July 30, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Mogadishu: starting a project to re-build strategies road

29 Jul- Source: Goobjoog Online/ al Shahid- 98 words

A project to rebuild a strategic road started in the Somali capital Mogadishu. The project was officially opened by the Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, and officials from the Banadir administration. The spokesman of Banadir administration told reporters that the government started the project to rebuild the road leading to the airport from km 0 in the capital Mogadishu. He added that this project, which is funded by the Turkish government, is part of an agreement inked by Mogadishu and the municipalities of Istanbul which was signed by the two sides previously.

Key Headlines

Delegation from Malaysia and Taiwan visits Kismayo (Dhanaan Online)
Al Shabaab attacks government base at Yaaqbiriweyne (Radio Dalsan)
Somaliland Military receives weapons (Somaliland Informer)
Mass arrest in Jowhar security operation (Radio Mustaqbal)
OIC Secretary General condemns attack against Turkish targets in Mogadishu (Emirates News Agency)
High Court quashes move to force urban refugees into camps ( Xinhua)
A shelter for Somalia’s rape victims (CNN)

SOMALI MEDIA

Delegation from Malaysia and Taiwan visits Kismayo

29 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Dhanaan Online- 100 words

High level delegation from Malaysia and Taiwan has visited the southern port city of Kismayo, capital of Lower Jubba region. The delegation met the deputy president of the newly established Jubbaland administration Abdillahi Sheikh Ismail Fartag at Kismayo airport immediately after touching down. Speaking to Bar-kulan, Jubbaland spokesman Abdinasir Serar stated that the delegation set to oversee the humanitarian crisis in the area. After the meeting at the airport, the delegation was escorted to presidential palace, port and Kismayo general hospital. Serar added that the delegation vowed to do something over humanitarian crisis that overshadowed many oarst of Jubbaland.

Mogadishu: starting a project to re-build strategies road

29 Jul- Source: Goobjoog Online/ al Shahid- 98 words

Al Shabaab attacks government base at Yaaqbiriweyne

29 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan- 90 words

Details are emerging of an attack on a military base at Yaaqbiriweyne, in Lower Shabelle region on Sundaynight. Residents confirm that heavy gun battle and mortar shelling could be heard at midnight on Sunday after the militants attacked a military base by the African Union forces [AMISOM] and the Somali government forces. The fighters from al Shabaab escaped from the area after the attack. It was unclear whether there was casualties or not. The militant group did not comment on the attack and nor their websites claimed the attack.

Somaliland Military receives weapons

28 Jul- Source: Somaliland Informer- 70 words

The Somaliland army has acquired weapons, according to sources. Ethiopia is believed to have given the weapons to Somaliland and the incumbent PM of Ethiopia pledged to provide full support to Somaliland government If it is threatened. The PM made the remarks on the occasion of addressing the parliament.

Mass arrest in Jowhar security operation

29 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan/Jowhar Online/Radio Mustaqbal- 118 words

Somali government security forces backed by the African Union forces [AMISOM] have launched search operation in Jowhar town. During the operation which was the largest in recent days, the security forces apprehended dozens of people- mostly teenagers in suspicion for having links with the militant group of al Shabaab. Jowhar district commissioner said the security forces nabbed at least six guns and pistols from the villages while six people were arrested in connection with holding illegal weapons. Meanwhile AMISOM’s head of security in Jowhar said the Monday’s operation was aimed to secure the town and to allow the locals for free movement without fear from al Shabaab.

REGIONAL MEDIA

OIC Secretary General condemns attack against Turkish targets in Mogadishu

29 Jul- Source: Emirates News Agency- 290 words

The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has strongly condemned the suicide attack against the Turkish Embassy and residence housing Turkish diplomats in Mogadishu which claimed lives and caused injuries. Prof. Ihsanoglu who described the attack as a dastardly and cowardly act coming particularly during the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims are in a state of devotion, conveyed his sincere condolences to the Turkish government and the families of the victims.

High Court quashes move to force urban refugees into camps

29 Jul- Source: Coastweek/ Xinhua -1238 words

A Kenyan court on Friday quashed a government directive to move 55,000 mostly Somali refugees living in urban centers across the country into refugee camps. The High Court ruled that the planned relocation of the refugees would infringe on the refugees’ dignity and free movement rights, and indirectly force them back to the Horn of Africa nation.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

A shelter for Somalia’s rape victims

29 Jul- Source: CNN- 7:18 min

Sister Somalia co-founder Fartuun Adan talks to CNN about the events that inspired her to help victims of sexual assault.

Death penalty for Kenyan for killing UK man

29 Jul- Source: AP- 460 words
A Kenyan man was Monday sentenced to death for the September 2011 killing of a British man who was shot dead and his wife kidnapped by Somali gunmen at an island resort on the Kenya coast. Magistrate Johnstone Munguti found Ali Babito Kololo guilty of the murder of British tourist David Tebbutt, 58, who was killed. Tebbutt’s wife Judith, 56, was abducted and taken to Somalia and held by pirates before being released after six months.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Somalia’s future can be bright if politics, diplomacy, and law are used as key tools in executing the violence in the nation. Peace in Somalia, would lead to stable development in the nation—which would benefit its nearby neighbor Kenya. However, before Somalia reaches their goal of peace within the nation, tough talks, and persistent steps toward disarming the trouble makers along with constant international assistance are vitally important to eradicating violence and stabilizing the nation.”

From tension to truce: How Somalia can disarm their war-conflicted nation

29 July- Source: The Voice of Russia-707 Words

Peace — it’s an idea not often associated with Somalia. As civil war continues to contain the nation, a blueprint for peace is slowly being pieced together. Somali expert John Siebert, explained to the Voice of Russia just how Somalia can kick start their nation’s potential peace pact. Various measures in the future need to be taken, in order for Somalia to obtain peace throughout their war-struck nation. Security within the country stays unbalanced as al Shabaab and other groups create violent attacks in Mogadishu and in the countryside as well. “With the international military mission, AMISOM, the Somali Government needs to provide a basic level of security without allowing a military and police response to overwhelm its thinking and meager budget,” John Siebert, Executive Director, Project Ploughshares said.