June 29, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Official: Gunmen attack aid convoy in Kenyan camp
29 Jun- Source: AP- 105 words
Security officials in Kenya say attackers ambushed a convoy of aid workers at a refugee camp near the Somali border and kidnapped international and Kenyan workers.
A police official, Philip Ndolo, said gunmen attacked a two-car convoy from the Norwegian Refugee Council before noon on Friday. Ndolo said four international workers and one Kenyan driver were kidnapped and being driven toward the Somali border.
Somali gunmen have crossed the border into Dadaab and carried out several attacks over the last year, including kidnappings. A Norwegian Refugee Council official in Norway said he was trying to obtain accurate information on the attack and couldn’t immediately comment.
Key Headlines
- Somali government beefs up security in Mogadishu (Shabelle)
- Official: Gunmen attack aid convoy in Kenyan camp (AP)
- President Sharif extends amnesty to pirates (Radio Risaala)
- Al Shabaab retreating from parts of Hiran region (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Liberation of Bal’ad from al Shabaab opens door to Jowhar (Jowhar Online/Sabahi Online)
- President Sharif meets Somalia diaspora in Dubai (Radio Kulmiye)
- UAE directs Somali peace initiative (Khaleej Times)
- Blast targets Somali troops in Bal’ad town (Shabelle)
- UAE committed to contribute 1 US$m to support Somali naval security capabilities says Gergash (WAM)
- Maritime Counter-Piracy talks seek higher security standard (Coastweek/Xinhua)
- Mogadishu Somaliland sign cooperation deal: report (AFP)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali government beefs up security in Mogadishu
29 Jun- Source: Shabelle- 131 words
A security meeting attended by Somali government officials, including army commanders and district commissioners, was held in Mogadishu on Thursday to improve the security of the capital, a spokesman for Banadir regional administration says.
The meeting which lasted for hours, and chaired by Somali defense minister Hussein Arab Isse in the absence of the interior minister Abdisamad Mo’alin Mohamud focused on mainly on the security, according to Mohammed Yusuf.
“With the help of Somali people and national security agencies, we are going to curb the insecurity acts in the capital,” said Mr, Yusuf while giving an interview to Shabelle radio.
President Sharif extends amnesty to pirates
29 Jun- Source: Radio Risaala- 96 words
An official decree from the office of the president says that the president has extended five-day amnesty to all who abandon piracy activities in the coast of Somalia.The decree states that in respect to the Somalia celebration week, president Sharif decided to forgive anybody who leaves piracy business on their own.President Sharif said that the offer only stands from 26th June, 2012 to 1st July the same year.
This announcement of the president comes just before he left for the United Arab of Emirates to attend a meeting in which piracy in Somalia will be discussed.
Al Shabaab retreating from parts of Hiran region
29 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 131 words
Al Shabaab militants have reportedly started retreating from several districts in central Somali region of Hiran, near the border with Ethiopia. Reports say the militant group has withdrawn some of its military hardware from Bula-barde town after reports emerged that TFG and Ethiopian troops were making military maneuvers in the area.
Locals told Bar-kulan that militants were seen packing their military-ware into trucks heading towards Jala-laqsi town. This comes just a day after the militant group has revealed that it will not defend Jowhar town, Middle Shabelle, from the advancing Somali and AU forces.
The area rebel leader Yussuf Isse alias Kaba-kutukade on Wednesday evening reportedly called together local elders in Jowhar and told them that his militants will pull out of the town without engaging any fight with the allied forces.
Liberation of Bal’ad from al Shabaab opens door to Jowhar
29 Jun- Source: Jowhar Online/Sabahi Online- 1093 words
The Somali National Army and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces seized the al Shabaab-controlled town of Bala’d without any resistance. Military officials told Sabahi that allied forces took complete control of the strategic city and that al Shabaab fighters fled before the forces arrived.
The capture of Bal’ad — one of the last remaining key strongholds of the al Shabaab movement — is a strong blow to the al Qaeda-affiliated group, military officials and security analysts say.
General Ali Araye Osoble, spokesman for the Somali army, told Sabahi that the army is expanding the scope of its military operations in an attempt to regain control of the remaining cities and strongholds still under al Shabaab rule.
President Sharif meets Somalia diaspora in Dubai
29 Jun- Source: Radio Kulmiye- 395 words
Speaking in a dinner event organized by the Somalia diaspora in Dubai president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed thanked the Somali diaspora for their tireless efforts to have democracy for their nation saying. “a million worth of Dubai grants will boost security around our region fighting against pirates and terrorist groups in the country”. The community in Dubai welcomed president promises.
The UAE is the first to dedicate funds to Somalia, according to Faris Mohammed Al Mazroui, assistant to the Foreign Minster for Security and Military Affairs. “This initiative started by the UAE is expected to be developed with other countries. Our objective is to go for US$5million [Dh18.3m] and there are a lot of nations who showed interest,” he said.
The $5m will be used primarily to develop a national guard in Somalia, Mr Al Mazroui explained. “We need to set up a national guard base, equip them and train them, as well as provide boats.” With the initial million, he added, Somalia will be able to set up a coastguard through the United Nations. “We will put the funds under the UN system, which will be worked out from now until September finding the right window and dimension to utilise it,” he said.
According to the latest figures, 185 seafarers and 13 ships are currently held captive by Somali pirates. “These are sailors from around the world. Some of these ships belong to UAE-based companies, although none is UAE flagged,” he said.
The Somali deputy prime minister and minister of defence Hussien Arab Essa confirmed that developing a coastguard and naval capabilities was their first priority in the fight against piracy. “We need to build our own coast guard and navy … and eradicate the problem at its root,” he said “Some funds will be used for programmes in the local coastal community to prevent them from joining the pirates.”
Meanwhile, the Somalia foreign affairs minister, Abdullahi Hagi Hassan, reiterated the president’s claim on Wednesday that his country could eradicate piracy in less than a year. “We never had this problem in Somalia. We had a strong army and powerful navy and we can get it back if we redevelop them and apply them properly,” he said. “With only 10 per cent of what the international community is spending to police the waterways, we can end this issue.”
Blast targets Somali troops in Bal’ad town
29 Jun- Source: Shabelle- 163 words
An explosion is reportedly targeted on a coffee bar located inside the town of Bal’ad that is frequented by Somali government soldiers, with some reports saying it caused casualties. Mohammed Jinow, the governor of Middle Shabelle region for Somali government, confirmed to Shabelle Media about the explosion, saying the attack did not cause any loss of life and wounds on the troops and civilians who were near the site.
Eyewitnesses told Shabelle Media on condition of anonymity that the blast was huge and could be heard across the district, and killed several people at the café.
Djibouti is Expected to Send More Troops to Somalia
28 Jun- Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Somalia Report- 52 words
Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Geleh announced that his government would send more peacekeeping troops to Somalia. Speaking at the 35th anniversary of Djibouti’s independence from France, Geleh stated that the troops will take part in the fight against the enemy of Somalia. The Djiboutian government has already sent 800 troops to Somalia.
One killed in inter-clan skirmishes in Galgadud
29 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 174 words
One person has died when fighting broke out between two rival clan militias in Qalan-qalle area of Galgadud region on Thursday afternoon.
Reports say the two clan militias fought over a grazing land in the area which later sparked into physical confrontations. Confirming the incident, Ahlu Sunna’s Abudwak district commissioner (DC) Hassan Abdi Alas told Bar-kulan that one person was killed when two rival pastoralist clan militias clashed, adding that the killed person has already being buried. The DC urged the rival clans to live together in peace saying that pasture and water found in the area belongs to all clans in the region.
REGIONAL MEDIA
UAE directs Somali peace initiative
29 Jun- Source: khaleejtimes- 480 words
In a major boost to the peace process in the Horn of Africa, Somalia and Somaliland broke the ice at a landmark meeting after two decades of conflict on Thursday. The presidents of the two governments were brought to the table for the first time by the UAE at the counter piracy conference, and talked as equals in a bid to bring stability and build trust in the region.
Both groups agreed to the continuation of the formal dialogue that began in London last week and two committees will continue the talks in ‘‘order to clarify the relationship’’, according a statement signed by the Somalia transitional government President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Somaliland’s President Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo.
‘‘The significant commitment reflects the UAE’s support to the current historic developments in Somalia. It also represents the confidence of the states of Somalia’s neighbourhood, and the international community, in the capacity to ensure that Somalia and its people are once again able to enjoy peace stabilily and prosperity,’’ said Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
UAE committed to contribute 1 US$m to support Somali naval security capabilities, says Gergash
29 Jun- Source: Emirates News Agency- 364 words
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gergash has affirmed the UAE’s commitment to provide one million dollars to contribute to the development of the capabilities of Somali’s navy forces and the Somali coast guards to enable it to restore security and stability.
“The UAE reiterates its commitment to provide one US$ million to support the building of Somalia’s naval security capabilities. The contribution will be managed by the Trust Fund to Support Initiatives of States to Counter Piracy off the Coast of Somalia,” Gergash said in remarks at the second international high-level, public-private counterpiracy conference which concluded Thursday in Dubai, “The amount is part of a yet larger commitment by the UAE to provide comprehensive support to upgrade the capabilities of Somalia’s coast guard at the end of transition on 20 August, the formation of a central permanent government and the announcement of a new constitution for the country,” he added.
Maritime Counter-Piracy talks seek higher security standard
29 Jun- Source: Coastweek/ Xinhua- 350 words
The two-day Counter-Piracy Conference in Dubai ended Thursday with a lot of signs of goodwill, but the global maritime industry demanded higher security standards in the fight against terrorism at sea.
At the Counter-Piracy Conference, which ran its second edition on June 27 to 28, the President of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFGS) Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamoud Silanyo agreed to continue talks on mutual relationship.
While the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Ministry as a host judged the meeting between both presidents a success, the maritime industry, headed by the second conference organizer Dubai Ports ( DP) World, said in its final communique “that there is a lack of clarity about where the responsibilities of governments lie compared with those of commercial organizations in protecting crew and assets, and in engagement with pirates.”
British woman linked to Kenyan night club blasts
28 Jun- Source: Africa Review- 240 words
A British woman has been linked to Sunday’s attack on a night club in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa that killed three people and injured 25 others.
The woman, Samantha Lewthwaite alias Natalie Faye Webb has been on the run since December last year when she escaped a police dragnet in Mombasa.
Lewthwaite, a mother of three, is a widow of Jermaine Lindsay, who blew up a Piccadilly Line train in London on July 7, 2005 that killed 52 people and injured several others.
However, Coast provincial criminal investigation officer Ambrose Munyasia denied the reports by the Daily Mail of London.
The newspaper reported that the Briton is suspected to have masterminded the Sunday night attack at Jericho Beer Garden at Mishomoroni, in Mombasa mainland north.
The newspaper said a police official told its reporter that shortly before the attack, a white woman fitting Lewthwaite’s description was seen acting suspiciously and asking questions about the bar.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Official: Gunmen attack aid convoy in Kenyan camp
29 Jun- Source: AP- 105 words
Security officials in Kenya say attackers ambushed a convoy of aid workers at a refugee camp near the Somali border and kidnapped international and Kenyan workers. A police official, Philip Ndolo, said gunmen attacked a two-car convoy from the Norwegian Refugee Council before noon on Friday. Ndolo said four international workers and one Kenyan driver were kidnapped and being driven toward the Somali border.
Somali gunmen have crossed the border into Dadaab and carried out several attacks over the last year, including kidnappings.A Norwegian Refugee Council official in Norway said he was trying to obtain accurate information on the attack and couldn’t immediately comment.
Mogadishu, Somaliland sign cooperation deal: report
29 Jun- Source: AFP- 279 words
The leaders of Somalia and Somaliland have agreed to boost cooperation between the different factions in Somalia, a country battered by more than two decades of civil war, WAM news agency reported on Thursday.
Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed met in Dubai with his counterpart Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo of Somaliland in the first formal and direct talks since Somaliland broke away in 1991.
The two men signed the “Dubai Charter” in the presence of the leaders of Puntland and Galmudug, two self-proclaimed autonomous regions in Somalia.
The charter follows talks in London and Istanbul earlier this year and reinforces “international efforts for reconciliation among all Somali parties,” WAM said.
Anwar Gargash, the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs who attended the signing, hailed the agreement.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The role of elders in post-1991 Somalia was backed up by collective decision by some communities to fall back on Somalia- pre-state customary laws after coercive role of the state came to end. Elders’ role was strong in areas where clan militias were not the strongest force. It will be a retrogressive decision if an elder is made to believe his new role is to give support or letter of reference to prospective MP or a candidate for a civil service job.”
A new role for Somali elders
28 June- Source: Raxanreeb-361 Words
Somali traditional leaders tasked with endorsing the draft constitution and selecting MPs who will elect a president in August 2012 have appointed an arbitration committee made up of elders. The extent to which the committee members are independent of politicians’ interference or influence is not clear. Elders’ services will be used to give legitimacy to the post-transition institutions– a model used in Somaliland ( Guurtida -council of elders) and in Puntland ( Isimada- traditional leaders).
The drawback to this approach is that elders will have less time to address traditional roles with which they have long been associated ( e.g. solving culture-related disputes ” marriage and wealth” and blood-related cases ” murder, accidents or grievous bodily harm” ). Between 1960, when Somalia attained independence and 1991 when the state collapsed, elders played a minimal role: only when parties involved in conflict or dispute agreed to application of the customary laws were elders given a role. The military regime called them ‘nabad-doonno’ ( peace-seekers).
“To finally rid itself of anarchy and violence, Somalia should adopt a system of federalism that is functional and would federate Southern and Northern Somalia. This system must accommodate the diverse clans within these two jurisdictional areas, where power is shared based on density and population. The proposed federalism, based on mini-fiefdom states, was established for convenience’s sake and will not work for a nation the size of Somalia.”
How Somalia Can Be United Again
28 June- Source: The Star (Nairobi)-846 Words
There is a push to adopt a provisional federal constitution in Somalia when other important issues such as reconciliation, reconstruction and security remain a top priority for the country. The proposed constitution, with its deficiencies, has more chances to exacerbate the situation in Somalia than to address the fundamental issues that led to the protracted conflict.
The Somali public have registered widely their opposition to the draft constitution not only that it represents the wrong diagnosis of federalism, but it also failed to accommodate the aspirations of the Somali people, including the unitary federalism that was founded on the Somali Republic in 1960 which merged both Northern and Southern Somalia into one nation.
Top tweets
@Moadow #Kenyan forces at border with #Somalia kill Kenyan herds man Siyad Shiekh Hussein Doya aged 54 while returning from grazing his livestock
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@HOA_News In a major boost to the peace process in#Somalia,Somalia and #Somaliland broke the ice at a landmark meeting in #Dubai.
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@lawofwomen: #Somali women work in markets as primary breadwinners n men do not object, but in politics some reject citing religious grounds?
Image of the day
Somalia’s president Sheikh Sharif and Somaliland’s president Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo sign reconciliation charter dubbed ‘Dubai Charter’ in the presence of UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash. Photo: WAM