March 11, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

President Hassan tells Somalis: “This is the time to decide your destiny”

10 Mar – Source: Office of the Somali President – 274 words

The ongoing military operation against extremists in Somalia is providing local communities with the opportunity to decide their destinies, His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said today.
Meeting regional governors in Villa Somalia with H.E. Abdullah Godah Barre, Minister of Interior and Federalism, the President emphasized now the military campaign was underway there was no going back.

“This current operation is against extremists and will continue until we recapture all territory. We want to give back to the long-suffering Somali people an environment conducive to good governance and public services. We want local people and communities to take an active lead in rebuilding the nation. The local administrations we are helping to build must help the communities in newly liberated areas, providing humanitarian access and aid as well as basic public services.”

The President said beyond the shorter term military action, the government had a clear, ambitious agenda. “Our plan is to review the constitution, implement federalism and build democracy so that by 2016 there will be national elections. In order for us to reach that goal, local administrations have to be seen to be promoting good governance, providing public services and ensuring we give opportunities to allow people to make an informed decision about their future.

We want the local people to see the peace dividend – above all the value of government and good governance.” The President was speaking ahead of his visit to Japan. The regional governors were Hussein Ali Weheliye of Galgadud, Abdi Adam Hosow of Bay, Abdi Jinow Alasow of Middle Shabelle, Hassan Mohammed Hussein of Banadir, also Mayor of Mogadishu, and Abdulkadir Mohammed Nur of Lower Shabelle.

Key Headlines

President Hassan meets regional governors speaks on war against al Shabaab (Universal TV)
A new oil and petroleum storage facility set up in Mogadishu port (Radio Bar-Kulan)
Somali MP’s travel to Kenya Uganda for meetings (Radio Shabelle)
Puntland President travels to Djibouti for Bilateral talks(Puntland Tv)
Gunmen kill woman in Mogadishu(Universal TV)
Heavy battle erupts in Lower Shabelle region (RBC)
Kenya to reopen embassy in Mogadishu(Daily Nation)
Somali farmers benefit from al Shabaab reforms(Al Jazeera)
Somalia’s architectural history on show in London (BBC News)
Al Shabaab bans camera mobile phone in S. Somali town(Turkish Press)

PRESS STATEMENT

President Hassan tells Somalis: “This is the time to decide your destiny”

10 Mar – Source: Office of the Somali President – 274 words

SOMALI MEDIA

President Hassan meets regional governors, speaks on war against al Shabaab

10 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Raxanreeb/Universal TV – 130 words

The ongoing military operation against extremists in Somalia is providing local communities with the opportunity to decide their destinies, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Monday. Meeting regional governors in Villa Somalia with Abdullah Godah Barre, Minister of Interior and Federalism, the President emphasized there was no going back on the military campaign that was underway. “This current operation is against extremists and will continue until we recapture all territory. We want to give back to the long-suffering Somali people an environment conducive to good governance and public services. We want local people and communities to take an active lead in rebuilding the nation.

A new oil and petroleum storage facility set up in Mogadishu port

10 Mar – Source: Bar-kulan – 78 words

Businessmen in Mogadishu have set up oil and petroleum storage facility in Mogadishu port. Speaking during the opening ceremony of storage facility the director of Mogadishu port Abdullahi Ali Nur has said the project will reduce congestion in the port adding that it is also safe and secure. According to minister for ports Yussuf Baadiyo the project which has taken two years to be completed is expected to improve the capacity and the competence of the port operation.

Somali MP’s travel to Kenya, Uganda for meetings

10 Mar – Source: Radio Shabelle – 56 words

Members of the Somali Parliament on Monday said that they will participate in meetings in Kenya and Uganda. The MP’s spoke to the press in Mogadishu and described that mostly of the meetings will prioritise on discussing Somalia’s affairs and progress. These meetings involving the Somali MP’s comes on a period when the Parliament is on official recess.

Puntland President travels to Djibouti for Bilateral talks

10 Mar – Source: Horseed Media/Puntland TV – 86 words

Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Monday traveled to neighboring Djibouti for bilateral talks, Horseed Media reports. He is accompanied by his government officials including Puntland’s director for Minerals and Petroleum Agency Isse Dholowa. The trip of the Puntland leader which will take three days, comes after he was officially invited by the Djibouti Government, as confirmed by officials. Talking to the press in Garowe airport before departing, Mr Abdiweli Gaas said the main points of the talks will be concerning on enhancing the Puntland-Djibouti relations.

Gunmen kill woman in Mogadishu

10 Mar – Source: Universal TV – 88 words

A female named Hafsa Abdi Nuur Mohamed was killed Monday in the Wadajir district of the Benadir region by armed groups. The deceased was rumoured to have been working for the Federal Government of Somalia. “She was killed in a corner just off her house a time when she was heading for work,”said Abdi Nuur Mohamed, the father. It has not been confirmed yet until now what kind of work she was doing for the Federal Government of Somalia.

Heavy battle erupts in Lower Shabelle region

10 Mar – Source: RBC – 129 words

Heavy military confrontation between Somali National Army backed by the African Union Forces and al Shabaab fighters erupted Monday in the Lower Shabelle region, RBC reports. According to military sources the fight is part of the joint military operation to clear al Shabaab insurgents from Somalia declared by Somalia government and the AMISOM officials in Mogadishu. The battle started on the outskirts of Bulomarer and Qoryoley where the joint forces attacked early morning on Monday. Heavy resistance from al Shabaab was reported. At least two people were killed in the battle, including one civilian who was hit by stray bullet in his farm, the governor of Lower Shabelle region Abdikadir Nur said. “We are planning to reach Barawe town by the end of this week,” the governor added.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya to reopen embassy in Mogadishu

10 Mar – Source: Daily Nation – 153 words

Kenya is planning to reopen its embassy in Mogadishu to intensify its diplomatic engagement with Somalia. Kenya’s special envoy to IGAD Mohammed Affey said that the decision to re-establish the Kenyan mission inside Somalia will help in rebuilding the war torn nation currently planning to hold its first democratic elections in 2016. “We know it is a risky affair but one that is noble because it will help in terms of engagement to help the Federal Government of Somalia implement the roadmap to 2017 which include the planning and delivery of the Somali’s first democratic elections,” Mr Affey said.
The United Kingdom and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees have already returned to Somali despite incidences of insecurity. “We must do all that can be done to restore normalcy in Somalia-that means we must take some sacrifices-including setting base there because a stable Somalia will mean as stable region,” Mr Affey explained.

Somali farmers benefit from al Shabaab reforms

10 Mar – Source: Al Jazeera – 177 words

It is just after 8am and Sheikh Abu Abdullahi is busy inspecting what he refers to as his latest “anti-NGO” project: workers digging new canals in Bulo Mareer, a town in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle province. The diggers have been at work since 6am, as part of a province-wide canal-building project that was launched about two and a half years ago. Al Shabaab – the al Qaeda-linked rebel group fighting against Somalia’s internationally backed government – has so far spent about $2m on the project, along with others like it in south and central Somalia, according to the group. Three months have passed since the last drop of rain hit Bulo Mareer, but thanks to the numerous canals and waterways, the town is lush and green. In a seven-hectare maize farm on the outskirts of this riverside town, Hussein Mohamed Ali, 66, is still in an ecstatic mood after one of the canals reached his farm a month ago. “I don’t have to wait for the rains any more,” he said, holding tomatoes plucked from the plants on his farm.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia’s architectural history on show in London

10 Mar- Source: BBC Africa-02:40mins
The image that always come from the Somalia’s capital Mogadishu is more often than not of conflict, but there is always another side to the story. And that was what an exhibition in London is aiming to show. “Mogadishu-Lost Moderns” documents Somalia’s transition from an Italian colony to an independent state and then descent into civil war. The person behind the exhibition is British-Somali architect Rashid Ali and he has been speaking to Focus on Africa’s Sophie Ikenye.

Al Shabaab bans camera mobile phone in S. Somali town

10 Mar – Source: Turkish Press – 106 words

“The militants have enforced a law banning such phones after they had outlawed smartphones under the pretext of being used to spy on them,” Abdel-Rehim Ahmad, a resident of Barawa, told Anadolu Agency. He said any resident caught with a camera mobile phone is detained and the phone smashed.
Al Shabaab has not confirmed the ban, but the group has already outlawed the use of internet in areas under its controls. Communications services in al Shabaab-controlled areas are repeatedly cut during raids by the militant group, which already bans the use of social media. Al Shabaab continues to control several towns in the southeast and south of war-torn Somalia.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“It is seven years since the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) deployed in the war torn nation. Unknown to many is that among the 7,000 troops of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), there are 62 Ugandan women at the frontline, exchanging fire with the al Shabaab. Carol Natukunda interacted with a few of them.”

Hats off to the women on the frontline

10 Mar- Source: New Vision-1443 Words

Lieutenant Halima Kabahingu was only 12 when she decided enough was enough. “There were all these tales about Obote, so I woke up one day and went to Karugutu, high up in the mountains on the Fort Portal-Bundibugyo Road and started military training. I was happy they did not chase me away for being young,” she recalls. But she had not told anyone and her parents were particularly worried. “Someone tipped my father and he came fuming to pick me… I refused,” Kabahingu recalls. “After pleading and pleading, he gave up.” Kabahingu has been in Somalia since 2007 and she is stationed at different checking points within Mogadishu. She does not take anything for granted. “Some men dress up like women to hide improvised explosive devices. Even women hide a lot of things in their traditional apparel. I always have to be on the lookout,” she explains. She adds that she has also had situations where she goes to the battlefield. “I know how to station myself, calculate my moves and shoot. I don’t look at myself as a woman, but as any soldier,” she says. Isn’t she scared of being in a war zone with the most wanted terror group? “No way!” she says emphatically and bursts into laughter.