May 16, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Al Qaeda Funds Halted After 450kg of Heroin Seized from Somali Pirates by Australia Warship

15 May – Source: Ib Times – 403 words

An Australian warship has seized 450 kilogrammes of heroin worth £78m ($125m) from a Somali pirates’ boat, nullifying funds destined for al Qaeda. According to news agency AFP, HMAS Darwin was patrolling the Indian Ocean some 40 nautical miles off Somalia’s east coast, when it intercepted the suspicious haul. The drugs were hidden in 20 bags, each weighing between 20 to 25 kg each. The ship’s commander Terry Morrison said the seizure “removed a major source of funding for terrorist and criminal networks which included al Qaeda, the Taliban and al Shabaab.

Key Headlines

6 people arrested over Baidoa suicide blast (Radio Bar-kulan)
Al Shabaab leader urges Kenyan Muslims to fight Uhuru govt (Hiiraan Online)
Ahlu Sunna arrests four suspects in Luuq (Radio Goobjoog)
Somali Youth day celebrated in Garowe (RBC)
Puntland Government Strongly Rejects Pirate Amnesty Claim (Horseed Media/ Puntland Governments)
GFP workshop in Mogadishu focuses on peace and Youth aspiration (Al Shahid)

SOMALI MEDIA

6 people arrested over Baidoa suicide blast

15 May – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 128 words

At least six people have been arrested in the last two days following security operations in Baidoa, the provincial capital of Bay region in connection with Monday’s suicide blast in the town. Baidoa police chief, Mukhtar Ahmed Ibrahim who spoke to Bar-kulan said that the six are being held in a police station and investigations to determine their alleged involvement in the attack are ongoing. He said if the ongoing investigations prove their involvement in the attack, the six will face justice. The police chief hinted that the operations and the crackdowns against suspected elements in the town will continue in an attempt to bolster the overall security of the area. Over ten people were killed on Monday’s suicide blast that targeted former government official in the town.

Al Shabaab leader urges Kenyan Muslims to fight Uhuru govt

15 May – Source: Hiiraan Online – 198 words

The leader of the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants Sheikh Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr has called on Muslims in Kenya to take up arms against their government, accusing the Kenyan government of harassing the Muslim community. The militant leader who delivered his fiery sermon in Arabic spoke from the group’s Al Andalus radio station. He said that Kenya is now experiencing a tougher economic deficit and as well as the worst insecurity ever . “Your economy has collapsed and that is because you have invaded the Muslim country of Somalia where Islamic sharia law is in place—that is my message to Kenya” said Abu Zubeyr whose real name is Ahmed Abdi Godane.

Ahlu Sunna arrests four suspects in Luuq

15 May – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 121 words

The security forces of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa in Gedo region have arrested individuals suspected of being behind the murder of Sheikh Mohamud Sheikh Ahmed, the head of Luq court. While carrying out heavy security operations in all villages of Luq district the forces have apprehended four soldiers among government forces who were taken to the police stations. The Vice Chairman of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa in Gedo region sheikh Issack Hussein Mursal told Goobjoog FM that they will bring to justice those behind the murder of the chairman who was an active member of Ahlu Sunna. Ahlu Sunna militia and government forces have recently fought in Bulo Hawo district where at least ten people including civilians lost their dear lives.

Somali Youth day celebrated in Garowe

15 May – Source: Radio RBC/Radio Bar-kulan – 124 words

Somali youth League day anniversary celebrations are underway in the capital of Somalia’s semi autonomous state of Puntland, Garowe. The 71th birthday of Somali Youth League day is celebrated in Garowe where youth groups, women associations, singers and local residents have come out in large numbers to commemorate the Somali youth day. Meanwhile an official celebration is also happening in the Puntland parliament building. Puntland heads of government including president Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas are attending the celebrations to mark Somali Youth Day. This highly arranged ceremony to mark the Somalia’s first political party which has played a key role in the country’s road to independence was founded in 15 May 1943 is also attended by singer and expected to act dramas concerning patriotism.

Puntland Government Strongly Rejects Pirate Amnesty Claim

15 May – Source: Horseed Media/ Puntland Governments – 132 words

The Government of Puntland strongly rejects recent false media reports concerning offer of amnesty to pirate kingpin, Isse Mohamoud Yusuf (Isse Yuluh). There is no truth to the false reports published by Somali news websites. Furthermore the Puntland government will not negotiate with pirates or criminals. The Government of Puntland respects and values the independence and work of the media guaranteed by the Puntland Constitution. The Government respects all opinions and support the right of free expression and encourages media organizations and Journalists to maintain the integrity of their profession by adhering to journalistic ethics and professionalism. Media publications and journalists have the onus of substantiating their reports. The Government of Puntland will continue to aggressively fight piracy and insecurity on the high seas and on-land.

REGIONAL MEDIA

GFP workshop in Mogadishu focuses on peace and Youth aspiration

15 May – Al Shahid – 478 words

Scores of Somali youths including boys and girls have benefitted from a week-long workshop entitled ‘Peace and youth Aspiration’ which was organized by the Generations for Peace Somalia office and was hosted at Somali National Olympic committee headquarters in the capital Mogadishu. The workshop was concluded on Thursday with a very colourful event in remembrance of the 15th of May, the day that Somalis commemorate annually as a memorial service for the fathers of Somalia’s independence, the Somali Youth League (SYL). During the workshop, the trainees were given lessons relating to how to use sport as a tool of peace building and youth integration in particularly such war-weary country where sport has so far played a key role in peace promotion.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Al Qaeda Funds Halted After 450kg of Heroin Seized from Somali Pirates by Australia Warship

15 May – Source: Ib Times – 403 words

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“As I write this, I realize that some may say we haven’t the independence to account for an Independence Day. But I say that we already have all the makings of independence, and the evidence is right here in Somaliland for the world to see. If only the world would look our way.”

A Different Kind of Independence Day

15 May – Source: Huffington Post Blog – 495 Words

In the quest for independence, there are good days and there are bad days. May 18th is a good day. OnSunday, May 18th, our Independence Day, the people of Somaliland will be filled with hope and renewed determination. Our Independence Day serves as a token of all that we’ve achieved thus far on the road to sovereignty, and as an aching reminder of our aspiration for recognition of our independence — an aspiration that remains unfulfilled. Let’s begin with a brief history. In 1960, Somaliland gained its independence from Great Britain and was recognized as a sovereign state by 35 nations, including all five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. Five days later, the government of Somaliland chose to unite with Somalia to create a “Greater Somalia.” But this union proved to be catastrophic. The central government in Mogadishu brutally repressed the people of Somaliland, killing 50,000 of its citizens, displacing another 500,000, bombing its cities and laying over 1 million land mines on its territory. In 1991, the people of Somaliland revoked the Act of Union and declared the independent Republic of Somaliland based on the borders of the former British Protectorate of Somaliland. Since that time, Somaliland has developed into a dynamic and stable democracy. A formal constitution was approved in 2001 by 97.7 percent of the population in a national referendum assessed by international observers as free and fair.