June 27, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Puntland warns on terror attacks during the holy month of Ramadan

27 Jun – Source: RBC/Bar-kulan – 140 words

Puntland government has warned on terror attacks from the al Qaeda Linked al Shabaab militants during the holy month of Ramadan. Deputy President of Puntland Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar Amey has called on the people of Puntland to cooperate with the respective security agencies in the move of keeping the region safe from terror.

Addressing a speech at a ceremony held to commemorate 26th june, the day Somali independence flag was raised in Somalia, Amey stressed that the militants are known to carry out terror attacks in the holy month of Ramadan.

His excellency Amey also emphasized that key role Somali youth have played in independency era also establishing a strong dignified government for Somalia.

Al Shabaab militants are notorious to increase their terror assaults during every month of Ramadan which Muslims spend most of their time in worship and devotion.

Key Headlines

AMISOM congratulates Djibouti on its 37th independence anniversary (AMISOM)
Puntland warns on terror attacks during the holy month of Ramadan (RBC/Bar-kulan)
Historic Somali media support meeting held in Mogadishu (Ministry of Information )
African leaders praise Somalia’s recent progress (Radio Bar-kulan)
Somali Diaspora Zakia Hussein is the new director of community policing at Somali Police Force(Somali Current)
Intense clashes erupt in Bakool (Radio Shabelle)
‘Puntland will respond to attack by Somaliland’- Puntland VP (Garowe Online/Puntladi Online)
Polio vaccination coverage in Somalia (thelancet)
Somaliland: Togdheer Police Commander bans swords & knives from the public (Somaliland Informer)
Food has run out – besieged Bakool residents speak out (Radio Ergo)
political science students graduate in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog)
Somaliland: trees planted at Hargeisa University (Somaliland Informe)
The First Somali Media Support Conference Held in Mogadishu (Radio Dalsan)
Issa Timamy faces murder probe over Lamu raids court told (Daily Nation)
Lower Shabelle clan conflict rages on despite government mediation (Sabahi Online)
Somalia: Al Shabaab – It Will Be a Long War (ICG)
Somalia crisis persists as Ramadan approaches (Presstv)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM congratulates Djibouti on its 37th independence anniversary

27 Jun- Source: AMISOM- 28171 words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has today congratulated the Republic of Djibouti on the 37thanniversary of its independence in 1977.

Noting its important contribution to peace and stability in the region, Ambassador Annadif lauded the sacrifice made by the Djiboutian contingent in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) since their first deployment in December 2011.

“On behalf of the mission, I acknowledge the important contribution of Djibouti to the Somali peace process and the sacrifices of Djiboutian servicemen and women who continue to serve under the African Union in Somalia,” said Ambassador Annadif.

The Djiboutian contingent is in charge of Sector 4 comprising of Hiiraan and Galgaduud regions. The contingent maintains a close relationship with the local communities participating in reconciliation initiatives and supporting relief and development efforts in these areas. Despite being the smallest contingent of the mission, it has performed its assigned tasks incredibly well in its area of responsibility which is one of the biggest sectors.

Historic Somali media support meeting held in Mogadishu

26 Jun – Source; Ministry of Information – 591 words

H.E. Mustafa Duhulow, Minister of Information addressed the Somali Media Support Group (SMSG) meeting held in Mogadishu for the first time. The Minister welcomed and thanked members of the SMSG for holding their meeting in Mogadishu. He stated in his speech the importance and need to support the Somali media development, enabling them play a progressive role in good governance and democratic process.

SMSG consist of members from international civil society organisations, UN agencies, Donor countries including the European Union and USA. The group aim to support developing Somali media and regularly consult on monthly basis in Nairobi. Today’s meeting in Mogadishu was significant progress showing increased collaboration between group and the Somali media in general.

Co-chaired by Mr Aleem Saddique, Spokesperson of UN Secretary-General Special Representative Nicolas Kay and Mr Jaco du Toit from UNESCO. The privet media was represented by Mohamed Ibrahim, Secretary General of NUSOJ, Ismail from SIMHA and Farhio Khaire from Somali Women Journalists.

The Minister of Information addressing participants of the SMSG meeting first sent out condolences to the families and Somali media for the killing of Yusuf Ahmed Abukar (Keynaan), who was a brilliant and intelligent journalist who had a bright future. He said “This is one of the huge challenges that we have as extremists deliberately target journalists in order to silence media.

We need to unite efforts to stop impunity and to redouble our support toward Somali Media Development”. He also said “Somali Federal Government hugely welcomes the SMSG’s support to Somali media.

As you are all aware, Somalis are aural society and media plays a pivotal role in the progress of our society. In particular since Somalia is now moving away from chaos and lawlessness to an era of peace and stability, it is essential that media plays a significant role to the peace-building and state-building of the nation.” The Minister provided updates on the Ministry of Information progress, the challenges faced and the way forward.

The Minister said “ We have made huge progress in the last 5 months as we devised Federal Government Comprehensive Strategic Communications, established Media & Strategic Communications Coordination Group in order to improve internal & external communications, developed Crisis Communications Strategy, re-established Somali National News Agency SONNA, implemented weekly press briefing to highlight the progress of the government, re-launched Somali Pop Idol, introduced Somali Cultural Festival, finalised the draft Media Law, improved relationship with private media, and many more within a short period of time.”

Despite of all the existing challenges the Government is determined and committed to continue in bringing new initiatives and making progress at every level. The Minister said

“We have great ambitions but we need the support of our friends and allies to help us to make long lasting and meaningful growth”. He stressed that the government is planning to take more strategic steps on press freedom and said “We are planning as part of the Media Law establishing an independent Media Council that will regulate the media in the country and for the first time establishing Somali Public Service Broadcast (PSB).

We have also devised media plans for the review of the provisional constitution, as we need to prepare public consultation, public engagement, debates and discussion in order to prepare public ahead of the referendum stage.

At the end of the meeting, the minister and the chair of the SMSG hold press conference raising again the concerns of the killing of journalists in Somalia and the urgent need to enhance the capacity of Somali journalists in order to improve professionalism in Somali media.

SOMALI MEDIA

Puntland warns on terror attacks during the holy month of Ramadan

27 Jun – Source: RBC/Bar-kulan – 140 words

His excellency Amey also emphasized that key role Somali youth have played in independency era also establishing a strong dignified government for Somalia.

Al Shabaab militants are notorious to increase their terror assaults during every month of Ramadan which Muslims spend most of their time in worship and devotion.

African leaders praise Somalia’s recent progress

27 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 129 words

African leaders in the 23rd African Union Summit in Equatorial Guinea have praised Somali government’s recent progress in many fronts including stabilization efforts, federalization and reconciliation fronts.

The leaders also hailed Somali government for its efforts to reform its national army and improve the country’s human rights record.

They called on the government to double its efforts and capitalize international community’s support to get Somalia stand on its feet for the first time in more than two decades.

This year’s African Union Summit in Malaba, Equatorial Guinea will focus on food security and the role of agricultural development in transforming Africa.

A delegation led by Somali Prime Minister, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed is in Equatorial Guinea to represent Somalia in ongoing African Union summit.

Somali Diaspora Zakia Hussein is the new director of community policing at Somali Police Force

27 Jun – Source: Somali Current – 140 words

Zakia Hussein a Somali Diaspora who was brought up in London is set to become the first Somali woman to hold a senior position in the Somali Police Force after the civil war.

A letter from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud office has confirmed Zakia as a full colonel and chief commander of community policing and public relations at the Somali Police Force.

While confirming the appointment on her face book page Zakia thanked the President as well as the people of Somalia who supported her dream of wearing the badge of Somali Police Force.

“Thank you all for your messages of support and encouragement. I said back in September last year that one day I will wear the badge of Somali Police Force. Alhamdullillah, that day came on 15th May when I received my ranking from the President,” She said.

Intense clashes erupt in Bakool

27 Jun- Source: Radio Shabelle- 131 words

According to news reports from the Bakool region in southern Somalia, a fierce conflict erupted on the outskirts of Hudur, the provincial capital of the region.

The battle was initiated when African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali National Army soldiers withdrew from Hudur and were attacked by al Shabaab terrorist insurgents as they were passing on the periphery of the district.

Although the precise numbers of casualties and losses have not yet been specified, residents nearby the town reported to Shabelle that severe fatalities were caused; judging by the sounds of the exchange of gunfire, they said.

Bakool is among the main regions where regular physical confrontations break out between the Somali National Army supported AMISOM force against the Al-Qaeda affiliated al Shabaab terrorist group operating in many areas of Somalia.

‘Puntland will respond to attack by Somaliland’- Puntland VP

27 Jun- Source: Garowe Online/Puntladi Online- 211 words

The Vice President of Somalia’s Puntland Government Abdihakin Abdullahi Haji Omar Amey disclosed that his government will respond to the aggression of Somaliland separatist administration on Thursday.

Speaking at an event marking Somalia Independence Day of 26 June when northern part of the country attained autonomy from Britain in 1960, Vice President Amey told that they will not issue press statement on Sool and Sanaag issues but instead armed forces would confront attack and aggression perpetrated against Puntland by Somaliland.

“We will not condemn but what I tell Puntland people is that government’s policy towards Sool, Sanaag and Ayn is apparent. We will brace up for it”, said Amey.

Somaliland forces are said to have retreated from the historic town of Taleh to Hudur where they have been maintaining military presence.

Somaliland on Tuesday dispatched a delegation led by the State Minister for Presidency Hirsi Ali Haji Hassan to Taleh. Hassan was accompanied by trucks loaded with food on his visit to Sool region town of Taleh.

Following the election of Puntland’s new leader Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, the state’s neighbor to west, Somaliland beefed up soldiers presence in Sool and Sanaag regions.

Puntland and Somaliland have fought sporadic battles since 2002 over the control of territories mainly in Sool region.

Somaliland: Togdheer Police Commander bans swords & knives from the public

26 Jun – Source: Somaliland Informer – 131 words

Togdheer provincial police commander Mr. Abdi Muse Abdilahi speaking to the local about the current stability and security in the town has urged residents to cooperate and work with law enforcement agencies to do their tasks. He sent clear message to town residents that they must refrain from carrying swords and knives in public due to soaring crimes.

Police commander has revealed that the town will act and will introduce tough laws banning swords and knives to be carried by public.

He told that swords were locally made but now are imported from overseas which add fuel to the soaring crime rate in the town. He dissuaded from residents not to carry swords in public and police are given the order to take them to court of law to be tried.

Food has run out – besieged Bakool residents speak out

26 Jun- Source: Radio Ergo- 423 words

Radio Ergo spoke by phone to residents living in areas of Bakool region in southern Somalia, where supply routes have been cut off for the past four months following conflict between Somali government and AMISOM forces and Al-Shabab. Food has run short, deaths in some areas have been reported, and life is incredibly hard.

Mohamed Hassan Abdirahman, a resident of Hudur district

Mohamed: We are in a very bad situation. There have not been any vehicles or trucks entering the district in the past four months and that has caused a food shortage to hit the town. There are small quantities of food being smuggled in but the prices are very high and most people can’t afford it. The poor families are suffering most and there is no aid coming to us.

Political science students graduate in Mogadishu

26 Jun – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 164 words

11 students who graduated from the faculty of political science and information in Mogadishu University held colourful ceremony in the capital. The graduation ceremony was attended by teachers, senior officials from the ministry, musicians, parents, old members of the University and fellow students.

The dean of the faculty Hussein Sheikh Abukar speaking at the ceremony congratulated the graduating batch and encouraged them to continue with their studies. The general director of ministry of culture and higher education Ismail Yussuf Osman also sent congratulations to the students.

The director stated that the ministry has several plans to create employment opportunities to the graduating students and other plans to control the quality of the increasing Universities in the country.

He added that the plans of the ministry will result to the collapse of some Universities in Mogadishu that failed to meet the quality level of a learning institution. This is the 14th batch to complete their graduate studies from Mogadishu University and 7th in the faculty.

Somaliland: trees planted at Hargeisa University

26 Jun – Source: Somaliland Informer – 136 words

Barwaako which means prosperity in English is local organization dedicated to the conservation of the environment. It donated today 50 trees and attended ceremony that brought together the president of Hargeisa University Mr. Abdi Gaas and students from the faculty of Science and Environment to plant trees.

The organization also planted trees in Sheikh Omar village that lies south east of Hargeisa. Ms. Khadra Omar Hassan as the chairwoman has urged the students to raise awareness to the public which discourages them from cutting down trees. She also spoke about the importance of having trees in the capital.

President of Hargeisa University Dr. Hussein Abdi Gaas has said that he is pleased to attend such event with the university which is aimed at celebrating World Environment Day which has particular importance for the public in Somaliland.

The First Somali Media Support Conference Held in Mogadishu

26 Jun- Source: Radio Dalsan- 169 words

The Somali Media Support Group (SMSG) meeting was held today in Mogadishu for the first time. The meeting previously happened in Nairobi once a month.

It was attended by leaders from Media Consortium and Journalist Associations such NUSOJ and SIMHA. SIMHA was represented by the Chairperson Mr. Hassan Ali Geesey and other colleagues. Other leaders were from UN notably Mr Aleem Saddique, Spokesperson of UN Secretary-General Special Representative Nicolas Kay, Mr. Jaco du Toit of UNESCO, and Farhio Khayre of Somali Women Journalists.

Minister Mustaf Duhulow welcomed and thanked members of the SMSG for holding their meeting in Mogadishu. In his speech, he explained the importance and need to support the Somali media development, enabling them play a progressive role in good governance and democratic process.

SMSG consist of members from international civil society organisations, UN agencies, Donor countries including the European Union and USA. The group aims to support developing Somali media. Today’s meeting in Mogadishu was significant progress showing increased collaboration between group and the Somali media.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya: Lamu Governor faces murder probe over Lamu raids, court told

27 Jun – Source: Daily Nation – 141 words

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy is being investigated for murder, forcible transfer of population and terrorism-related offences, prosecutors told a Mombasa court on Thursday. They at the same time asked the High Court to remand him in custody to pave the way for further investigations into the killing of 65 people in the county.

Mr Justice Martin Muya said Mr Timamy would spend the weekend in remand while awaiting a court ruling on an application by the State to have him detained for 14 days. The judge will rule on the application on Monday. The governor was remanded at the Port Police station in Mombasa for three days.

Senior principal prosecuting counsel Alexander Muteti told the court that the offences being investigated were serious and that investigations could not be completed between Wednesday — when the governor was arrested — and Thursday.

Lower Shabelle clan conflict rages on despite government mediation

26 Jun- Source: Sabahi Online- 725 words

Fierce clan-based clashes in Lower Shabelle region are continuing with no sign of a peaceful resolution between the two warring militias despite the Somali government’s best efforts to resolve the conflict.

Since the clashes started in early June, at least 40 people have been killed and scores injured, according to local officials, with another 250 displaced as citizens are fleeing their homes.

In an attempt to find a peaceful resolution to the violence, the federal government on June 9th sent a ministerial delegation to Marka and released a five-point action plan calling for the clan militias’ withdrawal from Marka, a ceasefire, and the Somali forces’ assumption of complete control over the town and its environs.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Polio vaccination coverage in Somalia

27 Jun- Source: thelancet- 442 words

WHO declared polio a public health emergency of international concern.1 Somalia has not eradicated polio yet and has done five national immunisation campaigns in 2013, at considerable expense. Much attention has been given to low immunisation coverage in the conflict-affected south of Somalia.

A cooperation between the Ministry of Health, Save the Children, UNICEF, and the UK Department for International Development looking at barriers to accessing health care in Puntland, an area not affected by conflict, found an unexpected low polio vaccination coverage rate in March, 2014, in the Karkaar region—an arid desert where pastoralism is the main activity. Although the study was not designed as a polio coverage survey, it met Lot Quality Assurance Sampling criteria. The study looked at whether children younger than 5 years old had received at least one polio vaccination, using a combination of card and caretaker recall.

We noted a proportion of children younger than 5 years who had been vaccinated against polio at least once in their lifetime of 81·5% (SD 4·9, range 77—92) in small towns, of 58·8% (SD 23·9, range 20—90) in small villages, and of 34·4% (SD 24·5, range 0—79) in pastoralist populations.

Somalia: Al Shabaab – It Will Be a Long War

26 Jun- Source: ICG- 423 words

Despite the recent military surge against Somalia’s armed Islamist extremist and self-declared al Qaeda affiliate, al Shabaab, its conclusive “defeat” remains elusive. The most likely scenario – already in evidence – is that its armed units will retreat to smaller, remote and rural enclaves, exploiting entrenched and ever-changing clan-based competition; at the same time, other groups of radicalised and well-trained individuals will continue to carry out assassinations and terrorist attacks in urban areas, including increasingly in neighbouring countries, especially Kenya. The long connection between al Shabaab’s current leadership and al Qaeda is likely to strengthen. A critical breakthrough in the fight against the group cannot, therefore, be achieved by force of arms, even less so when it is foreign militaries, not the Somalia National Army (SNA), that are in the lead. A more politically-focused approach is required.

Even as its territory is squeezed in the medium term, al Shabaab will continue to control both money and minds. It has the advantage of at least three decades of Salafi-Wahabi proselytisation (daawa) in Somalia; social conservatism is already strongly entrenched – including in Somaliland and among Somali minorities in neighbouring states – giving it deep reservoirs of fiscal and ideological support, even without the intimidation it routinely employs.

Somalia crisis persists as Ramadan approaches

27 Jun- Source: Presstv- 221 words

Muslims globally are preparing to fast during the holy month of Ramadan. The observance of Ramadan, one of Islam’s five pillars, is a religious obligation in which Muslims fast and forgo any liquids from dawn until dusk over the course of a month.

In Somalia, preparation for the month is in top gear. People are flocking to the markets to shop.

From cooking items to food, traders hope to make a good sale during Ramadan. But not all in Somalia will share the joy of this holy month. The UN says that almost a million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. AbdulKadir is a father of four. He has lived in this camp since 2011. His wife recently passed away and he is now forced to fend for his four children.

And it’s not only Abdulkadir who has problems, it’s the rain season in Mogadishu and this woman told us that she has nowhere to hide her children especially during this cold season.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“The following is an exclusive interview conducted by our own Adan Makina covering wide-ranging and fascinating topics with Ambassador Dr. Ali Said Faqi, Somalia’s Ambassador to the Benelux and the European Union.”

Interview with dr. Ali said Faqi: Somali ambassador to the Benelux and the European union

27 Jun- Source: Wardheernews- 479 words

WardheerNews (WDN): Ambassador Ali Said Faqi, Somalia’s new Ambassador to the EU and Belgium, first welcome to WardheerNews. You hold one of the biggest ambassadorial responsibilities for the Somali nation. Did your appointment to these two positions come to you as a surprise?

Amb. Ali Said Faqi: Yes, indeed it was a complete surprise, unexpected and out of nowhere. However, I should admit that I had interest to join politics one day in my life time, but I have never dreamed of becoming a diplomat; it was something that never crossed my mind. Having said that, I am honored to be the Ambassador of Somalia to the Benelux and the European Union.

WDN: Could you share with us your background?

Amb. Ali: I have a PhD in Toxicology and my research interest is on preclinical drug development with specialty on reproduction and birth defects. Here are some of my highlights:

I am a Senior Director at a private research institute. I also hold an adjunct associate professor at Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

I am a Diplomate of American Board of Toxicology (DABT) and a Fellow of the Academy Toxicological Sciences (ATS). Currently I am an Associate Editor of Reproductive Toxicology Journal and a member of Editorial Board of Open Access Journal of Science and Technology and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI). Moreover, I served on the Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) Computational Toxicology at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) from September 2009 to September 2010.

“Despite military gains against Somalia’s Islamist group al Shabaab, the insurgents’ defeat will remain elusive until the Somali government and its international partners address longstanding social – often clan-based – grievances through parallel local and national processes, as the basis for the revival of conventional governmental authority”

Somalia: Al Shabaab – It Will Be a Long War

26 Jun- Source: ICG-406 Words

To combat the entrenched, highly adaptable extremist group al Shabaab, the Somali Federal Government and its allies must better imitate the group’s core political strengths. The focus on military campaigns with little emphasis on encouraging political settlements in liberated areas is handing the initiative back to the insurgents. In its latest briefing, Somalia: Al Shabaab – It Will Be a Long War, the International Crisis Group looks beyond Al Shabaab’s extremist face and explains why the group remains resilient in south-central Somalia.

The briefing’s major findings and recommendations are:

While al Shabaab remains the focus for international actors, it is just one of several obstacles on the road to peace and stability. And unlike many of its rivals in south-central Somalia, the group still offers practical solutions to clan conflicts and minority representation, simple but effective governance and justice structures, and basic social services, including religious instruction in areas with scant primary education.

Al Shabaab draws strength from an experienced cross-clan leadership that – despite internal tensions – continues to offer a consistent and well-articulated vision, propagated at the ground level through close engagement with Somali society, particularly in rural areas.

“At the moment, Somalia’s remittance system is its life-support, its economic engine and the glue holding its communities together. The Obama administration must be willing to at least carve out a temporary exception for Somali-American remittance company accounts from its intentionally vague requirement that banks conduct “appropriate, risk-based” due diligence on their customers.”

A Lifeline at Risk

26 Jun- Source: Huffington Post Blog- 685 Words

The money that Somali migrants in the United States and around the world send to their friends and family in Somalia comprises over a third of the country’s entire economy. More than 40 percent of families depend on help from abroad to meet their most basic needs. But U.S. Treasury Department regulation is forcing American banks to close down accounts of companies that transfer money to Somalia, endangering the entire Somali remittance system.

Unlike most countries, Somalia is not linked to the international banking system, so direct bank transfers are impossible. Western money transfer companies are nearly absent from the country. That means Somali-American remittance companies, which have established an impressive network of branches, including in small villages and rural areas, represent the only legitimate channel through which to send money to Somalia. Somalis view them proudly as indigenous, home-grown institutions that have helped them survive through over two decades of near constant warfare.

Top tweets

‏@UNLazzarini #UN & NGO Emerg Directors to advocate on#Somalia humanitarian sit & way forward @InterActionOrg @IOM_Somalia @IMCWorldwide @unicefsomalia

@CrisisGroup #FF @CedricHoA who leads our Horn of Africa team. Take a look at their new briefing http://bit.ly/1wAXHmt #Somalia #AlShabaab

@DalsanFM_SOM #Somalia Acting United States Special Representative for Somalia Wishes Somali Muslims Ramadan Kareem @USAforSOMALIA http://dalsanradio.com/articles/6793/Acting-United-States-Special-Representative-for-Somalia-Wishes-Somali-Muslims-a-Ramadan-Kareem …

@omabha #Somalia Somalia: Puntland Vows to respond to any ‘Aggression’ from Somaliland – Horseed Mediahttp://dlvr.it/67YhcS #Mogadishu

@Aynte Awesome piece on the recent Somali Diaspora Conference in #Istanbul http://www.hiiraan.com/op4/2014/jun/55362/global_somali_diaspora_hope_of_diaspora_effectiveness_ahead.aspx#sthash.xEONZJ7y.dZqlLlKq.dpbs …by @LibanObsiye #Somalia

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Image of the day

Image of the day Citizens living in the #Somali capital, #Mogadishu, continued preparations ahead of #Ramadan. Photo: @anadoluagency