March 25, 2016 | Daily Monitoring Report
Somali And AU Troops Push Militants Out Of Fresh Areas In Bakol
25 March – Source: Shabelle News – 114 Words
Somali troops backed by AMISOM soldiers have pushed Al-Shabaab militants out of fresh villages in the outskirts of Wajid town in the country’s south western Bakol region. The Somali National Army (SNA) and Ethiopian forces of AMISOM contingent have launched a joint security operation in and around the southern town of Wajid after Al-Shabaab-push.
According to the Deputy Commissioner of Wajid, Adow Abdirahman Jugle, the army commander of the allied forces held a security meeting in which they discussed way to drive out Al shabaab from the whole region. Recent days, Somali and AMISOM forces had been conducting military operations aimed at securing Wajid and nearby villages.
Key Headlines
- Somali And AU Troops Push Militants Out Of Fresh Areas In Bakol (Shabelle News)
- Prime Minister Sharmarke Set To Visit Puntland (Wacaal Media)
- US Congressmen In Push For Somalia’s State Rebuilding Aid (Hiiraan Online)
- Puntland President Says The War Against Terror Is Not Over (Goobjoog News)
- Diaspora Celebrate Alongside UK Ministers To Show New Narrative For Somalis (PR Newswire)
- Ugandan Al-Shabaab Member Arrested At Namanga Border (Daily Nation)
- Authorities Twin Cities Muslims Gather To Discuss Anxiety After Terror Attacks (Star Tribune)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Prime Minister Sharmarke Set To Visit Puntland
25 March – Source: Wacaal Media – 82 Words
Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia Omar Sharmarke is set to visit Puntland days after local forces crashed an Al-Shabaab incursion. Sharmarke’s visit was however linked to political standoff between his administration and the government of Puntland over the 4.5 decision which was rubbished by the latter. Puntland President Dr. Abdiweli Gas who was in Mudug region the past few days to conclude the offensives against Al-Shabaab has returned to Garowe yesterday in time to welcome the Federal delegation.
US Congressmen In Push For Somalia’s State Rebuilding Aid
25 March – Source: Hiiraan Online – 465 Words
Members of the United States congress called for the two houses to approve the provision of $87.7 million in Economic Support Funds to assist in the formation of Somalia’s state institutions destroyed by over decades –old conflict in the country. Writing to the foreign affairs committee, 16 congressmen led by the Minnesota Democratic Representative Keith Ellison said that providing financial support to Somalia would help the horn of Africa nation to build legitimate and durable institutions that will enhance peace and stability in Somalia.
“Somalia is at a critical juncture and we must provide meaningful assistance in order to build upon gains achieved over the last several years. We thus urge you to prioritize assistance to this country.” they said in the letter addressed to chairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Giving further details about the aid appeal to the congress, they said that current challenges facing Somali remittance flows to Somalia and from other countries made it difficult for many in the diaspora to support their families back home which worsened the situation on the ground.
“This assistance needs to be matched by a robust investment in capacity building and support for legitimate and capable government institutions, which are a prerequisite for long-term stability in Somalia.” They said. Raising the humanitarian situation in Somalia, the members of the the two houses also called for the congress to provide a separate financial aid to Somalia where a severe drought is ravaging the country, causing nearly a million people to struggle to procure basic necessities like food and water.
“Furthermore, as you consider FY20 17 appropriations we request that you consider a request to increase transparency on the efficacy of our aid in Somalia.” They wrote, saying that the financial aid would also help consolidate gains made against militants in Somalia. The United States has expanded its military operations against Al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia in recent weeks, keeping up pressure on the group which is fighting Somali government and African Union forces.
Speaking in Addis Ababa during his first visit to Africa last year, US president Barack Obama praised recent advances by Somali and African Union troops against Al-Shabaab militants, but said it was important to keep up the pressure. This month, a US airstrike has killed at least 150 Al-Shabaab fighters whom the Pentagon said were preparing to leave a training camp and posed an “imminent threat” to American and African forces.
Three days later, Somali and American commandos in helicopters staged a nocturnal raid on Awdhegle, a rebel-held town in the lower Shabelle region, killing at least 10 fighters, according to officials. However, an Al-Shabaab spokesman who acknowledged the attack only confirmed that the group lost one fighter during the raid which he called ‘foiled’ by fighters.
Puntland President Says The War Against Terror Is Not Over
25 March – Source: Goobjoog News – 312 Words
President of Puntland, Abdiweli Mohamed Gaas Thursday said the war against the terrorist groups is in its “Beginning Stage” and that the people of Puntland should cooperate with the armed forces in countering terrorism. Paying a tour to Puntland forces in the frontline in Gara’ad and other coastal villages alongside the Indian Ocean shores, the president commended the army for the victory over Al-Shabaab in weeklong combat. Somali Islamist militants briefly held a port town of Gara’ad in the region of Puntland mid this month before withdrawing early next day following offensives from Puntland forces.
Puntland said to have killed over 200 hundred Al-Shabaab fighters and 55 others in Suuj and Gara’ad district after boatloads of Al-Shabaab who were landed in Gara’ad town mid this month. On Wednesday, Puntland Defense forces chief, Saeed Mohamed Hirsi said “The operations against the terrorists were completed in a very successful fashion. A total of 208 militants were killed and 46 others were detained. We lost 20 soldiers.’’He added that the army also seized large amount of ammunition and heavy weapons such as RPGs, explosive devices, and communication tools, which were displayed to the media.
Puntland, which occupies a region of northeastern Somalia, declared itself to be an autonomous state in 1998 but remains under the purview of the Somali Federal Government. It borders the breakaway state of Somaliland, which declared independence following the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barre in 1991. Puntland lies outside the area of operation of the African Union mission in Somalia—known as AMISOM—which deploys some 22,000 troops in the Horn of Africa state. AMISOM and the Somali National Army drove Al-Shabaab out of its strongholds in southern Somalia in 2015, but the group has since reportedly moved northwards into parts of Puntland.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Diaspora Celebrate Alongside UK Ministers To Show New Narrative For Somalis
25 March – Source: PR Newswire – 620 Words
Prime Minister David Cameron cited the incredible success of the Somali diaspora in fields such as business, sport and academia as a group of UK ministers demonstrated the Britain’s commitment to international integration by attending the inaugural International Somali Awards (ISA).
A number of British officials including the Minister of Defence Rt Hon. Earl Howe and Minister for Africa, James Duddridge helped mark a new narrative for Somalis worldwide to highlight the positive role played by the international Somali community.
The awards ceremony, held in Westminster, saw Olympic hero, Mo Farah CBE crowned Sports Person of the Year, while other award winners included financial services group, Dahabshiil; British film maker, Mo Ali; NGO, Adeso Africa and academic and humanitarian Hawa Jama Abdi for their respective contributions to economic and socio-cultural development.
In a personal message to the award winners Mr Cameron wrote: “Despite the hardships and challenges they have faced, many Somalis, both within Somalia and across the worldwide diaspora have achieved incredible success in fields as varied as business, academia and sport. I know that for many people around the world, one of the defining moments of the London Olympics in 2012 came courtesy of a man born in Mogadishu: the great Mo Farah.
“But what I find more remarkable is that Mo’s story is actually just one example of the dedication shown by so many within the Somali community. So to each winner I say this: It is your hard work, creativity, courage and leadership that has brought you here; many congratulations for all you have achieved.”
Ugandan Al-Shabaab Member Arrested At Namanga Border
25 March – Source: Daily Nation – 139 Words
Namanga border police Wednesday evening arrested a Uganda national after confessing he was a member of the Al-Shabaab terror group. The Kajiado Directorate of Criminal Investigations commander Mr Ngatia Iregi said that after interrogating the man, identified as Mr Swaleh Baluku, he said he had undergone Al-Shabaab training in Somalia.
“We arrested the man with a phone and pamphlet. And upon going through his phone we found video clips of terror activities in Somalia and that is when we arrested him,” said Mr Iregi. The DCI officer said the suspect was a former soldier working under Amisom and that he was headed to Tanzania to visit his wife. Mr Ngatia said that they arraigned the terror suspect in court Thursday and were granted ten days to complete investigations. The Al-Shabaab suspect has been remanded at the Kajiado GK Prison.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“I’ve never feared to be a Muslim my whole life, I believe that we are living in an era that I will call Civil Rights 2.0, the sequel to the civil rights movement.”
Authorities, Twin Cities Muslims Gather To Discuss Anxiety After Terror Attacks
24 March – Source: Star Tribune – 530 Words
Law enforcement officials and leaders of the Twin Cities Muslim community gathered Thursday to confront the anxiety that has arisen in the days following Tuesday’s terror attacks in Belgium and the high-profile rhetoric they have inspired. Plans for the meeting materialized shortly after Texas senator and GOP presidential hopeful Ted Cruz on Wednesday referenced Minneapolis’ Somali-American community as an example of where law enforcement efforts could be concentrated while doubling down on calls this week for authorities to be able to patrol Muslim communities.
“Our experience tells us that when there’s a high-profile terror attack … there will be a corresponding backlash directed at members of the Muslim community,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard Thornton said. “You need to know you can call us if you feel you’ve been the victim of a hate crime.”
Seated at tables that wrapped around a training room inside the Hennepin County Public Safety Center, some of the roughly three dozen in attendance discussed the fear that sometimes creeps into everyday life. U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger said he called the meeting out of concern for the community and to ensure its members that authorities will police crimes of hate.
“I’ve never been so concerned like I am now — but this is not about me, it is about the community,” said Imam Mohammed Dukuly of Brooklyn Park. “But I will tell you something: The anticipation of the attack is worse than the attack itself.” Abdirashid Abdi, a board member at the south Minneapolis Abubakar As-Saddique mosque, said the rise in the number of Somali-Americans in law enforcement positions may encourage more willingness for individuals to report crimes.
TOP TWEETS
@omabha : Somalia: Security Council Authorizes Mandate Extension for United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia,…http://dlvr.it/KtHkPf #Somalia
@Vatescorp : #Ethiopia cuts Shabelle river water going to#Somalia, storing irrigation water for farming http://ow.ly/ZV79f
@Nabad_Somalia : Youth should play a vital role in #Somalia‘s state building process. Let’s set aside of minor differences and look at the bigger picture.
@muiska : #allafrica Ugandan Al-Shabaab Member Arrested at Namanga Border: [Nation] Namanga border police Wedne…http://bit.ly/1ZzbOqy #somalia
@Adesoafrica : We are preparing to support families in#Somalia meet their immediate basic needs. Join the#SomaliaDroughtAppeal http://bit.ly/1QS6DQa
@mustafaxaaji : #Somalia prime minister to travel to #puntlandin a bid to convince 4.5 power sharing deal.#Sources.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
UNSOM Political Affairs and Mediation Group and Human Rights experts, in partnership with UNDP in Somalia Parliament support project, provided a training workshop to the recently appointed Members of Parliament from the Interim South West Administration (ISWA), which took place in Baidoa.
Photo: UNSOM