June 4, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
President Uhuru assures of Kenya’s commitment to Somalia
04 Jun- Source: Star (Kenya)- 301 words
President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday reassured Somalia of Kenya’s commitment to the stabilization of the war torn country within the framework of the IGAD peace process and in accordance with the country’s Federal Constitution.
President Kenyatta made the remarks at State House Nairobi when he met with the President of Puntland Federal State of Somalia Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud.
The President emphasized that the regional federal states of Somalia as established by the federal constitution remain the most important pillars for stability, peace and prosperity in Somalia.
He appealed to all those involved in the Somali peace process to acknowledge and support the role of regional federal states in working together with the Federal Government to bring sustainable peace and stability in that country.
Key Headlines
- Fighting broke between Somali troops and al Shabaab on outskirts of Baidoa (Radio Shabelle)
- Somalia’s Foreign affairs ministry sends delegation to South Africa to resolve crisis (Radio Mogadishu/ Somalia Today/Universal TV)
- Somali speaker calls on international community to help Somalia in reconstruction (Mareeg Online
- Motion against Kenya Defence Forces in Somalia faces hurdles (Standard)
- Several arrested in security operation in Mogadishu’s Hamar Jajab (Radio Shabelle)
- Hospital in Guriel experiences lack of medicines (Radio Ergo)
- President Uhuru assures of Kenya’s commitment to Somalia (Star)
- Somalis reflect on presence of African Union Mission in Somalia (Sabahi Online)
- Somalia cases of killing maiming abuse of children halved: UN (Reuters)
- Zuma asked to protect Somalis (Times Live)
SOMALI MEDIA
Fighting broke between Somali troops and al Shabaab on outskirts of Baidoa
04 Jun- Source: Radio Shabelle- 141 words
Somali government officials in Bay region say that they have killed several al Shabaab fighters after fighting broke out on the outskirts Baidoa city.
Colonel Hassan Baidoa, the commander of Somali government troops based in Bay and Bakol regions said al Shabaab fighters tried to attack government troops’ convoy in between Baidoa and Gof Gadud but they retaliated back and killed several Shabab fighters.
The colonel added that the area where the fighting occurred is in the safe hands of the federal government troops.
Somalia’s Foreign affairs ministry sends delegation to South Africa to resolve crisis
04 Jun- Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Somalia Today/Universal TV- 152 words
Somalia Foreign affairs announced that the ministry will send a delegation to South Africa in an effort to resolve the security crisis affecting the Somali community in South Africa.
The permanent secretary in the Somali Foreign ministry Abdi Salam Haji Ahmed Liiban, said in a press statement that the state is planning to send a delegation to South Africa aimed at ending the xenophobic violence against Somali citizens.
He condemned abuses meted against Somali nationals in South Africa, also expressed deep regret towards the gruesome manner in which a Somali was stoned to death on the 29 May.
The statement called on the South African government to protect Somali nationals in the country, and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Politician says Puntland leader inciting clan animosity in southern Somalia
04 Jun – Source: Radio Shabelle – 116 words
Politicians and ex-member of Somalia’s former interim parliament has accused the president of Puntland state, Abdirahman Farole, of inciting clan animosity in the Jubba regions [southern Somalia]. Bot Abdulle Magan told Radio Shabelle that the Puntland leader was hatching a plan to incite clans in the Jubba regions against each other. He said Farole and the leader of [pro-government] Ras Kamboni Brigade were also planning to hand the country’s resources to foreign forces, including Kenya. Farole’s administration supports the Jubaland regional government led by Ahmed Madobe and has thanked Kenya for backing the Jubaland initiative.
Somali speaker calls on international community to help Somalia in reconstruction
04 Jun- Source: Mareeg/ Shabelle- 131 words
The speaker of the Somalia National assembly has urged the international community to help the country in the reconstruction process. Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari urged developed countries to help the federal government in speeding up major government public facilities in the reconstruction process. Mr. Jawari added that by putting up public facilities, the government will be able to provide security for the members of the public. Mr. Jawari finally requested the United Nations to continue cooperating with the federal government and the Somalia citizens to achieve a long lasting peaceful atmosphere in the country. The speaker was speaking at an event welcoming the new United Nations envoy for Somalia Nicholas Kay to Mogadishu.
Incumbent president returns to Adado ahead of elections
04 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 134 words
The incumbent Himan and Heb administration in central Somalia president Mohamed Abdillahi Aden (Ticey) who has returned to Adado district, the administration’s capital, from Mogadishu where he spent the last eight months attending various conference.
Speaking about his recent visit to Mogadishu, Ticey said that he held meetings with people and also arranging of how the administration’s upcoming presidential elections would be conducted. He added that a committee to observe and manage elections consisting of 20 members had been appointed recently.
Administration incumbent president appealed to the people of Himan and Heb administration to closely work with security troops and help them ensure peace and stability during the elections.
Himan and Heb administration in central Somalia’s presidential elections is due to held on 10th June.
Several arrested in security operation in Mogadishu’s Hamar Jajab
03 Jun- Source: Radio Shabelle- 161 words
Security operations were conducted at Hamrjajab suburbs in Mogadishu by federal police forces aided by the AMISOM troops. Many youths suspected to be members of al Shabaab militants were arrested during the operation.
A witness who did not want her name to be used in the media told Shabelle that the police received intelligence lead about some al Shabab hide outs. She added that many youths were arrested and a lot of them were released without charges after they were interrogated by the police.
Security operations have been conducted in the many surburbs in Mogadishu for the past few weeks leading to hundreds of youths being detained.
This comes after both the prime minister of the federal republic of Somalia Abdi Farah Shirdon and AMISOM spokesman Mr. Hamud announced a proposed house to house search in Mogadishu which was set to wipe al Shabaab pockets out of the capital city.
Hospital in Guriel experiences lack of medicines
03 Jun- Source: Radio Ergo- 177 words
Istarlin Hospital in Guriel, Galgadud region, has run short of essential medicines. Omar Ali Tarabi, hospital manager, said they were telling patients to buy and bring their own medicines with them for treatment.
“Patients have to come with whatever medications they can get from outside, and we give whatever drugs we can still find available in our stores,” he said.
The hospital has been struggling since the international medical charity Medecins san Frontieres (MSF) cut off its emergency support to the hospital in January. The local community is trying to fund raise to assist the hospital.
Ahmed Mohamed Noor, a local businessman, said the business community was aiming to raise a total of USD 66,000 for the hospital. They had already raised USD 8,000. He said they would also be lobbying the government for vital support for the facility.
Dr. Saleban Mohamed Selah, a hospital official, said there were 52 patients currently admitted to the wards. He called for a sustainable flow of funding to be able to maintain proper medical services and care for the community.
REGIONAL MEDIA
President Uhuru assures of Kenya’s commitment to Somalia
04 Jun- Source: Star (Kenya)- 301 words
President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday reassured Somalia of Kenya’s commitment to the stabilization of the war torn country within the framework of the IGAD peace process and in accordance with the country’s Federal Constitution. President Kenyatta made the remarks at State House Nairobi when he met with the President of Puntland Federal State of Somalia Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud.
The President emphasized that the regional federal states of Somalia as established by the federal constitution remain the most important pillars for stability, peace and prosperity in Somalia.
He appealed to all those involved in the Somali peace process to acknowledge and support the role of regional federal states in working together with the Federal Government to bring sustainable peace and stability in that country.
Somalis reflect on presence of African Union Mission in Somalia
03 Jun- Source: Sabahi Online- 661 words
With 2013 marking the African Union’s (AU) 50th anniversary, many Somalis expressed gratitude for the presence of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) — the instrumental force that drove al Shabaab from Mogadishu and weakened the militant group’s grip on the country.
“We are very thankful to AMISOM because they rescued us from al Shabaab,” Mogadishu resident Aweys Isse, 26, told Sabahi. “Truly, they have created peace and allowed us to rest; our capital has not been this peaceful in 22 years.”
The African troops played a big role in restoring peace in Somalia and succeeding in a mission that no other foreign force could have carried out, he said.
Motion against Kenya Defence Forces in Somalia faces hurdles
03 Jun- Source: Standard- 1234 words
The chance of a censure Motion against Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) passing in Somalia’s parliament is getting slimmer each day. The author of the Motion told The Standard that he will “reconsider” it if his concerns are addressed.
Its challengers also said they will defeat it if it comes to the floor. The controversial Motion calls for replacement of army commanders in Kismayo as well as either relocating KDF to other regions or mixing them with other African peacekeepers.
Mogadishu residents welcome, vow to protect solar street lights
03 Jun- Source: Sabahi Online- 572 words
As the Benadir regional administration prepares to install solar-powered streetlights on 30 roads in four districts of Mogadishu, officials have launched a public awareness campaign to encourage residents to take care of the lamps.
Mogadishu Municipality is expanding its programme to illuminate the capital city’s major roads at night, allowing businesses to stay open late and helping citizens feel safer.
The roads targeted for the new streetlights are on secondary streets in the residential areas of Warta Nabada, Hodan, Howlwadag and Yaqshid districts. Priority was given to the four districts due to improved security as a large number of residents are returning to their homes in these areas, according to officials.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia cases of killing, maiming, abuse of children halved: UN
04 Jun- Source: Reuters- 565 words
The number of children killed, maimed, abused and recruited to fight in Somalia dropped by more than half in the first quarter of 2013 due to less fighting between Islamist al-Shabaab militants and government forces, the United Nations said on Monday.
In a report to the U.N. Security Council on Somalia, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said there had been 552 verified “grave violations” against children between January and March, down from 1,288 cases during the same period in 2012.
Almost two-thirds of the violations were committed by al Shabaab militants, who affiliated themselves with al Qaeda in February last year, while the rest were blamed on the Somali National Security Forces, the report said.
Accused Somali Pirates Face Death Penalty in US Trial
03 Jun- Source: Times Live- 249 words
Three Somali men face a possible death penalty when they go on trial this week for a pirate attack that led to the death of four Americans. Jury selection begins Tuesday in the city of Norfolk, Virginia, for Ahmed Muse Salad, Abukar Osman Beyle and Shani Nurani Sheikh Abrar.
The three were among 15 Somalis arrested after the killing of the Americans aboard the Quest, a vessel hijacked by pirates near the coast of Somalia in February 2011. A U.S. indictment accuses Salad, Beyele and Abrar of shooting and killing the four Americans without provocation during hostage negotiations with the U.S. Navy and FBI.
Zuma asked to protect Somalis
03 Jun- Source: Time Live- 324 words
Somalia has called on the government to protect its nationals in this country after a spate of attacks on them and their businesses. In the past two weeks township residents near Johannesburg have rioted and assaulted Somalis. Tension have also flared in Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein.
The unrest in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, started after a Somali shop owner allegedly shot dead two Zimbabweans last week. Somali shop owners in Port Elizabeth have also been targeted.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Media is thriving in the new Somalia. And journalism is one of the few careers people can pursue without education or money or family connections. Young Somalis who grew up during the past two decades of war talk about a career in journalism with a kind of awe.”
For Young Somali Journalists, Work Often Turns Deadly
03 June- Source: NPR Blog-849 Words
Shabelle Media is Somalia’s largest news outlet — and a very dangerous place to work. Of the r, four were reporting for Shabelle.
A number of the reporters are teenagers, some as young as 15. The reporters almost never venture out of the office, which is outfitted with sleeping quarters and a kitchen. Why are Shabelle’s young journalists being targeted more than others?
“They’re being killed for the kind of reporting they’re doing. It’s a biased, slander machine,” says Tom Rhodes, the East Africa representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists. “I’d like to say it was because they’re more adventurous, getting out there [to tell the hard stories], but it’s not true.”
While Shabelle reports plenty of straight news, its journalists have also reported some more eyebrow-raising stories: that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is a “thief”; that the mayor of Mogadishu, Abdirazak “Tarzan” Mohamed Nur, went insane; and other apparently slanderous attacks on public officials and powerful businessmen.
“Abdalle has been a reporter for 11 years and cannot remember a more dangerous time. Every morning, before he heads to work, he carries out a risk assessment and hopes that some simple techniques will increase his chances of survival.”
‘Every day I face the same dilemma: How to protect myself and how to report freely’ – An interview with a Somali journalist
03 June- Source: News Safety Blog-921 Words
Abdalle Ahmed will not work later than four o’clock this afternoon. It is not because he lacks stories on his beat – a freelance journalist covering human rights and press freedom issues in Somalia has plenty to do. It is because, of the 22 journalists killed in Somalia since the beginning of 2012, 16 have been killed in the evening, according to INSI research.
“In Somalia you have to always protect yourself to survive,” he says. “I work between eight in the morning and four in the afternoon, because that is the safest time to work in Mogadishu. “During [the day] the markets are going and there are more people on the streets. In the afternoon, that is the time criminals and gangs target journalists.”
Somalia has suffered two decades of war, with different political groups, militants and warlords fighting for control of the country. But last year was the deadliest on record for journalists, with 18 killed according to INSI figures. In the first five months of this year, four have been killed. Islamist militant group al-Shabaab, which was ousted from the capital in 2011, has claimed responsibility for a number of the murders.
“The al-Shabaab strategy is designed to intimidate the new government and demonstrate the fact that they are far from defeated. Killing journalists, who do not have access to adequate protection unlike public officials, are unfortunately an easy target for al-Shabaab,” Tom Rhodes, East African Consultant for the Committee to Protect Journalists, told INSI.
Top tweets
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@blackgravite A gathering of #Somali elders at Sheekh Secondary School for the Duke’s visit – 20th Nov 1958#Somaliland #Somalia pic.twitter.com/FW6FEcuH2M
Image of the day
The new United Nations envoy for Somalia Nicholas Kay (L), accompanied by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia Mahamat Saleh Annadif, inspects a guard of honour mounted by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, June 3, 2013. Photo: Reuters