May 23, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
AU forces intensify attack on Somali rebels
23 May – Source: Reuters – 287 words
African Union and Somali government troops stepped up their assault on al Shabaab militants in the capital’s northern outskirts on Wednesday, forcing hundreds of families to flee their makeshift homes and head for the city centre.
The AU force, which already controls most of the capital, is trying to advance through the Afgoye corridor, once a rural area northwest of Mogadishu but now home to hundreds of thousands of Somalis uprooted from their homes.
The corridor, believed to house the largest concentration of internally displaced people in the world, stretches some 30 km northwest of Mogadishu to the al Shabaab stronghold of Afgoye. The AU force began its advance on Tuesday and seized part of Tre Disho village, 13 km from the capital.
Burundian troops with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) were advancing from Tre Disho towards Elasha and Afgoye on Wednesday but were meeting resistance from al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants, their spokesman Captain Ndayiragije Come said.
Key Headlines
- Somali government troops eject al Qaeda from Afgoye Corridor (Radio Mogadishu)
- Somali AU force command vow fight against al Shabaab (Shabelle)
- Hundreds flee Mogadishu outskirts over ongoing military offensive (Radio Kulmiye)
- UN Envoy Sees Possible ‘Breakthrough’ in Somalia Talks (VOA)
- UN envoy: Al Shabaab fighters were defeated in Somalia battles (Shabelle)
- AU forces intensify attack on Somali rebels (Reuters)
- Security meeting held at Banadir regional headquarter (Radio Risaala/Somali Channel TV/ Radio Mogadishu)
- Al Shabaab says Jihad in Somalia is same as Afghanistan and Yemen (Radio Kulmiye)
- The law on piracy: sometimes a help other times all at sea (National)
- Al Shabaab bans sell of WFP food warns against taking contracts (Al Shahid)
- Somalia’s private sector can help rather than hinder development (Guardian)
PRESS STATEMENT
Somali government investigates libelling and incitement campaign by FM radios
23 May – Source: TFG – 324 words
In recent weeks, few FM radio owners in the capital were engaging in libelling campaign against government officials as well as creating hysteria over the peace process with an intention to spoil the Roadmap agreement and incite violence. These individuals have resorted similar tactics in the past, including outright defamations.
It’s important to note that such behavior is limited to certain media houses – which made habit of misleading the public – while majority of media organizations have shown respect for the law, especially the regimes that regulate the media which was enacted in 2007 by the Transitional Federal Parliament.
The provisions lay out clearly the consequences of libelling, including defamations, which prohibit broadcasting lies and slandering.
The government is committed to safeguard the press freedom, but defying the law in place and spreading lies against the government, including demanding extortion from public officials, will not be tolerated. Among the allegations made by one of these private media organizations was portraying officials as corrupt without any factual bases.
The law states responsibilities and ethics that comply with journalism standards and press freedom. When granting licenses to private media, the government expects them to ensure that the public airwave remains healthy, including anything that could lead to misinformation, lies
and defamation.
The country is entering into a new era of peace and stability, where the government is paving the way for strong press presence and a robust role of civil society to enhance reconciliation. However, FM radio owners should avoid violating the law and undermining the peace process by engaging with reckless broadcast that disturbs the peace.
The government supports the joint-statements from the African Union, IGAD and the United Nations Political Office for Somalia that recently warned spoilers to derail the peace process.
With that, the government will continue its policy of supporting the press freedom while ensuring transparency and public participation for all important policy decisions. However, investigations are underway to identify the spoilers who abuse the press and promote violence.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali government troops eject al Qaeda from Afgoye Corridor
23 May – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 187 words
The Somali troops with support from African Union launched a major attack on the terrorist group’s last stronghold in the outskirts of Mogadishu, including the Afgoye corridor. The remnants of al Qaeda fled the area, as residents welcomed government troops.
The Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications, Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed “Jahweyn”, remarked on the gains made by the government and praised the sacrifices of the armed forces and allies from the African Union Mission in Somalia. “Our goal remains the same; expel terrorists and destroy their safe havens in Somalia” said Minister Mohamed.
“The government has weakened al Qaeda and its al Shabaab affiliate, downgrading its capability to stage attacks against the government or our allies” added the Minister. A senior military official confirmed progress on executing operation was successfully. The troops have cleared land mines throughout the districts that were brought in government fold.
As part of a broader campaign against al Qaeda, the government will continue its assault on the terrorist groups until they are eliminated and denied opportunities to regroup. The Somali people rejected the draconian impositions of al Qaeda and expressed support for their government to help defeat al Shabaab militants.
Somali, AU force command vow fight against al Shabaab
23 May – Source: Shabelle – 155 words
Both Somali and African Union mission (AMISOM) force commanders have vowed to redouble the military operations against al Qaeda linked al Shabaab insurgents in the country. After a day-long offensive carried out by Somali government troops along with AMSIOM beyond Somali capital,Mogadishu, the commanders of TFG and AU say they are planning further push against the militants.
General Abdikarin Yusuf better known as (Dhega-badan), told Shabelle Media during an interview that al Shabaab fighters have the last chance to surrender before its too late. He added that both Somali and AMISIOM will continue attacking al Shabaab in every area they are in the country.
For his side, AMISIOM force commander, Major General Andew Gutti, told reporters in Mogadishu that the militants were defeated in yesterday’s battle and they are now on the run. He added that the African union peacekeepers along with Somali army are committed to root out the militants from Somalia.
Hundreds flee Mogadishu outskirts over ongoing military offensive
23 May – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 151 words
Hundreds of people are fleeing from the outskirt of capital Mogadishu for fear of more violence as government troops and African Union peacekeepers launch attacks against rebel positions in the outskirt of Mogadishu.
The contested areas are housing thousands of internally displaced people have already made their temporarily makeshifts to survive after fleeing from Mogadishu several years ago during the fighting between al Shabaab and government troops in Mogadishu,
Those fleeing are trying to escape the fighting and seek refuge in Mogadishu. One of the displaced people who spoke to radio Kulmiye says it was very hard to come to Mogadishu with his family since they were not able to pay for the transport.
“The transport money was so high, and my family was so lucky there were other families who were trying to escape to Mogadishu but they will find it hard. The fare is very expensive,” he said.
UN envoy: Al Shabaab fighters were defeated in Somalia battles
23 May – Source: Shabelle – 105 words
United Nations’ Special envoy for Somalia Augustine Mahiga said Wednesday that the al Qaeda-aligned al Shabaab militants have been defeated in south and central Somalia battles.
While addressing at Addis Ababa conference for Somali roadmap signatories, the envoy declared that yesterday’s joint offensive against al Shabaab strongholds on the outskirts of Mogadishu was a symbolic to the defeat of al Shabaab in Somalia fighting.
Augustine Mahiga emphasized that al Shabaab are on the run after losing major locations and towns in south and central as Somali government troops and African Union peacekeepers have launched attacks against rebel positions in the country.
Security meeting held at Banadir regional headquarter
22 May – Source: Radio Risaala/Somali Channel TV/ Radio Mogadishu – 261 words
A security session to discuss fostering of good liaison between the local district Commissioners and security officers of Somali Government was held on Tuesday in Mogadishu. The meeting which was co-organized by the interior Ministry and National Security affairs and Benadir Regional Administration was meant to flourish the collaboration of peace missions in district areas of the capital.
Somali Interior Minister Abdisamad Maalim Mohamud who briefed the reporters after the meeting called on the local Police commanders and Intelligence officers to actively engage in efforts to coordinate security with the local District Commissioners so as to tighten their operations in their latest strain through out the region.
The Governor of Benadir Region who is also the Mayor of Mogadishu, Mohamed Ahmed Nor stated that it was the duty of the police force to maintain security every hour.
“Mogadishu like other cities around the world has the right to witness police force on duty day and night,” the Governor said.
Al Shabaab says Jihad in Somalia is same as Afghanistan and Yemen
23 May – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 126 words
Somalia’s al Qaeda wing of al Shabaab has revealed that the war in Somalia is similiar with other Jihad waged in Afghanistan and Yemen. Speaking to pro-al Shabaab radio station in outskirt of capital Mogadishu Fuad Mohamed Shongole a senior al Shabaab member urged people to take arm and defend their country from the ‘foreign invaders’
“The Mujahidens are still stronger and the enemy is failing” he said. Somali government forces and African Union forces have launched an offensive against the al Shabaab fighters in Mogadishu’s outskirt in Ellasha.
Last year al Shabaab abandoned many parts of the capital Mogadishu saying it was a tactical reiterated and will wage a guerrilla warfare in Mogadishu to topple the transitional federal government.
Puntland seizes alcohol stash in Galkayo
23 May – Source: Somaliland Press/Shabelle – 97words
Police in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland have seized more than 150 bottles of alcoholic drinks that smugglers were seeking to bring into its region. Police operations in the central town of Galkayo netted several people over the banned substance during raids in the last two days, according to local sources.
Government officials said they also arrested others in connection with security operations. They added they will stand trial in a criminal court in the coming days. The consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden throughout Somalia, where the people are entirely of Muslim population. Every year police announce alcohol seizures.
Puntland Soldier Kills Fellow Soldier
22 May – Source: Somalia Report – 135 words
At least one soldier from the Puntland Security forces died and another was injured after a fellow soldier opened fire on a group of soldiers in Laag village, 30km south of the port city of Bosaso, on Tuesday afternoon, witnesses and officials told Somalia Report.
On late Tuesday afternoon Puntland security forces in Laag were chewing khat (a narcotic plant) while relaxing at their base in Laag village when a soldier, Abdi Said Farah, opened fire on his friends, killing Ciiro Aw-Jama and injuring Ahmed Mohamoud Ali.
“At 5:00pm local time, two soldiers began to argue with each other. One opened fire and then fled after he realized his friend died. Senior officials arrived in the area and sent other troops to catch the killer,” Mohamoud Ali, a witness in Laag village, told Somalia Report.
REGIONAL MEDIA
The law on piracy: sometimes a help, other times all at sea
23 May – Source: National (UAE) – 341 words
The jokes about peg legs, parrots and the Jolly Roger are long gone. Piracy is no laughing matter and these days it is the lawyers who would rule the waves. According to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), piracy is defined as “any illegal act of violence or detention, or any act of depredation, committed for private ends by the crew or the passengers of a private ship”.
Further, UNCLOS states that “all states have an obligation to cooperate to the fullest possible extent in the repression of piracy and have universal jurisdiction on the high seas to seize pirate ships and aircraft, or a ship or aircraft taken by piracy and under the control of pirates, and arrest the persons and seize the property on board”. The convention also allows states to “exercise a right of visit vis-a-vis ships suspected of being engaged in piracy”.
What sounds relatively simple on paper is more complex in reality. An immediate difficulty is the phrase “high seas”, which refers to international waters. Most attacks are carried out in Somali waters, butSomalia has no effective government on land, let alone at sea, though it is legally responsible for stopping pirate attacks.
Al Shabaab bans sell of WFP food, warns against taking contracts
23 May- Source: Al Shahid- 150 words
Al Shabaab militants in Somalia has Tuesday banned the selling of food donated by the United Nation’s food program, WFP.
In a press release from the group’s Office for Supervising the Affairs of Foreign Agencies (OSAFA), Alshabab claimed that WFP is giving contracts to Somali businessmen so as to flood food into the markets, hence affecting the market price. The militant group also warned the Somali businessmen against taking contracts from WFP.
“After the stocks of the WFP became full, they decided to flood their food into the markets, killing the price and adversely affecting the lives of many Muslims. We therefore ban the sell of WFP food in Islamic Wilayat markets as well as taking contracts from that agency.” read section of the press release.
The group, which controls large areas of South Somalia, has on November 2011 banned the operation of 16 local and international NGO’s working in Somalia.
How taking the fight to pirates is turning the tide
23 May – Source: National (UAE) – 593 words
As 10 Somalis are jailed for life in Abu Dhabi for hijacking a UAE cargo vessel, other countries too have had enough of anarchy on the high seas and are taking the fight to the lawless pirate gangs.
Looking back, it was a certain numb clarity of thought that gave Adam Zaradzie and his crew the determination to survive.
In the early hours of April 1 last year they were hijacked by pirates. Their Somali attackers seized the MV Arrilah-I and laid siege to the ship’s master and his crew. For a day and a night they tried in vain to prise them from the tanker’s citadel – part-strongroom, part-prison and the iron fist that had closed upon them.
“We were all over the place,” the master recalled. “They tried every possible way to get us out – grenades down the funnel, they tried to set us on fire. We were battling in high temperatures and low oxygen, and there was lot of banging and running around.”
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
AU forces intensify attack on Somali rebels
23 May – Source: Reuters – 287 words
African Union and Somali government troops stepped up their assault on al Shabaab militants in the capital’s northern outskirts on Wednesday, forcing hundreds of families to flee their makeshift homes and head for the city centre.
The AU force, which already controls most of the capital, is trying to advance through the Afgoye corridor, once a rural area northwest of Mogadishu but now home to hundreds of thousands of Somalis uprooted from their homes.
The corridor, believed to house the largest concentration of internally displaced people in the world, stretches some 30 km northwest of Mogadishu to the al Shabaab stronghold of Afgoye. The AU force began its advance on Tuesday and seized part of Tre Disho village, 13 km from the capital.
Burundian troops with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) were advancing from Tre Disho towards Elasha and Afgoye on Wednesday but were meeting resistance from al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants, their spokesman Captain Ndayiragije Come said.
UN Envoy Sees Possible ‘Breakthrough’ in Somalia Talks
22 May – Source: VOA – 416 words
The United Nations special envoy for Somalia says the “Road Map” peace deal signed last September is on track to produce a breakthrough in ending the Horn of Africa country’s 20-year political vacuum.
It won’t be easy, but three months before the end of the U.N.-backed transitional government, leaders of Somalia’s fractious political entities seem committed to working together in a post-transition arrangement. U.N. special envoy for Somalia Augustine Mahiga said if it holds together, this could be historic.
“We have 90 days till the end of the transition. The elders are convened, the principals are here. They are together. And they have demonstrated a commitment to end the transition, and certainly, touch wood, this will be a major breakthrough that has never happened in the past 20 years,” Mahiga said.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“It is inevitable that humanitarians will at times be compelled to engage with the private sector in conflict-affected situations such as Somalia, if only to support their own operations. This engagement can both harm and enhance relief and recovery efforts. For that reason, it is essential, both for the future of humanitarian action and for the future of countries such as Somalia, that new initiatives along the lines of those described here are adequately supported.”
Somalia’s private sector can help rather than hinder development
23 May – Source: Guardian Blog – 817 Words
Despite – or perhaps because of – more than 20 years of war, Somalia has a remarkably strong private sector, particularly in the money transfer, telecommunications and livestock spheres. Yet, as the 2010 Inter-Agency Standing Committee evaluation of the humanitarian response in Somalia points out, aid agencies have failed to engage systematically the Somali private sector and disapora in their work.
This is no small omission, given that remittances alone are estimated at $1bn-2bn (£6.3-12.6m) a year in Somalia – and this figure does not even take into account the vital role the diaspora plays in providing basic services such as healthcare, education and water, as well as infrastructure and enterprise.
“The necessary financial infrastructure is present to support development; however, there are a number of challenges that must be addressed. Political stability is key, followed by a stable “rule of law” environment to promote foreign investment and commercial enterprise. It is well known that, “Somalia lacks contract law, company law, the concept of limited liability, and other key pillars of commercial law.” Regional mediation tribunals exist, but as long as war and instability remain lucrative for a few clans and warlords, the “status quo” will resist any moves for national prosperity.”
Building a New Somalia Requires Infrastructure and a Stable Currency
22 May – Source: Somaliland Press – 598 Words
Somalia has increasingly been the target of unfavorable international press, ranging from the atrocities of war and the poverty that it brings or unlawful exploits of its pirates that, according to the latest studies, have enriched a variety of regional economies with the spoils of its trade. Rarely do these articles dig beneath the superficial to reveal that there are positive developments that may propel Somalia forward financially in the foreseeable future.
As one of the poorest countries on the African continent, Somalia has challenges like no other from basic infrastructure needs to a fully elected and constitutional government. Ever since the outbreak of the civil war in 1991, there has not been a unified central government in Somalia. There have been regional substitutes, especially in the northern “Puntland” area where oil and gas discoveries have taken place, that have provided a modicum of stability, enough to attract foreign investment capital. The central bank was also reconstituted in 2009 and is beginning to formulate fiscal and monetary policy for the country.
“Despite its achievements, no country in the world has yet recognized Somaliland’s independence. The US State Department and the African Union each cling to the fiction that Somaliland is part of the failed state of Somalia. It would have made sense to award Somaliland the diplomatic recognition it deserves. Its brief history of freedom and democracy stand in stark contrast to the terrorism, reign of warlords and piracy that is rife in Somalia, where US President Barack Obama and the UN are expending vast resources to fund African troops, which are propping up the corrupt transitional Somali government.”
Why not recognize independent Somaliland?
22 May – Source: Global Post Blog – 779 Words
Twenty-one years ago this month, Somaliland was reborn when the tyrannical regime of Siad Barre collapsed. Since then, the people of Somaliland, which is the northern part of Somalia, have established a country built on the principles of freedom and democracy. But they still await recognition by the world community including the United States.
Somaliland first won its independence from the British Empire on June 26, 1960, an event soon followed by recognition as a sovereign entity by the United Nations and 35 countries, the US among them. But then, a week later, Somaliland voluntarily entered a union with what was at the time known as Italian Somaliland, to the south, creating modern-day Somalia.
“As opposed to the failure of the top-down TFG to govern and fight terrorism, the northern provinces of Somaliland have declared their independence and established a functioning democratic system with multiple fair elections. Though it has not garnered international recognition, Somaliland is a clear contrast with the southern TFG-ruled provinces in terms of stability and governance. As the TFG’s charter expires this August, perhaps it is time to transition to a more representative system that will likely to lead to more a effective government, both in fighting corruption and terrorism.”
The U.S.’s Somalia policy: Time for a Change
22 May – Source: Global Security Strep – 316 Words
Somalia is well known as a lawless, anarchic haven for terrorism and piracy. Since the events known as “Black Hawk Down” in 1993, the U.S. has been hesitant to become involved in Somalia. Though some efforts have been made to improve stability and governance, they have been poorly designed and undercut by corruption.
A new paper by Morgan Roach and Ray Walser at the Heritage Foundation details how the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, established by international forces in 2002, has failed to govern effectively and fairly due to its undemocratic charter. This charter operates by a “clan quota system,” which appoints TFG government officials who look only to enrich their own clan through corruption and cronyism.
Top tweets
@africamedia_CPJ #NYT #
@lawofwomen Aside from the political rambling, any talks on #economic strategies such as resource allocation n institutional changes for #Somalia 2012?
@Aynte: More on #UN putting lipstick on #Somalia‘s pig (aka messy politics + so-called principles) http://bit.ly/
@rightnowio_feed Somali police forces out in the streets of Mogadishu for the first time in more than 2 decades http://bit.ly/Kke1kG #
@stevekuriigamba #UNESCO + #
@trueSLANDER Cocacola factory complex #somaliland coast $17million.
Image of the day
Mogadishu Mayor Mohamed Ahmed Nur and Somali Interior Minister Abdisamad Maalim Mohamud host a security session in the Somali capital which was attended by all district commissioners and security officials. Photo: Radio Mogadishu.