June 22, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
Somalia’s Sharif to stand for new term as president
21 Jun- Source: AFP- 321 words
Somalia’s President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said yesterday he would stand as a candidate for a new term in office, two months ahead of his job coming up for renewal. “My services are available to Somalia if I am trusted with the job for another term,” Sharif told AFP on the sidelines of meetings with representatives of the international community in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
Key Headlines
- Al Shabaab vacate several villages of Lower Shabelle (Radio Mogadishu)
- Somali envoy to Turkey receives warm welcome in Ankara (Bar-Kulan)
- At least 60 Somali asylum seekers jailed in Angola (Shabelle)
- Al Shabaab temporarily seize Beled-Hawo town (Radio Kulmiye)
- SA government thanks Somalia Italy (IOL News)
- Somaliland and Somalia agree to hold more talks security aid transition (Somalilandpress)
- Borders not closed to Somali refugees (Star)
SOMALI MEDIA
Al Shabaab vacate several villages of Lower Shabelle
21 Jun- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Somalia Report- 68 words
Reports from Lower Shabelle region indicate that al Shabaab militias have fled from their bases in No50, No60 and Shalambood villages over the last 24 hours, fearing the national forces and their allied troops. Local residents also told Radio Mogadishu that the militias are preparing to flee from the coastal town of Merka. Reports indicate that the militias gathered their weapons and fighters in Barawo district.
Somaliland and Somalia agree to hold more talks, security, aid, transition
21 Jun- Source: Somalilandpress- 346 words
The first formal discussions between feuding n eighbours Somaliland and Somalia concluded yesterday, with the two sides agreeing to an 8-point plan. including future talks.There has been no official breakthrough, but some progress was made during the last day of the technical-level meeting in the official guest house of Chevening House. Future dialogue, security, development and the transitional period topped Thursday’s discussions.
Somali envoy to Turkey receives warm welcome in Ankara
21 Jun – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 132 words
Somalia’s newly appointed Somalia ambassador to Turkey Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirahman has been warmly received in Ankara by embassy staffs and other community members as he takes up the job. He was received by officials from the Somali embassy and members of the Somali community in the area including students. Abdirahman is expected to submit his letters of credence to the Turkish president Abdallah Gul in order for him to immediately start his diplomatic career.
At least 60 Somali asylum seekers jailed in Angola
21 Jun – Source: Shabelle – 115 words
At least 60 Somali asylum-seekers, mostly youngsters, were taken into custody by the Angolan police forces in the past few days, witnesses said. Specific number of Somali immigrants in Angola, confirmed by phone that the police carried out widespread operations in several locations, targeting Somali asylum-seekers. Sources said the police released some Somali detainees from the detention centers after taking a ransom.
Al Shabaab temporarily seize Beled-Hawo town
21 Jun- Source: Radio Kulmiye/ Somalia Report- 113 words
Fighters from the hardline al Shabaab group yesterday briefly seized Beled-Hawo (Belet-Hawo), a town on the Kenya- Somali border in Somalia’s Gedo region, following an hour of fighting between the militants and Somali government soldiers along with its Ahlu Sunna Waljamaa (ASJW) allies. At least three soldiers from the TFG forces were killed in the fighting.
Acting Prime Minister displays to media two rescued South Africans
21 Jun – Source: Somaliweyn/Markacadeey/Radio Risaala/Radio Mogadishu – 116 words
The TFG Minister of defence, Hussein Arab Issa has displayed Bruno and David, two South Africans who had been held captives by terrorist groups for more than a year. Arab Issa said the two were rescued in an operation carried out by the military and security agencies in an early morning raid which resulted in their release. Minister for defence stated that the Somali National Army (SNM) have the capability to carry out effective and coordinated military rescue operations.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Borders not closed to Somali refugees
21 Jun- Source: The Star- 307 words
The government has denied claims that it has closed its borders to refugees. Speaking during this year’s commemoration of the World Refugee Day in Nairobi, acting commissioner for refugee affairs Badu Katelo yesterday said the country had closed its borders on diplomatic relations but not on refugees.This comes a day after Refugee Consortium of Kenya released a report calling on the government to reopen the Kenya-Somalia border and resume screening of asylum seekers.
Kenyan soldier enlisted to fight for Somalia
21 Jun- Source: Standard- 387 words
The soldier stands tall. He amiably smiles and greets us in Kiswahili when we meet in Afmadhow, Somalia. It is not the norm to find a Somali fighter who speaks Kiswahili. We take interest and within no time, we find out that Abdinasir Ahmed Sheikh is a Kenyan fighting for the Somalia military.
He is among more than 20 Kenyans serving in TFG.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia’s Sharif to stand for new term as president
21 Jun- Source: AFP- 321 words
Somalia’s President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said Thursday he would stand as a candidate for a new term in office, two months ahead of his job coming up for renewal. “My services are available to Somalia if I am trusted with the job for another term,” Sharif told AFP on the sidelines of meetings with representatives of the international community in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
Caught French ‘Qaeda’ man headed to Somalia: Pakistanis
21 Jun- Source: AFP- 365 words
Pakistani officials said Thursday that a French Al-Qaeda militant linked to the 9/11 attacks was probably heading to Somalia when he was captured near the Iranian border. Naamen Meziche was detained in May after disclosures by Younis al-Mauritani, captured in Pakistan last year and apparently tasked by Osama bin Laden to plot attacks on Australia, Europe and the US.
SA government thanks Somalia, Italy
21 Jun – Source: IOL News – 107 words
South Africa thanked the Italian and Somalian authorities on Thursday for the safe return of a local couple held captive by pirates for 20 months. “The couple was released unharmed and is receiving consular support from the South African mission to Somalia, which is based in Nairobi, Kenya,” said international relations spokesman Nelson Kgwete. “Arrangements are being made for the return of the couple to South Africa.” He said South Africa’s ambassador to Somalia, Ndumiso Ntshinga, was in contact with the couple, Deborah Calitz and Bruno Pelizzari. Somalian authorities had confirmed that they were in good health and eager to be reunited with their loved ones.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“More than anything else, these people need the protection and the institutions of law and order that a credible, capable government could deliver. It’s just that nobody is quite sure who can bring this about. Or what it might look like. After all, there is no recent precedent.”
“We can rise from the ashes”
21 Jun – Source: Inside Story Blog – 1465 Words
AWALLE Ousman Mohamed shares the dreams of many eighteen-year-olds. He would love to travel, to learn more languages (he repeats “multilingual” in a heavy accent, nodding his head for emphasis) and to become a doctor. He also has a young man’s passion: he loves playing football and his favourite team is Manchester United. But that’s where the similarities with most teenagers end.