July 7, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Somali Prime Minister warns strict measures against “spoilers on media”

07 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio RBC/SNTV- 223 words

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has warned what he termed as “spoilers using media to instil fear and insecurity among the society” following deadly attacks in the capital, Mogadishu in the past days.

During an extraordinary cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister vowed that the government will not tolerate those who use the local media to create a propaganda of security and spread fear during these hard days.

“I want to send direct warning to some individuals who are busy in creating and spreading fear and insecurity through local media, We will not tolerate those individuals,” the Prime Minister said according to a press release from the cabinet meeting late on Sunday.

“If those individuals do not stop this behavior, it will bear severe consequences from the government,” he warned.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister acknowledged the work of the independent media to spread the message of peace and stability across Somalia citing that free media is very vital for a society like Somalia.

The warning came as independent politicians and Members of the country’s Federal Parliament critically spoken of the growing insecurity in the capital since the start of Ramadan month as the militant group al Shabaab claimed dozens of deadly attacks and assassinations against members of the government security forces and civilians.

Key Headlines

Somali Prime Minister warns strict measures against “spoilers on media” (Radio Mogadishu/Radio RBC)
Somali traffic police soldier shot dead in Mogadishu (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Kulmiye)
Somali cabinet debate arming the traffic police (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Dalsan)
Two men in government army uniform killed in Jowhar town (Radio Risaala/Radio Bar-kulan)
Government forces conduct security operation in Balad Hawo (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog)
Attorney General High Court Judges Reject Newly Formed Committee (Universaltv/Radio Dalsan)
Somali refugees in Kenya face hardship due to limited services of aid agencies (Radio Goobjoog)
Al Shabaab warns more attacks in Kenya urges troops withdrawal from Somalia (Somalimemo Online/Al Shahid)
Clan militia clashes leave one dead near Haradere Mudug region (Radio Bar-kulan)
Troops for Jubbaland State Complete Training in Kismayo (Radio Dalsan/Dhanaan Online)
Bomb explosion in Balad Hawa leaves at least four dead (Radio RBC)
Accident claims 7 on Mogadishu-Afgoye road (Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Dalsan)
Gedo: Herders migrate to Juba regions in search of water and pasture (Radio Ergo)
Police spokesman: “ government forces have prevented many attack on innocent people in Mogadishu”(Radio Goobjoog)
Somaliland President names historic town of Taleh as New Region (Garowe Online)
Somalia regional states urge central government to share international aid (Somali Current)
Russian tourist shot dead in Mombasa (Standard Media)
Somaliland Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air Transport takes full charge of Airspace (Somaliland Informer)
Somaliland President Establishes National Fire-fighting Brigade (Somaliland Sun)
Djibouti Somaliland agree to tighten security-Interior Minister (Somaliland Informer)
AMISOM facilitates donation of dates to needy families (AMISOM)
Somalia crafting law against terror as attacks on the rise (Daily Nation)
Gunmen kill 17 in attacks on police stations barracks in Uganda (Reuters)
Van with 21 migrants stopped at Italian border (The Local Italy Edition)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali Prime Minister warns strict measures against “spoilers on media”

07 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio RBC/SNTV- 223 words

“If those individuals do not stop this behavior, it will bear severe consequences from the government,” he warned.

Somali traffic police soldier shot dead in Mogadishu

07 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Kulmiye-109 words

Two men armed with pistols Sunday night shot dead a Somali traffic police soldier in Yaqshid district of Banadir region. Yusuf Hassan Addow was shot dead on his way home from work according to witnesses in the area who talked to Bar-kulan.

The witnesses added that the assailants who carried out the killing were arrested along with their weapons and taken to the CID headquarters where they are now being interrogated.

Since the start of the holy month of Ramadan, attacks against Somali traffic police has increased after al Shabaab vowed to step up attacks during the holy month of Ramadan.

Somali cabinet debate arming the traffic police

07 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Dalsan/RBC – 124 words

The Somali cabinet has discussed the possibility of arming the Somali traffic police following the increased targeting of the officers by the armed group al Shabaab. A traffic officer was killed in Yaqshid district in the capital Mogadishu becoming the fifth personnel killed while on duty this week.

Somali traffic police force has never been equipied with arms except normal whistle and sticks to direct the traffic. Al Shabaab militant group through their spokesman Ali Dere has vowed that his group will continue killing the officers on the road.

Somali Police Traffic Commandant General Ali Hirsi Gab has urged the cabinet to approve the arming of the force saying it will protect their lives from the dangers of al Shabaab militant group members in the roads.

Two men in government army uniform killed in Jowhar town

07 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Risaala- 107 words

Two men dressed in government army uniform were on Sunday shot dead, while another one was injured in the outskirts of Jowhar town, the provincial capital of Middle Shabelle region. The attack was reportedly carried out by al Shabaab militants.

Witnesses in the outskirts of Jowhar who asked for anonymity told Bar-kulan that the three men were attacked and killed after they set up an illegal roadblock in the area.

Al Shabaab militant group has increased its attacks against government installations and civilians alike since the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan late last month.

Government forces conduct security operation in Balad Hawo

07 Jul- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog- 95 words

Government forces have launched security operations in Balad Hawo district in the border of Kenya earlier today. The security forces have closed the roads and disrupted with public transport in the town as the forces were searching business premises and houses.

A senior security officer in Balad Hawo told the media that this operation is part of the government’s plan to maintain the overall security of the country. The operation comes a time when over four people sustained injuries after explosion occurred at a restaurant in the town.

Attorney General, High Court Judges Reject Newly Formed Committee

07 Jul- Source: Universaltv/Radio Dalsan/Radio Shabelle- 41 words

High Court judges and the Attorney General opposed a committee the parliament approved recently. Speaking at a meeting attended by senior High Court Judges on Sunday, the AG Abdulqadir Muse said that committee was illegal and a problem to the judiciary. After the meeting, they issued statements signed by the chairperson of the high court, Aideed Ilka Hanaf. However their rejection comes a time when the president has already assented that committee.

Somali refugees in Kenya face hardship due to limited services of aid agencies

07 Jul- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 141 words

Somali refugees in Kenyan refugee camps face hardship and difficulties after the aid agencies limited their services in the area. Mohamed Adan Arale, one of the refugees told Radio Goobjoog that the services of the aid agencies in the camps decreases day after day especially medical services, hence most of the people in the camps cannot afford to get medicine a time when there is fear of outbreak of diseases in the camps. He added that a good number of Somali refugees returned to their homes voluntarily due to insecurity, limited services and abuse by Kenyan forces. Somalis continue to experience one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Kenya hosts at least one million Somali refugees who fled from their country after the central government was overthrown.

Al Shabaab warns more attacks in Kenya, urges troops withdrawal from Somalia

07 Jul- Source: Somalimemo Online/Al Shahid/Al Furqaan radio – 194 words

Al Shabaab spokesman, Ali Mahmud Rage (Ali Dhere) who spoke to media after Saturday’s attacks in Kenyan coastal town called on Kenyan government to withdraw its troops from Somalia if wishes to see ceasure in attacks.

“We warned you several times but you have ignored our warning. We will continue targeting Kenyans till your troops give up massacre our innocent Somalis and killing Muslim clerics in Kenya,” al Shabaab spokesman threatened.

“Leave our country if you want peace. You will not get peace with what Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta tells you. You kill many Muslim clerics in Mombasa. We will not ignore your apparent targeting Muslims,” he added.

The attackers killed 13 in the town of Hindi and nine dead and one missing in the town of Gamba as Kenya Red Cross confirmed but Ali Dhere claimed his group killed more than 30 in Saturday’s attacks. Shabab already announced they will redouble attacks against Kenyans.

Clan militia clashes leave one dead near Haradere, Mudug region

07 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 126 words

At least one person has been killed and another injured in clashes between two clan militias in Amara village, 80 KM south of Haradere district, Mudug region according to one of the traditional elders in the village who talked to Bar-kulan.

Said Ali, the traditional elder said the confrontation was caused by disputes over sharing of ransom money received from a ship which the two militias jointly seized last year near Haradere, Mudug region. The traditional elders are reportedly engaging with the sides in a bid to ease the tensions.

Locals in Amara village who talked to Bar-kulan said businesses in the area remain closed as tensions remain high following the clashes between the two sides.

Troops for Jubbaland State Complete Training in Kismayo

07 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan/Dhanaan Online/Somali Channel- 64 words

Troops loyal to the Interim Jubbaland State concluded training at Madhamaato Airport in Kismayo. They were being trained there for quite some time. Ahmed Madobe, the President of the Interim Jubbaland State who spoke there at the closing ceremony of the training said that these troops were trained to combat al Shabaab and improve security in the state. He acknowledged that AMISOM supported the training.

Bomb explosion in Balad Hawa leaves at least four dead

07 Jul – Source: Radio RBC – 122 words

At least four people are believed to have died in a bomb attack that targeted a restaurant in Balad Hawa, Gedo region. Three Somali government soldiers and one civilian confirmed dead following a bomb explosion in a restaurant active on serving food to government soldiers in Balad Hawa.

Six more people are also stated to have been harmed by the explosion that targeted the restaurant in the border town.

The bomb explosion is believed to have been planted inside the restaurant earlier the day and blew up killing soldiers who were at that time taking meals inside the restaurant according to Somali government commanders in the town. No one has claimed the responsibility for the attack so far.

Accident claims 7 on Mogadishu-Afgoye road

07 Jul- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Dalsan/Weheliye Online 64 words

Accident involving two vehicles claimed the lives of at least 7 people along the highway connecting Mogadishu to Afgoye. Scores of others were injured. The accident happened near Arbiska. This happened after one of those vehicle’s drivers lost control of the vehicle and hit the other vehicle. The injured victims of the accident were rushed to Madina and Banadir hospitals in Mogadishu.

Gedo: Herders migrate to Juba regions in search of water and pasture

06 Jul- Source: Radio Ergo- 170 words

Pastoralist communities in Gedo region have begun to migrate with their livestock to Lower and Middle Juba regions due to drought and famine that have been crippling Gedo in recent years.

Radio Ergo’s local reporter said most of the pastoralist families are moving from the rural areas surrounding Gedo’s six largest districts of Dolow, Baledhawo, Luq, Elwaq, Garbaharey and Burdhubo.

The latter two districts have been under siege since al Shabaab imposed a road blockade on them earlier this year. Abdullahi Diriye, a herder, trekking with his livestock to Middle Juba region, said conflict and the blockade had made their life too difficult.

“We haven’t received sufficient rains in recent years and the livestock can get nothing to eat from the region,” he told Radio Ergo. He said rains were falling in neighbouring Juba regions, which was attracting them there. The blockade, he said, had denied pastoralist people access to the local markets to sell their livestock. This, coupled with the poor condition of the animals, meant prices had fallen dramatically.

Police spokesman: “ government forces have prevented many attack on innocent people in Mogadishu”

06 Jul – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 120 words

Police command of federal government of Somalia stated that the forces prevented planned attacks which al Shabaab was intending to carry out in Mogadishu.

Police spokesman Qasim Ahmed Roble speaking to Radio Goobjoog said that since the government plan dubbed ‘break your with peace’ initiated the government forces have been alert and succeeded to put a stop to many security threats against government institutions. The spokesman urged the community to co-operate with the security forces so as to maintain the overall security of the country in particular the capital city.

Despite the claims of police command suicide car bomb explosion and targeted assassinations in the capital, Mogadishu on Saturday has claimed the lives of more than seven people mostly government forces.

Somaliland President names historic town of Taleh as New Region

06 Jul- Source: Garowe Online- 117 words

The President of Somaliland administration Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud (Siilaanyo) named Sool regional town of Taleh as the provincial capital of Haysimo

According to a presidential decree released to the media on Saturday, Haysimo would compose of Sarmanyo, Halin, Aroley, God’alo and Taleh where Somaliland briefly seized from Khaatumo state without resistance in June.

President Siilaanyo announced the new region of Haysimo in accordance with demands from traditional and community leaders as well as Islamic scholars, the decree stated.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia declared its independence from the rest of the country as de facto sovereign state in 1991 but it has not been recognized internationally yet.

Somalia regional states urge central government to share international aid

06 Jul- Source: Somali Current- 130 words

Puntland and Jubaland regional states of Somalia have called upon central government in Mogadishu to share international donor funding.

officials from the states have appealed the Mogadishu government to respect the constitution in its decisions.

Speaking during a meeting in the capital of Jubaland Kismayu members of parliament from states have welcomed the formation of interim south western states while urging the federal government to help the new administration fight against terror.

The members also acknowledged the challenge facing the central government in federalization of the country in their press conference.

Jubaland and Puntland leaders also discussed how to improve the cooperation between the regional states. Somalia receives million of dollars inform of aid from the international community every year.

Somaliland Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air Transport takes full charge of Airspace

06 Jul – Source: Somaliland Informer – 118 words

Somaliland’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air Transport has of lately been preparing itself for the full transfer of the control of its airspace which was previously been controlled by Cacas and ICAO under the auspices of the UNDP and has successfully completed all the necessary preparations.

The Press Statement released by the Ministry spokesperson Mr. Saddam Mohamed Ahmed stated as follows:-

Somaliland Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air Transport will from now henceforth be the solely bear the responsibility of control the most important part of airport functions, the ATC, ground based communication system and have successfully tested newly acquired communications equipment to be used in communicating and directing airplanes in the upper and low airspace.

Somaliland President Establishes National Fire-fighting Brigade

06 Jul – Source: Somaliland Sun – 118 words

Somaliland President Ahmed Mohammed Mohamud Silanyo has established a national fire-fighting brigade division of the National Police Force. He at the same time formed a new provincial administration curved out from Sool region hence named a new cabinet minister in charge of the co-ordination of the national Assemblies, research and technology.

The Head of State outlined in details through Presidential decree No JSL/M/XERM/249-2619/072014 the objectives of the new agency outlining the body, structure and extent of services to be rendered.

Mr. Ali Hamud Jibril has been named the new minister in charge of coordination of National Assemblies, Research and Technology replacing the former occupier of the office who was sacked last month.

Djibouti, Somaliland agree to tighten security-Interior Minister

06 Jul – Source: Somaliland Informer – 150 words

Somaliland’s Interior Minister Hon Ali Mohamed Waran Adde leading a delegation to Djibouti on working visit and is accompanied by Police Commissioner Brigadier General Abdilahi Fadal Iman, Attorney General Hon Hassan Ahmed Adam, and the head of intelligence Agency Hon Jama Mohamed Botan.

Mr. Ali has briefed the local press what they achieved during the talks that they held their counterparts in Djibouti. Mr. Waran Adde has briefly told that the two countries agreed to cooperate on maintaining security and peace of both countries that share border. He added that Djibouti & Somaliland has trade ties that are significant for the people of both nations.

He further revealed that they agreed to tighten security and cooperate information gathering to deter threats from extremist groups the likes of Al Shabab that conduct terrorist attacks in both countries. He added that both nations share issue of common interest be it security, trade and immigration.

AMISOM facilitates donation of dates to needy families

05 Jul- Source: AMISOM- 155 words

As the saying goes, charity begins at home. On Thursday, AMISOM donated dates to less fortunate families living near Aden Abdulle International Airport. The exercise coordinated by AMISOM’s Women and Child Protection Officer Ms. Kaoutar Kaddouri was supported by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to Somalia.

Close to a hundred households and dozens of young street children received packages ranging from a kilo to twelve kilos depending on the sizes of the respective families.

“This is a small gesture to our neighbours living near our camp as we begin the month of Ramadan. We hope that this donation of 1.2 tonnes will greatly benefit the families,” said Ms. Kaddouri while thanking the UAE embassy, which supported the donation.

Dates are an important part of the diet especially during the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims observe a dawn to dusk fast from food and drink.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Russian tourist shot dead in Mombasa

07 Jul – Source: Standard Media – 138 words

Russian tourist was yesterday shot dead by gunmen who escaped in a waiting car at Mombasa’s Old Town. Thirty-year-old Maria Tatyana was murdered about five metres from the Shia Sheri Mosque and an abandoned building in the historic town at around 10am as she was being shown around by tour guides.

Eyewitnesses told The Standard the three attackers escaped in a car towards Mombasa town centre after one opened fire on the Russian and her two friends, against police claims that the assailants fled on foot. The tourist who reportedly spoke English was shot once in the forehead along Kitui Street when she declined to surrender her belongings.

This, police claim, has been disputed by eyewitnesses who said nothing was stolen or robbed from the Russian national who was staying at a hotel in the Kenyan south coast.

Somalia crafting law against terror as attacks on the rise

06 Jul- Source: Daily Nation-515 Words

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed urged the Somali Parliament to accelerate the passing of an Anti-terrorism bill. “The parliament is required to pass the antiterrorism law in order to empower the government to deal with terror being waged in Somalia,” said the premier.

PM Ahmed was addressing 726 officers from the police force and national security agency at General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu on Saturday. He added: “The Somali government has the capacity to deal with Nabadeed (anti-peace elements, a regular reference to the al Shabaab Islamist militants), but it lacks the right instruments to deal with the situation.”

The premier’s statement to the security apparatus came at a time the militants loyal to the al Qaeda linked al Shabaab vowed to multiply their attacks especially during the holy month of Ramadhan. The premier expressed sympathy to those who suffered as a result of the al Shabaab offences.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Gunmen kill 17 in attacks on police stations, barracks in Uganda

07 Jul – Source: Reuters – 121 words

Gunmen killed 17 people when they attacked three police stations and a military barracks in western Uganda, in an area that was once the scene of an insurgency by Islamist rebels, the military said on Sunday.

Paddy Ankunda, spokesman for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, said the dead included three policemen and five soldiers. A total of 41 of the attackers were killed while another 12 were captured during the raids on Saturday evening, he added.

The gunmen, from a local militia, had no connection to the Islamist rebel group ADF-NALU, which preyed on the local population in the late 1990s and early 2000s before it was defeated and forced to flee into the jungles of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Van with 21 migrants stopped at Italian border

7 Jul – source: The Local, Italy Edition – 134 words

Police at the Italian-Austrian border crossing at Tarvisio noticed something unusual about a van that was attempting to cross the border into Italy, accompanied by a car, according to media reports.

Inside the back of the delivery van were people from Eritrea, Somalia, Syria and Ethiopia. The van contained a total of 21 people in crowded and inhumane conditions.

Because the presumed migrants were crossing from Austria, they were deported back for processing by the Austrian authorities, who will assess their claims for asylum, if they choose to make them.

Four Hungarians, including a 41-year-old father and his 21-year-old son, were arrested and transferred to a detention center in Udine, according to Friuli media. Both of the vehicles have been confiscated. Italian police have tightened their border controls in recent times to combat smuggling.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Al Shabaab has never shied away from claiming responsibility for the deaths. What we should determine is what these miscreants are doing in the country. Their headquarters are in Somalia, the country they had run to its knees until the Kenya defense forces went in to liberate it. Having vanquished them in parts of Somalia, our security forces must get them out of our midst.”

As we secure Somalia, who will protect us from the enemy within

07 Jul- Source: Source: Standard Media-536 Words

Yet again, Kenya woke up to the gruesome news that criminals had once more killed over 20 people on Saturday night. These suspected terrorist attacks were in the Hindi and Gamba areas of Lamu. Indeed, this is very depressing news, especially considering that the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior has consistently been assuring Kenyans security has been beefed up across the country.

The audacious attackers have been targeting police stations and getting away with it. In the process, those meant to protect Kenyans are as helpless as we are. At the Gamba police station, the attackers freed a suspect who had been arrested following the Mpeketoni attack. That those killed were non-Muslim is neither here nore there. Terror knows no religion. Who then will protect the public from this aggression?

Even before the Government could ascertain what was going on, the insurgent Al-Shabaab militia group in Somalia had claimed credit for the Hindi attack. If they are to be believed, all the attackers went safely back home. The implication is clear, nobody will be apprehended and the thugs will live to repeat their heinous acts another day. For a people living under constant fear of the unknown, this is not good news.

“Looking into ourselves also means accepting that each of us has a role to play in the war against al Shabaab. We must refuse to approach the Shabaab menace like some dimwits in a fight who deliberately bind themselves to a post, and place their hindquarters so ‘strategically’ as to give opponents an opportunity to kick them.”

On insecurity, we lost the plot when we failed to embrace true nationhood

06 Jul- Source: Daily Nation-702 Words

This is a reminder to all Kenyans: we are at war with a murderous terrorist network that continues to spread death and anarchy in the country. In ordinary circumstances, people fight because they can no longer trust dialogue to settle their disputes.

Before and during such fights, however, combatants must deliberately weigh their ability to defeat the opponent, notwithstanding how blinded by tempers they could be. This, as Sun Tzu puts it in The Art of War, means knowing themselves and their enemy. “If you know the enemy, know yourself,” he wrote.

From what we have seen so far, we now know how the enemy operates. And here, I am not talking about the knowledge our clandestine outfits have on terrorists. I am talking about us — the Kipyegos, Onyangos, the Kamaus, Wanzius and Abdullahis. From all the attacks we have experienced, we have a clearer picture of how al Shabaab operates. So, where is the missing link?

“The drying of East Africa is a serious problem that cannot be solved piecemeal: refugees from East Africa end up in Yemen, further straining that country. The instability in Somalia allows pirates to operate from its coasts, affecting global shipping. As the problem affects more than one country, so the solution must involve a coherent regional response.”

Threat to East Africa needs a united response

05 Jul- Source: The National ( UAE)-419 Words

The Gulf states have long prided themselves on being islands of stability in a region of strife. And not without good reason: from Libya to Iraq, every country is going through some form of conflict, high-profile fighting that draws the attention.

Yet, on the doorstep of the Gulf, is another emergency, brewing almost silently. Over the weekend, the United Nations warned that Yemen and Somalia need vast and urgent financial assistance or else they face hunger on a vast scale. It is a crisis that, with wars being fought on the Gulf’s northern border, is too easy to ignore. But the coming crisis in Somalia and Yemen could be vast. Now is the time for concerted effort to address it.

Both countries are in the grip of a broader drying of the Horn of Africa. Three years ago, the region faced its worst drought for half a century. Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia have all felt its effects and experienced food shortages. Yemen, historically the wettest and most fertile of the countries of the peninsula, has felt this change, too.

Top tweets

@faoinsomalia FAO Early Warning: #FoodSecurity worsens as#drought looms in #Somalia Emergency unfolding among#Mogadishu IDPs http://bitly.com/1hHCcvd

‏@Adesoafrica #Remittances mean I can pay medical bills.#SomaliLifeline http://chn.ge/1lQoRlg #Somalia pic.twitter.com/1wLNSlAXYL

@OCHASom #Somalia:Underfunding has led to +200 school closures since Jan. This doesn’t include schools closed due to conflict pic.twitter.com/zyRWXF7EvX

@E_Somalia Somewhere in Hiiraan region, onions are harvested and ready to be shipped to Central and Northern Somali regions. pic.twitter.com/2AzZZGsm9p

@amisomsomalia 1/ A man sits at the base of the renovated Monument to the Unknown Warrior in the Boondheere district of#Mogadishu pic.twitter.com/yIUHSu7kv4

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Image of the day #Somalia Anti terror police unit launched in Mogadishu on Saturday. Photo: ‏@HAliGesey