations hit a new low this week when the spokesman of President Mwai Kibaki’s party took to Twitter to start a campaign to move Somali refugees back to Somalia in violation of international law.
“We, the small group of professionals, have agreed at our lunch that our real concern should not be whether to keep the cake intact or divided but to ensure that we have a cake first. And with this solemn agreement, the waiter severed us a warm and deliciously looking Afghani cake.”
The cake first, then the slices
02 July- Source: Hiiraan Online-582 Words
It was a day like any other. A hot and bright summer day in the Washington D.C metropolitan area as we sat, a group of middle aged Somali men, in a good Afghani restaurant in Virginia at the invitation of a prominent Somalilander. We chatted like all Somalis do while we were waiting for the lunch to be served. We were five from Somaliland, and two from Southern Somalia. We exchanged hilarious anecdotes and humorous jokes on all issues. There was no sacrosanct topic in our jokes that covered culture, clans, economy and society.
But like all Somali conversations, we soon embarked on our most favorable topic; politics. Politics is the Somalis best past time conversation. Everything else acts as an appetizer for the hot plate of politics. No sooner do a group of Somalis sit together; they end up having animated discussions about politics no matter how and where their conversation begins.
Top tweets
@Keishamaza Shame. Two wrongs & all that. RT @katymigiro#Somalia‘s refugees become Twitter scapegoats after #Kenyaterror attack http://bit.ly/P42pqP
@sureey_ Source: UK Border Agency refuses to grant visa to#SomaliOlympicTeam because they dont recognise #Somalipassport. #Somalia #Olympic #Africa
@theREALseif Remember when I tweeted about #Turkey aid to#Somalia . Even their stores here, are Turkish influenced now.http://lockerz.com/s/221853733
@MinisterHashi I addressed the International contact Group for#Somalia meeting in Rome this afternoon.http://lockerz.com/s/221836800
@BillaoJournal @IbnSiqilli Themes of justice and law & order are central to the theological view of #Shabaab and previously resonated strongly in #Somalia
Image of the day
Somali leaders at the International Contact Group on Somalia meeting in Rome, Italy where officials from 28 countries and representatives of international agencies were also in attendance. Photo: Dayniile Website