March 21, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Car bomb explodes in Somali capital, injuring one: official
21 Mar – Source: AFP/Reuters/ Washington Post – 290 words
A car bomb exploded in Somalia’s war-torn capital Mogadishu on Wednesday, wounding at least one security officer in the latest in a spate of insurgent attacks, officials said. “Security forces foiled a car bomb attack intended to kill innocent civilians,” said Abidweli Said, a police official. “One security officer who had sealed off the road to inspect the car was injured.”
The bomb exploded as police cordoned off the busy Maka Al-Mukarama street, the road that leads to the presidential palace some two kilometres (one mile) away, after they had become suspicious of the parked car. “There was only one casualty because all the roads had been closed by security forces,” said Ali Muhidin, a witness. “The car exploded and there was smoke and shrapnel all around the area.” No group immediately claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s blast, the latest in a string of explosions including roadside bombs and grenades that have rocked the dangerous Somali capital in recent months.
The city has seen a rise in such attacks since the al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab abandoned fixed positions there in August and switched to guerrilla tactics against the Western-backed government and 10,000-strong African Union force. The Islamist gunmen have launched recent salvos of mortar bombs at the presidential palace, while al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane on Tuesday called on his fighters to renew attacks against AU troops and the government.
Al Shabaab face increasing pressure from pro-government forces and regional armies, and last month lost control of their strategic base of Baidoa to Ethiopian troops, the second major loss in six months after abandoning fixed bases in capital. However, experts warn the al Shabaab are far from defeated and remain a major threat, especially now they have in many areas switched to guerrilla tactics.
Key Headlines
- The President supervises Mogadishu main junctions at night (Radio Mogadishu SONNA Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somalia soldiers Ethiopia forces clash with al Shabaab in Baidoa (Shabelle Hiiraan Online)
- Car bomb explodes in Somali capital injuring one: official (AFP/Reuters/ Washington Post)
- TFG forces foil car bomb attack ( Radio Mogadishu)
- Jets strike militant-held bases in southern Somalia (Bariga Afrika Shabelle)
- Guti promoted to Lt. General to head AU Somalia mission (Daily Monitor)
- TFG forces arrest suspects over shelling of Villa Somalia (Radio Mogadishu Somalia Report Shabelle)
- Al Shabaab warns civilians to avoid TFG buildings AMISOM bases ( Shabelle)
- Islamic center threatens to close bank accounts in effort to reopen money transfers to Somalia(Minnesota Daily/AP )
- WFP to reset operations in Baidoa after conquest ( Radio Kulmiye)
- Somali pirates free British hostage – witnesses ( Reuters)
SOMALI MEDIA
The President supervises Mogadishu main junctions at night
21 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA, Radio Bar-kulan – 108 words
Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed last night supervised Mogadishu main junctions, observing the security and how the security forces are doing. President Ahmed was accompanied by Interior Minister, Abdisamad Mo’allim Mohamud and other security officials going to KM4 Junction where he talked with security officials before moving to Tarbunka crossroads, officials of the presidential palace confirmed to SONNA.
The president also paid visits on foot to many intersections like Hawlwadag, Ali-kamin, Fagah, San’a, Afarta-Jardiin, Siinay and ex-past factory junctions before concluding this morning.
Somalia soldiers, Ethiopia forces clash with al Shabaab in Baidoa
21 Mar – Source: Shabelle, Hiiraan Online – 181 words
Heavy gun battle between Somali government soldiers supported by Ethiopian forces and al Shabaab fighters erupted overnight in parts of Baidoa town, just 250 Km away south of Mogadishu, security officials said. The clashes erupted after al Shabaab militants attacked joint Somali and Ethiopian military bases in Isha Village, east of Baidoa town, resulting an unconfirmed loss of life and damages. Residents said both sides exchanged heavy machine guns and light weapons during the attack which could be heard across the town.
Aden Ahmed Omar known as (Aden Biit), a police chief told Shabelle Media that al Shabaab rebels launched a surprise attack late last night in the town, but Somali and Ethiopian forces fought back and inflicted heavy losses on attackers. Alliance forces began this morning massive security operation in some villages in the town to assure the overall security and stability of the city which is host to visting Somali speaker Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden.
TFG forces foil car bomb attack
21 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 012 words
Somali forces have on Wednesday foiled a car filled with explosive elements placed in a very busy road in the Somali capital Mogadishu that lately exploded peacefully, eyewitnesses told radio Mogadishu. The forces were informed that a car bomb lying in between Ambassador Hotel and Redsea hotel in Maka-Al-mukarama road and they immediately stopped the traffic but the car exploded without causing any casualties, official of Somali transitional federal government told radio Moagadishu. No one claimed the responsibility of the latest car bomb attack.
Jets strike militant-held bases in southern Somalia
21 Mar – Source: Bariga Afrika, Shabelle – 179 words
Kenyan warplanes were reported to have bombed on Wednesday on al Shabaab militant-held bases in southern Somalia. Local residents told the Media by phone that ‘In a pre-dawn and overnight raid’ by three Kenyan air force jets, several al Shabaab training bases were hit on the outskirts of Diif area and nearby villages in Lower Jubba region which is close to Kenya border.
It was not immediately possible to independently verify the exact casualties in these latest air strikes in southern Somalia villages on al Shabaab fighters, but locals confirm concerned over the repeated air raids. In addition, the Kenyan army has seized at the border a passenger car from Somalia travelling to Nairobi and the reason is unknown.
Kenya has conducted numerous air raids in southern Somalia in the past months since its forces and tanks crossed into Somalia to flush out al Shabaab militants, whom Nairobi blames for string of cross-border attacks and kidnappings against tourists and aid workers.
WFP to reset operations in Baidoa after conquest
21 Mar – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 201 words
The United Nations world food program (WFP) is considering to restart its operations in Baidoa after the ouster of al Qaeda-linked group, al Shabaab which has banned WFP and other aid agencies from operating in the areas that it controlled. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Radio Kulmiye, Susana Nicolas spokesman for the agency’s operations in Somalia said WFP is hoping to restart food distributions, and feeding programs in Baidoa as soon as possible.
“It is possible to operate again in Baidoa, we were already evaluating the situation there over how to decide whether we can operate or not again in Baidoa, but the hope that I can tell you is to return our operations in that city as part of our operations to target 1.5 million people who are in need of food assistance,” she said.
Al Shabaab has imposed ban against aid agencies including United Nations agencies accusing them of not doing enough to help ease the suffering of the people and working on hidden agendas for the west and the United States which the aid groups pointed out as a baseless accusation.
Galmudug demands clans to hand over weapons
21 Mar – Source: Somalia Report, BBC Somali Service – 221 words
After meeting in Galkayo, the capital of Mudug region, the Security Committee of Galmudug, a regional state of Somalia, declared on Tuesday that clans must turn in their weapons in an attempt to tighten the region’s deteriorating security situation.
The meeting, chaired by Galmudug Vice President Abdisamad Nuur Guled who is serving as acting president while Mohamed Ahmed Alin is outside of the country, was designed to come up with ways to improve security in the region including anti-piracy measures, according to Galmudug Internal and Security Minister Abshir Diini Awaae.
“Some of the points agreed in the meeting were that all the people living under the Galmudug administration should transfer their weapons to the government to improve security. We also need to dismantle the militia who are blocking the roads connecting Galkayo and Galinsoor,” said minister, speaking in a press conference.
Clan fights, assassinations and suicide attacks have increased in recent months and pirates are using its shores from which to launch hijackings on foreign vessels transiting the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile internally displaced people have been left to fend for themselves after aid agencies suspended operations in Galkayo.
Somaliland told to free 64 minors held in Mandhera detention centre
21 Mar – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 172 words
Locals in Las Anod district, Sool region, are calling on Somaliland administration to immediately set free over 64 alleged children held in Madera detention centre. Speaking at a meeting in Las Anod town, where over a hundred locals gathered, mainly parents and relatives of the alleged young detainees, they called on Somaliland to free their children.
They expressed concerns over the health conditions of their minors who are held in Madera detention centre run by Somaliland administration in northern Somalia. Amina Ali Hajji Adan, a mother of a young boy held in Madera said her son was illegally detained. She called on human rights watchdogs and locals in the region to act against Somaliland’s violations against their loved ones.
Locals say some of the detainees are underage children who were illegally detained by Somaliland administration, adding that their health situation has been deteriorating day after the other inside their detention camp. Somaliland police rounded up these alleged minors on March7, 2012 following a pro-Khatumo II demonstration that was held in the town.
TFG forces arrest suspects over shelling of Villa Somalia
20 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Somalia Report, Shabelle – 57 words
The Director of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Ahmed Mo’allim Fiqi stated that the security forces have arrested individuals who were behind the recent mortar attacks on Villa Somalia, the presidential palace in Mogadishu. The director stated that al Qaeda uses many tactics but the TFG’s National Security forces have discovered the tricks.
Al Shabaab warns civilians to avoid TFG buildings, AMISOM bases
21 Mar – Source: Shabelle – 112 words
The al Qaeda-linked insurgents in Somalia warned civilians to stay away from government buildings and African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) as the group would continue to attack those targets. The Spokesman of al Shabaab militants Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rageh better known as ‘Ali Dhere’ told the media that Mogadishu is a battle ground city.
“We (are) sending a warning message to all Somalis not to go close to the TFG and AMSIOM military bases to avoid a significant loss of lives as a result of bloody attacks,” he cautioned. On the other hand, Rage challenged reports that say al Shabaab had pulled all its forces from Mogadishu, argueing that the group’s fighters were still fighting in the city.
Hezbollah calls on Somaliland to adopt Sharia law
20 Mar – Source: Hadhwanaag Times – 83 words
The Islamic organization of Hezbollah on Tuesday called on the government of Somaliland to accept and implement the Islamic Sharia law. In a statement, the organization said that the Islamic Law is the only the governance that could survive and exist in the country. To prevent the corruption and embuzzlement of government funds, Somaliland should exercise the Islamic Law, the statement added. The organization’s leader was arrested and then released after days in custody. He was suspected of having links with al Qaeda.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Guti promoted to Lt. General, to head AU Somalia mission
21 Mar – Source: Daily Monitor – 313 words
President Museveni yesterday promoted Maj. Gen. Andrew Guti to the rank of Lieutenant General and deployed him to Mogadishu to replace Maj. Gen. Fred Mugisha as the African Union force commander in Somalia. Gen. Mugisha’s tenure in Mogadishu has been cut short by a year in surprise changes that follow the reconfiguration of Amisom command structure which requires the new AMISOM commander to be at the rank of Lieutenant General.
According to the new AMISOM outlook, two officers at the rank of major general from Burundi and Kenya will deputise Gen. Guti. The army spokesperson, Col. Felix Kulayigye confirmed the changes, saying Gen. Guti, who has been the commandant of the Senior Command and Staff College, Kimaka, will command Burundian, Kenyan, Djiboutian, Ugandans and Sierra Leonians who are joining the mission in June.
Burundi will be in charge of logistics while Kenya, whose forces are deployed in the south of South Mogadishu, will be overseeing AMISOM operations.
Col. Kulayigye said Gen. Mugisha could not be promoted to remain the force commander “because it’s less than a year ago” since he was promoted to Major General.
UAE tanker taken by Somali pirates
21 Mar – Source: National – 608 words
A UAE oil tanker on its maiden voyage has been hijacked off the coast of Oman. The MT Royal Grace, a chemical tanker owned by Oyster Cargo and Shipping Company, set off from a Sharjah port for Nigeria three weeks ago with a crew of 22. “On March 2 we were alerted that there was an attack on the ship and had it confirmed that it was taken by pirates on March 4,” said a spokesman at the multinational counter-piracy force EU Navfor.
The hijacking means 21 vessels and 289 hostages are being held by Somali pirates. Andrew Mwangura, a programme coordinator for the Seafarers’ Assistance Programme in Kenya, said he believed the ship was being held off the coast near the town of Garacad in Somalia.
“Among the crew members are three Nigerians, 17 Indians, one Pakistani and a Bangladeshi,” Mr Mwangura said. “The ship was on its maiden voyage.”
He said the group had not heard of any negotiations between the owners and the pirates for ransom. “The ship is still fresh and there are no reports of shortage of supplies,” Mr Mwangura said.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Car bomb explodes in Somali capital, injuring one: official
21 Mar – Source: AFP/Reuters/ Washington Post – 290 words
A car bomb exploded in Somalia’s war-torn capital Mogadishu on Wednesday, wounding at least one security officer in the latest in a spate of insurgent attacks, officials said. “Security forces foiled a car bomb attack intended to kill innocent civilians,” said Abidweli Said, a police official. “One security officer who had sealed off the road to inspect the car was injured.”
The bomb exploded as police cordoned off the busy Maka Al-Mukarama street, the road that leads to the presidential palace some two kilometres (one mile) away, after they had become suspicious of the parked car. “There was only one casualty because all the roads had been closed by security forces,” said Ali Muhidin, a witness. “The car exploded and there was smoke and shrapnel all around the area.”
No group immediately claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s blast, the latest in a string of explosions including roadside bombs and grenades that have rocked the dangerous Somali capital in recent months.
The city has seen a rise in such attacks since the al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab abandoned fixed positions there in August and switched to guerrilla tactics against the Western-backed government and 10,000-strong African Union force. The Islamist gunmen have launched recent salvos of mortar bombs at the presidential palace, while al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane on Tuesday called on his fighters to renew attacks against AU troops and the government.
Al Shabaab face increasing pressure from pro-government forces and regional armies, and last month lost control of their strategic base of Baidoa to Ethiopian troops, the second major loss in six months after abandoning fixed bases in capital. However, experts warn the al Shabaab are far from defeated and remain a major threat, especially now they have in many areas switched to guerrilla tactics.
Somali pirates free British hostage – witnesses
21 Mar – Source: Reuters – 73 words
Somali pirates have freed British hostage Judith Tebbutt who was kidnapped in neighbouring Kenya last September, witnesses and a regional official said on Wednesday.
“After efforts today, we have succeeded in the release of the British woman. She just left from Adado airport to Nairobi,” Omar Mohammed Diirey, a regional administration official told Reuters from Adado in central Somalia. Two witnesses said they saw Tebbutt boarding an airplane that left from Adado airport.
Islamic center threatens to close bank accounts in effort to reopen money transfers to Somalia
21 Mar – Source: Minnesota Daily/AP – 428 words
A Minneapolis Islamic center asked its members this month to cancel their Wells Fargo accounts if banks don’t allow the transfer of funds to Somalia. Hassan Jama, executive director of Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center, said if remittances are not reinstated, members will cancel their accounts May 1. Minneapolis has the largest Somali-American community in the U.S.
Around 70 percent of Somalis rely on remittances to support their families, said Said Sheik-Abdi, program manager for American Refugee Committee. He said 4 million Somalis need food relief and more than 30,000 children died in a three-month period last year.
“This is really a matter of life or death to many people in Somalia because they rely on their family members outside Somalia,” Sheik-Abdi said, “and if they don’t get support, they can’t send their kids to school, and they can’t put bread on the table.” About 1,000 accounts would be pulled from Wells Fargo, said Hinda Ali a spokesperson for the Somali Action Alliance. Wells Fargo decided to stop the money transferring service in 2008, bank spokeswoman Peggy Gunn said.
The Terrorists Strike Back
21Mar – Source: Strategy Page – 541 words
Peacekeepers advance out of Mogadishu they make it possible to get a better idea of what happened to all the food aid that entered the country last year to deal with the famine. The food shortages last year killed at least 50,000 people and it’s now known that a lot more of the food aid was stolen than believed. Actually, many nations had halted food aid for Somalia because of the tradition of stealing aid. This was accelerated when al Shabaab expelled many foreign aid organizations. Foreigners working for aid organizations that stayed were also driven out, leaving only Somali employees. This led to more corruption and theft. Now it will be even more difficult to get food and other aid contributions from foreign nations.
AU peacekeepers are advancing outside Mogadishu, and plan to establish control over roads and key towns in central Somalia. This is being done along with newly trained soldiers of the TNG (Transitional National Government) as well as allied militias.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The reopening of the Somali National Theater is part of a broader, multi-agency initiative to both revive the arts scene as well as use it as a platform for peace building.”
Artist Hopes Somalia’s Long Dormant Theater Can Play Healing Role
20 Mar – Source: VOA – 280 Words
The stage has been empty for two decades, but on Monday Somalia’s National Theater reopened its doors for the first time since the central government collapsed in 1991. Somali-born musician Aar Maanta, now based in London, said he hopes the capital city’s theater will regain its place as a national landmark of culture.
“The Somali people are quite cultural and, in terms of art, the theater was quite a significant place. Somalis are well known for their poetry and plays, and the theater used to employ quite a lot of people,” said Maanta.
Five groups of Somali entertainers were scheduled to perform in the debut in the opening play, Dardaarwin Walid, which mean’s ‘Parents’ Advice.’ The African Union peacekeeping forces in Somalia prepared for heightened security around the theater. Maanta said that amid Somalia’s problems, the arts can play a healing role.
“If the traditional leaders in the North West are serious about peace, then they better stop blaming the wrong people for starting the conflict. They also need to recognize the fact that the North Central regions are neither part of Somaliland nor of Puntland. These regions are now part of the Khatumo State of Somalia, a recognized member of the Federal Government. The traditional leaders also have a moral obligation to call upon Silanyo, the president of Somaliland, to withdraw his forces from all the occupied territories of the Khatumo State such as Las Anod, the capital city of the Khatumo State.”
Need for lasting peace in North Central and North Western (Somalia)
21 Mar – Source: Raama Gorey – 1298 Words
Rag gogoshii waa nabad, an old Somali metaphor that emphasizes the importance of peace for mankind.
More than a dozen traditional leaders in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland have finally woken up to the specter of a looming conflict in their backyard. They all talked about peace, peace and more peace: peace with their neighbors in the North Central Regions that are opposed to the dismemberment of Somalia. Most of these traditional leaders condone and bless such dismemberment.
We should all welcome the call for peace. After all, the recurring senseless bloodletting in an area known for its relative peace and stability touches and concerns all of us and can lead us along a dangerous path. The area has so far witnessed more than five military campaigns that resulted in the unfortunate death and injury of many young men and women on both sides. But before the call for peace, we should probably ask ourselves how this senseless conflict started in the first place. Who is to blame for the carnage, death and destruction?
“This is not just a dream. Somali youth are fast becoming leaders in their devastated society, using youth groups to give voice to the concerns of their generation. More than 200 youth groups have been formed by young people in Somalia over the last decade and, in many respects, these groups are the same as others around the world. There are places where youth get together to play sports, make music or just simply hang out with friends. However, they are unique in their focus on community development. Youth from these groups promote awareness about issues such as female genital mutilation, disarmament and HIV/AIDS. The youth in Somalia are moving forward and becoming leaders in one of the most challenging environments in the world.”
Inspiring Somali youth
20 Mar – Source: Chasing Dream – 317 Words
Somalia has been without an effective central government since the civil war of 1991. The current generation of young people has therefore known violence and hardship for most of their lives. Many do not attend school, are illiterate and have little hope for the future. Displacement is common, as is the likelihood of bearing witness to, or even participating in, violence.
Despite these overwhelming odds, the same young people often demonstrate enormous resilience. With adequate support, guidance and skills, they can provide the foundation for building peace in this troubled country and help rebuild communities. Their participation in decision-making processes which concern them can empower them to be positive agents of change in their society.
Top tweets
@nuurist TFG & allies need new strategy – clearly war isnt the ans: Car bomb explodes in Somali capital, wounds two http://reut.rs/GCKEYj via
@UmmBukhari We could sit here all day and say “hey! Let’s be one. One people one #somalia!” We all know that’s never gonna happen who you kiddin?
@hodanos I think that #somalia will be colonized again but this time by oil companies….. wake up somalis!! Its a trap!!.
@MajorEChirchir #
@wfp_media Following Swedish documentary, @HansRosling
@dailymonitor Andrew Guti promoted to Lt. General, deployed to #Mogadishu to head AU #Somalia mission http://
Image of the day
Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh on Tuesday night made a surprise tour to some of the major streets in Mogadishu, checking on Somali troops.