March 31, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali president in Baidoa to end political rift

30 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online/SNTV/Bar-kulan – 115 words

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud is facing very tough challenges in his attempts to end the political repercussion in the south-western city of Baidoa where clan representatives recently elected two different regional presidents each claiming to be the legitimate president for the controversial regional state. Leading a large delegation of cabinet members and MPs, President Hassan arrived in Baidoa on Sunday in a bid to end the political rift that caused huge divisions amongst the city’s nearly 300,000 inhabitants each supporting a different administration. The main objective of the president’s trip to Baidoa is to prevent from bloody violence as each of the self-declared states was committed to implementing political views in the region.

Key Headlines

Somali president in Baidoa to end political rift (Hiiraan Online/SNTV/Bar-kulan)
SNA AMISOM seiz control of Moqokori village (Radio Goobjoog)
Federal Gov’t of Somalia to resume talks with Somaliland (RBC)
Somalia outlaws bank cash withdrawals without parliamentary consent (Hiiraan Online)
Al Shabaab executes three alleged Federal Govt spies (Garowe Online)
Puntland president announces to open dialogue with federal government of Somalia (Radio Goobjoog/Puntland TV)
Kenyan leader meets Somali Community to discuss growing Insecurity (Horseed Media)
Puntland forces launch operations in Galagala (RBC)
CS Joseph Ole Lenku says ‘explosive’ found in Lamu church was totally harmless (Standard Media)
Former foreign minister sworn in as lawmaker (Hiiraan Online)
Your time is up Ruto tells terrorists (Capital FM)
Somaliland Aviation Team Heads to Turkey for Joint Air Control Management Talks with Somalia(Somaliland Press)
Puntland speaker postpone the parliamentary extra-ordinary session (Radio Goobjoog/Puntland TV)
Man killed in blast while assembling IED in Eastleigh (Capital FM)
Galmudug president denies that Hobyo town is base for al Shabaab (Radio Goobjoog)
Turkey trains future Somali diplomats (Hiiraan Online)
Kenya Faces Higher Risk of ‘Terrorist’ Attacks Australia Says (Bloomberg)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali president in Baidoa to end political rift

30 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online/SNTV/Bar-kulan – 115 words

SNA, AMISOM seiz control of Moqokori village

30 Mar – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 87 words

Somali National Army backed by African Union troops seized the control of Moqokori village,Hiiraan region from al Shabaab fighters. The joint forces captured the village without facing resistance from al Shabaab. The government forces and AMISOM took the control of key towns in south and central Somalia from al-shabab the last few weeks. There are no casualties reported from this capture; the joint forces peacefully captured the control of Maqokori, a Somali national army commander confirmed to the press. The security situation of the town is now stable.

Federal Gov’t of Somalia to resume talks with Somaliland

30 Mar – Source: RBC – 79 words

Federal Government of Somalia has sent a delegation to Turkey to resume talks with the northern Somalia breakaway region of Somaliland, RBC reports. The delegation from Mogadishu led by the Minister of Transportation and Civil Aviation Sa’id Jama Qorshel departed on Sunday for Istanbul, Turkey. The Turkish mediated talks between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somaliland administration will enter its fourth round in this week, according to Minister Qorshel who spoke to local media in Mogadishu today.

Al Shabaab executes three alleged Federal Govt spies

29 Mar – Source: Garowe Online – 107 words

Somalia’s al Qaeda linked al Shabaab group executed three men for spying for Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency in Barawe coastal town of southern Somalia on Friday afternoon, Garowe Online reports. The alleged spies who have been identified as-Mohamed Deeq Hassan Ali, 28, Mohamud Farah Sabriye Shure, 47 and Abdinajib Shire Barre- were executed by firing squad at a public spot in the presence of self-appointed Al Shabaab judges and Barawe residents. Ahead of the execution act, al Shabaab judge said, the three men have been working with Federal Government of Somalia for several months and transferred al Shabaab plans and activities to Mogadishu-based intelligence agency.

Puntland president announces to open dialogue with federal government of Somalia

30 Mar – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Puntland TV – 86 words

The president of Puntland Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas officially announced that his government will open talks with the federal government of Somalia after the former government led by Abdirahman Farole suspended the ties with the federal government of Somalia, accusing it of altering the constitution of the country. The president affirmed the existence of federal government in the country stating Puntland makes up the federal government and any differences between Puntland and the Somali federal government should be solved in dialogue and understanding.

IDPs reach Marka

30 Mar – Source: Bar-kulan – 73 words

Hundreds of internally displaced persons from Qoryooley have reached the capital of lower Shabelle, Marka. The IDPs have been displaced by the ongoing fighting between Al-Shabaab militant group and the Somali National Army and AMISOM troops. Some of IDPs who spoke to Bar-Kulan have said they are farmers who used to depend on the activity before being displaced by the heavy fighting. Al-Shabaab militant group lost Qoryooley to SNA and AMISOM mid March.

Kenyan leader meets Somali Community to discuss growing Insecurity

29 Mar – Source: Horseed Media – 91 words

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta along with his Vice William Ruto met a group of Somali Community members from the Eastleigh neighborhood to discuss on the growing insecurity in the East African nation. The meeting which took place on Friday at the State house in the capital, Nairobi was mainly focusing on dealing with the threat of sporadic terror attacks in the country. Somali community mostly comprising of Businessmen and Religious leaders passed a number of complaints and harassment Somalis living in Eastleigh area face during police raids, which result from attacks.

Puntland forces launch operations in Galagala

30 Mar – Source: RBC – 63 words

Puntland defense force early Sunday morning launched security operations in Galgala Mountains, where al Shabaab fighters influx has been reported. Senior Puntland military forces in Galgala region headed this operation stating the possibility of more al Shabaab fighters reaching Gal-gala and hiding in the mountains. Gardaful region governor said this operation was launched after receiving order from the presidential palace of Puntland.

Former foreign minister sworn in as lawmaker

30 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online – 105 words

Former Somali Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan , has attended her first parliament meeting after she was sworn in as a new parliament member on Saturday. “I swear in the name of Allah that I will accomplish my duties for the interest of the country and the people of Somalia. I will respect the national constitution and will serve in accordance with Islam,” the new lawmaker said holding her right hand on the Quran. Fowsiyo has replaced former Parliament Member Ismail Hassan Jama after he resigned and transferred his seat to her. Both individuals descend from the same sub clan.

Somaliland Aviation Team Heads to Turkey for Joint Air Control Management Talks with Somalia

30 Mar – Source: Somaliland Press – 103 words

Somaliland Minister of Civil Aviation and Air Transport Hon Mahmoud Hashi Abdi accompanied two ministerial legal experts flew out of the country today headed to Ankara, Turkey to discuss the issue Air Traffic Control management with SFG officials. In a Press Statement released today by the Director General in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air Transport Mr. Omer Abdillahi Aden stated as Follows. The Minister of Civil Aviation Air Transport Hon Mahmoud Hashi Abdi and accompanied by Mr. Said Mahdi Ileeye(Saqirro) and Mr. Mahmoud Bihi Taarwale both who are part of the Ministry’s legal team by in accordance with article 8.

Puntland speaker postpone the parliamentary extra-ordinary session

30 Mar – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Puntland TV – 109 words

The Speaker of Puntland Parliament Said Hassan shire has announced that he has postponed the sitting of the Parliament which was expected to open over the weekend. The members of Parliament were to approve Puntland government budget of 2014 after discussion but postponed after most of the members failed to attend the session as some were away. In a press conference the speaker stated that the session will fully open Monday and urged the members to attend without delay. The president of Puntland Abdiweli Gass and his deputy are expected to attend Monday’s session to witness the hot discussion of the members on the budget submitted the ministry of finance.

Somalia outlaws bank cash withdrawals without parliamentary consent

30 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online – 80 words

To prevent misuse or embezzlement, the federal government of Somalia has officially outlawed cash withdrawals from the central bank without parliamentary consent. The decision was announcement by Somali Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheik Osman Jawaari during an address at the parliament meeting on Saturday. “Any cash withdrawals from the central bank without having a written approval from the financial committee of the federal parliament of Somalia will be illegal,” the speaker Mohamed Sheik Osman Jawari told a parliament meeting on Saturday.

Government soldiers exchange gunfire in Afgoye, three civilians dead

30 Mar – Source: RBC – 108 words

At least three civilians were killed in Afgoye after government uniformed soldiers exchanged gunfire today, residents told RBC. The gunfire occurred at the centre of the farmland town, 30km south of Mogadishu. Eyewitnesses said the armed clash started after internal dispute broke out between two officers in Afgoye; one from the military and one from the local administration of Afgoye. Three civilians crossing the road were killed by stray bullets. At least two others were wounded. The incident came two days after the interior ministry fired the whole district administration in Afgoye. The new district commissioner could not be reached for comment following the armed clash.

Ministers of Energy and Foreign will attend the vote expected to cast by Sheffield council in recognizing Somaliland

30 Mar – Source: Somaliland Infromer – 90 words

Somaliland Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Hon. Hussein Abdi Du’ale has departed from Egal airport on Sunday heading to Sheffield in order to attend the vote expected to be casted by Sheffield town councilors holding a session to officially announce the recognition of Somaliland as an independent state on Wednesday. The minister is said to be an observer during the vote which the local council of Sheffield is expected to cast their vote in favor of Somaliland secession from the rest of Somalia which is plagued by piracy, terrorism.

Galmudug president denies that Hobyo town is base for al Shabaab

29 Mar – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 113 words

The president of Galmudug regional state in Central Somalia Abdi Hasaan Awale Qeyb Diid while holding press conference in Galkayo shed light on the relationship between Galmudug state and the federal government of Somalia. He stated that the federal government has transformed several agreements they jointly signed. On the other hand he denied that Hobyo town is a base of al Shabaab as the federal government of Somalia and AMISOM’s map of operations showed weeks before the start of the joint military offensive in South-central Somalia. He said that they added Hobyo to areas where the operations of Somali national army and AMISOM will capture from Somalia and pointed it as a baseless propaganda.

Turkey trains future Somali diplomats

29 Mar – Source: Hiiraan Online – 94 words

Turkish foreign ministry has concluded a week-long diplomatic training course for ten future Somali diplomats, as part of the Turkish government’s plans to help boost the war-ravaged country’s foreign policy. According to Turkish foreign ministry officials, the future Somali diplomats were taught lessons relating to foreign policy and as well as how to establish negotiations. “Holding such trainings for Somali diplomats will end here—we are planning to organize more courses for the young Somali diplomats” director for the diplomatic academy of the Turkish foreign ministry Mrs. Burco Cevik told the closing ceremony on Friday.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Your time is up, Ruto tells terrorists

30 Mar – Source: Capital FM – 164 words

Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday visited the Joy in Jesus church, Likoni the scene of a violent terrorist attack last Sunday in which six Kenyans were gunned down by terrorists and said that the country’s security agencies were closing in on the perpetrators of the heinous act. The Deputy President confirmed that already two of the suspected terrorists had been gunned downed and another one injured adding that the security agencies were closing in on remaining members of the terror gang with a view to bringing them to book. “These people will not escape, we will not allow the devil to take over this country,” he added. He urged Kenyans to continue enjoying the freedom of worship as enshrined in the Constitution noting that no amount of terrorism will deter Kenyans from going to places of worship. “Aside from the freedom of worship, Kenya is a God fearing nation; therefore there is no terrorist who will prevent us from worshipping God,” he said.

CS Joseph Ole Lenku says ‘explosive’ found in Lamu church was totally harmless

30 Mar – Source: Standard Media – 124 words

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku has said a device that was found in a Mpeketoni church was not a bomb as earlier thought. In a statement to newsrooms, Ole Lenku said evaluations by experts on the device that sent the church into panic have shown that it was totally harmless. “This is to inform the public that it has now been confirmed by Security Agents that what was believed to be explosive found in a religious establishment in Lamu County is actually an old shell of a bomb.” When it was spotted by worshipers Sundaymorning, a service that was already underway was halted and congregants evacuated. GSU personnel were sent to the church and they managed to pick the suspected explosive safely.

Man killed in blast while assembling IED in Eastleigh

30 Mar – Source: Capital FM – 180 words

A suspected terrorist died in an explosion in Pangani area in Nairobi after an Improvised Explosive Device he was assembling went off in his house. Police say three other people escaped in a salon car soon after the blast went off on Sunday. Nairobi police boss Benson Kibue who visited the scene of the incident said they have so far arrested one suspect who is helping the police with investigation. “We are currently pursuing the other group but we already have one man who I believe will help us get the others,” Kibue said. The deceased house is on a four-storey building that also hosts a madrassa called Al Bushraa Islamic Centre, which is on the ground floor. “I was wearing shoes ready to get out when we heard a loud explosion. We all ran out because we were very scared. The whole building trembled,” a ten year old boy who was in the madrassa at the time of the incident told Capital FM News. The explosion caused major cracks on the walls of the building and shattered its windows.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Kenya Faces Higher Risk of ‘Terrorist’ Attacks, Australia Says

30 Mar – Source: Bloomberg – 120 words

Kenya’s capital Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa face increased risk of attacks by extremists, the Australian government said. “We continue to receive regular reports that terrorists are planning a range of attacks in Nairobi and Mombasa,” Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs said in an updated travel advisory published on its website today. The country’s citizens should avoid the cities, according to the statement. The East African nation endured its worst attack by Islamist militants in 15 years in September when al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab gunmen stormed an upmarket shopping mall in Nairobi, killing at least 67 civilians and security personnel. The group said the attack was revenge for the Kenyan troop presence in Somalia, where al Shabaab wants to oust the government.

Seychelles transfers Somali pirates to home jail

30 Mar – Source: AFP – 162 words

The Seychelles on Sunday transferred nine Somali pirates to serve the remainder of their jail sentences back home, the government said, taking the total transferred to more than 90. The convicted pirates, who had been tried on the Indian Ocean archipelago, were flown back to Somalia’s northern Puntland region, the interior ministry said in a statement. They add to nine flown back last week. “The prisoners will… serve out the remainder of their sentences at the newly built Garowe prison in Puntland,” the statement read. One prisoner has just a year to go in jail, while others will remain behind bars until 2025. “To date, the Seychelles authorities have transferred over 90 prisoners,” the statement added. Pirates have been sent to both Puntland and self-declared northwestern Somaliland. The Seychelles, a 115-island archipelago, agreed in 2010 to accept suspected pirates arrested on the high seas and put them on trial. However, their tiny prison has been increasingly overcrowded with convicted or suspected pirates.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

If Somalia is to achieve stability and success the legitimacy of the government needs to come from the Somali people and not from an outside source. After so many failed attempts, evidence from Somaliland suggests that a locally oriented clan-based approach will be the most likely model to succeed in Somalia.

State Building in Somalia in the Image of Somaliland: A Bottom-Up Approach

30 Mar- Source: Student Pulse – 5900 words

According to the Failed States Index compiled by the Fund for Peace and Foreign Policy, Somalia has been the number one failed state in the world since 2008. The 2011 Ibrahim Index of African Governance rates Somalia an 8 out of 100, making it a state “with no ability to create or implement policies that promote the well-being of people within its borders” (Gordon & Gordon, 2012, p.103). There have been at least sixteen attempts since 1991 to reconstitute the failed Republic of Somalia (Walls, 2009, p.372). During this time no single representative government controlled the entire territory of Somalia or even maintained a prolonged existence. Southern Somalia, the area formerly known as Italian Somaliland, is claimed by several groups, none of which maintains control over more than a few square miles, and in the case of the internationally recognized Transitional National Government (TNG) and its successor, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), only a few blocks of the capital Mogadishu have been successfully controlled (Anonymous, 2002, p.259; Menkhaus, 2006 p.92). For twenty-two years Somalia has been a black hole of government, international aid and efforts at state and nation building. Attempts by the international community to stabilize Somalia have been many, with billions in international aid poured into the region, yet tangible results have been virtually nonexistent. However, there is an example of successful state building within Somalia: the stable yet unrecognized Somaliland Republic in northwestern Somalia.

“Somalia would be wise to ensure that whatever governance plan, or federal state organization, is put in place is durable enough to last after AMISOM forces have left, regardless of current security concerns.”

Al Shabaab, AMISOM, and the United States

28 Mar – Source: Council on Foreign Relations Blog – 528 Words

In a recent article on the Daily Maverick, Simon Allison identifies the “surprisingly perceptive” core message of al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane’s recent propaganda audio message. In his message, Godane urges his Somali comrades to throw out their Kenyan and Ethiopian occupiers. Allison notes that, although unsettling, Godane is, in certain respects, correct and tapping into widespread sentiments. Despite operating in Somalia under the authority of an African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to rid the country of al Shabaab, Kenyan and Ethiopian troops are, in fact, occupying Somalia. Their goals are not altruistic, and are largely informed by their own national security and political considerations. Thus, instead of celebrating the foreign troops’ efforts to stem al Shabaab, Somalis are worried about the outsized influence being wielded by foreign powers in their country. Although troubled by these developments, the United States and its partners have other goals in the region that will prevent any intrusion into Kenyan or Ethiopian plans. Godane’s message is particularly striking when considering the formation of federal states in Somalia.