June 20, 2017 | Morning Headlines
Alshabaab Spy Chief Arrested In Mogadishu
19 June – Source : Radio Dalsan – 128 Words
The Head of Al-Shabaab’s intelligence wing Amniyat in Benadir region, Abdiwahab Khalif Ahmed has been captured in Mogadishu. Ahmed who also going by the Isse Tarabun was arrested in an operation in Bakara Market in the capital Mogadishu. The arrest was confirmed by Interior Minister Mohamed Abukar Isloow at a press conference held in Mogadishu after the completion of the successful operation that saw the arrest of Abdiwahab. Isloow says the capture is a major step towards averting Al-Shabaab attacks in Mogadishu. Somalia has beefed up security in the month of Ramadan which in the past has seen a surge in attacks by Al-Shabaab. Last week at least 25 people were killed in an attack that was carried out by Al-Shabaab on Pizza House a popular Mogadishu eatery.
Key Headlines
- Alshabaab Spy Chief Arrested In Mogadishu (Radio Dalsan)
- Galmudug And Ahlu-Sunnah Hold Indirect Talks (Goobjoog News)
- Puntland Government Utilizes U.A.E. Bonus Payment To Complete Infrastructure Projects (Garowe Online)
- UN Decries Increasing Sexual Violence In Somalia (Xinhuanet)
- Kenyan Police Arrest 88 Terror Suspects (china.org.cn)
- Nura Ahmed: Victim Of Drought And Rape Remembers Her Struggle On The International Day Of Elimination Of Sexual Violence In Conflict (UNSOM)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Galmudug And Ahlu-Sunnah Hold Indirect Talks
19 June – Source : Goobjoog News – 197 Words
Indirect talks are in progress between Galmudug administration and Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a according to officials from Galmudug regional administration. Speaking to Goobjoog News, the Minister for Reconciliation and Constitution of Galmudug, Osman Mohamed Ali said they have high hopes on the outcome of these talks. “There are ongoing indirect talks between Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a and Galmudug with good progress. Direct talks have not yet started. We expect soon the official talks to start. Big efforts are being utilized. President Haf has constant communication with Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a and committee for talks will be announced” said Minister Osman.
He also expressed their great dream of success in this indirect endeavour that will facilitate Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a participation in the regional government. “We have big wish the talks to be successful since President Haf is a pro-peace person and has tighten his belt on how to bring our brothers of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a on board” added Minister Osman.Meanwhile, an official from Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a who requested to remain anonymous informed Goobjoog News that their are no talks with Galmudug administration. Galmudug President Ahmed Duale Haf is said to be hugely interested in having dialogue with Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a.
Puntland Government Utilizes U.A.E. Bonus Payment To Complete Infrastructure Projects
19 June – Source : Garowe Online – 264 Words
The President of Somalia’s northeastern government of Puntland, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali “Gaas” handed over funds to complete the projects of Garowe Airport and Baran-El Dhahir road. In a special ceremony held on Monday at East African University in the capital Garowe, the President transferred a total amount of $ 3.5 Million to Turkish-based Gultinkin Kar construction company and the committee in charge of constructing Baran-El Dhair road. Gultinkin Kar company received $ 2.5 Million, whereas the remaining fund was allocated to build the 90 km road connecting Baran to El Dhair. The fund for the road was initially donated by the public and Puntland government.
The ceremony was attended by top government officials, prominent elders and members of the civil society. During the speech session, officials and various participants commended the government for supporting and prompting infrastructure projects. The allocated funds came from a bonus payment of $ 10 Million made by U.A.E.-based Dubai Port World after the agreement on the expansion of Bosaso Port with Puntland government.
The bonus payment was given to support Puntland government to implement infrastructure projects. DP World a global marine terminal operator has also made similar agreement to modernize and manage Barbara Port in Somaliland. Garowe Airport project was agreed on earlier to be funded by Kuwait in two phases, however, the second phase delayed which made the President to use the bonus payment for the completion of the project. Puntland people commended the government for utilizing the funds donated by U.A.E to build needed infrastructure in the region, which will boost economy and employment.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UN Decries Increasing Sexual Violence In Somalia
19 June – Source : Xinhuanet – 279 Words
The UN senior envoy in Somalia on Monday decried increased cases of sexual violence particularly in some makeshift settlements for internally displaced person (IDP) in Somalia. In a statement issued to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia Michael Keating paid tribute to the victims and survivors of sexual violence in the country. “Conflict-related sexual violence incidents constitute grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and it is deplorable that these crimes continue to be widespread in parts of Somalia,” Keating said in a statement.
According to the UN, sexual violence in Somalia disproportionately affects IDPs and individuals belonging to minority clans who have little or no access to justice systems and can not rely on their own marginalized clans for protection. Keating said women and girls need protection, adding that effective measures must be implemented to end the impunity of the perpetrators of such crimes by holding them accountable under Somali laws.
According to information received by the UN, 7,324 new gender-based violence incidents were reported in Somalia last year. Nearly all of the survivors were female, and 74 percent of them were living in IDP camps when they were attacked. The UN said the problem has been exacerbated by the sharp increase in the number of IDPs in Somalia who have recently moved into urban areas in response to the country’s ongoing drought crisis.
Kenyan Police Arrest 88 Terror Suspects
19 June – Source : china.org.cn – 213 Words
Kenya’s security officers said Monday they have arrested 88 terror suspects in Nairobi for plotting to carry out attacks during Eid celebrations marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. A police report says the suspects, 15 foreigners and 73 Kenyans, were arrested on June 15 at a rehabilitation center in Nairobi’s Eastleigh residential estate that is largely inhabited by ethnic Somalis, in a joint security swoop. “A joint security operation between anti-terrorism police unit, flying squad and directorate of criminal investigations (CID) acting on intelligence report raided the centers which are suspected of radicalization and human trafficking,” the police said.
The East African nation has faced insecurity as bomb attacks using improvised explosive devices and grenades have been hurled in northeastern region since soldiers entered Somalia in 2011 to secure the shared border. Kenya has also warned that attacks as threatened by the Somali-based terrorist group Al-Shabaab could affect the country’s risk profile, scaring away foreign investors and tourists. Meanwhile, the police are also interrogating four terror suspects at the weekend for plotting to carry an attack during Eid celebrations. Three suspects were arrested in Voi town while escaping to Nairobi and another suspect was arrested in Nairobi and is yet to be airlifted to Mombasa to face similar charges
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“Sexual and gender-based violence is widespread since the legal and justice system is weak. Also, the rapists are often unknown, and this presents challenges in seeking legal redress. When drought hit the country and people fled from hunger, armed gangs with no uniforms were intercepting people who were fleeing,”
Nura Ahmed: Victim Of Drought And Rape Remembers Her Struggle On The International Day Of Elimination Of Sexual Violence In Conflict
19 June – Source : UNSOM – 557 Words
When Nura Ahmed (not her real name) abandoned her home in Wargedow, Lower Shabelle region, to escape the drought, she did not envisage she would become a victim of rape. However, everything changed one evening after the 33 year-old woman and her neighbours decided to flee Wargedow in search of food and water. Nura left for a village called Jambalul in the company of a group of women. Hardly halfway into their journey, they were accosted by three armed men who scattered the women in different directions. Nura was not lucky: the men caught her, dragged her to a nearby thicket and raped her.
Though she does not remember the exact day on which the incident happened, she recalls it happened last month under a full moon. “We had fled because of food and water. On our way to seek food and water, it is when we encountered rape,” Nura explains. Weak and injured, the mother of four walked back to the main road to seek help. Luckily a tractor driver offered her a lift to Jambalul, where Nura’s sister lives. Her sister took her to a facility operated by Haweenka Horseedka Nabadda Iyo Nolosha (HINNA), a local non-governmental organization based in Mogadishu that supports survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
Owing to decades of war and fragile security and legal systems, Somalia is still experiencing increased cases of sexual violence targeting women. Widespread internal displacement in Somalia has also eroded social protection networks. Many women have been displaced from their homes for decades and find themselves marginalized and at risk of gender-based violence. Women within internally displaced communities are particularly vulnerable and often have limited access to justice, services and assistance, including medical care and psycho-social support.
According to the Gender-Based Violence Information Management System Consolidated Data Report for January – December 2016, 7,324 new gender-based violence incidents were reported in Somalia. Ninety-nine percent of the survivors were female, while 74 percent were internally displaced persons (IDPs) like Nura. “Sexual and gender-based violence is widespread since the legal and justice system is weak. Also, the rapists are often unknown, and this presents challenges in seeking legal redress. When drought hit the country and people fled from hunger, armed gangs with no uniforms were intercepting people who were fleeing,” notes Fadwa Hassan Jimale, the protection officer at HINNA.
In the recent past, HINNA has been conducting training and public awareness campaigns about its programmes in communities to educate residents about the dangers of sexual and gender-based violence. Ms. Jimale hopes the campaigns will encourage more victims to speak out and seek medical and legal aid. According to Noel Kututwa, a Women Protection Officer with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the organization works closely with civil society to ensure that victims of sexual violence get the necessary support.