May 21, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali government says guns won’t decide disputed port’s fate

20 May- Source: Reuters- 616 words

Somalia’s new government said on Monday it was pursuing talks to resolve rival claims for control in the south that have stoked fears of a return to the clan wars that pitched the nation into anarchy two decades ago. A local assembly on Thursday declared a former warlord, Ahmed Madobe, president of Jubaland. Madobe is not viewed favorably by Mogadishu and within a day two other men had pronounced themselves president, including Barre Hirale, a former warlord and defense minister seen as pro-government. “It will take time but there is no going back to civil war. That is not an option,” Ahmed Adan, a spokesman for Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid, told Reuters, calling for “peaceful and authentic negotiations”.

Key Headlines

Mortar attacks on Mogadishu’s presidential place (Hiiraan Online/Jowhar Online/Shabelle)
Several people arrested after a security operation in Mogadishu (Shabelle)
NISA dismisses allegations of blocking MPs to meet (Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
Iranians to pay $1m for illegal fishing in Somalia (Africa Review)
Somali government says guns won’t decide disputed port’s fate (Reuters)
Reporters’ safety group issues Somalia warning (UPI)

SOMALI MEDIA

Mortar attacks on Mogadishu’s presidential place

20 May- Source: Hiiraan Online/Jowhar Online/Shabelle/Radio Dalsan- 103 words

Mortars landed on residential areas near the presidential palace in Mogadishu. There are no reports of casualties in the late night attack in the capital. “There were mortar attacks aimed at Villa Somalia and there is no casualties so far” said one of Mogadishu’s residents. “We were scared because the mortars were landing very close areas to our houses, we don’t know who was launching them” Rahmo Abdille added.

Several people arrested after a security operation in Mogadishu

20 May- Source: Shabelle- 96 words

A security operation was Monday conducted by federal government troops and AMISOM troops in some parts of Mogadishu. Several people who were suspected to have connections with al Shabaab were arrested during the security operation in Wardigle district in Banadir region. The suspects were taken to the CID headquarters in the capital for questioning.

NISA dismisses allegations of blocking MPs to meet

20 May- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV- 143 words

Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has on Sunday dismissed allegations of blocking some 110 members of the Somali Federal government from meeting in one of Mogadishu’s hotels. Director of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency Gen. Bashir Mohamed Jama (Bashir Gobe) distanced these allegations from the country’s intelligence security agency, saying that the NISA is not involved in efforts to prevent some members of the Parliament to hold a meeting in Mogadishu. Gen. Bashir Gobe said that the duty of the national intelligence agency is to ensure the security of government officials and civilians, indicating that they are very disappointed about these baseless allegations.

Galmudug state criticizes move against prime minister

20 May- Source: Shabelle- 153 words

The administration of Galmudug state has criticized the move by some parliamentarians to pass a vote of no confidence against the cabinet of the federal republic of Somalia. The parliamentarians have forwarded the motion to the speaker of the national assembly but have not yet decided whether to pass it or not.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Iranians to pay $1m for illegal fishing in Somalia

20 May- Source: Africa Review-417 words

A court in northeastern Somalia’s Puntland state has slapped 92 people with nearly $1 million fine for illegal fishing. The lower court in Bossaso, about 1,500 northeast of Mogadishu, imposed $100,000 fines on the five boats said to belong to Iranian fishermen. The fines are payable within 45 days.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali government says guns won’t decide disputed port’s fate

20 May- Source: Reuters- 616 words

Reporters’ safety group issues Somalia warning

20 May- Source: UPI-183 words

Journalists and aid workers are among those considered most at risk of crime and kidnapping in Somalia, a reporters’ safety monitoring group said. The International News Safety Institute issued a travel advisoryMonday for Somalia, describing it was “one of the most politically and economically unstable countries in the world.” The British government in early May hosted an international conference on Somalia. Participants said, despite political reforms, Somalia has a long road to stability ahead.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“In our Reporting Back series, we ask FT foreign correspondents to tell us about a recent trip. Katrina Manson, the FT’s east Africa correspondent, tells us about her visit to Somalia.”

Fragile hope for Somalia

20 May- Source: Financial Times Blog-835 Words

Why now? It’s a rare day anyone can say the future looks bright for Somalia, but for the first time in years, the state preyed on by jihadis, pirates and warlords has a shot at stability. The most significant success came towards the tail-end of 2011, when African Union troops forced out al Shabaab, the al Qaeda-linked militants, from the capital Mogadishu. Ever since, diplomats, donors and Somalis have been hopeful. But Somalia hasn’t had a functioning government for the past 22 years. Everything needs to be done and all gains are fragile. Relations between a new, weak central government and clan-aligned regions are increasingly fractious, al Shabaab launches regular suicide attacks on Mogadishu and still controls much of the southern countryside. This month, the UK hosted a conference dedicated to security, political stability and reform in Somalia. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid were pledged. Much more is needed, but Somalia’s debts need to be cleared first.