June 27, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Al-Shabaab Leader Reportedly Passes On Due To Illness
27 June – Source: VOA Somali – 127 Words
Unconfirmed news received by the VOA Somali indicate that Al-Shabaab’s leader Ahmed Dirie (Abu Ubaidah) has passed on in southern Somalia. A top intelligence Somali officer, who asked not to be named, said Ahmed Dirie died on Monday due to a kidney-related illness.
The intelligence officer stated that the Al-Shabaab leader passed on in the southern areas under Al-Shabaab control on Monday 25 June. Ahmed Dirie assumed the Al-Shabaab leadership after the death of his predecessor Ahmed Godane, who was killed in a U.S. air raid on December 2014. The U.S. has put $6 million bounty on Ahmed Diriye’s head.
The Al-Shabaab movement has, however, strongly denied the reported death of its leader saying he was “alive, well and busy performing his obligations”. The Federal Government is yet to pronounce itself on the latest development.
Key Headlines
- Al-Shabaab Leader Reportedly Passes On Due To Illness (VOA Somali)
- Gunmen Kill Elder In Mogadishu (Halbeeg News)
- Somalia-Somaliland Talks Will Resume Says DPM Mahdi (Hiiraan Online)
- Poultry Farming Gains Popularity In Somalia (AMISOM)
- Free Fistula Surgery In Borama Hospital Gives Suffering Somali Women Their Lives Back (Radio Ergo)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Gunmen Kill Elder In Mogadishu
27 June – Source: Halbeeg News – 171 Words
Unidentified gunmen killed a well-known elder in the Somali capital Mogadishu. This is the latest in a series of attacks targeting elders, government officials and civil society members. In 2016, when Somalia held its first election since post-transitional government, unknown armed men killed dozens of people suspected to have participated in the elections.
Abdi Ulusow was on his way home from a mosque when two men armed with pistols accosted and shot him several times in the head and chest in Hamar-jajab District: “Abdi was from a mosque shortly after evening prayer when two men approached him. They started shooting at him. The bullets hit him in chest and head,” a witness who sought anonymity for security reasons told Halbeeg News.
The assailants managed to escape from the scene of crime before the law enforcement officers arrived, according to the eyewitness. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack on Abdi. The local authorities in Hamar Jajab District have not commented on the latest attack that claimed the life of the elder.
Somalia-Somaliland Talks Will Resume, Says DPM Mahdi
27 June – Source: Hiiraan Online – 145 Words
Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohamed Guled, who hails from Hargeisa, has commented on the anticipated resumption of talks between Somaliland and the Somali Federal Government. DPM Mahdi revealed that despite recent political rhetorics the talks between the two sides will resume. He further expressed optimism that the talks will yield fruits and bring together all Somalis.
Mahdi stated the central government was willing to resume the talks and engage with Somaliland in a bid to end the disagreements. He gave an assurance that Somaliland’s grievances and complaints would be listened to and addressed.
Separately, the DPM called on Puntland and Somaliland to end the tension in Tukaraq in a peaceful manner in order to give development a chance. The Somali government and the Somaliland administration have severally announced the resumption of the talks but the two sides are yet to sit down and discuss.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Poultry Farming Gains Popularity In Somalia
27 June – Source: AMISOM – 556 Words
For the past four years, Ahmed Hassan Ali has woken up at the crack-of-dawn, to tend to his flock of chicken, in an expansive farmhouse in Mogadishu’s Dayniile district. A typical day at Ahmed’s farm starts with the cleaning of the chicken coops, feeding the chicks and collecting freshly laid eggs, which are neatly packed into boxes and delivered to customers across the city. “Our products need to get to the market on the same day, otherwise they will not sell. Customers don’t care whether there were transport challenges or not,” explains Ahmed who uses his fleet of 11 vehicles to deliver the eggs. “We have networks of restaurants and shops, that buy our products”.
Ahmed started his poultry business in 2014 with modest savings, which he used to buy 5-thousand layer chicks. He set up the business on a rented a piece of land in the capital. Four years later, his business has grown exponentially, providing employment to at least one-hundred youths. The poultry farm currently rears some 25,000 chicks, which lay 18,000 eggs on a daily basis, earning the business enough money to sustain itself.
The 45-year old businessman says he saw an opportunity for a poultry business after realizing that there was a huge untapped market in Somalia. Despite the poor infrastructure, fragile security situation, and the preference for red meat by most Somalis, Ahmed was determined to excel in the business. “Chicken meat and eggs is a new diet to city residents, although my customers are beginning to get used to the habit of eating eggs and chicken,” remarks Ahmed, who also propagates healthier dietary choices.
Like most communities, food is central to Somalia’s culture. And while the Somali diet is largely meat driven, Ahmed sensitizes his customers on the benefits of eating lean white meats such as chicken and fish, as a healthy alternative to red meat. The middle aged farmer has invested heavily in technology and modern equipment to run his farm. An automated feeding machine, egg collection and manure removal equipment, is just some of the modern equipment found on his farm.
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“The services given to the women including hospitalisation, food, medication, surgery and other extra treatment are all free. Sometimes the women bring others with them and we also treat them,”
Free Fistula Surgery In Borama Hospital Gives Suffering Somali Women Their Lives Back
27 June – Source: Radio Ergo – 355 Word
Khadra Ibrahim Ahmed can see a new future opening up in front of her after a successful operation at Borame hospital in Somaliland this month to repair the obstetric fistula that has marred the last 14 years of her life. “Whenever I visited my relatives in their houses I was not allowed to sleep in their beds, I couldn’t ride in public vehicles, or go to weddings or other public gatherings. I was under house arrest! I couldn’t mix with other people, and my husband even left me because of it. People would only call me on my phone but nobody wanted to stand close to me,” said Khadra, 40, who lives in Bosaso.
A prolonged labour during her last pregnancy, which resulted in the death of her baby, caused the damage that meant Khadra was unable to control her urine and faeces. She went to different hospitals with support from her husband in Addis Ababa, Mogadishu, and Bosaso. None of the treatments worked and in 2012, when her husband left her, she resigned herself to a life of hopelessness.
Recently, Khadra heard from a friend about the free treatment provided at Borama hospital by the Fistula Foundation. She immediately contacted the hospital and became one of 105 women to receive surgery this month. “I have spent all my money trying to find doctors. When my money ran out I got handouts from my relatives. My mother sent me $40 a month to buy diapers and clothing,” Khadra said. “Now I am recovering and when the doctors discharge me the first thing I hope to do is to get back my life and start up a business.”
Dr Nasra Ibrahim Sa’id, who conducted the surgery, said most women affected have suffered prolonged obstructed labour. “The services given to the women including hospitalisation, food, medication, surgery and other extra treatment are all free. Sometimes the women bring others with them and we also treat them,” said Dr Nasra. Women are encouraged to come to the hospital to benefit from the free services. The hospital is supported by Fistula Foundation, World Vision, and Somaliland’s Ministry of Health.
TOP TWEETS
@RasnaWarah: Somalia should first get its house in order before making deals with foreign governments. It should be speaking from a position of strength, not weakness. Foreign governments can easily exploit the weaknesses, leaving Somalia even poorer and more fragile e.g. oil
@riskmap_: Hirshabelle Mps Demanded Security Support For The Region #Somalia #Political https://www.riskmap.com/
@HarunMaruf: Colonel Ismail Sheikh Isahaq of the Somali National Army told the Army Radio @SNA_radio that the leader of Al-Shabab Ahmed Diriye Abu Ubaidah has died due to illness in Jilib town. Col Isahaq and @SNA_radio didn’t provide any evidence; comes amid rumours about Ubaidah’s health.
@GEEL_Somali: We are working with 18 fishing Companies in Puntland #Somalia to promote sustainable growth in the fisheries industry thru balanced INFRA & capacity dev. As a result,these companies are expanding their businesses to sustainable increase PROD, create jobs & supply Quality products
@ahmedvision1: Hurting 2 know Mogadishu road blocks effect everyone including mathers in labor complications or pple who are in life threatening illness. We ask Mogadishu municipality to put free & accessible to all standby ambulance in each of the 17 Benadir districts @hodansomali @engyarisow
@UKinSomalia: With funding from @DFID_UK, @WorldBank is conducting an urbanisation review to help set a baseline to get cities in #Somalia ‘right’, to support state-building and promote economic growth
@HiraalInstitute: Understanding #Somalia security trends by comparing Ramadan security incidents 2017 and 2018https://hiraalinstitute.org/
IMAGE OF THE DAY
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo laid a wreath at the unknown soldiers monument in Mogadishu to commemorate the 58th independence anniversary.
Photo: @TheVillaSomalia