June 10, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report

Interior Minister Urges Ahlu Sunna To Withdraw From Dhusamareb

10 June – Source: Shabelle News – 114 Words

Somalia’s Minister of Interior and Federalism, Abdurahman Mohamed Hussein has urged moderate Islamist group Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a leaders to withdraw its militias from strategic town of Dhusamareb, Shabelle reports. Minister Mohamed Hussein said that Somalia government is committed to accelerate the completing of central State formation conference in a bid to form regional State for Mudug and Galgadud regions. Hussein urged representatives who participates the conference and technical committees to solve all disagreement on Adado talks through dialogue. The Interior Minister also called on Ahlu Sunna leaders to withdraw its militias from Dhusamareb town which was captured by its militias from Somalia National Army after hours of fighting.

Key Headlines

Interior Minister Urges Ahlu Sunna To Withdraw From Dhusamareb (Shabelle News)
Statistic Information By Soma Oil And Gas Belongs To Somali Government And Its People Says Petroleum Minister (Goobjoog News)
Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a Militia Reject Pull-back Calls (Horseed Media)
Mogadishu-bound Turkish Airline Abandons Passengers At Djibouti Airport (Hiiraan Online)
Puntland President Replaces His Chief Of Staff (Goobjoog News)
Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a Seize More Towns In Central Somalia (Somali Current)
A Section Of Gedo Residents Take To The Streets Over “Inaction” By AMISOM (Wacaal Media)
EALA Speaker And Somalia Parliament Counterpart Hold Talks In Kampala (Star Africa)
Fate Of Police Officer Abducted By Al-Shabaab In 2013 Still Uncertain (Standard Digital)
Former Regional Editor Helps Found New Bilingual Newspaper (holdthefrontpage.co.uk)
MasterCard Taps Into Somalia’s Remittance Money Battles Visa In Africa (International Business Times)
Judge OKs Home Release For MN Man Convicted Of Threatening FBI Agents (MPR News)
The Perilous Plague Without A Bridle (Somaliland Sun)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Statistic Information By Soma Oil And Gas Belongs To Somali Government And Its People, Says Petroleum Minister

10 June – Source: Goobjoog News – 374 Words

Somali Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mohamed Muktar Ibrahim spoke about the statistic information gathered by Soma Oil and Gas Company which has yet to be handed over to the government as stipulated in the signed oil exploration contract with Somali federal government. In an exclusive interview the minister gave to Universal TV, he said that no one can keep Somalia’s natural resources information, therefore the information must be handed over to Somali government within the month of August this year. “The data is belongs to Somali government and its people…It does not make meaningful [sense] to get the data and keeping it in a room as the information can fall into the hands of wrong people which can lead more economic damage to Somali government” he said. “Somalia’s natural resources information cannot be put into someone’s pocket, you can understand how limited facilities we have here, even if we get the information, the marketing, and safeguarding of the information needs a lot of efforts,” he added. The minister highlighted that when it comes to drilling and production of oil, there should be two important factors to consider, protecting from wrong hands and measures to prevent creation of new conflict over it.

Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a Militia Reject Pull-back Calls

10 June – Source: Horseed Media – 189 Words

The Somalia moderate Islamist militia Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a group says it will not give up the captured key central town of Dhusamareb, despite a demand from the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Somalia. Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a’s head of Political Affairs, Abdisalan Adam Hussein dismissed accusations that the group is breaking a truce reached with the Federal government of Somalia. ‘’We will not pull back from our positions on the ground. Our forces did not capture Dhusamareb under Nicholas Kay demands and we will not retreat,’’ he said in an interview with the BBC Somali Service.

Ambassador Nicholas Kay called for the militias to move back ‘’to earlier positions’’ and disputes resolved via ‘’peaceful dialogue’’. Dhusamareb, the capital of Galgadud region and North of Mogadishu, was under the control of forces loyal to the Federal Government of Somalia. Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a is a paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to the radical Islamist groups such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia. It became prominent in 2008, when it took up arms against Al-Shabaab after the radical group began destroying the tombs of the country’s Sufi saints.

Mogadishu-bound Turkish Airline Abandons Passengers At Djibouti Airport

09 June – Source: Hiiraan Online – 322 Words

Almost 100 passengers including elderly people were left stranded at a Djibouti airport after Turkish Airline abandoned them. Mogadishu-bound flight was re-routed to Djibouti as result of cross winds that prevented the plane from landing at Mogadishu airport, passengers told Hiiraan Online. TK flight 0686 has since flown to Istanbul, abandoning its passengers in Djibouti without prior notice. The plane’s pilot has later radioed Djibouti airport, informing them he’d make another attempt to fly to Mogadishu, however, passengers haven’t been flown to Mogadishu for two days. One of the passengers who stranded at the Djibouti airport told Hiiraan Online that the airline has failed to take care of them, denying them of hotel bookings, an arrangement often used by airlines that fall short of timely customer services. “There were few white European and Turkish passengers, the Turkish embassy received the Turkish passengers and provided them accommodations. The Europeans were also allowed to go, the Chinese and Qatari ambassadors were also among the passengers but they left as well.” said one of the passengers who were forced to stay in Djibouti for more than two days.

Despite the good reception for some passengers, he said Somali passengers were locked inside the transit lounge and were not allowed to leave the airport. Among the stranded passengers included two senior diplomats from the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs who like the ordinary citizens have received no assistance from the Somali embassy in Djibouti. Turkish Airline finally arranged flight for all passengers stranded in Djibouti airport. Turkish Airline has not commented on the situation, however, Somali passengers travelling with international airlines often complain of mistreatment by international carriers. “This ill-treatment sends a clear signal of a perpetual culture of abuse and negligence meted out on Somalis despite being a lucrative market for Turkish airlines.” said another stranded passenger.

Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a Seize More Towns In Central Somalia

09 June – Source: Somali Current – 169 Words

Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a has seized two more towns in Central regions as they show their military muscles in the region. The group today took control of Hanan Buur and Marrer Gur districts in Galgadud region. It is reported the group took control of the towns without firing a gunshot after government forces withdrew from their bases in the two towns. On Sunday morning, armed men affiliated to Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a took control over town of Dhusamareb after fierce fighting with government forces. Many experts warned the move may escalate the military tension in the central region. The group also vowed to launch attacks on other districts in central region. The move comes day after UN special envoy to Somalia, Nicholas Kay called the group to withdraw from town of Dhusamareb and urged the group to give dialogue a chance. Earlier on, Somali government said the group move is an effort to derail the formation of central regional government and vowed to take stern action against the Islamist.

Puntland President Replaces His Chief Of Staff

09 June – Source: Goobjoog News – 156 Words

Reports say that Puntland President has replaced his Chief Of Staff. Some say that the change signals an imminent cabinet reshuffle in which Puntland president wants to appease political groups . “There will be change and this is introduction of that change” the newly appointed Chief of Staff, Abdinasir Mahmoud Gurey said in a statement. It’s yet to be identified the which ministers will be affected by the imminent reshuffle but the change comes in atmosphere of strong opposition that the president is facing from Puntland MPs. The reshuffle is understood as an attempt by the president to pacify MPs in order not to introduce a motion against him. His popularity has been going down recently and this move is designed to change that.

A Section Of Gedo Residents Take To The Streets Over ‘Inaction’ By AMISOM

09 June – Source: Wacaal Media – 179 Words

Some residents in Gedo region took to the streets on Tuesday morning protesting against what they termed as failure by AMISOM to guarantee their security in the wake of increased assassinations by Al-Shabaab militants. A local resident confirmed to Wacaal Media that up to 100 residents were waving anti-AMISOM placards and called for AMISOM’s inaction over Al-Shabaab’s continued and unabated killings of local businessmen. In the latest incident which sparked the protests, the militants killed Aadan Dubat in the outskirts of Garbaharey. He was among the local miraa traders and was at the time of his killing transporting the stimulant from Kenya. His vehicle was also burnt by the terror group. The incident happened at Yobsan location, 10 Kilometers from Garbaharey town. A contingent of Ethiopian troops that are part of AMISOM have a base in Buraa location near Garbaharey but local residents accused them of not moving a finger following the incident. They now want the troops to move in with speed and carry out operations along major roads in the area where Al-Shabaab attacks often happen.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

EALA Speaker And Somalia Parliament Counterpart Hold Talks In Kampala

10 Day – Source: Star Africa – 802 Words

The Federal Parliament of Somalia is keen to establish relations with the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) as the country keeps pace with developments at the EAC. Friday last week, EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega held talks with the Speaker of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, Rt Hon Mohammed Osman Jawari in Kampala, Uganda. The historic meeting took place on the sidelines of the State of Nation Address delivered by the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. General Yoweri Museveni at the commencement of the 5th Session of the 9th Parliament of Uganda. EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega was emphatic that the EAC was concerned about finding permanent solutions to the issues in Somalia. “When we look at a bigger picture and within the framework of integration, we can certainly find solutions to problems in Somalia just like in all other Partner States. The more we are, the better for the region”, Rt. Hon Kidega said.

He said both Houses (EALA and Federal Parliament of Somalia) needed to commence the process of co-operation and to maintain interaction as a precursor to addressing insecurity matters, occasioned by the constant threats of the Al-Shaabab and banditry among other concerns. The Speaker rooted for enhanced economic development in the region saying that Somalia had a long coastline and this would make access to the rest of the world easy. Both Speakers reiterated the need to ensure information flow and exchange between their respective Parliaments. Rt. Hon Jawari stated that such a move would equip legislators in the Federal Republic of Somalia with best practices and to boost their understanding on regional integration. “Keeping our communication lines open is vital as there are many aspects that we can learn from each other and likewise benefit from”, Rt. Hon Jawari said. He said Parliament of Somalia would consider sending a delegation of legislators at the next EALA Plenary so as to benefit from the deliberations in the regional Assembly.

Fate Of Police Officer Abducted By Al-Shabaab In 2013 Still Uncertain

10 June – Source: Standard Digital – 1, 120 Words

A family in Bomet has been in anguish for the last two years since their son, an administration police officer, was abducted by Al Shabaab gunmen during an attack on two police stations in Liboi near the Kenya and Somalia border. Constable Fredrick Chirchir was seized alongside his colleague Joseph Wambugu during the May 25, 2013, raid on Damajaleh. The last contact Chirchir’s family had with their suspected captors was in July 2013 but they believe their son is still in captivity. When The Standard visited Mzee Joseph Maritim, Chirchir’s father, we found him sitting forlornly outside his grass-thatched house engrossed in deep thought. Two years have passed since his first born son was abducted by Al Shabaab militants and there has been no word from the Government. Over time, the misery has taken a toll on the family, as Chirchir had been the family’s breadwinner, paying school fees for his siblings. Maritim says his son’s wife left for her parents home with their two-year-old son after the abduction due to fear and financial problems. Maritim says he blames the Government for not doing enough to secure the release of their son.

He describes Chirchir as everything to his family, saying his two-year absence has thrown them into unbearable suffering and grounded projects he had started at home. The 58-year-old father of seven says some of Chirchir’s siblings have been forced to drop out of school for lack of fees. “Chirchir’s stay in captivity for the last two years has left a big void in our family and many things have fallen apart since. We hope he will be released so that some of his siblings can go back to school and that we can also pick up,” he says. Maritim remembers how the news of Chirchir abduction hit them like a thunderbolt when Kaplele location chief Paul Kerich informed him. “We learnt of the abduction through the area chief who called me to his office and told me about the abduction and I could not believe him, fearing the worst might have happened to my son and they did not want to disclose to us,” he says adding that he refused to leave the chief’s office for more than an hour hoping the chief would open up about the fate of his son who was stationed at Abdisugo Police Post in Liboi.

He says the chief told him that his son survived an attack at the Administration Police post which saw his six colleagues killed on May 25, 2013. Soon the reality would dawn on him when the Al Qaeda linked militants called one of his sons, Weldon Langat, on July 20, 2013, to deliver the news that they were holding Chirchir in a secret location in Somalia. He says in a late evening call to his last born son which lasted for more than five minutes, the militants demanded the family to petition the Government to withdraw Kenya Defence Forces from Somalia in exchange of their son. “After identifying themselves as Al Shabaab and making their demands, they switched off as we tried to call them to request them not to harm our son. They called after two days when Chirchir himself was put on phone asking for telephone numbers of one of their neighbour’s, a former civic aspirant,” he says.

Former Regional Editor Helps Found New Bilingual Newspaper

10 June – Source: Holdthefrontpage.co.uk – 345 Words

A bilingual newspaper serving Manchester’s Somali community has been founded with the help of a former regional weekly editor. Sasca News has been set up with the aim of catering for expatriates from the East African country currently living and working in the city. The project has been launched with the help of Dave Porter, who previously edited the Heywood Advertiser and Tameside Advertiser, and students from Manchester Metropolitan University. Dave, now a lecturer in multimedia journalism at the university, was approached by Sasca, the Somali Adult Social Care Agency, who wanted to start a print product which could also appeal to older people in their community. Weekly editorial meetings were held with the students and Sasca members over the course of six weeks – with articles on health, Somali culture, sport, community heroes, and the role of carers within the Somali community all being put forward. The initial eight page edition features English language news in the firt half of the paper, with the same stories translated into Somali in the second half.
Dave, who spent more than 25 years in print journalism before embarking on his current career, designed the layout and helped members of Sasca with the translation. A total of 550 copies were printed by the university and handed out by volunteers in shops, mosques and community centres around south Manchester. It is now hoped the newspaper will be produced quarterly, with the next edition featuring double the amount of content, while a bilingual counterpart website has also been launched. said: “Being a print journalist for many years I was keen to get involved with the project, and it was a great way for MMU journalism students to get a feel of how a paper is put together – as well as giving many of them their first byline in print. “It’s especially pleasing as this is the first year of a new journalism degree at MMU. “Members of Sasca were very enthusiastic about the finished paper and feedback from the community has also been really positive.”

MasterCard Taps Into Somalia’s Remittance Money, Battles Visa In Africa

09 June – Source: International Business Times – 1, 156 Words

More than 20 years after Somalia entered a civil war and a downward spiral that turned it into the archetypal failed state, an international banking institution has announced a plan to become the first to enter the African nation. MasterCard says it wants to distribute debit cards to Somali citizens to help them receive money from abroad, something that has been increasingly difficult to do and on which the Somali economy, which would crumble without remittances from emigrants, depends. In recent months, American and European governments have moved to cut off transfers to Somalia, amid a crackdown on money laundering and fears that international funds may be going to Somalia-based terrorist group Al-Shabaab. The situation has left many Somalis struggling to access much-needed remittances from friends and relatives abroad and created a billion-dollar gap that MasterCard seeks to fill. It’s the latest move in an ongoing competition with Visa for frontier markets in Africa, where many people still use cash and debit and credit cards are a rare. It seems like a simple enough business move, but the situation is complex.

“Since there’s no silver bullet that will solve the challenges facing Somalia’s remittance system, the increased interest on the part of the business community, both Somali and international, is welcome,” said Scott Paul, Oxfam America’s Senior Humanitarian Policy Adviser. “However, for the time being Somalis are still overwhelmingly dependent on traditional remittance companies, and it will take some time for other mechanisms to attain the same kind of coverage and social capital,” he said. MasterCard’s plan to use debit and prepaid cards requires a certain amount of infrastructure that may not be dependable in Somalia, which has been in nearly perpetual conflict since the 1990s, after a civil war, famine, unrest and the rise of the al Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab. Consequently, a vast part of the population relies on financial transfers from the diaspora community, known as remittances, to get by. Somalis send more than $1.3 billion to friends and relatives at home, according to Oxfam. These flows represent half of the country’s annual income and helped many survive during the 2011 drought and flood, but they also help reduce its dependence on foreign aid and lay the foundation for long-term, sustainable development.

Judge OKs Home Release For MN Man Convicted Of Threatening FBI Agents

09 June – Source: MPR News – 404 Words

A man who was convicted of threatening FBI agents and an interpreter who came to his house is going home today. A judge’s decision to release Mohamed Ali Omar was a partial victory for a family that has two other sons accused of trying to join terrorist groups overseas. Omar was to be sentenced today, but Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Davis postponed the sentencing until September while he waits for clarification from the United States Justice Department on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a separate case. In the meantime, Omar, who has been detained since November, will be released to his home and subject to electronic monitoring. “It’s been a long seven months,” said his sister, Hodan Omar. “We missed him so much. He’s coming home.”

Evidence at trial showed Omar had a verbal confrontation with agents and a Somali interpreter, resulting in Omar saying, “I’ll knock your [expletive] in” and telling them not to return to the house. Agents were investigating his brother, Guled Omar, in connection with the investigation into Minnesota men trying to join ISIS in Syria. Guled Omar has since been charged by federal officials on terror related counts. Mohamed Omar’s attorneys said he was reacting angrily after the interpreter called his sister “qashimad,” a Somali slur for women that translates to “trash.” The interpreter admitted in court that “it was a terrible thing to say to a lady,” according to Omar’s attorney Paul Applebaum. Davis said a recent Supreme Court ruling tied to threatening language was one of the most confusing he’s ever read. He’s expecting an opinion from the Justice Department in the coming months. Davis said he received a letter from Mohamed Omar that made an impression on him.

OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE

“Qat is a well-known thief. It takes away cash from families, childhood happiness from abused children, and chastity from young women, and reasoning from the educated, productivity from the working class.”

The Perilous Plague Without A Bridle

09 June – Source: Somaliland Sun – 954 Words

IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY understandable that the backwardness of a country always depends on the percentage of illiteracy. Unlike this phenomenon, there are other factors that contribute to the backwardness. Coming to the point, close and concise, let me clear one of the most dangerous drugs ever confirmed. Simply naming, it is Qat. Qat is prevalent in Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, Djibouti, Somalia, and Somaliland. It is a fresh leaf and flower buds that are chewed, to keep its use in fresh; it is localized to the immediate areas of production although in recent years Qat trade has also spread to Europe and America. Qat is chewed at social gatherings; at homes, business and political discussions, usually after mid-afternoon lunch. But some people also eat in the morning time (Jibbane) and late in the night (Biyoraacis).

The flower buds of the tree contain a substance which is mildly stimulating, anorexigenic and if used excessively affects the judgment and self-control, suppresses eating and sexual desire. It is responsible for loss of desire to work and unproductive behavior. The stimulant also affects wear off by bedtime. It is an intoxicant that clouds, obscures or veils consciousness. Qat is the most important cause of broken bones and broken homes. In Qat munching memory deteriorates, personality degenerates and character disintegrates. Qat like other intoxicants offers an escape from problems and worries to begin with, but ends up by multiplying them and crushes rather than relieves the sufferer. The Qat eater seeks to drown in his sorrows in the hope of enjoying an imaginary paradise where his burdens will roll away in the brief span of murqan time (stupor).

Qat is a well-known thief. It takes away cash from families, childhood happiness from abused children, and chastity from young women, and reasoning from the educated, productivity from the working class. Qat is the gateway drug to alcohol, wine and all other evil habits. Qat soon overcomes the strongest man and turns him into a raging beast that threatens those around him and insults imaginary enemies. In the Mental hospitalone of two patients occupies a bed because of Qat related problems, while in the street, one out of every five persons has problems because either he eats Qat or because one of his children or one of his relatives eats it. Qat causes 3 out of 4 cases of robbery with violence and one in 2 cases of family quarrels and brawls. It is also the cause of many cases of child abuse, divorce head injuries etc. Short note as to where and how Qat chewing may begin and continue throughout life.

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@UNSomalia : JOINT STATEMENT: International partners encourage IJA and Federal Gov of #Somalia to resolve issues thru dialogue. http://bit.ly/1AZp1kU

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IMAGE OF THE DAY

Participants of the Somali literature event roam around the books and arts exhibition at UNSOM Compound.

Photo: UNSOM