March 25, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali National Intelligence boss resigns
25 Mar – Source: Bar-kulan/Shabelle/Radio Mustaqbal/Risaala/ Radio Mogadishu/Dalsan/SNTV – 125 words
The Director of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has resigned under unclear circumstances. Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu on Monday, Fiqi said he has officially tendered his resignation to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, citing no reason for the decision.
Fiqi has been leading the National Spy Agency since May 24, 2011 when the then president of the interim government Sharif Sheikh Ahmed appointed him to the position.
He said he was “leaving his position while healthy and having no problems,” claiming that under his leadership, the agency has unearthed several al Shabaab secrets which led to the foiling of militants plans aimed at harming top government leaders. It is not yet clear whether the president will accept his resignation or not.
Key Headlines
- Somali National Intelligence boss resigns (Bar-kulan/Shabelle/Radio Mustaqbal/Risaala/ Radio Mogadishu/Dalsan/SNTV)
- 14th Chinese naval escort taskforce starts independent escort mission (People Daily)
- Government invites Ahlu Sunna officials to finalise “Abudwak Deal” (Bar-kulan)
- ‘SFC is on special assignment in Somalia’ (Daily Monitor)
- Government al Shabaab claim victories over Gedo battle (Raxanreeb/Radio Mustaqbal)
- Gunmen kill female journalist in Somalia (AP News)
- Somali government starts talks with regional investors (Coastweek/ Xinhua)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali National Intelligence boss resigns
25 Mar – Source: Bar-kulan/Shabelle/Radio Mustaqbal/Risaala/ Radio Mogadishu/Dalsan/SNTV – 125 words
The Director of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has resigned under unclear circumstances. Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu on Monday, Fiqi said he has officially tendered his resignation to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, citing no reason for the decision.
Fiqi has been leading the National Spy Agency since May 24, 2011 when the then president of the interim government Sharif Sheikh Ahmed appointed him to the position.
He said he was “leaving his position while healthy and having no problems,” claiming that under his leadership, the agency has unearthed several al Shabaab secrets which led to the foiling of militants plans aimed at harming top government leaders. It is not yet clear whether the president will accept his resignation or not.
Somali female freelance journalist shot dead in Mogadishu
25 Mar – Source: Raxanreeb/Bar-kulan/Hiiraan Online – 121 words
Unidentified gunmen have shot and killed a female freelance journalist on Sunday evening at Suuq Ba’aad area in Mogadishu. Rahma Abdulkadir, a freelance journalist working with local media in central Somalia was heading to her home at Suuq Ba’aad market of Yaqshid neighborhood after two armed men shot her at the head, a colleague journalist Munira Ahmed told local media.
The assassins reportedly fled from the crime scene and no police officers reached the area for more than one hour. There are no comments from the security officials yet.
The late journalist was working as freelance journalist since 2010. She has returned from the central region of Galgadud few weeks ago where she was working recently.
Government invites Ahlu Sunna officials to finalise “Abudwak Deal”
25 Mar – Source: Bar-kulan – 116 words
Somalia’s federal government has officially invited Ahlu Sunna officials from central Somalia regions to Mogadishu in a bid to finalise a deal signed earlier this month, Bar-kulan can reveal.
An Ahlu Sunna delegation led by the group’s top leader Ibrahim Sheikh Hassan on Sunday arrived in Mogadishu to hold talks with government officials in effort to cement relations between the their group and the government.
Speaking to Bar-kulan, Hassan said their trip to Mogadishu is aimed at finalising a deal signed between the two sides in Abudwak on 6 March. Explaining the deal, Hassan said the two sides agreed to officially reintegrate their militias into the government forces. He expressed confidence that the deal will materialize as anticipated.
Government, al Shabaab claim victories over Gedo battle
25 Mar – Source: Raxanreeb/Radio Mustaqbal – 132 words
Both the government of Somalia and the al Shabaab group have claimed victories from Sunday’s fight which took place in Gedo region. Commissioner for Garbaharey town, the headquarters of Gedo region Limaan Adow Kaariye said, “The government troops recorded success in the fight that took place in Birta-Der area in the outskirts of Garbaharey town”.
Limaan also said that the government troops were able to kill 4 members of the al Shabaab group besides setting on fire fighting vehicles and also securing many weapons that the militants left behind in the battle ground and top of that, the commissioner claimed that they took control of Birta-deer where the fighting occurred.
On the other side, al Shabaab’s military operations spokesman Abdiaziz Abu Mus’ab also claimed, “they have inflicted heavy casualties on the government troops.”
Al Shabaab still to achieve mission
24 Mar – Source: Radio Dalsan – 89 words
Al Shabaab’s representative to Bay and Bakol regions Sheikh Hassan Ya’qub has revealed that they are yet to achieve their war mission in Somalia. The representative indicated that fighting is vital and are committed to continue the war till the foreign forces abandon Somalia. He said that their vision is to take control of the country and impose Sharia law. The speech of the representatives comes days after al Shabaab fighters took over the control of the strategic city of Hudur in Bakol region.
Somaliland Under Intense Pressure Not To Boycott London Conference
24 Mar – Source: Qaran News – 378 words
Somaliland is coming under intense pressure not to boycott the London conference on Somalia, according to a senior source within the administration of President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud “Silanyo”.
The source confirms that since President Silanyo’s return from the visit to Turkey and his announcement that Somaliland will not attend the London conference on Somalia, the government has come under intense international pressure not to boycott the meeting.
According to the senior source within the administration, both the United Kingdom and the United States of America have made it known that Somaliland is expected to attend the conference on Somalia, which is to be chaired by the head of the provisional government in Mogadishu Hassan Sheikh Mohamed.
Somaliland Finance Ministry Establishes New Coordinators
24 Mar – Source: Somaliland Press – 84 words
Somaliland’s Finance Minister Abdiaziz Mohamed Samaale yesterday issued a decree naming new five regional coordinators to several regions for the first time. On the other hand the Finance Minister announced a major reshuffle in the various departments which make up the finance ministry.
He transferred the head of Kalabaydh Customs office Mr. Omar Hassan Calin to be the new coordinator in the ministry of finance for Gebiley region, while replacing the head of Tog Wajaale Customs office Mr. Mohamed Haji Mahdi Iran.
UN Delegation In Somaliland to Close Offices: Move to Mogadishu
23 Mar – Source: Qaran News – 138 words
A senior delegation from several United Nations Agencies, UNDP and UNPOS, have arrived in Somaliland with the express intention of moving their offices in Somaliland to Mogadishu.
As Somaliland’s decision to boycott the London Conference and the growing influence of the provisional government in Mogadishu starts to assert itself, the United Nations Political Office in Somaliland will be closed and moved to Mogadishu.
According to reliable sources, another senior delegation from the UN office for Somaliland/Somalia are expected to arrive from Nairobi, Kenya and are believed to be carrying an ultimatum for the administration of President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud “Silanyo” to accept the offer, which the Puntland State of Somalia had already accepted, and become part of the UN General Office in Mogadishu or all UN Agencies, programmes and projects in Somaliland will be suspended and cancelled.
REGIONAL MEDIA
‘SFC is on special assignment in Somalia’
24 Mar – Source: Daily Monitor – 1046 words
Security matters. A number of Special Forces Command operatives were sent to Somalia under African Union in Somalia (AMISOM) to join other Ugandan fighters deployed in the war-ravaged country. They have fought fierce battles with al Shabaab since 2007 and the addition of a specialised team under the Command of Maj. Asaph Mweteise Nyakikuru, has breathed new life into Somali nationals. Risdel Kasasira was in Somalia and interviewed the commander of the Ugandan contingent, Brig. Michael Ondoga, on the prevailing situation in Mogadishu and beyond.
How are the operations against al Shabaab going?
The operations are generally going on well. We are almost in charge of the whole of sector one. We are remaining with three towns of Qoryooley, Balawe and Mahaade. Mahade is in the north. These other two, are in the south west. These are the only two towns that are left to be captured and in the second phase, we will be doing domination operations. We will be dominating areas off the road and mobilising wananchi (civilians)so that we work together like we are partnering with local leaders and farmers so that they can tell us the enemy’s whereabouts.
With accurate information, we can go in, and solve the problem. These three areas that are still hanging will soon fall. Al shabaab is still getting supplies through Balawe. They also collect revenue from this coastal town. Mahaade is in the north of Jawhar. Once we are in Mahaade, then we will be at the eastern boundary of this sector. We will stop there. We recently captured new places like Jannale and others.
Somalis facing acute diet challenges
23 Mar – Source: East African – 313 words
Malnutrition rates in Somalia remain among the highest in the world, although the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has halved to 1.05 million since August 2012, food security experts said in a new report.
“Humanitarian assistance is needed over the next six months to protect livelihoods, reduce acute malnutrition and help the most food insecure populations,” said Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), in a March report.
FSNAU warned that although average rains in Somalia last season boosted food production and livestock farming, these gains could easily be reversed.
Somali government starts talks with regional investors
23 Mar – Source: Coastweek/ Xinhua – 1040 words
The Somali government has started talks with East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture(EACCIA) as it seeks to attract regional investors to help rebuild its economy.
The Horn of Africa nation has not been in the mainstream regional business since the early 1990s when the central administration there collapsed, giving way to a civil war that has nearly ended following the intervention of the African Union through the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The discussions have been ongoing and will culminate in a visit there by members of the EACCIA later this week.
Kenyan military bids Kibaki farewell
22 Mar – Source: KBC – 652 words
The Kenya Defence Forces Friday held a farewell cavalcade in honour of President Mwai Kibaki who is outgoing Commander-In-Chief at the Moi Air Base grounds, Eastleigh in Nairobi. Speaking after the special parade, President Kibaki reminded Kenyans that changes in political leadership in a democratic society are inevitable.
On regional stability, President Kibaki specifically commended the Defence Forces for their sterling role in the liberation of neighbouring state of Somalia. The President noted with appreciation the performance of the country’s defence forces in Somalia and its role in helping stabilize the neighbouring country.
President Kibaki said, “In what will go down as a case study in military strategy, our men and women moved into that country in October 2011, sending a clear signal that Somalia needed help, and Kenya would stand to be counted in the steps to stabilize Somalia”.
Saluting the defense forces for a job well done, the Head of State however noted that there is still more work to be done in Somalia and encouraged the incoming Government to work closely with AMISOM, the African Union and the international community in the reconstruction of Somalia.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Gunmen kill female journalist in Somalia
25 Mar – Source: AP News – 130 words
A media colleague says that gunmen in Somalia have shot and killed a female Somali journalist. Abdikarim Ahmed Bulhan, the director of Abudwak radio in central Somalia, said Monday that two men armed with pistols killed 25-year-old Rahmo Abdulqadir Farah in Mogadishu on Sunday evening.
Her murder brings the number of journalists killed in Somalia this year to three. Somalia is one of the world’s most dangerous places for journalist to operate. Last year 18 media workers were killed, mostly in targeted murders.
Bulhan called it an “outrageous killing” of an aspiring journalist. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the killing. The government has promised to take action against those who kill journalists, but so far no arrests have yet been made for any of the journalist deaths in 2012.
14th Chinese naval escort taskforce starts independent escort mission
25 Mar – Source: People Daily – 289 words
The 13th and 14th escort taskforces under the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) held a separation ceremony on March 18, 2013, marking that the 14th Chinese naval escort taskforce officially took over the independent escort mission inthe Gulf of Aden and the waters off the Somali coast from the 13th Chinese naval escort taskforce.
The 13th and 14th Chinese naval escort task forces jointly escorted four commercial ships to the western waters of the Gulf of Aden at 12:15, local time. After being relieved from the joint escort mission, the two task forces maintained a horizontal distance of around 400 meters and sailed in column of twos.
The “Harbin” guided missile destroyer,the “Mianyang” guided missile frigate and the “Weishan Lake” comprehensive supply ship of the 14th Chinese naval escort taskforce maintained a longitudinal distance of around 600 meters and formed the left column, and the “Huangshan” and “Hengyang”guided missile frigates of the 13th Chinese naval escort taskforce maintained the same longitudinal distance and formed the right column.
Somalia battles an acute diarrhea outbreak
24 Mar – Source: CCTV – 02:24 min
Somalia battles an acute diarrhea outbreak.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The story in the book is conveniently short for those who do not have time for heavy novels. But it is a compelling story of love – a positive human emotion – with a powerful message for reformers, educators as well those who can neither read nor write but can listen to the story of Climax and Cawrala.”
Ignorance is the Enemy of Love: A Book Review
23 Mar – Source: Wardheer News – 1222 Words
Faarax Maxamed Jaamac Cawl was the most improbable writer before he authored “Aqoondarro waa u nacab jacayl” and, subsequently, two other books. He was a technical man, having been educated at what used to be the Trade School in Hargeisa, and later at the Chelsea College of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering in London from 1959 to 1962- the latter on a government scholarship which had been delayed for a year as punitive measure for his involvement in an anticolonial play.
He remained a technical man throughout his work experience, though for many years wearing the uniform of a police colonel (not a lieutenant colonel as mentioned in the book) before he and his family were slaughtered in 1991 when the USC irretrievably lost its head. His books made him so well-known overseas that his life and death were, to no one’s surprise, covered in the obituaries columns of leading British papers.
As a police officer he had nothing to do with any of the normal police work, such as combatting crime, immigration (a police responsibility in Somalia), criminal investigations, and the prosecution of offenders. But, he had everything to do with the agile mobility of that force of law and order. He was at the helm of the transport department, which ensured that all police vehicles were in shipshape form and in good running condition at all times. There, at the gigantic ‘Police Garage’ Faarax was not only a manager but also a technical instructor, a motivator and planner. He was seconded in 1979 to the National Transport Agency as its General Manager.
“Celebrations were short-lived within Mogadishu’s media fraternity. Just one day after Abdiaziz was released, a car bomb exploded near the presidential palace and National Theater, killing journalist Mohamed Ali Nuxurkey and wounding three colleagues…”
Jubilation, then tragedy, for Mogadishu press this week
22 Mar – Source: CPJ Blog – 1016 Words
“He’s free! He’s free!” a friend of mine from Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, shouted down the phone line on Sunday. For a fleeting second I did not know whom he referred to, given the high number of journalists imprisoned in the Horn region of Africa–but then it dawned on me: Abdiaziz Abdinuur had finally found justice. The 25-year-old freelance reporter was arrested on January 10 in Mogadishu for the most incomprehensible alleged crime: conducting an interview.
“Interviewing an alleged victim of rape got me in prison,” Abdiaziz told international broadcaster Al-Jazeera soon after he was released. “The interview that got me in prison was not even published. I didn’t do anything wrong. As a journalist it is my job to interview people.” He said he shared his cell with about 40 others.
After he spoke to a woman who alleged that security personnel had raped her last year, Abdiaziz faced a confounding series of charges. He was first sentenced to a year in prison for “offending state institutions” and “false reporting,” although he had not published any story based on the interview. An appeals court later reduced his sentence to six months on charges of “not reporting the [alleged rape] case to relevant authorities.”
The confusing court rulings, which the local journalist union termed “completely insane and unjust,” appeared to be a tool for state institutions to save face rather than exact justice. After most Somali journalists had given up hope, the Supreme Court threw out the charges, with Chairman Aidid Abdilahi citing lack of evidence, according to news reports. Similar charges against the woman who alleged rape–“offending state institutions” with “false allegations”–were dropped, citing lack of evidence, during the appeal.
““It is very difficult battling the traffic in town, even with my sirens on, no one pays attention!” Ismail exclaims. “Today I was unable to transfer a patient for surgery, as I wasn’t able to get through on the roads, to get her to the doctors on time. For the patient, Mulimo, it was just knee surgery but for others those delays will cost lives.”
A Day in the Life of a Mogadishu ambulance driver
21 Mar – Source: Oxfam Blog – 300 Words
It is 6 am and already the alarm is going. These are early days for HIJRA‘s ambulance driver in Mogadishu, Ismail Mohamed. Ismail is not one to oversleep but today he is more tired than usual, having been on call for 24 hours. This morning it takes him a few extra minutes to clear his head of sleep, and realize that the alarm has gone off. But once he’s awake he moves immediately.
Today he has started so early that even his wife, up preparing breakfast, is surprised to see him up and dressed, already grabbing his keys and heading for the door.
By the time Ismail reaches the clinic he is full of energy. He reviews the day’s work-plan, and heads straight out for his first patient; a pregnant woman experiencing labour complications. Ismail is an experienced driver and does his work well, easily navigating the narrow roads of the neighbourhoods to deliver the young mother to the clinic.
His work today will gradually take him all over the city. He will transfer malnourished children, collect patients from neighbouring camps for the displaced, and assist the doctors with administration.
Top tweets
@amisomsomalia PHOTO OF THE DAY:#AMISOM troops search for Improvised Explosive Devices #Beletweyne #Somalia http://on.fb.me/UKHK97 pic.twitter.com/H1ByqL7aTv.
@Abdi_AlSheikh Peace advocate and music group Waayaha Cusub arrives in Mogadishu for concert preparations // #Somalia pic.twitter.com/zrjF8UCvZQ.
@AbukarArman What if @HIPSINSTITUTE sets up #Somali National Leadership Award 4 Excellence to motivate our leaders in all sectors! @Aynte @AnalystSomalia.
@philippesibelly Rebirth of #Mogadishu, interesting page regrouping news of hope for the city. http://rebirthofmogadishu.com/ HT @KalanThinks #Somalia.
@Guuleyste 22h 100s of #Somalis in #SouthAfrica return home, a sign of their confidence in the growing peace in #Somalia #Mogadishu http://radiomuqdisho.net/
Image of the day
Members of a ministerial delegation arrive in southern Somali port city of Kismayo on March 24, 2013, ahead of a regional conference to be held in the city.