March 13, 2015 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Death Toll Rises To 10 In Militants Attacks In Baidoa – Update

12 March – Source: Hiiraan Online – 160 Words

Somali officials say the death toll from an attack by Al-Shabab on the headquarters of a local administration in Baidoa town has risen to 10 with more than six others wounded. Suspected Al-Shabaab fighters launched a complex attack targeting the headquarters of a local administration in south-western Somalia. Gunmen with explosives strapped on their waists stormed the base in Baidoa. Security sources told Hiiraan Online that the assailants managed to infiltrate the heavily fortified headquarters of the administration, engaging in gun battle with guards at the gate. Al-Shabaab claimed the responsibility for the attack which also targeted the United Nations compound and the nearby airport. Ethiopian troops who are parts of the AU forces are protecting the town which is the regional capital for the administration led by the former parliament speaker of Somalia Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden.

Key Headlines

Al-Shabab Launches Ambush Attack On Somali And AMISOM Convoy In Central Somalia (Radio RBC)
Death Toll Rises To 10 In Militants Attacks In Baidoa – Update (Hiiraan Online)
SNA And AMISOM To Advance On Bardhere Town (Radio Goobjoog)
Gas And Kay Open Puntland Human Right’s Offices (Radio Bar-Kulan)
US Government Funding To Combat Al-Shabaab Terrorist Recruitment (Midnimo)
Somali Chairman Clarifies On ID Registration For Somalis (New Vision)
Sources: US Drone Strike Targets Somali Militant Commander (Voice of America English)
Somalia: People With Disabilities Exploited Raped And Abused (Amesty.org)
Somaliland Boasts 528 Miles Beach Yet It’s Not Booming (Daily Mail UK)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM Condemns Terrorist Attack In Baidoa

12 March – Source: AMISOM – 205 Words

The Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia, Amb. Maman S. Sidikou has learnt with sadness news of the heinous attack targeting innocent civilians, members of the Somali Police Force and the AMISOM peacekeepers in Baidoa town, in the Bay region.

The attack targeted troops that have been instrumental in restoring peace in the town of Baidoa, enabling normalcy and social-economic activity to thrive. A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device was also targeted at members of the SPF. Such atrocious attacks by the enemies of Somalia are meant to disrupt the peace enjoyed in most parts of Somalia and must be resisted.

“I am deeply saddened by news of the attack in Baidoa this morning. I also received news of the attempted attack at a hotel in Mogadishu last night. These are desperate attempts by Al Shabaab to seek relevance, following the massive defeats they continue to suffer from the Somali National Army working together with AMISOM troops. We are energized to pursue them further until they are completely eliminated. The quest for peace for Somalia is one we shall continue to pursue relentless and we shall not be diverted by such cowardly attacks,” he said.

SOMALI MEDIA

Al-Shabaab Launches Ambush Attack On Somali And AMISOM Convoy In Central Somalia

12 March – Source: Radio RBC – 152 Words

Somali government forces along with African peacekeeping troops and Al-shabaab have today engaged in a serious battle in central region. The joint forces and Al-shabaab battled in a village between Ceelbuur and Dhusamareeb, the provincial capital of Gal-gudud region. This battle reportedly erupted after the Al-Shabaab militants launched an ambush attack on Somali and AMISOM convoy transporting inmates from Ceelbur. The joint forces have repulsed the militants according to senior somali military officer in Dhusamareb. The joint forces have claimed no casualties, saying they have burned a fighting vehicle from the militants. However, the exact number of casualties from both sides have not been established. Al-Shabaab launches guerrilla attacks on Somali forces and their African allies since they were driven out of most of the key towns they controlled in South and central Somalia.

SNA And AMISOM To Advance On Bardhere Town

12 March – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 99 Words

Officials from Somali National Army in Gedo told Goobjoog Radio that SNA and AMISON troops are preparing to advance on the rebel held town of Baardhere. Col. Khalif Noor Xirey of SNA said troops in Luuq, together with African peacekeepers are in their final preparation to launch an attack on the town which is held by Al-shabaab insurgents. “We move quickly on Bardhere, we will eliminate Al-shabaab from wherever they are,” said the colonel. Government officials in Gedo says they are determined to recover Bardhere for Al-Shabaab but so far have not taken action.

Gas And Kay Open Puntland Human Right’s Offices

12 March – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 114 Words

The UN Secretary General Special Representative to Somalia , Nicholas Kay joined the President of Puntland , Abdiweli Mohamed (Gaas), the official opening of the Office of Puntland Human Rights Commission. The President called upon the head of the office and his employees to understand their role in the protection of human rights in Puntland. He mentioned that the office is the first of its kind in the whole of Somalia which is an honour for Puntland. On his part, Ambassador Nicholas Kay said it is important to fast track and enhance the protection of human rights and praised the Puntland government for opening an office to oversee the work.

US Government Funding To Combat Al-Shabaab Terrorist Recruitment

12 March – Source: Midnimo – 209 Words

“Building Community Resilience,” is program intended to deter Minneapolis youth from joining foreign terror organizations. It’s said to cost about $15 million in federal grants and private donations. For years, Minneapolis has struggled against terror recruitment, especially in its Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. In total, more than 20 Minneapolis residents have joined the Somalia-based terror organization Al-Shabaab, and several others have joined the Islamic State. Under the new program, federal officials will work alongside youth leaders, police officers and Somali community members.

Not everyone in Minneapolis is impressed by the new program, however. Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the group Cair Minnesota, expressed concerns to the Minnesota Daily that too much mistrust exists between the DOJ and local communities to ensure cooperation between the two. “We feel positive about the prospects for Building Community Resilience, and we commend its emphasis on cooperation between DOJ workers and local community leaders. Without meaningful dialogue between communities and law enforcement, it can become easy to typify members of a certain race or ethnic group as terrorists. It goes without saying that this mindset is absolutely inimical to combating terrorism. In working to circumvent it, we feel Building Community Resilience has started off on the right foot,” Hussein concluded.

Institute Raises The Alarm For “Extinct” Turtles In Somalia

12 March – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 167 Words

The National Institute of Oceanography of Somalia held a ceremony yesterday in Mogadishu to present its annual report for 2014. Admiral Farah Qare, the head of the institute who presented the report said that they managed to publish 5 books relating to oceans, including Somalia sea law and international laws governing marine resources. However, he warned against three imminent dangers facing the marine environment in Somalia “We are informing the cabinet to take immediate action on these imminent dangers facing our ocean, these are degradation of marine resources, water pollution and turtles which are on the verge of extinct” said Admirah Farah. He said turtles are one of the most conserved sea creatures in the world, “They are endangered animals, it’s prohibited to do business on turtles, here in Mogadishu we saw the slaughter of at least 3 turtles, this is outrageous and should be stopped, otherwise they would wipe out very important natural treasure” said concerned Farah.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali Chairman Clarifies On ID Registration For Somalis

12 March – Source: New Vision – 293 Words

The Somali Community Chairman in Uganda has denied soliciting money from Somalis for registration of National Identity Cards. Hussein Abukar Hassan was reacting to reports from a local tabloid that accused him of soliciting between $1,000 – 2000 to grant Somali Uganda National Identity cards. According to the reports, Abukar is accused of calling for registration of Somali nationals residing in Uganda to register while he appeared on a Universal Somali Television Channel.

But addressing the press at his Kisenyi offices, Hassan brandished the reports as a ploy by propagandist to tarnish his image. “It is true that I had an interview with the Somali Universal Channel TV last month but much as I called upon the Somalis who had resided in Uganda for over 20 years to register, at no one time did I mention that they have to pay me $2,000,” he said.

Hassan said he urged the Somalis to take the opportunity accorded to them by the Government of Uganda through the Internal Affairs ministry to register. “It this through this association that has united Somalis living in Uganda and the cordial working relationship between us and the Uganda government that we got the chance for the Somalis to acquire Ugandan IDs,” he said.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Sources: US Drone Strike Targets Somali Militant Commander

12 March – Source: Voice of America, English – 470

Sources in Somalia are reporting an apparent U.S. drone strike against a vehicle carrying officials from militant group al-Shabab. Somali officials and individuals close to al-Shabab told VOA’s Somali Service the drone attacked a vehicle late Thursday outside the southwestern town of Bardhere. According to sources in the region, the targeted car belongs to Adan Garaar, a top official in al-Shabab’s security service, the Amniyat. Garaar is believed to have links with the gunmen who attacked Kenya’s Westgate Mall in 2013, killing more than 60 people. ources told VOA the vehicle was destroyed in the drone strike. It was not immediately clear whether Garaar was killed. Earlier, al-Shabab claimed responsibility for an attack that targeted a key Somali political leader and left at least eight people dead. The attack Thursday in the town of Baidoa targeted the official residence and headquarters of Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, a former speaker of Somalia’s parliament and the current head of Somalia’s South Western state. Witnesses said militants detonated a car bomb outside the residence, then opened fire, setting off a gunbattle with guards.

Multiple officials in the area said the dead included three attackers, three Somali soldiers and two Ethiopian soldiers with the African Union force in Somalia, AMISOM. Pro-al-Shabab websites reported the group’s claim of responsibility soon after the attack was over. The assault was similar to other recent attacks by the al-Qaida-linked group, which has increasingly targeted government officials. Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for killing six members of parliament since the start of 2014, and also launched two bomb-and-gun attacks on the presidential palace last year. AMISOM said Thursday the attacks are “desperate attempts by al-Shabab to seek relevance” following military defeats by AMISOM and the Somali National Army.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“People with disabilities in Somalia are excluded, neglected and abused at every level. The Somali Federal Government must now act to show its commitment to ensuring the human rights of all people without discrimination.” said Gemma Davies,

Somalia: People With Disabilities Exploited, Raped And Abused

12 March – Source: Amesty.org – 1040 Words

More than two decades of conflict, inadequate health services and discrimination have left people with disabilities in Somalia at risk of forced marriage, violence, rape and repeated forced evictions, said Amnesty International in a new briefing published today.The briefing, Somalia: Prioritise Protection for People with disabilities, reveals how lack of protection, underpinned by discrimination by families, the public and the state, renders people with disabilities vulnerable to further attack and exploitation.

Amnesty International is calling on the Somali Federal Government to act decisively to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are protected in law and in practice.“People with disabilities face greater abuse in Somalia, are often seen as a burden or as easier targets to attackers. Somalia must do more to protect their rights, rather than allow them to be subject to further abuses because of their disabilities,” said Gemma Davies, Amnesty International’s Somalia Researcher.

The briefing builds on previous research by Amnesty International, which documented widespread human rights abuses including rape and sexual violence. It reveals how the lack of respect for the human rights of people with disabilities exposes them to further human rights abuses. People with disabilities are calling on the Somali Federal Government to accept they are active members of civil society, ensure their rights are recognised and realised and ensure they have access to assistance and services to prevent further abuses.

“We have something to offer for all kind of tourists,’ he says. ‘Somaliland have an 850 km coastline with lots of pristine beaches, beautiful coral reefs, unique archaeological sites, rare birds and mammals, fabulous mountain ranges, and a year-round sunny, warm climate, so we are offering a wide variety of tour opportunities that will allow everyone to experience Somaliland in ways that are unique.”

Somaliland Boasts 528 Miles Beach Yet It’s Not Booming

11 March – Source: Daily Mail, UK – 1, 131 Words

With mile upon mile of untouched golden beaches, corals reefs ripe for divers, ancient artifacts and a population desperate to impress. Somaliland is a country with plenty to offer tourists and it is actively encouraging visitors. But unfortunately, the much-desired tourists are not flocking to the east African outpost, neighbouring Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. For starters, the country doesn’t exist at all according to the international community, which recognises it only as part of Somalia, the troubled nation where piracy is rife and terrorist organisation Al-Shabaab is based.

This association with Somalia is the reason western governments such as the UK and Canada call the self-proclaimed independent entity and former British protectorate a no-go zone, claim locals, but this isn’t stopping Somaliland pushing to bring in the tourist dollar. Official websites proudly proclaim they boast 850km (528 miles) of quiet beaches just waiting to be lazed upon by westerners, while historic landmarks await their long-overdue admiration. But the tourists are not flooding in, despite there being numerous means of accessing the nation through neighbouring Ethiopia and Djibouti. As far as Somaliland is concerned, the country has been independent since 1991 and the only thing holding it back is the fact that isn’t being recognised globally.

Abdinasir Ibrahim is the director of Somaliland Travel & Tours Agency, is keen to add to the handful of eager travellers who defy warnings to visit. He laments the slow increase in tourists over recent years – figures differ greatly from a few hundred to more than 1000 last year – due to the ‘lack of recognition,’ referring to the wait for the world to acknowledge Somaliland’s existence. ‘I believe that as soon we get international recognition the tourists will flock to our stunning beaches.’ he tells MailOnline. While not great in numbers, tourists do come. Mostly from the UK, USA, Australia, Sweden, Canada and Germany, says Abdinasir, who insists Somaliland has something to offer all sorts of travellers, not just those keen to get a genuinely unique stamp on their passport.

AMISOM Engages With Civil Society To Address Attitudes Toward Gender-Based Violence

12 March – Source: AMISOM – 3:44 Minutes

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) together with the Somali Women Development Center (SWDC) today hosted a male targeted forum, the first of its kind, aimed at changing the attitudes towards gender-based violence in Somalia.