May 19, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali president appoints new head of Somali military court
19 May- Source: Radio Dalsan/Goobjoog/RBC/Hiiraan Online- 60 words
In a decree, President Hassan appointed a new Court Martial Chairperson. The new chairman is Justice Abdirahman Mohamed Turyare who is also known as Abdirahman Cumda.
“Having seen the need for repositioning the post of the Chief of Supreme Military Court, the President directed the appointment of Mr Abdurahman Mohamud Turyare as the Chief of Supreme Military Court if Somalia.” the decree of which a copy of it RBC Radio obtained read.
The president says he appointed Justice Turyare for the post after consultation with the Defense Minister. According to his Curriculum Vitae, Mr Turyare has served as head of investigations for the National Security Headquarters in Mogadishu. He hold a Masters Degree in International Law and he is currently a candidate for PhD in law.
This post was formerly held by the current chairperson for Banadir Regional Administration Hon. Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab.
Key Headlines
- Somali president appoints new head of Somali military court (Radio Dalsan)
- Gunmen kill Bardale deputy commissioner (Radio Goobjoog)
- Somalia and Djibouti discuss bilateral relations (Radio Dalsan/Bar-kulan)
- Gunmen shot dead two civilians in Bal’ad town (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Dalsan)
- Somalia welcomes Iran’s commitment to train civil servants (Hiiraan Online)
- Security forces launch crackdown in Black sea Bar Ubah villages in Mogadishu (RBC)
- Al Shabaab insurgents attack AMISOM troops in Qoryole district (Radio Shabelle)
- Clan militia fighting leaves 2 dead in Sool region (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Military Commander for Lower Shabelle claims he has authority of all government personnel in Marka(Radio Shabelle)
- Gunmen shot dead two civilians in Bal’ad town (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Gender-based violence on the rise in Somaliland (Radio Ergo)
- Puntland Court Sentences 14 Soldiers for Stage mutiny (Horseed Media)
- Somalia risks the lives of people and animals (Radio Goobjoog)
- Somalia: 17 militiamen killed in roadblock clearance operations-Army Chief (Garowe Online)
- Reconstruction of Galkayo-Galdogob road begins (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Haji opposes withdrawal from Somalia (Daily Nation/Star-Kenya)
- Reopen Wadajir hospitals say residents (Radio Ergo)
- UMI starts training Somali civil servants in Mogadishu (Daily Monitor)
- Somalia: Obsolete laws used to persecute two detained journalists (Reporters Without Borders)
- Regional MPs to hold talks on security (Daily Monitor)
- Lisbon takes over anti-piracy body (The portugal news)
- Somalia’s Thriving Agriculture (CCTV Africa)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali president appoints new head of Somali military court
19 May- Source: Radio Dalsan/Goobjoog/RBC/Hiiraan Online/Kulmiye/Risaala- 60 words
In a decree, President Hassan appointed a new Court Martial Chairperson. The new chairman is Justice Abdirahman Mohamed Turyare who is also known as Abdirahman Cumda.
“Having seen the need for repositioning the post of the Chief of Supreme Military Court, the President directed the appointment of Mr Abdurahman Mohamud Turyare as the Chief of Supreme Military Court if Somalia.” the decree of which a copy of it RBC Radio obtained read.
The president says he appointed Justice Turyare for the post after consultation with the Defense Minister. According to his Curriculum Vitae, Mr Turyare has served as head of investigations for the National Security Headquarters in Mogadishu. He hold a Masters Degree in International Law and he is currently a candidate for PhD in law.
This post was formerly held by the current chairperson for Banadir Regional Administration Hon. Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab.
Somalia and Djibouti discuss bilateral relations
19 May- Source: Radio Dalsan/Bar-kulan- 123 words
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Burci Mohamed Hamza met with the ambassador of Djibouti to Somalia Dayib Doubad Robleh. The meeting took place at the office of the state minister and discussions included the ties of the two countries as neighbors, brotherly and friendly countries. Burci said that Somalis consider Djiboutians as brothers who sacrificed their blood for the peace and unity of the Somali people. He thanked the Djibouti government for the reconciliation conference held in Arta, Djibouti and sending its troops to be part of AMISOM. Burci said Somalis will never forget what Djiboutians have done for them. He eventually requested the government of Djibouti to take part in the humanitarian aid in the country and the reconstruction of the country.
Gunmen kill Bardale deputy commissioner
19 May- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 76 words
Reports from Bay region states that the deputy commissioner of Bardale district Idiris Gaamey was killed by armed men near his house. Mohamed Ali Shire, among the administration of Bardale told the media that three men armed the pistols gunned down the commissioner and immediately disappeared. Security forces reached the scene and without delay launched operations to pursue the murderers in the in the town. No one was arrested for the murder of the late commissioner.
Gunmen shot dead two civilians in Bal’ad town
19 May- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Dalsan- 99 words
Gunmen have on Sunday night shot dead two people in two separate incidents in Bal’ad town, Middle Shabelle region. Eyewitnesses told Bar-kulan that the gunmen shot dead Ali Karton, one of the two victims at his home in the area before escaping from the scene. Security forces in Bal’ad town have reportedly carried out searches in the area; however, it is not clear whether any arrests in connection with the killings were made. Meanwhile, the motives and the perpetrators behind the killings of the two civilians are yet to be established.
Somalia welcomes Iran’s commitment to train civil servants
19 May – Source: Hiiraan Online – 132 words
The federal government of Somalia has vehemently lauded for the pledges made by the Islamic republic of Iran to train the country’s civil servants to help them acquire more knowledge and experience. The issue were discussed at a meeting between Somali state minister for foreign affairs Buri’ Mohamed Hamza and Iran’s acting ambassador to Somalia Mr. Javad Dehghan Lotfabadi here in the capital Mogadishu on Sundayevening.
According to a press statement from the Somali ministry of foreign affairs of which HOL obtained a copy, both sides also discussed on the strengthening of the bilateral ties between Somalia and the Islamic republic of Iran.
“Iran has long-existed brotherly and friendly relations with Somalia and we are all committed to broaden that kind of relation” Mr. Javad Dehghan Lotfabadi said during the meeting.
Security forces launch crackdown in Black sea, Bar Ubah villages in Mogadishu
19 May- Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Kulmiye/RBC- 99 words
The security forces of Federal government of Somalia backed by AMISOM launched heavy security crackdown in all the villages around Warshadaha and Sodonka (30th) roads in the capital city, Mogadishu. The forces were seen conducting door to door search in Black sea and Bar Ubah villages asking questions to the residents. Dozens of people mostly youth were apprehended during the operations who were gathered around Salama mosque as eye witness confirmed to Goobjoog FM. The motive behind the crackdown is yet known but security officials claim it is a move meant to maintain the security of the region.
Al Shabaab insurgents attack AMISOM troops in Qoryole district
19 May- Source: Radio Shabelle- 184 words
According to news reports from Lower Shabelle, a fierce violent conflict erupted Sunday night in Qoryoley between the al Qaeda affiliated al Shabaab terrorist group and the allied forces of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops and Somali National Army.
Several towns under the district were struck with a barrage of mortar shells resulting in severe fatalities of which the precise numbers of casualties and losses have not yet been confirmed. Witnesses described that the mortars destroyed homes and shops in the town.
A military official of the Somali National Army told Radio Shabelle that a fleet of AMISOM soldiers were preparing to withdraw their presence from the district when they were unexpectedly attacked thus causing the Somali National Army to intervene and retaliate against the terrorist insurgents, eliminating them one-by-one.
Qoryoley was recently liberated by the partnered Somali National Army soldiers and AMISOM troops and has since then experienced several stealth attacks. Although al Shabaab were drawn out from the district, a few insurgents have covertly sneaked in staging quite a number of terror attacks and engaging in ferocious battles with the government soldiers.
Clan militia fighting leaves 2 dead in Sool region
19 May- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 127 words
At least two people were killed and several others injured after two clan militias clashed on Sunday in Jidbale village, 60 KM north of Las Anod town, the provincial capital of Sool region. Abdi Warsame Abdi, one of the locals in the area told Bar-kulan that there have not been any mediation efforts so far to ease the tensions between the two warring sides. Abdi added that the fighting between the two clan militias is believed to be caused by a bitter family feud between the two sides. He said that hundreds of families came to live in Jidbale village in recent times following severe shortages of food and water that engulfed in many parts of the region.
Military Commander for Lower Shabelle claims he has authority of all government personnel in Marka
19 May- Source: Radio Shabelle- 159 words
The Commander of the Somali National Army’s 5th Contingent stationed in the Lower Shabelle denied recent claims that all police and military personnel in Marka fall under the direct command of its district commissioner.
Colonel Hassan Adan Hashi (Aadan Dheere), the military Commander, told Radio Shabelle that the officers of the Somali police force and soldiers of the national army still remain under his authority, and disregarded the recent claims made by Mohamed Osman Yarisow that he has control over the government forces.
“Any security agency of the Somali government falls under the dominion of the Ministry of Interior & Federalism. Matters regarding military and police personnel in Marka do not concern the district commissioner,” He argued.
Mr. Yarisow recently alleged in a statement to Shabelle that he has the ability and power to control all government forces that are present in his district.
Gender-based violence on the rise in Somaliland
18 May- Source: Radio Ergo- 201 words
Violence against women has dramatically increased in main cities across Somaliland, according to the Somaliland Women Lawyers Association (SWLA), an organization that provides legal aid to women and vulnerable groups.
“There were 124 reported cases in the first two months of the year – the highest we ever recorded within such period,” SWLA chairwoman Raqiya Yusuf Ibrahim told Radio Ergo’s local reporter in Hargeisa. In 2013, a total of 225 cases were reported.
Most cases have been reported from main cities such as Hargeisa, Buroa and Gabiley, where awareness on such abuses is supposedly higher than in rural areas.
Radio Ergo’s reporter said the incidence of gender-based violence is thought to be much higher than the figures suggest, because most women fear to report such cases. Many women who reported their cases to SWLA said they had experienced physical violence such as beatings.
“Because of the role of traditional elders in family matters, most of these cases don’t make it to the court and women don’t get justice,” said Ibrahim. “They (the elders) solve it through cultural means which doesn’t help women,” she added.
For example, 157 cases out of the 225 reported cases last year were “settled” through cultural means.
Somalia risks the lives of people and animals
19 May- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 152 words
The administration of Himan & Heb in central regions of Somalia gave reports about acute water shortage in areas under its regional state. Abdi Mohamed Suldan Ahmed Noor, the vice president of Himan & Heb told Goobjoog FM that the people in Lasbur, Dantur and Bo’aley localities are facing severe water shortage that has affected both people and the animals in these areas.
The vice president and other officials who supervised some areas in the region added that lots of animals died due to water shortage in all the areas they visited and many others are in risk if immediate action is not taken.Mr. Ahmednoor sent appeal to the federal government of Somalia, international aid agencies, diaspora and business community to send emergency aid to the people in the region who are in desperate conditions.
Over 15 people and animals died in Galgadud and Hiran regions due to acute water shortage.
Somalia: 17 militiamen killed in roadblock clearance operations-Army Chief
18 May – Source: Garowe Online – 109 words
Somali National Army (SNA) killed 17 militiamen in illegal roadblock clearance operations in Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia according to Commander-In-Chief Gen. Dahir Adan Elmi (Indho Qarsho), Garowe Online reports.
Gen. Indho Qarsho on Sunday told a news conference in Mogadishu that Federal Government of Somalia sent 300 soldiers and six armored fighting vehicles into Lower Shabelle region following extortion of money from trucks travelling on the main road connecting Mogadishu to Lower Shabelle by uniformed militias.
He declared that the army killed 17 militiamen who set up illegal roadblocks in the restive region which has been witnessing bloody confrontation over regional influence for the last two years.
Reconstruction of Galkayo-Galdogob road begins
18 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 130 words
Puntland officials in Mudug region have officially launched the reconstruction of the main road between Galkayo, the provincial capital of the region and Galdogob district.
Mohamed Jama Yusuf Tigey, Governor of Mudug region told Bar-kulan that the reconstruction of the estimated 60 KM long road is funded by the locals from the two towns.
The governor added that the road will be upgraded to gravel and he expects the reconstruction project to be concluded soon. He further urged locals in the region to continue their support and contribute everything they can to the reconstruction project of the road.
Truck drivers as well as ordinary people that frequently use the main road between Galkayo and Galdogob welcomed the reconstruction of the road which has not been repaired for a long time.
Puntland Court Sentences 14 Soldiers for Stage mutiny
17 May – Source: Horseed Media – 129 words
A military court in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland sentenced 14 soldiers for staging a mini-mutiny in their Barracks, located in the port town of Bosaso.
The soldiers who were convicted are part of the Puntland Maritime Police forces (PMPF) and the hearing was attended by the Commander of the forces Admiral Abdirisak Dirie.
After hearing their cases, Court prosecute Abdifatah Haji Adan announced that each of the soldiers were sentenced to five years jail terms. But they have one month to apply for an appeal.
Puntland army officials warned other soldiers to take similar steps otherwise will face same punishments. The Puntland Marine forces was established in 2010 and their mandate at that time was to tackle the pirates as well protect the coastal line of the region.
Reopen Wadajir hospitals say residents
17 May- Source: Radio Ergo- 171 words
Residents of Mogadishu’s Wadajir district have called on the new local administration to reopen hospitals that were closed following the withdrawal of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) from Somalia.
The two hospitals, formerly funded by MSF, used to provide free medical services to residents, but were closed eight months ago due to lack of funds.
“We used to take our children and pregnant women to these hospitals for free, but now there are no other hospitals that are giving free medication,” Hodan Hasan, a mother of several children, told Radio Ergo’s local reporter in Mogadishu.
Another resident, Mustafa Aden, said there was an urgent need to reopen the hospitals as most people could not afford private treatment. “I have five children and they used to get free medical services from these hospitals…even my wife used to get medicines from there,” he said.
Ahmed Abdulle Afrah, the district’s new chairman, said his administration did not have enough money to reopen the hospitals, but asked for assistance from the business community and aid agencies.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Haji opposes withdrawal from Somalia
19 May – Source: Daily Nation/Star-Kenya – 108 words
Garissa Senator Mohamed Yusuf Haji has said it would be suicidal for the Kenya Defence Forces to come out of Somalia without proper security structures in place.
Mr Haji, speaking in Mombasa over the weekend, warned that it would be catastrophic to withdraw KDF whose presence in the neighbouring country was bearing fruit. “I am told Mogadishu is booming with development and this tells you why we should continue having African peacemakers until the country can stand on its own,” he said.
The Senator said it would an act of cowardice for KDF to be pulled out of Somalia because of the ongoing terror attacks in the country.
UMI starts training Somali civil servants in Mogadishu
19 May – Source: Daily Monitor – 93 words
Uganda Management Institute has started a 10-day training of at least 80 Somali civil servants in public administration and management in Mogadishu as part of Somali government efforts to revamp the sector after 20 years of conflict.
A statement issued by African Union Information Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), said the training is part of a contract between UMI and African Union to help Somalia build government institutions.
Mr Ssebirumbi Kisinziggo, an AMISOM senior political affairs officer, said in Mogadishu that the training will provide the Somali civil service necessary skills to run government.
Regional MPs to hold talks on security
19 May – Source: Daily Monitor – 128 words
MPs from East African Community partner states and other stakeholders are planning to hold a conference in Arusha, Tanzania to deliberate on strategies to contain security threats and transform societies in the region.
The two-day meeting which starts on Friday, comes at a time when Kenya is battling with a string of bomb attacks blamed on al Shabaab militants from Somalia. They are blamed for many deadly attacks, including one on Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi last September that killed 67 people.
“The conference is expected to analyse the emerging security priorities, needs and challenges in the region and discuss the feasibility of a new vision on regional security and sustainable and peaceful coexistence,” a statement issued at the weekend by the East African Legislative Assembly, reads in part.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia: Obsolete laws used to persecute two detained journalists
19 May- Source: Reporters Without Borders- 399 words
Reporters Without Borders condemns the unfairness of the proceedings to which Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, the owner and founder of the newspaper Haatuf, and Ahmed Ali Egeh, the editor of its Somali-language version, are being subjected in Hargeisa, the capital of the breakaway northwestern territory of Somaliland.
Gabobe and Egeh have been held since 10 May, when they were arrested and appeared in court for allegedly libelling two government ministers, while the newspaper has been closed since 7 April.
“We call on the authorities to drop all the charges against Gabobe and Egeh and to end this sham trial, which reflects a poorly concealed desire to intimidate Somaliland’s media,” said Cléa Kahn-Sriber, the head of the Reporters Without Borders Africa desk.
Lisbon takes over anti-piracy body
19 May- Source: The portugal news- 82 words
Portugal has assumed the presidency of the judicial forum of the body that is fighting piracy off the Somali coast created by the UN, involving various countries and organisations, a source at the foreign ministry said. The organisation, which Portugal has been a member of since 2009, is composed of countries, international and regional organisations, civil society and ship owners and has integrated the European Union (EU) and NATO operations in the region with ships and aircraft.
Somalia’s Thriving Agriculture
18 May- Source: CCTV Africa-02:16mins
Livestock production has been the mainstay of Somalia’s economy. However, over the years, agriculture has developed to a point where local farmers now feed almost the entire population of the country, producing WFP approved grains in large quantities. The UN agency now buys its grains from local farmers providing a market for the hardworking Somali farmers.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The response from the police and other emergency services during the Friday attack in Gikomba was commendable and should set high standards on how those tasked with saving lives in case of emergencies should respond.”
Educate the public on terrorism to save lives
19 May- Source: Daily Nation-290 Words
The anxiety sparked by recent terrorist attacks and the subsequent withdrawal of British tourists from hotels at the Coast are pointers that more needs to be done to crack down on those perpetrating the attacks and at the same time improve security in major towns.
Unless the security forces appear to be winning against terrorists at home, there is a risk that the public mood could swing from supporting the country’s military action in Somalia.
Already, opposition politicians have started calling for Kenyan troops to be withdrawn despite the gains made in restoring peace in large areas of the neighbouring country and cutting off key economic links for Al-Shabaab.
The recent attacks targeting civilians are sending the signal that terrorists will stop at nothing to intimidate the population in the hope of making the Kenyan military campaign in Somalia unpopular.
“Much ink has been spilled in the last one year over the state of insecurity. There is, therefore, the danger that the authorities may be numbed to consider such editorials to be like a broken record — repeating the same thing over and over again. Nonetheless, the message to President Kenyatta and his government remains loud and clear: Fix Kenya’s security urgently.”
Fix Kenya’s security as a matter of urgency
17 May- Source: Daily Nation-310 Words
Concerns on insecurity have persisted over the last one year despite assurances from the Jubilee Government that it was taking robust steps to protect life and property.
The situation has been complicated by frequent “lone wolf” terrorist attacks linked to the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab, eight months after the deadly Westgate siege in Nairobi that left at least 70 people dead.
The latest in the city’s popular Gikomba market on Friday has only added to the body count and lives shattered by physical and psychological injury. This is a dangerous way for one of Africa’s most promising economies to live.
Kenya’s international reputation is also slowly being eroded and, with it, the attraction as a magnet for foreign tourists and investors. This week travel advisories by some Western governments showed how fragile the situation is when hundreds of British tourists cut short their holiday at the Coast and flew back home.
“So what is the link between the failure of the telecom sector and our parliament? Simply, both are in a business that they do not know its rules and its implications.”
What is wrong with Somali Teleocm sector? Parliament?
16 May- Source: Hiiraan Online-933 Words
On the 15th of May 2014, the Somali Ministerial Council Passed the Somali Telecommunication law with no dissenting vote among the Ministers. This is a huge step forward, a historical record for any Somali government cabinet to get a telecommunication law passed within such a short time. However, what will it take to get it passed by parliament?
The Minister of Post and Telecommunication, HE Mohamed Ibrahim tried his best to get other more profound issues within the confusing Somali telecommunication sector resolved. Over the last few weeks there were encouraging rumors from Mogadishu that the minister was in a very serious discussions to resolve the interconnection issue. It might be useful to explain what the interconnection is all about?
Simply put, the Somali citizens are victimized by the Somali telecom sector by forcing them to buy many simcards or mobile phones just to communicate! This is absurd. Illegal, unethical, immoral and bad business practice. No other country punishes its citizens like this. Just pause a minute and reflect on this…. the successful Somali (not foreign owned as far as we are told so far) telecom operators could not agree on commercial basis to work together. So they have decided to discontinue the interconnectivity.
Top tweets
@A_Barrow1 #Somalia‘s President @TheVillaSomalia strolling around the capital Mogadishu late at nighthttp://filimka.com/news.php?
@amisomsomalia 1/ #AMISOM embarks on a ten-day Executive Leadership & Management Course for 80 senior civil servants in #Somalia pic.twitter.com/Nm1PGtfByx
@Dahirkulane Inauguration of the United Nations Guard-Unit in#Somalia #UNSOM‘s @FatihaSerour,Amb #Annadif,@AMISOM_FC @Somalia111 pic.twitter.com/s7EkT8vTAy
@SomaliaNewsroom UN Special Rep Kay (@Somalia111) visits #Jowhar meets governor and community membershttp://unsom.unmissions.org/
@OCHASom #Somalia aid chief @UNLazzarini briefs the press in #Nairobi on the deteriorating humanitarian situationpic.twitter.com/LaHhX0TiKz
Image of the day
Special Representative of the Secretary General, Nicholas Kay, inspects the guard of honor during the Inauguration of the United Nations Guard Unit in Somalia on 18th May 2014. Photo: UNSOM Facebook