June 25, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Sheikh Aweys, al Shabaab officials escape to Hobyo in Mudug region

25 Jun- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Hiiraan Online/Shabelle/Radio Dalsan/SomaliWarMonitor- 201 words

Reports say that Hassan Dahir Aweys who is one of senior al Shabaab leaders escaped from Barawe district, lower Shabelle region. Hassan reportedly escaped using a boat from the coastal town and was accompanied by officials and armed fighters, and it was reported that they have gone to El-hur settlement of Hobyo district in Mudug region. Sources in al Shabaab confirmed that Sheikh Aweys escaped from Barawe Sunday night when tension between his group and that of overall al Shabaab leader Sheikh Abu Zubeyr flared up.

Hassan Dahir Aweys’s move comes after a fierce firefight within al Shabaab few days ago in Barawe located in the lower shabelle region, that claimed the lives of at least 10 of combatants. This comes on the backdrop of intense factional disagreements along ideological lines within the militant organisation over Ahmed Godane’s (AKA sheikh abu zubayr) leadership, especially more so since suffering military setbacks against Somali forces backed by AMISOM.

Awey’s ‘Hizbul Islam’ has been in an uneasy alliance with al Shabaab since their amalgamation in 2010. Sheikh Aweys has of late publicly criticised in a fatwa along with other senior leaders such as Abu mansur Robow, the attempted assassination of American militant Omar Hammami AKA Abu Mansur al Amriki and his comrades.

Unconfirmed reports also say that Sheikh Aweys will be taken from his current hide-out in Mudug by airplane and will be taken to Qatar to seek asylum. Other reports indicate that he will have talks with President of Somali government Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Key Headlines

Sheikh Aweys al Shabaab officials escape to Hobyo in Mudug region (Radio Mustaqbal/Hiiraan Online/Shabelle/Radio Dalsan/SomaliWarMonitor)
Defense Minister urges Somali forces to eliminate al Shabaab (Radio Mogadishu/ Al Shahid/SNTV/ Universal TV/ Radio Risaala)
Somaliland President Silanyo unveils major reshuffle to his cabinet (Somaliland Press/Somaliland Informer)
Somali President Djiboutian Ambassador Discuss Security (Radio Mustaqbal/Sabahi Online)
Prominent Somali elder passes away (Radio Garowe/al Shahid/Horseed Media)
Somali President Meets Yemeni Official (Saudi Press Agency/SABA)
AMISOM educates Somali lawmakers on security oversight (Sabahi Online)
Somalia calls for help to keep remittances flowing from Britain (Reuters)

PRESS RELEASE

The European Union and the Somali Federal Government strengthen ties on board EU Naval Force Counter Piracy Flagship

24 June- Source: EU NAVFOR Public Information Office-276 Words

Members of the Somali Federal Government flew on board the EU Naval Force Portuguese flagship, NRP Alvares Cabral, at sea off Mogadishu. They held talks with the EU Special Envoy to Somalia, the Operation Commander of the EU Naval Force Atalanta, and the Head of Mission for EUCAP NESTOR, to discuss how they can work together to help strengthen maritime security and economic development in Somalia.

This was the first meeting to be held at sea between EU representatives and Somali Government officials. After the talks, the Somali Ministers were given a tour of the warship and introduced to members of the ship’s company.

“Today’s meeting was an opportunity to demonstrate the EU’s commitment to help Somalia become a more stable and secure nation, said the EU Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso. We’ve highlighted the ways the EU can help Somali maritime forces to increase their capabilities to fight piracy and other illegal activities at sea, to reinforce maritime security but also to benefit from maritime resources. The security sector, as a whole, will also be part of the “New Deal Compact” that will be endorsed at “The New Deal for Somalia Conference” in Brussels in September.”

EUCAP NESTOR is a civilian led European Union mission aimed at enhancing maritime capacities of countries off the Horn of Africa and the Western Indian Ocean.

EU Naval Force deters, prevents and represses acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. EU Naval Force ships protect World Food Programme vessels delivering aid to Somalia and AMISOM shipping. EU Naval Force ships also contribute to the monitoring of fishing activity off the Somali Coast.

SOMALI MEDIA

Sheikh Aweys, al Shabaab officials escape to Hobyo in Mudug region

25 Jun- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Hiiraan Online/Shabelle/Radio Dalsan/SomaliWarMonitor- 201 words

Defense Minister urges Somali forces to eliminate al Shabaab

25 Jun- Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Al Shahid/SNTV/ Universal TV/ Radio Risaala- 144 words

Somali Defense Minister Abdihakim Haji Mahmoud Fiqi urged Somali forces to work for the elimination of the al Shabaab movement, in a speech at the Graduation Ceremony of the armed forces that have completed military training in Mogadishu.

The defense minister said that the Somali forces must perform their national duties, and to work for the liberation of the regions from the al Shabaab movement.

He added that the only enemy of the Somali people and Government of Somalia is al Shabaab, and he called on armed forces to intensify military operations against the militant group.

Somaliland President Silanyo unveils major reshuffle to his cabinet

25 Jun- Source: Somaliland Press/ Somali Informer- 294 words

President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo has made a major reshuffle in his cabinet late on Mondaynight.
The reshuffle which was announced in a presidential decree number JSL/M/XERM/249-1820/062013 released from Somaliland presidency in Hargeisa saw major cabinet ministers dismissed, others shifted to new ministries as well as new nominees.

The changes affected in the reshuffle are as follows:
1. Mohamed Biihi Yusuf Foreign Minister
2. Ali Mohamed Warancade Interior Minister
3. Shukri Haji Ismial Bondare Environment Minister
4. Ali Jama Faarah “Buuraad” Fishery Minister

Somali President, Djiboutian Ambassador Discuss Security

25 Jun- Source: Radio Mustqbal/Sabahi Online- 87 words

Djibouti’s ambassador to Somalia Dayib Doubad Robleh met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu Sunday (June 23rd) to discuss progress of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) against al-Shabaab.

AMISOM Chief of Staff Brigadier General Osman Soubagleh was also present at the meeting. Mohamud praised Djibouti’s contribution to the AMISOM mission. The Djiboutian contingent of AMISOM provides security in Beledweyne and has recently begun training 500 Somali soldiers for the second time.

Prominent Somali elder passes away

25 Jun- Source: Radio Garowe/al Shahid/Horseed Media- 176 words

Bogor Abdullahi Bogor Muse a clan king, passed away in Finland succumbing to his ailing health on Monday, local media reports. The well-known Bogor Abdullahi suffered a stroke earlier this month and had been hospitalized in Finland. He passed away Monday afternoon after going into a coma.

Bogor Abdullahi who comes from a lineage of clan kings was crowned in 2008 in a publicized event attended by then the late Somali Interim President Abdullahi Yusuf and then Puntland President Mohamud Muse Hersi (Adde) and thousands of Somalis, some who came from the diaspora.

Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole – who currently is in the U.A.E – sent his condolences to the family, friends and Somalis who the clan king had passed away from.

The Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud , Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari, Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon send also their condolences to the family of Bogor Abdullahi Bogor Muse. Somali President praised the role of the Sultan in the reconciliation efforts between the Somali clans over the past two decades.

Somalis asks British bank not to cut off funds

24 Jun – Source: Shabelle Media – 485 words

Somalia’s money transfer businesses appealed on Monday for the last major British bank they work with not to close its accounts, warning this would cut lifeline services for the war-torn nation.

With their country ravaged by decades of conflict and without a formal banking system, many Diaspora Somalis depend on money transfer services to send millions of dollars annually to support family in the impoverished country.

The Somali Money Services Association (SOMSA), an umbrella group of transfer services, has said that Barclays bank is to close the accounts of its members next month. International banks have been tightening rules in a bid to cut money laundering and funding of groups accused of terrorism.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Uganda, Kenya leadership key to prosperity: Uhuru

25 Jun- Source: Daily Nation- 496 words

President Uhuru Kenyatta has said the Kenyan and Ugandan governments hold the key to the prosperity of their citizens. On regional peace and security, the President said Kenya and Uganda have worked together to deal with various challenges, the most recent being the stabilisation of Somalia.

Noting that Uganda People’s Defence Force has more than six thousand soldiers serving with AMISOM in Somalia, President Kenyatta added that after the Kenya Defense Forces’ intervention in Somalia that led to the recapturing of Kismayo, the KDF troops serving in Somalia had also been incorporated into the United Nations Mission to Somalia (AMISOM).

“It is an honour for our men and women in uniform to be working together to bring peace to Somalia, which has faced war and conflict for the last twenty years,” President Kenyatta said. He expressed hope that the two governments will co-operate when tackling other peace and security challenges such as the frequent cases of cattle rustling and banditry in the northern parts of the two countries.

Somali President Meets Yemeni Official

25 Jun- Source: Saudi Press Agency/SABA- 42 words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud met in Mogadishu with Yemen’s chargé d’affaires to Somalia Fouad Mohammed Al-Zarqa. During the meeting, they discussed relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields.

AMISOM educates Somali lawmakers on security oversight

24 Jun- Source: Sabahi Online- 196 words

A four-day capacity building workshop to educate Somali lawmakers on key concepts of parliamentary oversight and security concluded Sunday (June 23rd), the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) announced.

African Union Special Representative for Somalia and Head of AMISOM Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif praised members of Somalia’s parliamentary committee on national security, interior and governance for their commitment and reiterated AMISOM’s pledge to work closely with lawmakers.

“Our efforts and initiatives are aimed at supporting the government institutions actively engaged in the consolidation of the peace and stability achieved so far,” he said in a statement read on his behalf by Ambassador Basile Garetetse. “Parliament has the backing of the people and it is important that we transform this show of faith into tangible benefits for the Somali people.”

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Only The Strong Survive

25 Jun- Source: strategypage- 850 words

Despite the security gains during the last few years, Somalia isn’t safe. It is safer, especially if you are armed or have bodyguards. But if you are unarmed, you are still in danger, especially if you are a foreigner (and seen to have a lot more worth stealing). Too many Somalis are armed and many of those are also deliberately dangerous. It is also dangerous for Somalis, especially if they are journalists or Christians. Al Shabaab gunmen seek out both and often murder them in public. This sort of thing, and the continued presence of some al Shabaab men (and lots more bandits and larceny minded Somali men with guns) is discouraging many of the half million refugees in Kenyan camps from returning home.

The government is pleading with foreign governments (especially Britain and the U.S.) to let up on new banking regulations that cut off cash transfers to Somali money transfer services that will not or cannot comply with new rules meant to halt the use of these firms to move money for terrorists and other criminals. About a quarter of the Somali GDP comes from these transfers from Somalis outside the country.

Somalia calls for help to keep remittances flowing from Britain

24 Jun- Source: Reuters- 496 words

Somali money transfer businesses asked the British government to stop Barclays bank from closing their accounts in Britain, a move Somali officials and bankers said threatens remittances. Diaspora remittances are Somalia’s biggest foreign currency earner and many of its 10 million people rely on the $1.2 billion or so sent to the nation every year.

A Somali official said on Monday cutting that “lifeline” could hurt fragile efforts to stabilise a nation battling an Islamist insurgency. Somalia analysts said it could encourage the use of illegal and untraceable routes if other channels were blocked.

Barclays said in a statement it was stopping offering banking services to some Somali transfer firms due to fears funds might end up in the hands of “terrorists” in a nation that is slowly emerging from two decades of civil conflict.

Good financial governance ‘crucial to Somali prosperity’

24 June- Source: Public Finance International-377 Words

Improved public financial management is a key feature of Somalia’s plan for growth and stability, according to the country’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. In a speech, Mohamud said good governance came behind only security as his priority for the nation.

While ‘considerable progress’ had been made on improving security and rebuilding Somalia’s state institutions, Mohamud said he was under no illusion that significant challenges remain. ‘This is a job in progress but with much still to do,’ he said.

On financial capacity, the president said: ‘We are building strong public financial management systems, in particular increasing transparency and strengthening our controls over revenue collection, allocation of budgets, and expenditure of public money.’ Mohamud said debt clearance was a ‘crucial next step’ and was needed to allow Somalia to accelerate its governance and institution-building initiatives.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Obviously in Somaliland, Professor Ahmed Samatar has a tightrope to walk. Time will tell whether the hedgehog will win with its fortified wall of spikes or whether the fox will outmaneuver and blunt the spikes one after another.”

Somaliland: Samatar’s Hero’s Welcome in Somaliland Has Him Walking a Tightrope

24 June- Source: Hiiraan Online/Somaliland Press-1594 Words

Professor Ahmed Samatar represents different things to different people, but one thing that undeniably dominates his character is that he is an eminent scholar seeking to revive common decency and good values in the Somali people. However, the rapturous welcome and adulation that he received during his much awaited homecoming to Somaliland may have raised more questions than they answered.

The root cause of such bewilderment is the different expectations that the various sectors of the Somali people have about the outcome of the professor’s country-wide tour and the rationale behind his decision to visit Somaliland despite his well known political position as an ardent advocate of Somali unity.

Famous for his unmatched eloquence and brilliant scholarship, Ahmed Samatar has until now skirted the thorny issues and instead concentrated on his long term mission of bringing political and cultural enlightenment to the Somali people, particularly by engaging with local universities, community leaders and women and charming them with his suave manners and Aristotelian persuasion. I will, therefore, try in this piece to look at the different perspectives that the different sectors of the Somali people might have regarding Ahmed Samatar’s visit.

“Somalia will need to deal with its violent and chaotic past to be able to advance. Whether this comes in the form of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission such as in Sierra Leone or in the re-making of the old colonial borders such as in Sudan.”

Somalia – The new golden child?

24 June- Source: Masterpeace-336 Words

Ten years after Black Hawk Down and chaos, the world is once again set on ‘rescuing’ Somalia. 50 states supported last week’s Somalia conference in London. William Hague re-opened a British embassy. The U.S. has pumped more than $1.5 billion worth of assistance into the country since 2009, including the $40 million pledged last month. UNDP staffs are waiting to follow its new country director on his way to Mogadishu and everyone hopes that aid will produce stability which will encourage security, as the country is still considered an international battleground in the fight against al Qaeda.The UNDP has captured these efforts in a beautiful video tellingly under the name, “A new Somalia”.

Just last week sadly, UNDP, has suffered a great setback. A suicide bomber has shattered hopes and dreams. It seems the old Somalia cannot just be buried in promotion videos and hope.

The infighting, the piracy, the terrorism and the hopelessness. However, instead of American soldiers the emphasis is now on country-led and country-owned solutions. Not only has Somalia endorsed the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States, but its government is touring the world this year to drum up investment and support for its slow path to recovery.

Top tweets

@evolvingprimate #Somalia Godane’s purge ensured the elimination of crucial dissenting voices & a disciplined more brutal outfit can be expected to emerge

@StabilityJrnl Lessons from the #African Union Mission for#Somalia #AMISOM for #Peace Operations in #Mali 6 –http://ow.ly/m12ql

@OCHASom Nutrition cluster #Somalia reached 189,000 of 193,000 acutely malnourished children Jan-April@unicefsomalia http://twitpic.com/cz1ueb

@loughrichard #Somalia‘s central bank governor says he has no balance sheet for the bank. “We have small assets, a lot of liability.”

@OxfamEAfrica Somalis we surveyed use money sent back from UK for basics like food, school fees, medical costshttp://ind.pn/10htgDj #somalia #barclays

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Image of the day

Image of the day A member of a combat engineering team serving with the Kenyan Contingent of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) sweeps the former compound housing the offices of UNHCR for unexploded ordinace and explosive devices in the southern Somali port city of Kismayo. Photo: AMISOM