June 19, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Al Shabaab fighters attack UN compound in Mogadishu
19 Jun- Source: AP/Reuters/AFP/Al Jazeera- 115 words
Somalia’s al Shabaab militant fighters have attacked a U.N. compound in Mogadishu with suicide car bomb and guns. A UN official said the attack Wednesday was against a building just outside the secure airport compound where all the U.N agencies are based. The official said she was close to the U.N. compound when the blast occurred but is not inside.
Troops from the African Union force AMISOM said they had secured the compound after the hour-long attack.
“AMISOM was at the UNDP compound within minutes and has it currently secured,” the force said on its official Twitter account. A U.N. spokesman and the Islamist militants said fighting and gunfire was heard more than an hour after the initial blast.
Key Headlines
- Suicide bombers attack UNDP office in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu/ Radio Kulmiye/Somalimemo Online/Jowhar Online)
- AMISOM condemns attack on UNCC compound in Mogadishu (AMISOM)
- Government condemns senseless attack on UN compound (OPM)
- Government soldier killed in Mogadishu (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Al Shabaab says two Somali government soldiers surrendered to them (Radio Kulmiye)
- Somaliland “reaches truce “with Haksoor party (Universal TV / Horn cable TV)
- Skills training and university courses for Dadaab refugees (Radio Ergo)
- Somaliland’s house of assembly Passes executive and parliamentary privileges Act(Somaliland Informer)
- Terror suspects say police out to execute them (Star /NTV)
- The warring parties (Daily Nation)
- NSA surveillance used in Somali terrorism case (UT Sandiego)
PRESS STATEMENT
AMISOM condemns attack on UNCC compound in Mogadishu
19 Jun- AMISOM- 182 words
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has strongly condemned today’s terrorist attack on the United Nations Common Compound in Mogadishu by Al-Shabaab terrorists.
“We strongly condemn the cowardly attack on the United Nations compound in Mogadishu. These futile attacks by al Shabaab are only aimed at disrupting the ongoing efforts by the Somali people to recover from years of violence in Somalia and will not deter our collective efforts to continue supporting the people of Somalia rebuild their country” said The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif.
Ambassador Mahamet Annadif praised the quick reaction of AMISOM Special Forces and Somali security forces and stressed that AMISOM will spare no efforts to stabilize Somalia.
The African Union and AMISOM today stand with the Somali people,” said Amb Annadif, as he sent his condolences to those who had lost loved ones in the attack and his prayers for the quick recovery of the wounded.’
Government condemns senseless attack on UN compound
19 Jun- Source: Office of the Prime Minister- 182 words
His Excellencey Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon has condemned this morning’s senseless and despicable attack on the United Nations Common Compound in Mogadishu, immediately claimed by al Shabaab.
“I condemn this senseless and despicable attack on innocent UN civilians this morning. The UN are our friends and partners, and the UN agencies offer us humanitarian help and support, so I and all Somalis are appalled that they should be the target and victims of such barbaric violence,” said the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister reassured Mogadishu residents that the Government remains in control of the security, stating that security forces swiftly dealt with the attackers and re-secured the compound.
“Somali and AMISOM security forces responded immediately to the situation after the initial explosion and have brought the situation under control. Sadly we must wait to hear the full details and confirmation of any casualties,” Prime Minister said. “All our thoughts and prayers are with our UN colleagues today. But al Shabaab will not derail the peace process. They will not stop our recovery. Violence will not win.”
SOMALI MEDIA
Suicide bombers attack UNDP office in Mogadishu
19 Jun Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Radio Kulmiye/ Shabelle/Bar-kulan- 85 words
News just in from the Somali capital, Mogadishu say that armed gunmen raided the United Nations Development Programme office adjusting to Aden Adde international airport in Mogadishu.
An explosion believed to be caused by a suicider was heard at the UNDP office in Mogadishu immediately after the attack. Eyewitness outside the UNDP office says that heavily armed men stormed the organization’s main office.
Somali National Army and the AU peacekeeping forces immediately arrived at the scene as gunfire is heard inside the compound.
Radio Mogadishu reported that the attack had started after a suicide bomber blew himself up at the gates of the complex.
Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to pro-al Shabaab website.
“Mujahideen units from the Martyrdom Brigade have stormed the UNDP compound near the airport in Mogadishu,” the group said on its official Twitter.
Government soldier killed in Mogadishu
19 Jun- Source: Marka Cadey News/Radio Bar-kulan-104 words
A government soldier was killed by unidentified gunmen Tuesday evening at Hodan district, in the capital Mogadishu. Witnesses said that two gunmen opened fire on a government soldier, and then escaped from the area after killing.
According to witnesses the Somali security force arrived to the place and carried out operations in the area in search of those responsible for the accident. The security authorities did not disclose yet the results of its operations.
The incident comes at a time of reduced bombings and assassinations that have been carried out by the al Shabaab movement in the capital Mogadishu.
Al Shabaab claims Somali government soldiers surrendered
19 Jun- Source: Radio Kulmiye/ Somalimemo Online- 108 words
Mohamed Abu Abdalla, who is appointed and operating as the head of the al Shabaab militant group at Lower Shabelle region claimed that two Somali soldiers have surrendered to them.
Al Shabaab authorities said that these government soldiers used to fight at the front-lines of Aw-dheegle, “and they have joined the militia on their own” Shabaab’s leader added.
Somaliland “reaches truce “with Haksoor party
19 Jun- Source: Somaliland Informer/Universal TV / Horn cable TV- 140 words
Somaliland president Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo confers with chairman of Haksoor Hassan Isse Jama and the gathering took place at the presidential palace on Monday night.
After the meeting, committees from the government of Somaliland and Haksoor held press conference at the presidential palace and announced that truce was reached between the two sides regarding the three months negotiations.
They said that they reached a common understanding regarding the thorny issues discussed during the talks, Abdiasis Mohamed Samale, Finance Minister spoke on behalf of the government has declared that a deal o cooperation was struck.
Skills training and university courses for Dadaab refugees
18 Jun- Source: Radio Ergo- 253 words
Somali refugees in Dadaab camps are benefiting from newly launched programmes offering vocational skills training for the unskilled and university bursaries for secondary school graduates.
A total number of 2,450 refugees, men and women, aged 18-59, are set to benefit from the project, financed by UNHCR.
Muse Abdi Hassan, a resident of Dagahley camp, is among 1,087 people learning new work skills. Muse, 50, has been enrolled since the beginning of the year in a tailoring course run by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Since arriving in the camp four years ago, he had been scraping together a living as a labourer, transporting heavy goods and materials with a wheelbarrow. He said his new skills will enable him to earn a better living to provide for his wife and six children. He aims in the future to buy a sewing machine of his own – and to give up hard labour. He said he hopes to be free of dependency on food aid from aid agencies.
Isaac Mohamed Garad, the head of livelihoods and skills department of DRC in Dadaab, said 1,500 refugee youths who had completed secondary school were to be awarded bursaries to pay for their university education. Some of them will enrol in Kenyan universities, while the rest will attend educational institutes to be opened within the camps.
An estimated 40% of the refugees in Dadaab between the ages of 18-59 are unemployed for reasons largely to do with lack of skills. Half of the beneficiaries of this project are women.
Somaliland’s house of assembly Passes executive and parliamentary privileges Act
18 Jun- Source: Somaliland Informer- 90 words
Somaliland’s National House o Assembly has passed a bill titled “executive and privilege bill No/62/2013 on Tuesday. The Speaker of country’s national assembly Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi ‘Cirro’ presided the session where forty MP’s attended the session.
Once voting started thirty MP’s voted in favor of passing the bill while two MP’s rejected and three MP’s abstained.
The speaker of national house of assembly did not cast his vote while majority of MP’s have endorsed the bill and unanimously approved it.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Terror suspects say police out to execute them
19 Jun- Source: Star (Kenya)/NTV- 366 words
Suspects of terrorism have raised concern over plans by the anti-terror police unit to execute them without investigating their alleged involvement in terrorism. Yesterday, more than 20 suspects came together under the Muslim for Human Rights lobby group at the coast to express their concern.
Addressing the press in Mombasa yesterday, Abubakar Sharif an ally of the slain Muslim cleric Sheikh Aboud Rogo said he is living in fear.
Abubakar is suspected of being linked to the bombing of the Kampala Coach bus in Nairobi and has also been charged with incitement during the violence that erupted in Mombasa after the killing of Rogo last year.
The warring parties
18 Jun- Source: Daily Nation- 906 words
Kenya and Somalia are headed for a confrontation over the ownership of some oil blocks at the coast. Last week, the Somalia Cabinet passed a resolution to expand its sea boundaries by about 38,000 square kilometres, covering an area with six downstream oil and gas exploration blocks. By extending its border, Somalia will be eating into a territory Kenya believes is hers and for which it has already signed production sharing contracts with oil and gas exploration companies.
With the high prospects for both oil and gas at the Kenyan coast line, the decision by the Somalia Cabinet, if implemented, is likely to trigger acrimony between the two countries.
The two governments signed an agreement in 2009, allowing either of them to go ahead with activities in the disputed area while they wait for demarcation. However, the Somalia parliament later vetoed the agreement following an outcry by civil society groups in the country.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Al Shabaab fighters attack UN compound in Mogadishu
19 Jun- Source: AP/Reuters/AFP/Al Jazeera- 115 words
Somalia’s al Shabaab militant fighters have attacked a U.N. compound in Mogadishu with suicide car bomb and guns.
A U.N official said the attack Wednesday was against a building just outside the secure airport compound where all the U.N agencies are based. The official said she was close to the U.N. compound when the blast occurred but is not inside.
Troops from the African Union force AMISOM said they had secured the compound after the hour-long attack.
“AMISOM was at the UNDP compound within minutes and has it currently secured,” the force said on its official Twitter account. A U.N. spokesman and the Islamist militants said fighting and gunfire was heard more than an hour after the initial blast.
NSA surveillance used in Somali terrorism case
18 Jun- Source: UT Sandiego – 539 words
The National Security Agency surveillance programs that swept up information on domestic phone calls and Internet traffic from abroad played a key role in the prosecution of four Somali immigrants in San Diego for funding the terrorist group al-Shabaab.
Testifying on Capitol Hill on Tuesday in front of the House Intelligence Committee, the head of the NSA and the deputy director of the FBI said the San Diego case was one of dozens of plots uncovered as a result of the controversial spying programs.
FBI Deputy Director Sean Joyce said that the NSA gave the agency a phone number from San Diego that had been in contact with an “extremist” outside the U.S. That apparently was the start of the case that led to the indictment in 2010 of the Somalis for providing material support to a terrorism organization.
The four men — Mohamed Mohamed Mohamud, the imam at a local mosque, cabdrivers Basaaly Sayeed Moalin and Ahmed Nasiri Taalil Mohamud, and Issa Doreh, who worked at a money remittance business in City Heights — were convicted in February following a jury trial in federal court.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The “Youth/Dhalinyarada” will be showcased July 13 through February 9 next year at the Weisman Art Museum.”
Minneapolis Somali photographer introduces ‘The Youth/Dhalinyarada’ at Weisman Art Museum
18 June- Source: TC Daily Planet-404 Words
“The Youth/Dhalinyarada” project, which consists of portraits and a short video narration of both the success and challenging stories of 13 Somali-American men, was among the featured exhibits at the June 16 Community Day at the University of Minnesota’s Weisman Art Museum.
“This project highlights the contributions these men are making in America,” said Mohamud Mumin, a photographer and the man behind the project. “The subjects of these photographs share the conflict they feel in just trying to be themselves. As much as they try to adapt, they often feel foreign at home, here in Minnesota.”
The men featured in “The Youth/Dhalinyarada” include community activists, young professionals, artists and athletes.
Mumin added: “The project explores their journey from Somalia to America, how they are engaged in their community and what it means to be young, Muslim, and Somali-American [living in Minnesota].”
To those at the event, it was a chance to meet some of the men and ask Mumin questions about the project.
“Labelling violence against migrants as simply xenophobic diverts attention from the context of the violence, the generalised criminality that is a daily reality for those in informal settlements. The brutality forces us to confront the limited access that many South Africans have to the social, economic and political rights enshrined in the country’s progressive constitution.”
Xenophobia and its discontents in South Africa
18 June- Source: Al Jazeera English-1474 Words
Despite South Africa’s recent wealth and economic success, immigrants from Somalia and elsewhere looking for opportunity in the country have little chance of attaining success and comfort.
These immigrants, who are unable to find work in South Africa’s formal economy, often live in informal settlements rife with structural xenophobia, thereby creating highly violent and combustible conditions.
Daily news coverage in South Africa includes horrific crimes against women and children. One recent such incident involved two women, one 82 and the other 21, who were gang-raped and brutally hacked to death. The ubiquitous rape of women and children in South Africa led Interpol to designate the country as the “rape capital of the world”. In 2009, 28 percent of men in South Africa admitted to committing rape.
But South Africa’s violence is not limited to rape. As we approach the 20-year anniversary of the fall of apartheid, South Africa remains one of the most violent societies in the world. A video posted to YouTube on June 1 shows the gruesome killing of a Somali refugee man, with young men and boys kicking and hurling bricks and stones on the shattered body of the victim as pedestrians and cars passed by.
“Exile journalists need a lending hand, especially from their colleagues who know the new environment very well, ’til they can stand on their own feet. When experienced activists like you leave, the challenge will surely be harsher for those who are on their way to flee.”
Exiled journalists in risky places need helping hand
19 June- Source: CPJ Blog-750 Words
It was well past mid-day in Eastleigh, a shanty district on the east side of Nairobi, Kenya. The billows of dust rising from the rock-scarred road showed a government that had long lost interest in the neighborhood. A young man, struggling with horribly dry conditions, was fighting with his patrons. “Welahi, today’s khat is so small. I need more,” a Somali customer was complaining. “Pole, hakuna unvua” (“Sorry, no rain”). “Khat is getting expensive in these days,” the young man tried to convince him in Kiswahili and English.
Few knew that the young peddler was once a journalist in Ethiopia. They cared neither about his profession nor the reasons he had fled his home country. For them, he was just a dealer of khat, the mildly addictive green leaf that is chewed in East Africa. It was as simple as that.
The story of this young exiled reporter, one of many I came to know during my own time in Nairobi, symbolizes the dismal conditions that exiled journalists face in East Africa. A number of my colleagues have been forgotten by their nation, their host country, and the world in general. Some have had the opportunity to speak with organizations like the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees only to find they have been denied asylum. I was one of these exiled journalists, enduring an extremely depressing life for three years in Nairobi.
Meeting the Somali Bravanese community
19 June- Source: Lynne Featherstone Blog-330 Words
The fire at the Somali Bravanese Centre on Coppetts Road two weeks ago has been shocking for the whole community. It has now been confirmed as an act of arson by the Police and it is hard to comprehend what goes through the mind of someone prepared to risk the lives of others in an act like this.
Last Friday I met with members of the Somali Bravanese community following the fire so that I could express my sadness but, more so, to offer my help. It was an opportunity for me to listen to their concerns and find out what can be done.
Two weeks on, the leaders of the centre are determined – determined to move forwards, to rebuild, to reunite the community and come back stronger than before. The group spoke to me of the history of the Bravanese people and it is clear that they have a long tradition of carrying on, even in the face of adversity and I feel that this situation – though challenging – will prove no different.
Top tweets
@ferigom69 Analysis of the Somali pirate attacks (2005-2011). Paper. Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies. http://goo.gl/PUFyI #somalia #piracy
@WorldReliefFW For internally displaced persons living in#Somalia, there is limited access to basic needs, says#UNHCR @Refugees @UNHCRdc #worldrefugeeday
@amisomsomalia PHOTO OF THE DAY: A #Somali woman waves towards a convoy carrying #AMISOM soldiershttp://on.fb.me/QqTSeN w pic.twitter.com/Q1IOJXKdV8
@amisomsomalia #AMISOM condemns the attack on #UNCCcompound. Such attacks derail the efforts of the #Somali people to recover from years of lawlessness w
Image of the day
Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon addresses delegates at the National Education Conference in Mogadishu, vowing more funding and better access to education for Somali children. Photo: Sabahi Online