March 27, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
The strategic cities of El Bur and Mahaas liberated from al Shabaab
27 Mar – Source: TFG – 335 words
The Somali Armed forces with the help of Ethiopian forces liberated today the cities of El Bur ( Galgudud region ) and Mahas (Hiiraan region ) and the surrounding districts from the al Shabaab terrorists without a fight.
It was a great joy to see the people of these districts welcome the liberating forces with flowers, showing their happiness and relief for the end of 3 years of subjugation and suffering at the hands of the al Shabaab militia. The Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications, H. E. Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed (Jaahweyn) said, ” It is a great joy for all the Somali people, the government and particularly for the people of the two cities and the other surrounding districts to be finally free from the subjugation and the suffering forced on them by the terrorists.”
Key Headlines
- The strategic cities of El Bur and Mahaas liberated from al Shabaab (TFG)
- AU officials reach Beledweyne ( Somali National News Agency)
- Somali leader met in Galka’yo for Roadmap amendment ( Jowhar Online)
- ASWJ calls on al Shabaab fighters to renounce violence (Radio Kulmiye)
- Al Shabaab promises to defeat Ethiopian and western invasion (Raxanreeb Mareeg Online)
- ASWJ forces tighten security of liberated central Somali towns ( Radio Mogadishu)
- UN agency assured of Somali refugees stay in Kenyan camp (Daily Nation)
- Trade minister urges aid to reach liberated areas (Radio Mogadishu SONNA)
- Maldivian Indian forces shadow hijacked Iran ship (Hindustan Times/AFP )
- Ugandan Parliament grills Kiyonga over soldiers pay ( New Vision)
- Pirate kidnap: agonising wait for family (East Coast Radio)
PRESS RELEASE
The strategic cities of El Bur and Mahaas liberated from al Shabaab
27 Mar – Source: TFG – 335 words
The Somali Armed forces with the help of Ethiopian forces liberated today the cities of El Bur ( Galgudud region ) and Mahas (Hiiraan region ) and the surrounding districts from the al Shabaab terrorists without a fight. It was a great joy to see the people of these districts welcome the liberating forces with flowers, showing their happiness and relief for the end of 3 years of subjugation and suffering at the hands of the al Shabaab militia.
The Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications, H. E. Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed (Jaahweyn) said, ” It is a great joy for all the Somali people, the government and particularly for the people of the two cities and the other surrounding districts to be finally free from the subjugation and the suffering forced on them by the terrorists.”
The Minister continuing his statement called on the residents of the two cities not leave their homes but to remain calm. “The liberating force is your own army and has come to protect you” he continued. The Minister added, ” the Somali government has already said that it has a duty to bring back law and order immediately to all liberated areas; therefore, it is not right to take revenge against those individuals suspected of having had links with al Shabaab in the past.
These individuals should be brought before the law; the law must be the supreme authority and justice should be observed and respected. The observation of these values is what differentiates the Somali government from the al Shabaab terrorists.”
The Minister continued his statement by saying, ” I am calling on the youths still in the ranks of al Shabaab, who are involved in activities which are against our religion and against common sense to leave these defeated & fleeing criminals, and the pitiless foreign mercenaries.
Even at this late stage, you should take advantage of the government’s amnesty and end your involvement with them.” Finally, the Minister called on all humanitarian organizations to quickly send assistance to the people of all these newly freed areas who are going through a difficult and dangerous time.
SOMALI MEDIA
AU officials reach Beledweyne
27 Mar – Source: Somali National News Agency – 99 words
Reports from Beledweyne city of Hiiraan region in central Somalia say that Officials from the African union peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu have on Tuesday reached the town this morning. The officials’ visit to Beledweyne is part of AU’s evaluation process in the liberated cities where AMISOM is supposed to move in soon and replace Ethiopians, as reliable source confirmed to SONNA.
AU officials had already paid visit to Baidoa city of Bay region and this is the second leg visit to liberated city where Somali national army backing Ethiopian forces pushed al Shabaab out.
Somali leader met in Galka’yo for Roadmap amendment
27 Mar – Source: Jowhar Online – 188 words
The meeting in northern Galka’yo town constitutional affairs which brought together officials from Somali government, local regional administrations and UN Special envoy for Somalia Augustine Mahiga has concluded with issues and articles agreed in the past Garowe – one and two constitutional meeting discussed.
The communiqué issued after meeting mentioned formation of new technical committee responsible for selecting the National Constituency Assembly which was not also included in the Garowe accord. At the end of the meeting, the signatories announced that they have made some amendments on the agreed Garowe accord in which they described as necessary points.
ASWJ calls on al Shabaab fighters to renounce violence
27 Mar – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 226 words
Officials of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a, pro-government militia is calling on al Shabaab fighters to renounce violence and join their side. Sheikh Yusuf Hefow, a senior leader of group says the fighters have now an opportunity to renounce insurgency, and stand with their people in the struggle to restore peace and security in the country. However, the leader sent stern warning to those fighters who pursue the wrong side, saying they will face stiff punishment.
Ethiopian forces on Monday seized the main base of the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents in central Somalia, the latest stronghold that extremists lost in recent months, witnesses said. Ethiopian troops and fighters from the pro-government militia Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa seized El Bur town, some 150 kilometres (90 miles) south of the Ethiopian border, after a brief firefight.
“Ethiopian troops have taken positions inside and outside the town, but most of the residents fled before they arrived,” said Abdukadir Sahal, a resident. The loss of the town tightens the net on the hardline al Shabaab, who are facing attacks on multiple fronts by regional armies. Ethiopian soldiers in battle trucks began the advance on El Bur at the weekend, bolstering allied fighters from Ahlu Sunna at the central Somali town of Dhusamareb, before pushing on some 100 kilometres (60 miles) south.
Al Shabaab promises to defeat Ethiopian and western invasion
27 Mar – Source: Raxanreeb, Mareeg Online – 235 words
The spokesman of al Qaeda-allied group of al Shabaab Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage better known as Ali Dhere has vowed that his fighters will not surrender to Ethiopian and Kenyan forces even if they take control of Somalia’s territory, RBC reports.
“How much forces you pour into Somalia or any invasion against the Islam will never make us surrender.. We will never make compromise our faith. We will carry on incessant attacks and explosions in every corner they enter.” Ali Dhere said at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
The press conference came just hours after Ethiopian forces backing the pro-government militia of Ahlu Sunna seized Elbur town in Somalia’s central region of Galgadud which was a key base for al Shabaab in past three years.
“I tell our brothers and sisters of the Mujahidin in Somalia to endure and persist to struggle for the freedom of Islam and defeat the western invasion in Somalia” Ali Dhere added. He argued that American and European countries were supporting the Ethiopian forces who entered Somalia in November to bolster the fight against al Shabaab rebels.
Dozens arrested in security crackdown in Mogadishu
27 Mar – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 150 words
Number of people were arrested in a security crackdown in Mogadishu launched by the Somali police soldiers. Speaking to Radio Kulmiye, Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs and National Security, Abdi Ali Hassan says the security forces have captured a number of people in suspicions of the latest overnight attacks which killed civilians in Mogadishu.
Abdi told radio Kulmiye that the troops have launched a range of security operations throughout the city. The operations come shortly after string of overnight mortar attacks which was aimed at the presidential palace, Villa Somalia but missed target, and landed in an IDP camp near the palace, killing innocent civilians.
ASWJ forces tighten security of liberated central Somali towns
27 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 81 words
Forces from Pro-government Ahlu-Suna-waljame’a group have on Tuesday launched security operations in the districts of El Bur and Mahas in Galgudud and Hiiraan regions central Somali where they evicted al Shabaab fighters without any resistance. Ahlu-Sunna forces reportedly started the operation, searching villages and military bases of former al Qaeda militias to get rid of explosive elements left there. Ahlu-Sunna soldiers backed by Ethiopean forces are planning to go ahead with the fight against al Shabaab in other regions.
KDF Arrests TFG officers in Lower Juba
26 Mar – Source: Somalia Report, Somaliweyn, Shabelle – 197 words
At least three Transitional Federal Government (TFG) officers were arrested by Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) troops on Monday in the Qooqani District of Lower Juba Region. According to witnesses and a TFG MP, there was a dispute over who between TFG officers and Ahmed Madobe, the leader of the Ras Kamboni militia will administer Afmadow after al Shabaab is ousted . Sources said that the three officers are being held in a KDF prison in the Qoqani district.
TFG MP Mohamed Abdillahi (known as ‘Mohamed Amiin’), who is from the Lower Juba region, confirmed the arrests to Somalia Report. “It’s unacceptable for the KDF to arrest TFG officers, we strongly condemn this action against our national army officers,” he said.
The TFG officers who were arrested are Col. Dahir Budul, Col. Yusuf Gas (Dal Dal) and Col. Abdi Nasir. Ahmed Madobe is opposed to a TFG administration in the Juba region, while the KDF supports the Ras Kamboni administration.
Trade minister urges aid to reach liberated areas
27 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 160 words
Minister of Trade and Deputy Prime Minister of Somali Transitional Federal government Abduwahab Ugas Hussein called on authorities to release the large food consignments laying in the stores of Mogadishu seaport to be distributed in the areas which were liberated from al Shabaab , SONNA reports.
Speaking to the reporters inside Mogadishu seaport yesterday, the Trade Minister said that it is unacceptable for the stores in Mogadishu sea-port to be filled with food while the people in liberated areas are in need food and help. “We are committed to extend aid to the people living in the areas which were liberated from al Qaeda-linked group of Al-Shabab because people in those areas are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.”
Somaliland Govt accused of bad governance and corruption
26 Mar – Source: Hadhwanaag Times – 203 words
Moahmed Abdi Gabose, the former Interior Minister and the Chairman of Ummada party on Monday accused the government of Somaliland republic of bad governance and widespread corruption. Mr. Gabose said the government has no good political vision, noting that it has also been marred by nepotism and favoritism.
“I believe that arrest, blackmail, intimidation can not be the solution, the government should tackle corruption first” Gabose was quoted by Jamhuuriya. He said that he would like to advice the president of Somaliland Ahmed Mohmoud Silany not to hurry up things, urging that he should be clam whenever he is tackling a problem and encounter difficulty.
REGIONAL MEDIA
UN agency assured of Somali refugees stay in Kenyan camp
26 Mar – Soure: Daily Nation – 333 words
The United Nations says it has the government’s assurance that refugees in the Dadaab complex will not be forced into areas of Somalia secured by the Kenya Defence forces. Statements by some government officials have in recent past fuelled speculation that the refugees will be resettled in the secure areas in Somalia to act as a security buffer zone for Kenya.
But in its March Bulletin for Eastern Africa, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says its refugee agency has been assured this will not happen.
“Despite widespread media reports and several Government of Kenya statements to the contrary, the UN refugee agency says national authorities have provided assurances that Somali refugees residing in the Dadaab complex will not be forced back to areas of Somalia that the Kenya Defence Forces have reportedly secured,” says the bulletin.
Ugandan Parliament grills Kiyonga over soldiers pay
26 Mar – Source: New Vision – 449 words
Parliament has expressed concern over the ministry of defense’s monthly deductions from UPDF officers in Somalia. Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nandala Mafabi and Aswa MP Reagan Okumu told Parliament that they had received several complaints from the officers over the deductions.
According to the MPs, the ministry deducts US$208 monthly from the UPDF officers deployed in Somalia. UPDF officers in Somalia are paid US$1028 each per month and in case of death, the officer’s family receives US$50,000 and in case of injury, the officer gets US$25,000. “The minister should explain why Government deducts the money given the important work they are doing in the country. That is a risky job,” Okumu said.
Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga explained that according to the memorandum of understanding signed between the government of Uganda and the African Union, they are a number of payments that AU does not meet. He said the money is part of the administration costs.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Maldivian, Indian forces shadow hijacked Iran ship
27 Mar – Source: Hindustan Times/AFP – words
Maldivian and Indian forces were on Tuesday shadowing a hijacked Iranian-owned cargo ship drifting in the Indian Ocean, but were holding off boarding the vessel, a defence spokesman in Male said. The MV Eglantine was seized by Somali pirates late Monday off Hoarafushi island in the Maldives, the first hijacking in the waters of the archipelago.
“By the time our vessel reached the area the hijacked ship had drifted out of our Exclusive Economic Zone,” a spokesman for the Maldivian National Defence Force, Abdul Raheem Latheef, told AFP by telephone from the capital Male.
“But we are tracking this vessel along with the Indian navy,” he explained, adding that an armed Maldivian vessel was travelling close to the ship, seized over 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles) from the pirate hotspot of Somalia.
Turkish Airlines Opens Route to Somalia
26 Mar – Source: VOA – 635 words
This month, Turkish Airlines became the first major commercial carrier to fly directly to Somalia in more than 20 years. The move is the latest high profile step Turkey has taken to extend its economic and political influence on the African continent. Turkish Airlines inaugural flight to the Somali capital, Mogadishu, is the latest high profile move in Turkey’s commitment to the war-torn country.
Last year, Turkish Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the first Western leader in decades to visit Somalia. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag, speaking to journalists on the flight to Mogadishu, stressed that his country is committed to supporting efforts to bring peace to Somalia.
Bozdag said there are serious security problems, which he says will not to be solved in the short term. But he saidTurkish leaders have expressed their opinions on what needs to be done to bring about peace and that Turkey welcomes positive developments toward that end.
Pirate kidnap: agonising wait for family
27 Mar – Source: East Coast Radio – 179 Words
The family of a Bluff couple who were taken hostage by Somali pirates is enduring an agonising wait to see if their captors will accept a new ransom offer. Bruno Pelizzari and Debbi Calitz have been held in Somalia for more than a year now.
It’s believed they were “sold” by the pirates to rebel group, al Shabaab, shortly after their capture. They are now believed to be in the hands of a Somali businessman. Pelizzari’s sister, Vera Hecht, says she received proof that they are alive two weeks ago, so made a new offer to negotiators.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The world has vital interest the long-term stability of Somalia. Piracy has enormous negative impact on world commerce and trade. The cost associated with Somali piracy is expected to reach $15 billion this year. Turkey is genuinely interest in ending the famine and suffering. Turkey has restored some essential services in food distribution, healthcare, education, sanitation and vocational training and rebuilding critical government administration buildings. UK has significant number of British/Somali nationals and has critical interest that Somalia does not become breeding grounds for Islamic extremists.”
Istanbul Conference: A Workable Solution
27 Mar – Source: Harowo – 1198 Words
The London Conference was an attempt to extend a helping hand to Somalia. The coming-up Istanbul Conference is hailed as the conclusion of the grand plan to stabilize Somalia. This brings both good news and bad news. The good news is, a helping hand is what Somalia needs and the bad news is its neighbors are not enthusiastic about stable Somalia.
After Somalia’s central government collapsed, decades of civil war followed- leading different tribal groups unable to feel bound by provisions of international agreements. What exasperated the divide between the tribes is the history of Somalia itself. Somalia, unlike many African countries has no proper defined borders based on ethnic and linguistic distinctive lines. It is based on division of European powers that contested and divided Somalia based on regional alliances. The countries that annexed portions of Somalia have always hoped a weak government or none at all. The collapse of the central government of Somalia provided an opportunity to achieve that end.
“Attacks without a follow-up plan, as many interventions in the Middle East and Africa have shown in the past, ultimately fail because they leave behind further instability. The pirates, like al Shabaab militia (and the line between the two is now blurred), will be almost impossible to eradicate in the absence of a political solution that helps to build a stable government in the coastal area, and in all of Somalia.”
Anti-piracy plan risks worsening Somalia’s plight
27 Mar – Source: The National – 382 Words
Pirate attacks are a little less frequent than last year, but the European Union has no intention of easing the pressure on Somali outlaws who prowl the Horn of Africa coast and the Indian Ocean. On Friday, the EU agreed to expand its mission against Somali pirates to include attacks on land targets. The 10 EU warships operating off the Horn are now authorised to strike moored vessels and fuel dumps in “coastal territory and internal waters”.
As a tactic to fight piracy, the EU’s extension of Operation Atalanta makes a degree of sense. Pirate bases on land will, initially at least, offer little resistance to the EU forces, which will likely be helicopter-borne. The pirates’ small boats are no match for the EU’s heavily equipped warships; certainly, pirate groups can expect heavy material losses and many casualties.
“When making decisions that can have an enormous impact on people’s lives, it must listen to those closes to the issues. Currently, all inclusive and sustainable peace depends on shifting from top-down TFG approach, rather bottom-up approach to one that engages council of elders involvement in such areas, bringing tribal leaders back to pro-government camps pledging to oppose extremism.”
Rethinking Kenyan military invasion of south Somalia
26 Mar – Source: Gedo Online – 610 Words
The Kenya military invasion in Somalia “Operation Linda-Nchi,” tremendously devastated the lives of many famine stricken civilians in the southern Somali regions of Jubba valley, Bay, Bakol and Gedo regions. The operation was justified and a security measures intervention rather than a new model of invasion.
The people of these regions endured inconceivable drought and famine situation that ravaged thousands of civilians coupled with extremist oppression is now paying toll on miscalculated counterinsurgency air-operations. Apparently, Kenya’s involvement in this mission against al Shabaab demonstrated that AMISOM-coalition remains an essential source of revenue stability. Therefore, to preserve this allegiance TFG proponent granted such request, mandating all necessary measures.
“Omar Shafik Hammami who now goes by the nom de guerre of Abu Mansur Al Amriki was born in Alabama, U.S.A and joined al Shabaab militia in 2006. Since his early days of joining the militia, he acted as the mouthpiece for al Shabaab and was notorious for producing jihad-laden rap songs to lure young Somalis in the Diasporas to join al Shabaab for jihad. He is now reported to have been abducted and detained by some of his closest comrades. I am sure if he ever gets his freedom back, he’d start rapping a different tune.”
The Fear in Their Eyes!
26 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online – 784 Words
The latest surfaced video on the internet by Abu Mansur Al-Amriki in which he claims that he is in great danger because his life is “threatened by the Harakat al Shabaab al Mujahedeen,” seals the end of al Shabaab in Somalia, as we know it. What’s even more riveting about this video, beyond the crumbling terrorist organization’s war within its cadre is the flagrant fear in the eyes of the American native who left the US to fight with al Shabaab. This allows the viewers to get inside the mortified terrorist mastermind’s dread of death. A sense of bereavement and cry for help hovers over his demeanor, not simply because he’s worried that his terrorist organization is defeated, but because he feels the end of his life is nigh and death is around the corner.
Top tweets
@t_mcconnell Kenya’s divided allies fighting over who will run southern #Somalia even before #Shabaab defeated http:
@jlelo With #TurkanaOil we can now afford to build a wall along the Kenya-#Somalia border #kot.
@Kasambalive: #Somalia be another country with oil reserves if only they had a stable government….
@PaulJamesCrook Road worth travelling – Garowe Puntland, #Somalia . Not a pirate in sight http://pic.twitter.com/
@ajenglish: Can the #EU‘s expanded Operation Atalanta mission help to end piracy in the Horn of Africa? | #Somalia | http://aje.me/
@helpingmedia Protection demanded for news director of Shabelle Media radio #Somalia after shooting incident http://bit.ly/GWKImg
@stefwolff Al-Shabab lose base in central #Somalia, but retain control of large areas in south and capability to attack capital http://bbc.in/GSU2Xh.
Image of the day
Hundreds of Somali students cue infront Mogadishu’s Mohamud Mire School to sit for pre-qualification exams to qualify for Turkish Education Scholarship. Photo Radio Muqdisho