July 5, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Prime Minister Shirdon holds security meeting in Mogadishu

05 Jul- Source: Radio Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu- 247 words

The prime minister of the federal republic of Somalia Abdi Farah Shirdon on Friday chaired a meeting addressing the security situation of the capital, Mogadishu. The meeting was attended by all national security agencies, the mayor of Mogadishu, representatives of internal security officials and defense ministries. New strategies to improve security in Mogadishu were unveiled in the meeting which will be implemented very soon.

The prime minister who held a press conference after the meeting said that the aim of the meeting was to ensure security is sustained in Banadir region and also paving the way to reopen major roads which connect the city to different regions of Somalia.

The prime minister added that the SFG troops will be participating in the new mission which will see major security developments in the coming 6 months. On the other hand, prime minister Farah addressed the situation of Mr. Hassan Dahir Aweys for the first time since he surrendered himself to the government.

“Mr. Hassan is in our hands and we have provided him with a safe place to say, he is resting and is informed of all the current developments in the country via the media” said the prime minister.

The federal government has been working very hard to weed out al Shabaab elements from the civilian population in Mogadishu who launch attacks on government envoys in the busy streets of the capital.

Key Headlines

Two killed three others wounded in village near Jowhar (Radio Bar-kulan)
Al Shabaab claims to capture government soldiers (Somalimemo Online)
South Africa starts welfare support for refugees (Radio Ergo)
NUSOJ calls on Somaliland Authorities to rescind Court verdict against Hubaal Newspaper Editor and Manager (Somaliweyn Inline)
Somalia’s Islamist insurgents: key players (Global Post/AFP)
Luq district administration speaks about Kismayo clashes (Universal TV)
Danish Refugee Council supports youth displaced in Somaliland (Somaliland Informer)
Iranian Companies Are Targeting UN Cargo Shipments to Somalia (Radio Shabelle)
Somaliland: Talks with SFG to Resume in Turkey (Somaliland Sun)
US envoy in Uganda speaks out on US agenda (Daily Monitor)
Improved Security Brings Prosperity to Property Owners in Mogadishu ( Sabahi Online)
Egypt shows power only comes from force Somali militants say (Reuters)
Barclays to cut Somalia’s remittance “lifeline” (IRIN News)
Killings kidnappings highlight Somalia’s dangers (BDLive)

SOMALI MEDIA

Two killed, three others wounded in village near Jowhar

05 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 127 words

At least two people have been killed, three others wounded after unknown gunmen opened fire on villagers in Bayaxow, located on southern side of Jowhar town, capital of Middle Shabelle region in southern Somalia.

Confirming the incident, Hajji Omarey Osman who is among the locals told Bar-kulan that civilians were attacked while leaving a nearby mosque after morning prayers. The motive of the attack is not yet known, though it’s believed to be a revenge attack. The regional authority reached the area on Thursday morning as tension remains high.

This is not the first time such an allegedly clan-affiliated revenge attack is carried out in the outskirts of Jowhar town, as many were killed in previous attacks.

Prime Minister Shirdon holds security meeting in Mogadishu

05 Jul- Source: Radio Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu- 247 words

“Mr. Hassan is in our hands and we have provided him with a safe place to say, he is resting and is informed of all the current developments in the country via the media” said the prime minister.

The federal government has been working very hard to weed out al Shabaab elements from the civilian population in Mogadishu who launch attacks on government envoys in the busy streets of the capital.

Al Shabaab claims to capture government soldiers

05 Jul- Source: Somalimemo Online/al Shahid- 66 words

Spokesman for the al Shabaab militants, Abdiaziz Abu Musab said that their fighters had captured government soldiers in the Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia.

Abu Musab said in a press statement that al Shabaab militants attacked government forces in Shalanbod in Lower Shabelle, and captured some government soldiers. There were no details in this regard by the forces of the African Union and Somali forces that operate in the region.

South Africa starts welfare support for refugees

05 Jul- Source: Radio Ergo- 192 words

The government of South Africa has begun providing livelihood support to registered Somali refugees. Since January, a cash benefits programme has started enabling the elderly to receive USD 120 per month; those with physical or mental disability USD 180 per month; and a child benefit on top of education support of USD 25 per month.

The programme is similar to social welfare support systems in some European and North American countries and has been advocated for some time by UNHCR and others concerned for the welfare of refugees. Abdiqadir Khaliif Mohamed, a Somali refugee in South Africa, said Somalis were being told parents can only claim the child benefit if they send their children to school.

Mahdi Ibrahim Bolow, a Somali refugee in Pretoria with special needs, is one of the beneficiaries of this cash support. He said it helps him pay for his rent and buy food. However, many Somali refugees in South Africa are reluctant to sign on for the social support, fearing – mistakenly – that it may prohibit them from applying for third country resettlement. There is no connection between the two systems.

NUSOJ calls on Somaliland Authorities to rescind Court verdict against Hubaal Newspaper, Editor and Manager

04 Jul- Source: Somaliweyn online/ Radio Kulmiye- 472 words

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) calls on the Somaliland authorities to quash the verdict against the Manager and the editor of Hubaal Newspaper in Hargeisa and lift the suspension of the newspaper, the latest in a series of attacks against the press in Somaliland.

The Hargeisa regional court handed down the manager of Hubaal, Mohamed Ahmed Jama to one year in prison and two million Somali Shillings in fine, while its editor, Hassan Hussein Abdullahi to two year prison term and two million Somaliland shillings in fines on Wednesday July 3, 2013.

The regional court chief, Osman Diiriye Fanah, announced the verdict. According to the journalists at the court, such verdict was not expected and was different raising fears that the whole media freedoms were undermined.

Luq district administration speaks about Kismayo clashes

04 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Universal TV-88 Words

Luq district administration in Gedo region has talked about the recent fighting that has sparked in the southern Somali port city of Somalia, capital of Lower Jubba region.

Speaking to a crowd which took to the streets on Thursday, Luq district commissioner expressed how he is deeply concerned about Kismayo fighting, warning for another battle to flare in the key Somali town. Gedo administration officials urged rival groups to avoid anything that might cause further clashes in Kismayo city.

Danish Refugee Council supports youth displaced in Somaliland

04 Jul- Source: Somaliland Informer-430 words

Learning a new trade is one step closer to finding a job to make a living in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s main city. With high unemployment rates and limited chances of opening doors to the job market, many young men and women are idle and stuck in poverty.

After six months intensive vocational training, 24 students received certificates at a ceremony in Hargeisa this week. The NGO GAVO together with Danish Refugee Council organized the graduation ceremony for the 24 students who all have a background as internally displaced.

The 17 young women and seven men have all participated in vocational skills trainings during the past half year with students now having graduated as trained tailors, electricians and beauticians, as well as numeracy and literacy skills capacity building. At the ceremony attended by Somaliland Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Mohamud Ahmed Barre and other officials, successful graduates received a financial grant and the tool related to their new trade, to help them increase their chances of future employment.

Iranian Companies Are Targeting UN Cargo Shipments to Somalia

04 July- Source: Radio Shabelle/All Africa- 555 Words

Somalia has become the target of Iranian own logistics companies to make quick money by Establishing small logistics company in the neighboring countries, these companies are often given UN and EU cargo shipments because they are claiming to be Somalia logistics expert.

All these companies are under the control of SIMATECH SHIPPING LLC which has been mentioned into our last article.

Another regional player in the East African Market is SIMA MARINE AFRICA which is not hiding their ownership and their association with SIMATECH SHIPPING LLC, According to their website; they are confirming that they have been handling cargo shipments for UNHRC and DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL to Somalia.

DRC is a Danish Government Agency which has been working in the region for poverty reduction and women’s issue. Most of these consignments are not advertised in a public tender because Samitech and its subsidiaries are often connected to a low level managers whom are not aware the background of these Iranian companies.

Somaliland: Talks with SFG to Resume in Turkey

04 July- Source: Somaliland Sun-639 Words

A team of negotiators is on the way to Turkey for dialogue with counterparts from the Somalia Federal Government-SFG. The technical level talks slated for three days in the Turkish city of Istanbul is expected to propel the agreements reached during the last presidential level meeting in Ankara.

The Somaliland team of negotiators that includes government ministers and members of parliament is led by the Minister of Commerce and international Investment Dr Mohamed Abdilahi Omar who despite change from the foreign ministry still retains his position as chief negotiator with Somalia.

Other members of the Somaliland team of negotiators include Presidency minister Mr. Hirsi Ali Haji Hasan, Minister of Labour and social services Mahmud Garad and Members of parliament Bashe Mohamed Farah, Saeed Jama Elmi and Hildiban Hussein.

According to Somalilandsun sources the SFG team from Mogadishu will be led by the interior minister Abdikarim Hussein Guled who together with Somaliland’s Dr Mohamed A Omar co-signed the Ankara Communiqué after a tripartite meeting hosted by the government of Turkey in Ankara last April.

REGIONAL MEDIA

US envoy in Uganda speaks out on US agenda

05 Jul- Source: Daily Monitor- 396 words

The United States has no hidden intent to deprive Uganda of its resources or establish hegemony over the country as suspected, Ambassador Scott DeLisi said on Wednesday. Mr DeLisi, in an address to guest at America’s 237th Independence anniversary in Kampala, said the perception that his country has a “secret agenda” in Uganda is false.

The ambassador’s remarks were unprovoked. He, however, flagged equality, democracy, and respect for the fundamental rights as values on which to anchor a truly stable, prosperous and democratic country. Uganda Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa asked for increased US investment in Uganda, particularly in health and security sectors.

“We must maintain our efforts and energies on the established stabilisation of Somalia,” he said, adding, “Experience has shown that we only make progress when we work together.” The UPDF, with funding by Washington and the European Union, have provided the leadership in African Union-sanctioned offensive that has resulted in the al-Shabaab being dislodged from Mogadishu and other cities.

Improved Security Brings Prosperity to Property Owners in Mogadishu

04 July- Source: Sabahi Online/All Africa-695 Words

Yasin Ahmed is one of many landlords taking advantage of Mogadishu’s booming housing market. After living in Kenya for 14 years, the 45-year-old returned to the increasingly more peaceful Somali capital to renovate his Waberi district house. He plans to charge 10 times the amount that he used to collect on it in rent.

“My house has five rooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen. I am carrying out extensive renovations on it because rent for houses is expensive when people feel [the security situation is] peaceful. I hope to rent it for $500 [per month] when I finish fixing it,” he told Sabahi.

The housing market in Mogadishu has boomed since Somali and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces pushed al Shabaab out of the city in August 2011. The capital is now much safer on the whole, although al Shabaab attacks against government buildings and public venues persist.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Egypt shows power only comes from force, Somali militants say

04 July- Source: Reuters-332 Words

Events in Egypt, where an elected Islamist president was ousted by the army, showed that power only comes from force, not democracy, Somali militant group al Shabaab said on Thursday. In comments on its Twitter account @HSMPRESS1, al Shabaab said the fate of Egypt’s ousted president, Mohamed Mursi, showed Islamists will not be allowed to rule, even if elected.

“It’s time to remove those rose-tinted spectacles and see the world as accurately as it is, change comes by the bullet alone; NOT the ballot,” the group wrote. Mursi, of the Muslim Brotherhood, urged his supporters not to respond to his ouster with violence.

Al Shabaab ruled Somalia until African Union troops drove it out of the capital and other centres over the last two years, but it still controls swathes of rural areas and launches regular guerrilla-style bombings and attacks against the government, United Nations and others targets.

Somalia’s Islamist insurgents: key players

04 July- Source: Global Post/AFP-559 Words

Somalia’s al Qaeda linked al Shabaab insurgents have lost a series of towns to African Union and government troops, while commanders have initiated purges against rival factions. Here are a series of portraits of Shebab or rival Islamist leaders.

Ahmed Abdi godane: Top commander or “emir” of al Shabaab, aged just 36 and with a $7 million US reward for his arrest, Godane has sought to crush challengers to his command. The camera-shy extremist, a slightly built man said to have once worked as an accountant for an airline company, is one of the most radical supporters of global jihad, a position sometimes at odds with some factions’ more nationalist agendas. Also known by the name Abu Zubayr, he has claimed responsibility for the July 2010 bombings in the Ugandan capital Kampala that killed 74 people. Educated in Pakistan and reportedly trained in Afghanistan, he enjoys Somali poetry. He comes from the Isaaq clan of Somaliland, in the north.

MUKHTAR ROBOW: Former al Shabaab military commander and spokesman who trained in Afghanistan, 50-year old Robow has fallen out with Godane. Influential and powerful, the US have offered $5 million for his arrest. Also known as Abu Mansur, he is believed to have fled Godane to his Rahanweyn clan stronghold near Baidoa in south-central Somalia.

Barclays to cut Somalia’s remittance “lifeline”

04 July- Source: IRIN News-1549 Words

By withdrawing banking services from more than 250 money-transfer companies, Britain’s Barclays Bank risks severing an essential lifeline for millions of people in Somalia who depend on remittances from relatives in the UK, warn humanitarians, rights activists and academics.

For most of the remittance firms, the move is set to come into effect on 10 July, although an extension of 30 days has been granted to some of the companies. Barclays said there was a risk that some of the firms might be “unwittingly facilitating money laundering and terrorist financing”.

Companies set to have their Barclays accounts shut down – effectively ending their UK operations – include one of Africa’s largest remittance firms, Dahabshiil. While countries other than Somalia may also be affected, ongoing humanitarian challenges in the nation and the absence of a formal banking system there mean that Barclays’ decision could have devastating consequences.

Jail terms and heavy fines for two Somaliland journalists

04 July- Source: Reporters Without Borders-412 Words

Reporters Without Borders condemns the long jail sentences that a court in Hargeisa, the capital of the autonomous northwestern region of Somaliland, imposed yesterday on Hassan Hussein Abdullahi, the editor of the Hargeisa-based daily Hubaal, and Mohamed Ahmed Jama, the newspaper’s manager.

Abdullahi was sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of 2 million Somaliland shillings (1,100 euros) and Jama was sentenced to a year in prison and a fine of 1 million Somaliland shillings (550 euros) for allegedly libelling foreign diplomats and Somaliland’s president.

“The jailing of Abdullahi and Jama is a gross violation of freedom of expression,” Reporters Without Borders said. “This decision by Somaliland’s judicial authorities violates the region’s legislation, which stipulates that media offences must be tried before a civil court, not a criminal one.

Warring factions plague Somali port city

04 July- Source: The Globe and Mail-556 Words

The strategic Somali port city of Kismayu, once a stronghold for Islamist militants, has continued to descend into violence even though the militants have withdrawn, raising concerns that greater fragmentation, not peace, awaits parts of this stricken country.

The fighting raging in Kismayu involves rival clans vying for power after the militant withdrawal from the city last year. In recent clashes, at least 71 people were killed and more than 300 were wounded, the World Health Organization said Thursday.

The city “remains a volatile area,” the organization said in a statement, “with observed increase in fighting among warring factions, and other incidences of violence such as land mines and hand grenade attacks.” In Somalia, ousting one set of armed fighters often seems to mean that others will step in.

Killings, kidnappings highlight Somalia’s dangers

05 July- Source: BDLive-506 Words

The deadly assault by Islamists in Mogadishu last month, killing three Denel Mechem staff members, has highlighted the dangers of the United Nations (UN) humanitarian programme, says the company’s CEO, Stephan Burger.

Two South Africans and a Somali citizen serving in the UN compound died during the attack on June 20 threatening the security gains in that country that had allowed a slow trickle of foreign aid workers and diplomats to return to the beleaguered city.

The attack happened hardly a month after the kidnapping of its 12 demining staff members in Senegal in May. The UN and Senegalese government are still battling to secure the freedom of nine employees who were taken hostage. Early last month the rebel group agreed to release three women.

“The tragedy of having our staff kidnapped or killed indicates some of the extremely dangerous situations that our dedicated personnel face in the fields. This is besides the fact that they are already out there to work with very unstable antipersonnel land mines possibly hidden in the ground for more than 15 years,” he said.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Somali writer Nuruddin Farah has faced numerous death threats since he first crossed his country’s regime. He tells Jo Kerrigan about life outside his homeland.”

Risking his life for his writing

05 July- Source: Irish Examiner-1069 Words

ONE of the star attractions at this year’s West Cork Literary Festival (July 7-13) will undoubtedly be Nuruddin Farah, the renowned Somali novelist. Farah published his first novel, From A Crooked Rib, in 1970, just a year after his native country was taken over by General Barre, a man whose dictatorial and autocratic policies were to form the backdrop to later works. It is the story of a girl who flees from an arranged marriage to discover that male domination exists everywhere. Its intense perspective on life from the woman’s viewpoint is so convincing that the publishers at first could not accept a man had written it.

From a Crooked Rib earned Farah the Neustadt International Prize for Literature and became the start of his international reputation. In 1975 came A Naked Needle, which brought down the wrath of the then Somali regime, forcing him into exile and into the wandering lifestyle which he has maintained since. It was at this point that Nuruddin made the life decision to keep the culture and heart of his homeland alive by recreating it in his books. Since the fall of General Barre he has returned to Somalia on rare occasions, but always at great personal risk.

“Somalia needs a very balanced strategic engagement with the neighboring countries. The recent examples of Kenya and Ethiopia military support did not exemplify a great relationship, yet they are playing a supportive role in the discourse of IGAD and other regional authorities. The time to have a direction is already past, as this political fuzziness can have far more damaging and soaring scars that will take longer to heal, something Somalia cannot afford after years of distraction.”

Our engagement policy with the neighboring countries can slide us back into chaos

04 July- Source: Hiiraan Online-1498 Words

In the past two decades and so, there was never a consensus on any type of military involvement in the Somalia. The country’s two decade plus of pull-push political discourse was filled up with either proponents of “military support”- as they will call it- that ensures to secures control of strategic resourceful geographical area. Or, opponents of “military intervention” – as they will call it – that are weakened or at risk of jeopardizing its ambitions, political stakes, or economic gains. I don’t think there is a need for me to spell out the chronological history of foreign military interventions or support- whichever name you may give it- in Somalia.

Because of the globalized world, there has been continuous foreign interventions to Somalia (just like any other country), but what makes differences were perspectives of those proponents and opponents use when it comes the reasons behind such an intervention. Ethiopia, being a military giant in east Africa, and an ally with the US and many other western countries had a unique continually changing political position with and against any arising political ally in Somalia.

“Even where Ministerial appointments in general in Somalia and the self declared independent State of Somaliland were not tribe based, would Somaliland need so many Ministers and their assistants? Even the most advanced nations will be embarrassed by such a number. There just is not enough room at the cabinet table.”

How many Ministers does Somaliland need?

04 July- Source: Somaliland Press/Hiiraan Online-1326 Words

Our quiet afternoon tea in the rare British sun was disturbed by the loud shouting of a few excited old men. We looked up, smiled and asked what the commotion was about. They looked at us surprised as if we had been living in a cave for the last century. How could we political enthusiasts of all people not have known that the President of Somaliland, Silanyo, had just announced his reshuffle? It was of enormous importance as the development of the unrecognised nation depended on it.

The 22 or so appointed champions of policy excellence in their fields were to commence their urgent work immediately. Somaliland, supposedly, is on the path to prosperity and these selected Ministers will only assist in the acceleration of this. There must have been some tears as those Silanyo supposedly felt were least performing or unsuitable for their posts were made redundant. Those who have been appointed, kept on or have been re-assigned include the former Education, Health and Foreign Ministers.

“One of the major challenges for Somaliland is unemployment, which stands at 40 per cent. But Somaliland has a lot of potential. Besides the availability of untapped oil and gas both inland and offshore, Somaliland has minerals and metals, including the much-sought after coltan.”

Somaliland: Surviving Without Recognition

04 July- Source: Somaliland Press-353 Words

Without international recognition, Somaliland is deprived of foreign aid and foreign direct investments and cannot borrow from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The country has to depend on taxes, inland revenues, Customs and remittances from its nationals in the diaspora to raise revenue for running the government.

The current government of Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo is looking at a $160 million budget to be read in September. In the past financial year, the government met 76 per cent of its tax collection target.

“We want our people to first try to fund the government operations before they look for funding from other countries,” said the Director-General (Permanent Secretary) in the Ministry of Finance, Suleiman Jama Diriye. The country depends on its diaspora, who remit about $400 million to relatives back home.

Top tweets

@MattBryden #Somali Minister of Finance denies allegations of irregular payments by Central Bank, demands proofhttp://t.co/2zPAS3OhYI

@lhammondsoas Excellent new summary of the current@Barclays / Somalia remittance company situation by@Zoe_Flood http://t.co/caAAB6DH6G

@Adesoafrica Research by @OxfamAmerica and @Adesoafricasuggests Somali diaspora in the UK send £100 mill+ to Somalia every year. http://bit.ly/12Kx0K6

@mary_harper UK shadow international development minister@rushanaraali convenes meeting on #remittance crisis#Somalia @Barclays http://bit.ly/18an7hg

@BGIPU Deputy Speaker-led parliamentary delegation from Somalia arriving London tomorrow for programme at UK Parliament and in Cardiff 8-12 July

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Image of the day

Image of the day Hundreds of Somali girls graduating from an Islamic school in north eastern Somali town of Laascaanood. Photo: @NaleyeAbdirizak