May 18, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Women Full-Face Veil Banned For Security Fears In Central Somalia Town
17 May – Source: Garowe Online – 181 Words
Authorities in central Somalia town of Dhusamareb have banned women from wearing full-face veils in public places for security fears, Garowe Online reports. In the more conservative society, the Paramilitary group of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamea which is battling Islamist insurgents largely in central Somalia said, they are aiming to prevent militants disguising themselves as women. Nur Elmi, a security official in Galgadud regional capital of Dhusamareb told the media on Sunday that the order imposes strict ban on face coverings: “The group for the annihilation of Somali people will not be allowed to wear theics’ full-face veil of women,” he said, saying they regard themselves as Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamea. Referring to Al- Shabaab’s ideology, Elmi insisted that they will counter ‘propagation of Wahhabi teachings’ in the areas under the control of the group. Ahlu Sunna militias wrested control of nearby Guri’el in deadly battles with Somali government forces in late 2014. The paramilitary group adheres to Sufism, and emerged as powerful armed wing following puritanical practices by Al Qaeda-linked Al- Shabaab militants. In March 2012, Ahlu Sunna liberated Dhusamareb from the militants they consider ‘heret
Key Headlines
- Women Full-Face Veil Banned For Security Fears In Central Somalia Town (Garowe Online)
- Boat Packed With Somali Returnees Departures From Yemen (Goobjoog News)
- 25 killed in Somalia including AMISOM forces (Somali Current)
- Puntland President Meets Yemeni Envoy Amid Refugee Influx (Garowe Online)
- Al-Shabaab Claims Control Of US Drone In Somalia (Xinhua)
- UAE Exerts Utmost Efforts To Save Somalia Revive Its Economy Says Somali official (WAM)
- Somali Islamists deny Burundian President’s Claim Of Planned Attack (Reuters)
- White Widow ‘has killed 400 people’ as key figure in Al-Shabaab (The Telegraph)
- Hargeisa’s Isolation & Idiosyncratic Presidency In the South: A Fool’s Errand! (Wardeer News)
- What we did not tell to the Turkish (Hiiraan)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Boat Packed With Somali Returnees Departures From Yemen
May 18 – Source: Goobjoog News – 291 Words
Reports from Yemen indicate that a boat carrying over 400 Somali refugees sailed from Yemen on Sunday. The boat which set out from Mukalla Port is expected to dock at some of Somalia’s port These Somalis, whom their lives were at the mercy of Yemen violence, have been resting under the shade of Yemen since the government of late Mohamed Siyad Barre deposed by rebellions. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis fleeing civil war in Somalia crossed to Yemen over the past twenty five years. 13th May this year, a boat carrying over 1700 Somali refugees from Yemen has docked at Bossaso port of Semi-autonomous regional state of Puntland.
Yemen became home for ferocious fighting between the internationally recognized government and the Houthis, who have taken control of large swaths of Yemen.The brawl claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands including Yemenis and Somali refugees who escaped the conflict and hardships in their country before civil war eruption in Yemen. Since 1st April, 5523 of Somali refugees started to return home by themselves with small boats. They accused the government of ‘’failing’’ to intervene the situation of the trapped citizens.
Life went from bad to worse for the Somalis living in Yemen after the federal government revealed that it is supporting the on-going Saudi-led military offensive against the Houthi rebels who are fighting to take over internationally recognized government. Pledges Somali government promised to dispatch ships and planes for the evacuation of Somalis caught in Yemen’s conflict.It was on 27th April when Director of the Parliament Mohamed Iyow told Goobjoog that the parliament has approved to send two ships to evacuate Somalis in Yemen.While other foreign nationals have been evacuated from the impoverished gulf nation, the federal government has not yet moved to evacuate its citizens despite announcing plans to bring back them home.
25 killed in Somalia, including AMISOM forces
17 May – Source: Somali Current – 114 Words
At least 25 people are feared dead in Somalia after Somali armed group Al-shabaab staged twin attacks in two different areas south of the country.The group, through its spokesman, claimed responsibility for the unprecedented attacks.The Governor of Lower Shabelle Abdulkadir Mohamed, stated that at least 15 soldiers have been killed, and ten Al-shabaab militants died after the group attacked the barracks in Mubarak and Awdheegle towns.“Close to hundred soldiers were deployed to secure the area after the attack,” a witness said. The attack come hot on the heels of a recent claim made by the AMISOM forces that it got rid of the most deadliest group in the Horn of Africa.
Puntland President Meets Yemeni Envoy Amid Refugee Influx
17 May – Source: Garowe Online- 140 Words
The President of Somalia’s Puntland Government Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has met with Yemeni Ambassador Mr. Mansur Ali Rayash Al-imrani in the state capital of Garowe on Sunday, Garowe Online reports. Puntland leader briefed Al-imrani on the efforts of receiving highest influx of refugees from war-torn Yemen, disclosing that government-installed committees are on standby for the reception of Yemenis fleeing from bloodiest conflict in recent years. Yemeni Ambassador to Somalia on his side thanked Puntland government and people for their unwavering assistance to the Yemenis arriving ashore. Puntland shares strategic maritime boundary with Yemen, and has been a destination for people caught in the cross-fire since April when Saudi Arabia along with Arab allies began pounding Houthi positions in a bid to restore President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi to power.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Al-Shabaab Claims Control Of US Drone In Somalia
18 May – Source : Xinhua -144 Words
The Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Shabaab on Sunday said it has captured a drone which fell down in the Bay region of Somalia.The militants said they were in possession of the drone which they claimed belonged to the United States after it came down near El Bashir village.There was no comment from the Somali government or the African Union Mission in Somalia AMISOM which has been battling the militant group alongside the Somali National Army.The U.S. has been deploying drone attacks against Al-Shabaab which have killed senior leaders and intelligence commanders of the group.A resident in the area who spoke anonymously to local radio said the drone fell on his farm and caused a scare in the area.”We ran away fearing it could explode. Al-Shabaab militants in the area come over and carried it away in a car,” he said.
UAE Exerts Utmost Efforts To Save Somalia, Revive Its Economy, Says Somali official
18 May – Source :WAM- 190 Words
President of Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, praised the huge efforts exerted by the UAE to save his country and restore its stability and security. The Somali official affirmed that the UAE supports Somalia in the security, political and economic fields and implements vital investment projects in his country. “The UAE exerts its utmost efforts to save Somalia and works to restore Somalia’s security and stability, and to revive its economy,” he said.
The Voice of Somalia website quoted Ali as saying during a press conference held after his tour in three countries, including the UAE, that he met with a number of Emirati government and private sector officials and discussed with them avenues of cooperation as well as ways to support various sectors of the Government of Puntland.
He noted that the discussions focussed on the security, economic and political fields as well as the investment domain. He also added that all his meetings with the UAE officials were successful, pointing out that within the coming few weeks, a number of Emirati investors and officials will arrive to support the population in the north eastern areas of Somalia.
Somali Islamists deny Burundian president’s claim of planned attack
17 May – Source: Reuters – 134 Words
The Somali Islamist group Al -Shabaab denied a claim by Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza on Sundaythat they were plotting an attack against the country, calling the beleaguered president’s claims a distraction from a political crisis in his country. Nkurunziza, who has faced weeks of protests and an attempted ouster over his decision to seek a third term in office, made his first appearance in the Burundian capital in days to say he was “very preoccupied” by the threat posed by al Shabaab.
“We think that this is an attempt by him to appease his people, who are standing in the streets protesting against his dictatorship, or to divert the world’s attention from him while he possibly prepares his mass revenge,” Al- Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mahamud Rage said in a statement to Reuters
White Widow ‘ Has killed 400 People’ As Key Figure In Al-Shabaab
18 May – Source: The Telegraph- 405 Words
White Widow Samantha Lewthwaite is responsible for the deaths of at least 400 people, including last month’s slaughter of 148 people at a university in Kenya, according to Somali security chiefs.She is thought to have risen through the ranks of terror organisation Al-Shabaab quickly after many of its leaders died in drone attacks and is now at the heart of its deadly mission.
Speaking anonymously to The Mirror, one security chief in Somalia said: “This lady sits at the right hand of the leader directing attacks.” The British woman, a graduate of London University, is now trusted by bosses including al-Shabaab leader Ahmad Umar to co-ordinate major atrocities, terror raids, suicide attacks and car bombings in Somali and Kenya.Originally from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, she is also believed to be at the forefront of a recruitment drive to encourage youngsters and women to become suicide bombers for cash.The top officer at Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency – who The Mirror chose not to name to protect his identity – said: “The lady has moved up the ranks. She is one of the most important figures in the terror group.
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“The “GUURTI”, another unelected government branch of corrupted men (No Women), has become a supreme power that sells votes to the highest bidder, the president. The GUURTI has been in power for 23 years, and have never been elected to start with-that is the lifetime of the majority of the young people in Somaliland. It has been reported more than 75 members of the original GUURTI have either died or been debilitated by age and bad health… becoming absolute.”
Hargeisa’s Isolation & Idiosyncratic Presidency In the South: A Fool’s Errand !
17 May -Source: Wardheer News -1715 Words
From a bogus democracy to a creeping dictatorship, Somaliland kept itself in a self-imposed isolation for the last 23 years, claiming to be a democratic tribal land, Africa’s best kept secret. We’ve heard this kind of chatter all the time from some hardliners in Hargeisa, ignoring the ever looming danger giving way to the rise of tribal militia operating both in Khatimo state and Awdal state. What we see now is the eruption of an angry public expressing hostility towards the government. The government refuses to back down, and it uses an ironclad army whenever she faces masses’ uproar where the public demands justice. For those who long argued Somaliland practices inclusive democratic systems must think again. In fact, the manner democracy is being throttled on now in Somaliland brings back the sad memories of military rule. Even elections set to take place have been put on hold indefinitely. “The thrill is gone”, as the late B.B. King used to sing!
“At this early stage, the Turkish may perhaps feel slow and bureaucratic system inside the new growing Somalia, which internal and external factors influence these challenges. The views from the public rest on spiraling their expansion into the system itself.”
What We Did Not Tell To The Turkish
17 May – Source: Hiiraan – 436 Words
Having a leisure time at the elastic tone of the Lido beach in Mogadishu with some of my colleagues and friends, the seat is served with fresh fruits, lemon shakes and local Somali Kahwa, I and most of my associates favor to have the local products consumed. At the corner of my left, a friend who I knew him years waved me across the other side. He is Omar, a young dynamic government official whom I tally him with those who care the motherland more by their passionate traits and have deep sympathy to witness Somalia becomes green.
Interestingly, Our meeting coincided few weeks after the Turkish President’s official visit to Somalia on early this year. I and Omar not often meet each other because of the busy schedule in our own diverse duties, occasionally, our rare gathering covers to talk about the prospects and affirmative dilemmas. Omar for eternity never greet people on sitting, but rather stands and hug you up with strong handshake supplemented with smiles. I simply asked Omar did you guys “the government” tell Mr. Erdoğan on what we want from them “the Turkish”?.
TOP TWEETS
@Daudoo:BREAKING: For 1st time, #Somalia govt in Dhusamareb town bans women from wearing face-veil for “security reasons”.
@UNDP :A must-read @Takepart @JacobKushner article on challenges of justice for rape in #Somalia: http://ow.ly/N0hqI
@unicefsomalia:Refugees in their own country: 1.1 million displaced in #Somalia – 369,000 in Mogadishu. via@UNHCRSom
@Federation:Bridging the gap between formal & community#health systems: a case study from #Somalia:http://goo.gl/9mDKdN #EWECisME #WHA68
@AU_PSD:The 508th Meeting of the #AU Peace & Security Council has started. Council is discussing the situation in#Somalia.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Residents of Waberi district attend a community policing meeting convened by AMISOM Police at the district offices.
Photo: AMISOM