June 5, 2017 | Morning Headlines
Suspected Foreign Warplanes Raid Al-Shabaab Base Near Jilib Town
04 June – Source : Garowe Online – 178 Words
Suspected U.S. warplanes have carried out an overnight airstrike against Al-Shabaab controlled bases in Middle Jubba region of Southern Somalia. Reports indicate that the raid began with air bombardment targeted at militant camp at Welmarow, about 65 Km away from Jilib, which serves as the biggest Al-Shabaab stronghold in Southern Somalia. After the bombing, ground special forces swooped into the area, and engaged in a fierce minutes-long gunfire with Al-Shabaab fighters in the vicinity, according to residents, who spoke to Garowe Online over the phone.
The exact casualty figures of the raid on the Al-Shabaab base is not yet confirmed. Sources told Garowe Online that the foreign fighter jets dropped leaflets in Jilib town, about an hour before the attack on Welmarow area, warning residents to abandon Al-Shabaab bases, for imminent aerial attack. The militant group Al-Shabaab is yet to release a statement on the airstrike that targeted their training camp. U.S. and Kenyan military has stepped up special operations targeting Al-Shabaab bastions and its top leaders in south and central Somalia over the past few months.
Key Headlines
- Suspected Foreign Warplanes Raid Al-Shabaab Base Near Jilib Town (Garowe Online)
- Somalia President Marks 100 Days in Office (Somali Update)
- PM Kheyre Narration of the Government’s Achievement in Security Economy Among others (Goobjoob News)
- Galmudug President Pays First Visit To Abudwak Town (Shabelle News)
- Four unharmed As WFP Chartered Cargo Plane Crash Lands In Somalia (Xinhua)
- Aden Abdulla Osman: A Tribute To A Statesman (Hiiraan Online)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia President Marks 100 Days In Office
04 June – Source: Somali Update – 162 words
Thousands of residents in Somalia capital and officials gathered at the city’s Banadir Football Stadium on Sunday marking the 100 Days in office of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo elected in February this year. President Farmajo, Prime Hassan Ali Khaire, cabinet ministers, commanders of the security and military forces as well as government staffs attended the well-organized event. Security has been extremely tightened ahead of the event that started on Sunday morning as main roads blocked, to show a public support for the President’s administration and to highlight the achievements of the government. National music was played as traditional dancers presented different colorful songs and plays in support of the government.
The Prime Minister and the President then addressed the public becoming the first in such kind in the country since President Farmajo took office in late February. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of securing the country as the President noted the need for public support to defeat the Al-Shabaab militant group.
PM Kheyre Narration of the Government’s Achievement in Security, Economy Among others
04 June – Source: Goobjoog News – 478 words
PM Kheyre addressed the pro-government demonstration on the first 100 days of President Farmajo and spoke extensively on the achievements and success in matters relating to security and restoration of relationship between governmental departments. He pledged individual rights to be implemented, economic growth and improving government income as a result of hiring economist to pave the way for Somalia to be relieved of US$ 5.5 billion debt to attract investments. Security is a central pillar and highlighted how they restored peace in Mogadishu curbing firearms, implementing a court order restricting possession of arms in the streets of the city, collecting illegal arms and removed blockades.
The PM Kheyre also mentioned Aden Abdulla Airport to be working during the night and soon the entire airspace handed over to Somalia. “As the way we shared before with the Somali public, the fundamentals for the government plans are steps which include among others, successful nationwide security stabilization especially how to ensure peace, economic growth and job creation, fighting corruption. Therefore I want to share with you the achievement of the government” said the Prime Minister. “When we were sixty days old, I want to make clear what we achieved. In spite of devastating widespread of famine in the country, the Administration started mobilizing the Somali people on how to help one another and the citizens succeeded collecting more than US$5 million. It is the first time in Somali history of funds donated by Somalis to help their fellow citizens. This indicates the inception of good governance. This trust fund was distributed across the country in equity” he said.
In the same period i.e. within the sixty days old, civil servants got their salaries though the government has not received funds except what was paid by the Somali public (tax). He pointed how they succeeded in keeping the leadership trust that has been placed upon them by the Somali people and expressed his great expectation on the capability of providing everyone’s rights in the government. The PM pinpointed how the income of the government improved within the short period of time, reorganized the payment of all the government expenses and begun on how to bring on board specialists to work on the economy of the country. Other things achieved by the government included pursuing the route of debt relief amounting to US% 5.5 billion which can be concluded within a year and half if they work hard enough. If this target period is realized, it will open floodgates of investments and the full reestablishment of the Somali government. When speaking on security, the PM said peace is the central pillar to life and they are engaged implementing safe security in Mogadishu town as well as controlling firearms with the intention of passing the resolution from the Cabinet Ministers which stated no heavy firearms can be carried within the city.
Galmudug President Pays First Visit To Abudwak Town
04 June – Source: Shabelle News – 121 words
The newly inaugurated President of the Somalia’s central semi-autonomous federal state of Galmudug Ahmed Dualle Geelle Haaf has paid his first visit to Abudwak town on Sunday. President accompanied by high-ranking Galmudug officials was warmly welcomed at the city’s airstrip, and then escorted to the administrative HQ to meet with officials and elders. The security has been tightened ahead of the President’s arrival.
During his stay, Galmudug President is expected to hold talks with local administration officials over the drought crises, security and the fight against Al-Shabaab militants. This is the 1st visit by President Haaf to pay to a town under his administration since his election on 3rd May by the lawmakers of Galmudug state assembly in Adado district.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Four Unharmed As WFP Chartered Cargo Plane Crash Lands In Somalia
03 June – Source: Xinhuanet – 271 words
A plane chartered by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) crash landed in Garbaherey town in Gedo region of southern Somalia on Saturday, a UN official confirmed. WFP spokesperson Amor Almagro said the cargo aircraft crashed with four crew members who are all safe and unharmed. “I can confirm that a medium size aircraft which is a cargo charger for WFP crashed upon landing early Saturday at Garbaharey in southern Somalia,” Almagro said. “The aircraft has four crew members who are all safe and unharmed. However, the plane is reported to have sustained a significant damage,” she added.
The UN official said that it was too early to say what might have caused the incident, noting however that the aircraft operator will be cooperating fully with the relevant authorities to investigate. “I think it is important to point out that the aircraft was carrying 5 metric ton of special food for the treatment and prevention of malnutrition to more than 2,300 young children as part of WFP light saving drought relief,” she added. Witnesses said the plane was in the process of landing when it developed mechanical problems and fire broke out on one side of the plane.
The plane reportedly fell on a house located near the airstrip but fortunately its inhabitants were away. Local residents said one of the plane’s wings was damaged after it fell on a house in the city before landing. This is the second plane crashed here in Somalia in a week after a military aircraft chartered by U.S. firm, Bancroft crashed at Mogadishu airport. However, all the four occupants were not injured.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“The best way of paying tribute to the father of the nation is to sincerely strive for Somalia a peaceful, moderate and developed African nation in accordance with his vision. The nation is fully aware of the fact that Somalia is today posed at critical juncture of its history. There is no space for extremism in a country envisioned by the Great Leader.”
Aden Abdulla Osman: A Tribute To A Statesman
03 June – Source: Hiiraan Online – 3660 words
8th June marks the 10th death anniversary of the father of the nation, Aden Abdulla Osman. The first President of Somalia and for more than two decades the most outstanding political figure in Somalia, died in Nairobi hospital on June 8, 2007. Aden Abdulla stepped into the national political spotlight in 1944, when he joined the Somali Youth Club (SYC) and his unique talent made him rise quickly through the ranks of the organization becoming its leader. In the early years of the liberation movements, he played a leading role in the formulation of his party’s political program during the debate on the future of Somalia at the United Nations. His long political career spanned over three successive cycles: the period from 1944 to 1950, during which time he served as leader of the local SYL branch in Belet Weyne, a role that brought him into close contact with the movement’s high rank and file. The period from 1950 through 1960, in which he served as member of the Territorial Council a consultative and representative organ for the entire territory to advise the trusteeship administration on all issues, except for defense and foreign affairs, as well as a member of the Legislative Assembly. Last but not the least, from 1960 to 1967, he served as Head of the State.
He came to prominence when, in November 1949, the General Assembly of the United Nations decided to place Somalia under the International Trusteeship with Italy as Trustee. Within Somalia opinion has been divided, on the question of return of Italy as administering power. The radical wing of the Somali Youth League party was against any form of co-operation with the incoming Italian administration and contemplated approaching the Ethiopian government with a view to make sure of their help should a form of resistance to the Trusteeship authorities be adopted.
The official position to be adopted vis-à-vis the UN decision was discussed in a meeting in Mogadishu in November 1949 to which all branch secretaries of the party were invited. Three options were on the table: to remain in Somalia and fight it out with the Italians; to transfer the party’s HQs to Ogaden and link up with the Ethiopians and to co-operate with the Italians and capture the best positions under the Trusteeship and become leaders of the country when independence would be granted.
Each option required hard and informed decision. At the end of prolonged and charged meeting, the opinion of the moderates, led by Aden Abdulla, prevailed. The far-sighted leader reminded his party fellows that the public was ill-prepared to engage in armed resistance against Italy, and to challenge the world body’s decision on behalf of which Italy was coming to administer Somalia as a trustee. The best course of action, he suggested, was to “wait and see” how the new Administration would respect its international obligations under the Trusteeship Agreement between Italy and the United Nations. However, and despite this decision, there was no alliance between AFIS and SYL during the early years of the trusteeship administration.