June 28, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somalia’s security improving despite attack on U.N. – premier

27 Jun- Source: Reuters- 571 words

Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon has said last week’s deadly assault on a U.N. compound in Mogadishu should not obscure the fact that many other attacks are now being foiled in a nation slowly recovering from war. The attack by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab exposed the fragility of the security gains made since the Islamist militants were driven from Mogadishu by African Union and Somali government forces about two years ago. But Shirdon said it was not the whole story.

Key Headlines

Under-Secretary-General Feltman visits Mogadishu offers solidarity (UNSOM)
Somali President meets with Norway Development Minister (SNTV/ Universal TV)
Delegation jets off to Adado over Hassan Dahir’s arrival (Radio Bar-kulan/Univesal TV)
The African Union congratulates Djibouti on its 36th Independence Day (AMISOM)
Italy to donate 1.2 million euros to demining ( Ansa)
Reports: Al Shabaab executes ‘errant commanders’ arrested two weeks ago
New Center for Arts Culture and Literature launched in Somaliland ( Universal TV/ Horncable TV)
Al Shabaab Leader ‘Captured’ in Somalia (Walta Information Centre)

PRESS STATEMENT

Under-Secretary-General Feltman visits Mogadishu, offers solidarity

27 Jun- Source: UNSOM- 232 words

The UN’s top political official, Jeffrey Feltman, visited Somalia today to express solidarity in the aftermath of the recent attack on a UN compound, and to reaffirm the UN’s resolve to keep up its support to the Somali government and people. The 19 June attack on the UN Common Compound resulted in the deaths of one UN staff member, three contractors, four Somali guards and innocent civilians. This is the second visit by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs this year.

USG Feltman met with Somali President, H.E. Sheikh Hassan Mohamud, diplomatic missions and with UN staff affected by last week’s attack, and paid tribute to the colleagues lost.

“The memories of our colleagues killed during this heinous attack will remain in our hearts and minds and strengthen our resolve as we continue our vital work in Somalia.

The United Nations will not be deterred and our commitment is to stay and work together with the Somali people for a brighter future for their country” USG Feltman said.

Addressing staff, Feltman said: “We are very proud of each one of you and grateful for your courage and dedication.”

USG Feltman discussed security and safety measures for UN operations in Somalia.

“The United Nations is here to help and deliver critical support for the country at the most promising time in the last two decades” USG Feltman added.

The African Union congratulates Djibouti on its 36th Independence Day

27 Jun- Source: AMISOM- 248 words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has extended his warm congratulations to the people of Djibouti as they celebrated their 36th year of Independence.

A delegation including the Djibouti Ambassador to Somalia, Mr Dayib Doubad Robleh, the Somali Defense Minister, Mr Abdihakim Haji Mahamud Fiqi and AMISOM Chief of Staff Brig. Gen Osman Soubagleh travelled to Beledweyne this week to mark the event.

Ambassador Annadif praised the commendable work of the Djiboutian troops in the region who are working alongside the Somali National Army in securing and stabilizing Somalia.

“On behalf of AMISOM I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the government and people of Djibouti as they celebrate their thirty-sixth anniversary of independence. We appreciate the strong partnership we enjoy with Djibouti and recognize the sacrifice made by brave men and women to bring peace to our brother and sisters of Somalia as they rebuild their country”.

Since their arrival, the troops have been active mediators between local authorities, clan elders and militia groups in the Hiraan province. The troops have also been at the forefront of conducting reintegration programmes and military training for the Somali National Security Forces.

Djibouti is the third Troop Contributing Country to join the African Union Mission in Somalia to conduct peace support operations in the country. The Djibouti Armed Forces joined AMISOM in September, 2012 and were deployed to Beledweyne.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali President meets with Norway Development Minister

27 Jun- Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/ Universal TV/ Somaliland Informer/Somali Channel- 274 words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has met on Thursday with Norwegian delegation headed by Minister of International Development Cooperation Mr. Heikki Homas. Ms. Fozia Yusuf Haji Adam, Somalia’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and Mr. Mohamoud Hassan Suleiman, the Finance Minister and other officials attended the meeting. Somali President and Norway’s Minister in charge of International Development discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries and the possible room for Norway to play key role on Somalia’s reconstruction efforts. Norway’s International Development Minister and Somalia’s Foreign Minister put their pens to paper and signed a deal intended to restore the bilateral relations between the two countries. Somali president said that he is delighted to see Norwegian Minister Holmas’s visit to Mogadishu, the war torn capital city of Somalia. The president of Somalia went on to say that this is can be an example that Norway is committed to restore the ties between the two countries and the agreement signed is a sign that Somalia can ratify international agreements with the developed world. President further added he thanked to Norway for their courageous move in order to re-establish the cooperation between Norway and Somalia. Finally, the president called upon the international community to follow suit Norway and have direct collaboration with the government of Somalia. He added that this will make easy for his administration to provide basic needs to Somali people. Mr. Holmas, Norwegian International Development Minister said that he is happy to sign an agreement with Somalia and pledged that his country is determined to play lions share regarding the rebuilding of war ravaged Horn of Africa country of Somalia.

Reports: Al Shabaab executes ‘errant commanders’ arrested two weeks ago

27 Jun- Source: Qalin News/ Somalimidnimo Online- 320 words

Reports from Barawe town of Southern Somalia claimed that al Shabaab executed overnight Wednesday at least four of its senior commanders, who were arrested 20th of this month. A resident in Barawe told Qalin News through phone that al Shabaab executed the senior commanders and are suspected to be those in conflict with the leader Ahmed Abdi Godane who is well known with his nom de guerre Abu Zubeyr. “In Barawe the people are asking themselves 4 people who were executed last night, they were among twenty commanders arrested June 19th, and we don’t know why they were executed,” said the source who requested anonymity for security reasons. Other reports say among those executed is Ibrahim al-Afghani also known as Ibrahim Haji Jama Mee’aad, a prominent member of the militant group.

New Center for Arts, Culture and Literature launched in Somaliland

27 Jun- Source: Somaliland Informer/ Universal TV/ Horncable TV- 173 words

New center to preserve, protect and promote the country’s Arts, Culture and Literature was openned in Hargeisa, Somaliland capital city on Wednesday night. In a highly and well organized ceremony was held which saw the attendance of many people from all walks of life such as the current chairman of UCID opposition party Eng. Faisal Ali Warabe, the former information minister Boobe Yusuf Du’ale, heads of business associations and other sects from the society.

Delegation jets off to Adado over Hassan Dahir’s arrival

27 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Univesal TV/Radio Mustaqbal- 136 words

A delegation consisting of members of the Somali Federal Parliament, clan leaders and former government officials have jetted off to Adado, capital of Himan and Heb regional administration over the future of the captured al Shabaab leader Hassan Dahir Aweys. The delegation which left Mogadishu on Thursday morning was led by Yusuf Mohamed Siyad (better known as Indha-Ade), who was among Hizbul Islam, a Somali Islamist insurgent group formerly led by Hassan Dahir Aweys. Speaking to Bar-kulan, Himan and Heb authority spokesman Mohamed Omar Hagafey said that the delegation visit relates to Hassan Dahir Aweys’s arrival in Adado, and who he will be handed over to. Hagafey added that his administration will also hold meeting will the delegation over the matter. Unconfirmed reports say that Hassan Dahir Aweys will be airlifted to the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Al Shabaab Leader ‘Captured’ in Somalia

27 Jun- Source: Walta Information Centre (Ethiopia)- 458 words

Somali officials say they have captured a leading al Shabaab commander designated a terrorist by the United States. The new development underscores a growing rift within the group. Local officials in central Somalia say Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys was captured in a coastal area around three in the morning. A spokesman for the Himin and Heeb administration, which controls the region, said the militant commander was apprehended without a fight.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia’s security improving despite attack on U.N. – premier

27 Jun- Source: Reuters- 571 words

Italy to donate 1.2 million euros to demining

27 Jun- Source: Ansa -120 words

Italy donated two million euros in 2012 to the Fund for Humanitarian Demining aimed at financing clearance projects in Libya, Somalia, Bosnia and Afghanistan, and plans to give 1.2 million euros to the cause in 2013, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Lapo Pistelli on Friday. Italy has “played its part in backing countries that are still paying the consequences for the use of mines,” he said. Pistelli, who was overseeing a meeting of the National Committee for Humanitarian Action, cited Italy’s ongoing recession as the reason behind the lower contribution in 2013. The funds donated this year are meant to assist in mine-clearance projects in Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, Pistelli said.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Meanwhile Kenya’s government has been pressing Somalia and the UN to start repatriating around 500,000 Somali refugees. It argues that many of them, especially in Kenya’s towns, present an “unbearable and uncontrollable” threat to Kenya’s national security, “The border area between the two countries, disagrees. “Southern Somalia is still at war,” he sighs”

Somalia: Still dangerous

27 Jun- Source: Economist -494 words

The United Nations compound in Mogadishu now bears the scars of the world body’s troubled return to Somalia’s battered capital. Suicide-bombers blew off its front gates on June 19th, letting gunmen of al Shabaab, the al Qaeda-linked movement that used to dominate the country, shoot their way in. In the ensuing battle, 16 people were killed, including eight local and foreign UN staff and the attackers. The UN has been tentatively beefing up its mission in the city as part of a wider re-engagement in Somalia, which had been previously considered a no-go area for all but the most intrepid of foreigners. Nick Kay, the Briton recently appointed as the UN’s special envoy to Somalia, gamely insisted there would be no retreat in the face of the assault. But it was a bloody reminder of the fragility of progress.