May 22, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report
Several Suspects Arrested In Kismaayo Following Killing Of Traditional Leader
22 May – Source: Wacaal Media – 114 Words
Following the killing in Kismaayo of Mohamed Mohamud Hassan, a famous traditional leader earlier today security officials nabbed several suspects in a crackdown. Mr. Hassan was among elders who elected President Madoobe in to office and was also among delegates that selected the newly formed Parliament of Jubaland. The security swoop was carried out in several Kismaayo estates including Farjano and Guulwade which are near the spot where the killing took place. The house to house search was termed successful with many youthful suspects arrested. A senior official who spoke to Wacaal media on condition of anonymity said that they were in the trail of the killers whose descriptions were given by eyewitnesses.
Key Headlines
- Several Suspects Arrested In Kismaayo Following Killing Of Traditional Leader (Wacaal Media)
- Luuq Administration Opposes The Motion Presented Before The Federal Parliament (Goobjoog News)
- Former Somalia Premier Urges Somali Diaspora To Participate Somalia Democratic Process (Somali Current)
- Qardo Welcomes In Style Puntland Head Of State (Wacaal Media)
- Al-Shabaab Called To Pledge Allegiance To ISIS (Somali Current)
- EU Steps Up Engagement In Support Of Somali Culture (Somali Current)
- War-Torn Somalia Opens 2nd Bank In Capital (Xinhua)
- Al-Shabaab Fighters Storm Garissa Mosques Threaten ‘Traitors’ Day After Ethiopian Soldiers Crossed To Kenya (Standard Digital News)
- Mogadishu’s Lido beach: Sun Surf And… Grenade (BBC)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Luuq Administration Opposes The Motion Presented Before The Federal Parliament
22 May – Source: Goobjoog News – 247 Word
Luuq administration has term the motion against the newly formed regional parliament of Juba State illogical idea which is intended to break apart IJA house illegitimately. Luuq deputy district commissioner, Bishar Adan Abdikariin said the administration stands against the motion and blamed some of the federal parliamentarians for taking that step without knowing the consequence it will host. “Residents of Luuq and their administration are satisfied with and propping up their newly selected regional MPs and we are not contented with what is going in Somali federal parliament as this can lead to political crisis which might create instability in the region” he said.
Meanwhile traditional Elder in Dolow town who took meeting in that town have casted away and opposed the motion saying the IJA parliament was formed through discussion and consultation made by people of IJA regions. “The formation of the parliament was done inclusively, no one was left outside therefore the few federal MPs who presented the motion against the regional parliament have hidden agendas and personal interest” the chairman of the elders in Dollow. There had been demonstrations in different parts of the country especially in Baidoa and some areas in Gedo region which were orchestrated by some the civil society mebers in those locations who blamed Interim Juba Administration for formation parliament were not inclusive. Some of Somali federal parliament members have presented motion against IJA parliament claiming that it is not de jure thought the parliament did not debate on the issue.
Former Somalia Premier Urges Somali Diaspora To Participate Somalia Democratic Process
21 May – Source : Somali Current – 127 Words
Former Somalia Prime Minister Abdi Weli Sheikh Ahmed has urged Somalia Diaspora especially those in the US to return home to participate in the democratic process. In an interview with US newspaper, the former Premier said he and others are working hard for democratic change in Somalia, adding Somalia Diaspora plays vital role in the process. “Some people here are influential in Somalia and this will help make the first election happen”, he said. The former Prime Minister is in the US to meet Somalia Diaspora community.They are over 100,000 Somalis living in the US, most of them in Minnesota, Ohio and Seattle States. Somalia is scheduled to hold its first general election in 2016.
Qardo Welcomes In Style Puntland Head Of State
22 May – Source: Wacaal Media – 121 Words
Puntland President Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed has arrived in Qardo town, regional headquarters of Kar-kaar province yesterday afternoon for an official visit. On arrival, the president was received by members of his cabinet, MPs, traditional and religious leaders, district and provincial administration, youth, women and the general public in a colorful welcoming ceremony. Later the head of state officially opened a newly constructed tarmac road in the area which was part of his administration’s development agenda. The province also inspected renovation works at the local airstrip and expressed his satisfaction at the work done so far. The trip is part of the president’s itinerary that will see him visit parts of eastern and Kar-kaar provinces .
Al-Shabaab Called To Pledge Allegiance To ISIS
21 May – Source: Somali Current – 179 Words
The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIS) has invited the Somali armed group Al-Shabaab to its fold, saying Somalia was under occupation and needs to be liberated. Speakers who are believed to be Somalis called on the Somali armed group Al-Shabaab to pledge allegiance to ISIS the same way the Nigerian radical group Boko Haram did last year. In the propaganda Video that lasted for at least 5 minutes, the group said it shared the same goal with Al-Shabaab, and that their allegiance would be significant in the fight against what they called “crusaders that seek to occupy the Muslim land (Somalia).”
“Know that today you have an Islamic caliphate that protects your dignity. It will behead those who oppress you like the Ethiopians and other who invaded the Muslim land,” a Somali speaker, Taymuulah Al-Somali said in the video flanked by highly armed men with guns and a black flags. Al-Shabaab has not responded to the video by the time of publishing this story. Da’esh controls large chunk of land in Iraq and Syria.
EU Steps Up Engagement In Support Of Somali Culture
21 May – Source: Somali Current – 175 Words
On the occasion of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, the EU Delegation to Somalia wants to reiterate its commitment to strengthen Somali efforts to rebuild cultural heritage. Indeed, moving out of conflict is not just about rebuilding infrastructure & security which is important. It’s a broader process whereby communities reflect on how their identity and heritage brings them together and how it can help them to thrive as a society.
It enables communities to heal the scars of war and to create spaces for dialogue, exchanges and tolerance. The EU has been a steadfast supporter of Somali culture by publishing with Unesco a “Scoping Study on the Somali Culture Sector” and by supporting cultural centres in Hargeisa and Mogadishu. Moreover, on May 7th, the EU Delegation has gathered the “Friends of Somali Culture“, a wide range of Somali culture actors who will now reflect on how the international community can contribute to the revival of the Somali culture. On the World day for Cultural Diversity, culture brings the Somali people together.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
War-Torn Somalia Opens 2nd Bank In Capital
22 May – Source: Xinhua – 444 Words
Locally-owned Premier Bank launched banking services on Thursday in Somali capital Mogadishu, becoming the second operating commercial bank in the war-torn Horn of African country.In the past two decades, insecurity in Somalia of civil war shattered economic institutions and public service sectors.
However, the gradual improvement of security ushers Somalia into a period of economic revival as people begin to reconstruct their country for a better future.Speaking at the launch, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud encouraged all Somali citizens to invest in their country, saying the nation was now on recovery path.”From this year on, my government will work for the improvement of the country’s economy,” he pledged. Somalia has conventionally dealt with informal and unregulated money transfer firms to send and receive money.
Al-Shabaab Fighters Storm Garissa Mosques, Threaten ‘Traitors’ Day After Ethiopian Soldiers Crossed To Kenya
22 May – Source: Standard Digital News – 531 Words
For the second time in many days, Kenya’s territorial integrity was compromised by armed men who took their time to try and stamp fear into locals before taking off. Heavily armed militia, suspected to be Al-Shabaab, stormed two mosques in Ijara Sub-county in Garissa on Tuesday night, and forced worshippers to listen for two hours to their tirade against the Kenya government, local civil servants and security officials before disappearing into a nearby forest.
It happened a day after Ethiopian soldiers armed with AK-47 rifles crossed into Kenya aboard 10 vehicles and took over a police station in North Horr. In the Tuesday night incident, the Somali militia forced worshippers at two mosques in Tumtish and Kabasalo villages to listen to their fiery ideology and reportedly read out names of alleged spies and traitors during the ordeal that began at 6p.m. The simultaneous raids on the villages caught two nearby military posts at Sangailu and Hulugho by surprise. Kabasalo is about 10km from the military post at Hulugho while Tumtish lies about eight kilometres from the Sangailu Kenya Defence Forces ( KDF) post. Hulugho OCPD Caleb Matoke told The Standard that “we received intelligence that the two groups were led by a wanted terror suspect called Mohamed Bilal.”
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“At high tide on a recent Friday afternoon, thousands of mostly young Somalis were playing in the surf – a scene of cheerful relaxation that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago in a city notorious for its decades of anarchy, famine and violence.”This place is bangin’! Beautiful!” said an exuberant 21-year-old named Hassan Mohammed. Like many others at the shore, he was from the diaspora and spoke English in a broad London accent.”Never been here before. Very nice country. I’m born and raised in Europe. I thought it would be like seeing the end of the world. But it’s improved very much,” he said.”
Mogadishu’s Lido beach: Sun, Surf And… Grenade
20 May – Source: BBC- 609 Words
Abdullah Mohammed Hassan climbed down from his perch, and strolled purposefully into the sea to rescue yet another bather who appeared to be struggling against big waves and a rocky, barbed-wire-infested shoreline at Lido beach, on the northern edge of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.”We save people here every day,” said the 46-year-old policeman – managing to sound both proud and chiding at the same time. Mr Hassan has now spent three years assigned to the lifeguard unit that patrols the beach. Several restaurants have opened up at Lido beach, their shaded tables packed with Mogadishu’s wealthier elites.
“Octopus, sea turtle, lobster, shrimp – it’s all over this place! Somalia is the most rich in seafood,” said Lule Dhan, an Ethiopian who is executive chef at the Benadir Beach Restaurant. “This fabulous city… is not what the media portrays,” he declared.”Absolutely, I’m here to stay,” said the restaurant’s slightly less effusive co-owner, Abdi Resak Jamcale, who has returned to Somalia after two decades in California.
“I’m not making a profit but I’m breaking even. We need new laws to have more foreign investment here. For years people here never knew what’s wrong and what’s right – whoever has the gun [was in control]. But we’re getting there, slowly,” he said. In a country famous for its entrepreneurial culture, Lido beach’s popularity has attracted a range of new business ventures – the most visible being the stalls renting out bright red life jackets to the many less confident swimmers.
TOP TWEETS
@amisomsomalia:Banking in #Somalia has received a big boost with the launch of Premier Bank http://bit.ly/1Fquqjd #SomaliaRising
@Adesoafrica:Land restoration and reclamation is possible in#Somalia. Share and #ChangeTheStory.
@Daudoo:Somali members in Islamic state ranks call#AlShabaab to join “caliphate” like #BokoHaram – Video.#Somalia #IS #ISIS
@SkyNewsBreak: Scotland Yard says a 20-year-old man from south London has been charged with preparing to go to#Somalia to join militant group al Shabaab
@SalahOsman0: #Mogadishu is fighting for bringing its pride (Peace n Progress) back. Football is among the leading factors#Somalia
IMAGE OF THE DAY
At the ribbon cutting for Premier Bank, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is joined by other officials during the opening ceremony.
Photo: AMISOM